ᐈ Yemayá 【Who she is, History, Offerings, Prayers and MORE】

If you came to this article it is because you are interested in knowing who is Yemayá. So you must read until the end to answer all your questions about this deity.

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Who is Yemaya?

The question that arises when hearing her name is who is Yemaya? The answer, however, is not so simple. Yemayá at first is known as the mother of all the Orishas of this world. It was she who brought to life the multiple Osha that exist.

Her womb is the most fertile of all, and it functions as a source of life for all living beings. She owns the ability to have children in women. He also belongs to the main group of all Orishas. If we talk about how to find it or how it is represented, it should be mentioned that it makes up all the maritime waters of the universe. Her dances are a true reflection of the waves that hit the coasts.

It has a loving character and represents intelligent people with great character. However, this behavior is overshadowed when fury takes over her. Since she becomes rigid as a stone in terms of her decisions.

To learn more about YemayaPlease review the following articles:

According to expert santeros, all people of humanity are children of Yemayá. This is because we spend nine (9) months inside the waters of our mother’s womb. It should be noted that she eats with the deity of Shangó (her son of hers). Except for the path of Yemaya Okute, who always eats her food together with Oggún.

Her children do not receive the Oyá, but she can be accepted as the main Orisha. Her ceremony must be related to the waters and must last seven (7) days, as her number and characteristics say.

Yemayá Day

Many people throughout the planet earth celebrate the Yemaya day. Since, as they say, she is the mother of us all. Her date is February 2 of every year. All her celebrations stand out mainly in Latin America since it is where she has the most followers.

The celebration usually consists of going to your nearest beach. So that in this way you can establish a spiritual connection with her. Thus transforming the beach into more than just a place to recreate. Rather, it becomes a spiritual space.

Dressed in white, the priests rub their hands against believers, onlookers and tourists to intercede with the goddess. The ambient sound is filled with drums and music with African reminiscences, sometimes sung in Portuguese, other times in Spanish and occasionally in a language brought by the slaves. The curious drink mate or beer and watch the show while taking photos with their cell phones

The people, santeros or babalawos attend dressed completely in white. Or, with blue details in honor of Yemaya. When this happens, many people come to browse that activity. Since it is striking to see so many people with the same wardrobe near the sea.

In addition, the songs and music that is played to commemorate Yemayá. They add a certain dynamism and spiritual atmosphere to the date. Also, offerings to the Orisha are not missed on this special day.

His story

The deity of Yemayá has multiple stories. Some are told by the babalawos and others by santeros experts in Yoruba history. However, something in common that all the texts have is that the figure of Yemayá is exalted.

His presence dates back to the era of Obatalá, with whom he had the most powerful marriage of all time. From there all the Orishas were given life. It is said that he was born in a small region of Nigeria by the work of Olofin. Who provided him with his aquatic powers. Olofin created Yemaya to be able to calm the dense fires that were in the world. Since as Yemaya would control the waters. He was able to fight those fires.

Despite his immeasurable power. Yemayá is not characterized by this but by her love for humanity. As well as for providing women with the necessary fertility to be able to have children and procreate. Her kindness to people is one of the things that makes her so loved and revered.

The Paths of Yemaya

The paths of each Orisha have a different representation. All are due to the characteristics that are attributed to each of them. People usually choose only one. And he is usually the one that best suits his tastes. However, depending on the time you have within the religion. You can choose to extend that list of paths.

Yemayá has seven (7) paths, later they extend to (21) and the maximum that can be obtained with this Orisha is (35). This happens from a period of one year to ten or more. Paths are characters that cannot be seen or touched. Which guide the initiate to his correct path, from a spiritual point of view. They give you peace and the knowledge you need to face obstacles.

Some of the main paths of Yemaya are:

Yemaya Okute

Also known as Okute Odofe Iyagba, it is the representation of Yemayá that inhabits the reefs. It can be found in various rivers and lakes. He lives with Oggún -the blacksmith-. In addition, his color is light blue and he has a strict diet based on chicken and meat.

