Due to the war, Ile Baalat Teva will not be having a public gathering for Yemaya day (December 31) at the beach this year. Instead, we hope that those of you local to us will join us in private offerings in your home or nearest body of water.
If you’re wondering how, offerings to Yemaya can be given in your kitchen. This is not traditional. In the diaspora, and during hard times, we make due with what we can. You just need a tub of water, some offerings, and a bit of time.
We recommend wearing white or blue and your Yemaya eleke if you have one.
Appropriate offerings for home are wine or other fine drinks.
Open the ceremony by calling to Eshu as usual, then call Yemaya. Thank her for water as you pour the offerings into the tub. Everyone in attendance should put their hands into the tub to swirl the water around, and this water can also be used for healing workings later. You can also dip your eleke or other Yemaya sacred items at this time.
This is the necessary part of the home ceremony, but you can add more if you like. After closing of the ceremony, you can pour any excess water down the sink.
We hope that you will join us in this special occasion, and if you do have the opportunity to do the full ceremony at Ogun River, the sea, or wherever is traditional for you, that you pray for us. Thank you, blessings, and Ashe!
