Lukumí like many other religious and philosophical systems share a concept of primordial trinity. But, many in our religion seem to believe that the trinity motif is a foreign influence that is unrelated to the purity of Lukumí. My research shows that it is not customary for elders to share the meaning of lighting candles. For the purpose of sharing light I’m using correlations to Sacred Geometry, Hermetic-Alchemy and Quantum Physics as the unifying basis to present the symbology of candle light.
Lukumí belief system begins with the formless infinite universe. Somewhere in the cosmos resides God or the One Substance e.g. Olodumare owner of everlasting abundance. All types of cosmic and earthly morphogenesis emanate from the One source. From the mysteries of formlessness comes light. Our religious belief that light emanates from the mysteries or dynamics of darkness has be proven by Quantum Physics, and, emphasized in Hermetic-Alchemy, Sacred Geometry, Astrology, and others.
Ifa and cowrie divination symbols correspond to other representations. For example: using mathematics the number 1 corresponds to the idea of oneness, single pointedness, mouth or teeth of the cowrie shells, whiteness, illumination. The number one = I line in ifa divination. It is a value of expansion, odd number, white, illumination, and male value. The number two [2] which is represented as a zero [0] or circle = open back portion of cowrie that forms a circle, and in ifa the 0 is used but the double lines [II] are also used meaning the same thing. The circle or O corresponds to cosmic womb, cracked egg. It is a value of contraction, even number, dark, unseen, and female value. The third aspect of the trinity is represented by a mirror symbol. It represents symmetry, duality, reflection of each other, and the idea of “as above, as below” known as “the principle of correspondence.” by Hermes. Also, it corresponds to the Christian belief that we are made in gods’ image which corresponds to astrology. In summation, when 1 expands and unites with 0 [cracks egg] its double/reflection is the mirror. Lukumí color composition of the trinity is black + white + red. These three colors are unified in the archetype orisha Elegba.
Lukumí believe that omorisha is a sibling of orisha. The ordained [olorisha] is interpreted as being an extension of orisha. Moreover, the orisha’s of primordial order are believed to be extensions of God or One Substance. These divinities are the primordial creative forms which are connected to auxiliary siblings. In the morphogenesis of light, eloquently described in Dia Nuñez’s presentation, we can rationalize the unifying values of Obatala and Shango corresponding to the idea of “as above” that expands towards the outer. Lukumí like most other belief systems represent the cosmic light as the Sun symbol. The sun as Olorun is associated with archetype Obatala sacred symbols. The group of orisha funfun correspond to the personification of light.
THE FLAME:
The single dot symbol or flame illustrated in the photo is represented by a circle with a dot in its center. It is the flame as dot surrounded by the circular reflection. This singular cosmic flame becomes unified with its reflection of male + female values described as Omni potent, Omni present, potent unity. The correlations to these three principles are Olofin, Olorun, Olodumare, which are associated with the materialistic Health, Peace, and Welfare/Prosperity. The concept of the flame as single unity unfolds into duality or the earthly symmetry/mirror which relates to the way it returns “as below, as above.”
EARTHLY SYMMETRY:
Lukumí elders teach that white candles are to be used and depending on the context they are specific in numbers. The cosmic flame [white] is a composition of all primary colors associated with egun, araorun, and orisha. In rituals specific to one egun a single white candle is used. The singular candle represents symmetry “as below,” representing the earth sphere of the egun corresponding to unity. When nine candles are used the symbolism connects “as above, as below,” corresponding to the numbers 8 + 1 = [9] which connects to the unity of celestial sphere. This is what Hermes – Alchemy describes as the “transubstantiation of the soul” or the “alchemical marriage” where the unification of two halves bond, therefore, it is the idea that the formless soul rises or reunites with the formless celestial sphere. This idea is identical to Lukumí belief related to the ascension of the soul.
ORISHA SYMMETRY:
The idea of duality is obvious when elders say only two white candles can be lit when addressing one or more orishas, at one time. This is the standard rule. My elders taught me that our body consists of ½ male value plus ½ female value which is a composition of two halves. When lighting the two candles one is to be held in the right hand and the second candle on the left hand. The right candle is placed first connecting to its corresponding celestial one. The second candle on the left hand is placed corresponding to its celestial two described as womb. This symbolism is equivalent to the alchemical marriage. Once both candles are lit they are matching the mirror effect or unity of earth and celestial spheres. When the ritual of head rogation takes place two white candles are lit, therefore, energetically and directionally linking the human too divine light.
