IFA teachings – Page 6

DEDICATING OURSELVES TO OLODUMARE

Aboru Aboye.

A wise person knowing that all things are ordered, arranged and managed by all wise Olodumare never sorrows. In the Divine Mind -Enitolodu- all things are perfected and accomplished from the very beginning. There is not one wrong thing in Olodumare’s administration of wisdom, love and joy. We should abide in peace and humbly knowledge that Olodumare alone is the true knower. A wise person understands from the heart that whatever happens by the decree of Olodumare is for the supreme good. All the ordinances that proceed from ile ase, (the divine sanctuary of command, authority and power) where Olodumare resides, is for the ultimate happiness, satisfaction and good of one and all. We can be free of care and worry only when we offer up our ego to kind and compassionate Olodumare and dispose ourselves to be his humble subjects, servitors and friends.

Compliance with divine directives is the highest merit, blessing and joy. Worship and devotion means loving-trusting obedience to the directives of Olodumare. When we willingly and joyfully comply with Olodumare it can be concluded that we have sound understanding and intelligence. No service offered or rendered to Olodumare is in vain. Even without our asking or desiring it, He rewards us graciously and abundantly out of His love, appreciation and gratitude towards us. Even though Olodumare is the Supreme King and Owner of all, there is no trace of ego or pride in Him. He feels indebted to His servants, children and friends for the most minimal service of kindness, love and respect rendered to Him. Olodumare is always mindful of us and not Himself. Olodumare is always originating, planning and arranging the best means and methods to bring us to fullness of joy, relief, and happiness.

Ego is the root of all evil. The attitude of ‘I’, ‘me’ and ‘mine’ is the illness and cancer that fills us with continual sorrow, suffering, conflict and affliction. But when we from the heart, adopt the attitude that my mind, my body, my resources, my health, my life, my intelligence, my ability, my family, my children, my friends, my spouse, my time and my home all belong to Olodumare and are cherished by Him, then peace and serenity arises in us. When we comprehend that Olodumare defends and protects the rights of others just as he defends and protects our rights, we then live a balanced life possessed of reverence and respect for the authority and power of Olodumare. Olodumare is not the lover of injustice. He is the Lord and lover of Rectitude who will dispense corrective discipline on those who are abusive, recalcitrant, and malicious and who delight to exceed the bounds of propriety.

When we treat others, our belongings and the belongings of others as realities that are in fact owned by Olodumare and belong to Him, we then treat people and things with greater respect, love, care and appreciation. When the understanding and attitude that we exist solely to serve and please kind and loving Olodumare, who is the owner and creator of our lives the do we become free from ego and its oppression upon our minds. When this attitude is firmly established in the mind then life becomes something of great beauty, wonderful and adventurous. Then only can a person understand that life is not meaningless or purposeless, but he understands that he is a servant, disciple and child of Olodumare. We are eternal friends, children and servants of Olodumare.

No one loves, cherishes, nurtures and takes care more of what is his own than Olodumare. We can trust Olodumare. Everything he respectfully orders us or lovingly asks us to do always has manifold blessings, prosperity and merit attached to it. When we come to more accurately know the personality and character of Olodumare ones discovers that one never has to ask of Olodumare to save us because one understands that Olodumare has always been and always will be looking out for our continual happiness and benefit. With this understanding and appreciation of Olodumare, we are able to serve Him joyfully and lovingly without selfish desires and without a tainted devotion. Serving Olodumare without a calculating spirit, selfish motives or a bartering disposition is what devotion means. It means me serve Him because we love Him, we approve of His ideals and aims and share (have) affinity with Olodumare’s purposes in such a deep and wholehearted way, that when we do the directives of Olodumare we feel as if we were accomplishing and doing our own will or heart felt desires, due to our heart and mind being at one with Olodumare i.e. we truly feel and perceive Olodumare’s will, plan and desire for us as our own.

