OBATALA III

The devotee of Obatala should all refrain from given Him processed or unnatural food. Obatala happen to be  a natural deity or divinity, hence natural materials must be given to Him as  a way of appeasing to His being  or His entity.

Intact, white  kola nuts must be offered, with snails and white soup prepared with Ori that is Shea butter.  Pounded yam can be used during sacrifice or yam. Water is one of the greatest sacrificial materials  for Obatala, that is the reason  Obatala encourage drinking of water as a  medicinal and spiritual steps to ward off negative vibration from our system. Water according to Obatala serves as a divine step to the soul, spirit and the body. It is advisable to the initiate of Obatala  to go an water fasting to real cleanse their alma, soul and body and get rid of toxic from the body.  Obatala says  that just as water serve all soul in creation, the devotees of Obatala must serve every soul in creation to fulfill their destiny.  Service is tantamount  and peculiar to the people with the energy of Obatala. The word discipline  is the foundation of Obatala. He really manifest the attribute of discipline in his marital life,  Obatala shows and teaches us as human to maintain monogamous life, whereby husband and wife should be extremely honest to one another for survival, protection, long life, prosperity, victory and generation blessing.

In comparison to  other IRUNMOLE , Obatala  happen to be the true representative of OLODUMARE ON MARITAL ISSUE. OBATALA teaches us that a man who is not faithful to his wife or husband should be trusted at all.  Such person is considered  and compared  to a  dog  that love to chase many female dog if given the chance. Ifa under Ogbe Ogunda tells us the story of dog as a human living in  heaven who happened to be the faithful discipline of OBATALA  (we shall speak about that tomorrow) food deposited in the body for a long time. Note fasting should be done with care.

Obatala is the divinity in charge  of molding  human heads  before given them  back to Olodumare  for his breath of life which in Ifa words is called EMI,  hence out of the word, the other name of OLODUMARE emanated  as  ELEMI,  the lord or giver  of life or giver of spirit or donor of soul.

After a body or head  is moulded by Obatala  or is being moulded  and life is given to such soul, then the soul is sent to the physical state of existence to  serve  and fulfill his own destiny called  Ayanmo.

It is in the presence of the same Obatala that one would have to latter to choose his Ori, make  agreement on what his destiny,  called AYANMO would be. Obatala would command  some to have wealth, some children, some combination of the two.

Human errors  engendered  by ignorance  and high  handedness  may have  been part  of the reason  why the Ori of some people make progress in life when compared  with the other, if not for this, it is certain  that every  man  would  have something  good in front of Obatala Oseremnagbo. Obatala advice every man and woman to serve to be able to fulfill to his or her destiny. Faith in OLODUMARE and discipline being it mental, emotional  and food, physical, spiritual and divine to ensure fulfillment of destiny.

According to odu Ogbe Ogunda that is Ogbe Yonu:

 

1——–1

1———1

1———-1

11———1

 

Where, ORISEEKU, ORILEEMURE  AND AFUWAPE  went to choose Ori  from the spiritual market of EJIGBOROMEKUN  is a good example of hoe discipline and good character  can be of great importance in fulfilling ones destiny.

 

Life is short,  be careful of chasing  shadow or wasting your time with idle or gossipers.

 

MAY OLODUMARE BLESS YOU ALL,

Olayinka Babatunde Ogunsina Adewuyi

DIVINATION OF THE IFA YEAR 2018 – IROSUN OSA

Aboru aboye!

IFA speaks of taking care of destiny (ORI) because of evil vibration. IFA warns against family disharmony and grudges. IFA warns all devotees to embrace family as the foundation of divine association and support. IFA says, our primary  ”EGBE”, that is, Earthly association are our members of my immediately family and also spiritual brothers and sisters. In the world  hence for your heavenly clone or spiritual  association  to support and guarantee  our steps, offer necessary sacrifice to Ori, Egbe and Egungun. IFA speaks of the year of victory for those who are ill and those who have absolute belief in Olodumare would attract blessings of husband, wive, children, prosperity, success  and wealth. IFA says, this is the year of taking care of ORI, Egbe, and Egungun to attract victory in all segment of life .

