Xangô Day: history, prayers and ritual for the orixá of justice

Xango is the deity of justice, lightning and thunder. Represented by the fire element and the colors brown and red, it also symbolizes balance and achievements. King of the city of Oyó, the vigilante orixá punishes liars, thieves and nothing goes unpunished in his eyes. He has a two-sided axe, which protects his children from injustice and brings the law of return to those who do wrong.

Due to the religious syncretism with Saint Jerome, today (30) the Xangô day is also celebrated for most Umbanda and Candomblecists. When seeking justice for him, it is important to remember that the ax cuts both ways, and before your law acts against the other, it will look first at you and your deeds.

It’s no wonder that his best-known point calls for “maleme”, forgiveness, rather than justice. “Who owes pays, who deserves receives”, so always prefer to ask the king of the Yoruba nation for discernment. Check all about orixá from the quarries and take advantage of the date to receive your help!

Xango and Saint Jerome

The orixá who cheated death is syncretized with Saint Jerome, the Catholic saint who wrote his laws and judgments on stone and tamed the lion. In some Umbanda and Candomblé houses, it also has syncretism with São João Batista, linked to bonfires, bringing this assimilation.

• Colors: brown and dark red
• Day of the week: Wednesday
• Fire element
• Symbol: Oxê (two-cut axe)
• Herbs: lift, opener and basil
• Stone: meteorite
• Animals: Turtle and Lion
• Syncretism: Saint Jerome and Saint John the Baptist
• Candles: white, red or brown
• Greeting: Kaô Kabecilê

Discover the history of Xango

According to one of the itãs (legends), Xangô was a powerful king and warrior who ruled the kingdom of Oyó. He dressed in red, the color of fire and symbolizing royalty, and fought with a two-bladed ax called Oxê. His kingdom had plenty of water and food and everyone was very happy, with dances and parties.

The brave warrior, however, as he was very vain, did not like poor and poorly dressed people, so he ordered his guards to arrest any careless person who came along the way. One day, they found the sorcerer Exu, known as the keeper of the paths. As he was ragged, Xangô threatened and expelled him from the kingdom, ordering him never to return. Angry, Exu promised to take revenge.

Some time later, Oxalá, Xangô’s father, decided to visit his son. Knowing this, Exu prepared his revenge: he appeared on Oxalá’s path and asked him for help to carry barrels of oil. As he was kind, he didn’t refuse, but Exu ended up spilling the oil on Xangô’s father’s clothes. Exu appeared other times during the trip plotting his revenge, smearing him with charcoal and salt. Realizing that his clothes were filthy, Oxalá tried to wash himself in a stream, but the dirt would not come out at all. That’s because he was bewitched by Exu.

Upon arriving at the gates of the kingdom, the guards did not recognize him and, thinking he was a beggar, beat him and arrested him. In prison, Oxalá found many innocent and wronged people and cursed the kingdom, which became hungry, thirsty and very sad. After 7 years, desperate that the great drought would not end, Xangô consulted a wise soothsayer, who revealed what had happened. Immediately, he sent for his father from prison, bathing him, feeding him and tending to his wounds. (Source: ‘Ogum, the King of Many Faces and Other Stories of the Orixás’, book by Lidia Chaib and Elizabeth Rodrigues)

“The elders already said that every time someone died hit by lightning, it was Xangô punishing the person who was unfair to others in life. A house struck by lightning was the orixá showing its power and that the individual should change its way of acting”, complements Umbanda priest Diego Agassi.

Xangô’s sympathy to solve cases in justice

Count on the orixá’s help to resolve any stuck process faster! You will need a waterfall stone or other large crystal, a glass of stout, seven brown candles and a copy of the document that is in court – or write on paper the case to be solved.

“Place the waterfall stone or whatever you have on top of the document and the glass in front of the stone (not on top). Fill it with the stout and light the seven brown candles around the stone. to light up, ask Pai Xangô to bring justice to this case and, if he deserves it, victory.

After letting the candles burn to the end, discard the remains in the trash and, throw the beer in the sink under running water. Save the paper and thank them with a greeting. Kaô Kabecilê!”, teaches Diego.

Powerful prayers to Shango

“Mighty Orisha of Umbanda, Father, companion and guide, Lord of balance and justice, auxiliary of the Law of Karma, Only you have the right to accompany, for eternity, all causes, all defenses, accusations and elections arising from actions of the pure and benevolent acts that we practice. Lord of all mountain ranges and mountain ranges, symbol and seat of Your planetary action in the physical, astral and mental. Sovereign Lord of balance and equity, watch over the integrity of our character. us with Your prudence. Defend us from our perversions, ingratitude, antipathies, falsehoods, unrestrained speech and undue judgment, from the acts of our brothers in humanity. You alone are the great Judge. Axé!”

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Consultancy: Diego Agassi Nunes, Umbanda priest | Text and editing: Renata Rocha