Yemaya, or Ymoja as she was known to the Yoruban people of West Africa, was the Mother of the Ogun River. This is because she was said to have given birth to the world's waters ... and that new springs would appear whenever she turned over in her sleep, and springs would gush forth whenever she walked.
In Brazil, Yemaya is known as Iemanja, in Haiti La Sirene, and in the Dominican Republic Yemalla or La Diosa del mar ("Sea Goddess"). Yemaya is also known as Our Lady of Regla and Stella Maris ("Star of the Sea").
The "Queen of the Ocean" Yemaya is the patron deity of fisherman as well as survivors of shipwrecks. She is also the feminine principle of creation and the spirit of the moonlight. Therefore it is appropriate that we honour her during the first Full Moon of the year so that her blessings can be carried with us.
On Saturday, 26 January 2013, you are invited to join us for this open rite at Grange Beach. We will meet on the grassed area near the public conveniences just prior to 8.00pm where we will then move down to the sands. The ritual will take place around dusk, with the sun setting in the west over the Gulf.
While this is a free event, participants are asked to keep in mind that although we are honouring Yemaya, we will also be asking favours of her; therefore, it is considered polite that we bring her a gift in the form of an offering. These offerings can include seashells, flowers, or even a stone with perhaps a message or symbol representing your desire drawn upon it. She is known to like champagne, blue chalcedony is considered to be a crystal connected with her, and the star is one of her symbols.
Her favourite colours are those reflected by her beloved waters so you may wish to wear clothing that contain blues, silvers and white. A white head scarf (if you have one) should also be worn during this devotional rite.
In Brazil, Yemaya is known as Iemanja, in Haiti La Sirene, and in the Dominican Republic Yemalla or La Diosa del mar ("Sea Goddess"). Yemaya is also known as Our Lady of Regla and Stella Maris ("Star of the Sea").The "Queen of the Ocean" Yemaya is the patron deity of fisherman as well as survivors of shipwrecks. She is also the feminine principle of creation and the spirit of the moonlight. Therefore it is appropriate that we honour her during the first Full Moon of the year so that her blessings can be carried with us.
On Saturday, 26 January 2013, you are invited to join us for this open rite at Grange Beach. We will meet on the grassed area near the public conveniences just prior to 8.00pm where we will then move down to the sands. The ritual will take place around dusk, with the sun setting in the west over the Gulf.
Her favourite colours are those reflected by her beloved waters so you may wish to wear clothing that contain blues, silvers and white. A white head scarf (if you have one) should also be worn during this devotional rite.
O
Mother of Waters!
Great is your power, your strength, and your light...
Let your greatness be the greatest wealth you dispense to me...
surrounded by sweet melodies springing from your own self...
Great is your power, your strength, and your light...
Let your greatness be the greatest wealth you dispense to me...
surrounded by sweet melodies springing from your own self...
“Prayer to Yemanja” (Zolrak)
We will be singing to Yemaya. A recording of the chant that we will be using on the the night can be found here sung by Deva Premal:
The words are:
Yemaya assesso, assesso Yemaya
Yemaya olodo, olodo Yemaya.
If you have a drum, you may also like to bring this along with you. There will be watermelon (Yemaya's favourite fruit) to share afterwards.
Children are welcome however they are the sole responsibility of their parents/guardians who should be mindful that as this rite is one of devotion. Instigators of disruptive or unruly behaviour will be asked to leave.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Temple of the Dark Moon.
No comments:
Post a Comment