Oxun's Temple
   I invoked Oxun’s forgiveness and her gifts of the heart, over and over and finally with my last blood poured out on floating altars of flowers on her river, staining it all bright red, watching the drops dissolve into the water, knowing that that part is over forever, my heart was torn out, and I walked waist deep down the river following the altar, not wanting it to be gone from me. But it is infinitely gone from me into her, and she returns her gifts to me. And I thought no one would ever know, that no one would come after who could hear or understand. I went to the temple of the Priestess of Oxun, goddess of Sweet Water, the voice of the Muse, of love, of luxurious well being, of the secret golden mirror that Aphrodite carried, in Ituapua last August on my birthday. I had come to realize that I had never made offerings to Oxun. Perhaps because at first when I was in Bahia, I was wounded in the heart, I didn’t want to go bearing gifts to the goddess of love. And then when I was unwounded, I didn’t want to bring anything to me of that nature, so somehow I neglected her. And she is very jealous. Particularly of Iemanja, the Mother of Salt Waters, Queen of the Sea, who I had made elaborate offerings to. And Iansan, goddess of hurricanes and transformation through destruction who rides on my crown. I went to this priestess, who is Oxun’s daughter, and I said I am ready to make amends to the Queen of the Heart, if for nothing else for the sake of balance. She gave me instructions and I have carried them out. And continue to carry them out. This is true. Photos by Tadeu Mascarenhas, Layne Redmond and Barry Goldberg. www.BarryGoldberg.biz |
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