Sitting in Gratitude with Faith Recharged (Orisa Ocha Birthday Celebration) 2015

I am going to try to verbalize exactly what happened this week into this weekend. I had planned a drumming one of the many ways we honor our Orisa with song of praises and dances that mimic their time on this earth as well as their metaphysical manifestation in dance form. The drumming was a notion, I knew it would cost a bit of money and with simply planning and sacrifice I know I could pull it off. However, I had a lot to do and it seemed that I had few around to help me, or so I thought. I got stuck in my head with the notion of not wanting to bother anyone to ask for help, that everyone has their own life and things to do. Well Orisa wasn't having it, to my surprise my best friend and brother, an moo ELegba, sent out a Facebook message to his god kids and delegated assignments to my drummings including serving food, clean up, and various other duties I would not have even thought of. Then he himself volunteered to come by early and help build a throne and help make a famous dish of his I love. This dish must be mentioned, its called Grandmas Pasta... Its a New Yorican play on a would be Italian dish.. thats all I can say as the recipe has just been shared with me and I intend to replicate it soon. Well during this last week some upheavals occurred that caused two very good friends and brothers of mine some major upset, these two friends/brothers who would b helping me with this drumming planning and execution. I knew things could get hairy soon and so the night of my rogation when I came home and placed my rogation onto of Obatala I prayed that the rogation not be just for me but that it extend its purpose into my friend that they can think clearly enough to not do anything "too" stupid. I then immediately the next morning got in front of Oshun and rang my brass bell to my hearts content telling her my worry and concern, and acknowledging if anyone could ever bring people together who would normally not be together, it would be her. That if there was anyone to turn a bitter situation around into a sweeter one, it was her. Well the end of the week came and what I witnessed was emotions (very much a realm of Oshun) break through and bubble forth like water from a hard and craggy rock. Sometimes these emotions poured forth in anger, sometimes in sadness sometimes in regret until finally two people I love dearly who love each other dearly and couldn't see past their pain, actually sat down and spoke. No not just spoke, they poured out truth which it seemed was missing from their 7 year interaction, truths about themselves and about each other. More importantly through the various emotions I saw the healing work start to happen, I saw through the physical altercations and hurt words, a much needed cry and hug. I speak of this vaguely because its not my story, but the part of it that is my story was the witnessing of Oshun doing what I asked her and acknowledged of her a day or two ago. By any means this was not a renewal of something but an opportunity to move past that which does not serve us, the negative thoughts that get in the way of us moving past terrible things, because we allow it to build up and weigh us down. Im glad most of those things got washed down river (pun very much intended) and a load was lightened on myself and my loved one. While preparing for the drumming, Oshun had asked me to prepare the space with her waters. And My brother Omo Elegba Im sure did his own little juju. But when the drumming started and I looked around the room I saw people of various backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, all coming to celebrate with me my Oshuns 5th anniversary of being on aye/earth. I received beautiful arrangements of flowers and heartfelt sweets and prayers offered to her on my behalf and in good faith. I saw people i don't get to see often whom I love, and family members who cane to show support and I saw my God Parents, special should out to Omi Lari and Omi Lana for their support and desire to help me in this time and be present during this time of celebration and honor. Well my Beautiful Iya Amma Mcken who practically walks with Yemojas Ashe wrapped around her like the beautiful handmade clothes she designs and wears, sang Oro to all the Orisa and there it started... my tears bursted up. My face contorted into Ugly cry.I was filled with this emotion of gratitude, that people took time out of their beautiful weathered saturday and decided to spend time with me. That through travel issues and craziness they took time out to celebrate Oshun and in this I couldn't help but cry as I think about what I witnessed this past week, let alone since having her Ase put on my head. Well I cried for a good three song and took a tissue to my dripping nose and decided to enjoy my bembe. Shango came down through his Omo, Alex and really spoke some truths to people in that room and in usual Shango fashion made them face the things they fear. Be it uncomfortable conversations with themselves, with other, or situations they are faced with and shy away from. Shango I swear is the lightnings illumination of issues not yet dealt with, this is my experience with him and my observation. When you hear him ask you a question that resonates through you whole body, mind, and soul like silent thunder. Yemaya came down through my Ojugbona, Omi Lana and was able in pure Yemaya fashion tell people she is there, she see, and listens and to understand the Mother is always watching and always present even when we think she isn't around and doesn't see. To further reinforce this belief in her Omo she decided to tell them some very choice things about them she witnessed and or knows that left peoples mouths opened because these are things they only know was truth. Obatala came down on a dear friend Exodus, Obatala gestured to folks and confirmed things said or acknowledged by other orisa even though not physically there when the orisa gave these messages to certain individuals. Hence why the King Of Orisa is named such, he is over seeing without even being their in first person. Oya came down through my dear friend and Sister Suzanne and oh what a councilor Oya was. If ever you want not only truth but the inspiration to change and transform yourself into your next step and self, Oya will bring it out of you. The rest is a blur as my Oshun decided to come down today, I remember dancing and my thighs and calves hurting so bad my feet throbbing really just wanting to sit down... next thing I know IM in a small dimly lit room with my god brother and God father standing over me asking "are you here? Are you ok?" If there is nothing else to say in this blog that hasn't already been said is that Orisa is real, tradition extends beyond going through the motions and repeating of words and gestures, that Orisa heals if you allow it and will it. That if you are willing to put in the time, labor, and such you will receive blessings and confirmation that life is so good. My faith is recharged and Im humbled by all it, grateful to be a part of it all.