Ilè Ase Oba Jagun

Characteristics

DAY: Monday.

COLORS: Black (ie the fusion of primary colors) and red.

SYMBOLS: Ogo phallic, erect phallus.

ELEMENTS: Earth and fire.

DOMAINS: Sex, magic, union, power and transformation.

GREETING: Laroié!

Exu (Ésú) is the most controversial figure in the African pantheon, the most human of the orix ás, lord of principle and transformation. God of the earth and of the universe; in fact, Exu is the order, the one that multiplies and transforms into the elemental unity of human existence. Exu is the ego of each being, the great companion of the man in his day-to-day life.

Many are the confusions and misconceptions related to Exu, the worst of them associates it with the figure of the Christian devil; they paint him as a god turned to wickedness, to wickedness, who would deal with sowing discord among human beings. In reality, Exu contains in itself all the contradictions and conflicts inherent to the human being. Exu is neither wholly good nor totally evil, as man is: a being able to love and hate, to unite and separate, to promote peace and war.

Manichaeism, proper to the great monotheistic religions, does not apply to Candomblé, much less to Exu. African culture knows no opposition, especially the opposition between good and evil; it is known here that the good of one can perfectly be the evil of another, therefore, each one must give his best to obtain all the good in his life, always worshiping, pleasing and thanking Exu, so that he is, in their daily lives, the manifestation of love, luck, wealth and prosperity.

Exu is the orix á who understands as no one the principle of reciprocity, and, if pleased as it should, will know how to reciprocate; when grateful for his retribution, becomes a friend and faithful squire. However, when forgotten is the worst of enemies and turns against the negligent, taking away his fortune, closing his ways and bringing catastrophes and displeasures.

Exu is the most important figure of Yoruba culture. Without it the world would not make sense, because it is only through Exu that one reaches the other orishas and the Supreme God Olodumaré. Exu speaks all languages ??and allows communication between the orum and the aiê, between the orix ás and the men.

Exu is the owner of the market, its guardian, so any trader and those dealing with sale should please Exu. The acarajé sellers, for example, always offer the first cookie to Exu, throwing it on the street, not only to sell well, but also to ward off the disturbances, to avoid assaults etc., that is, so that Exu is in fact a guard and protect your business.

It is important to note that Exu has no friends or enemies. Exu always protects those who please him and know how to return his favors.

Exu was the first form endowed with individual existence. Its region of origin in Africa is not known for certain, because in all the kingdoms cult is given to Exu. It is known, however, that he became king of Kêtu. Exu was reborn several times and his story reveals that he is the son of Orunmila or of Oxum, depending on the moment he is reborn.