Orisha University Podcast

In this episode of Storytime with The Ashé Shop, we’re diving deep into the sacred mystery of Ori. The divine inner head that chooses our destiny long before we take our first breath. Through storytelling, reflection, and a touch of that Ashé Shop humor, Ashley guides you into the ancient wisdom behind why your path is uniquely yours… even when life feels messy, uncertain, or downright chaotic.You’ll hear the pataki behind the proverb “A chosen Ori is irrevocable,” explore what it means to walk in alignment with your destiny, and learn how to honor the spiritual blueprint you agreed to before arriving on Earth.This episode is here to uplift your spirit, affirm your purpose, and remind you that your Ori is always guiding you back to yourself.Take a breath, settle in, and embrace the Ashé.

In this episode of Orisha University, we explore the mysterious and powerful Orisha Olokun — guardian of the ocean's depths and keeper of the subconscious mind. Discover how Olokun represents mental health, hidden truths, and emotional balance. Through story, symbolism, and spiritual insight, we unravel the lessons Olokun offers about ego, illusion, and inner healing.References:Brown, David H. Patakin: Orisha Stories from the Odu of IfáCorreal, Tobe Melora. Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition (p. 9). Clarkson Potter/Ten SpeedCuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other DeitiesJones, Nia - Morgan Oşun Yami. Merindilogun Folktales: Morals of Yoruba Odus Relating Today's LifestylesKumari, Ayele. Isese: Spirituality Workbook, The Ancestral Wisdom of the Ifa Orisa Tradition.Wiles Quinones, Ayoka. I Hear Olofi's Song: A Collection of Yoruba Spiritual Prayers for Egun and Orisa . Oshun Publishing.

Ashe ashe ashe! We're back and transformed. Welcome to Season 2 of the Orisha University Podcast—formerly known as the Ashe Shop Podcast.In this kickoff episode, Ashley, your Orisha Storyteller and spiritual guide, reintroduces the podcast with a new name, renewed energy, and a deeper intention. Orisha University is your weekly study hall for spiritual growth, ancestral wisdom, and cultural connection. Together, we’ll explore stories of the Orisha, the power they hold, and the lessons they offer us in today’s world.This season, we’re diving even deeper—discussing Orisha like Logunede, Oba Nani, Nana Buruku, and Olokun. You’ll hear reflections on finding elders, embracing initiation, connecting with ancestors, and soothing the soul with affirmations rooted in African spirituality.Light your candles. Open your journals. Let’s remember who we are and walk this sacred path together.

This episode takes a deep dive into the Orisha Oya Yansan, lets discuss her relationship with the cemetery, transformation, and the other Orisha. References Oní Yemayá, Mariela Albán; Oni Shango, R.E. Avendano. ORISHAS, Yoruba Kings in the Lucumi Tradition Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Mason. John. Orisa: New World Black Gods

Oshun as a river deity, fertility deity, African Venus These ethnocentric and reductive views fail to reflect the centrality and authority of Oshun in Yoruba religious thought and practice. Neither do they convey the multidimensionality of her power: political, economic, divinatory, maternal, natural, therapeutic. This episode we will seek to gain an understanding of the Orisha Oshun. Barnes, Sandra T.. Africa's Ogun: Old World and New (p. 39). Indiana University Press. Baez Oñi Adde, Asiel. Expansion of the Igbodun: Orisha in the Diaspora Brown, David H. Patakin: Orisha Stories from the Odu of Ifá Correal, Tobe Melora. Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition (p. 9). Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Karade, Oloye. The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts . Red Wheel Weiser. Kumari, Ayele. Isese: Spirituality Workbook, The Ancestral Wisdom of the Ifa Orisa Tradiotion. Mason. John. Orisa: New World Black Gods Prandi, Reginaldo. Mitologia dos orixás (Portuguese Edition) (pp. 130-131). Companhia das Letras. Wiles Quinones, Ayoka. I Hear Olofi's Song: A Collection of Yoruba Spiritual Prayers for Egun and Orisa . Oshun Publishing. Wippler ,  Migene Gonzalez-. Santeria: The Religion : Faith, Rites, Magic (p. 45). UNKNOWN. Kindle Edition.

In this episode we explore The Orisha of Wisdom and Divination Ifa- Orunmila. Orunmilla is a vital Orisha to the Orisha pantheon but he isn't as popular as Orisha such as Oshun, Shango, and Yemaya, while he has a valuable relationship with each of these Orisha. In this episode we take a closer look at the Orisha Orunmilla. References: Brown, David H. Patakin: Orisha Stories from the Odu of Ifá Correal, Tobe Melora. Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition (p. 9). Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Fatunmbi, Fa'lokun. Ebora (The Metaphysical Foundations of Ifa Book 2) . Unknown. Kindle Edition. Karade, Oloye. The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts . Red Wheel Weiser. Kumari, Ayele. Isese: Spirituality Workbook, The Ancestral Wisdom of the Ifa Orisa Tradiotion. Mason. John. Orisa: New World Black Gods Oní Yemayá, Mariela Albán; Oni Shango, R.E. Avendano. ORISHAS, Yoruba Kings in the Lucumi Tradition Wiles Quinones, Ayoka. I Hear Olofi's Song: A Collection of Yoruba Spiritual Prayers for Egun and Orisa . Oshun Publishing.