IFA says, always take good care of your character. IFA says, avoid being rude to others, treat others with care and divine love,   most especially your family, your EGBE (your earthly and spiritual family)  and avoid grudges. Live a life as directed by Olodumare through Orunmila bara Agbonniregun.
according to IFA verse
ifa jebo naa o fin
ifa let the sacrifice be accepted
Ela jebo naa o rode orun gbure gbure
Ela let my ritual goes up to the heaven above
Ekuro Orita meta ni o senu sonso -soloko
the palm nuts of the three cross road  look disdainful unto the farmer
A difa fun Orunmila
thus divine ifa oracle for Orunmila
Nijo ti nlo ree yanri lode ido
On the day, he was going to choose destiny in the ancient city of Ido
Yoo si yan iwa loja ejigbomekun
and he would  choose his character  in Ejigboromekun (  Ejigboromekun the mysterious market of life)
won  ni ki baba o rubo –
he was advised to offer sacrifice
Ngba Orunmila de ode ido
when Orunmila got to the city of ido
O yaanri tie
He chose  his destiny
Nijo a ba si yanri lode ido
on choosing his destiny at  the city of Ido
aa gbodo naja nijo ohun
one must not  go to the market
baba ba yanri lodun yii
if one chooses Destiny this year
a dee miin  ka too lo oja Ejigboromkun
it is the next year that one would  go on to the market of Life
Ka to loo ra iwa

He  would go there to choose his character

Nijo a ba si naja

and  on the day one goes  to the market

 

A a gbodo  yanri lojo ohun

one must not choose  destiny on the same day

Deede igba ti won o si yanri tan  ni
about the time  the choosing  of destiny, would close for the day, the market  would also close
inaja naa o pari
the market would close
Sugbon awon omo  eda o gboran
but beings are not attentive and focus
Orunnila yanri  e tan
Orunmila chose his destiny
o tun yan fun omo eda
and also chose for the man in the world
o wa ni e moo ni suuru
he told men of the world to be patient
Nijo tee ba yanri
on the day you choose  your ori
e moo naja
do not go to the market
Eekan  kuku leeyan o yanri e
since it is the only once  that one chooses  his ori in life
Bo ba si di eemiin
in the following year  or next season
E moo bo wa si Oja Ejigboromokun
you can come back to Ejigboromekun  market
Kee si yan iwa
you can then choose your character, orunmila said
Ohun gbogbo taa fi se ile aye
Everything  necessary  for good life
bi owo — riches
aye rere — good life
omo —– children
alafia — peace
emi gigun — longevity
aya rere — good wife
oko rere —– good husband
alafiia ti je bale oro — peace of mind the foundation of wealth
ile — houses and good construction
ile ise — Factory  and investment
igbega — success
at bee bee loo  — other things
ni i pe niwa — sum up  to form a good life  and character
Beeyan ba loun o se mejeeji po —  If one decides to choose the two together at the same time
yoo pofo meejeji  po — one would end up losing the two
ori laa kokoo yan —– one has to choose good destiny first
ka to loo yan iwa —– and would later return to choose his character
—-
aye ye orunmila ——- -Orunmila was blessed with all good things of life
aye si ye omo eeyan —- life also pleases  the discipline and faithful devotee
orunmila  wa njo o wa nyo —- Orunmila was dancing and praising
ni gbogbo ire wa ba lese obaorisa — all the blessing meet him at the feet of the divinities
ati odun ati emiiiin — this year and the followings one
ki gbogbo ire o ja tawo pata pata lode isalaye — let all good things become the lot of all  initiates and the faithful
ase.
So shall it be
IFA says, those who are faithful shall reap the blessings of this IFA linear year .
IFA says, never neglect or forget  your benefactor. IFA says, those who are faithful shall be blessed with something unforgettable.
ifa speaks of year of peace, money, wealth, success, victory, sound health and longevity, prosperity. a sudden change at home, business and emotional life of the faithful. Ifa says, beware of those who will try to exploit and disturb the manifestation of GOD POWER in your life. pray against and offer sacrifice against the spirit of defeat, dishonest  and greed.
That is ifa divination for the year in question.
Alafia.