Only when we are established in such a relationship with Olodumare can we know true freedom or deliverance from worry, fear, uncertainty and anxiety. Only in such union, born out of understanding and devotion, can we know freedom of heart and we then proceed to abide in joy and happiness, because our minds are nolonger oppressed and dominated by blind passions, selfishness and defilements which afflict us with continual sorrow, suffering and unsatisfactorines. Have we realized with our hearts and not in a superficial intellectual way that Olodumare is the supreme Oluwo? Olodumare is the sole owner, possessor, maintainer and rightful disposer of everything and everyone without exception? Everything and everyone belongs to Him. Nothing we can plan on our own can be better, more satisfying and fulfilling that that which Olodumare plans for us. He is the source, origin and unfathomable repository of all powers, virtues and desirable qualities. Has it been deeply impressed upon our heart and mind that this vast entire creation of millions upon millions of stars, galaxies, diverse worlds and diverse myriads of living beings, powers, intelligences, spirit personalities, divinities and other awesome creations that our minds cannot ponder or comprehend are all contained, nourished and nurtured in the ‘womb’ or ‘belly’ of Olodumare?! Has is set in, that Olodumare fills this entire and vast creation with His personal presence or ase and that Olodumare simultaneously transcends His wonderful creation.

Olodumare our True Friend, Father, Mother and Heart Companion is immanent and transcendent?! Everything is existing within Him. These thoughts and considerations should inflame a fervent love for and appreciation of the magnanimity, glory and excellences of Olodumare. Let us honor, revere and worship our divine Friend-Father-Mother by practicing His qualities and exemplifying His noble character. Let us make the assimilating of the personality of Olodumare our chief aim in life. The character-personality of Olodumare is the truth.

Aboru Aboye.

THE WAY GO IFAYELELE (Divine love-intelligence consciousness)

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun.

Have compassion and friendliness towards all beings whereby Olodumare is satisfied. What is unattainable when Olodumare the Source Supreme is satisfied? Inner peace, contentment, happiness and well being are desired and sought for by all. Peaces of mind and inner contentment are products of living in harmony with iwa and otito. Looking for peace and happiness in the accumulation of material objects or effervescent worldly circumstances is as illusory, pointless and futile as attempting to try to capture a mirage. True peace, joy and contentment are that which can be had independently of changing circumstances only when we are progressively established in Ifayelele (divine consciousness of love, intelligence, courage and complete inner satisfaction).

When the heart and mind are permanently merged and united with the ase of Olodumare, this is Ifayelele (the blissful transcendental state or condition). In Ifayelele we are rooted and established in the primordial realm of causes and are freed from trying to make sense of the bewildering world of multitudinous effects over which we have no complete control. We are at peace with the world and ourselves when we are established in Ifayele. This is why Orunmila Oba Atayese praised Ifa and said, “Ifa you and I are very united. We are certainly one.” The meaning, depth, power and significance of these words would take an entire volume to explicate so as to do justice to its sublimity, beauty, power and vision, but in a nutshell the continual aim and goal of Orunmila for himself and his followers is Ifayele. The transcendental state and condition of Ifa consciousness; or qualitative conscious union with the Ifa spirit of limitless light and life is Ifayelele.

Ifayelele experience moulds our character, and strengthens and sublimates our personality. Ifayele does not submerge our personality but enhances it. Ifayelele makes our mind or intelligence progressively one in quality and power with Ifa. Ifayelele does not make everyone identical or the same, but causes the original and unique blueprint for our persons, according the divine purpose set by Olodumare, to reach fruition. The experience and condition of Ifayelele is one of inner sweetness, peace, unshakeable serenity, purity, love, contentment, awe or rapture, super abounding ecstatic supreme confidence, assurance and joy.

When people first approach Ifa they usually do so when a life problem emerges, leading them to find solutions, suggestions and/or remedies through consulting the divine Ifa oracle. Solutions, suggestions and remedies are sought by many through Ifa for the above reasons. Some approach Ifa looking for health, others come seeking doors of opportunity for gainful employment, some come seeking a life partner (love), others solutions to family problems or other pressing personal problems. The reasons people come to Ifa are countless. The reasons are mostly for solutions related to personal or mundane problems. Comparatively speaking few people actually approaches Ifa with the purpose of fulfilling their spiritual longings and need for spiritual actualization or realization through Ifa knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Most come to resolve immediate personal concerns or problems.

