Aye Akamara

Owonrin meji

2012-02-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

II II

I I

Obi 7, Orogbo 7, Atare7, Owo Eyo (the cowries), Iyereosun, Water, Gin and sacrificial pot.

You take one by one these materials and pray

Ifa ko jebo naa o fin

Owon owo

Nni won inawo mini

Owon omi

Nna laa besun

Opo ebi

Nna laa peniyan

Dia fun eyi owon

Omoba leyo ajori

Ajomi gbara

Ajerese yokun nisale

Esare wa , ewa raja omoba

Atewe atagba

Ewa raja eyin owon

Esare wa , ewa raja omoba

Orunmila jeko Dara fun gbogbo wa

Ase

Translation

Make the sacrifice go up to the highest heaven and bring back its fulfillment

When money is scarce

Resort to parsimony

When water is scarce

Search for new springs

When food is scarce

Prepare against famine

Thus declare ifa oracle to eyi owon, prince of ancient oyo ,

Where, for want of palm oil , cooks made do with shea butter

Present hardship not withstanding, added the oracle

IKIN AND ITS IMPORTANCE

2012-02-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

What is the relevant of casting IKINS and why marking one when it remains two ikins in our left hand and marking two when it remains one ikins in our left hand.

First, let us gross over what OFUN MEJI tell us about the right divination

ORUNMILA NI, ORO HU
IFA MO NI ‘ ORO HU , BABA MI AGBONMIREGUN
ONI , BI ORO BA HU , OJU TA LO SE
OMO EKU FO SIBE , O NI OJU OUN LO SE
ONI , BI ORO BA HU NKO
O NI BO BA HU IKAN WON A TE KAN
ONI TO BA HU MEJI WON A TE MEJI
AWON AGBO AAGBA NI IRO LO PA , EKE LOSE
WONPA A, WON DARI RE SAPO AMINI NJA EKUN
OMO EJA NAA FO SIBE , ONI OJU OUN LOSE
WON FO SIBE , TI WON NI OJU WON LO SE
WON NI TORO BA HU NKO
WON NI BO BA HU MEJI , WON NI WON A TE EJI
WON NI BO BA HU KAN WON NI WON A TE KAN
WON NI IRO NI WON PA , WON DARI WON SI APO AMINI NJA EKUN
BENI NO O KAN OMO EYE
TI O SI O NKAN TI OMO EJA SO
BENI NAA NI OMO ERAN ,OHUN NAA SO NKAN TI OMO EJA WIPE
TI WON NI TORO BA HU NKO
WON NI BO BA HUN KAN , WON NI WON A TE KAN
WON NI BI O BA HUN MEJI , WON NI A TE MEJI
WON NI IRO NI WON PA , WON DARI WON SI APO AMINI NJA EKUN

OMO ERIN BA FO SIBE , O NI OJU OUN LO SE
WON NI BI ORO NAN BA HU NKO
ONI BI O BA HU KAN OUN A TE EJI
ONI BI O BA HU MEJI ONI OUN A TE KAN
ORUNMILA NI O SEUN , SEUN , SEUN
ORUNMILA NI , EYIN O GBON , EYIN O MO

TRANSLATION
ORUNMILA SAID
THE IMPRINTING OF THE MESSAGE IS IMPORTANT
IFA DISCIPLES REPLIED
THE IMPRINTING IS INDEED IMPORTANT LORD SAVIOR
ORUNMILA ASKED , WHICH ONE OF YOU CAN READ THE MESSAGE CORRECTLY
THE IFA RAT FAMILY SAID
WE KNOW THE CORRECT READING OF THE MESSAGE
WHEN THE MESSAGE INDICATES BY ONE NUTS WE MARK ONE
WHEN IT INDICATES BY TWO NUTS WE MARK TWO

THE LORD SAVIOUR SAID
THIS IS WRONG , IT IS MISLEADING AND DISHONEST
HENCE THE IFA RAT FAMILY WAS WIPED OUT

LIKEWISE THE IFA FISH FAMILY , SAID
WE KNOW THE CORRECT READING OF THE MESSAGE
WE CAN READ THE MESSAGE CORRECTLY
ORUNMILA ASKED THEN, HOW DO YOU READ THE MESSAGE
WHEN IT SHOWS BY TWO NUTS , WE MARK TWO
WHEN IT SHOWS BY ONE NUT WE MARK ONE
THE IFA FISH FAMILY WERE ALSO ELIMINATED

SO ALSO THE FAMILY OF THE BIRD AND THE ANIMAL
THEY SAID THEY KNOW HOW TO READ THE MESSAGE OF THE SPIRITUAL NUTS
AND THE LORD SAVIOUR ASKED THEM
THEIR REPLY WAS MORE ANNOYING
AND THEY WERE ELIMINATED LIKE OTHER IFA FAMILY WHO FAILED TO LEARN THE TRUE MEANING OF IFA READINGS
IN THE END IFA ELEPHANT SCHOOL SAID THEY KNOW HOW TO READ THE NUTS
AND ORUNMILA ASKED THEM , AND THEIR REPLY WAS AS GOOD AS IFA ORUNMILA READINGS
THEY REPLY
WHEN THE NUTS REMAIN TWO WE MARK ONE
AND WHEN THE NUT REMAINS ONE WE MARK TWO
ORUNMILA WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY AND FULL OF JOY
WELL DONE AND WELL SAID
YOU GOT THE MESSAGE AND READING HABIT CORRECTLY
ORUNMILA SAID THE OTHER FAMILY ARE LAZY , IGNORANT AND LACK WISDOM

TO SUPPORT THE ABOVE IFA VERSES
ODI MEJI SPEAKS OF THE PUNITIVE KNIGHT OF DOOM , ( AJOGUN ORUN) VISITING THE EARTHLY PLAIN ON THE ORDER OF OLODUMARE , THE INFINITE , TO DEAL RUTHLESSLY WITH EVIL DOERS AND THOSE WHO USE IFA DIVINATION TO DECEIVE MANKIND.

THE STORY AVERRED THAT THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS ASSUMED HUMAN FORM AND CAME TO THE EARTH. ON GETTING TO THE EARTH PLAIN , THEY MET THE FIRST DIVINER KNOW AS AFINJU BABALAWO , IFA LA TI DA IFA FUN OBA ALARA( THE CHIEF DIVINER TO THE KING OF ALARA)

THE PUNITIVE KNIGHT GREETED HIM WITH RESPECT AND DEMANDED HIM TO DIVINE FOR THEM
AND ASKED HIM HOW DID HE MARK THE NUTS
HE REPLIED
WHEN THE TWO NUTS REMAINS , I MARK TWO,
AND WHEN ONE NUTS REMAIN , I MARK ONE
THAT WAS THE WAY , HE PRACTISED HIS OWN IFA READING , AND IFA DIVINATION
YOU ARE THOSE FAKE AND DISHONEST IFA PRIEST ON EARTH PLAIN AND YOU WOULD NOT BE SPARED
HENCE THE PUNITIVE KNIGHT KILLED HIM RIGHT THERE AND CUT OFF HIS HEAD AND PUT THE HEAD INTO THEIR BAG OF IFA

THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS OF DOOM ,QUICKLY MOVED FROM ALARA TO IJERO , WHERE THEY MET ,ALAIMOKAN ARA IJERO, ( THAT IS THE INEXPERIENCED NATIVE OF IJERO)
AND ASKED HIM , WHAT IS YOUR METHOD OF READING IKINS OR DIVINATION METHOD
HE REPLIED , WHEN TWO PALM NUTS REMAIN , I MARK TWO , WHEN ONE REMAINS I MARK ONE
WHEN MORE THAN ONE OR TWO REMAINS OR IF ONE FALLS TO THE GROUND , I DO NOT BEGIN CASTING AGAIN I JUST MARK AS THE DIVINATION GOES
THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS OF THE DOOM ANSWERED HIM , IS IT THE WAY YOU DO YOUR OWN CASTING ,
THE ALAIMOKAN ARA IJERO ( THE INEXPERIENCED DIVINER FROM IJERO) ANSWERED , YES
THEY DID NOT WASTE TIME , THEY KILLED HIM AND CUT OFF HIS HEAD AND PUT IT INTO THEIR BAG
THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN TO THE EXPERIENCE DIVINER OF ILA ORANGUN
HIS EXPLANATION WAS FULL OF FALLACIES , AND ERROR ,
HIS HEAD WAS CUT OFF LIKE THE OTHERS AND KEPT INSIDE A BAG. THAT WAS HOW THE PUNITIVE NIGHT OF THE DOOM MOVED FROM CITY TO CITY , IN SEARCH OF UNFAITHFUL , DISHONEST AND UNTRAINED DIVINERS , THAT MAKE THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH SUFFERED BECAUSE OF FALSE DIVINATION AND FAKE CASTING .
INDEED, THOSE THAT WERE LEFT IN THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH WERE GRIPPED WITH FEAR , SEEKING AND LOOKING FOR AVENUE TO LEARN IFA AND TO SEEK THE WISDOM OF GOD.
THERE WERE THREE DIVINER IN A CITY OF IFE , WHO QUICKLY CONSULTED IFA FROM AN EXPERIENCE AND WISE IFA PRIEST. THE VENERABLE IFA PRIEST ADVISED THEM TO MAKE SACRIFICE FOR THEIR SURVIVAL AND THEY SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE TRUTH AND LEARN THE ART OF IFA PHILOSOPHY
WITHOUT DELAY , THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS VISITED THEM AS USUAL , THEN THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS ASKED THEM ,WHAT METHOD DID YOU USE IN YOUR IFA READING,
THE THREE DIVINERS REPLIED , PUNITIVE KNIGHT AS THEY WERE TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED DIVINER FROM THE CITY OF IFE
WHEN TWO PALM NUTS REMAIN WE MARK ONE AND WHEN THE ONE NUTS REMAINS WE MARK TWO
IF MORE THAN TWO REMAINS WE DISREGARD THE CAST ,
IF ONE OR TWO NUTS FALL TO THE GROUND , WE PUT SPIRITUAL POWDER SPREAD ON IFA TRAY (IYEREOSUN OSUN )ON IT BEFORE TAKING , AND CONTINUE THE CASTING
THAT IS OUR METHOD, THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS WERE SATISFIED WITH THE EXPLANATION AND THEY WERE BLESSED
SAYING , THOSE WHO LEARN , STICK AND PERFORM CORRECT DIVINATION ARE THE TRUE DISCIPLES OF IFA AND WORSHIPPER OF OLODUMARE , THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THE SAGE OF HEAVEN, HENCE LONG LIFE , PROSPERITY , SUCCESS , WEALTH ,STRENGTH AND PEACE OF MIND WILL BE YOUR LOT
HENCE ANY IFA PRIEST ACTING CONTRARY TO THIS FORM OF DIVINATION IS NOT A TRUE IFA FOLLOWERS , BUT A FAKE SPIRITUAL TEACHER AND DESTROYER OF FAITH.

THE WHOLE STORY IS TELLING US, THAT TO SUCCEED , WE MUST DO THINGS IN A RIGHT WAY. SO THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE PUNISHED OR DESTROYED. NO IGNORANCE IN SPIRITUAL PATH , IF YOU DO NOT KNOW , SEEK PROPER CHANNEL TO ACQUIRE WISDOM , AND SEEK PROPER WAY TO SEEK UNDERSTANDING AND ENLIGHTEMENT, YOU SHALL COUNT BLESSED

ALAFIA

2011-08-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

The Story of EGUNGUN

According to the myth, EGUNGUN becomes a known deity in two different ways. In the beginning, EGUNGUN was among the great divinities (IRUNMOLES) that came directly from the heaven beyond .The history made us aware that there was once lived a great man whose name was called LAPANPA , he was the one that started the cult of EGUNGUN. According to IFA verse

ONA NI KO TO

TARARA NI MO YA

LODIFA FUN LAPANPA

TI O TI ALADE ORUN

LO RE E MEGUNGUN WAYE

OLODUMARE WA FUN UN LEGUNGUN

EGUNGUN TI ELEDUMARE FUN LAPANPA

KII SE EYI TI O DA ASO BORI

SUGBON O DABI ORI

BI LAPANPA TI GBA KINNI TI O DABI ORI YII

O NPADA BO WA SAYE

OORUN MIMU SI NYO ORI TI LAPANPA MU LOWO

TRANSLATION

The path is not straight

I branch and follow the path

This divine IFA oracle for LAPANPA

That started his journey from the heaven above

To bring the cult of EGUNGUN to the physical world

The believe that, GOD gave him EGUNGUN

The type of EGUNGUN given to LAPANPA by great GOD

Was not the type that covered head with long cloth?

But looks like a Shea-butter

He returned to the physical world

The sun heated the Shea -butter brought by LAPANPA

He thought of what he could do to protect the Shea-butter from melting away, he later hid the remaining ORI (Shea- butter) in his mouth to prevent it from total melting and wasting away. On getting to the physical plain of existence. He wanted to alter a word saying ‘’MO DE TI ,’’O FE KE NI OHUN RE BA YI PADA’’ translating ‘’ I have, before he could altered such a powerful word, his voice change because the Shea-butter had melted and slipped into his throat . His voice changed and resembled not the voice of his contemporaries. He was ashamed of his voice, his character and his life. He was planning what to do to prevent the shame. He decided to cover his own head with cloth. Whenever he wanted to speak out, he noticed a strange voice, completely different from the normal voice of his generation of his days, thus, people became exceedingly grip with fear. People started to revere him that consequently resulted into ‘’EGUNGUN CULT’’. Meaning ‘’ORACLE FROM HEAVEN OR DEITY FROM UNKOWN THAT REPRESENT SPIRITUAL PAST OF THE PEOPLE

The second myth was, there was a great grandchild of ODUDUWA whose name was called OBONBA. This man had three children. The first child was called ALARA, the second was called AJERO , while the third was called ELEKOLE . On reaching adulthood, they lived in different cities far away from IFE. They later, became the king of three different cities in Yoruba land . It was believed that their grand- mother killed their father -0BONBA – because she was a witch , however , as these three children become advanced in age, and they wanted to inherit the exalted position of their father .They were gripped with fear of their grand-mother who had previously killed their father with her witchery . This made them sought spiritual advice in the house of IFA priest, which according to IFA verse came out

PAAFA TEERE NII LEKE OMI

LO DIFA FUN OBONBA TO

TORUN RO WA YE

BABALAWO NI KI WON RU EBO YII

ASO OYEPE MEJI ATI ASO GOGOWU OKUNRIN

ALAWE MERINDINLOGUN

NIGBA TI AWON BABALAWO DE IGBO IGBALE

ENI TI YOO SE ETUTU SO FUN WON PE

OUN RI BABA WON LORUN

O SI SO FUN OUN PE KI OUN KI WON LAYA

ATI WIPE KI WON O MAA RU EBO SI OUN LODOODUN

EYIN TOO JE AMI ATI APEERE IRANTI OUN ATI PE IPA IYA

WON AGBA TABI AJEKAJE KO SI NI KA WON

TRANSLATION

PAAFA TEERE NII LEKE OMI--- PAAFA TEERE IS ALWAYS ON THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER

This divine IFA oracle for OBONBA

Who was coming from the heaven above to the physical world

IFA priest advised them to offer sacrifice

OYEPE cloth two yards

GOGOWU – men cloth sixteen yard

When IFA priest reached the forest of secret (IGBO IGBALE

The man who wanted to offer the sacrifice

Said he saw their father in heaven

Telling him he should helped the three

Children to be brave , strong and vehement

And that they should always offer annual sacrifice to him

As a sign and pact toward ancestral support

As a remembrance of his continue existence

And their grandmother, who was his (OBONBA) mother

Or any other witch would not have influence on their blessing or overcome them

According to the tradition the name of this IFA priest was called BABATUNDE ESA OGBIN, he was the first ,ALAPINNI , the head chief of EGUNGUN cult in the land of Yoruba. These children got all the sacrificial materials, took then to the forest of deities (IGBO-IGBALE) . On getting to the forest of deities, they tailored OYEPE cloth similar to EGUNGUN cloth , they sewed GOGOWU cloth to cover the head of image that look like human structure, and , they did the same with shoes and the socks , BABATUNDE , the first priest of EGUNGUN cult wore the cloth and he went to the house of the grand – mother. On seeing her , that is, their grandmother , she was gripped with fear because she had not seen EGUNGUN in her life . The rumour in the cities was that the dead father of the children came to visit his children on earth. The rumour also reached their grand-mother , and she was filled with awe.

