Ogun, Ogoun

Ogun

Ogun

  • Sacred numbers: 7,3,or 4
  • Colors: green, green and black, or red, black, and green, in some traditions lavender or light purple, sometimes very dark brown, sometimes steel “silver”, sometimes gunmetal
  • Domain: metals (especially iron), metalworking, tools, weapons, technology, generated electrical power, physical strength/force, killing with weapons, leadership
  • Symbols: knife, a gubasa sword, machete, spear, bow and arrow specifically with an iron (black or red) arrowhead, farming implements, and lately (since the invention of the personal computer) the power button, pincers, pliers, or clamps

Ogun is an Orisha who many view as having a somewhat dark sensibility.  Many apatakis depict him as being a target of rejection and taunting by other Orishas.  One story that often scares people is the one of his rape of his mother, Yemaya.  Some don’t understand why and how that could have happened, and why that story is told.

The message of such stories are a warning to man about attempting to manipulate the forces of nature overmuch.  We are the servants of Nature, but just as any other servant could, if they’re living in your house or have access to your things, they can do a lot of damage.  The stories of Ogun’s rape of Yemaya are a warning to mankind about using technology to destroy Nature.

Again, Vodun is not a representative faith.  Metals and related minerals are part of Ogun.  Man uses Ogun to rape the Earth (Eseasar or Zodji) and Seas and Life (Yemaya) when he misuses them.  This misuse is the crazed Ogun who is not thinking at all rationally.  Indeed a man is insane when he “poops on his own plate”.

One of the best pages I ever found on the subject of Ogun is a discussion on Destee.com.  Rather than repeat what’s already been written, I thought I’d post that link.  Here’s another excellent page on Ogun at MamiWata.com.

One should remember though, that Shango and Ogun were mortal enemies in a way in the legends.  Shango is in the good warrior who is a bit of a hotdogger and show-off.  Ogun is in the decisive assassin of few words: the ninja type.

Excuse the little joke, but it is like a thousands of years old pirates vs. ninjas situation.

The general may carry the sword and use it well, but nobody knows a sword like the man who made it.

Offerings to Ogun:

Offerings to Ogun should generally be live animals killed during the ceremony.  If you are not comfortable with killing larger animals, you can kill snails and offer them to him.  If you are absolutely against killing any animal that you don’t intend to eat or aren’t defending yourself from, and you’re vegetarian, you can give him roasted yams or spicy beans as a food offering, along with some rum, palm wine, or other strong but tasty alcohol.  Do not ever leave empty bottles standing with the top on once you are Ogun aware.  If a bottle is empty, leave the top off, and if possible, lay it on its side.  If you’re not vegetarian, don’t fret because offerings (ebo) to Ogun don’t go to waste.  You either leave them out for whoever wants to take them, or you and your family/community eat them.

In fact, women who are not children of Ogun or Oya should probably not give blood offerings, at least not themselves unless it is necessary to the tradition.  If you have recently won an election or become the leader of a group or organization, and must give a blood offering, you may ask a man or a female child of Ogun or Oya to do the deed on your behalf.

You can also pay him in pain.  Have a sparring match with someone, and whoever loses the match acts as the sacrifice during this combat ceremony.  In a pinch (like it is a real life or death situation, and your enemy has already injured you and you have no other option to ensure they are put down before they can strike again) or if you are an initiated child of Ogun, you may give him your own blood without fighting first, if your tradition allows for this and has the proper ceremonies for it. Don’t just do that on your own. I only mention it because some people might not be aware of some of the hard things they need to prepare themselves for in this life.

For the initiated or non initiated though, blood shed in battle is the best.

In blood offerings Ogun, rather than Eshu, is served first.  He is the only Orisha who can actually kill through unnatural causes.  Where the death face of any of the warriors can cause an incidental, situational, or natural death, Ogun is the only one who is permitted to power a knife or other metal weapon such as a bullet, in the physical realm, and direct it towards a target.  Some supposed suicides of murderers or other bad people may well have been executions carried out by Ogun.

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K. Sis. Nicole T.N. Lasher

Webmatron of Orisha.me.

2 Comments:

  1. Pingback: List of Known Orishas/Lwa | Orisha Online Altar

  2. Is it not a sin to gave blood sacrifice

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