Seven African Powers
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Seven
African Powers
The Orishas are
multi-dimensional beings who represent the forces of nature,
such as thunder and wind. They are vibrant, living entities
who take an active part in everyday life. Each Orisha is a
spirit that reflects one of the manifestations of
Olodumare in the Yoruba spiritual or
religious
systems. They
are revered not as gods and goddesses, but more like
guardian angels. In this
way, they represent ancient archetypal forces, a concept
reflected in the phrase Siete Potencias, or
Seven
Powers.
The Seven
African Powers are often employed in magickal workings among
rootworkers, spiritualists, and practitioners of New Orleans
Voodoo and hoodoo. An image of the Seven African Powers is
commonly seen on hoodoo paraphernalia such as seven day
glass encased candles, spiritual oils, and soaps. These
items can be found in virtually any botannica and grocery
store. The popular chromalith image consists of seven
saints/Orishas surrounding a central image of the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ, sometimes marked “Olofi”. At
the feet of Jesus are a skull and a snake, a spear pointing
upwards, a machete stuck
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in the ground, and a ladder that stretches upwards. Jesus appears to be watched by a rooster on a phallic-looking
pedestal.
The central image of Jesus Christ on the Cross can be found
as a standalone image and is referred to as “Just Judge” or
"Justo Juez" in Spanish.
Following
are three prayers to the
Seven African Powers.
Prayer to the Seven African Powers
Oh,
Seven African Powers, who are so close to our Divine Savior,
with
great humility I kneel before thee and implore your intercession before
the
Great Spirit. Hear my petition and grant me peace and prosperity. Please
remove all of the obstacles that cause me to stray from the Beauty Way. Oh
Olofi, I trust in the words “ask and you shall receive”. Let it be so! Amen.
(Make your petition).
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Prayer to
the Seven African Powers
I open my doors at last with
good faith in the seven Spirits of Fortune. I hope they will
arrive at my house one day, and happiness and health will be
at my doorstep. For the seven Principle Cities, for the
seven Sacred Books, for the seven Candles from the Temple of
Solomon, for the seven Bones from the Head of God, for the
Holy Guardian Angels, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint
Raphael, Saint Gabriel, the Guide and Guard of God. And may
the benediction of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, descend upon us. Amen.
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Oh Seven Powers of Africa, you who are the
divinities of divinities, who work on behalf of the living
God, the Creator of the Universe, I humbly kneel before your
blessed picture to pray for your help and intercession in my
life. I ask that God, my loving father, who made and
protects all creation, living and dead, and that you, the
Seven Powers of Africa, and the world, grant me my prayer
and give me the spiritual peace and protection that I seek
God, you who are my supply and protection,
through the action of your will and the Seven Powers, give
me material success and cleanse from my house and my path
the dangers and evils which torment me. Let them be gone
from me that they never torment
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me again. My heart tells me that my prayer
is just, and that my path is open to the benefits and
blessings that I seek. I ask that God grant my prayer for
the intercession of the Seven African Powers, and for their
help and guidance to me in my daily life.
Listen to me Chŕngó! Help me Yemayá! Do not
forsake me Ogun! Intercede for me Ellegua! Hear me Oshun!
Look at me with favor Obŕtálá!
Act with favor to me Oya! Grant what I ask, that it be
manifested in my life, through the meditation of the Seven
African Powers. Olofi, bless me that I may be forever
blessed.
Amen.
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