According to the myth, anybody under the attack of the witches and the wizards , IFA priest will invoke the spirit of EGUNGUN to deter such a negative vibration . The children claimed their inheritance and they were installed as the king of three different cities in Yoruba-land . That was how EGUNGUN cult sprouted up in land of Yoruba , from there , the cult gained prominent significant among Yoruba in Diasporas and devotees of IFA all over the world. EGUNGUN becomes a special divinity to be worshipped annually among devotees and also as a sign and pact with the spirit of dead to bring into manifestation the blessing of heaven upon the people of the earth. It is also a remembrance to the spirit and the soul of the dead. It teaches people that their beloved one who has departed to the world beyond should not be totally forgotten but constantly be in their memory through the cult of EGUNGUN

THE WORSHIPPERS OF EGUNGUN

ALAPINNI --- The head priest of EGUNGUN cult

ALAGBAA--- is the head of the OJE, ---second in command to ALAPINNI

ALARAN--- it is the third in command in the hierarchy of EGUNGUN cult . It is second in command and important to ALAGBAA

EESORUN--- mostly women, they are fourth, most important title , and revered position in the cult of EGUNGUN

AKEERE--- it is the least most important position in the cult of EGUNGUN

OJE---- this is the name given to all EGUNGUN worshippers

EGUNGUN SIGN

ATORI , EYI TI AFIN TI A SI DIPO NI AMIN EGUNGUN, THAT IS ATORI ( GLYPHAEA BREVIS (SPRENG) MONACH,TILIACEAE) remove parts of outer-coat , heated with fire and bind it together is the sign of EGUNGUN

SACRIFICIAL MATERIALS

ORUKO -MALE GOAT (HE –GOAT)

AKUK O- COCK (MALE HEN )

OBI - KOLANUTS EITHER WITH THREE, FOUR , FIVE, SIX LOBES

OOLE OR OLELE--- THAT IS , A BEAN FLOUR , MIXED WITH INGREDIENTS( PEPPER , ONION , TOMATOES AND OTHER FLAVOR ( WRAPPED INSIDE A LEAVE OR NYLON AND COOKED IN THE EXTREMELY HOT WATER

DIE NINU ORIKI EGUNGUN, - PARTS OF EGUNGUN ADORATION

AJE OLELE MA LE E SARE

EATING OLELE TO THE STATE OF RUNNING LESS

AJE MOIN -MOIN SU SASO

EATING COOKED BEAN FLOUR TO THE EXTENT OF EXCRETING ON THE OWN BODY

EGUNGUN ARA OKO

EGUNGUN FROM THE TRIBE OF OKO

ANOTHER ORIKI EGUNGUN -- ADORATION OF EGUNGUN

ODUN PE AWO ELEJIO

THE YEAR COMES , THE SECRET OF THE OWNER OF EJIO

OSUN OMO ARINNAKO

MONTH, THE CHILDREN OF ARINNAKO

AJODUN WE RO DE AWO AROSINKO

THE CELEBRATION GOES BEYOND IMAGINATION, THE SECRET OF AROSINKO

ODUN LA RA TA, ODUN LA ROBI

EVERY YEAR , WE SEE PEPPER, YEARLY WE SEE KOLANUTS FRUITS

ODUN WADI PEREGUN

YEAR BECOME PEREGUN( DRACAENA ARBOREA)

ODUN NI PEREGUN YE

YEARLY PEREGUN IS ALIVE

AJODUN WA RO DE AWO AROSINKO

OUR CELEBRATION GOES BEYOND IMAGINATION, AND THE SECRET OF AWOSINKA

EGUNGUN OJE YAWA JIYO, WA JEPO

ALL EGUNGUN’S DEVOTEES AND ITS WORSHIPPER COMES AND EAT THE SALT AND THE PALM OIL

ADUDAMADA BI ENI PORI

ADUDAMADA LIKE MELTING THE SHEA BUTTER

OYO FUN SARA RE LO YIN

MELTING ITSELF LIKE THE SHEA-BUTTER

YAGBO-YAAJU BI OSUN IWERI

LIVING IN THE FOREST AND IN THE JUNGLE LIKE FEMALE DIVINITIES OF IWERU

AGBALAGBA YA WA JIYO WA JEPO

THE ELDER COMES AND EATS THE SALT AND THE OIL

ODU WA DA PEREGUN

OUR YEAR IS LIKE THAT OF PEREGUN

ODUN NI PEREGUN YE

EVERY YEAR PEREGUN LIVES

EMI SESE TI KOWE DUN

WITH CALMNESS AND MYSTERIOUS VOICE WAS THE SOUND OF KOWEE (A SPECIAL BIRD THAT INFORM US OF FUTURE DEATH , OR IMMINENT DEATH OF A FAMILY , OR BELOVED ONES)

SONGS OF EGUNGUN CULT

IYA UN O FE LEGUN O JARE

FELEGUN (2TIMES)

BABA UN O FE LEGUN O JARE

FELEGUN( 2 TIMES)

BODUN BA DE MA ME GBA DANI

FELEGUN

BOSUN BA DE MA KERO LEYIN

FELEGUN

ORO YI A DARI WO BE JE FELEGUN

TRANSLATION

MOTHER , I WILL LIKE TO MARRY A MEMBER OF EGUNGUN CULT

LET ME MARRY ONE OF THEM( 2 TIMES)

FATHER, LET ME MARRY ONE OF THE DEVOTEES OF EGUNGUN SECT

LET ME MARRY ONE OF THEM

EVERY YEAR , I WILL TAKE UP MY WHIPING STICK

THAT GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO CARRY OUT MY EGUNGUN RITE

EVERY MONTH , I WILL GATHER PEOPLE FOR EGUNGUN FEAST

TO DISCHARGE MY EGUNGUN DUTIES

IT WILL BE A TOTAL CHAOS , IF YOU SHOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO CARRY OUT MY EGUNGUN RITE

ANOTHER SONGS

OLOBI MAJE NBI KO WU MI OOO

OLOBI MAJE NBI KO WU MI

OMO BII OLUMOKO OOO

OLOBI MA JE NBI KO WU MI

TRANSLATION

NEVER ALLOW EVIL DOERS TO AFFLICT EVIL UPON ME

NEVER ALLOW EVIL ONES TO DESTROY ME WITH EVIL

LIKE THE CHILDREN OF OLUMOKO

NEVER ALLOW EVIL TO BEFALL ME

ANOTHER MYTH SORROUNDS THE CULT OF EGUNGUN

EGUNGUN ARA ORUN KIN-KIN? EGUNGUN, THE HEAVENLY HOST FROM ABOVE

It is a deity with a colourful dress , it is one of the greatest divinities in the land of Yoruba. Among oral traditions, there are lot of stories about EGUNGUN cult and how it sprouted up among Yoruba race

IFA told us about a man called KUJENRA who turned the cloth of ORO to EGUNGUN , which attract people’s adoration of this said cloth and consequently led to the object of worship. While other myths made us to know that EGUNGUN and ORO are of the same family that is brothers. The myth went further that both ORO and EGUNGUN were good merchants . They took their trade to neighbouring cities . ORO was a spendthrift , squandered and a compulsive shopper. He had no reserve ,while EGUNGUN was found of pleasing himself with various cloths and meticulously dressing himself to taste. When it was a time to go back to their town , EGUNGUN put on beautiful , elegant and flamboyant dresses while ORO could not have a good wear on his body because he was a wastrel. This brought shame , dishonour and indignity to him. In disgrace , he was forced to enter into forest very close to their city, while his brother EGUNGUN entered the city with exotic and ostentatious dresses that befitted the glory of OLODUMARE and his statues as a revered deity.

