"Whirling Wind was the one who cast Ifa for Nine Skirts on the day she hear the cry, "Help, Oya, help me to change." The human held no pain and said, "My head is dizzy with ugly thoughts, my belly is hard with greed, my knees are weak with the weight of guilt, and the leaves will not cure me." Oya spun around on her toes. The human cried, "What must I do for you, Oya, what is the price for my cure?" Oya spun around on her fingers. "Must I give you all my gold? Must I surrender my ego? Shall I beg your forgiveness?" Oya spun around on her head. The human screamed and cried, "Please, Twirling Woman, Help me. Help me!" Oya flashed her dark mirror and said, "If you wish release, human, simply look into my mirror and change. You who need courage, look into my mirror and change. If you desire wisdom, simply look into my mirror and change. Power can be yours if you will look into my mirror and change." And so the human looked into the mirror and changed! "Oh Oya, my head is clear, my belly soft, my knees are strong. What must I do to pay you for this wonder?" Oya took a wide legged step and fanned her skirts just so. And all the curing leaves fell from the trees and laid a path before the human. Whirling Wind was the one who cast Ifa for Nine Skirts on the day she heard the cry. Oya smiled and said, "You who seek transformation need only look into my mirror...and change!" -Pataki told by Luisah Teish, priestess of Oshun, in her book
Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals
