Elekes, who wears them and why!!

by oshunschild Categories: My ten pence worth! · ResourcesTags: · · 11 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…

A guide to receiving what, with whom and what it means!

by oshunschild Categories: Connections · Protocol and CeremonyTags: · · · · · · 25 Comments

I have noticed that there is a general confusion regarding initiations, the reception of certain things, and what it means. So here is a general breakdown of what to expect and from whom. Just a reminder to let you know that in Lucumi, there are houses that work with Ifa and houses that do not. There is no “correct” way. There are different ways of working and each way is legitimate. ELEKES: WHAT ARE THEY: Elekes are the reception of the  sacred beaded necklaces of the four Pillars of the Regla de Ocha. Obatala, Chango, Yemaya and Oshun. Some houses…

Making Elekes

by oshunschild Categories: UncategorizedTags: · · · · · · · · · 5 Comments

When I was young, the idea that I would be able to sit down for long periods of time and create something quite beautiful would have never entered my mind. I lacked focus and concentration and was not very good at sitting still.  When I became an Iyawo (Iyawo signifies “Bride of the Orisha” and it is  the year that follows an Initiation as a Priest in the Lucumi tradition), the strict taboos bestowed on me inspired me to find things to fill my time and I was keen to find things Orisha inspired. Beading and making Elekes and Ides…