ORO , lived in the forest nearby , but designed a mean to intimidate people in the market place whenever he wanted to buy food with his strange noise of ‘’NO MU UN , NO MU UN’’ . This unusual attitude was to bully and frighten the people in the market to run and leave their good behind. When people ran helter-skelter for their lives , ORO would cease the opportunity to take all what he wanted and the food to support his continues stay in the forest. That was how ORO became a fearful being that eventually turned to a deity ,worshipped by men, while his brother EGUNGUN also become an attractive deity among Yoruba and the cult later spread to the other part of the world.

To arrange for EGUNGUN festival

In the first place , the chief priest of the cult of EGUNGUN will take a lead after a due consultation with EGUNGUN devotees, on the spiritual direction of IFA oracle to give light to every step toward achieving a successful festival . One of the highly placed priests of EGUNGUN cult , most especially ALAGBA would ask IFA oracle again about the duration of the festival that can be either three, fifteen or seventeen days. After IFA has spoken and days chosen , the priest of EGUNGUN would go and report to the king to sanction and sanctify the days of the festival. Hence both the priest of EGUNGUN and the town crier of the king would announce the days to both the devotees and the populace in general. The announcement precedes the commencement of the festival . While all worshippers both in the city and in the neighbouring villages would really prepare for the festival , and they would bring fire –sticks to prepare the food , beans, pepper , chicken , maize , cassava flour and other materials for EGUNGUN festivals

The first day is always fall on the day of EGUNGUN according to IFA verse ‘’OJO NI I BO ESE AWO’’ meaning ‘the first day always fall on the day of secret and its ritual’

EGUNGUN represent in reality ancestral divinities that shows the belief of IFA devotee in the life after death and the resurrection of every soul in the universe. The remembrance signifies that every soul in the universe must ensure that he works toward making a universe , most especially the physical world a place of learning , and for the redemption of soul to attract the wisdom and light of ODU , the vibration from OLODUMARE. IFA teaches us to learn and to turn our learning into meaningful step to shape our life on the daily basis,

ORI BABA RE AGBE OOO

ORI IYA RE AGBE OOO

ASEYI SAMODUN

OJO AJI NA SI ARA WON

EGUNGUN A GBE WA OOOO

TRANSLATION

The soul and the spirit of your father will lift you

The soul and the spirit of your mother will lift you

Annually, we shall all be blessed

We shall live long to attract the blessing of GOD

EGUNGUN will bless us

Ase

Humility & Prayers

2011-02-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

When we are following a spiritual path there are moments, hours and days during which we enjoy real peace of mind. This state of serenity is a priceless gift given to us either from extensive spiritual commitment, prayer, fasting, honesty or faith in the higher power. It is nothing short of something miraculous considering that our emotions in the past, before we decided to embark on the spiritual path were usually limited to excitement, anxiety, anger, rage, fury, hatred, complaints, criticism, depression, negative thinking, hurt, jealousy, envy, revenge and condemnation.

To bring about this inner peace and tranquility many changes have had to take place in our lives and to be spiritual is not only to believe in GOD but to really change our lives so we can meet physical, mental, emotional and spiritual challenges that confront us. We also need to uncover our true selves and come to grips with the self centeredness which can lead to emotional imbalance. We also need to change our attitude, modify our behavior and learn new and more realistic ways of getting along with ourselves and the people around us.

It is of the greatest significance that we have come to believe in a power greater than ourselves. A basic premise for our life today should be to seek GO’s will for us and doing our best to carry it out. The more we are able to put aside our own limited desire and to align our thinking and action with GODs plan, the more humility we will gain and this is the key to serenity and is found on the road from self centeredness to humility.

The secret of that serenity is the fact that we have come to believe and trust GOD and his numerous divinities to guide and support us – to care for us and our needs. But some of us restrain ourselves in anticipation of a doubtful reaction and others question how can you put so much faith in something you cannot see or hear, something that may not even exist? How can you trust in a power that few people can explain and no one really understands? These are a few questions that make some people doubt the existence of GOD or spirit or divinities. Some people decide to be called atheist and believe that the word GOD has no fundamental meaning and connotation in the mind and the life of the human being. Just because you don’t see or know your great grandfather does not mean they have no real existence or that they did not existed in the past. Where do you think that the soul of our loved one goes? Where is the machine that propels you to action, or directs your life knowingly or unknowingly? Can you really locate the spirit in you that give you life from any part of your body? What is the secret behind your sleeping and the waking up? Where the energy that changes the waves on the ocean and makes possible the reflection of your image in form of images and shadows? No human has power to either control the shadow or make it to stay or disappear. These are secrets telling about the existence of higher powers and the vibration of God’s eternal glory. Change your perception and commit all your worries unto GOD. Let him fight the battles of your life for you and give you the victory you deserve. This does not mean that you can avoid doing your part; you must try to walk your path right by exercising your birthright through spiritual, mental and physical activities. Doing this you will discover the secrets of long life, happiness, serenity, joy, dedication, power and strength in the growing understanding of cosmic energy.

If God had gone ahead and shared the secrets of creation with us it would never make sense to us. This is the other part of the secret, that we will never be able to understand GOD and his divinities in their perfection and glory. But we do not need to try to understand him, because of the numerous manifestations in creation that is witness to his glory. All we really have to do is to make a leap of faith, a leap from the restrictions of our limited minds to the freedom of GOD’s infinite wisdom, power and love.

There are so many questions bordering on our limited intelligent and wisdom. We questioned our existence on the physical plane and many sees it as insignificant and see our purpose in the world as worthless. This reveals little light and little wisdom. Do you think the creator creates for fun or the producer produces solely for the joy of producing? Everything under the sun has a purpose. Our creation and purpose are real and they are significant in the realm of divine understanding. Nobody can question a farmer or tell him what to produce or what to plant. He uses his power and wisdom to do what is expected of him. Nobody tells to an artist how to make his art or to a builder how to build or make him do what he does not like or what he does like. He creates every image to serve a purpose, hence your being is of great importance to yourself, to your former life, to your divinities, to the society and to your GOD. Never worry about the unknown but always commit yourself to the path that leads to the infinite father of light. Do this and he shall straighten your way and he shall give you the desires of your heart made possible by the greatest vibration in the universe. Let your desire be positive and let what you create be purposeful so that nature will reward and compensate you with great joy, happiness and wealth. Let what you create from your mind be of good purposes and mission so that the reward will be of an equally great purpose. Take creation on as your guide and act upon this so you will receive what you give out in the same or greater proportions than what you originally gave out. Be a positive man of great purpose and believe that there is power or vibration watching all your steps and acts. There is a purpose for doing both good and bad but doing good is good and will give more goodness, because this is the basis for GOD’s indwelling power in all man. In order to be truly good you need to be watchful in your spiritual activities and you need to be the disciple or follower of good purpose which is GOD and be motivated to do good deeds from your inner goodness. You are a part of larger good purpose and the purpose of your being is revealed when you are doing what is good. You will then be a part of a larger purpose that invites beings to live out their purpose. Remember that your prayers are a divine vibration you send out to the universe and the world at large without you moving from your place of residence or the environment you are living. In this we replicate the ways of GOD. Whatever good thinking that comes from your mind in the form of prayers is the greatest vibration in creation and can attract goodness and purpose in all of creation. Be purposeful and be positive in whatever situation you find yourself in. All challenges are a wakeup call to seek the light of GOD and the knowledge of the divine world.

