Shop Turquoise to honor Yemoja
Yemoja is the African Goddess of the Ocean and the patron diety of pregnant women. She is honored not only in Africa but in Brazil. She is the creator goddess of the Yoruba tribe. This goddess went with the members of the Yoruba tribe when they were captured and taken to various areas in the world as slaves. She then became very well known and given different names. This is why she is honored in Brazil and also how she is associated with Virgin Mary.
Her followers all wear necklaces of seven blue beads and seven clear crystals alternating. Yemoja gave birth to all the waters and is known as the “mama watta”. Her name is a contraction of Yoruba words,”Yeye emo eja” which means “Mother whose children are like fishes.” Her parents are Oduduwa and Obatala. She married Agayu and they had one son, Orungan, and fifteen Orishas.
She is different then most goddesses because she is, in fact, a mermaid. Her symbols are seashells, coral, a gourd rattle, an anchor, a key, and turquoise. In the Umbanda religion, they worship her as one of the seven orixas of the African pantheon. She is known to them as the Queen of the Ocean. Yemoja is the patron of women, particularly pregant women; fishermen; and sunken ship survivors.
Yemoja created a tribe and gave birth to all the water, salt and fresh, so she became a goddess. Call upon her when you want to connect to your inner child. She can help you imagine that you too are a mermaid and can have fun. She can show you that having fun is important in life just as it is for working.
Use necklaces of seven turquoise beads and clear quartz beads to honor Yemoja. Pregnant women should wear such a necklace as a talisman of protection for the unborn baby. Place turquoise along with seashells and coral on her altar.
Shop Turquoise to honor Yemoja
-Jessica
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of various cultural and religious traditions, particularly those rooted in African and diasporic spiritual practices, I can provide insights into the concepts and themes mentioned in the article about Yemoja, the African Goddess of the Ocean.
Firstly, let's delve into some foundational concepts:
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Yemoja: Originating from the Yoruba tradition of West Africa, Yemoja is a significant deity in the pantheon of Orishas. The Yoruba people have a rich spiritual and cultural heritage, and the Orishas represent various aspects of nature, human endeavors, and celestial phenomena. Yemoja's association with the ocean underscores her importance as a nurturing and protective force, given the vital role that water plays in sustaining life.
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Yoruba Tribe: The Yoruba people predominantly inhabit southwestern Nigeria and have a robust religious and cultural framework that centers on the worship of Orishas. This spiritual system has spread to various parts of the Americas, especially Brazil, due to the transatlantic slave trade.
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Syncretism in Brazil: When enslaved Africans were transported to Brazil, they brought their religious beliefs with them. Over time, these traditions merged with indigenous practices and Catholicism, leading to syncretic religions like Candomblé and Umbanda. In these traditions, Yemoja is often equated with representations of the Virgin Mary, illustrating the blending of African and Christian iconography.
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Symbolism: Symbols associated with Yemoja, such as seashells, coral, gourd rattle, anchor, key, and especially turquoise, have specific meanings. Turquoise, in particular, is revered for its protective and healing properties. In various spiritual practices, the use of specific materials and symbols serves as a conduit for connecting with divine energies and invoking specific intentions.
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Orishas: Within the Yoruba cosmology, Orishas are intermediaries between the Supreme Creator, Olodumare, and humanity. They embody various elements of nature, human experiences, and moral principles. Yemoja's relationship with other Orishas, such as her parents Oduduwa and Obatala, and her marriage to Agayu, underscores her interconnectedness within the divine pantheon.
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Umbanda Religion: Umbanda is a syncretic religion in Brazil that blends elements of African, indigenous, and Catholic beliefs. In this context, Yemoja is venerated as one of the primary Orishas, often referred to as the Queen of the Ocean. The rituals, practices, and symbology associated with Yemoja in Umbanda reflect a fusion of diverse cultural influences.
To honor Yemoja, individuals often engage in specific rituals, wear symbolic adornments like necklaces with turquoise and clear quartz beads, and create altars adorned with seashells, coral, and other meaningful objects. Pregnant women, in particular, may seek Yemoja's protection and blessings for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
In summary, Yemoja represents a profound spiritual archetype that transcends cultural boundaries, resonating with themes of motherhood, protection, rejuvenation, and interconnectedness with the natural world. Through the practices and symbolism associated with Yemoja, individuals cultivate a deeper connection to ancestral wisdom, divine energies, and transformative experiences.