But as the person experiences the ase, power and efficacy of Ifa, they begin to sense that there is a greater depth, dimension or purpose to Ifa than just the remedying of immediate problems associated with health, love, money, success in business ventures etc. They slowly come to realize, understand and appreciate that Ifa has a higher and over-arching purpose than just the remedying of personal problems or concerns. Ifa is genuinely interested in responding to and remedying our immediate personal concerns, but Ifa is not limited to just this, even though this is an importance and attractive feature or function of Ifa. It is only over time that a conscious awareness dawns on the person, that Ifa is seeking to do and achieve in a persons life, much more and beyond than what they consulted Ifa for. Ifa seeks to accomplish something beyond the remedying of immediate problems or concerns that we often posit before Ifa.

In oriki Ifa it is clearly stated that if we knew Orunmila (Ifa) more closely, accurately or intimately, we would know (experience) immortality, eternal life, complete inner satisfaction, serenity and perfect spiritual fulfilment. This immortality, eternal life, joy, complete inner satisfaction, abiding serenity and perfect spiritual fulfilment refers to attaining the highest divine state, condition or quality of life that is enjoyed by Olodumare and the perfected Orisa. This state is known as Ifayelele. Oriki Ifa says, ‘Ki a mo o ki a la, Oba Alade Olodu Merindinlogun’, (‘To know him (Ifa-Orunmila) is to find salvation, King of the Sixteen Principles of Creation.’) To experientially know Ifa is to be personally established in Ifayelele. When one is established in Ifayelele one has power to convert poison into medicine and worry into happiness.

Because Orunmila is himself established in the Ifa spirit of limitless life and life (Ifayelele), he is also known as the one who can convert our worries into happiness. ‘Ayo teere gb’ara san’le ma fi ara pa, a s’oro d’ayo’ (The young one who falls without injury, he who transforms worry into happiness.) The invitation and challenge of Ifa is that we do not become merely content with knowing the high status and ability of Orunmila that enables him to do the wonderful he does, but that we ourselves should grow in our development and attainment of Ifa consciousness, so that in union with Orunmila we might be agents of blessing, healing, comfort and joy to others. That we too might have in ourselves the power to avert, diminish and destroy the power and influence of death (decline, loss, illness, disease, anxiety, fear, worry and decay of all kinds). This is the secret Ifa will share with us and bestow upon us if we become sincere and humble resolute dedicated students and practitioners of the confidential mysteries of Ifa. We should without doubt rely on Orunmila, but one should know that the aim of Orunmila is not to make us dependant upon himself but to make us more and more like him.

Upon whom or what did Orunmila depend? Did he depend on an Orisa? Think about it carefully. He received what help and support he was able to receive from the Orisa but he himself was dependent on Ifa (the spirit of limitless light and life) or in other words he was always seeking to grow in Ifa and looked to Ifa to establish him in greater, deeper and purer levels of Ifayele. It can be said that Orunmila was immersed and filled with the Ifa spirit of limitless light and life. Orunmila relied on the joint union of Ifa and his own sacred Ori. This too should be our main practice and abiding support. As our ori is guided, developed and nourished by the Ifa spirit of limitless light and life, so we progressively lead by stages and degrees into Ifayelele. At times we experience growth spurts where we experience Ifayelele powerfully and find ourselves in a wonderful and unexplainable state of heightened awareness, divine trance, holy rapture, strength, sweetness, mystic vision, divine inspiration and power.

But because our Ifayalele is not yet perfected or matured, we come down from that lofty divine state. But even those momentary flashes or experiences of Ifayelele greatly changes and transforms us regardless of the duration of the enlightening, ecstatic and rapturous experience. Little by little we become established in Ifayelele and the duration of our state of Ifayelele is prolonged more and more until Ifayelele is our permanent state or condition from which we no longer come down from or retrogress to a mundane mentality. At the climax of growth, development and perfection our own divinized human mind and/or intelligence we will become complete united or spiritually fused with our divine ori. This is supreme Ifayele. This is what happened to the holy sage and seer of Igeti, Orunmila. At the height and climax of this attainment due to many years of learning, perseverence, study, training, struggling, pondering and applying the inner heart mysteries of Ifa, Orunmila with great ecstasy, extraordinary wonder, heroic victory and joyous rapture entered the highest, final and most complete state of Ifa consciousness, the fusion of his developing and perfect Ori with his own spirit/mind (Ifayelele).

