Osun is the youngest goddess. She is found in the sweet waters of the world, such as streams and rivers. She is also the goddess of fertility.
Once, some of the Orisha decided they were tired of obeying Olodumare. He sat so far away. What did he know about running the universe? They had control over all things on earth. They thought he was no longer needed.
Olodumare knew the other Orisha were rebelling. He could have struck them down, but he decided to withhold the rains instead. Without the rain, the earth dried up. The rivers, lakes, and streams ran dry. No crops grew; animals were dying. Humans, too. The people cried out to the Orisha, “Save us! What have we done to anger you?”
The Orisha heard their cries. They knew that it was they, not the humans that had angered Olodumare. They pleaded with him to bring the rain. But Olodumare was too far away and did not hear.
They asked for forgiveness and promised to obey him again. But Olodumare was too far away and did not hear.
Several of the Orisha tried to ascend into the heavens, but they could not reach Olodumare.
Osun asked if she could try. The other Orisha laughed at her. “How can someone so small and young do what her elders could not? Just go back to sitting there, looking pretty.” Oshun persisted. Finally, out of sheer desperation, the other Orisha agreed that she could try. They did not expect her to succeed.
Osun turned herself in a beautiful peacock. She flew off towards the heaven. It was so far away, that her feathers begin to fall off. As she reached the sun, her colorful feathers were scorched and all the delicate feathers burned off her head. Yet she was determined to reach Olodumare and she flew on.
When Osun thought she could not fly another mile, she reached the home of the Creator god, Olodumare. She collapsed in his arms and he saw that the beautiful peacock had been transformed into a vulture. Olodumare took Osun and nursed her back to health.
“Your bravery and determination has softened my heart. I will bring the rains,” said Olodumare. And he did. “From now on, you, dear vulture, will be the Messenger of the house of Olodumare and I will communicate only through you.”
Osun, as a vulture, returned to earth to honor and praise. Her gifts of determination and inner strength had saved the world.
Friday is the sacred day for mother Osun.
Why won’t you by me a tea?? Ya know you want to!!
