Seven African Powers: African Spirituality Beliefs and Practices, #2

By Monique Joiner Siedlak

The Seven African Powers, also known as the Orishas, are spirits from the Supreme Creator in African religion.

These spirits are thought to give guidance for life issues and problems. Modern Santeria, Voodoo, and other Caribbean traditions still value this practice today. It can be found in different South American cultures as well.

This book will guide you through learning about the Seven African Powers…who they are, what they represent, and how each has a different temperament. You'll also know how the Orishas can be used in your home and daily routine.

Once you discover the Orishas, you'll be on your way to understanding which one will best help you work through difficulties and move forward in life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oshun Publications, LLC
• Release date: Jun 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781956319958

Monique Joiner Siedlak

Monique Joiner Siedlak is a writer, witch, and warrior on a mission to awaken people to their greatest potential through the power of storytelling infused with mysticism, modern paganism, and new age spirituality. At the young age of 12, she began rigorously studying the fascinating philosophy of Wicca. By the time she was 20, she was self-initiated into the Craft, and hasn’t looked back ever since. To this day, she has authored over 35 books pertaining to the magick and mysteries of life. Her most recent publication is book one of a Wiccan series entitled “Jaeger Chronicles.” Originally from Long Island, New York, Monique is now a proud inhabitant of Northeast Florida; however, she considers herself to be a citizen of Mother Earth. When she doesn’t have a book or pen in hand, she loves exploring new places and learning new things. And being the nature lover that she is, she considers herself to be an avid animal advocate. To find out more about Monique Joiner Siedlak artistically, spiritually, and personally, feel free to visit her official website at www.mojosiedlak.com

Book preview

An Introduction to the Seven African Powers

The soul has no beginning or no end. It constantly flows between the here and now and the ancestors’ land. The land of the ancestors is where it goes to recharge itself and build a life that is rooted in intention. It enters the cosmos, the land of the divine, for a special mission and purpose. African spirituality is all about understanding our unique destinies, the mission, and the purpose that we are here to serve on this planet. In one way or another, when a child is born, something special and sacred and special takes place. The child is given a name that speaks to the existence of their purpose on this Earth; throughout their lives, divination and other rituals are used to keep them in alignment with that mission.

You see, dear friend, reconnecting with African spirituality is about reconnecting with that divine power that is ours. Our cultural roots are the most ancient in the world, so reclaiming our powers and pride means returning to our roots. Acknowledging and embracing our culture because it lives within us.

I am an African and proudly so. For years, I have been searching for words to describe what those words truly mean to me. But I think that now, after stumbling and stuttering for years, I’ve finally found the words to explain what it truly means to be.

To be African is to be a complex being.

To be African is to be a spiritual being, and spirituality means to honor my ancestors and walk in my greatness. It’s more than just rituals and prayer. It’s walking in the fullness and the truth of who I am. It’s doing all I can to live a life that honors the destiny that was awakened for me.

To be rooted in that spirit is to lean on the wisdom of the past and present to empower ourselves for the future.

The purpose of this book, dear friend, is to help you understand the role of the seven African powers and how it ties to our spirituality. These seven African powers are entities that people can channel to overcome the obstacles and challenges we find and face as we journey through life. They’re how we grow spiritually and connect to our own inner power.

The Seven African Powers is a syncretic belief system that blends various African traditional religions, Catholicism, and Indigenous American traditions. It is most commonly practiced in parts of the Caribbean, particularly Cuba, and some parts of Central and South America.

The Seven African Powers are a group of seven deities, or Orishas, from the Yoruba religion. Each Orisha represents a different aspect of life and has a unique personality, attributes, and powers. The Seven African Powers are:

Eshu/Elegua: The trickster spirit, messenger between the human and divine realms.

Ogun: The warrior spirit associated with iron, technology, and hunting.

Obatala: The creator spirit associated with wisdom, purity, and the arts.

Yemaya: The mother spirit associated with the ocean, fertility, and motherhood.

Oshun: The love and beauty spirit associated with the river, sensuality, and female power.

Chango: The thunder and lightning spirit associated with fire, passion, and dance.

Oya: The divination spirit associated with prophecy, wisdom, and knowledge.

