OYA

(feast day 4 December and 2 February)

African deities (orishas) are usually represented by flowing, swirling images of colour and movement, depicting the elemental energies rather than an anthropomorphized image. Oya, goddess of storms, tempests and rain, dances in spirals representing tornadoes and wind - the winds of change, sweeping away the old in order to prepare for the new. She wreaks destruction in order to find and prepare for underlying calm.

She was the wife of Shango, Lord of Thunder and Fertility, and together they fight side by side creating thunder, lightning and destruction. She is goddess of the marketplace, bringing fortune to her patrons. And she is the only African orisha brave enough to confront death - she is goddess of funeral processions and cemeteries (cemeteries being known as "Oya's Garden").

Oya is the powerful Yoruba Goddess of the Winds of Change; the Primeval Mother of Chaos; Queen of the Nine (for the nine tributaries of the Niger River). Using her machete, or sword of truth, she cuts through stagnation and clears the way for new growth. She does what needs to be done. She is the wild woman, the force of change; lightning, fire, tornadoes, earthquakes and storms of all kinds are ruled by Oya. She is also Queen of the Marketplace, a shrewd businesswoman and adept with horses. As the wind, she is the first breath and the last, the one who carries the spirits of the dead to the other world, which is why she is associated with cemeteries

Some of Oya’s Favorite Things

Oya loves color! Her favorite shades are: Red, purple, brown, and orange The animals that correspond with her are the goat, sheep, locust, and horses. Copper is her Mineral. To please Oya, leave her offerings of eggplant, Red wine, plums, and grapes. The planet that she relates best too is Uranus, and she loves The Dark Of The Moon. The library, and the study are where she likes to be when inside the house. Oya’s best day of the week is Wednesday

Many years ago, Chango was embroiled in one of his unending wars. He had fought for many days and killed many of his enemies, but, more came than he could kill. He found himself surrounded by his enemies in the middle of the forest.

"Enchile," he shouted, but his famous magical horse had become lost during the fighting. Chango was afraid to yell again. He might be found. He heard his enemies beating the bushes and shaking the trees to find him. If they did, they would kill him.

Without Echinle, Chango had to scurry through gullies and cover himself in river mud to hide from his enemies. Days passed. His implacable enemies did not rest. They did not eat. Chango, tired and hurt, had to keep on running without sleep and without food.

He ran and he ran until he reached the place where Oya lived. It was very deep in the woods. Very few people there knew that Oya was Chango's wife.

Chango came to Oya's house and pounded on the door. She opened it and saw Chango bruised, cut and panting.

"What has happened to you?" cried Oya.

"Oya, they have me surrounded," panted Chango. "They want to hang me from a tree."

"Come in, quick." said Oya, hustling Chango into her house.

"My lightning is not effective against my enemies today," He told Oya.

"That's because you lack the courage to fight," she scolded. Oya gave him water and a bite to eat.

"It's not courage I lack," said Chango. "I'm very tired."

"What do you want from me?" asked Oya.

"If I could escape my enemies' deadly circle, I could rest and sleep." said Chango. "I would recover my strength and destroy my enemies."

"Why is it that you only come to see me when you need help?" asked Oya.

In those ancient times, Chango was used to fighting by himself, but he swallowed his pride.

"Help me, Oya."

Oya thought for a moment and then turned to her husband.

"When night falls," she said. "You will put on one of my dresses. The disguise will let you escape."

"They will still recognize my face," said Chango.

"I will cut off my hair and put it on your head. That will complete the disguise." said Oya. "I will cut off my hair to save my king's life."

They waited until night. Oya lit no fire. She was afraid that the smoke from her chimney would be noticed by Chango's enemies and draw them to the house. When the sun had gone down, but before the moon had risen, Oya cut off her beautiful hair and pinned it to Chango's head. Chango did not know what to do with woman's hair. It fell across his eyes. It tangled in his ears. Oya had him sit down and wove the hair into two long braids.

