Oshun (Osun, Ochun, Oxum)
Orisha of Fresh Water, Love, Fertility, Beauty, and Prosperity
The irresistible Orisha of rivers, sensuality, and abundance, Oshun embodies the beauty and generosity of fresh water. She is the essence of feminine grace, the power of attraction, and the sweetness of life itself. Associated with the Osun River in Nigeria, she rules over love, fertility, money, and all that makes life pleasurable. But beneath her golden sweetness lies profound depths - Oshun is also a powerful sorceress and diplomat whose gentle appearance masks formidable power.
Oore Yeye O - Kind Mother
Oshun's praise name "Oore Yeye O" means "Kind Mother" - she is generous to those who honor her, blessing them with children, love, and prosperity. Her sacred substance is honey (oyin), which represents the sweetness she brings to life. Yet honey can also intoxicate and trap - a reminder that Oshun's gifts come with expectations of devotion and respect.
Attributes and Domains
Mythology and Pataki (Sacred Stories)
Oshun's pataki reveal her as far more than a goddess of beauty - she is a cunning diplomat, a powerful witch, and the savior of the world. Her stories show that sweetness and seduction are themselves forms of power.
Oshun Saves the World - The Only Woman Among the Orisha
When Olodumare sent the Orisha to create the earth, they excluded Oshun from their councils because she was a woman. The sixteen male Orisha attempted to complete creation without her, but everything they tried failed. The earth remained barren, the rains would not fall, and life could not flourish. In desperation, they returned to Olodumare to ask what was wrong. Olodumare asked, "Where is Oshun?" Realizing their error, the Orisha begged Oshun for help. She agreed, and through her power of fertility and attraction, she brought life to the earth. This pataki establishes that nothing can be accomplished without the feminine principle - Oshun's exclusion doomed creation to failure.
Oshun Seduces Ogun from the Forest
When Ogun, the fierce Orisha of iron, retreated into the forest after his tragedy at Ire, he refused all contact with other Orisha and humans. Without his gifts of tools and technology, civilization suffered. Many tried to coax him out - warriors threatened, elders pleaded - but Ogun would not emerge. Finally, Oshun went to him. She covered her body with honey and danced at the edge of his forest, singing sweetly. Enchanted by her beauty and sweetness, Ogun followed her out of isolation. With five drops of her honey on his lips, she led the fierce warrior back to civilization. This story shows that Oshun's "soft" power is stronger than force.
Oshun and the Vulture - The Secret of Divination
Oshun wished to learn the secrets of divination from Orunmila, but he would not teach a woman. She transformed herself into a vulture and flew to Orunmila's house. Perching nearby, she observed his divination sessions day after day, memorizing the odu (sacred verses) and their meanings. When she had learned enough, she revealed herself and demonstrated her knowledge. Orunmila, impressed by her dedication, accepted her as a student and gave her dominion over the cowrie shell divination system (diloggun). This is why Oshun's priestesses can divine with shells, and why the vulture is sacred to her.
Oshun and Shango - The King's Favorite
Of all Shango's wives, Oshun was his favorite when he desired pleasure and joy. She won his heart not through force like Oya, but through sweetness, beauty, and the arts of seduction. She cooled his fire with her river waters and softened his temper with her honey. Their relationship represents the attraction between fire and water, between passionate power and sensual pleasure. However, Oshun was not merely submissive - she held her own in Shango's household through her wit and magical abilities.
Oshun and Oba - A Tragic Rivalry
Oba, Shango's first wife, was desperately jealous of Oshun's hold on the king's heart. She asked Oshun how she made her soup so delicious that Shango loved it above all else. Oshun, out of cruelty or mischief, told Oba that she cut off her ear and added it to the soup. Oba, foolish in her desperation, actually did this. When Shango discovered her mutilation, he was horrified and rejected her forever. Oba fled in shame and became the Orisha of the Oba River, forever weeping. This dark pataki shows that Oshun can be cruel when crossed, and that desperation leads to tragedy.
