Ogum (Ogun) Beira-Mar candle
The Ogum who guards the line between the sand and the sea, for travel, open path and protection
Ogum Beira-Mar candle
7-day candle · stays lit for 7 days7 dias
The Ogum Beira-Mar candle is for those who are departing, moving, or starting over. It is lit for Ogum in the line that works where the sand meets the sea, guarding the entrance to the kingdom of Iemanjá (Yemoja). Fishermen, long-haul drivers, those who will live in another city, or those who need to leave a phase behind usually seek this candle.
Ogum is an orixá (orisha), lord of iron and paths. In Umbanda he is divided into lines, each with its own territory: Rompe-Mato in the forest, Megê at the door of the calunga, Beira-Mar on the beach. Houses tell that Beira-Mar first receives the offerings taken to Iemanjá and passes them to Ogum Sete Ondas, which is why many people ask for his permission before entering the sea. Tuesday is the day of Ogum, and there are houses that also greet him on Saturday. In Candomblé, the qualities of Ogum have other names, and the list changes from house to house.
At home, the Beira-Mar candle does what the wave does: it takes and brings. It opens passage and cleanses, but it does not push anyone out of your path. The right prayer request is for you to move forward, not for another to fall. And it does not replace the care of those who travel: a serviced car and a life jacket on the boat are also protection.
What is it for
What is the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle for
The Ogum Beira-Mar candle is dedicated to the line of Ogum who works on the beach, sentinel of the kingdom of Iemanjá. Dark blue and white, it receives requests for protection during travel, for an open path to start over, and for the cleansing of the weight that the wave can carry away.
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Protection on the trip
Fishing, boat, early morning bus, long road. Light it before leaving asking that Ogum Beira-Mar guard the departure and the return, and let the candle take care of the house while you are away.
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Open path to start over
Moving to a new city, new job, returning to the homeland. The candle asks that the path opens without stumbling and that the arrival is as firm as the departure.
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Cleanse the weight I carry
When the body feels heavy and the head does not stop. With a glass of salt water nearby, the candle asks that the Beira-Mar wave takes away what sticks and is not yours.
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Work of those who live from the sea and the road
Fishermen, shellfish gatherers, truck drivers, and drivers light candles to Ogum Beira-Mar to have sustenance and return home whole. The candle accompanies the work, without dispensing with care.
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Protection against demanda
As a sentinel, Beira-Mar blocks what comes with bad intentions. Light it asking that nothing crosses the line he guards, and move on without feeding the fight.
Who rules this candle
Orixás and spirits of the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle
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Ogum Beira-Mar
Ogum line, sentinel of the beach
Beira-Mar is Ogum working on the border between the sand and the sea. The candle carries the dark blue of Ogum and the white of the foam, and is consecrated on Tuesday, the day of the lord of iron and of the paths.
Know Ogum Beira-Mar -
Iemanjá
Queen of the Sea, owner of the kingdom he guards
Ogum Beira-Mar guards the entrance to the kingdom of Iemanjá and receives first what is taken to her. Therefore, many houses also greet him on Saturday and ask for his permission before making an offering in the sea.
Know Iemanjá
Also settled for
- Ogum Sete Ondas
- Sailors
- People of the Sea
Prayer to light
Prayer of the Ogum Beira-Mar candle for travel
“Ogum Beira-Mar, guardian of the beach, I light this blue light with your name. You who stand where the sand ends and the sea begins, also stay at the door of my house. Guard my departure and my return, by land or by water, by day or at dawn. Open with your sword the path that is closed and do not let pass those who come with bad intentions. What I carry that is not mine, let your wave take away and not bring back. I ask permission from Mãe Iemanjá, owner of the sea that you guard, and I thank in advance for every peaceful arrival. Ogunhê, my Pai!”Light the candle and pray
Step by step
How to consecrate the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle
- 1
Choose Tuesday and the door
Ogum is the owner of the paths. Place the candle near the entrance door or in a high place in the living room, covered with the blue cloth, away from curtains and out of reach of children.
- 2
Ask for permission from the sea
If you are at the beach, wet your hands in the water and ask permission from Iemanjá first. At home, a ritual bath of coarse salt from the neck down fulfills this role.
- 3
Assemble the plate with salt and leaf
The candle in the center of the plate, the glass of salt water beside it, and the branch of sword-of-saint-george or pepper tree (aroeira) laid in front, pointing toward the door.
