Orisha Alchemy

Orisha are the human form of the spirits in Yoruba traditional identity. They are meant to guide us on how to live and succeed on Earth. 

The Atlantic slave trade transported these beliefs to the Caribbean and Latin America and so the concept can be found in Santeria, Candomblé and other religions and belief systems. 

I illustrated four female Orisha and related them the four basic elements – air, earth, fire and water.

These deities include:

Ayao – goddess of air

Aja – spirit of the forest, animals and goddess of healing

Oya – goddess of lightning, storms, death and rebirth

and Yemoja – a water deity, goddess of fertility and women.