Ogun and the Couch Potato

Everyone knows someone who is literally a couch potato. Their butts are glued to the sofa, and they can be found with a remote control in one hand and a beer in another. They always have excuses as to why they come up short. They never can find a job or keep one. They don't believe in education and there is always someone who is plotting against them, dissuading them from meeting their goals. These people can be thrown into the category of having no ambitions, or personal power. They need Ogun, the orisha of iron and war to come and light a fire under their butts.

Ogun is the mighty warrior. He is the patron of war and works with a machete to clear away paths and to help people overcome obstacles. Ogun is similar to Ares and Hephaestus in Greek mythology and Visvakarma in Hindu mythology. In Candomblé, he is syncretized with Saint George in Brazil. In Santeria, he is syncretized with Saint Peter. Ogun can also be associated with energy, in particularly personal power. In Sanskrit, under the chakra system, Ogun can represent the manipura or the third chakra.

This chakra is located in the area of the solar plexus of the body. The manipura chakra, much like Ogun represents our potential to succeed in life. It is also a symbolization of self-esteem and vitality. People who are very much in touch with Ogun normally have a lot of self-confidence, a sense of self-worth and a great deal of personal power. In a sense, they can make things happen. They never do anything for the approval of others. They know what they want in life, and are supercharged when it comes to overcoming obstacles and hardships. They are survivors and are normally optimistic and enthused about their life choices.

Someone who possesses the qualities of Ogun is Jay Z, a hip-hop performer who created a multi-million dollar empire. People who are Ogun types don't follow trends they create them. People who are Ogun types know how to make money, and they exude power and influence over others. They are incredibly disciplined and never sell themselves short. People who are not Ogun types lack energy, feel insecure, and normally don't trust others. They have goals, but have no idea how to reach them. They tend to attract people who hinder their growth and make them feel weak and unworthy.

These are the people who land jobs and only keep them for a week. They are the people who are actually content sleeping on their mother's sofa, or begging a child for change. Ogun is the deity of power; he incites wars and is most popular for his part in the Haitian revolution. However, Ogun represents the war that we all have to fight inside of us. Everyday is a battle, each day we are fighting against self-doubt, low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority, and unworthiness. We all have wars to fight, in the world and within ourselves, and it all begins with us getting our butts off the couch.

Yamaya Cruz is the author of When The Shadows Began To Dance. For more information please visit http://newafricanspirituality.com/ or http://alternativevibrations.com/