Does anyone work with Yemaya/Yemanja?

[Leanan Sidhe]

I'm not totally recon (and I'm too eclectic for that), but I try to stay close to it when it's feasible. Regardless, I make it a point to be respectful and courteous with various traditions and pantheons, especially those that are not part of my genetic or cultural heritage.

I know next to nothing about Candomble, Santeria, Vodou, and Yoruba.

I already do devotions to the ocean and say prayers to it/her, which isn't a great stretch because I''m an animist. I'm also a sea witch. I work with Manannan mac Lir sometimes and I've done work in the very distant past with other sea deities.


But lately it seems like Yemaya has been trying to get my attention. Synchronicities keep popping up for her and I keep finding stuff about her in blogs I read and in the items on shops I frequent. The feeling gets even stronger when I go to the ocean.

I'm also inordinately nervous about it. Don't get me wrong, I think a healthy dose of nervousness is good when I'm approaching a deity I haven't worked with before -- and even deities I have worked with -- but I'm pretty rusty at this. The last time a deity I don't have history with sought me out, especially for the long haul was when I was still a teenager -- more than a decade ago. I also have a feeling that this is one of those "big deal" kind of things, like if I listen, my life will drastically and permanently change. Every time I've had that feeling with Gods before, that's definitely been the case.

Does anyone here work with her or know of reputable sources of information about her? I've been doing research, but I've been trying to sift through the fluff.

Also does anyone know of good books and/or websites about those religions?

[Nerys53]

I'm not totally recon (and I'm too eclectic for that), but I try to stay close to it when it's feasible. Regardless, I make it a point to be respectful and courteous with various traditions and pantheons, especially those that are not part of my genetic or cultural heritage.

I know next to nothing about Candomble, Santeria, Vodou, and Yoruba.

I already do devotions to the ocean and say prayers to it/her, which isn't a great stretch because I''m an animist. I'm also a sea witch. I work with Manannan mac Lir sometimes and I've done work in the very distant past with other sea deities.


But lately it seems like Yemaya has been trying to get my attention. Synchronicities keep popping up for her and I keep finding stuff about her in blogs I read and in the items on shops I frequent. The feeling gets even stronger when I go to the ocean.

I'm also inordinately nervous about it. Don't get me wrong, I think a healthy dose of nervousness is good when I'm approaching a deity I haven't worked with before -- and even deities I have worked with -- but I'm pretty rusty at this. The last time a deity I don't have history with sought me out, especially for the long haul was when I was still a teenager -- more than a decade ago. I also have a feeling that this is one of those "big deal" kind of things, like if I listen, my life will drastically and permanently change. Every time I've had that feeling with Gods before, that's definitely been the case.

Does anyone here work with her or know of reputable sources of information about her? I've been doing research, but I've been trying to sift through the fluff.

Also does anyone know of good books and/or websites about those religions?

 
Hello
Online there is a lot to be found on the goddess Yemaya and yes she has a strong pull when she chooses you. Somehow never got around to getting a book on her I did read some sample pages at http://www.Amazon.com/ as it is I have way too many books. With what I printed out from my computer I have a big office file binder full on texts etc about her. An altar for her should be separate in colors blue,white, transparant/crystal, shells, seawater from the ocean, perfumes etc .( My binder is upstairs I am downstairs now so when I go upstairs will get it here to post some more for you) I have a sort of journal/BoS is not the exact word but a book dedicated to her with illustrations there is a site.
See for correspondences
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess-symbols-yemaya.htm
info see http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/yemaya-goddess.htm
Yemaya has her own blue/white 7 day jar candle sold at http://www.AzureGreen.com
some specialty shops called botanicas or yerberias sell items/products for Yemaya
see http://www.folkcuba.com
http://www.wisdomproducts.com/
http://www.originalbotanica.com/
http://www.botanicaalafia.com/  there are many more just google
LA Times had an online article on botanicas some years ago
Dressing yourself only in white and blue in dedication to her is also nice to do and wear
fragrances/perfumes floral waters, make some jewelry with beads in blue/white/crystal
from a regular beadshop like http://www.fusionbeads.com/
Well hope this helps.

[Nerys53]

Hello
Online there is a lot to be found on the goddess Yemaya and yes she has a strong pull when she chooses you. Somehow never got around to getting a book on her I did read some sample pages at http://www.Amazon.com/ as it is I have way too many books. With what I printed out from my computer I have a big office file binder full on texts etc about her. An altar for her should be separate in colors blue,white, transparant/crystal, shells, seawater from the ocean, perfumes etc .( My binder is upstairs I am downstairs now so when I go upstairs will get it here to post some more for you) I have a sort of journal/BoS is not the exact word but a book dedicated to her with illustrations there is a site.
See for correspondences
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess-symbols-yemaya.htm
info see http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/yemaya-goddess.htm
Yemaya has her own blue/white 7 day jar candle sold at http://www.AzureGreen.com
some specialty shops called botanicas or yerberias sell items/products for Yemaya
see http://www.folkcuba.com
http://www.wisdomproducts.com/
http://www.originalbotanica.com/
http://www.botanicaalafia.com/  there are many more just google
LA Times had an online article on botanicas some years ago
Dressing yourself only in white and blue in dedication to her is also nice to do and wear
fragrances/perfumes floral waters, make some jewelry with beads in blue/white/crystal
from a regular beadshop like http://www.fusionbeads.com/
Well hope this helps.