"Here's a dress," she said. "Put it on quickly, before the moon comes up."

Chango managed to tangle himself up in Oya's dress. "Stand still," she said. "Just stand still and let me dress you."

Finally, Chango was dressed as a passable imitation of Oya. She went to the door and peered out.

"Hurry," she said. "There's no one around."

Chango stepped outside, imitating Oya's dignified walk. He walked until he reached the forest and came across the line of searching men. He greeted his enemies with an imperious tilt of his head and crossed their line. He did not speak to them because his voice is very deep. It would have given him away.

This is the way Chango was able to escape his enemies' trap.

Once he was far away from the forest, he made camp. He rested and slept and ate and regained his strength and his will to fight.

Echinle managed to find his way back to his master. Chango fed him and groomed him.

A few days later, rested and healed, Chango mounted Echinle.

"It is time to kill," said Chango to his horse, and galloped off to find his enemies.

it was dawn when he reached his enemies' camp. He came rushing at them. His fury was terrible to behold. Lightning flashed from his hands. He shouted wild warrior cries. He was still dressed as a woman.

"Oya has turned into Chango," his enemies shouted when they saw the screaming apparition bearing down upon them, long hair flying and a gown flapping in the wind. They panicked.

Behind them, Oya came striding out of her house, fully armed, and began hacking right and left with her ax. Her short hair bristled and shot out electric sparks.

"If Oya helps Chango, there is victory," she shouted, cutting off arms and legs.

Chango and Oya were victorious. Since that battle, Oya has been Chango's inseparable companion in war. With Chango's thunder and Oya's storms, they are invincible and remain so to this day.

Requirements: Dark red or purple candles, sandalwood incense, an offering to Oya, pen, paper and dark red or purple ribbon.

Before you start, think of some changes you'd like to make in your life. It could be one change, or several. When you are ready and have them fixed in your mind, cast your circle in your usual way and light the candles and incense.

Invoke Oya with the following words:

Oya, Lady of Storms,
Oya, Bringer of Change,
Oya, Warrior of Women,
You who command the winds
And protect the souls of the dead
You whose domain is the tornado, the storm, the thunder,
I ask for you to join me here tonight
And help me bring positive change and action into my life
Hail, Oya, Lady of Storms!

Once you feel Oya's presence, sit and talk to her (aloud or silently, whatever you're comfortable with) about the changes you would like to make in your life. These could be small changes or large changes. Focus on the positive aspects of these changes. Pause after each change to hear Oya's words of aid and wisdom. Then think about each change and how you're going to achieve it.

On the paper, write down the first change you want to make. Then, once you have listened to Oya and considered your actions, write down how you're going to achieve this. Then determine a realistic timescale and make a note of that, too. Then move on to the next change.

When you've finished writing out the changes, actions and dates, read your list aloud. As you do so, visualize yourself making these changes successfully. When you come to read out the dates, pledge them to Oya using the following format:

"I, [name], pledge to complete this change by [date], in the name of Oya, Lady of Storms and Change."

When you have finished reading aloud, roll up the paper and tie with the ribbon. Carefully drop some wax from one of the candles on top of the ribbon's knot to seal the package. Place this on your altar as a reminder.

Take up your offering to Oya. Thank you for Her presence and aid during your ritual. Ask Her to continue to help you as you actively make the changes in your life. If you wish to spend some more time with Oya, to see if She has any more advice for you, you can do a meditation with Her now if you wish. When you are ready, thank Oya again and say goodbye to Her using the following words:

Oya, Lady of Storms,
Oya, Bringer of Change,
Oya, Warrior of Women,
You who command the winds
And protect the souls of the dead
You whose domain is the tornado, the storm, the thunder,
I thank you for your presence tonight
Your wise words, listening ear, and instigation of change.
Hail, Oya, and Farewell!

Take up your circle in your usual way. Should you need an extra boost while you're completing your changes, or want to instigate some more, then you can use this ritual again to call on Oya's powerful energy.