She is known for being an exemplary worker and an arduous warrior on the battlefields. Her favorite hobby is dancing, which he has always practiced and is very good at. If you want to ask his person for a favor, you must do it near the waters. Also, you must include ice in the rituals. Since it specializes in the coldest seas, as well as winter currents.

Yemaya Asesu

It is a messenger of the deity Olokun. She is depicted as one of the most shady and crazy entities. She dwells in the waters that are not clear. When it is offered to obtain a blessing from it. She makes her son wait for long periods of time. Despite this way of being, she has great power and is not related to the earth at all,

By living in swampy waters. She became the patron saint of ducks and swans. In this sense, he acquired the memory of these animals, since he tends to forget the messages that he must deliver. Lastly, she identifies with the color dark blue.

Offerings

The offerings are one of those few things that cannot be missing in Santeria. Tribute is paid to all the Orishas this way. Since all the offerings have different purposes in turn, their procedures are different. The only point where they all converge is that they usually take place on the beaches.

However, the procedures and objectives are totally different. The offerings themselves can range from food to dances related to Yemayá. The special foods for the deity of Yemayá are composed as follows:

This series of gastronomic products are grouped together. Later they are left on the shores of the beaches. Or, they are thrown into some kind of boat. All this in order for the Orisha Yemayá to receive the offerings as soon as possible.

It should be noted that the atmosphere of spirituality is very important. This is usually established by music. As well as with light colored clothing and blue tones to please Yemaya. Wearing her necklace also adds devotion to your prayer or offering.

If your offering is returned by the tide, don’t worry. This does not mean that it has been rejected. You just have to see with good eyes everything that occurs on that day. This also applies to the offerings that are collected very quickly from the beach.

The main purpose of these rituals near the sea symbolize that Yemaya collects all the bad. It is a kind of spiritual and mental cleansing. Which is useful for people who are in cloudy emotional periods. This can help you feel calmer and clear your mind.

Prayer to Yemaya

The most faithful followers of Yemaya pay tribute to her through prayers. Which are intended to worship this deity. The prayers can be very varied, usually they have a specific reason. For example, there are prayers for money, fertility, among others.

In this case we will refer to a short but very powerful prayer. The objective of which is for you to raise the particular problem you have with the Orisha. This prayer both praises and thanks the deity. It also allows direct communication with it.

It is important to always have it on hand. Or failing that, in the place where the prayer will be held. A number of religious items such as a white or blue candle. And water fruits like melon and sideburns. Since in this way the Orisha will feel much more comfortable listening to your prayers.

The space should not be ostentatious. A simple altar where there is a brief representation of the deity is enough. If you do not have an altar, then it is best to go to the beach. And in the latter case, where you cannot go to the beach or have an altar. Well, then the best thing would be to condition a room in your home. This room should be dimly lit and away from all other noise.

It is important to always keep in mind that in order to obtain a benefit from the Orisha. You must pray with all the devotion that is possible. That is, you must have a lot of faith in the powers of Yemaya. Since otherwise, she could do without your prayers and attend to another of her children. Although these cases are very rare, since Yemayá’s love for her guide is immense.

The prayer that is performed in non-specific cases to Yemaya is the following:

Oh Osha Yemaya, you who reign the waters,

which cover all your children.

Divine mother of mine, save our bodies and minds,

purify us with your immense seas

spreading the respect within our hearts,

responding with great reverence

to the great force of nature that you embody

and allows our troops to shelter and protect us.

We beg you great Yemaya

Queen of the waters this desire to obtain.

With all love and justice I beg you, give me strength,

give me the necessary energy to be able to bear everything.

In your kingdom the sea and under your harmony I want to live.

Protect my loved ones from all evils and dangers.

blessed always be your figure. Amen”.

After praying this prayer to Yemayá you can throw certain white flowers into the sea (if it is done on the beach). Otherwise, you should light a candle to commemorate the occasion with great devotion. At the same time, nine (9) coins of any denomination must be thrown. And give thanks for your attention on that day.

For the love

Love can be very complicated at times. Especially when the people you long for do not correspond to you. However, for the children of Yemayá there is a solution. You can recite the following prayer so that that special person falls at your feet.

This is used by many faithful pilgrims with the…