"Ire Were Were , Nita Oshun" A note on Libra Medicine, An Oshun Pataki & A Sweet Bath Recipe.

Libras are the keepers of beauty and the nurturers of pleasure in the zodiac- they are ruled by the sensual planet of Venus and The Orisha, Oshun. Libra folks generally put a lot of emphasis on the interpersonal parts of their lives - whether that is romantic, familial or in friendships. They are also often thought of as the most graceful sign of the zodiac, physically, socially and intellectually- they know how to work a room!

 The scale is the symbol that is representative of Libras. They put a great emphasis on fairness, diplomacy, and making sure that everyone gets their equal share. Libra also lives in the 7th house in our astrological wheel. The 7th house is primarily associated with partnerships and relationships. It represents how you relate to others on a one-on-one basis, including romantic partnerships, marriage/committed relationships, and close friendships. This house also covers legal contracts and business partnerships, emphasizing themes of cooperation, balance, and compromise. No matter if you have the sign of Libra in your chart or not, we all have each zodiac sign in our charts by way of these houses. So this truly does touch each of our lives in one way or another. 

Although Libras hold such an abundant capacity for love of others, of beauty, art and expression, they tend to not extend that same grace and capacity to themselves. (Libra rising over here ✋) With this upcoming eclipse in Libra and the other in Aries later this month, this energy is fueling the fire of speaking up, taking space and radical self care. As opposed to the general smooth and sweet temperament or energy that is usually forward facing. Take a moment to think about some dynamics in your life at this moment, where might you be feeling that the fuse is shortening? Where are you noticing yourself speaking up or creating boundaries? Or where are you feeling that pull to do so? Libra is checking the balance of our scales, in a thoughtful way. Aries… Aries is creeping in to show us how to light fire to the bridges where energy isn’t flowing in 2 directions. Radical self care. Not the bubble baths and massages – more so the hard conversations, boundary making, calling yourself out on your own  bs- kind of self care. And honestly, thank gawd for that! 

We can do the hard things. We can still be loving and caring though those difficult moments. In fact, I feel that we are the most loving and caring when implementing boundaries and in the initiation of hard talks– if we didn’t care, we wouldn’t be doing it. Period.

This reminds me of a pataki of Oshun. A patakí is an oral narrative of the Orisha with lessons or morals to be gained. Oshun is an Orisha who carries the energy of sweet waters, fertility, beauty and sensuality.

Olódùmarè, the Supreme Being of the Yoruba pantheon, sent 16 Orisha to Earth to make it livable for humans after Obatala began the process. The Orisha left Oshun out when they arrived on Earth. They didn’t believe that she had anything to offer this world, she was too feminine, too sweet and young. So they ignored her. Oshun tried to speak to them to no avail. She understood what was happening and decided to leave the earth realm. As soon as she left, the rivers dried up, the flowers and plants died, epidemics ran rampant and all the sweetness on earth left. Earth could not sustain without these things,without her. And so, the Orisha begged her to come back. They understood how necessary Oshun’s ashe is. How necessary sweetness, kindness, beauty, mediation, the divine femine and fertility are in order to balance the scales here on earth. Oshun, knowing her worth and the immensity of her power, accepted the invitation to return to earth and did so…but with some boundaries. 

I love this story because it is a simple reminder of how important it is to also hold gentle and sweet medicine. I think especially in our modern world and the way that it can try to make us hardened. Oshun is sweet feminine energy but is also a respected warrior and is the energy we meet with when initiations are taking place in ATRs. In Ifa and in African Traditional Religions, the feminine energies are highly respected and we understand that both divinities are needed to create balance and harmony. 

With all of this said, I’d love to offer a spiritual bath recipe that helps us to tap into the energy that Oshun. This bath holds the vibration of sweetness, fertility, sensuality but also boundaries, self confidence, fierceness and radical self love. 

For this spiritual bath we will need a few items – if you feel called to 1 or a few go with that! Not every ingredient may appeal to you. (trust your intuition!)

Roses (fresh any color)

Thyme

Eucalyptus

Cinnamon sticks

1 orange (the peels)

A candle (yellow or white)

Incense (any kind you vibe with)

A large bowl 

Water

Something to strain herbs with

A mason jar or large jar to store your bath

Let’s start with burning the incense and cleansing the space and the items you're working with. Then, lighting a candle and maybe setting some music to help heighten the vibration. Next, we get our water into the bowl. Water is a highly spiritual conduit. It holds memories, intentions, prayers and vibration - making it the perfect medium for this ritual. If it is possible for you to access sweetwater (freshwater)  from a river, stream, lake or spring this is great as Oshun lives in these waters. If not, filtered or distilled water is fine! We work with what we have!  

We then take each herb and hold them, connecting to them, noticing their beauty and scent. Thanking each herb for choosing you to work with their magic. Leaf by leaf or petal by petal you place each of them into the bowl of water and as you do so, you are speaking your intentions out loud or in your mind's eye. This is a meditative process and can take some time. 

Once you’ve added your herbs (sans cinnamon stick)  you begin to massage the mixture with your hands in the water. Ripping apart the leaves and really infusing the herbs into the water. When you are done, add the cinnamon sticks (2-3) and place your candle in the center of the bowl if its tall enough - if not, next to it is fine- and allow the herbs to sit for a moment. In this time prepare your bathroom with candles and incense in the same ritualistic manner you prepared to make the bath. Add anything you’d like to add to your bath like florida water, honey, flower essences, essential oils etc. Before straining your bowl, take your hands and place them into the water again, mixing it counterclockwise, hand going towards you to ‘call in’ the benevolent energies that you are seeking. Strain your bath into a jar or tupperware and use it for 3 days. If possible start on a friday aka venus day. 

When taking the bath, use a small cup (one that is always used for baths or ritual) and after you have your regular shower/bath you can take the cup and pour the liquid over your body. Visualize the infusion as a golden light that is cascading over you, removing the energies that do not serve and offering sweetness and your intentions in its place. Take your time- that's one thing that Oshun reminds us, ‘take the time you need’. After you are done it is suggested to wear light clothes to bed. You may feel tired after this, use this time to relax and maintain that ritual mindset as long as you can until sleep comes. 

Do this for the 2 days following. 

Please remember that a spiritual bath does not work, unless you do too. As we set intentions and prayers, it is important to actively work towards those goals. Make the necessary changes where they are needed, small steps are still steps. Spirit does not work through sedentary intentions, it works to active engagement and effort on our part.