Watch what you eat and drink, what you think and what you say, these are mediums that can bring out our good purpose and bring goodness to the world. Man should not be addicted to food, drink, sex or intoxications. He should show discipline in all ways to be able to be a good disciple of GOD and manifest his good purpose. Whoever eats without caution has something within him or her that is eating him up. The end result of addictive behavior and compulsive eating are sickness, fatness, illness and dullness – qualities that will make you lose your purpose and be an evil vibration in the world that hinders purpose instead of fortifying it.

Control your mind so what you think can reveal purpose and goodness. This will enable the spirit of GOD and his numerous divinities to enter into you for their good purposes. Evil minds are the basis of evil thinking and evil acts; the foundation and basis for the soul of malefic sorcerers. Be cautious with your mind because men are made evil by their thoughts and your thinking is the greatest machinery for your good and purposeful life of GOD’s indwelling force

Control what you want to say so that your word can command the greatest benefit in the forms of divine teachings that brings harmony to your life so you can give solace to others. A good word will bring both obi (Kola nut, symbol of friendship) and gold from the pockets of our fellow men while evil utterance will bring swords from their pockets. Your words must be in accordance with divine guidance, your word must serve as comfort to people around you; this is a part of our purpose.

Remember to be natural and genuine as long as you live. To be natural means that whatever you do, eat or drink you will do according to the divine dictate of GOD. From time to time set some time aside for going through a fasting, if you are strong enough to do so. If you do not have enough power, try to set aside 8 days every month when you will eat only fruits and vegetables. Combine this dietary regime with prayer and walking so that you can live well in the physical plane. This will lead to a healthy and positive spiritual life and create a wonderful dwelling in the divine realm of existence. Do this and all shall be well with you!

Ase O!

Baba Ogunsina

The Dark Side of Life as a Teacher

2011-01-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

We learn more from painful experiences than enjoyable experiences and happy occurrences. The dark side of life is what serves as a wake -up call when we are experiencing times of light and plenty. It is during times of pain that valuable teachings concerning the meaning of life is revealed to us. Painful experiences not only teach us what to avoid but also encourages us to turn to our fellow beings for help Pain bring us closer to each other and makes us be more diligent in prayers and to perform all our spiritual steps more meticulously and this in turn brings us closer to God. Pain enables us to remember that we are just mortal beings that needs and is dependent on the heavenly father-mother, Olodumare, whose majestic glory gives solace in our earthly weakness. The time of challenges, pains and problems sensitize us to others who suffer so we can empathize and extend our help wherever it is possible. In mysterious ways, our character develops more through painful experiences than through joyous ones.

If we turn to the animals for an example, let us take the cows in the pasture which appear to be content. People may seek contentment but that should not be our definitive goal because if someone guaranteed us a life of contentment we could be seizing the opportunity grow lazy in our spiritual and human growth. What growth would there be if we were always content? The human soul can survive only if it grows and growth comes at the price of suffering. Your fasting, prayer, exercise, working, spiritual activities, challenges, problems and all negative rays enter to shake our satisfaction and contentment. The Dark side of life forces us to develop patience, peace, calmness, wisdom and intelligence in order to understand these hostile implications and how they can provide growth and fulfillment in our life. It is under this hard and dark tutor new dimension in the spiritual realm opens for real discovery of our existence and our mission on earth. Without problems our soul will never develop, grow and find a path of light. Without hardships we cannot realize wisdom. We should not feel bad during trials or be resented when we are facing challenges , because what we resent the most ,may be what gives us the greatest growth. Think of life as an extension of both suffering and joy with the purpose of regaining our existence as an embodiment of refined and reformed divine gold. We were all born crude, but suffering refines and restructures life so we can attain glory. Problems and challenges are the machinery that is set in motion so we can vibrate a life in the vibration of Olodumare. By radiating in the same harmony as Olodumare we can reveal our indwelling glory through prayer, spiritual steps, calmness, wisdom and understanding of both the spiritual laws and physical rules of creation. Your physical suffering is your spiritual refinery and what we call spiritual refinery is what reveals your capacities to change towards spiritual fulfillment and spiritual enlightenment. If we at all times keep in mind that life is a spirit - and the spirit of every being is the life of that being - then we should understand better how we can refine our spirit to have a positive reflection in our physical life and how this spiritual fulfillment lead to an abundant life by improving your spiritual life. By this your whole life will appear meaningful and you shall see the glory of Olodumare manifesting in the physical realm.

Never engage your worries when you are faced with challenges. If you really have confidence in Olodumare and his divinities you shall discover the strength of the eagle that fly high and see opportunity in every challenge. You shall run without being tired but full of strength, power and vigor you will move on in your life as your bones and flesh gets hard in the fires of challenges, both visible and unseen. So, do not entertain worry, ever – but see yourself as blessed and happy because doing this you will not walk alone but in the company of Oldumare and all his countless powers…. Alafia!

Chief Ogunsina Babatunde Olayinka Adewuyi

Spiritual fitness and spiritual weakness; the choice is yours

2010-07-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

Spiritual fitness has become a new way to live a better life both here and beyond. When we are spiritually fit we will have a solid sense of God’s presence and love. The divine mercy induces success and the feeling of well being. It is easier to accept whatever comes our way when we possess inner poise, strength and serenity. If we also possess a desire to serve others, divinity and God we will see our life as entirely dependent upon higher forces and doing our part right the higher vibration will restore to strength the ones who are beyond human help.

As with any other form of fitness spiritual fitness is something we need to work to maintain continuously. Just as doctors go to school to learn to become a good doctors, continue to read and read and read until the end if he wants to practice the profession without flaws we need to be diligent in our ways. Just as the athlete can lose muscle tone and endurance when he cease to exercise in like manner we lose the sense of purpose and well being if we neglect our regular spiritual activity. Spiritual focus is unique and induces the most pragmatic power in the universe. Some of the ways we can use to nourish our spiritual life is to seek closeness with THE HIGHER POWER through regular prayer, meditation, sacrifices, rituals and other spiritual activities. If we regularly participate in those activities which we find spiritually fulfilling, such as seeking oneness with nature, helping others, interacting with other spiritually aware people, dealing with people in honest ways, forgiving those who torment or forsake us and forget all the past error we will grow conscious of our blessing, mercy and comfort. This realization will motivate us to sincerely express our gratitude to God and his innumerous messengers that carry out all works according to divine law. Other activities that can strengthen our connection with God is to withdraw from eating, in the form of fasting and prayer to be able to connect to the HIGHER POWER. Likewise we should avoid resentment, anger, superstition, hatred and bitterness. All of this should be a part of our daily and regular activities so that we would not lose the muscle of spiritual blessing. Blessed and successful beings are those who seek to develop themselves spiritually and pursue it to the end of their life so that they can attain blessings to themselves and their lineage now and forever. The blessing of God goes to the people with spiritual capacities to excel in the face of challenge.

