How to Do a Love Ritual to Attract a Mate

This love ritual, from the Santeria religion of Cuba, has its roots in ancient Africa. It honors the love goddess Oshun (“O-shoon”), goddess of the sweet, flowing waters. This sensuous goddess, known as the African Venus, will bring you the right mate when you honor her properly. This is not black magic, in which you force an ex-lover to return or command someone to love you. Such manipulative spells can backfire in harmful ways. Instead, you invoke the power of the goddess to bring you just the right lover for you. You must do this ritual on a Friday (Oshun’s sacred day). Your trip to the flowing stream can happen the following morning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• You will need a bagel, a piece of paper and pen, some honey, a nickel and a two-inch pink or yellow candle. You will also need access to a nearby flowing stream.

1. Set Your Intention
   Turn off your phone, get quiet and think about your must-haves in a mate. Write these qualities down, including the way you want to feel in the relationship.
2. Fold the paper up and place it in the hole of the bagel. Cover it with a dab of honey to sweeten your prayers, and top with the nickel.
3. Place the candle on the nickel, and light it. Make sure it’s in a secure spot and protected underneath, as the wax may run over. Ask Oshun to grant your wish.
4. Dance, sing, take a bubble bath, draw a picture, read poetry, watch a romantic movie or otherwise honor the love goddess. Let the candle burn down as you sleep.
5. The next morning, take your biodegradable offering to a stream and cast it into the flowing waters. Thank Oshun for hearing your prayers.
6. Be patient. The planets may have to line up properly for your wish to be granted. Keep your heart open, be ready to receive and give praise to Oshun each day.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t put a specific person’s name on your list, especially if he or she is unavailable. Trust Oshun to bring you the mate who’s perfect for you. Be sure that your burning candle is safe from animals or small children, and that there is no chance of it starting a fire while you sleep. Never throw your offering into a stagnant pond or other non-flowing body of water—this includes the ocean, which is the domain of the mother goddess Yemaya.