Voodoo Authentica

Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Empress Yemaya

The Orisha Yemaya is from the Yourban (now present day Nigeria) tradition. She is associated with motherhood, fertility,  child birth, mother/child relationships, emotions, the home, healing, creativity, nurturing and the ocean. Associatted with Our Lady of Regla she is said to wear 7 skirts for each of the 7 seas. Saturday is her sacred day and her colours are blue and white. She is the spirit that my friend Zaar introduced me to and gave me a special oil for her when I was looking for my apartment I have here in NOLA. I kept saying I needed a place to live. He said no, what you need is a home, a sanctuary. You need Yemaya. So I made a very specific list of what I wanted. 33 things in total to be exact lol! Well I'll have you know, all but 3 of them were granted! To name just a few, I have the most precious apartment ever, with such a warm and homey feel, all utilities included, and the coolest landlord and property manager. Not to mention the history associated with this gorgeous building. It was originally built in 1740 and later owned by a prominent Creole family. I swear it looks like a pirate ship in some places. And the numbers in my address total to the number 7.

Untitled In the tarot, I'd associate Yemaya with The Empress card and with the Queen of Cups. I think the QofC from the. World Spirit Tarot is the most perfect depiction of Yemeya.

 One of th promises I made to Yemaya when I was looking for my home was tht I would create an alter in the bathroom in her honor.

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Last Saturday my friend Ren and I went to The Gulf in Mississippi to do a ritual in honor of Yemaya. I needed to say thank you as well as ask a very special request on behalf of both myself and our friend Catelyn. I wore a blue and white sundress and did my eyeshadow in beautiful shades of blue and turquoise and brought a bouquet of flowers that I put in the water for the tide to carry out.

Untitled Yemaya has answered many of my prayers, from finding my apartment/sanctuary to assisting with my communication with my mother to bringing peace and restful sleep to a very dear friend who has been plagued with night terrors for many years. Call upon her when your soul needs the loving, nurturing touch of a mother's love.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Krysten - lovely post. It reminded me I need to set some time aside and consider connecting with the Goddess or God that I need to connect to. I actually do not have a particular cultural inclination at all - by that I mean that I am equally drawn to Celtic, Norse, Greek or Indian mythologies. I used to just walk through forests and talk to the trees :) but I do need to set up an altar and be mindful and ask for certain things that I want to be doing but haven't really focused on. Anyway - thank you for the insights. Blessings. Monica

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  2. Thank you so much Monica, I'm so glad it spoke to you with what you needed. I have practiced several different paths. I guess the Goddesss wants you and I to see her through many a different lens. I look forward to seeing your new alter! Is there a specific Goddess who you are working with these days?

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  3. Hello fellow goddess circle member! Yemaya is one of my favorite goddesses and I work with her often when I'm in the shower!! Great read and I love the pictures!!

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    1. Thank you Tia and I am so sorry for this late response! I'm not sure why but I am just seeing your comment for the first time now. Thank you again for stopping by and your support! Do you have the 2013 calendars yet?

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  4. I adore Yemaya, she has such a beneficent energy! For a long time, I called on her to represent the West on my altar, and had her image there. At the moment I've changed to Sulis in that position, because I felt in more need of healing. Still, she has a special place in my heart :)

    Your altar is really beautiful, and the ritual you performed sounds lovely! The World Spirit Sibyl is gorgeous, too ;)

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  5. This is so beautiful. I have always felt a connection to Yemaya, and I think this is an indicator that I should ask for her help more.

    Many blessings to you.

    Shaheen

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    1. Thank you Shaheen and thank you for stopping by an commenting! Please let me know how it goes when you work with her, I'd love to hear.

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  6. Beautifully written Kristen. Thank you again fur your genuine spirit and patience in guiding me & my family. My youngest daughter is embracing Yemaya, as she was drawn to her on our last visit. My son dreamt of a mirror in a tub of water last night, I know this represents his longing for spiritual insight. He was drawn to La Sirene prior to visiting you, but didn't realize who she was until that visit. My oldest daughter, well, in sure she'll give you an update this week when she comes in to bring Papa Legba his popcorn. :-) And, as for me...I just want to say...thank you...The Secret has changed my life. I am blessed to have met you. I look forward to seeing you on my next visit home.

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  7. It is such a blessing to know you and your beautiful family! How amazing it is that Spirit is speaking to each of you! The dogs following your daughter, and your son's dream is also a DEFINITE sign from LaSirene! It is an honor and a privilege to know and love you all! I can't wait for you to get back, we have to spend time together!
    XOXOX

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