^{Salutation: (Call) Sarava Exu ! (Response) Elaroue Exu !}

     ^{Elegbara Exu ! (Call) Sarava As Pomba Giras ! (Response) Pomba Gira Exu !}
 

    ^{Elegbara is the explosive, raw energy necessary to bring anything into manifestation. When we experience Elegbara in our lives, we are propelled by an energy that feels creative, sometimes erotic, and always powerful. It is pure Libido.}

    ^{Elegbara is the densest Orixa of the Fire element, and resonates with the colors red and black. It has the lowest vibratory frequency of all the Orixas, functioning in polarity to the pure Light of Oxala (the Orixa with the highest & most refined vibratory frequency.) Elegbara reflects the Light of the Underworld, Luz Bel, a quality of Light existing within darkness that creates a longing to return to the Light of Oxala. The realm of Elegbara is referred to as the Izquierda - or the "Left." It is the Lower-world.}

    ^{The great value of Elegbara rituals is the access to passionate power that these rituals provide, as well as the opportunity for profound discharge (spiritual cleansing.) Elegbara rituals cleanse a medium's channel and re-energizes him or her, igniting the kind of passion necessary to pursue something in life, whether it be a spiritual, physical, or emotional goal. The Temple Guaracy of Brazil conducts periodic rituals of Elegbara every year. These rituals are not open to the general public like a normal Gira, and are reserved for the mediums only.}

    ^{Two entities are associated with the Orixa Elegbara: Exu (male) and Pomba-gira (female.) Entities are spirits; they are not Orixas, which are pure energies existing in Nature. However, Exus & Pomba-giras resonate with the same low, dense frequency characteristic of Elegbara, so rituals of Elegbara involve the invocation of these lower-realm entities. Although they come from this lower realm, Exus & Pomba-giras are powerful protectors & allies. They function as a base of support for us, absorbing our discharge, and empowering us with their raw, libidinous energy. They often behave in a lascivious and crude manner, but their behavior cleanses us of our impurities and restores our inner balance.}

    ^{In the philosophy of the Temple Guaracy, Elegbara is understood metaphysically as being a chaotic energy. However, from the traditional perspective of the Yoruban and Dahomean folklore of West Africa, Elegbara's chaotic energy was personified as an archetypal Trickster. Tricksters are masters of surprise and disruption. They behave in a cunning and unpredictable
manner, often subverting authority in order to shatter illusion and reveal truth. Tricksters bring healing and enlightenment, but their irreverence and perplexing behavior can be confusing. They are sometimes misinterpreted as being demonic or simply foolish.}

    ^{In interpreting traditional folklore of the West African diaspora, folklorists refer to the Trickster character of Elegbara as being a liminal character. Liminal means "at the edge," a kind of "betwixt and between," a no-man's-land where boundaries of reality become blurred and easily crossed. For this reason, Elegbara (variously known as Eshu, Eleggua, and Legba) is
traditionally understood as existing at the Crossroads. He is the Gatekeeper between our world and the Spirit realm. He acts as a bridge, uniting these two realms. He also functions as a messenger, bringing us guidance from beyond. It is precisely due to his status as Trickster that Elegbara is able to break through these barriers of reality. Tricksters shatter barriers, beliefs, and rules in order to bring forth wisdom and healing.}

    ^{According to legend, there was a time long ago when each of the Orixas wished to determine who amongst them was supreme under God. So they all went to heaven in search of the answer, each bearing a sacrificial offering atop their head. All of them, except one. Eshu had first gone to Ifa, the Orixa of divination, honoring Ifa with a sacrifice. Eshu asked what he should bring to
heaven as a sacrifice for God. Ifa told Eshu that he should take only a single red parrot feather, ekodide, positioned upright upon his forehead, symbolizing that he was not to carry burdens. The red parrot feather was full of Ashe, (the Power to make things happen.) It was in this manner that Eshu went before God. Seeing this, God recognized Eshu's supremacy amongst the Orixas, and granted him the force to make all things happen. After receiving his powers and dominion
over the others, Eshu humbly offered a huge commemorative feast to show respect for God and all the Orixas. But he warned them that those who did not recognize his status would be bent like the string upon a bow, or crushed like a shell.}

    ^{Another story relates the tale of two men who neglected to honor Eshu with sacrifices. To exact revenge, Eshu put on a hat that was red on one side, and black on the other. He continually marched past the two men. But from where they stood, one man saw the side of Eshu wearing what appeared to be a red hat, while the other man saw the side of Eshu that appeared to be wearing a black hat. Seeing this character continually walk past them, the two men soon began commenting on what a strange character - perhaps a god ? - who was in their
midst. But because they could not agree upon what they saw, their disagreement built in fervor until they finally attacked one another. It was then that Eshu stood before them, laughing riotously, and revealing who he was. After that day, those two men always gave sacrifice to Eshu.}