In this episode we take a look into the Orisha Shango. One of the most popular Orisha in the Yoruba Pantheon. Known for being the husband of Oshun, Oya, and Oba Nani his story is so much more complex thanhis love relationships. This episode takes a deep dive into Orisha Shango. References: Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Fatunmbi, Fa'lokun. Ebora (The Metaphysical Foundations of Ifa Book 2) . Unknown. Kindle Edition Mason. John. Orisa: New World Black Gods Oní Yemayá, Mariela Albán; Oni Shango, R.E. Avendano. ORISHAS, Yoruba Kings in the Lucumi Tradition Prandi, Reginaldo. Mitologia dos orixás (Portuguese Edition) (pp. 130-131). Companhia das Letras. Wippler ,  Migene Gonzalez-. Santeria: The Religion : Faith, Rites, Magic (p. 45). UNKNOWN. Kindle Edition.

This episode we explore the Orisha Ochosi. References: Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Fatunmbi, Fa'lokun. Ebora (The Metaphysical Foundations of Ifa Book 2) . Unknown. Kindle Edition. Oni Yemaya, Mariela Alban. WARRIOR ORISHAS: ELEGUA, OGUN AND OSHOSI Prandi, Reginaldo. Mitologia dos orixás (Portuguese Edition) (pp. 130-131). Companhia das Letras.

Let's take a look at the Orisha Ogun. The Orisha of Iron, war, and so much more. I have always seen the lover side of Ogun while others insist on seeing just the warrior. This episode digs into the complexities that is Orisha Ogun. References: Barnes, Sandra T.. Africa's Ogun: Old World and New (p. 39). Indiana University Press. Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Karade, Oloye. The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts . Red Wheel Weiser. Oní Yemayá, Mariela Albán; Oni Shango, R.E. Avendano. ORISHAS, Yoruba Kings in the Lucumi Tradition

Aganju the Orisha of Volcanos and the wilderness. We never really talk about Aganju he is a very reclusive Orisha. He was one of the first Orisha to journey to the earth and this week we are going to uncover the mysteries that surround Aganju. References Oní Yemayá, Mariela Albán; Oni Shango, R.E. Avendano. ORISHAS, Yoruba Kings in the Lucumi Tradition Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Mason. John. Orisa: New World Black Gods

Yemaya the Mother whose children are Fish. Mother to the Orisha. Lets take a look into this powerful Orisha. References: Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orisha Spirits and Other Deities Fuente Alvarez, Esther. Lucumi, Yoruba People: The Genesis Book of African Orisha Deities and their Presence Cuban Santeria  Mason, John. Orisa: New World Black Gods

This week we explore Obatala Father of the White Cloth References: Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits, and other Deities Neimark, Philip. Way of the Orisha Fatunmbi, Fa'lokun. Ebora (The Metaphysical Foundations of Ifa Book 2) OYEDEJI, Dr. Yinka. Yoruba gods & legends: Stories of how different Orishas acquired powers and became deities in Yoruba Land!

Eshu-Elegua is the orisha we all must know about and honor. Eshu was the first called by Olodumare to recieve his Ashe, but was the last to actually learn his role at the Crossroads. This episode dives into the often misunderstood Orisha that is Eshu-Elegua. References: Correal, Tobe Melora. Finding Soul on the Path of Orisa: A West African Spiritual Tradition (p. 9). Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other Deities Fatunmbi, Fa'lokun. Ebora (The Metaphysical Foundations of Ifa Book 2) . Unknown. Kindle Edition. Karade, Oloye. The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts . Red Wheel Weiser. Mason. John. Orisa: New World Black Gods

What are the Orisha and where did they come from? Olodumare, Olorun, and Olofi One supreme being described in many different ways. Manifesting in many different ways. References: Kumari, Ayele. Isese Spirituality Workbook Nuñez, Luis Manuel. Santeria Stories Couco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits, and Other Deities

Welcome to The Ashe Shop Podcast. The place for people who want to learn about the Orisha and African Spiritual Practices. I’m Ashley your Orisha Storyteller and guide through the ins and outs of the spiritual journey. Think of these like your study spiritual. sessions.

Storytime #46- How to Choose a Good OriWhen Orisanku (son of Ogun), Oritemere (son of Ija), and Afuwape (son of Orunmila) decide it's time for them to travel from Orun to Aye, they know that they must go to Ajala's workshop to choose their Ori. Do they make the right choice?References:Cuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other DeitiesBrown, David H. Patakin: Orisha Stories from the Odu of Ifá

In this episode of Storytime with The Ashé Shop, we dive into the powerful Yoruba pataki that reveals what happens before we are born, when each soul chooses its Ori—its personal divinity and destiny. This ancient story reminds us that while life may twist, turn, and hit unexpected detours, the Ori we select is final and unwavering. We can pray to the Orisha, call on our ancestors, and negotiate with the universe, but ultimately…Ori decides.Join Ashley as she shares this timeless tale with humor, heart, and insight—inviting you to reflect on your own destiny, alignment, and the sacred responsibility of following the path your Ori chose.Take a breath. Settle in.And embrace the Ashé.

What happened when Ode's wife continued to ask questions, despite his best efforts to give her the answers. She just kept asking. Does this story sound familiar?References:Brown, David H. Patakin: Orisha Stories from the Odu of IfáCuoco, Alex. African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits and Other DeitiesLele,Ochani . Teachings of the Santería Gods: The Spirit of the Odu (p. 174). (Function). Kindle Edition

Oba and Shango had a few problems in their marriage. Can they solve this problem? Tell us what you thought about this story.Reference: Brown, David H. Patakin: Orisha Stories from the Odu of Ifá

This story givesus insight into how nature began to take its course. You know the birds and the bees...References:Lele, Ochani . Teachings of the Santería Gods: The Spirit of the Odu. Kindle Edition.