- 4
Call Ogum by the name Beira-Mar
Light it with a match and say Ogunhê. Call Ogum Beira-Mar and tell him where you are going, or what you want to leave behind. Speak briefly and with firmness, as one speaks with a guard.
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Finish without blowing
A guard is not dispensed with in a breath. To leave, cover the flame with a saucer and relight it upon your return. When the candle is finished, the water goes to the sea, the earth, or the drain, and the dry leaf goes to the organic waste.
Precautions before lighting
- The 7-day candle stays lit for several days: leave it on a firm plate, away from curtains, loose fabric, children, and animals, and never light it in a car.
- A candle on a trip does not replace caution: check the vehicle, respect the speed limit, and use a life jacket on the boat.
- An offering on the beach is made without leaving trash, glass, or plastic on the sand. Take back what does not dissolve in nature.
- Matters of Ogum's foundation, such as assentamento and obrigação, are for the zelador of your terreiro. The candle at home is devotion.
Ceromancy
What the flame of the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle shows
Traditional terreiro reading. Before interpreting, check if there is no wind, crooked wick, or poor quality candle.
- Good sign
Flame is firm and high
Many houses read this as a guarded path and a request accepted by the sentinel. It is a good sign for someone who is departing.
- Observe
Flame that oscillates like a wave
Check for wind first. Without a draft, some read this as a cleansing happening, the weight going and coming back until it leaves for good.
- Good sign
Flame tip tilted toward the door
In popular reading, it shows protection turned toward the path of departure. Continue with the trip or the move with tranquility.
- Attention
Black soot rising through the glass
Trim the wick. If it continues, it could be a heavy spiritual load leaving: repeat the salt ritual bath and, if the sign persists, seek guidance in a terreiro.
- Attention
Candle that goes out before the trip
It is not a reason for panic. Check the wind and wick, relight it and reinforce practical care: car inspection, time, company on the road.
Ritual bath and smoke cleansing (defumação)
Herbs that pair with the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle
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Saint George's Sword / Ogum's Sword
Sansevieria trifasciata
The snake plant (espada de Ogum). A branch laid in front of the candle, or a pot at the door, firms the protection of the path during the seven days.
See the herb -
Seaweed
Fucus vesiculosus and related species
They bring the sea close to those who live far from the beach. A ritual bath with algae before lighting brings closer the kingdom that Beira-Mar guards.
See the herb -
Pepper tree (aroeira)
Schinus terebinthifolius
Strong herb of Ogum, for cutting and cleansing. A ritual bath of aroeira from the neck down helps to remove the weight before consecrating the candle.
See the herb
Virtual Candle
Light the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle now
Choose the type, write your request, and pay by PIX. The flame stays on the altar and you follow along through the link.
Place on the altarFrequently asked questions
Questions about the Ogum Beira-Mar Candle
Is Ogum Beira-Mar a different orixá from Ogum?
No. It is the same Ogum, in a line of Umbanda linked to the beach. In Umbanda, people speak of lines, such as Beira-Mar, Rompe-Mato, and Megê. In Candomblé, people speak of qualities, with other names. The list changes from house to house.
What is the difference between the Ogum Beira-Mar candle and the Ogum candle?
The Ogum candle speaks with the orixá of iron and war, for path and demanda in general. The Beira-Mar one calls the Ogum who guards the beach and walks with Iemanjá, more sought after for travel, moving, and cleansing. Both are the same Ogum.
Why is the Ogum Beira-Mar candle dark blue and white?
Dark blue is the color of Ogum in most of Umbanda, and white recalls the foam of the wave and the kingdom of Iemanjá. Some houses consecrate Beira-Mar with a white and red candle. Follow the custom of your terreiro.
What is the best day to light the Ogum Beira-Mar candle?
Tuesday, the day of Ogum, early in the morning. Because of the connection with Iemanjá, many houses also greet Beira-Mar on Saturday. Before a trip, it can be lit on the day the road asks for it.
Can I light the Ogum Beira-Mar candle at home, away from the sea?
It is possible. The beach sentinel hears from wherever she is called. A glass of water with salt next to the candle, or a ritual bath of algae beforehand, brings the sea closer to those who live inland.
What to do with the salt water and the leftover candle?
The water goes to the sea, to the earth, or down the drain, and the glass is washed. The dry branch goes to the organic waste, and the clean glass from the wax can be recycled. Do not leave any of this on the beach sand.
