In Brazil, on new year's eve, people celebrate the Feast of Yemanja on the beach by digging trenches in the sand and filling them with candles to create sacred space full of peace and serenity. At midnight they launch flowers and offerings into the sea and immerse themselves in the purifying and protective foamy mantle of the waves.

Here Yemanja, Goddess of the Ocean and Mother of Pearls, is shown standing on the waves offering her blessings for the families praying on the shore. She is the Orisha of procreation, gestation, and the family, and holds absolute reign over the hearth fire. Many in Brazil consider her to be the Mother of all Orishas. She is sometimes represented as a mermaid, a white seashell and the Virgin Mary. Mistress of the Line of Water Vibrations.

[traditional Brazilian image]

Hand painted resin statue

The Orisha of the Ocean and Motherhood, Yemayah was brought to the New World by the peoples of Nigeria via Brazil and Cuba, where she has been venerated for centuries as Protectress during the middle passage of slavery. Keep her image close by as a reminder that you are protected and empowered by your inner strength.

[original of carved wood, Bahia, Brazil]

Black/gold colored resin statue.

Love and sensuality are the domains of Oshun. Tall and brown-skinned, she is patroness of rivers and the bloodstream, always carrying her mirror. Powerful love spells are worked through this Lady.
[oral tradition image] Hand painted resin statue

Oya is the Warrior Goddess of the Wind who also mothered nine children! She creates change of fortune and power in action. Her power is associated with lightening, tornadoes, cemeteries and death. Her motherly strength inspires us to embrace change and learn from it.
[contemporary image, Ghana] Black/gold resin statue.

The Orisa of Courage, Intelligence and Truth
Son of Yemayah, Shango is the Lord of lightning, thunder, rain and testicular fertility. He is smooth-talking, kingly, yet can be shrewd as a con-artist. He wins against the odds and is stimulated by challenge. The double-headed dance wand headdress (oshe Sango) and double-edged ax symbolize his constant preparedness, and he carries the phallic mortar, or odo, in his right hand. His animal representations are the black cat, quail and tortoise. This image originates from Bahia, Brazil.
Black/gold colored Gypsumstone statue.