Bøger af Ocha'ni Lele

SHAMANISM / INDIGENOUS CULTURES "There is no more magical way to feel close to the orishas than through the patakis. It is there that one is transported to one's imagination. ocha'ni Lele has a very spiritual manner in elevating my imagination through his writing, which reveals a special touch. Maferefun orichas! What is seen is not questioned! This is a special book for those of us who go forth from the heart, without malice. ocha'ni Lele, my dear, I congratulate you!" --Ivy Queen, vocalist, musician, and Queen of Reggaeton "This book is a page turner. ocha'ni Lele relates these sacred stories with the ease of a knowledgeable narrator while drawing clarity and meaning out of the religion's complex chorus of voices. This book moves the deep spirituality of the religion away from ethnography and connects the sacred to religious studies where it is well overdue." --Oba Ernesto Pichardo, Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye At the core of the diloggun--the sacred divination system of Santeria--are the sacred stories known as the patakis, narratives whose themes are as powerful and relevant today as they were in the minds of the ancient Yoruba who safeguarded them. Each pataki is connected to one or more of the 16 odu, the principal creative forces of Santeria. Some recount the lives of orishas on Earth, others the lives of individuals in Heaven, and some tell of the odu themselves, for even they once walked the earth as mortals. The first book to explore these ancient African stories in English, Teachings of the Santeria Gods recounts more than 100 of these sacred parables, including many stories reassembled from the oral tradition of the African diaspora. Ranging from creation myths to what happens when a love potion works far too well, these stories share the wisdom and spirituality of the Yoruba people of ancient Africa and form the living, oral bible of one of the world's fastest-growing faiths. oCHA'NI LELE has been immersed in the underground culture of orisha worship since 1989. He made Ocha in 2000 and was crowned a priest of Oya. His other books include The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination, Obi Oracle of Cuban Santeria, and The Diloggun: The Orishas, Proverbs, Sacrifices, and Prohibitions of Cuban Santeria. He lives in Winter Park, Florida.

By understanding Osogbo, the spirits of misfortune, we can better overcome them and return to health and balance in our lives.

DIVINATION / INDIGENOUS CULTURES The Santeria, or Lucumi, faith is not a static religion but a living conduit for connecting the spirit world to our own. One of the paths to the spirits within Santeria is through a divination technique known as Obi, the coconut oracle, which gives the petitioner access to the orisha of the same name. The orisha Obi began as a mortal human who ascended to become an orisha as a reward for good deeds done on Earth, then fell from grace because of excessive pride. When he descended back to Earth, his spirit was embodied in the coconut palm. Though he no longer has a tongue, he can answer questions posed to him through the random patterns made by four pieces of coconut shell cast as a divination tool. Obi Oracle of Cuban Santeria is the first book to fully explore the patakis of Obi, the sacred body of lore surrounding him, as well as his particular rituals and customs. Hands-on divination instructions include opening considerations, specifics on casting and interpreting the basic oracle, and employing advanced methods of divination. Also explained are the previously unpublished secrets of closing the oracle properly so that any negative vibrations will be absorbed by the coconuts and permanently removed from the diviner's home. Author of The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination, oCHA'NI LELE has been immersed in the underground culture of Orisha worship since 1989. By 1995 he had received several initiations in both Santeria and the Congo faith Palo Mayombe and in 2000 he made Ocha and was crowned a Santeria priest. He lives in Florida.

DIVINATION / INDIGENOUS CULTURES The Afro-Cuban faith, known to outsiders as Santeria and to adherents as Las Reglas de Ocha de Los Lucumi, is not a static religion but is a living conduit of energy for connecting the spirit world to our own. It has roots in Africa, most specifically with the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria, but came to the New World with the slave trade where it has evolved in response to the surrounding culture. For adherents of Lucumi the Diloggun is the most important focus of worship: the sacred shells reveal the forces at play in an adherent's life and these forces are redefined and placated by the orisha priest, who makes direct contact with the spirit world in an effort to help the adherent evolve. At the heart of New World orisha worship, the Diloggun is both an oracle and a guide on the long road to personal transformation. While many books have been published about Santeria, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination is the first to provide complete information on how to cast the Diloggun, including instructions for opening, reading, and closing the oracle, as well as everything necessary for giving a comprehensive reading. With a detailed discussion about why each prayer is offered and insight into the metaphysical core of the religion, this book will bring those seeking the wisdom of the Diloggun closer to the living orishas than they have ever been. oCHA'NI LELE has been immersed in the underground culture of orisha worship since 1989. By 1995 he had received several initiations in both Santeria and the Congo faith Palo Mayombe. This year he made Ocha and was crowned a priest of Oya. He lives in Florida.

The first book on Santerias holiest divination system, the Diloggun. Explores the lore surrounding this mysterious oracle, the living Bible of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths. Examines each family of" odu and how their actions affect the spiritual development of the individual. An indispensable guide to the mysteries of the orishas.