Today is the feast day of Ogun.

Ogun (Ogoun) is the chief of the WarriorOrishas in Santeria and an important Loa of Vodoun, the God of War, blood, and iron. He is the guardian of the forge, and the patron of civilization and technology. Not just a martial deity, Ogun is the archetypal force that drives technological advance. He is responsible for tools of progress such as farming implements and surgeon's knives. He is movement, impetus, force. Because of this, Ogun is often associated with locomotives, and offerings are often made to him at railroad tracks. In Candomble, he is associated with St. George, the dragon slayer; in Lukumi, he is syncretized with St. peter.

Because of his association with blood, Ogun is often petitioned for aid with blood diseases. However, because Ogun enjoys blood offerings, it is considered inadvisable to petition Ogun while menstruating or with a bleeding wound.

Ogun is one of the Seven African Powers and the patron of blacksmiths and farmers.

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