ᐈ Elekes 【Imposition, Colors, Refresh them and MORE】

In all religions there are objects or elements that identify a deity. In the case of Santeria they are necklaces, these are better known as Elekes. So if you are interested in how to make a consecration ritual to be able to wear a necklace, stay in this article.

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Elekes: Meaning

The Elekes make up a series of necklaces depending on the powers of each Orisha. They have many variations mainly due to the function that the deity fulfills. Likewise, these carry colors that directly allude to the saint. They have different qualities depending on the tonalities of the Orisha.as well as his multiple paths within Santeria.

To understand its meaning, you must take into account the following. All religions have initiation rituals. This is used to take for granted the beginning of a new life. A life within the cult you wish to belong to. For this reason, Santeria has as its initiation ritual the imposition of the elekes.

Due to its syncretization between the Catholic deities and the Yoruba religion, the ritual can be compared with others. Among them we find ceremonies such as baptism, first communion. Among other Catholic practices that were coined by the santeros a long time ago.

These Elekes, or necklaces are usually handmade.. It is usually done by an expert santero with the help of a jewelry specialist. This represents the union that exists between the guided and the deity. As well as the process of directing the person through the destinations that the Orisha best suits.

Imposition

It is known as the imposition that ritual where the person who will enter the religion, receives his Orisha. This ceremony can become long and complex. Due to the series of rules within the Yoruba cult. It is also something important that should not be taken lightly. Because it represents the beginning of the future santero within santeria and the Osha rule.

First you need to do a check with the Dilogun Oracle. Here the person will ask for an Orisha or Eleke necklace to be placed on him. The person’s need or desperation generally stems from other people’s issues. It can be for health, money or enmity issues. The deities will then decide when and which saint should be delivered to the person. Individuals attending the consultation cannot choose a necklace just because it is “nice.”

This ceremony must be performed by an expert person. That is must be a previously consecrated santero. This is mainly because only they have the ability to handle the power that is required. They mold the “ashé” to transfer it to the necklace, which requires contact with where the gods reside. A rather complicated task.

Days prior to the imposition of the Eleke, the person to be crowned must rest near the covering of the Orishas. Although this step is currently omitted. This is still a good gesture with the deity. What must be done is to clean and organize the room where the ceremony will take place.

On this occasion, to said room only people who already have consecration will have access. Without including of course the one who will enter the religion. In addition, you must place the necklaces in a tureen with a sacrifice. So that they absorb power and also feed. In other words, they receive the energy of the Orishas. This step is vital as otherwise the ritual will have no effect.

The initiate should bathe with liquids made through various herbs.. In order to cleanse her mind and spirit before the celebration. In addition, the day of the imposition must arrive with old and later dress completely in white. This symbolizes the beginning of a new life. A life without bad vibes and spiritually renewed.

Then, you proceed to offer the sacrifices for the Orishas, ​​along with a prayer performed by the godfather of the initiate. Later, through the oracle of snails, the gods will be informed if they are happy with the offerings. If the answers are positive The godfather must proceed to place the necklaces on the new santero. Thus, the godfather together with the santero expert will communicate to the new member the rules and regulations of santeria.

In addition, it will explain the things that you are allowed to do and those that don’t. Along with relevant information about the necklace and other duties. Finally, the initiate is isolated within the room where the ceremony took place. In this way he will begin to receive the blessing of all the orishas. And it works as a way to meditate and establish bonds.

Colors of Elekes

Just as the santeros necklaces represent the union and the beginning of the person in the cult. The colors of these mainly symbolize the Orishas. This is because they all have different colors and shades. Generally the colors are related to the personality and powers of the saints.

The most common colors are the following:

red and black: This is attributed to Eleguá, the Holy Child of Atocha or the Divine Child Jesus.White: It represents the purity and transparency of humanity. That is why it is awarded to ObataláWhite and blue: It symbolizes Yemayá, mother of all and of the seas of the world.Red and white: It is attributed to the Orisha Shango. He represents power and passion.Yellow: It represents abundance, fortune and wealth at the monetary level. That is why the Orisha Oshún is awarded to him.

choose

Eleguá is known for being the one who opens the paths of all the people in the world. His necklace is made up of a style of few colors. It has red, black, white or crystal. You are occasionally allowed to place African snails. The latter depends on the path that the person has chosen.