ESIN ORISA IBILE IS A TRANSFORMING POWER

Ela ‘boru. Ela’boye. Ela ‘bosise.

This is from our member Mark Casillas.

 

It is not enough to profess belief. It is not enough to have mere surface intellectual knowledge. What is essential and indispensable is that we place practice of the principles of Esin Orisa Ibile in the forefront and center of our personal lives. Unpracticed divine principles and knowledge becomes a dead weight and cancer in our lives. A bonafide initiate or adept in the sacred mysteries and principles of esin orisa ibile should always feel the need to always press forward, to penetrate more deeply into the divine realities and always should aspire through practice and inquiry to rise higher in his or her practice of the moral-ethical and spiritual teachings and mysteries of Ifa. Contact with the Orisa is for the purpose of ennobling our lives, for gaining inspiration and motivation. Contact with the Orisa is for the purpose of having our understanding illuminated, corrected and empowered. The ase we receive joins itself to our intelligence, feelings and will so that we can live effective, positive and productive lives. The ase we receive enlightens and guided us along noble and dignifying paths. Contact with the Orisa and practice of the sound principles of esin orisa ibile helps us to ennoble our character and to nurture and develop an attitude that is full of dignity, contagious positivity, courage,love and enthusiasm. Esin Orisa Ibile teaches us the path of self-perfection, renewal, growth and progress through dedicated and loving service towards others which will fill us with satisfaction and will permit us to decrease the focus of attention upon ourselves and thereby attenuating, reducing and ultimately eliminating the force, hold and strength of egoism in our own lives. Without practice we cannot truly understand the truth neither can we form a genuine and deep comprehension of divine realities independently of submerging ourselves in a life of practice. From practice personal verification and faith are obtained. From patient practice deep wisdom is gained and humility is cultivated. Esin orisa ibile does not teach us to withdraw or run away from the world. It is by immersing ourselves in the reality of everyday living armed with divine understanding and wholesome Ifa outlook that we can grow, progress, mature and live truly enlightened and empowering lives. In isolation one cannot practice divine spirituality. We cannot be aloof from the needs, pains and suffering of our friends, family, neighbors and contemporaries. We must contribute to the benefit and uplift of our community by engaged and practical living.  It is in serving and loving others and by being  served and loved by others that fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction in life is gained. There is no true mastery without loving and productive service to others. There is no true mastery without responsible living. Esin Orisa Ibile enjoins on us a vision of life and of our possibilities which are actual, realistic, balanced and satisfying. To help others who need our help. To come to the rescue of those who are reaching out to us for support and comfort. To share in the joys and sorrows of others. To give of yourself and time to benefit and uplift others. This is the heart of Esin Orisa Ibile. If our religion is not practical then we have no religion. If our religion renders no benefit to ourselves or others then we have no religion. Esin Orisa Ibile is the path and religion of the heart. The path of love, humility and respect. It is the path of good conscience and peace of mind.

 

God bless you all,

 

Olayinka Babatunde Ogunsina Adewuyi

THE VIRTUES OF IFA

Ela ‘boru. Ela’boye. Ela ‘bosise.