Spiritual weakness comes from the fact that we are not making any progress in dealing with a life of resentments and long term stress that have been a huge curse in our life. We fail to realize that our resentment, hatred and emotional disequilibrium hurt us more than any enemy can. Our recollection of evil events, people or nations, parents or partners that disappoint us brings often to our mind sorrow, anger and resentment, even if these things often are as easy to discard with the wave of hand. Instead the resentment makes the spiritually weak to dwell on annoying situations, hanging on to trivial issues which do not deserve our attention and importance. We over burden ourselves with heavy loads of negative vibration that damages our life, shorten our life and give us incurable diseases that can pass from generation to generation. If such negative patterns are not properly eradicated it can become family curses or a family illness. How can we change this? It is very simple. We change this If we put our trust in Olodumare and sincerely ask him to relieve us from our resentment and instead bring to us wisdom so we can come to accept evil and good with gratitude. Try to understand that the appearance of the sun is not always useful to everyone, likewise the winter does not always benefit every soul - but adaptation makes a difference. Strive to create avenues to accept things you do not have control over and give thanks to the ALMIGHT FATHER OF LIGHT that gave you life and the ability to see both the positive and negative side of life and who also gave you the wisdom of adaptation.

No one will disagree that anger creates stress. When we get angry our adrenaline flows, our heart beats faster and our breathing becomes rapid and shallow. If we don’t quickly deal with our anger the stress can develop into resentment and we will re-experience the stress each time we mentally think about the event that made us angry. Many of us have carried resentment and damaged our God given health and life because of incompetence, ignorance and lack of wisdom. We fail to realize that long term stress can cause physical symptoms, ranging from muscle tension to the weakening of the body’s immune system. Many of us have allowed resentment, anger and hatred to accumulate and burden us for years. We have never fully overcome our hurtful experience, such as parental abuse, family abuse, governmental abuse, lack of love, rejection, hate from partners, hate from children, hate from friends and other peculiar problems of the past, present and the future. Our feelings may have been justified when those experiences first occurred, indeed, we pay a generational , emotional and physical price by continuing to recreate them in our mind and have the idea of vengeance and retaliation.

Life is better when we have wisdom that whatever comes our way is not to hurt us but to redefine and to refine our soul and give us the opportunity to correct past error, present error and future errors. No one lives without challenges. In order to move in the part of light, wisdom and knowledge, you need to change the mind within you and engage yourself in spiritual fitness of constantly forgiveness and give focus to better things in order to make life meaningful to your family, people, friends and your perceived enemies. You should strive towards becoming like a sun in the high and realize that every living being and non living being actually needs to grow and develop their personal potential into becoming like the water that has no enemies. Whoever wants to become the enemy of water will have his life terminated abruptly and the life of his generation cut short without cause. Water does good and the sun does better and they both can cause extensive damage if we do not know or have wisdom to utilize their usefulness. Be like water and sun that give abundant blessing for both the dead and the living and seek the betterment of both the living and non- living alike. The wise will always be object for infinite benefit and blessings, while the fool will always reap infinite destruction because of the fact that he fail to realize that whatever bring good also bring the opposite; that is the essence of life.

The wise one will always see what is good and the fool tend to see evil in all things. The wise benefit from evil without complain, condemn and critique while the fool are happy whenever they benefit without knowing that everything have a season , that there is a season for joy and a season of sorrow as there is a time for happiness and also unhappiness , a season to give birth and a season to die , a time to wake up and a time to sleep. All these are the works of Olodumare. Chose then between spiritual fitness and spiritual weakness this is a choice we all have been given.

Alafia!

Ika Meji

2010-07-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

II II

I I

II II

You will take 7 obi, 7 orogbo , 7 ataare and you will mark Ika meji in the iyereosun collected on the opon Ifa and recite the “mantra” below 7 times upon the obi, orogbo and ataare. You will then take a small quantity of black soap (ose dudu) and mix the charged iyerosun with the soap. You will then take the following feathers and insert them in the soap: 7 ikodide , 7 agbe , 7 aluko , 7 okin alade , 7 akalamagbo , 7 lekeleke , 7 aparo , and 7 awodi feathers . You will then let the soap rest for seven days close to the Esu stone or Esu shrine. Before using the soap you will get seven sponges and distribute the totality of the soap on these seven pieces of sponge, one for each day.

If some of the soap is left unused in the period of seven days leave it close to Esu or in your Ase room (ase room is where you have your ifa materials and other initiation pots or it can be a room set aside for your spiritual activities. If you do not have an Ase room place the soap in a room where it will be free from disturbance. During the seven days of ritual you must avoid sexual intercourse, abstain from alcohol, tobacco, grudges, rancor, fights, gossip and all negative feelings and situations. You shall in this period always hope for the best and the best shall manifest in your life as long as there is an appearance of the sun. Ase!

Ifa je bo na o je

Ela je bo naa o rode orun gbure

Iba rere awo ina

Lodifa fun ina

Won ni ko rubo ko baa lee lase

Maje ki nku , erigi alo

Jenkelewi

Difa fun ojigolo

Ti nlo o dena daje

Aje ki I pa omo ese je

Ifa golo nmo se yun

Ifa golo nmo se bo

Fife ire ni I foju jo ina

Difa fun olokun eseri

Inaki sekun dale

Ifa giyan ni mo se yun

Ifa giyan ni mo se bo

Ki ajinde ara ma je fun gbogbo wa bayi ifa

Ase

Translation

IFA, let my ritual go to the heaven

ELA, let all my supplication be at the presence of GOD ,

Men will pay obeisance to you

Even from afar

Thus declared the ifa oracle to Fire

But you must offer sacrifice, added the oracle

So your sovereignty can be everlasting

Let not the members of my house hold and me die before our time, the great master

Do this gently

So declared ifa oracle to the stealthy one, which is another name for the divine cat

On setting forth to ambush witches

Witches do not devour cats

For it is like to like (feathers of the same bird fits together)

Such as this witches are towards cat

Gently I went

Safely I returned

Just as you foretold, ifa

Some flowers flourish and bloom

Like wondrous flames of fire

And so will you

Thus declared ifa oracle to Olokun

Worshipped in the city of Esiri

As our lady of oceans

Monkey too is far more clever

Than leopards and tiger added the oracle

Softly to go

Safely to return

Grant my beloved ones and my household good health, wealth, success , safety, protection, progress

Long life and happiness

Ase!

Osa meji

2010-06-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

II II

I I

You will take 3 obi, 3 orogbo and 3 ataare. With Iyerosun you will mark Osa meji on your Ifa tray and say the mantra (afose) on it. The 9 items used as feeding materials must be passed all over your body while you pray that you attract all good things, success, protection and happiness. You will then mix the charged iyerosun with black soap and use if for bathing three times in this month of June. When the month is ending take the feeding materials, obi, orogbo and ataare and throw it away in the forest or in a bush.

ALAFIA

KEREJE OWINRIN

OWINRIN KEREJE

A DIFA FUN OPE YEKETE

TI NWON SAWO RODE IWERE

WON NI EBO NI KI O SE

KI O LE BAA LAJU JU EGBE RE LO

NJE A O LAAJE LAJE

BI ARA ODE IWERE

KEREJE OWINRIN

OWINRIN NAA KEREJE

A O LOOMO LOMO

BI ARA ODE IWERE

KEREJE OWINRIN

OWINRIN NAA KEREJE

A O LOHUN GBOGBO

BI ARA ODE IWERE

KEREJE OWINRIN

OWINRIN NAA KEREJI

Translation

Kereje Owinrin

Owinrin Kereje

This was divined for the short palm tree

When he was seeking wisdom and knowledge in the city of Iwere

He was instructed to do sacrifice

So that he could be attracted to prosperity, blessings and wealth, in greater measure than his contemporaries

He would be blessed, more blessed and most blessed

Like the people of the city of Iwere

Kereje Owinrin

Owinrin Kereje

We shall be have a good wife, a better husband; a most cherished partner

Like the people in the city of Iwere

Kereje Owinrin

Owinrin Kereje

We shall be blessed with children

Like the people of the city of Iwere

Kereje Owinrin

Owinrin Kereje

We will be blessed with all good things

Like the people who dwell in the city of Iwere

Kereje Owinrin

Owinrin Kereje

ASE

Ogunda meji

2010-05-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

I I

II II

Get three obi, three orogbo, three pods of ataare, 3 bags of iyereosun and owo eyo (nine cowries), black soap and your ifa tray. Take also three agbe feathers, three aluko feathers, three okin alade feathers and three akalamagbo feathers. You will use these materials and make ebo (ritual/offering) to Ogun. This being done you will take your opon Ifa (Ifa tray) and mark Ogunda meji on the iyereosun. Gather the obi, orogbo, ataare and cowries on the tray and recite the stanza/adura from Ogunda meji three times. You will then add the iyerosun and cowries to the black soap and put all the feathers on the black soap. You will then give the obi, ataare and orogbo to ESU LALU at the crossroad or to ESU ODARA at the forest.

You will then put the black soap near the shrine of Ogun. If you do not have a shrine for Ogun, place it in a clean and quiet place where sex and social activities is not taking place for a period of nine days. You will then use the soap every day for nine days. You will recite the stanza on the soap before using it for nine days and use it together with a sponge for nine consecutive days.

Adura Ogunda Meji

Kanranjangbon awo inu igbo

Ijokun woroworo awo odan

Maawo maawo awo ojola

A dia fun egiri alo

Ti yio jagbo obi

Ki egiri alo

O too jagbo obi tan

Ifa nire gbogbo

A maa wole to ni

Ase

Kanranjangbo awo inu igbo

Ijokun woro woro awo odan

Maawo maawo awo ojola

A dia fun egiri alo

Ti yoo jagbo orogbo, atare, aluko, agbe, odidere, akamalagbo lekeleke, okin alade

Ki erigi alo

O too jagbon gbogbo nkan wonyi

Ifa ni ire gbogbo

A maa wole to ni.

Ire gbogbo ko ma wole tomi loni, losun yi, lodun yi

Ki ogun ma o maa dowo fun gbogbo wa

Ase

Translation

Kanranjangbon (what is focused and wise) is the wisdom of the forest

Ijokun woro woro (what is calm and brave) is the wisdom of the deep forest

To be crawling is the secret intelligence of the python

This divined ifa oracle for the most powerful divinity (erigi alo)

Who discover the secret of the obi ( the kolanuts)

When the most powerful divinity discovered the secret of obi

Then ifa said; let all blessing, prosperity, good health, long life, strength, harmony

Intelligences and peace be my lot and the fortune of my household

Kanranjangbo (what is focused and wise) is the wisdom of the forest

Ijokun woro woro (what is calm and brave) is the wisdom of the deep forest

To be crawling is the secret wisdom of the python

This divine ifa oracle to the most powerful master (erigi alo)

Who discover the secret of orogbo, ataare, iyereosun, opon ifa, ikodide, aluko, agbe, lekeleke, okin alade, akalamagbo

After the most powerful master learned the secrets of orogbo, ataare, iyereosun, opon ifa, ikodide,aluko, agbe, lekeleke, okin olade and akalamagbo

Let me live long, expand my territory, let my life be radiant, give me a place of rest and peace, attract to me the blessing of nature

Ase

You mark the odu Ogunda meji on the iyerosun and pray with all the materials before inserting it in the black soap while the obis, ataares and orogbos will be given to the Esu lalu at the crossroad or Esu Odara at the forest. Alafia!

Okanran meji

2010-04-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

II II

I I

Take 3 obi (kola nut), 3 orogbo (bitter kola nut), 3 ataare (alligator pepper pods) and cover the opon ifa with iyeroson and mark Okanran meji and chant the mantra below eight times. You will then take between half and one kilo of ose dudu (black soap) and mix the charged iyerosun with the soap.

You will use this soap for bathing in eight consecutive days. After the bath you will take some ori in your hand and rub your head gently saying: “My head will always lead me to where I will find good luck, mercy, wealth, peace and success”. You can also use the Ori for rubbing the legs, especially for women this is good, and you will recite the same prayer, asking for the legs to bring you to places of good fortune and peace. Ase!

OKANRAN MEJI

Ifa ko o je ebo, naa o fin, ko je ebo o da,

ko je ebo naa orede orun bure bure

Sokoto mo jalawa

Adi ifa fun aluko ogogoro

Nijo ti n lo re saroji fun n ife oodaye

Ojo p aluko

Are idi e d odi

O d asure

Jeki asibi dasure fun mi ati gbogbo ololufe gbogbo ifa

Ase

Ifa ko o jebo naa fin ko je ebo o da ,koje ebo naa orede orun burebure

Okanran kan nihin

Okanran kan lohun

Okanran mejeji pakun kale oju won kpon

Kanrin kanrin di fa fun LAALU

Tii somo kunrin ode

Oruko ti a i pe ESU

Ase!

Translation:

Make my sacrifice auspicious, let the ritual be accepted

And let my undertaking go up to the place of divine realm

My mission will succeed

Thus declared Ifá oracle

When the tall cock, the diviner

Came to Ifá for advice

As the set out for ancient Ife

To make rain for the drought struck city

When tall cock succeeded

It rained and rained

Till he was soaked

Wings and tail

Soaked and confused

Wishing to bless

Instead he cursed

May evil intents turn to good deeds for me and my well wishers.

Ase

Make our sacrifice auspicious, Ifá

Let the ritual be accepted, and let my undertaking go up to the place of divine realm

If Okanran is cast on the right

And Okanran is cast on the left,

The configuration result in

Okanran meji,

Is fraught with grave consequences

Thus declare ifa oracle to LAALU mighty lord of the cross roads

Whom we call ESU

May all my well wishers, my family member, friends and relatives live long Ifá

May we live to a ripe and old age.

ASE.

Obara meji

2010-03-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

Obara meji and its mantra for the month of March

You will take 7 obi, 7 orogbo, 7 atare, iyereosun, 3 feathers of ikodide, 3 feathers of agbe, 3 feathers of aluko, 3 feathers of lekeleke, 3 feathers of akalamagbo and a quantity of black soap. With exception of the feathers, you will grind the ingredients together. Then take your opon ifa or a white plate and mark the odu obara meji in iyereosun.

You will then recite the mantra below for seven times and leave the mixed soap outside to catch the dew of the night. Upon catching some of the dew take the soap in and adorn it with the feathers. You will then place the soap beside Esu Odara and mark obara meji and then osetura amukeke. If you don’t have Esu in the house, place the soap in a secluded and dark place in your house.

The mantra of Obara meji is as follows:

Ifa jeki ebo na o gba gbure gbure

Egun gogoro

Abijo logba logba

Adifa fun orunmila

Oka omoelerin atan

Eyin aseni

Mo mo yin, e dabo

Eyin aseni

Ere Omo won ilabata

Eyin aseni

Mo mo yin e dabo

Yaya sugudu Omo olu igbo

Eyin aseni ,

Mo mo yin e dabo

Eyin aseni

Ogan peteki Omo olu odan

Eyin aseni

Mo mo yin e dabo

Eyin aseni

Araba pataki nii somo won ileepo

Eyin aseni

Mo moyin e dabo

Eyin aseni

Okere fefe ni mo ti mo yin laseni

Maje ki aseni o se ebi mi ati gbogbo ololufe me , ifa ,

Ase

Translation:

Make our sacrifice be gracious and go to the heaven above

The graceful dance of the tall masquerade

Whom we call IGUNNUKO

Conceals mortal danger

Thus declared the ifa oracle to Orunmila

I will reveal to you on the divining board, said ifa

Your concealed enemies who masquerade as friend, because of dual personality

First is the cobra in the field

I know him, I know his enmity now

And I will propitiate him

Next is the python of the marshes

I know him, I know his enmity now

And I will propitiate him

Next is the tall one of the forest whose real name is WICKEDNESS

I know him, I know his enmity now

And I will propitiate him,

Next is the short one of the plains, whose real name is JEALOUSY

I know him now and I propitiate him

Next is the ancient oak, whose real name is ENVY

I know him now

And will propitiate him

Next is the silk Cotton tree, your arch enemy from the city of IPO

I know him now, and I will propitiate him

I know them all now

And even from afar I feel their enmity

And I will propitiate them all

Ifa, protect me, my household, and my loved one from enemies within and without

Ase

Upon finishing the soap, you can make a new one and using the same feathers, if this is not the case, the feathers can be left in the bushes or the forest.