This is the goal Orunmila Oba Atayese has for us. This is the goals we should personally set for ourselves and aspire for. Orunmila is the master of Ifayalele and is able to lead us there. Orunmila is called, ‘Iriju Olodumare. Alatunse aiye. Ikuforiji. Oba Olofa asun l’Ola.’ (The prime minister of the Creator. The one whose function is to set the world right. The being whom even death honors! The ruler who draws blessings and prosperity after him and who sleeps in the midst of honor.) Aboru Aboye ooo Orunmila! How do you suppose my dear friends, fellow initiates and genuine seekers of truth that Orunmila will be rectifying and setting things right in the world? Think for a moment. Meditate the mystery of Ifa. Ponder it in your own heart and discern the answer, the reality.

The world is you! The world is me! The world of your heart and mind. The world of my heart and mind. Orunmila will elevate, enhance, develop and perfect your individual mental, emotional and spiritual mental state by progressively taking you through the gradual stages of attainment of Ifayelele. This is the true meaning of the Ifa revelation that Orunmila will mend our world. Not the world out there, external to yourself but the inner world of your feelings, desires, imagination, emotions and will. When Ifa revelation says Ifa will mend our world it means the mending of the individual heart and mind i.e. your world, your life, your inner world and inner life which is expressed through your conduct, behavior, demeanor and words. When you and I are mended, healed and rectified as individuals then the entire world is naturally and consequentially rectified.

So my dear friends, initiates and fellow companion-practitioners are you up for the journey of Ifayelele? Is your interest piqued? Does the desire for the attainment of Ifayelele burn in your heart with unwavering intensity? Do you want to taste, savor, glean and learn more of this sacred and confidential Ifa mystery? To achieve Ifayelele Orunmila studied, persevered and applied himself diligently and resolutely. When the journey got intense and the ajogun attempted to oppose Orunmila in his high goal of Ifayelele he did not give up or give in. He would call on Ela Iwori Asiwaju to support, encourage and strengthen him! Dear fellow companions and practitioners of Ifa, learn more and savor more of this divine mystery you will by the blessing of Ifa. But for now this message and teaching is adequate and sufficient.

Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Aboru Aboye.

OROGBO

The importance of orogbo during initiation process , sacrifice , propitiation of head , prayer and other essential spiritual steps , before and after ifa activities cannot be quantified , but it is important to know that Orogbo during divination is equally important , if just to be at the pocket of highly revered babalawo . The presence of orogbo depicts longevity for babalawo and those around him , just like the presence of obi means, evil has no portion in the surroundings of a highly respected and honored babalawo .

Just like any other Yoruba words , the word ‘’orogbo ‘’ is coined and derived from two words – ‘’oro’’ and ‘’gbo’’ . Oro means very small , round , minute, tiny while , ‘’Gbo ‘’ means longevity , eternal , timeless, undying , everlasting , perpetual . when the two words are blended together , it becomes a unified and spiritually blessed word called Orogbo , which consequently means , a round fruits that attract longevity , everlasting blessing , enduring health and perpetual blessing of longevity . During , initiations or any sacrificial steps , or ritual or propitiation , orogbo is used to pray for longevity , sound health , peace , harmony , and happiness. Indeed , a man with the blessing of long life and sound health , so also his loved ones enjoy the same degree of health and longevity is indeed a blessed man in the jungle of life that is filled with mishap, untimely death and sorrow. The name of the fruits –orogbo – is coined to denote iwure , it is a spiritual seed that establish the power of divinities with abundant trait of long life and sound health . However during initiations , or sacrifice or ajiki , which is early morning prayer , ifa devotees or seeker of truth through the tradition of ifa , are required to pray and eat part of this fruits , to serve as alignment with the force and natural energies embedded in the nature. IFA is a religion or philosophy based on the use of natural materials in the nature .

The natural force of this blessed fruit aligned with the vibration of the body transmute and trigger or induced abundant spiritual force in the whole body thereby attaining secretly the sound health the body require to attain normal health. Every spiritual consciousness is quiet and invisible , just like the function of orogbo use it as prayer and eating small part trigger secretly the power of Olodumare in our live and enjoyment of the support of His numerous divinities . The prayer using orogbo and eating a fraction part with iwure –that is prayer , means blessing , prosperity , abundant life , success , longevity and sound health .