It is not enough to profess belief. It is not enough to have mere surface intellectual knowledge. What is essential and indispensable is that we place practice of the principles of Esin Orisa Ibile in the forefront and center of our personal lives. Unpracticed divine principles and knowledge becomes a dead weight and cancer in our lives. A bonafide initiate or adept in the sacred mysteries and principles of Esin Orisa Ibile should always feel the need to always press forward, to penetrate more deeply into the divine realities and always should aspire through practice and inquiry to rise higher in his or her practice of the moral-ethical and spiritual teachings and mysteries of Ifa. Contact with the Orisa is for the purpose of ennobling our lives, for gaining inspiration and motivation. Contact with the Orisa is for the purpose of having our understanding illuminated, corrected and empowered. The ase we receive joins itself to our intelligence, feelings and will so that we can live effective, positive and productive lives. The ase we receive enlightens and guided us along noble and dignifying paths. Contact with the Orisa and practice of the sound principles of Esin Orisa Ibile helps us to ennoble our character and to nurture and develop an attitude that is full of dignity, contagious positivity, courage,love and enthusiasm. Esin Orisa Ibile teaches us the path of self-perfection, renewal, growth and progress through dedicated and loving service towards others which will fill us with satisfaction and will permit us to decrease the focus of attention upon ourselves and thereby attenuating, reducing and ultimately eliminating the force, hold and strength of egoism in our own lives. Without practice we cannot truly understand the truth neither can we form a genuine and deep comprehension of divine realities independently of submerging ourselves in a life of practice. From practice personal verification and faith are obtained. From patient practice deep wisdom is gained and humility is cultivated. Esin Orisa Ibile does not teach us to withdraw or run away from the world. It is by immersing ourselves in the reality of everyday living armed with divine understanding and wholesome Ifa outlook that we can grow, progress, mature and live truly enlightened and empowering lives. In isolation one cannot practice divine spirituality. We cannot be aloof from the needs, pains and suffering of our friends, family, neighbors and contemporaries. We must contribute to the benefit and uplift of our community by engaged and practical living.  It is in serving and loving others and by being  served and loved by others that fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction in life is gained. There is no true mastery without loving and productive service to others. There is no true mastery without responsible living. Esin Orisa Ibile enjoins on us a vision of life and of our possibilities which are actual, realistic, balanced and satisfying. To help others who need our help. To come to the rescue of those who are reaching out to us for support and comfort. To share in the joys and sorrows of others. To give of yourself and time to benefit and uplift others. This is the heart of Esin Orisa Ibile. If our religion is not practical then we have no religion. If our religion renders no benefit to ourselves or others then we have no religion. Esin Orisa Ibile is the path and religion of the heart. The path of love, humility and respect. It is the path of good conscience and peace of mind.
God bless you all,
Olayinka Babatunde Ogunsina Adewuyi

OLOKUN- THE GODDESS OF OCEAN AND PROSPERITY

The male and the female nature of  this great entity called OLOKUN has created a lot of controversy among the devotees  of OLOKUN and IFA pratictioners world wide, but what may be said on OLOKUN , must be taken from ODU.  the energy and the vibration that create all things therein , in the universe, and this same energy has continued to create a lot of things , which are yet to be seen  in both the physical state of existence and in the spiritual state of being.  In fact,  the male and female characteristics of IRUNMOLES or divinities should not be a subject of debate , it must be seen that Sex  classifications are only peculiar to human beings in the lower caste of life , while in the spiritual realm , nothing of such nature has any significance . Divinities assume both the male and female attributes depending on the level you want to use them . It is  once averred that ODU herself was from the womb of OLODUMARE,  and it is the word of GOD to reshape and to create  life and non living objects  in the cosmos. ODU comes from OLODUMARE , just as man comes from his mother with the help of his father . The coming together of two  living  generates another living obejcts , according to  EJI  IDI .

ifa jeko ebo naa o fin

ela je ko ebo naa o rode orun Gbure – gbure

njo nla ta di sasa

a difa fun won ni di kunrin

a bu fun won ni di obirin

nijo ti won nmekun oju rahun omo

idi ni a apa asa

igba idi ba di meji

ni la di olomo

 IFA orunmila ma ma jeki a yagan bayi

Ase

Translation

IFA , let our sacrifices go to the heaven above

Ela accepts our rituals

success depends on perseverance ,

see how rain drops  in time

wear out the stone

this declare IFA oracle to the husband

and also declare IFA oracle to the wife

when they are weeping all days for not having children

commence your effort

from bottom upwards

for when two male and female meet

A life is born in the physical state of existence

IFA Orunmila  deter barrenness from our life

Ase

Since , the vegetative body can only been born in this way , that is the coming together of man and woman to create life through the powerful  hand of GOD , while Divinities does not assume sex  or sex categories from the source of energy -OLODUMARE , on reaching  the physical life , to avoid confusion , sex was attributed to them . We have seen many times where most  or all divinities  have been classified as male and female respectively. Just like Oduduwa ,  Erinle , and the topic of the day OLOKUN  have been attributed  to female and male attributes.

