Learn all about Ossaim – History, information and prayers!

Ossain is the Orisha who knows all the secrets and benefits of herbs and plants. He is the personification of plant nature, the “owner” of vegetation, medicinal plants and all herbs that provide energy and physical and spiritual balance to the human being. Ossain controls nature and is nature itself!

The Tale of Ossain’s Leaves

Son of Nanã and brother of Ewá and Obaluaê, Ossaim was the absolute lord of the leaves. He used his medicinal secrets with plants and herbs to make teas, baths, ointments and other methods to treat and heal physical, psychological and spiritual health.

One day, Xangô, who is an Orisha with a strong and warrior character, thought that everyone should know the secrets of herbs and also detain all Ossain’s knowledge regarding leaves.

But as Ossaim chose not to share his knowledge, his secrets and his leaves, Xangô had an idea: he sent Iansã, his wife, to make the wind bring the leaves to the palace to be divided among the Orixás.

The windstorm worked, but in turn Ossaim again ordered the leaves to return to the woods once more and that’s exactly what happened. In turn, the leaves that remained in the palace also lost their strength, life and consequently the axé.

That’s when Xangô admitted his defeat and recognized that the leaves should be in Ossaim’s care. After what happened, Ossaim for each Orisha a sheet with his secrets and enchantments, but he didn’t reveal his biggest secrets to anyone.

Practical information about Ossaim

• Ossain’s Day: October 5th
• Ossain’s day of the week: Thursday
• Ossain Symbol: Stem flanked by seven spears with a bird on top (stylized tree).
• Elements: Forest and wild plants (Earth / Woods).
• Animals: birds
• Domains: Medicine and Liturgy through the leaves.
• Greetings from Ossaim: “Ewé Ó”, which means “Save the leaves!”. There are still other variations of this greeting such as Ewê ewê asá, or Asá ô, or Eruejé.
• Ossain colors: its main colors are green and white.

Ossaim’s children

Ossaim’s children preserve the characteristic of the Orisha, they are more quiet, reserved and even a little mysterious people. Very intelligent, they know that the first impression is definitely not the last one.

Therefore, they do not judge anything or anyone at first. They prefer to patiently observe and gather all the necessary information about a person or situation before drawing any conclusions.

Curiosity is another very strong characteristic in Ossaim’s children, who will not accept any statement so easily. Instead, they will study (a lot) all the paths and variables, investigate the best possibilities, only then to trust any information.

In addition to being very reserved, they are very sincere and with a great sense of justice, and therefore, most of the time they prefer to work alone and even without much help, they manage to produce and accomplish many things.

At first, Ossaim’s children seem cold and indifferent to personal relationships, but the truth is they just need a little more time to get attached to people and show all the affection and affection they have inside. They also have an exaggerated taste for religiosity.

Ossaim’s Syncretism with Catholicism

In Catholicism, Ossaim is associated with Saint Benedict, a saint known for being the protector of slaves and Afro-descendants. Therefore, Saint Benedict’s day, as well as Ossaim’s, is also celebrated on October 5th.

Saint Benedict was born in 1526, on the island of Sicily, Italy. His parents were Cristovão Manasceri and Diana Larcan, a couple of slaves from Ethiopia who did not want to have children so as not to generate more slaves. Knowing this, the couple’s master promised them freedom if they had a child. So they had Benedict and as promised, the family was released.

Educated by the Christian faith by his parents, São Benedito had an exemplary life, work and prayer, and even in the monastery he began to stand out as a leader, even though he was illiterate. So much so that many theologians faced long distances just to meet, talk and learn a little more with Saint Benedict.

Many miracles are attributed to Saint Benedict, among them the resurrection of two boys, the healing of the blind and the deaf and the multiplication of loaves and fish. Today, São Benedito is one of the most popular saints in Brazil, and countless churches and parishes follow his model of charity and humility.

3 Powerful Prayers of Ossain

1 – Prayer of Ossaim for welcome and wisdom

” Ossain, lord of healing and axé of leaves! May obstacles and obstacles be removed from my paths; May the crossroads of life be free and blessed; Lord of the Leaves! May the leaves protect my paths in autumn; May the leaves adorn my destiny in spring; May the leaves warm my journey in winter; May the leaves brighten my life in summer. Amen!”

2 – Prayer to Ossaim to bless the day

“The “Lord of Herbs” I come to praise at the beginning of this day

I ask in this Prayer to Ossaim that his axé inspire my actions

Without the “Orixá das Folhas” no orixá is worshiped, therefore; by your strength and power I ask:

May your blessings pour over my spirit, my mind and my body bringing peace and harmony to my life.

With the fresh leaves bring abundance, health, joy and love to my daily journey, Ewê ô!

With the dry leaves take away those who obstruct my paths, Ewê ô!

Saravá Ossaim, bring your protection to my ways! Ewê Asá! Ewê oh!”

3 – Prayer for the healing of Ossain

” Ossain, Lord of healing and axé of leaves!

O Lord of Herbs, I come to praise you at this moment!

I ask in this prayer that your axé inspire my actions.

Without the “Orixá das Folhas”, no orixá is worshiped,

thus; by your strength and power I ask:

May your blessings pour over my spirit, my mind and my body,

bringing healing, peace and harmony to my life,

With the fresh leaves, bring abundance, health, joy, and love to my daily journey,

Hey!

With dry leaves, take away those who obstruct my paths,

Hey!

Saravá Ossain, bring your protection to my ways!

Ewê Asá!

Hey!

My Father, My Master, My Lord of the Unknown!

May the crossroads of doubts be removed from my life.

May your bird fly

At the arrival of my spirit!

My Father, My Master and Lord of the Leaves,

May the autumn leaves brighten my soul!

May the leaves of spring grace my destiny!

May the winter leaves cover me with their protection!

May the summer leaves bring me wisdom and hope!!

My Father, My Master, and Lord of Healings!

May your bird sing 3 times to take away my longing;

May your bird sing 7 times to take away my pain;

May your bird sing eternally to receive your love!

Saravá Ossain, bring your protection to my ways!

Ewê Asá!

Ewê o!”.

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