While obi is perceived to be a female fruit energy , or female fruits , that give brth to male and female alike , Orogbo is a male fruit energy that fail to have lobes or part like Obi. Orogbo can be cut into pieces either by teeth or knife , it has no parts, but a hard fruit that shows natural toughness and ruggedness. While obi is easily breakable with just hand and it is used also to denote the feminine part of the universal force or energy . Orogbo represents the dominant energy of Olodumare with unique characteristics of solidity , strength , firmness and oneness of energy in the universe . Orogbo symbolizes unilateral force of Olodumare which means life in abundance , wisdom in abundance , strength in abundance , victory in abundance , longevity and sound health in abundance . It also means , blessing prosperity and strength to all race , color , and religion without discrimination . Orogbo also denotes that life in any way cannot be explained or invented except through divine and spiritual understanding and wisdom . every understanding or wisdom is unique , orogbo represents the uniqueness of spiritual wisdom and divine understanding of how unseen forces of Olodumare works in the life of earthily men . Orogbo becomes a divine and spiritual fruits that are connected with life through a divine order of things , manifesting in the natural fruits and blended in the lives of men through the firmness of Olodumare and his numerous divinities .

Orogbo when cut into two has no line that cut through its surface like obi , the reason is not far fetched , it means , life and its benefits and spiritual supports would be enjoyed for time unlimited and our generation will enjoy the unbroken chain of spiritual and divine benefits. Like obi , that posses the female attribute of openness and easy breaking habit , Orogbo represents the power of OLODUMARE and his mysterious character with enigmatic attributes of unified power , unilateral force and undiluted vibration . Divine attributes cannot be explained through human understanding , just like Olodumare uniqueness is absolute above human understanding , the presence of orogbo to attract healing , longevity and sound health is beyond human comprehension and explanation . Orogbo represents solidity , undivided , and shrewd manner by which OLODUMARE in his infinite nature contact men in their weak state . Strength and eternity belong to divine , and weakness and finite character belong to men in nature . Hence Olodumare cannot change , transformed and divisified to any things that maintain its original state , likewise Orogbo a true representative of Olodumare , cannot be transformed or divisified or changed to anythings rather than divinities obligation to maintain its uniqueness.

Orogbo represents through foundation , it represents through divine forces and spiritual vibration of the omni-potent , mere having this fruits at home represent eternal force of Olodumare to enrich our lives with longevity , sound health and victory against all evils and evil manipulation of AJOGUN ORUN , that is the punitive knight of heaven , that is the reason for a song praise and the below popular sayings

Mo ti je orogbo , ki ohun mi le gbo kekeke ni isalu aye

Orogbo lo wa mu ni gbo saye

Sebi odundun lari orogbo

Odundun lari obi Lori ate

Odundun bayi ni ki a ma wa titi

Mo ti jorogbo lode isalaye

E jeki gbo gbo gbo

E jeki dagba , dagba

E jeki ferigi jobi

Ki fopa tile gereje-gereje

Ki to ló si iwala orisa

Ase

Translation of above verse

I have tasted and eaten orogbo in the physical state of existence

Let my voice and my life attract longevity and sound health in the universe

The force behind Orogbo gives us the power to enjoy longevity in the universe

Yearly , we set our eyes on orogbo

Yearly , we set our eyes on obi at the market place

I have eaten orogbo in the physical existence

Let me live long , live old and live well in the world

Let me live a life dignifies of an ifa devotees

Before joining my ancestors

Ase

The above song praise is supported with the below verse of ifa . It indeed reinforces the existence and the power of orogbo as an embodiment of longevity and sound health which the ancient ifa priest and priestess and their various devotees had been used to prolong lives in the physical plain of existence . according to the holy verse of irosun owonrin

