Santería Initiation: The Warriors

Many of the Orishas in Santería are considered to be warriors.  When one goes through the initiation called The Warriors, they will receive four of them:

• Elegua
• Ogun
• Ochosi
• Osun

This combination of Orishas is a very powerful protection and defense system that one can have.  On top of this, they also open up doors to many blessings and remove obstacles from your path.

In order to prepare for the ceremony, try to learn as much as you can about the four Orishas above, asking your Godparent's questions about their colors, characteristics, natural representations, and their Patakí.

On the day of the ceremony, you will simply need to arrive at your Godparent's house on time, wearing a pair of clothes that you don't mind getting messy.

After receiving The Warriors, you will bring them to your house.  Before you enter, you will need to sprinkle your front door with three drops of water to freshen your house, so that it will remain fresh and calm as long as they live their.  

Elegua, Ogun, and Ochosi will live on the floor by your front door.  They live there so that they can see everyone that enters your house.  Sometimes as humans we are not the best judges of character and can be blind to people's negative characteristics.  These Orishas, however, see things that we don't, and live by the front door to protect you from negative influences and deception.  They can also turn away strangers that would like to enter with bad intentions and divert the police from knocking on your door.

Osun will live in a high place in your house above your head.  Osun is a warning system and his principal mission is to alert you of troubles to come.  If you find he has fallen over, call your Godparents immediately and try to stay at home until you have had the chance to speak with them.  You will want to remain as calm as possible for the next seven days, only leaving for work or school.

There are a few things you can do to care for your Warriors after they have entered the house.  As with any of the Orishas, you may not be nude in front of them.  On Mondays you should try to leave them an offering.  They generally like Otí Bembe {Rum, Aguardiente, or some type of liquor}, cigars, Atanas {Candles}, Oñi {honey}, and Epo {palm oil}.  Elegua is seen as a little kid, and therefore likes toys and sweets of all kinds.