Bossu may descend from an ancient bull spirit who guards the King of Dahomey. Alternatively he may be of European descent, deriving from the triple-horned bull spirits once very popular in Pagan Gaul (France) where bulls were identified with power, virility, fertility, victory, invincibility, and good luck. Images of the Gaulish three-horned bull are found in healing shrines and graves.
Bossu, spirit of primal male vigor, usually manifests in the form of a three-horned bull. He is the spirit of the masculine life-force, similar to that other sacred bull, the biblical Ba’al. Like Ba’al, Bossu is volatile, manifesting the potential dangers of excess testosterone.
He is the lwa of aggressive action. Bossu is considered among the more volatile lwa and among those identified as patrons of less ethical sorcerers. He is invoked to control Baka. Although aggressive and capable of violence, he can be a spirit of incredible generosity.
• Bossu is a powerful guardian able to remove tough obstacles from devotees’ paths.
• He is petitioned by men and women for enhanced personal fertility.
• He is petitioned by men for increased potency and to remedy erectile dysfunction.
• Bossu can bestow psychic ability.
• He guards his devotees at night, especially when they are travelling.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Bosou; Bosou Twa Cornes
CLASSIFICATION:
Lwa
ICONOGRAPHY:
Haitian depictions of Bossu in bull form are readily available. Images of Saint Vincent de Paul to whom he is syncretized or the Minotaur may also be used to represent him.
Altars:
Decorate with horns.
DAY:
Tuesday
COLOURS:
Red, black
OFFERINGS:
Rum, especially overproof rum; cocktails made with Red Bull energy drink; whisky; burn red penis candles in his honor and to petition him for fertility and/or virility; feed him fried beef or steak; add Tabasco sauce to his food (other hot sauces may be substituted but Tabasco’s bottle is Bossu red).
SEE ALSO:
- List of Lwa
- Voodoo
- Ba’al (1)
- Pasiphae
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.