11—–1

1——11

Okun sun are nare

Osa su legbe legbe

Onibu nrebu

Alas an ni rasan

Asan naa paapaa

Awo ori ota

Awon agbaagba imole lo wo gbeyin

Won rip e ko suwon

Won subu yege

Won fi rungbo diya

Won firun dinu peepee pee

Won mu ogun orogbo

Won mu ogun obi

Won fi difa fun isese

Eyi tii se olori oro ni ife

Won tun um otalenigba din lerin

A difa fun isese

Eyi ti se olori oro ni isalu orun

A difa fun sango arabambi

Orisa ti bologbo leru

Ajisaye gbege loko iya olorogbo

Sango ooo , orisa to loju orogbo

Ma ba mi já , da eko iya mi nu

Jeki PE laye , bi orogbo se npe

Jeki ferigi jobi

Ki wa fi opa tile gejegeje

Ifa o gbo o

Orunmila o gbo

Ela osin o gbo

Edumare tire lemi o ma se

Ase

Translation of the above verse

The ocean is expansive and extensive with infinite characteristics

The sea is mysterious and nebulous

The deep ocean is unclear , inexplorable and fill with mystery

The deep sea share the same character

Inexplicable belongs to the realm of divinities

Thus divine ifa oracle for the mysterious head stone of ages

The elder look aback

They discovered the mystery embedded in life were inexplicable

They bowed their head in prayer and respect

Shave their beads as an obeisance to the divinity

Open their mouth in awe , calling the mysterious name of the Almighty

Using first twenty sets of orogbo

Gathering twenty sets of obi

Using them to cast ifa oracle for custodian of tradition

The mysterious head chief of ifa oracle at the anciety city of Ife

The elder also gather another set of two hundred fifty six orogbo

To cast ifa oracle for custodian of tradition

The chief priest of tradition at the spiritual place of existence

Thus divine ifa oracle for sango arabambi

The divinity that intimidate death and her conhort

The lord strong in battle , blessed with long life

The formidable husband of orogbo seller

Oh yee sango

The divinity that have the unique eyes of orogbo

Never attack me and never destroy the wares of my mother

Let me live long , like orogbo , in the physical state of existence

Let me use my molar teeth to eat kolanuts

Let me reach old age with sound health and walk with stick

Ifa , let your blessing radiate my life

Ela let your success be my lot

Oh God , bless my path , I shall serve you and adore you forever

Ase

The above verse shows the importance of orogbo , not just a special fruits of life , but an embodiment of longevity , prosperity , sound health and success are given by OLODUMARE and his numerous divinity from the beginning of creation .

IFA also states in various verses that Orunmila went back to search for the fruits of orogbo , in an attempt to ensure eternal life in the physical state of existence . But Esu disturbed Orunmila saying , people will feel like God , if they do not ripe , grow and wither away like other fruits, seeds, plants . Death according to esu is one of the way , men look up to God for salvation and delivery from fear of death. Indeed , life of every man should follow the natural law of birth , growth , old age and crossing to the land of ancestors . The explanation of Esu was established on the premise of one facts, that growth entails replacement .

Those who fail to grow either in stature , knowledge and understanding and wisdom remain like immovable object in the universe, such as mountain and hills . Esu says , those who faithfully follow Olodumare and His numerous divinity with sound discipline during their life time will be guided and blessed with long life and good health. They will be called the disciples of Olodumare , Eni Orisa , the follower of wisdom – onimo ifa . While those who fail to recognize their own existence and lack discipline attract the early penalty of death , suffering , losses, and generation curse. The beginning of life starts from ENITOLODUN and the end is with Him , hence start your day and end your day with OLODUMARE , that is God , start your life and end your life with God . Esu says , just like earthly life is filled with happiness and joy , remember that destruction and woos are present and surplus .

Ignorance brings self destruction , knowledge of universal order of things through the tradition of ifa brings longevity , sound health and victory . Just like the weeds and the plant are available for the foolish and the wise , likewise the way to self destruction and victory are available to Ogbeeri – the fool , and The wise –awo . The physical level and the spiritual level need a constant maintenance , that is , there must be flow of energy , lives and soul between the two level of existence . When this things , we see it as birth and death at these two levels. Orunmila agreed but advised that to minimize suffering , people must live to old age , to be able to take care of their loved ones , to be able to serve others, serve Irunmole and serve the Omni-Potent OLODUMARE , hence How then can we achieve this , through , initiations, propitiation , sacrifices, rituals , prayer , discipline , effort , spiritual and physical educations , and sustenance of tradition of IFA , all these combined are well articulated and analysed through the use of Orogbo , the fruits of life and longevity .