Olokun as the name implies, is from the word OKUN , according to  Yoruba  cosmology means the ocean. Whenever  Yoruba used the word OLO, as in case of OLODUMARE , it means , the owner , the controller , the authority in charge and the absolute power in control or in charge of something . While OLODUMARE is in charge of all that is created and to be created  and exist in the cosmos,  HE , the infinite being in the Yoruba conception  of this authority as designated his authority to many levels of consciousness and unconsciousness , so to feel his presence.  In case of OCEAN and it inhabitant , OLODUMARE  manifests HIMSELF  through OLOKUN and empower this IRUNMOLE, vested in him or her the absolute authority to be in charge and in control and relate to him all the time concerning matters about ocean .   The reincarnation of the  OLODUMARE energy in the ocean form is called OLOKUN — meaning the owner and the power behind the ocean and its habitant .  However the word OLOKUN has a symbolic and spiritual connection with IFA ADIMULA , that is while most babalawo says , ”ifa olokun a soro dayo ”, that  is “ifa olokun that speaks of happiness and fortune”.  In fact, Odu was called from the beginning of creation as ODU OLOKUN , in the place of ODU OLOFIN which is revealled in a verse under OYEKU OTURA .

According to the Odu

ifa jeko bo naa o fin

ela je bo naa o rode orun gbure gbure

baba ba komo eni

omo eni o moo gbon sara sara

a difa fun aje tii somo olokun

baa si komo eni

omo eni a go

a go ju isu lo

a difa fun obawinni

nijo ti nsukun oun o lobirin

aje omo olokun n sunkun alai loko

Translation

if we train our child

one child would be sharp

they are the one cast divination for Aje the child of Olokun

if we refuse to train our child

one ‘child would  be foolish

his stupidity can be compared to a dead yam

they are the one that cast divination for Obawinni

on the day he was crying of having no wife

Aje the child of OLokun was crying as well because  she had no husband(1)

STORY

The two personalities had gone to meet their respective IFA priest for divination , about the their lack of mates . They were advised to take their sacrifice  to different places. As fate would make a reality , the duo met and married. Although the stories of people meeting under circumstances which can only be said  to be divine appear in many verses of IFA , the peculiar nature of how this one occurred makes it worth examining .  OBAWINNI  is another name or one of the various names of ORUNMILA BARA AGBONIREGUN . After the meeting with AJE ( the goddess of riches and wealth ) they started living together as husband and wife . They had one child without Orunmila asking for the hand of the woman in marriage , not to talk about paying her dowry .  On a particular day , they both decided to take a trip to see the parents of his wife, so that the marriage  could be formalized and also  show them the new child.

Aje knowing the set up of her parent’s house , warned her man about some rules in the realm  they were visiting and how to cope with them . My parents are discreet , exclusive  and divine . They are  not the kind of person anyone can see just anyhow. They have formations along the way to warn  any visitors  of the danger . When  you get to the first station , you will see a person  holding on enormous  crown  in his palms . His name is IRIN, he does not wear it , he must not drop it , and neither would he sit down . He is an enormous figure , his stature tower above many giants and his dressing surpass that of hundreds of earthly kings  put together. But you must not prostrate to greet him , as he is a slave of my parents. Aje said  and warned Orunmila, Obawinni .

After we may have walked for a long distance again , you will meet  another being  holding a staff  in his hands. The staff is so tall that nobody can see the end . The person holding it is adorned with expensive ornaments , but he is equally a slave of my parents. You must not prostate to greet him . All these warnings are to prepare you for the sacredness of the place  you are going, and to give you an idea of what the real person we are visiting may look like , AJE warned.

