Dreaming of rain in Santería: meaning
In Santería storm and thunder belong to two orishas: Changó, lord of thunder and lightning, and Oyá, the orisha of wind and the whirlwind. Rain in a dream is therefore often read in Santería readings as strength, change and cleansing, and sometimes connected with them.
Within this tradition
Changó is one of the best-known orishas: king, dancer, drummer and warrior, with the double axe, the oshé, and the colours red and white. In Cuba he is connected with Santa Bárbara. Thunder and lightning are his voice and his weapon. Oyá, one of his wives, commands the wind, the storm and also lightning; she is depicted with a horsetail flywhisk, and stands for sudden, drastic change. In the patakí Changó and Oyá sometimes fight together, like a storm of thunder and wind.
Along those lines practitioners often read a dream about a storm or thunder as a time of strength and change: something breaking loose, what is old being blown away, and room coming for the new. A flash of lightning can stand for a sudden insight or a decision. Wind that sweeps everything along recalls Oyá, and can be about a change you do not hold back.
Gentle rain is more often read as cleansing and blessing: water that feeds the earth. Water plays a large role in cleansing in Santería, and rainwater is sometimes specially collected.
Dreamkin does not establish that a dream comes from an orisha. Whoever finds a dream weighs heavily discusses it with a padrino or madrina.
Common variations
Thunder and lightning
Strength and a sudden decision; recalls Changó.
A whirlwind
Drastic change; recalls Oyá.
Gentle rain
Cleansing and blessing: water that feeds the earth.
Sheltering from a storm
The question of which change you are closing yourself off from.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
Who is Changó?
The orisha of thunder, lightning, fire, dance and drums, with the colours red and white.
Who is Oyá?
The orisha of wind, storm and change, who also stands at the gate of the cemetery.
Does such a dream mean this orisha belongs to me?
No. Which orisha belongs to someone is established within the tradition through divination and initiation, never derived from a dream. Discuss a vivid dream with your padrino or madrina.