The division of the colors happens every three (3) counts. That is to say, three of red color and it is changed now, to another three of black color. It ends with three more white ones. This is one of the most typical necklaces. There are others that vary their structure. For example, they put either Black or White first.

Babalu Aye

Babalú Ayé is one of the most complex Orishas. It is the patron of sexually transmitted diseases among other pests. For some people it has a negative connotation. His necklace has different colors that represent all the paths he owns. Like its characteristic numbers, the beads of the necklaces are marked at 14, 7 and 13. Some variations that it has, for example, is that of Aluwa, whose necklace has 14 black beads, one jet and another 14 black. On his side, Baba Ribó has fourteen (14) red, followed by seven blue (with stripes) and ends with a jet. These are just some of the designs that the necklaces of this deity have. It all depends on which path is being followed.

Oggun

Oggún is the Orisha, owner of everything green and path clearer par excellence. His Eleke is made up of greenish colors (in some cases), red, black and jet. The bead mark number of this deity is three (3) or seven (7).

Like the rest of the saints, their necklaces are governed by the ways of the Orisha. In the case of Oggun, some of her necklaces have simple designs. For example, you may have 21 black beads and the other seven green. Others have this same structure but with a green and a black intermediary.

ochosi

Ochosi is that Orisha who dominates the arts of the hunt. Possesses the infinite power of bows and arrows. For this reason it is revered, because it provides food to those who are unable to hunt on their own. Its necklace is made up of blue, coral, honey colors and it can have African snails if desired. In addition, it has a double thread system.

His brand numbers are three, two and seven. This is because they are characteristic of the Orisha. An example of the Eleke that is most used in reference to Ochosi would be as follows. First a series of fourteen (14) blue beads on both strands and then three honey colored beads. It continues with amber and ends again with three beads of honey. You can repeat the cycle to add African snails in a symmetrical fashion.

inle

The Inle deity represents everyone who is dedicated to the study and practice of medicine. His Eleke is known to be one of the most expensive of all Santeria. Since it must contain incrustations of precious or moderately precious minerals. You can wear gold along with colors of water, aquamarine and coral. His best-known necklace is made up of a series of precious stones such as gold or silver. Followed by coral or royal blue tones. And it ends with a fish figure, since this deity is the patron saint of fishermen.

hey

Oya is the Orisha of all the winds and great currents of air in the world. It is venerated to purify places and that it takes away all the bad. The necklace he possesses is made up of a rather simple shape. It can contain multiple colors, but the ones that predominate are black, white and brown. Each of these can have lines or stripes. One of his most used Elekes is the following: first you start with nine (9) white beads and another nine (9) black ones. Then one white and one black interspersed until making nine of each color.

Obatala

The Orisha Obatalá is the creator of everything that exists in the universe. He owns all the white color and purity. His Eleke depends mainly on the path of the saint that is possessed. On the other hand, its colors are white, ivory, coral or crystalline colors. It is usually marked at numbers eight (8). An example of his most used necklace would be as follows. It is made up of 24 white beads, followed by a red one, one of mother-of-pearl; ivory and coral. Each one with its respective separation. Finally, another variation of the same Obatalá, would be his completely white necklace.

aganyu

The Orisha Aganyú is one of the most angry. It represents the fire and lava of humanity. His Eleke has very varied colors, combined with carmelite and water. The number of separation is nine. This necklace is often used to preserve the connection with the saint. An example of your necklace would be: an aqua colored bead, followed by a brown or brown bead. And it ends with nine beads of assorted colors.

Shango

Shango is the Orisha that represents passion, strength and war. He is highly respected by all people and within the Yoruba pantheon. Her necklace is mainly made up of her most characteristic colors. That is, red and white. One quality of their Elekes is that they must have the same red and white beads. The most used eleke within Santeria is composed as follows. Start with a white bead followed by a red, until completing twelve (12). Then six of each color going around the necklace. Each necklace will depend on the path that is owned.

orisha oko

orisha oko He is one of the most relevant saints…