According to IFA verse under ogbe ofun

Ifa jebo naa o fin

Ela jebo naa o rode orun gbure gbure

Isu dape jale

O npo apa

Akere dapa tele

O pojo

Omo kekeke ni soro fun agbalagba

Ki won o le baa rohun muje

Owo ni siwaju ijo

Opolopo oro ibanuje ni siwaju ija

Orogbo asiwaju ebo

Orogbo a siwaju ebo emi gigun

Mo ti wa jorogbo , ko hun mi legbo

Egbe mi lorun , e wa gborogbo jê

Ki egbe aye , ki o le pe lori ilê isalaye

Mo ti forogbo Fe gbe , ki le pe laye

Ifa , mo ti se etutu , forisa , ki le fowo pawun

Ela oba bami tamori se

Ela o pitan

Bi oko ba da , alegbede ni ntun se

Ela o pitan ,o ba ba mi tamori se ,

Ela opita

Bi Ada ba da , alegbede ni ntun se

Ela o pitan , o ba ba mi tamori se

Ela o pitan

Translation of the above verse

Ifa let my sacrifice be accepted

Ela let my ritual goes up to the heaven above

The yam grows into tuber during planting

The toad toil and stand on the ground

And call for heavy rain to moist the ground

The little children after propitiation and sound spiritual and physical education grow

And offer ritual and gratitude to the elders

Such that the elders would not suffer with old age

The young supports the leder and fend for them at old age

Stretching forward of the hand precede dancing

Evil utterance and nagging precede dispute and chaos

The fruits of orogbo precedes all sacrifice

Eating of orogbo precedes longevity

I have eaten orogbo , let me have a strong voice , sound health and long life

The heavenly mates have accepted my sacrifice of orogbo

Let the earthily companion be blessed with longevity and sound health

I have given sacrifice to my heavenly or spiritual mates

Let me live long in the plain of existence

I have given orogbo to divinity

Let all divinities support my cause

Ela the greatest historian and the sage

Repair and remould my destiny

Whenever the hoe breaks , we give it to blacksmith for repairing

Oh ye , Ela , the illuminated ones, attract greatness , success and blessing to me

Whenever the cutlass breaks

We give it to the blacksmith to repair

Oh , ye Ela , the historian of humanity , bless me with abundant success , progress and wealth

Ela opitan repair and remould my destiny

Let my destiny fulfill his mission at all level of existence

Ase

Orogbo according to above explanation is an object that represents the uniqueness and unified energy and vibration of Olodumare in our lives . If all necessary spiritual , physical , mental , moral and emotional obligation are followed , happy lot , success , longevity and sound health will be out lot , that is the meaning of Orogbo .

TEACHINGS FROM ODU OBARA IWORI

Please inform your followers to exert themselves to make their minds fine (full of clarity and discernment) and pure.

Inform your followers to struggle to achieve a mind that is smooth (serene) and clean.

These were the declarations of Ifa for Orunmila when his followers no longer had the power to retain and recall knowledge (memory).

Orunmila was advised to offer sacrifice and he complied:

(Prayer and request of Orunmila):

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment when you arise (to act). You and I are very united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment when you arise (to act). This is the sacred leaf of Ogbo, which enables me to understand Ifa just like my holy elders.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are very united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). This is the sacred leaf of Ope, which enables my ability to recite melodiously the versus of Ifa just like the holy elders of ancient times.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are very united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). There are sixteen path (enclosed) within the seeds of Oniyenye all of which are used to draw and consume water.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are united. Certainly we are one. At the moment a great fish leaps upon the river this one will not be the least capable to see the river bed.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up as the moment you arise (to act). You and I are united. Certainly we are one. Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act).

Aboru Aboye.

Ifá THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Aboru Aboye Abosese,

Please ponder, meditate upon, think about, enjoy, assimilate and act upon the following teachings of Ifa.

