Oshun is the Yoruban Orisha (deity) of the sweet or fresh
waters (as opposed to the salt waters of Yemaya).
She is widely loved, as She is known for healing the sick
and bringing fertility and prosperity, and She especially
watches over the poor and brings them what they need. As
Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming
and coquettish young woman. In some tales She is said to
be a mermaid, with a fish's tail.
The Yoruba clans inhabit parts of western central Africa,
in present-day Nigeria. Oshun is the goddess of the river
of the same name, and She is especially worshipped in river-towns.
During Her yearly festival, She is said to choose one or
more women dancers to descend into (much like participants
in Vodou ceremonies may be "mounted" or "possessed"
by a lwa). These women then take new names in honor of Oshun
and are thereafter consulted as healers.
Oshun was taught divination with cowrie shells by Obatala,
the first of the created gods, and then She brought the teaching
to humans. She was at one time the wife of Shango, the storm
god, as was Oya,
the goddess of the winds and tempests. Oshun is also said
to be the mother of the birds or fishes.
With the African diaspora, Oshun was brought to the Americas,
and adopted into the pantheons that branched out of the African
traditions. In the Brazilian religion of Candomblé,
which retains close ties with the Yoruban religion, as well
as in Cuban Santeriá, She is called Oxum. In Haitian
Vodoun She is an inspiration for Erzulie
or Ezili, also a goddess of water and love.
Oshun, like the other Orisha, has a number associated with
Her--five; a color--yellow or amber; and a metal--gold or
bronze. The peacock and the vulture are sacred to Her. Offerings
to Oshun include sweet things such as honey, mead, white
wine, oranges, sweets, or pumpkins, as well as perfume.
Oshun in a reading indicates sweetness and good cheer,
beauty and flowing joy.
Alternate spellings: Oxun, Osun, Oshoun, Oxum, Ochun.
Titles: Oshun Ana, "Goddess of Luxury and Love";
Oshun Telargo, as the modest one; Oshun Yeye Moro, as the
coquette; Oshun Yeye Kari, "Mother of Sweetness".