The significance of the Seven African Powers varies depending on the context and the specific religious or cultural tradition in which they are being invoked. However, some general themes and beliefs associated with the Seven African Powers are widely recognized.

One of the primary beliefs associated with the Seven African Powers is that they can offer their followers protection, guidance, and assistance. Each of the Seven African Powers is related to specific attributes and powers, and by invoking these powers, followers can tap into their energy and receive blessings or guidance.

Another important aspect of the Seven African Powers is their syncretic nature. The Seven African Powers blend elements of various African traditional religions, Catholicism, and Indigenous American traditions, creating a unique spiritual practice reflecting the cultural diversity of the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Seven African Powers are also often associated with healing and transformation. By invoking the powers of the Seven African Powers, followers can seek to overcome obstacles, heal spiritual or physical ailments, and transform negative energy into positive energy.

Their significance and Powers lie in their ability to connect followers with the divine, offer protection and guidance, and facilitate healing and transformation.

Let’s dive right in and jump right into the learning process about these powerful forces.

ONE

Unearthing the Roots: Historical, Cultural, and Geographical Origins of the Yoruba

Archeological evidence shows that the Yoruba people became a notable presence in the West African world sometime around the 5th century B.C. The founding father of the Yoruba people was King Oduduwa. He resided in the capital city Ile-Ife, which, to this day, is considered to be a sacred symbol of the Yoruba people. Some old stories present Oduduwa as a creator deity, making Ile-Ife the place where humanity was created. But historical accounts speak of battles for supremacy against unruly invaders.

Prior to Oduduwa, the Yoruba were a scattered nation, living in semi-independent cities ruled by chiefs (obas). The twenty-something cities had twenty-something kings, who had their own subordinates to keep the villages in check. So, we can’t speak of a united nation. The only key element that identified them as Yoruba was their language.

Once Oduduwa became king, the Yoruba kingdom was born. The role of the king gained importance, and the kings that succeeded him called themselves the sons of Oduduwa. It also became customary for people who desired influential political roles to prove their lineage as descendants of Oduduwa. After Oduduwa’s death, his sons moved from Ile-Ife to start their own kingdoms. Twenty-five new kingdoms arose, all centralized and all recognizing Ile-Ife as the primordial city. All these kingdoms led to the existence of distinct Yoruba subgroups, each with their own variations on religion, language, society, and politics. Some important Yoruba kingdoms were Oyo and Ekiti (in the northwest), Owo (in the southeast), and Awori and Shabe (in the southwest). King Oni of Ife and King Alaafin of Oyo are, to this day, celebrated as great Yoruba kings.

The modern Yoruba culture was born as a result of a battle for power, which led to a great conflict and a fragile reconciliation, as shown in their myths and stories. This constant battle also plagues the more recent history of the Yoruba. The wars for slaves weakened the kingdoms. Yoruba slaves were sent to European colonies in the new world where white men would never accept their religion. Yet, their traditions and beliefs survived. How? The clever Yoruba people practiced their religion under the veil of Catholicism. Both religions have an almighty god whom worshipers can interact with through the help of intermediaries (saints or the Yoruba’s orishas). So, the Yoruba people adapted and prevailed.

It took a lot of time for the Yoruba people to see themselves as a single nation. Even now, the subgroups are different enough to consider themselves separate, adapting the religion to their own history and society. That is the beauty of the Yoruba religion; its flexibility allows its followers to adapt it to their culture and heritage.

Yoruba Beliefs

The Yoruba religion has its own doctrines, concepts, spiritual beings, and symbols. Let’s take a look at some basic notions that define the Yoruba religion.

Ayanmo

Fate or Destiny

The Yoruba people believe that we all experience Ayanmo throughout our lives. The Yoruba believe that we choose our own destiny before birth, but that we forget all about it when we arrive on Earth. So, one of our life purposes should be claiming our Ayanmo.

Olodumare

The State of Becoming One with the Source of All Energy/Divine Creator

The Yoruba believe that it is the duty of all people to become enlightened in a spiritual aspect. To become enlightened, one must grow his Ori-inu (spiritual consciousness) and unite it with his