Honoring The Orishas?

“Do I need to be initiated to honor the Orishas?” It’s a common question I get, and it is a loaded question indeed. Which to the answer is yes and no, without initiation there are many things we cannot do. Initiation gives you the path and the guidance to know which Orisha holds your head and how to best align with that energy in this life. Orisha can appeal to you and call your attention but without initiation we won’t know who you fully align with. There are many paths that honor the orisha such as Santeria, Candomble & Isese.

Don’t worry about though there are things you can do for the orisha without being initiated such as dedicate flowers or fruits to them in the places of nature where they reside or in your home. For example, if you find yourself fond of Ogun take some plantains or sugarcane to your nearest railroad for him with 3 pennies and thank him for his strength. Simple research will show what places of nature align with what orisha and what offerings their typically fond of.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The journey to orisha can be beautiful when we don’t rush it. Many people build altars to orishas or sell products claiming to be infused with Ashe when they don’t have these orishas received it’s not practical or ethical in any spiritual sense.