It is well over a year since I wrote my last blog post. I checked in on the home page the other day and realised how long it was since I even looked at the Blog. Last year was not an easy year. Along with adjusting to elderly parents with serious health issues, lockdown meant that I was spending way too much time on social media, and in the focus on that, I found a video which rang huge bells for me. It was to do with what it is like to live with an ADHD mind. I felt as…
Category: My ten pence worth!
My Opinion!
Syncretism Important or Not?
In many parts of the Diaspora where Orisha worship has continued, Syncretism is very much a feature of the practise. Today is the 2nd February 2021. Today in Brasil the Festival of Yemonja is celebrated. Whilst in some parts of Cuba, it is Oya’s feast day. On the 4th December, Brasil Celebrates Oya, whereas in Cuba, Shango is honoured. The reason why these Feast days are different is because the Orishas were syncretised with different Saints around the Diaspora. Today is the day that La Virgen de La Candelaria is celebrated. She is known as the Patron Saint of the…
I am In Lockdown Part 2.
Here in the UK, we are in the second week of a second lockdown. It doesn’t seem as extreme as the first but, I am taking it pretty seriously since we are the first Country in Europe to reach 50,000 deaths and I currently know a few people with Covid also, so it’s social isolation time for me. The three last posts concentrated on Bullying and Abuse in our tradition and advice on how to spot predators and avoid them. Simultaneously, I became aware of another Social Media Personality within our traditions who has been outed as an abuser and…
Abuse and Bullying in our religion Part 3.
This is the last entry in this trilogy looking at abuse and bullying in this community. I have been sitting on writing part three for a while now. Thinking about my own experience on this path and about the negative and hurtful scenarios that I have gone through over the last 15 years. Last week I took part in two seminars organised by a group of concerned practioners of various initiatory status from various lineages. The first seminar was educational and focused on sexual abuse and spotting predators. It was useful on many different levels. The second one was a…
Abuse and Bullying in our religion Part 2.
As a result of an Olorisha being open about being abused, an organisation of Orisha practitioners of different lineages and statuses have come together to organise an online zoom meeting in order to talk about how to spot predators. This will be a useful workshop and hopefully will empower people to be equipped. Education and being open about things like abuse within our traditions, is imperative. Prevention is key. Please register before the 30th September. Here are some scenarios which I hope you will take into account as you are walking your journey. No one should be hunting for clients,…
Abuse and Bullying In our Religion. Part 1
I will be addressing abuse including Sexual Abuse within our community in a three part blog. Here is Part 1: The other day, Oludare, Esteemed Olorisha of Ogun, Musician and Teacher, made a statement about an Olorisha who had abused him in the context of a tambor that he had attended as drummer. Consequentially it brought up many conversations, outrage and responses and other people standing up and saying it had happened to them too. This is my take on abuse in our community. As someone that has been a Survivor of Abuse, not only Violent Rape, but Covert, insidious,…
Why Black Lives Matter.
With so much going on in the world over the last couple of months, it has been hard to keep up with what I feel I should be writing about. What I have noticed, however, is that, like many things regarding social media, hashtag culture does not last for ever. I believe that in my role as Iyalorisha, it is as important to use my platform to educate in all matters of life, in addition to inform those coming to my page regarding all things Orisha. So today I am focusing on four projects that I feel are worthwhile to…
Ibae L’Aye T’Orun Oshainle.
2020 will be a most memorable year. In the Midst of the Lockdown and pandemic, the protests and the movement demanding change sparked by the public execution of George Floyd , my Iyatobi, went to join the ancestors at the feet of Olodumare. I am forever grateful to Obatala for putting her in my path. I will never forget the day I made Ocha and all the wonderful experienced that I had with her. It has been a very emotional time. My love goes out to all who are related to her via blood and stone. 2020 será un año…
My Response To The Here and Now. Negotiating a mixed Ile.
I feel that it is necessary for me to post at this time of unrest and justified anger, in response to the murder of George Floyd. First of all I have to say that just as I believe that the personal is political, I believe that there is power in this Spiritual Tradition, and as a Mentor and Iyalorisha of Oshun, I see my role as a medium to enable all those that choose me to be their Spiritual Mentor to align with their destinies. I am here to use what I know to empower my Godchildren. However, as time…
Educational resources for adults. Part 2
Let us be honest. No amount of books and online resources are a replacement for practising this spiritual path with guidance from elders and real human contact. It is a community religion and it is not meant to be practised as a solitary practitioner. What you can learn these days on line is the background to our practise and there are excellent community pages where you can have your questions answered by trustworthy and knowledgeable practitioners. I have always been quite critical of the online world, however, there have been excellent resources and and trustworthy practitioners sharing their knowledge. In…
oshunschild's Blog: Simply my thoughts and feelings about being an Iyalocha in London 