Ochun is the goddess of love, of money and indeed of happiness. She brings to us all the good things of life. She is the goddess of sweet water and can be found where there is fresh water, at rivers, ponds and especially waterfalls. Many offerings are sometimes left for her at the waterfalls. Many ceremonies are done at the river bank. Remember that the future Iyawo must go to the river for a special cleansing by Ochun the night before they are "crowned" in Ocha. Ochun loves to dance and make merry, but she also has a serious side. She is a great diviner and usually her children are very well endowed with psychic abilities, especially when using the sacred seashells or "caracoles" in divination which are the mouths of the Orishas. She is very sensual, but also very sensitive. Sometimes she can be easily offended. Most everyone tries to stay on her good side, since her blessings make life worth living.
In Haiti, Ochun is known as Erzile. She has the same caracteristics as Ochun, but her colors are slightly different. Ochun's color is yellow and gold, due to the association with money. Ochun is associated with Our Lady of the Caridad del Cobre. Cobre means copper in spanish, and the first money slaves saw in Cuba when they arrived was made of copper. So they identified Ochun with Our Lady of the Caridad del Cobre. Whatever you call the african goddess of love and money, she is the same energy. Her help is often sought when there are problems in a marriage, or when a woman wishes to get married. Her function as an Orisha is very important. Our Lady of the Caridad del
Cobre is the patron Saint of Cuba and the people love her dearly.
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