Magic Of The Orishas: A Beginner’s Guide to West African Spirituality

By: Philip Ryan Deal, David Bear

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Magic of the Orishas offers accessible entry into Yoruba-derived spiritual practice for contemporary seekers who want practical knowledge without academic distance or religious gatekeeping. Written by Babalawo Philip Ryan Deal, this companion volume to Wisdom of the Orishas: 256 Meditations on the Ẹẹ́rìndínlógún translates traditional Orisha veneration into actionable practice, teaching readers how to establish altars, prepare offerings, create herbal formulas, and develop personal relationships with these powerful spiritual forces. The book explores each major Orisha through their planetary correspondences and associated herbs, providing detailed recipes for oils, baths, spiritual salts, and salves that honor both African diaspora botanica traditions and contemporary magical practice.

Whether you're drawn to Yoruba spirituality through fiction like Children of Blood and Bone, seeking to reconnect with African ancestral traditions, or looking to deepen existing practice with practical techniques, this guide provides the foundation you need without requiring formal initiation or expensive supplies. Ryan writes as both initiated priest and accessible teacher, explaining complex theological concepts in clear language while maintaining deep respect for tradition and emphasizing ethical engagement with these sacred practices. From understanding patakís (sacred stories) to crafting your first spiritual bath, from identifying which Orisha walks with you to building sustainable daily devotional practice, this book serves as both grimoire and gentle introduction to a living spiritual tradition that has sustained millions across centuries and continents. Magic of the Orishas invites you into relationship with divine forces who transform, heal, protect, and empower those who approach them with respect, sincerity, and genuine devotion.