According to the Lucumi, Yemaya is the mother of the world— the celestial mother of humanity. Like the ocean tides, Yemaya is a calming ebb of mystery, the energy of the waves that rejuvenates life. Some of us may be more drawn to a beach front sanctuary than others, yet no matter your preference for sunbathing or swimming, there seems to be a collective soothing quality that ocean shores offer. The rhythmic movements of water and hushing quiet of water to sand seems to melt one into reflection and serenity.  Waters cool, provide us sustenance, and give us pleasure as well as sanctuary.  Even the waters edge becomes a gathering point, a place where we all go and feel at home, joyful and relaxed.  Many of the travel destinations throughout the world are near beach front property, we seem drawn to her shores.

Yemaya personifies all that is secure and comforting in the world.  Whether you think or your own mother or a mother figure close to you, there is usually a sense of happiness and acceptance associated with that person which keeps us endeared to them forever.  Yemaya wants to provide this for everyone who wishes to seek her help. Yemaya is a provider, a fierce protector, a soft voice of reason, a majesty of strength, and a strict ruler of human morality.  Mother of the fishes, we are all fishes, she is the mother of us all.

Take a look at your own preferences in life.  You may be deathly afraid of water, debilitating to the point that you are unable to swim.  Then again, you may be a natural swimmer.  If you are a beach person or someone whose sole aspiration would be to live on a boat or beside the ocean shores, chances are you may be closely connected with the Yemaya, she may even be your guardian.  Yemaya people generally have many children, take care of other people’s children, or act as mother figures.

 Syncretized Saint

Our Lady of the Rule (Nuestras de la Regla)

Celebration Day

September 7

Number

Seven (7)

Color

Blue

Necklace (Eleke) Colors

7 blue beads alternating 7 white beads

How Yemaya Can Help You

Yemaya can help to make your life more stable and offer you security.  She is the mother of all, so she is often called upon when women are seeking children or have fertility issues. Job, money, home, lasting love, family. I have written a simple offering you can make on your own to Yemaya for general blessings in your life.  However, if you are interested in receiving a Yemaya of your own, please visit our store.  You will be able to receive a personally prepared Yemaya for your particular life path.  There are 177 Yemaya paths or caminos, and as many patakis or stories to go with each one.  Due to the variety of Yemaya paths, it is impossible to determine which one may be appropriate for you until a consultation is made.  If you decide receive Yemaya, there is a price associated for the consultation to determine your path, the necessary herbs used to prepare the tureen and other necessary purchases. Please visit the store for more details and what is included in the price.

Candle Offering

Our Lady of the Rule saint candle; blue candle; Yemaya candle. 7-day candles are best (also known as tall boy candles).  Most candles are available for purchase at a Botanica, a large supermarket in the Ethnic food sections (sold as saints candles), or in most local Latin or Mexican food markets.

Suitable Offerings

Blue flowers are good but difficult to find (although the Iris is popular) and it is not necessary to offer the specific color.  A multicolored bouquet will do nicely. Anything that comes from the ocean would be appropriate to decorate her altar. Images of ducks, mermaids, dolphins, starfish, ocean shells, sea horses, sand dollars, frogs, fish, or a statue of her image.  An African blue beaded gourd. Pictures of the ocean, waves, and blue cloth.  She likes duck feather fans.

• Watermelon (uncut)
• Blueberry syrup
• Honey
• Sweet pastries
• Fruit
• Wine
• Chocolates

One Favorite Offering

Place a whole watermelon, uncut, in a large bowl.  (The bowl must be large enough to hold the watermelon, yet leave enough room around the sides to accommodate the honey.)  Pour honey or blueberry syrup over the entire watermelon.  Light a blue 7-day candle or an Our Lady of the Rule (Nuestras de la Regla) candle and pray to her for blessings.  Be certain to ask her for specific needs that you have which are appropriate to ask.  I have listed a few suggestions below to get you started:

• Security in your finances.
• Security in your job.
• Security, safety, and love in your home.
• Children (if you are trying to have children).
• Security and stability in your love life.
• Marriage (if you are trying to be married).
• If you are a woman, ask that she remove any female reproductive health problems you may have (specifically, the ovaries, the uterus and any sexual problems you may experience).
• If you are a man, it is best to ask Chango to remove any male reproductive health problems you may have.
• To remove any bad luck you might have in your life surrounding the issues of stability in your life.
• To bring good health and good luck into your life.

Keep the candle lit until it burns out on its own.  It is preferable that you leave the candle burning the entire time, so take care to place the candle in a safe place.  Even if the candle burns out before seven days have passed, continue to leave the watermelon offering to Yemaya for the entire seven days.  After seven days have elapsed (on the eighth day), bring seven pennies with you, and go to an ocean or a large lake.* Drop the watermelon in the water.  Take out the seven pennies.  One by one, make the sign of the cross, ask Yemaya for one wish and throw the penny into the water.  Repeat this process with each penny.

* If you do not live near a large body of water, you may leave the offering in a stream.  Since Yemaya and Ochun are closely tied to each other, it is acceptable to leave offerings in the stream since Ochun owns all streams.  The reasoning behind this is because Yemaya will understand that you are unable to leave the offering elsewhere.

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