Obatala oil

How to Use It

Santería & Lucumí

• White candle offerings: anoint a white candle and offer cotton, white rice, milk or cocoa butter before his image.
• Head cleansing: dress a white candle when the mind is troubled and you need clarity.
• Initiates receive Obatalá from their godparents; lay devotees use the oil for candles and prayer.

Folk Catholicism & Spiritism

• Our Lady of Mercy: dress a candle before her image on 24 September.
• Peace at home: anoint white candles and place them in the centre of the house after conflict.

A Simple Working

• Dress in white or set a white cloth on your altar.
• Anoint a white candle with Obatala oil.
• Place a small dish of cotton wool and a glass of cold water beside it.
• Light the candle and ask Obatalá for peace and a clear head.
• Sit quietly until you feel calm.
• Let the candle burn out, and pour the water away from the house.

Pairs Well With

• A white candle: his colour.
• Cascarilla: a white chalk used in his worship.
• Cocoa butter: a classic offering.
• Cotton wool: which covers his altar.

What You Receive

Obatala oil, available in 2 dram, 1 oz and 16 oz sizes.

Origin & Lore

Obatalá is the eldest of the orishas in Lucumí, the owner of all heads and of the colour white. He stands for peace, purity, patience and justice. In Cuba he is linked with Our Lady of Mercy, whose feast day is 24 September. The oil is a modern devotional blend.

Obatalá shaped the first human bodies from clay. Lore says that one day he drank too much palm wine and shaped people unevenly, and he swore off alcohol forever.

Obatalá’s devotees avoid palm wine, recalling his drunkenness. In one Yoruba creation story he was sent to make dry land but fell asleep, and Odùduwà finished the task. He is honoured with white foods and offerings.