ESHU





Eshu or Echu or Exu is an Orisha very closely connected to Orumila. This is shown in many "patakis" or stories of the Orishas. According to Ifa, there are 101 different Eshus and only the Babalawo or Awo knows the secrets for preparing them. Eshu is so closely tied to Orumila that he often has the habit of complicating the lives of those that come to Orumila for advice and then don't follow the instructions of Ifa. Eshu is the owner of all the roads of the world and therefore, knows what is going on all over the world. He is the messenger of the gods and reports faithfully to Olodumare or Olofi the actions of men and gods. Eshu is the guardian of the temples and of homes. He is absolutely necessary for any ritual in the religion. Eshu is the first Orisha that anyone receives when they come into the religion. In Africa it is said that Eshu is a primordial entity that was in the world before men and the other Orishas. The power of Eshu is go great that even the other Orishas fear to be on his bad side. When any of the other Orishas are going to eat, or be fed animal sacrifices, Eshu must be fed first. Due to his great power, you can be sure that all the Oluos, Awos and Babalawos do their best to kept Eshu happy and well fed.



OSAIN





Osain is another one of Orumila's closest allies. Only the priests of Orunla know the true secrets of preparing Osain here in North America and the Caribbean area. In Africa, there are special priests of Osain and in Brazil, they have their own system where the children of Osain are crowned in Ocha or have that Saint made on their heads. In the afro-cuban traditions, Osain is considered to be too "heavy" to be crowned on someone's head. The reasoning behind this is that a person's head could not stand all the power that Osain has, being the owner of all the herbs, plants and trees that are found in the rain forest. Osain knows all the secrets of all the plant life in the rain forest, whether it be to heal or kill. Osain has different "caminos" or ways of being prepared. The priests of Orumila often work with Osain to prepare "resguardos" or amulets of protection for those in need. Osain is often considered to be the Babalawo's "left" hand, while Oddudua is considered to be the "right" hand. Most Babalawos have received these powerful Orishas so that they may be better equiped to help others and also for their personal protection and benefit.



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