Oba Ernesto Pichardo 11/29/2013
Lukumí belief system begins with the formless infinite universe. Somewhere in the cosmos resides God or the One Substance e.g. Olodumare owner of everlasting abundance. All types of cosmic and earthly morphogenesis emanate from the One source. From the mysteries of formlessness comes light. Our religious belief that light emanates from the mysteries or dynamics of darkness has be proven by Quantum Physics, and, emphasized in Hermetic-Alchemy, Sacred Geometry, Astrology, and others.
Ifa and cowrie divination symbols correspond to other representations. For example: using mathematics the number 1 corresponds to the idea of oneness, single pointedness, mouth or teeth of the cowrie shells, whiteness, illumination. The number one = I line in ifa divination. It is a value of expansion, odd number, white, illumination, and male value. The number two [2] which is represented as a zero [0] or circle = open back portion of cowrie that forms a circle, and in ifa the 0 is used but the double lines [II] are also used meaning the same thing. The circle or O corresponds to cosmic womb, cracked egg. It is a value of contraction, even number, dark, unseen, and female value. The third aspect of the trinity is represented by a mirror symbol. It represents symmetry, duality, reflection of each other, and the idea of “as above, as below” known as “the principle of correspondence.” by Hermes. Also, it corresponds to the Christian belief that we are made in gods’ image which corresponds to astrology. In summation, when 1 expands and unites with 0 [cracks egg] its double/reflection is the mirror. Lukumí color composition of the trinity is black + white + red. These three colors are unified in the archetype orisha Elegba.
Lukumí believe that omorisha is a sibling of orisha. The ordained [olorisha] is interpreted as being an extension of orisha. Moreover, the orisha’s of primordial order are believed to be extensions of God or One Substance. These divinities are the primordial creative forms which are connected to auxiliary siblings. In the morphogenesis of light, eloquently described in Dia Nuñez’s presentation, we can rationalize the unifying values of Obatala and Shango corresponding to the idea of “as above” that expands towards the outer. Lukumí like most other belief systems represent the cosmic light as the Sun symbol. The sun as Olorun is associated with archetype Obatala sacred symbols. The group of orisha funfun correspond to the personification of light.
THE FLAME:
The single dot symbol or flame illustrated in the photo is represented by a circle with a dot in its center. It is the flame as dot surrounded by the circular reflection. This singular cosmic flame becomes unified with its reflection of male + female values described as Omni potent, Omni present, potent unity. The correlations to these three principles are Olofin, Olorun, Olodumare, which are associated with the materialistic Health, Peace, and Welfare/Prosperity. The concept of the flame as single unity unfolds into duality or the earthly symmetry/mirror which relates to the way it returns “as below, as above.”
EARTHLY SYMMETRY:
Lukumí elders teach that white candles are to be used and depending on the context they are specific in numbers. The cosmic flame [white] is a composition of all primary colors associated with egun, araorun, and orisha. In rituals specific to one egun a single white candle is used. The singular candle represents symmetry “as below,” representing the earth sphere of the egun corresponding to unity. When nine candles are used the symbolism connects “as above, as below,” corresponding to the numbers 8 + 1 = [9] which connects to the unity of celestial sphere. This is what Hermes – Alchemy describes as the “transubstantiation of the soul” or the “alchemical marriage” where the unification of two halves bond, therefore, it is the idea that the formless soul rises or reunites with the formless celestial sphere. This idea is identical to Lukumí belief related to the ascension of the soul.
ORISHA SYMMETRY:
The idea of duality is obvious when elders say only two white candles can be lit when addressing one or more orishas, at one time. This is the standard rule. My elders taught me that our body consists of ½ male value plus ½ female value which is a composition of two halves. When lighting the two candles one is to be held in the right hand and the second candle on the left hand. The right candle is placed first connecting to its corresponding celestial one. The second candle on the left hand is placed corresponding to its celestial two described as womb. This symbolism is equivalent to the alchemical marriage. Once both candles are lit they are matching the mirror effect or unity of earth and celestial spheres. When the ritual of head rogation takes place two white candles are lit, therefore, energetically and directionally linking the human too divine light.
Oba Ernesto Pichardo 11/29/2013
This singular cosmic flame becomes unified with its reflection of male + female values described as Omni potent, Omni present, potent unity.
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