The making of an ashó Shangó
“Todo niño nace con el pan debajo del brazo,” or “a child is born with a loaf of bread under his arm,” this is a Spanish food idiom I...
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Omimelli
- Mar 1, 2021
- 2 min
Olorishas and fisherman, lessons from the deep ocean
How are fishermen and olorishas alike? Some olorishas can be seen as deep-sea trollers with huge nets. Others fish for sport and...
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Omimelli
- Feb 24, 2021
- 2 min
The most powerful of Lukumí offerings
This morning I woke up thinking about the many times I have gone to the ocean to bring offerings to Yemayá. Be it an elaborate offering...
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Omimelli
- Feb 23, 2021
- 1 min
The Most Precious of Cowries
Yemayá’s ocean is full of treasures, and one of them is equivalent to currency. Cowrie shells (Cypraea moneta) are used as currency in...
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Omimelli
- Feb 1, 2021
- 4 min
When saying happy Okú Odún is not enough
Okú Odún is the expression the Lukumí use to mark a kariosha or ordination anniversary. However, okú odú is not just the passing of...
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Omimelli
- Jan 24, 2021
- 4 min
Three Lukumí Lessons on Spiritual and Physical Hygiene
In a recent conversation, the subject of the body as a temple came about. The question raised by the Aborisha was, is the body considered...
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Omimelli
- Jan 13, 2021
- 4 min
Lukumí 101: Considerations to enter an Ilé Orisha
It is better to take time and walk the path towards the Orisha step by step than to stumble along the way. Missteps are a waste of time...
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Omimelli
- Jan 2, 2021
- 3 min
The Odú of the Year or Letra del Año, a Compass for the New Year
The Year’s Odú or Letra del Año is a Cuban tradition that started in the latter part of the 19th Century. Its purpose is to establish a...
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Omimelli
- Jan 1, 2021
- 2 min
On the edge of the sword, how the Lukumí Yearly Odú shapes daily life
Since 2010, I have been following closely the yearly odú readings done in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, Panama, the United...
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Omimelli
- Dec 28, 2020
- 2 min
Between Yemayá and Poseidon: Musings about the Ocean
A year ago, I had the privilege to visit Greece with my family. Being a priestess of Yemayá, I am always very excited to see a different...
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Omimelli
- Dec 18, 2020
- 6 min
Lukumí and Palo Rituals Overexposed: What to show and not to show.
It has been ten years since I wrote this article. However, the realities I underscored then are exacerbated now, making me heartsick;...
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Omimelli
- Dec 9, 2020
- 5 min
Comience el año renovado: baños para la limpieza, el amor y la paz
El 2021 está ya a la vuelta de la esquina y tenemos muchas esperanzas de poder dejar atrás la basura del 2020. Ha sido un año horrible,...
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Omimelli
- Dec 9, 2020
- 4 min
Start the Year Refreshed: Baths for Cleansing, Love and Peace
Spiritual baths to improve your luck in 2021
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Omimelli
- Nov 29, 2020
- 2 min
Florida Water, learn to make your own!
Have you ever wondered what is in that nice smelling stuff called Florida Water? The original Florida water dates back from the 1880s,...
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Omimelli
- Nov 17, 2020
- 7 min
The Backbone of an Egún Shrine
The Lukumí, the Yoruba, and followers of the Rules of Orisha, the Egún are the foundation of our belief system. The Egún, or egungún in...
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Omimelli
- Nov 2, 2020
- 2 min
A Fiery Petition to Egún
We are all united by one fundamental and irresistible force: Egún. We also face a crucial moment where the fate of the most powerful...
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Omimelli
- Oct 22, 2020
- 7 min
Can the Lukumí Survive Trump’s America?
One of the few blessings of COVID-19, if we can call them that, has been having more time to consider subjects that are always in the...
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Omimelli
- Oct 9, 2020
- 5 min
The Year in White: Setting Goals for Iyawós
Becoming an iyawó is a great ordeal for many people. To start, it is hard to save money in this economy to do kariosha (to have the...
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Omimelli
- Oct 9, 2020
- 3 min
The Year in White: Communications and Iyawós
If you are considering becoming an iyawó or are one, read this to improve communications and avoid potential heartache.
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Omimelli
- Oct 8, 2020
- 5 min
The Year in White: Iyawó Basic Rules
Iyawós have a period of learning and repose for 12 months, this is known as “The Year in White” and includes stringent restrictions.
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