Publishers Weekly
07/05/2021
In this coy debut, artist and self-proclaimed psychic Morgaine offers a primer on Yemaya, a river goddess of the Yoruba of Nigeria. According to legend, Yemaya was taken along with enslaved persons to the Americas, and vestiges of her can be found today in Cuban Santería, Haitian Vodou, Christianity, and neo-paganism. Morgaine reveals ways readers can integrate Yemaya’s power into their daily lives and provides incantations, altar preparations, and rituals directed toward the “mother of all life” for greater protection, peace, luck, and love. Morgaine counsels that Yemaya is no “dial-a-deity”; she is mother and lover, but also a warrior who can punish those who cross her. The instructive explanations of rituals and Yemaya’s historical roots make this a perfect introduction to a lesser-known deity. This will appeal to anyone interested in the spiritual traditions of West Africa. (Sept.)
Elhoim Leafar
Yemaya is a dedicated mother, powerful goddess, ruthless warrior, possessive lover, wise healer, and among the oldest deities in Africa. Venerated in numerous magical traditions and religions around the globe, her origin is so uncertain that it is quite easy to think of Yemaya as the first Mother Goddess of Africa, even perhaps as the first Mother Goddess of humanity, as, in the end, we all come from Africa, and in one way or another we all descend from her. In his book Yemaya: Orisha, Goddess, and Queen of the Sea, Raven Morgaine guides you through her myths and pataki and evokes her in her highest splendor. For followers of the Yoruba religion, Lucumi, Umbanda, Candomblé, and Santeria, as well as the many paths of modern Vodou, this book is a pivotal tool.”
Stephanie Rose Bird
Raven Morgaine is a gifted storyteller and visionary in multiple disciplines. His jam-packed, beautifully illustrated book will lead you to understand, in laymen’s terms, anything and everything you ever wanted to know about the African orisha, Yemaya, as a noninitiate. This book is an enveloping and compelling read. It will lead you to take meaningful action, following in Morgaine’s footsteps, to immerse in Yemaya’s complex energies.
Alexander Cabot
What an amazing tribute to the goddess that I have been crowned for so many years. This homage to Yemaya will resonate with and enlighten any reader. Raven Morgaine delivers authenticity to the patakí or parables that represents the African diaspora in its truest form. Yemaya: Orisha, Goddess and Queen of the Sea is stellar literature.”
Annwyn Avalon
Not just a beautiful offering to Yemaya herself, Raven Morgaine’s Yemaya: Orisha, Goddess, and Queen of the Sea is a much-needed guide for those interested in respectfully honoring her. Filled with fluid stories, personal experiences, her history, song, prayers, herbal knowledge, and more, this is a must-have for any water witch interested in honoring the radiant Goddess of the Sea.”
Miss Aida
Yemaya: Orisha, Goddess and Queen of the Sea is a supremely well-written, engaging, and all-encompassing account of the goddess and her many attributes and paths. It includes real life stories depicting the love that Yemaya has for humanity and the many miracles she has performed. Raven Morgaine has the grasp of Santeria, as did my Cuban elders, and his stunning artwork dedicated to Yemaya is breathtaking! Written for neophytes as well as seasoned santeros, this is a captivating tribute to Yemaya and destined to become a classic.
From the Publisher
The instructive explanations of rituals and Yemaya’s historical roots make this a perfect introduction . . . This will appeal to anyone interested in the spiritual traditions of West Africa."
