Oshun (or Ochun) is the beloved Yoruban goddess of love. As such, she exudes the traits of love, sweetness, beauty, and sensuality. She has dominion over everything that flows, whether it is water, money, love, or a mother’s milk.
She is essentially the Aphrodite of the Yoruba faith and is synchronized with Our Lady of Charity in western religions. It is said that Oshun influences the pleasurable aspects of life and possesses unparalleled beauty and an affinity for enhancing the emotion and pleasures of the flesh. Her powers regarding attraction and affection are extremely potent.
Oshun is a benevolent goddess that is portrayed as graceful, elegant, and loving. She can also be temperamental and moody under certain circumstances.
Oshun: A Goddess of Love and Fury
Oshun is the granter of wishes, the grower of love, and the giver of laughter. Unless, of course, you catch her in a heartbroken mood. The fact that her beloved Shango is not monogamous to her and she alone stirs her jealousy. These painful emotions can transform her from love-centric to love-scorned making her a frightening force to avoid.
If the proper flattery and offerings are put before her, she possesses the maps and keys to lead you to and unlock the secrets of love and success. Your heart’s desires are her territory, so be especially careful what you wish for. She may or may not be in the mood to give you exactly what you ask her for.
Oshun’s Appearance and Symbols
Oshun is often depicted as a beautiful, young woman with golden skin and hair. She is said to be dressed in bright, shimmering colors and is often adorned with jewelry made from gold and shells. It is also believed that she has a crown adorned with five sharp spears that remind Oshun’s opponents that she can be vicious if necessary.
Oshun’s Colors and Objects
Oshun is associated with the color yellow and is sometimes depicted carrying a fan made from peacock feathers, which symbolizes her power to bring good fortune and prosperity.
In addition, Oshun is often depicted holding a pair of brass or gold bracelets, which are said to represent her power over love and attraction. Some believe that she has a pot of honey tied around her waist that possesses the ultimate power of seduction.
Other symbols associated with Oshun include water lilies, honey, and mirrors, all of which are thought to reflect her powers of sensuality and sweetness. Overall, Oshun’s appearance and symbols reflect her status as the goddess of love and beauty.
Oshun’s Numbers
The numbers 5 and 15 are considered to be especially sacred to Oshun, as they represent the five fingers of the hand and the fifteen days of the full moon. These numbers are often incorporated into offerings and ceremonies dedicated to Oshun, as a way of invoking her presence and seeking her blessings.
Oshun’s Connections To The Other Orishas
Oshun is well connected to many other gods and goddesses in the Yoruban religion. She is often seen as the partner of Shango, who is the god of thunder and fire and symbolizes the energy and power of life.
Oshun and Yemaya, the goddess of the sea, are considered sisters and strong allies, showing the balance between fresh and salt water. Oshun is also close to Obatala, the god of creation and wisdom, and Elegua, the playful deity who guards the paths and decides people’s fate.
The relationships among the Orishas are intricate and ever-changing, showing the belief in the Yoruban religion that everything in life is connected and dependent on each other.
Creating an Altar and Making Offerings to Oshun
Creating an altar to this deity can be very simple. You can start by clearing a space in your home, and dedicating it to her. Set it with a yellow cloth, and place an image of her in the center. This can be anything from a statue to a prayer card. You can also decorate it with her crown, a yellow or white candle, and smooth river stones.
Oshun’s Favorite Food Offerings
Oshun loves foods like coconuts, cinnamon, honey, pumpkin, squash, yams, oranges, and lemons. If you choose to offer her honey, you must taste it first — there is a story about Oshun nearly being poisoned with tainted honey, and she may look upon it with suspicion.
Many of these foods are typically associated with fertility or have been rumored to have the effects of an aphrodisiac. These are typically arranged on an altar decorated with varying shades of yellow, amber, and gold.
Fresh Helecho plant is also often used in honoring Oshun in baths for love and drawing harmony into your life. References to water, either in offerings or during prayer, are common when symbolizing the strength of Oshun.
Other Items To Offer Oshun
Other favorite offerings include mirrors, makeup, perfume, hair brushes, sunflowers, objects made of peacock feathers, and sandalwood fans. Her favorite areas are the bedroom, kitchen, and near any natural flowing water. It is said that performing offerings or spells to Oshun in these areas will give them extra power.