The Five Powers of Oshun
Love and Attraction
She governs all matters of the heart, romance, and seduction
Prosperity
She brings wealth, money, and material abundance to her children
Fertility
She opens the womb for those who wish to conceive
Witchcraft
She is the leader of the Aje (witches) and knows powerful magic
Healing
Her waters cure illness and soothe troubled minds
Worship and Offerings
Traditional Offerings (Ebo)
Her sacred substance (always taste first)
Elegede - her favorite
Sweet citrus fruits
Traditional sacrifice
Sweet spice
Yellow flowers
Sweet fragrances
Brass and gold items
Important: Always taste honey before offering it to Oshun. According to pataki, an enemy once tried to poison her with tainted honey. Tasting it first proves it is safe and shows respect. Never offer Oshun anything bitter or sour.
Sacred Site - The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove along the Osun River in Osun State, Nigeria, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important shrine to Oshun. The grove contains shrines, sculptures, and sacred spaces dating back centuries. The annual Osun-Osogbo Festival in August draws hundreds of thousands of devotees who come to honor Oshun, make offerings to the river, and receive her blessings for fertility and prosperity.
The Osun Festival
The annual festival begins with the lighting of the sixteen-point lamp and proceeds through several days of rituals culminating in a procession to the river. The Arugba (virgin votary) carries the sacred calabash on her head to the river, where it is offered to Oshun. Devotees wade into the river to receive blessings, and the waters are believed to heal illness and grant fertility.
Relationships
Consorts
- Shango: Her most famous lover. Their passionate relationship represents the union of fire and water. She cools his temper and delights him with her sweetness.
- Ogun: She seduced him from his forest exile. Their relationship shows the power of gentleness over force.
- Orunmila: Teacher of divination. Their relationship gave Oshun her divinatory powers.
- Erinle: Orisha of healing and the forest. Some traditions consider him Oshun's husband.
Family
- Yemoja: Often described as her sister or mother. Together they represent salt water and fresh water, ocean and river.
- Oba: Her rival for Shango's love. Their conflict represents jealousy and its tragic consequences.
- Nana Buruku: Sometimes described as her grandmother. Ancient swamp goddess.
Oshun in the Diaspora
Oshun is one of the most beloved Orisha in the Americas, revered for her beauty, generosity, and power to grant love, fertility, and prosperity. Her golden energy shines throughout the diaspora.
Santeria / Lucumi (Cuba)
Called Ochun or Oshun. Syncretized with Our Lady of Charity (La Caridad del Cobre), Cuba's patron saint. Her sanctuary at El Cobre receives millions of pilgrims. She has many "caminos" (paths) - Ochun Yeyemorowo, Ochun Ibu Kole, etc. Colors: gold and amber. Offerings of honey, pumpkin, and cinnamon.
Candomble (Brazil)
Called Oxum. One of the most popular Orixa in Brazil. Syncretized with Our Lady of Candelaria or Nossa Senhora da Conceicao. Her feast day celebrations feature elaborate golden costumes and river processions. She represents feminine beauty, fertility, and maternal love. Colors: yellow and gold.
Haitian Vodou
Associated with Erzulie Freda, the lwa of love, luxury, and beauty. While not a direct equivalent, Erzulie shares Oshun's association with love, beauty, and feminine power. Both are associated with rivers, sweetness, and the color gold. Some traditions recognize Oshun directly.
Trinidad Orisha
Called Oshun. Honored at rivers and streams. Her devotees dress in yellow and gold. Associated with love, fertility, and prosperity. Ceremonies for her involve offerings of honey, flowers, and sweet foods thrown into flowing water.
Oshun and Witchcraft
Oshun is not only beautiful - she is dangerous. She is the head of the Aje (witches), the powerful women who control the mystical forces of the universe. Her sweetness masks profound magical knowledge:
- Transformation: She can change her form - she became a vulture to learn divination
- Love magic: She controls attraction and can bind hearts together or tear them apart
- Prosperity magic: She can open or close the roads to wealth
- Healing and cursing: Her waters can heal or drown, depending on her will
- Protection: As leader of the Aje, she can shield her children from witchcraft
Those who disrespect Oshun discover that the smiling river goddess has teeth. Her revenge on Oba shows she can be cruel. Her seductions are also strategic victories. Never underestimate the woman who smiles.