Orunmila in great awe , decided to consult IFA according to his habit to know about the trip. ”What do I do about these intricate observations along the way to see the parents of my wife  ?” In the verse  of the same Oyeku Otura above , we have these

oro lana

enikan kii ri ana fin

a difa fun orunmila

nijo ti nba Aje aya re lo sile Olokun Seniade

Translation

in laws are comparable to sacred rites

no one disparages his in law

cast diviantion for Orunmila

on the day he was visiting with Aje his wife in the house of OLOKUN Seniade

One important materials of sacrifice which IFA asked Orunmila to offer was a puppy . After sprinkling the puppy with the powder of IFA, that is iyereosun , the babalawo returned the dog to him and instructed him to raise her as a pet . Some weeks  after the sacrifice , he called AJE , so that they could begin their trip to the realm of OLOKUN . Orunmila did not forget his dog. He carried it while his wife strapped the child to her back upon their arrival at the netry of the enormous home. Orunmila saw the first person , IRIN , exactly as described by AJE . The sight was awe inspiring and he quite forgot the warning of his wife. He has almost prostrated in greeting, mistaking him for OLOKUN.  Aje stopped and bursts into the song of IJASI to bring him back to his sense.

Obawinni , mo dobale ki o

Obawinni , mo dobale ki

irin to gbade lowo

eru obi mi ni

Obawinni mo dobale ki

Translation

Obawinni do not prostrate to greet him

I warn you not to prostrate

Irin whom you see carrying the beaded crown

is actually the slave of my parents

Obawinni do not prostrate  to greet him

The same things almost happened  when they got to the second one carrying the staff. Again, Aje  reminded  Orunmila not to prostrate to greet him.  Finally they arrived at the close quarter of OLOKUN, who spoked from afar. The voice of the person speaking sounded like a thousand  canons blasting at the same time. However, Aje had warned her husband  to close his eyes before entering  into the close quarters, which he did. With the eyes closed, she introduced  him and the new child which they have . “Aje, you are back”. The voice has said , if not all for all the messages you have , been sending back home, I would have been apprehensive  but I am happy  that you are back ”. For a long time , the voice continued to speak , greeting his i-law, his wife  and the child , praying that they would not lack again in life .

Orunmila was unsettled.  Being the inquisitive person, he had always been , he bent his head to one side  and stealthily opened one of his eyelids to have a glimpse of OLOKUN , despite having been warned by Aje. According to the details given by the verse , what he saw was startling . He could  not help heaving deep breaths to contain his amasement in the presence of his wife and of OLOKUN. He ultimately opened his two eyes wide in bewilderment at the creature in front of whom they stood. OLOKUN did not rebuke him neither did she stop taking to the couple and their child.

After a time , she allowed them to leave so that the  woman could go into the inner rooms to greet the entire household.  As soon as they left the place , Orunmila’s eyes became swollen and reddish . Aje did not say anything neither did she sympathized even as he scratched his itchy eyelids. He had willfully broken the taboo and was the reason for the eye troubles. When they got to the quarters where OLOKUN told them to lodge, she left the child with her husband  and proceeded to greet her people. With the eyes troubling him , the child in his hand , the dog on the ground , he became highly uncomfortable but did not complain . Orunmila  decided to lie on the mat so that he could at least be sure that he would not collapse when walking with his eyes almost blinded. It was while he was lying down that the new baby defecated on his face, compounding his troubles . The mother was not around and Orunmila did not know how to get anything to clean the mess. It was then the dog which he offered the last time  came to his rescue. It started licking  the feces off his face . He licked all of it and did not stop until he licked the gum on the eyes. Abruptly , the eyes opened and orunmila could see again.

Olokun herself realized that her in-law had eye problems as a result of the breaking of the taboo. She called Orunmila and had an accord with him by giving him and his male children the opportunity of seeing her in a veilded form. Also given to Orunmila was the neutralizer which would soften the effect  of seeing the odu with naked eye (2).

Odu in conjuction with initiations may be said to be a way through which one may have spiritual  rebirth. Odu may also be said to invoke a kind  of spiritual affinity on the new initiate so that he can tap from the vast esoteric energy of the universe flowing freely in space . By this , he may be said  to have empowerment  for astral travelling . This  apart from its bringing one spiritually closer to OLODUMARE ‘s spiritual  pedestal, gives the human the ability to become Babalawo .  All these are however possible if the human is spiritually docile and vulnerably presents himself before he can become fully encapsulated in his spiritual realm . What is seen  and the extent of spiritual contentment is not describable in the pages of a book as there are diverse spiritual satisfaction . This experience is better left for anyone willing to go through the Igbodu.

