ERINLE : ELEPHANT OF THE EARTH
Erinle is the beautiful orisha of wealth, fertility, and abundance. He is the spirit of having it both ways. He is the underwater king and a spirit of the bush. Erinle is a water spirit. The source of Nigeria’s River Erinle is near Oshogbo, location of Oshun’s major shrine. (After Oshun’s period of devastating poverty, she wed Erinle and was restored to a position of wealth.) Erinle is present where salt and sweet waters meet and merge. He is also a hunter who lives in the forest together with his close allies, Ogun, Ochossi, and Osain. He is a warrior and a healer. He is the divine physician. • Erinle is syncretized to the Archangel Raphael.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Inle; Eyinle
ORIGIN:
Yoruba
CLASSIFICATION:
Orisha; Orixa
FEAST:
24 October
FAVOURED PEOPLE:
Although many of his devotees are heterosexual, Erinle is considered the special patron of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and the transgendered. Children born with umbilical cords twined around their arm are believed to be under his dominion.
MANIFESTATION:
A handsome, androgynous man lavishly dressed in luxurious fabrics and bedecked with coral and cowries
ATTRIBUTES:
Cowries, emblematic of wealth; fishing rod; bow and arrows
COLOURS:
Coral, indigo, turquoise
METAL:
Gold
NUMBER:
7
ALTAR:
Activate his altar with river pebbles.
OFFERINGS:
Small metal fish charms; sparkly fish images; Swedish fish candy
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.