Orishas Goddesses And Voodoo Queens Of Love
Some of the most popular deities in any pantheon are the goddesses of love. These orishas goddesses and voodoo queens are usually associated with ornaments, gems, precious metals, flowers, and water. They are the epitome of love and passion, beauty, the sexual and the creative principle that was responsible for the foundation of the universe. These voodoo goddesses of love are fickle in nature. As such, they are related to luck and fertility. Quite a number of these deities are famed for their liberalness in the areas of carnal desire. In light of this, they represent freedom, self-affirmation, and self-love.
How the orishas goddesses and voodoo queens manifest themselves
One point that I would like my readers to note is that the orishas goddesses and voodoo queens are somewhat self-absorbed and like toadyism. They manifest themselves as self-mistresses; although they also sometimes prey to love. In some cultures, the voodoo goddesses of love are linked to the themes of war. The kind of love that these goddesses represent has often been given a broad picture. However, prominent representations are sexual love, Eros, friendship as well as both agape and motherly love. Below are some of the prominent deities and goddesses of voodoo.
Goddess Erzulie, the queen of love
She is the most popular of all the orishas goddesses and voodoo queens. Coming from the Loa of the Haitian voodoo pantheon, goddess Erzulie has had a great transformation. She originated from Benin, where she was popularly referred to as “Erzili Freda Dahomey”. She crossed to the western world during the era of the slave trade and slavery. She belongs to the Rada Loa (Lwa) family; a family of beneficent spirits whose origins can be traced back to the Dahomey voodoo. The Rada Loas are custodians of principles and morals associated with Africa, while the Petro Loas are more associated with the new world. They are also said to be aggressive. Some orishas goddesses and voodoo queens like Erzulie are both Petro and Rada manifestations.
The other voodoo Erzulie queens also include:
- Erzuli Dantor: her picture shows a wounded and injured woman carrying a child caringly in one hand and a knife in the other. She is a protector of women and children.
- Erzulie Ge-Rouge: perhaps the most sorrowful of all the orishas goddesses and voodoo queens, Erzulie Ge-Rouge is depicted as a sorrowful goddess. She is pictured crying brokenheartedly over the ills in the world. She suffers in a state of being unloved and laments her unfulfilled dreams.
The strength of the orishas goddesses and voodoo queens
For many voodooists, the orishas goddesses and voodoo queens have the power to hypothesize and create artistically. They are also an embodiment of ambitions, hopes, ideals, and dreams. Due to their great powers, they are both feared and loved. Some of the multiple roles that these voodoo queens play include presiding over fortune, health, goodwill, and love.