Contemplations on living in the times of a Pandemic.

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth!Leave a comment

I had a trip to Cuba planned for a month. I was supposed to be initiating my Goddaughter to Ogun. My Iyawo Oya was finishing his year. My Iyawo Obatala was supposed to be doing his Ebo Meta. Such a lot of preparation and logistics from me and saving and sacrifice from them.  Just over a week ago, I had my bags packed to fly to Cuba despite the uncertainties of the news. My flight was not cancelled and Cuba’s borders were still open.  Just over two weeks ago there were no cases in Cuba and I was looking forward…

Listen when your hear the bells ringing!

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth!2 Comments

This blog is appealing to your better judgement. Learn to listen to yourselves.  Listen to the Bells! Warning signs of unhealthy spiritual relationships. ( which are really the same as any relationship that requires human interaction) If you feel bullied, unhappy, humiliated or attacked in any way, walk away.  You are under no obligation to stay in abusive relationships. Do not be blinded by so called mentors who sell themselves as all knowing, all powerful, almost guru like, sometimes offering miracle cures and unrealistic solutions. Be careful with those who have an over zealous social media profiles. Those that are…

Thought of the Day. Be careful what you wish for.

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth!3 Comments

It is not what you want, but what you need, and what happens to be part of your destiny as you walk this journey. We choose our destiny before we are born into this world. We then forget, and spend our lives trying to work it out. We are lucky on this path, to have the tools of divination which reminds us where we are and how to realign ourselves with our destiny.  Not everyone will have an easy path, and no two people are the same. Be careful not to envy the journey of others. You don’t know where…

Lineage, Initiation, entitlement and appropriation: Part 2

by oshunschild Categories: Connections · My ten pence worth! · Protocol and Ceremony7 Comments

As we come to the end of the decade, I am reflecting on some of the personalities that have crossed my path. One of the most disturbing trend I have found is the general  idea that Orisha are universal energies open for all too manipulate. This has led to many people building altars, selling produce,  creating rituals and also filming it for all to see. So there are a lot of  misguided individuals who think they have the entitlement to work with Orisha or the equivalent in other ATR religions, when they have no idea what they are doing. Then…

Q and A at Goldsmiths

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth!2 Comments

Questions from students at Goldsmiths. Last year,  I was invited by Adom Philogene Heron to be a guest lecturer on a course he was teaching in Goldsmiths. It was a daunting experience for me. For some stupid reason ( it’s been a long time!) I was expecting a small intimate classroom scenario, but it was a huge lecture hall and no microphone. The subject that I was asked to discuss was ” Becoming Creole:   Continuity, Creativity and Cosmology” In relation to the Lucumi Tradition. I rejected the term Creole to describe our practise gave my reasons why, but the…

Why my previously public ceremonies are no longer public.

by oshunschild Categories: Connections · My ten pence worth! · Protocol and CeremonyTags: · · 2 Comments

    This is just a little note to let anyone know that I am not here to provide material for your PhD or your book chapter, If by chance you are intending on using any information gathered whilst attending something in the Ile Oshun Kayode. Have the courtesy and respect to ask me if it is OK first. Put it by me. Mention who I am and my Ocha name. I am representing Oshun. Have some damn respect. Do not write me out of the story, because you will be disrespecting Oshun and her Ashe. And so be it….

What makes practising in the UK Unique?

by oshunschild Categories: Connections · My ten pence worth! · Resources2 Comments

UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTISING LA REGLA DE OCHA IN THE UK:   The rise in social media attention to African Traditional Religions in general and Lucumi in particular has given the impression that these practises are wide spread and that there are communities everywhere. I have received emails recently asking me to make recommendations of practising Iles (Religious houses) all over the UK. This is a reminder that what you experience on Social Media is a false reality. Social media does not determine what is going on in the UK and there is a big difference between what is going on…

Lineage, Initiation, entitlement and appropriation: Part 1

by oshunschild Categories: Connections · My ten pence worth! · Protocol and Ceremony5 Comments

The other day, I came across a Facebook/instagram friend posing with two cards from an Orisha tarot deck, with “messages” from the Orisha. The messages quite frankly were very general, superficial  and flippant.   I was surprised and concerned since I know the person not to be involved in the Orisha way of life, and if she had been, she would not be posing in the park,  giving messages  from the Orisha on social media. I picked her up on it and pointed out nicely that Orisha do not communicate via tarot cards. The mouthpiece of Orisha is the Dilogun. We…

Why you will not find a description of any ceremony within this Blog.

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth!7 Comments

It has been very interesting for me to read what leads people to this Blog, and over the last week, I have been noticing that people are googling ” description of Ocha ceremony” or “description of Eleke Ceremony” . This is a short paragraph to clarify that although I am happy to answer questions and I am happy to inform  and clarity is really important, it is not necessary to know what happens within initiation ceremonies. Expectations can ruin the experience of individuals, and it is my experience that people that ask too many questions about what happens instead of…

Elekes, who wears them and why!!

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth! · ResourcesTags: · · 9 Comments

I spent all last night beading. I am beading a set for someone I am about to initiate. I love to make my own Elekes for my godchildren and feel that there is a lot of  worth in a set of Elekes that you have made with love and passion. This does not mean that they still don’t go through a spiritual process. Each set of Elekes have to go through a process before they are received. An Ide and Eleke for a new initiate also goes through a process before being bestowed on the new initiate. Not everyone enjoys…