In some places in Africa, Odundun (Kalanchoe crenata) and Rinrin (pepper elder) are grown at his shrines. It is said that these herbs are cooling to him.
Photo link: “Peperomia pellucida” by Obsidian Soul
Other herbs that are said to be sacred to him are oak leaves, grape root, and purple basil.
Ogun Oil:
Ogun’s sacred oil is curojo, or red palm oil. For a change of pace, or if it is not available where you are, this recipe is one of the best I’ve ever seen for Ogun devotional oil. It was contributed by Arden of Arden’s Arcanum. Visit their homepage to like his page, thank him and give positive feedback.
Arden’s Ogun Oil:
You will need:
- 1/2 liter grapeseed or another natural but machine-worthy oil.
- Seven cloves for Eshu.
- Small handful of Vetivert roots.
- 3 heaping tbps of dried coconut shreds.
- 3 heaping tbps of powdered annatto.
- 3 heaping tbps cumin.
- Seven chunks of dragons blood resin.
- One spoonful of red earth or ochre.
In a large jar, add the cloves first for Eshu.
Then lightly roast the cumin seeds.
Then add the cumin and the rest of the dry ingredients to the jar.
Put in a cold shadowy place for 4 months.
Ogun Incense:
- 6 coffee beans or a spoonful of coffee grounds.
- a spoonful of red earth.
- a half teaspoon of iron or other metal shavings or 7 gold or silver leaves, or add a small piece of metal and bury it when you bury the cremains.
- 1 tablespoon cumin.
- 2 tablespoons sandalwood.
- 2 tablespoons aloeswood.
- a handful dragon’s blood chunks (crushed).
- 7 tears of copal.
Crush these as well as possible in a mortar and pestle or in a food processor.
Burn in an iron pot or pan, and when finished, give the cremains back to the Earth.
Ogun Soup:
Ogun is the master of efficiency, and loves soup. He likes thick, hearty soups that have all the goodness of blood. This is a good enough offering if you don’t have access to animal blood or snails. Notice, this is a soup made mostly of things that grow inside the Earth or dark places near the Earth.
- 250 grams ground beef or chicken.
- 1 large onion.
- 1 potato or plain root vegetable.
- 1 carrot.
- a handful of chopped mushrooms.
- field herbs such as wild hyssop, wild spinach, and dandelion leaves.
- a teaspoon of annatto.
- salt to the point it’s just as salty as blood.
Fry the meat and onion until the meat is crumbly and slightly browned. Then add the herbs and sautee for another minute or two, then add the water and root vegetables.
Bring to a boil, and then turn the heat down to low.
When it is fully cooked, after about 2 hours of low heat, blend it in a blender, with a hand blender, or a food processor.
Serve it to him between warm and hot.
Pingback: List of Known Orishas/Lwa | Orisha Online Altar
Is it not a sin to gave blood sacrifice