King of the White Cloth

Also known as: Oxala

Classification: Orisha

Obatala, orisha of creation and healing, is the calm, cool spirit of

serenity�a peacemaker and lawgiver. Obatala is the Just Judge, a spirit
of righteous kindness and justice. He is gentle, wise, and incredibly
patient.

Obatala was entrusted with crafting human bodies. The Supreme

Creator breathes life into the forms Obatala crafts. The central tragedy of
Obatala�s myth is that once, having drunk too much palm wine, Obatala
either became careless or overly creative. He began crafting images that
did not exactly correspond to the blueprint the Creator gave him. Obatala
invented blindness and various birth defects.

In consequence, Obatala�s priests and devotees never drink palm

wine. Obatala is responsible for the well-being of those considered his
children: albinos, the blind, lame, or mute, and those possessing
anything classified as a birth defect, whether visible or not.

Obatala is present in cool, white substances. Obatala owns everything

white, including bones. The following contains his essence:

� Cascarilla powder (powdered white eggshell for magical and ritual use)

� Cocoa butter

� Cotton
� Kaolin clay

� Shea butter

� Snail slime, the moisture trail left by snails

� Pure white cloth

Obatala encourages his devotees to maintain their cool, just like he

does. He favors those who are calm and collected, or at least striving to
be. Bad tempers, rude outbursts, impatience, and unpleasant attitudes
tend to distance him. (He won�t do anything mean to you; he�ll just stay
away.) Obatala is invoked to help with anger and rage management by
those who are sincere. (He�ll know.) Obatala is also invoked to calm
tempers and situations so that clear-headed judgments may be formed
or obtained.

� Obatala is invoked for favorable legal judgments and help with legal
matters.

� Ask him to encourage others (like judges) to consider you with mercy
and compassion.

� He is invoked to calm those who are angry with you, especially

dangerous people.

� Obatala is syncretized to Jesus Christ.

Manifestation: Obatala is usually envisioned as an androgynous being
with long white hair, wearing pure white garments.

Color: White

Animals: White elephants, snails

Bird: White doves

Metals: Silver and white metals (white gold, platinum, titanium)

Day: Sunday

Sacred sites: Obatala lives atop mountain peaks, especially those always
dusted with white snow. Offerings may be delivered to him there.

Offerings: Obatala drinks water, milk, and coconut milk. Do not give him
palm wine. He accepts white rice, coconuts, bananas, white bread, white
cornbread, white sugar, and white flowers. Extravagant offerings include
charms or jewelry crafted from some of his more expensive metals. Isopropyl Alcohol