The Orishas

Oloddumare

The central creative force worshipped in the Yoruba tradition and in the Yoruba-based religions such as Santeria and Candomble. He is the concept of God.

Oshun

The goddess of love, sexuality, beauty and diplomacy. She is the owner of the sweet waters. With her sweetness, she overcomes the most difficult tasks. She is the protector of the abdominal area and the teacher of pleasure and happiness. She is a great giver, but when she is angry, it is very difficult to calm her down. She is often invoked in matters of love and money.

Oya

is the goddess of the wind, fire and the thunderbolt. As the female warrior of the Yoruba pantheon, she represents female power. She is strong, assertive, courageous and independent and is always willing to take risks. When she is enraged, she can create tornadoes and hurricanes, but these also happened when she is ready to make changes. Oya is a great witch and the guardian of the gates of death. She is invoked when there are serious illness or when transformation is necessary.

Yemalla

The goddess of the sea and the moon. She is the mother archetype and the provider of wealth. As the one who gives life and sustains the Earth, she is extremely generous and giving. She is the nurturing energy that sooth anyone. But like the ocean, when she is angry, she can be implacable. Therefore, she represents the mother who gives love, but does not give her power away. Yemaya is also the owner of the collective subconcious and ancient wisdom, since she holds the secrets that are hidden in the sea. She is often invoked in fertility rituals for women and in any ritual concerning women's issues.

Shango

Once the fourth king of Yoruba, and inmortalized as the thunder god, Shangє is legendary across the African Atlantic world. Shangє's storms and lightning bring a purifying moral terror encapsulated by the boldness and inmediacy of his art and altars. Shangє attracts many followers, as his entensive entourage represented on his altar.

Babalu Aye - deity of disease and illness.

Eshu messenger between human and divine, god of crossroads, also a phallic and fertility god. Eshu is recognized as a trickster and child like while Eleggua is Eshu under the influence of Obatala

Nana - female deity of creation, sky mother, associated with the moon.

Orunmila - deity of wisdom, divination and foresight

Oxossi hunter and the scout of the orishas

Ozain He owns the Omiero, a holy liquid consisting of many herbs, liquid through which all Saints and ceremonies have to go through. Ozain owns the herbs, is a natural healer

Agayu - Father of Shango he is also said to be shango's brother in other stories, Agayu is said to be the orisha of volcanoes and the desert.

Osun - ruler of the head, Ori


http://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/sevenorishas.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha