Oxum / Oshun

The Goddess of Love Oxum or Oshun is the Iabá (a female Orisha) of love, beauty, femininity, material wealth, and fertility. She is also considered the goddess of rivers, waterfalls, and lakes. Without her intervention, there would be no life on earth. When the male gods sought to exclude her from power, she rendered all women sterile. She allied herself with her sisters against the male dominance, thus forcing the violent war gods to their knees. And there were no sons or any descendants left to whom they could leave their inheritance. In some cultures, she is also referred to as Mother Mary, who gave birth to the son of God. Oxum always appears accompanied by Yemayá (the goddess of the sea and motherhood) and is particularly helpful to pregnant women and women in labor. Oxum is distinguished by her beautiful body and has many lovers, to whom she has brought moments of rare pleasure. Out of envy and resentment, she is said to have many bad qualities, such as jealousy and ambition. In truth, she is probably the daughter of the goddess of heaven and earth, who has many names.