Ode is the father of Ochossi. This Orisha can only be given by babalawos. This is because only babalawos know the secrets and ceremonies for preparing this Orisha. The ceremonies for receiving Ode are somewhat complicated as well as rigorous. This Orisha is usually given to babalawos and also to the children of Ochossi who need to receive him. We were unable to find any picture that adequately represents Ode and photos of this Orisha are not for public display. Deer are very connected both to Ochossi and Ode. Their antlers are used in the preparation of the "fundamento" or basis of the Orisha. For this reason, we see the link between Ochossi, Ode, Cernunnos, Herne and Pashupate. All represent the same energy in different aspects, manifesting differently in seperate locations of the world.
Ochossi is known in Haiti as Gran Bois or Gran Bwa. He is the same entity and is considered to be the King of the Woods. Interesting enough, when one is initiated into the Haitian tradition, it is said that when the final initiation of "taking the asson" is done, the ceremony is performed at night in the woods. There are many "caminos" of Gran Bwa and he is found in many different families of the "Mysteres". We were once priviledged to see Gran Bwa mount one of his "horses" and were duly impressed by this Loa. Although the Haitian system is different from ours, we have the greatest respect for this truly amazing new world evolution of african spirituality.
In Brazil, it is said that Ochossi is closely related to the Indian Spirits of that land. That is only natural, since the largest rainforest in the world possibly exists in the Amazon basin. Since disease and scourges brought by the arrival of the conquerors managed practically to do away with most of the indigenous peoples, it is reasonable to assume that there spirits still wandered their beautiful land. Ochossi, being the hunter that lived in the rainforest, of course would be connected to all these spirits that live in his domain. Perhaps this accounts for Ochossi's great power, since the native spirits doubtless help him with his magical workings. Priests often, when working with Ochossi, put on feathered headresses when entering the forrest to do magical worksings, like the natives that once inhabitied that area used to wear.
