Perspectives on the Male Divine
Warrior of Fire
Warrior of Fire, Thunder, and Lightning
April showers bring May flowers. The beginning of spring is typically a time of rain and rising temperatures. What better way to recognize the onset of the season than to introduce a God associated with thunderstorms, passion, and fire? I give to you, Orisha Chango.
Chango has been said to have incarnated into human form in West Africa many hundreds of years ago. He ruled the Yoruba’s Oyo Empire during the fourth dynasty. Chango’s rule lasted for some forty years, and was so successful that he was deified after his death.[1]
Chango rules fire, thunder, sensuality, and power. He ensures victory over difficulties, helps one defeat enemies, win wars, and control others.[2] Chango is considered so powerful that he is the only Orisha the mayomberos (evil practitioners) of the Congo worship.[3] Chango is the epitome of passion and machismo. He is strong-willed, loves dancing, women, and drum music. Chango loves the dance so much, that he traded the gift of divination for prowess in dancing.[4]
Chango was syncretized in the New World with the Catholic Saint Barbara Bendita. Saint Barbara is often pictured with a sword and is associated with the color red which sacred to Chango. Many depictions of Saint Barbara include a castle which is appropriate for Chango because, he once was a king.[5] Furthermore, the men who murdered Saint Barbara were struck by lightning (ruled by Chango) and killed. Both the Feast of Saint Barbara and the Feast of Chango are celebrated on December 4th.[6]
His Children
Chango’s children have a natural ability for divination.[7] They are energetic, prideful, and have explosive tempers. Chango’s children possess natural street smarts, and lean toward arrogance.[8]
Serving Him
Due to Chango’s earthly reign as a king, he must be served as such. His altars are located on the fireplace mantle or on a business desk. Include on Chango’s altar items colored red and white, his favorite foods, images of Saint Barbara, and animals and objects associated with Chango.
Ask Chango to assist you in making changes. Light a candle (white) and concentrate on the change you wish to make. Ask Chango for his assistance. Present Chango offerings for the following three days.[9]
Correspondences
NAMES: Chango, Shango, Xango, Sango
WEAPONS: Double-headed axe, mace, dagger, machete, sword
FOODS: Pomegrantes, bananas, bitter kola, pumpkins, palm oil, red apples, red wine, okra, cornmeal, yams, corn, peppers
HERBS: Laurel, sarsaparilla, cedar wood, Rose of Jericho, rue, Plantain
ANIMALS: Turkey, rams, roosters, bulls, Guinea fowl,[10] turtles, horses, pheasants
COLORS: Red and white
DAY: Friday
NUMBER: 6
PLANET: Sun and Mars[11]
[1] Obokose, “Orisha-Chango/Shango,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.obokoso.org/chango.htm>.
[2] The Mystic Voodoo, “Chango Voodoo God of Fire, Thunder, Power & Sensuality,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://mysticvoodoo.com/chango.html>.
[3] “Just What is Santeria,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.mojomoon.net/santeria.html#orishas>.
[4] OrishaNet, “The Orishas,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.orishanet.org/ocha.html>.
[5] “Chango,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.angelfire.com/fl3/CHANGO/>.
[6] Cat Yronwode, “CHANGO MACHO SHANGO, XANGO, SANGO,” 1996, 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.luckymojo.com/chango.html>.
[7] OrishaNet, “The Orishas,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.orishanet.org/ocha.html>.
[8] Cat Yronwode, “CHANGO MACHO SHANGO, XANGO, SANGO,” 1996, 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.luckymojo.com/chango.html>.
[9] The Mystic Voodoo, “Chango Voodoo God of Fire, Thunder, Power & Sensuality,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://mysticvoodoo.com/chango.html>.
[10] Cat Yronwode, “CHANGO MACHO SHANGO, XANGO, SANGO,” 1996, 9 Apr. 2012 <http://www.luckymojo.com/chango.html>.
[11] The Mystic Voodoo, “Chango Voodoo God of Fire, Thunder, Power & Sensuality,” 9 Apr. 2012 <http://mysticvoodoo.com/chango.html>.