Cowrie Shell (Buzios) reading is the art of foretelling the future used by traditional African religions. It is how we can communicate with the Orixas (nature Gods). The shells come in various colors and are used by Babalorixas (priests) and Yalorixas (priestesses) to answer questions as well as receive messages from the Olorichas – it is thought of as the mouth of Olorichas. History tells us that these shells are the doorway through which we commune with the world of the ancestors; one which is connected with the strength of the ocean and represents Goddess protection which is very powerful. Commonly used by African astrologers, these cowrie shells are used for divination. Each of the shells has a meaning which can be interpreted only by the Olorichas in foretelling the future.
BRIEF HISTORY
The cowrie is actually the shell of a snail or mollusk. They originated from Africa (a continent rich in history and tribal tradition) as an age-old art before spreading out to India and ancient China. These shells of cowries were used for centuries as a form of currency but it was used for other higher purposes such as meditation and divination. Historically, the African traders preferred cowrie shells to gold and silver as currency. In ancient Egypt, cowrie shells were thought to contain magical properties that hold infinite wisdom and knowledge as well as timeless view in which ordinary men cannot access. In Africa and major parts of North and South America, the cowrie symbolized the power of wealth, prosperity, and even destiny. It also is believed to have taught stories of humility and respect. In Europe, these shells were often worn as necklace amulets to bring good fortune for barren women or/and to ward off the evil eye.
HOW IT WORKS
Spiritually, according to African legends, it is said that those who are attracted to cowrie shells could be family to an ocean spirit of wealth and earth. First, this ritual isn’t carried by mere men or women. In fact, cowrie shell reading requires specific procedures that only skilled men and women are able to carry out. These skilled men (priests) and women (priestesses) known as Olorichas, go through intensive training to learn how to communicate with the spirits. When tossed on a mat or sacred cloth, cowrie shell reading opens a portal between the human world and the spiritual realm. It then allows for communication between the Olorichas and the ancestors to obtain solutions to people’s problems.
THE MAJOR AIM OF COWRIE SHELL READING
The sole aim of cowrie shell reading is to communicate with spiritual realms to obtain answers or guidance to questions regarding specific situations.