The head prayer, the steps to perform it and everything you need to know

In the Rule of Osha-Ifá our head is sacred, without its spirituality and power we could do nothing, it is where we settle the tutelary Osha, the light that guides our destiny and gives us stability and firmness in life.

We religious must take care of our heads from some natural elements such as rains, and from the sun at certain times, even that no one touches our lerí (head), because all hands are not clean or fresh to do so and could cause us disorders.

It is very important That is why bringing our head covered with white keels or caps in religious ceremonies and whenever possible, even when sleeping, that way we protect ourselves.

Why is it important to protect ourselves with the color white?

White is the color that transmits serenity, and tranquility, is the pure color that represents the peace of Baba Obbatalá, the owner and lord of our heads in the Yoruba pantheon.

Why should we beg our heads?

For our head to be good and fresh we must pray for it whenever we can, the spirit resides in our head and that spirit must be nourished and refreshed so that our destiny is fulfilled.

By praying we will establish communication and connection with Ori, who is the spiritual head, in this way we get sanity, peace and stability to fulfill our purposes on earth and for our orishas.

When is a head prayer done in Santeria?

This depends a lot on the person. There are religious who have indicated to do it every month since they were consecrated, I know who has 20 years of Saint and month by month he does it because that is how they were instructed in Itá (reading of destiny).

But also when we feel down with a huge load on our minds, we must do it to give life, strength and vitality to our lerí.

What ingredients are usually used in head prayers?

The most common elements in head prayers are:

• Grated coconut,
• cocoa butter,
• cascarilla y
• a little honey because it is very hot, but this depends on each one.

If something is missing the Osha or Orisha and the Eggun (spirits), they will say the elements that must be removed or added.

Some types of head praying according to their ingredients

In addition to the elements mentioned above, there are prayers with bread, milk, fruits, meats and fish (snapper), and in the latter case it is the Babalawos who can do it, because they must pray the 16 Oddun and only one Awo is authorized to do so. .

They are also made prayers with the blood of animal sacrificesThis type of head prayer comes out in consultations if it is necessary for the person and only experienced hands can carry out this prayer.

• Almost always these prayers are to separate death from life, to ward off diseases, and get rid of misfortunes.

The prayers with fruits or vegetables they are good for the nerves or mental problems, especially they fortify the neurons.

Who can do a Head Rogation?

First of all, to pray for a head one must have a lot of heart and that the religious's hands are spiritually fresh and clean, because by putting our hands on the body of another person and more on his head, we are offering a part of our life.

The head can be requested by any Olorisha or Awo Orunmila (santero or babalawo) as long as their hands are fresh.

But remember also that we must always look for our godmother or godfather, if they are close by, because those hands were the ones that placed the Ashé on your leri.

To consider:

You should know that a minor cannot beg for the head of an elder, that is, if you have been crowned Osha for 5 years, the person who will beg your head must have more than 5 years of consecration.

Why is it important to respect the religious hierarchy?

Remember "Ear does not pass head", and it would be a great daring to disrespect the Guardian Angel of said person

Can you beg your head yourself?

Yes you can do it yourself, but you have to keep in mind that whenever you do it you must be clean, fresh, spiritually connected with yourself.

It should be done preferably in a place where you are alone and above all put a lot of heart and faith, always in front of your bedside Osha or another that you have received.

There are also spiritual head prayers that you can do in front of your spiritual vault.

What time is it preferable to pray?

Preferably at dusk, that is, late at night before going to bed. Then he falls asleep with that prayer on his head until the next day.

What is needed for a simple head prayer?

• Two white plates
• grated coconut
• Keel or white kerchief
• Cotton
• Cocoa butter
• Cascarilla
• Honey
• 4 pieces of coconut
• Gourd with water
• 2 candles

How to do a head prayer? What to keep in mind

Do not be alarmed if you go to a religious house and see a prayer being made in a different way, perhaps you have never had it that way, but it is because most Olorishas or Iworos do not do the same head prayer.

For example, some ask the Orishas, ​​while others consult with the Egguns whether or not they accept this way of proceeding, many start with the lower part of the body (the feet), and others throw the coconuts before or after the prayer.

This is sometimes a controversial issue among religious, because no one agrees on the procedures of the ceremony, and that is why you will see that in each holy house, there is a little book as it is usually said.

Here I will leave superficially out of respect for my religion, without advancing in depth, as is usually done in my holy house.

Steps to pray:

1. In my house of saints, a candle is first lit to Elegguá and given its respective smoked hutía, smoked fish and roasted corn.
2. All the elements to be used are placed on top of one of the white plates, the 2 candles are lit and the Iyalosha / Babalosha with a plate in each hand proceeds to Moyugbar facing the person.

The person is sitting in a chair It should be low, with bare feet resting on the ground, while the hands should be placed on the knees and the palms of the hands turned upwards.

3. Then the Iyalocha / Babalosha raises the plates, and will present them to the person on the forehead and neck, also on the shoulders, on the chest, the palms of the hands, on the knees and on the feet.
4. The elements that have been placed on the plate should also be named.
5. Then the plates are placed on the floor and two fingers should be wetted in the gourd with water and it is placed on the nape, on the temples, on the front of the neck, the inside of the elbows and knees, palms of the hands, and feet.
6. After all this is repeated, but with cocoa butter.

My Godmother He always chews a piece of cocoa butter with coconut and applies it to the center of the head, because the saliva has Ashé.

7. Then everything is covered with cotton and the head is wrapped with keel.
8. The rest is removed with the cotton and deposited on the plate and the coconut pieces will also go on the plate.
9. That plate will go under the bed in the part where the person rests his head to sleep.

With this prayer he falls asleep And the next day on your knees you must carefully remove that paste from back to front, so that it falls on the plate where the remains of the previous day are.

• Recommendation: After begging his head he cannot take the night watch, nor leave the house.

Where is this praying going?

Very important is to keep in mind that before lifting the plate from the floor, you must know where you are going to deposit your prayer. To find out, he asks himself through the Obí.

This ceremony is beautiful, purifying, and gives us a lot of energy, so when we do it we put all our faith and spiritual strength, so that the results are positive and many blessings come to your life.

Some powerful rituals on behalf of the Orishas that we can perform:

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