Elegguà

Elegguà

Orisha protector of travelers, he is the one who opens and closes the roads and crossroads, who when he dances resembles a mischievous child. He holds the keys of destiny; he opens and closes the door to misfortune or to happiness. He is the crossroads from which the roads of life branch out. He is the messenger of Olofin and the first in everything. He must be greeted before all the other Orishas; he is the first to receive the offerings (but also the last, before the farewell), and even the drums begin for him, and his opinion must be sought before every divination, because he protects the paths of consultations and of responses. Catholicized with Saint Anthony of Padua, with the Spanish Niño de Atocha, but also with the Anima Sola (the Lonely Soul). His day is Monday, but many also celebrate him on the third day of every month. His colors are red and black. He is a major Orisha. He is the first of the group of the four warriors (Elegguà, Oggún, Ochosi and Osun). He inspires much fear because he has control over many things and often acts according to whim. He can be merciless if you cross his path when he is angry. He is also a joker and a prankster; he can become as irreverent as a naughty rascal, and he is unpredictable, just like destiny itself. He is the keeper of the Ashé, that is, of spiritual power. He is also the symbol of opposites. In the rites of divination, this Orisha speaks and is represented through the numbers 3 and 21.