Black Stone (otanes) for Saint

1 Piece. Otanes The sacred stones of Santería

CHANGÓ: six black otanes are placed in his wooden bowl 

In Santería and the Yoruba Region, sacred stones (known as Otán or Otá) are fundamental, as they represent the living energy, presence, and spiritual seat of the Orishas. Depending on the deity, these stones vary in color, but dark or black stones have very specific uses:

• Representation of the Warrior Orishas: Dark-colored stones are commonly associated with the deities of the forest, iron, and the paths. They are used to represent Elegguá (owner of the paths, often with a dark river or reef otá), Ogún (orisha of iron and metals), and Oshosi (the hunter).
• Settlement and Reception: The practitioner receives these otanes in a secret ceremony and places them in vessels or bowls. The stones are considered the material foundation where the divinity resides; prayers, offerings, and sacrifices are performed upon them to obtain their grace.
• Protection and Balance: On the spiritual plane, dark stones (such as black obsidian) are also used as tools for protection against negative energies, envy, and psychic attacks. They are used to "cleanse" the body or anchor energies.