There are countless decisions to be made in each day.  With each decision, even the slightest variance can affect an outcome which produces countless more decisions to be made.  This process goes to infinity.  None of us can predict every possibility, within themselves the outcomes are mind boggling, let alone the possibilities within the possibilities.

The exception is Elegua.  He is the quintessential prophet of cause and effect.  Elegua is at once nowhere and everywhere.  He is the ultimate embodiment of choice.  He knows every decision possible and every outcome possible born of each individual decision. Oftentimes, Elegua is depicted at a crossroads because in life we are always at a crossroads, whether or not we feel it. Some decisions are harder to make than others, in those times we may feel we literally have no direction, no sense of where to turn.  This is the domain of Elegua.  It is strange to equivocate Elegua with chance or luck when within in the realm of all-knowing, concepts such as chance or luck become obsolete.  Yet, this is the very reason all good fortune and consequently all bad fortune is attributed to Elegua.  For this reason, he is one of the first orichas to be received.  He literally opens the doors in a person’s life and allows them to pass into good fortune— the fortune of their own life path. You can purchase a prepared Elegua in our store.

Each one of us has a particular life to lead.  If you find yourself in a situation which is consistently uncomfortable or you are plagued with bad luck, Elegua could be the reason and ultimately the salvation for the circumstances.  In Lucumi, nothing can be done without Elegua’s help.  Elegua owns all doors, he holds all keys, he sits at every crossroads, he knows every answer to every question.  If Elegua refuses to open the door to a decision or path, the success of an eventual outcome will be useless.

Syncretized Saint

Child of Atocha; Child of Padua; Saint Anthony (occasionally)

Celebration Day

March 8th and every Monday

Number

Three (3)

Colors

Red and black

Necklace (Eleke) Colors

Red and Black beads alternating

Candle Offering

Nino d’Atocha (Child of Atocha), Elegua candle, Saint Anthony candle, or a plain red 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.

If you have an altar or are thinking of constructing one to Elegua, here are some suggestions. They are divided by categories, one for the types of objects you might place on the altar and the second category involves the types of food offerings that Elegua enjoys.   

Suitable Offerings

Red flowers are particularly nice, but it is not necessary to offer the specific color.  A mixed flower bouquet will do fine.  It is always what comes from your heart that makes the offering special.  Red carnations will do nicely and are available in most areas.

• Aguardiente (Kristal brand is usually available at local stores).  If you cannot find aguardiente, anise or licorice flavored alcohol, such as Sambuca or Ouzo, works well.
• Smoked fish or Jutia (similar to possum)
• Toasted kernel corn
• Coconut (whole)
• Fruits of all kinds, but green grapes are good when asking for money; bananas or honey is useful when asking for love.
• Cakes, sweets, candy, coffee (no creme), money, and good cigars.

One Favorite Offering

A coconut cake with fruit inside is one of his favorite foods.  Do make the cake from a boxed recipe, make the entire cake from fresh ingredients.   After you have mixed the cake batter, open a can of fruit cocktail and drain off all of the water so the fruit is dry.  Mix in the fruit cocktail and pour the batter into a cake pan.  Bake as directed according to the recipe you are using. Frost the cake and then sprinkle the top of the cake with shredded coconut. Present the offering and light a 7-day candle.  Pray to Elegua, asking him what you need help with.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Open all doors for you and your loved ones, and to close the doors on your enemies.
• Protect your house from all negativity and bad luck.
• Bring good luck into your life.
• Secure your home and finances.

After seven days have passed (on the eighth day), take the offering to a park* along with three pennies.  Place the offering by a tree or bushes, if possible.  Take each penny and make the sign of the cross.  Make a wish on each penny and leave it with the offering.  The pennies are your payment (derecho) for the offering.

* If you are unable to leave the offering in a park, it is acceptable to throw the offering in the trash, since garbage is sacred to Elegua.  If you throw the offering in the trash, make the sign of the cross before you throw away the offering.

Objects to decorate Elegua’s altar

Anything you would give to a child is something Elegua would enjoy.  Toys of all kinds are appropriate.  In particular: whistles; tops; toy cars; marbles; decorative bells. Pictures of the crossroads or the park, mice, rats, keys, a walking stick or hooked cane, red and black patterned cloth, or a statue of his image.  As always, all of the orichas enjoy flowers.  I have also included a favorite offering which you can give to Elegua on his celebration day or on any Monday.  The favorite offerings are used when asking that a favor be granted in your life.  When you pray to or petition Elegua, ask him to open all doors for you in your life, whether for love, money, job, health or luck.  Remember: It is Elegua who controls the entry of these things into your life.   He holds the keys to the doors.

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