 
There is a pdf book online google Santeria Luis Nunez and it is second search result.
Youtube has lots of informative videos on Yemaya and botanicas etc
When I was doing research year ago online I google searched terms like
Yemaya/ Yemaya correspondences/ Yemaya history/ Yemaya magickal supplies/ etc the more terms variations you search online the more you will find.
Her nr is 7. If you can visit the ocean.Some people have very elaborate altars for Yemaya but google images you will find smaller altars to see for inspiration.

[Nerys53]

There is a pdf book online google Santeria Luis Nunez and it is second search result.
Youtube has lots of informative videos on Yemaya and botanicas etc
When I was doing research year ago online I google searched terms like
Yemaya/ Yemaya correspondences/ Yemaya history/ Yemaya magickal supplies/ etc the more terms variations you search online the more you will find.
Her nr is 7. If you can visit the ocean.Some people have very elaborate altars for Yemaya but google images you will find smaller altars to see for inspiration.

Very interesting to read santeria and more subjects see http://blog.themysticcup.com/

[Leanan Sidhe]

Very interesting to read santeria and more subjects see http://blog.themysticcup.com/

 
Wow, Nerys, you've provided me with a wealth of information and ideas. Thank you so much!

[luc798]

I'm not totally recon (and I'm too eclectic for that), but I try to stay close to it when it's feasible. Regardless, I make it a point to be respectful and courteous with various traditions and pantheons, especially those that are not part of my genetic or cultural heritage.

I know next to nothing about Candomble, Santeria, Vodou, and Yoruba.

I already do devotions to the ocean and say prayers to it/her, which isn't a great stretch because I''m an animist. I'm also a sea witch. I work with Manannan mac Lir sometimes and I've done work in the very distant past with other sea deities.


But lately it seems like Yemaya has been trying to get my attention. Synchronicities keep popping up for her and I keep finding stuff about her in blogs I read and in the items on shops I frequent. The feeling gets even stronger when I go to the ocean.

I'm also inordinately nervous about it. Don't get me wrong, I think a healthy dose of nervousness is good when I'm approaching a deity I haven't worked with before -- and even deities I have worked with -- but I'm pretty rusty at this. The last time a deity I don't have history with sought me out, especially for the long haul was when I was still a teenager -- more than a decade ago. I also have a feeling that this is one of those "big deal" kind of things, like if I listen, my life will drastically and permanently change. Every time I've had that feeling with Gods before, that's definitely been the case.

Does anyone here work with her or know of reputable sources of information about her? I've been doing research, but I've been trying to sift through the fluff.

Also does anyone know of good books and/or websites about those religions?

 Hello! This thread is a bit old, but I thought I could chime in anyway.

I do have a friend who is daughter of Yemayá, and She can be quite strong when she wants to get your attention. the Orixas require a LOT of attention also, and some not-so-pretty sacrifices. Besides that, she specifically loves color blue, coconut and sea food. I remember my friend leaving watermelon basket with fruits floating in the sea for her . Also, Orixas are very usually invocated? convocated? anyway, I would say they are used to be channeled down in a body but I don't think it is necessary unless you are seriously involved with a Santeria/Yoruba group

[Riothamus12]

I'm not totally recon (and I'm too eclectic for that), but I try to stay close to it when it's feasible. Regardless, I make it a point to be respectful and courteous with various traditions and pantheons, especially those that are not part of my genetic or cultural heritage.

I know next to nothing about Candomble, Santeria, Vodou, and Yoruba.

I already do devotions to the ocean and say prayers to it/her, which isn't a great stretch because I''m an animist. I'm also a sea witch. I work with Manannan mac Lir sometimes and I've done work in the very distant past with other sea deities.


But lately it seems like Yemaya has been trying to get my attention. Synchronicities keep popping up for her and I keep finding stuff about her in blogs I read and in the items on shops I frequent. The feeling gets even stronger when I go to the ocean.

I'm also inordinately nervous about it. Don't get me wrong, I think a healthy dose of nervousness is good when I'm approaching a deity I haven't worked with before -- and even deities I have worked with -- but I'm pretty rusty at this. The last time a deity I don't have history with sought me out, especially for the long haul was when I was still a teenager -- more than a decade ago. I also have a feeling that this is one of those "big deal" kind of things, like if I listen, my life will drastically and permanently change. Every time I've had that feeling with Gods before, that's definitely been the case.

Does anyone here work with her or know of reputable sources of information about her? I've been doing research, but I've been trying to sift through the fluff.

Also does anyone know of good books and/or websites about those religions?

 
Ah yes.Mother Yemaya, the queen of the waters. She is one who work with. To me, her dominions show her to be the very truest queen of the seas. She is a Goddess of motherhood, water, fertility, healing, protection, commerce, and battle. She is also the defender of children. She is described as beautiful and loving but truly terrifying and fierce when defending others. The colors that I have heard of being traditionally associated with her are blue, white, and red. According to Carribean lore she is fond of melons and molasses. In African legend she is mother of many, and in some versions, mother of all the Orishas.