It was since then that sighting of the odu has been the final rites of a full initiation into the cult of ifa . This was one of the promised of OLOKUN  to Orunmila . Also by being exposed to the ODU , one becomes empowered and insulated from attacks of force which may usually have negative impact on the life of  the man.

The odu is usually covered in a wooden bowl and is not exposed unless there is the need to offer sacrifice to her or when someone wants to experience her. She is venerated and sacrifice offered to her regularly . The design of the bowl takes different  forms and these days , some  people  are improvising by using leathers bags as containers(3).

SOURCE—

(1) “YORUBA THEOLOGY AND TRADITION,THE WORSHIP”  AYO SALAMI. PUB NIDD 2008. PAGE 559

(2) “YORUBA THEOLOGY AND TRADITION,THE WORSHIP”  AYO SALAMI. PUB NIDD 2008. PAGE 561

(3) “YORUBA THEOLOGY AND TRADITION,THE WORSHIP”  AYO SALAMI. PUB NIDD 2008. PAGE 564

 

Olokun as ocean divinity is frequently coupled in IFA verses as an embodiment of aquatic vibration radiating the entire cosmos with power to enrich men and women’s destiny and improve their lives in a greater proportion. One of the various verses of IFA pointing to the expanse power and greatness of Olokun is shown below under ejiogbe

Gbogbo ola omi ti nbe laye

ko le to ti Olokun

Gbogbo iyi odo ti o se ni isale

iyi won ko le to ti osa

olokun mo pe ooo

olosa mo pe ooo

to ba too sanni , sisan nii san ni

to ba to yeni , yiye ni i yeni

ewo ni keni sowo sowo

keni ma rona koo dele

a difa fun orunmila

ifa nsawo lo apa okun elakeji osa

ni wan ran ola nibi ojumo ti mo wa

Yoo gba gun okun

Yoo gba gun ide

yoo gba gun olginniginni aso irada

orunmila yoo kokun oro wa nwu -ile

Translations of eji ogbe

the greatness and the importance of the world can not rival the quantity of the water in the oceans

the greatness of the streams cannot rival the importance and the greatness of the sea

 the divinity of Ocean , I give my obeisance

the deity of the sea , I  give my obeisance

there should be time enough

there should be time

time to succeed , time to prosper

hard would it be , forver to bear

a life of struggle without success

a life of commerce without profit

thus declare IFA oracle for Orunmila

when he intended going to the city accross the ocean

to practise  ifa divination  in that prosperous land full of opportunity

the land full of prosperity , and wealth of higher proportion

ifa will receive in that land the reward of beads , gold and other ornaments of higher value

presents of various cloth in high quality

orunmila will return with riches and wealth of higher proportion back home

ifa let all our steps attract the spiritual and physical gifts and presents of higher proportion

Ase

 

Olokun here is seen as the energy responsible for blessing of wealth, riches and prosperity of higher proportion .  However some tradition refer to Olokun as a male energy in the universe according to IFA verse

 “olokun nii gbogbo awon obirin re lo yagan  ni won a loyun , un , lo da fa pe awon obirin wonyi le bimo fun oun “

Translation

“there was this client olokun with a problem , his wives were infertile , so OLOKUN consulted the diviner asking , would his wives become fruitful and bear him children !!! (4)

Olokun as a male energy is a symbolic representation of IFA , as a surbodinate and  coadjudant  of Orunmila to enrich his devotees in a miraculous manner . The energy of wealth , riches and prosperity embedded in the deepest part of ocean manifesting in the surplus enrichment of the people in the universe. Olokun enjoys the surbordinate role of IFA in the universe. He is divinity of wealth , symbol of large  and abundance surplus of riches in the cosmos

Moreso her  female role as one of the greatest, favourite, and closest  wife of Oduduwa  could be seen in the most of Ifa verses, according to the story . Olokun was the wealthiest woman of her time.  She started the trade of making beads and other precious ornaments of greater value. Till the present date , there is a grove attributed to OLOKUN as IGBO OLOKUN , where traditions believed that she strived to initiate the habit of making beads which consequently enrich her in the world.

(4) ifa festival – abosede emanuel pg 192