#ochossi

Seven African Powers

Each of the Seven African Powers is affiliated with specific colors and numbers; incorporate these into spells dedicated to them individually or en masse. Because African slaves were forbidden their own spiritual traditions, each orisha was also syncretized to a Roman Catholic saint, although exactly which one depends upon the African Diaspora tradition to which one subscribes.

• Elegba:
  
• Color: Black, Red
• Number: 3, 7
• Syncretized Saint: Saint Anthony, Saint Peter, the Anima Sola, Holy Child of Atocha
  
  
• Obatala:
• Color: White
• Number: 8
• Syncretized Saint: Jesus Christ, Our Lady of Mercy
  
  
• Ogun:
• Color: Black, Red (green in some traditions)
  
• Number: 3, 7
• Syncretized Saint: Saint James the Major, Michael the Archangel, Saint Peter, Saint George, Saint Anthony
  
  
• Chango:
• Color: Red, White
  
• Number: 6
  
• Syncretized Saint: Saint Barbara, Saint Jerome
  
  
• Yemaya:
• Color: Blue, White, Crystal Clear
  
• Number: 7
  
• Syncretized Saint: Stella Maris
  
  
• Oshun:
• Color: Yellow, Orange, Coral
  
• Number: 5
  
• Syncretized Saint: Our Lady of Charity
  
  
• Orunmila:*
• Color: Green, Yellow
  
• Number: 4
  
• Syncretized Saint: Saint Francis
  
  
• Oya:*
• Color: Purple, Maroon, Brown or Multi-colored
  
• Number: 9
  
• Syncretized Saint: Saint Barbara, Our Lady of Candelaria, Saint Catherine
  
  
• Ochossi:*
• Color: Lavender, Brown
  
• Number: 2
  
• Syncretized Saint: Saint Sebastian
  

*The seventh African power is subject to interpretation. Because the magic number seven cannot be changed, orishas cannot simply be added to the list; should one wish to incorporate a different orisha, one of the original seven must be removed. Orunmila is the traditional seventh power, one of the original seven. However, Orunmila has less personal individual interaction with his followers than other orishas, and is therefore less familiar (and less beloved) then other orishas; he is often replaced in this pantheon. Orunmila is most frequently replaced by the orisha Oya, who, in a sense, is the feminist choice. The hunter-warrior Ochossi has become increasingly prominent (as demonstrated by the number of spells dedicated to him) and has very recently begun to appear among the Seven African Powers as well.

(fromThe Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes)