Exú

The beginning and the end.

The movement.

The infinite probabilities and possibilities.

These are the nouns that probably best describe the energy of nature represented by Exú.

He is a complicated character, therefore particularly fascinating.

More than any other deity, Exú embodies the contradictions of the human being.

This contradiction between the divine essence and human fragility is compensated by the equal proximity that he has with the two worlds, spiritual and physical.

In fact, he is the conjunction between men and orixás.

We go to him to consult Ifa, the Oracle, and we make offerings to him to favor any other rituals to other orixás.

Iconography often mistakenly compares Exu to the Christian devil. There is no such comparison.

In Candomblé, as in general in African religions, there is no place for the Christian concept of sin.

Of course in Candomblé free will also marks the distance between humans and animals.

But Exú has nothing to do with the evil side of the human soul.

Exú only shows human beings, objectively and neutrally, the possible paths.

But each individual is totally free to choose whether to evolve spiritually or, on the contrary, backwards.

Laroye!