You can set your altar with a yellow bowl or sopera, place a pumpkin inside, and drizzle it with honey that you have tasted first. You can also peel an unblemished orange, and drizzle it with tasted honey and cinnamon. If you choose to give these as offerings, change them out frequently so they do not begin to rot.
If you ask Oshun for help with fertility or pregnancy, you must avoid eating squash or pumpkin. Some devotees choose to avoid these foods regardless, as a sign of respect for the goddess.
Since Oshun is associated with the numbers 5 and 15, a person might offer her five yellow roses or light fifteen candles in her honor. These rituals are believed to help bring Oshun’s positive energy and influence into the person’s life, helping to bring love, happiness, and prosperity.
Prayers Associated With Oshun
The prayers offered to Oshun vary slightly depending on who you ask. Most of them, however, begin by praising her beauty and flattering her power and strength for evoking and calling on her powers of seduction and fertility. Be careful though! Oshun may not be able to overlook a promise that is broken so enter into deals with caution.
If you do decide to invoke the powers of Oshun in your rituals, you can use any of the following prayers:
Oshun who is full of understanding,
Who digs sand and buries money there.
The woman who seizes the road and causes men to run away.
Oshun the river which the king cannot exhaust…
One who does things without being questioned.
One who has large robust breasts.
One who has fresh palm leaves, who is never tired of wearing brass.
The huge, powerful woman who cannot be attacked.
Most gracious mother.
Who knows the secret of cults but does not disclose them.
The gracious mother, the queen of the river.
One who has a cool, fresh throne.
The mother who has neither bone nor blood. Legends abound about this female force, but she is to be respected on all levels. She is Olodumare’s representative to remind of the love that should exist in the universe. Ashe-O
Exist, exist always mother
Exist, exist always in our tradition.
The spirit of the river, turtle drummer
Open the path of attraction, mother of salutations.
Cleansing spirit clean the inside and out.
The maker of brass does not pollute the water.
We are entitled to wear the crown that awakens all pleasure.
We are entitled to wear the crown that awakens all pleasure.
The spirit of the earth that wanders freely. Ashe-O
Praise to the goddess of mystery
Spirit that cleans me inside out.
Praise to the goddess of the river,
Spirit that cleans me inside out.
Praise to the goddess of seduction,
Spirit that cleans me inside out.
Mother of the mirror,
Mother of dance,
Mother of abundance,
We sing your praise. Ashe-O
Rituals and Spells To Unlock the Blessings of Oshun
Bring love, happiness, and abundance into your life with the help of the powerful goddess Oshun! This spell and bath ritual will help you tap into Oshun’s sweet, loving energy and bring more passion and joy into your life.
An Oshun Spell for Love and Happiness
As the goddess of passion, sweetness, and love, Oshun is the perfect deity to ask for help. Place a Sweet Honey of Love/Oshun candle on your altar, before her image. Set a dish of honey in front of it.
Light the candle for five days, snuffing it whenever you need to leave it unattended, and re-lighting it when you return home. As the candle burns, tell Oshun your desires out loud. Ask her for the love, passion, and happiness you desire.
A Sacred Bath for Oshun
Place an Oshun 7 Day Orisha candle on your altar, a packet of Oshun bath, and a plate for offerings. Place five oranges on the plate, peel them, and break them into five sections. Drizzle the sections with honey, and sprinkle them with cinnamon.
Light the candle. Ask Oshun for what you need to flow into your life, whether it is money, love, joy, or fertility. Allow the candle to burn for five days, snuffing and re-lighting it as needed.
When the five days are through, draw a bath of fresh water. Add the Oshun bath to it, following the directions on the package. Light the incense stick, and repeat the enclosed prayer.
Step into the water and immerse yourself, allowing the sweet, loving vibrations to soak into your skin. When you are ready, step out and allow yourself to air dry. Thank Oshun for her help, and dispose of the oranges and honey.
Honor Oshun for Abundant Blessings and Joy in Life
Remember, Oshun is associated with all of the best things in life: love, sweetness, and abundant, flowing blessings. Without her, humanity would not exist, for it’s her sweet water that brings life to the earth.
Make her offerings, show her respect, and keep your promises to her, and she will bless you with more happiness than you can imagine.
