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Osun (Ozun) is a major Orichá but traditionally he’s not seated on anyone’s head. This means no one can claim Osun as his guardian spirit, or padre en Santo (father in the religion).  Osun is a companion to the other Orichás, and he protects the <em “mso-bidi-font-style:=”” normal”=””>orí (head) of Santería practitioners. He’s the messenger of Obatalá and Olofi, and he also works alongside Orula (Orúnmila) on many occasions.  When initiates in Santería receive the warriors (Eleguá, Ogún and Ochosi), they usually get Osun at the same time.  Likewise, when a Babalawo gives someone mano de Orula or kofá de Orula in a ceremony, he normally gives Osun at the same time.  Osun doesn’t have his own eleke (beaded necklace) nor does he have his own set of cowrie shells. He doesn’t possess anyone in a trance. If he has something to say, he speaks through Eleguá’s shells.  Osun’s primary job is to alert us to danger, and let us know when there’s a serious threat to our physical or spiritual well-being. He’s a symbol of good health and stability in life. In the home, Osun stands on guard and never sleeps. Santeros keep him on a high shelf or on top of a bookcase, somewhere that allows him to see what goes on in the house. If he tips over and falls (without anyone touching him), we know there’s a problem and we should go immediately to our godmother or godfather’s house to deal with it. It’s important to keep Osun in a place where small children aren’t tempted to play with him.

Osun is recognizable in a Santero’s house because he takes the form of a white metal rooster perched on a cup that sits on a tall pedestal. Sometimes there are small metal charms hanging from the lid of the cup. The pedestal has a heavy lead base, so it can’t tip over accidentally.  According to a patakí (sacred story) about Osun, he was chosen by his father Obatalá to be the watchman. Like a rooster in a barnyard, Osun was supposed to be alert Obatalá in case of danger.  At that time, Obatalá was married to Yemú (Yembó) and their sons, Ogún, Ochosi, Osun and Eleguá, still lived at home.  Ogún was his father’s favorite,  but Eleguá knew that Ogún was lusting after their mother, and several times when Obatalá was away, Osun warned Eleguá that their brother was up to no good. Eleguá always intervened to keep his mother safe, but one night Ogún got mad at Eleguá and threw him out of the house.  To keep Osun quiet, Ogún gave him a huge pile of corn. Sure enough, Osun ate so much corn that he fell asleep, and Ogún attacked his mother.  Eleguá ran to Obatalá to tell him what happened, but Obatalá wouldn’t believe him.  Still, Obatalá had doubts, so the next day he came home early and, to his dismay, he saw that Osun was asleep and Ogún was having his way with Yemú. Obatalá was furious, and he told Osun, “I trusted you and you sold yourself for corn.”   To make up for his lapse, Osun promised he would never let down his guard again, and he would be forever vigilant.

Although Osun doesn’t have specific colors associated with him as an Orichá, he’s present in all colors, especially the four basic colors used in initiation, red, yellow, blue and white.  Osun is syncretized in the Catholic religion with St. John the Baptist, who celebrates his feast day on June 24.  Osun’s day of the week is generally thought to be Thursday, and his numbers are 8, 16 and 24.  He doesn’t protect against any specific illness, but he does warn against sudden death or disaster.  He shouldn’t be confused with Ochún, the Orichás of the Rivers, whose name is sometimes spelled in Yoruba as Òsún.  Osun eats with the other Warriors, and as an offering he accepts whatever the other Warriors like.