Ire O!

Why we need to do all the spiritual activities

2010-03-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

The moment when we engage ourselves into prayer, rituals, sacrifice and other spiritual activities are junctures for revitalized energy being distributed within the entire universe and creation. These moments are at times distorted by negative vibrations rising from the being engaging in these energetic activities. Laziness, complaining, condemnation, criticisms and doubt are reflections of this negative vibration that limits our capacity to realize the greatness of the ‘father of light’ and his innumerous divinities. In order to grow we need to develop our attention towards what is useful for our growth. This is brought to our attention and awareness by being conscious about our spiritual activities. Spiritual activity is truly ‘magical’ as it has the ability of transforming the human into a being who think, feel and seek knowledge in accordance with divine guidance.

In the same way as we have been equipped with eyes so we can see, in the same way we have been equipped with the ability to understand and communicate with Olodumare. This communication is enabled through spiritual means, and by this we are realizing our destiny. We need not only to possess belief, but also a loving faith. Belief without faith can at times delude us to engage into fantasy, but a meaningful and loving faith will give understanding and serve as food for our spiritual growth. The more you pay attention to the spiritual food, as you do to the physical food the more you will engage into a spiritual growth. This growth is noted by an increase in awareness of all things. A diligent attention to details will release understanding that manifests into happiness, peace, harmony, comfort, joy and an ecstasy towards life itself. These forms of realization, born from spiritual attention will bring a realization of meaning that goes beyond human life where the mysterious activity is linked to kadara (destiny). This means that every creature in creation has its own domain of activity that by virtue of its uniqueness will not interfere with any other creatures activity. We see this is the odu Osetura where the role of Esu in creation as spiritual intermediary and bridge between humans and Olodumare is established. Esu can serve as a remembrance that all of mankind has its own role to play out in conformity with a particular odu or energy. It is the understanding of these energies that will give man the power needed to determinate his fate.

Remember that ignorance is not an excuse for not carrying out your duties. Man’s duty is to serve his creator and to carrying out his spiritual function with total dedication. This means that man has a duty to be happy and content. This is accomplished by adequate spiritual awareness to connect himself to the source for meaningful mental, emotional, physical and spiritual growth. Be as mindful of your spiritual food as you are with the food that gives nutrition to your body.

If you do not live your life ‘in the light’ (i.e. developing good character) you are bound to fall into the pits of confusion or hit the walls of ignorance. This in turn leads to wickedness in thinking, behavior and moral and we develop unhealthy habits both consciously and unconsciously. To overcome wickedness we must obtain what is of vital importance for our growth by planting spiritually good seeds and be aware the presence of Olodumare in our lives. We must never forget that we are a complete spiritual being. Without spirit man is not a complete man. It is by being spiritually aware we can understand the presence of spirit in all of nature and open up for giving and receiving blessings. Our spiritual growth will enable us to understand more and more the physical, mental and emotional mechanisms in creation. It will enable us to live a good and harmonious life without attracting negative vibrations – and if we do attract them we will have the wisdom necessary to ward them off. We will be like the well prepared and wise manager of a company who secures abundance for his company when it is in crisis. To understand how to manage both the good and the bad is a wisdom that is born from spiritual discipline and makes us being in balance at all times, no matter what happens.

Therefore every human should see as his duty to work with his unique source of energy and power to perform necessary spiritual step so he can be met with infinite success, power, strength, perfection, wholeness, love, harmony, happiness and peace.

Power or energy depends upon the consciousness of power. If we don’t use it we shall lose it and if we are not conscious of it we cannot use it. The use of power or energy depends upon our attention. The degree of attention determines our capacities for the acquirement of knowledge - which is another source of power. Attention has been held to be the distinguish mark of a suitable spiritual being; to cultivate attention depends upon practice. The incentive of attention is interest. The greater the interest the greater the attention we give to things will be and equally the reaction upon the initial interest.

Begin by paying attention to your spiritual state, before long you will have aroused interest and the interest will attract more attention and this will produce more interest to fulfill your destiny. In this way you will live your life to the glory of Olodumare.

Do not lose your spiritual strength before you have found it! If you lose your spiritual awareness you risk losing your entire existence. Without spirit there can be no life and without life there is no man. He who loses his spiritual life will end up losing his physical life and his creation is made a waste. Pay attention to your spiritual gifts because by doing this you will regain your life and your conscience. Never abandon your spiritual awareness, because by rejecting this for yourself you will embrace a life of ignorance.

Let us remember that the physical man lives and moves through the breath. Physical man must inhale and exhale in order to live. In the same way, the spiritual man in order to live and move must breath to live. The air of the spiritual man is found in the divine terrains. We need to be attentive in order to bring this spiritual attention to the physical world. A life can only happen if a seed is sown and we need to plant in order to harvest. The same applies to the spiritual world. No effect can be produced until the seed is sown and the fruit we reap will depend upon the nature and quality of the seed. Your harvest will depend upon your attention and perception of Olodumare and the spiritual world. No man can know Olodumare and connect to his innumerable divinities without adequate spiritual knowledge of HIS existence.

This is why it is so important to engage into a daily spiritual discipline of prayers. This is the primary step to spiritual development and awareness. Your spiritual force is the energy that build up through attention, intention, dedication, determination and learning how to overcome and master the extreme sides of life. The negative sides of life shows itself in wickedness, ignorance, fear, worry, nervousness, limitation, discord, ill health, destruction, criticism, weakness, stress, laziness, condemnation and others.

It takes time, money, effort, attention, intention and determination to provide for the food we eat in order that the body may be nourished. It is the same way with our spiritual being. It takes time to assimilate our mental and spiritual food that nourish our body, mind and soul for eternity and maintain equilibrium.

Ordinary man deal with people based on physical appearance, but we need to engage ourselves in a sound spiritual life to really understand the universal working of what we call the mysterious. Spiritual knowledge teaches you calmness, patience and love. It teaches you to never repay evil with evil and to avoid confrontation when you are attacked, mocked or ridiculed. Spiritual understanding will teach you to give meaning to all problems. Sometimes we feel solutions takes a long time to arrive, but it will always come at the right time.

Avoid condemning people or criticizing them. Avoid confronting them when they fail to do the right things. Condemnation and confronting are not the solution, it brings enmity and it is disgusting. Use your inner power to profer solution to all problems, most problems if not all, are solved through understanding of spiritual consciousness. It may take long but delay is never a denial. Time is the great healer of all sorrows and worries. Time has no place in the spiritual dictionary because millions of years are just a second in the spiritual world - but men are impatient and often fail to grasp this fundamental truth. Always try to build your life on love, light, power, strength, energy, understanding, force, good vibrations, meekness, discipline and gentleness. In the quietude of silence is found the secret of how to tap the power of the INDWELLING GOD WITHIN YOU. Do this and you shall recognise that your creation is not in vain.

The spirit of a thing is that thing. The spirit of you - is YOU - without spirit you will be nothing. You only become active through recognition of this fact and your wealth, health, happiness and joy rests on your spiritual recognition and power. Unless you recognize it and use it the spirit, power and energy in you have no value. The one and only condition of spiritual power is in its use and recognition. All great things come through this recognition that the secret of all power is consciousness. Be conscious of your spiritual state and ALL SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU. Alafia!