1)Otura Rera (Otua ‘Gunda)

Insincerity does not pay

Wickedness is bad

If the truthful is betraying, he faces lots of trouble cast divination for Sagbagiriyan who will be installed as the leader of the truthful

Be truthful and sincere

The gods reward the truthful

2)Ejiogbe

The (good) way God created me, according to that good way I am behaving. I am doing well (practicing what is good, beneficial and needful), I don’t practice evil and I don’t practice deception and lying so that I won’t die a wretched man, because the business we engage in the morning extends to night time cast Ifa for the truthful and the wicked. Only the truthful triumph.

3)Ogbe Yonu

Excessive angers reveals their upbringing. He who ignores and disregards mediation easily exposes himself. ‘You have come again with your bad attitude” will give one a bad name and reputation…Truly we have installed the patient, humble and wise Nini as King. It is the misbehavior of Oka that ruined his career. We have installed the truthful, patient and kind Nini as King. The misbehavior of Ere is what ruined his life. We have truly installed the calm, respectful and virtuous Nini as King. The misbehavior of Sebe is what ruined his future. Truly we have installed Nini as King.

4)Ose Ofun

If the destiny is unfavorable, it may be lacking wisdom

Water is abundant in the Ocean, the Ocean the King of the Sea

Water is available in the Lagoon, the Lagoon is second in command

There is wisdom in Akoda, Akoda who teaches the world Ifa science

There is intelligence in Aseda, Aseda who teaches the science of the wise and holy elders

There is wisdom in Orunmila, the stabilizer, rectifier and reformer of the world. Orunmila is he who protects the child’s head from breaking, he is the one who corrects bad destiny (bad course of life and living) cast divination for incapable (the person who has no good character) who is alway crying (complaining) of having a bad destiny (life).

Ifa says, if incapable of no good character, learns Ifa (with the purpose of applying it and correcting their life), Ifa assures they will have the last laugh (victory, triumph and success).

5)Idin Iwori

If we have wisdom but fail to apply it, we become ignorant. If we have strength and we fail to utilize it, we become lazy, this is the message of Ifa for people who know wise people and have access to them but do not follow their example and guidance but choose to make friends with backward people. Ifa cautions them, if you do not associate with good people, and establish friendships with them (to learn from them and follow their example) then your life will be ruined.

Asé O

ODU IFA BABA EJIOGBE

Concise essential meaning of Ejiogbe: In cosmogenic terms, Ejiogbe is the primary impulse of expansion, evolution and ascension. Ejiogbe represents the birth of life, it opens the path to knowledge with an objective language, it evokes the light which illuminates the physical and spiritual universe. It is the power of pure thought. Ejiogbe is the unlimited fountain of wisdom that can carry the human spirit above the difficulties of life. In Ejiogbe the power of the spoken words attains its greatest climax.

Refreshing and life giving teachings (sayings) of Ifa to be pondered, internalized and acted upon.

‘Let no palm oil stain your white garments.’

‘Loving-kindness descended from the sky and converted into honey to sweeten my lips.’

‘I honor my ancestors because I am their continuity.’

‘The metal lead does not corrupt and bronze does not oxidize; just like Ikin Ifa never lies.’

‘Be honest and success will pursue you. Be honest and success will always accompany you until the end of your days.’

‘The loyal person or person of fidelity will secure a stable and lofty position but the unreliable and insecure (zig zagging) person will always lose what could have been stable and lofty.’

‘Gratitude is the law of my life. The person who eats the lentils would care for the person who harvested them.’

‘If you listen to and obey your inner voice, intelligence and conscience (ori inu) you will surely persevere and attain success and satisfaction. If you listen to and obey your inner voice, intelligence and conscience (ori inu) your life will you prolong (with added sound health of mind and body).’

‘Do not become discouraged. Do not dishearten Ifa. There is a good future for you. You have hope.’

‘The search and acquisition of money in a honest way will require much patience.’

‘Valor or courage does not frighten, it comforts (and empowers). The wise man will find the valor or courage to confront and defeat fear (anxiety and worry.)

‘The Truth and the Lie argued. The Truth with dignity, victoriously elevated its head in permanent triumph before the ephemeral Lie.’ (The lie and deliberate liars will alway cave in on itself and be destroyed. Lies and liars have no substance and no abiding place in the Realm of Truth.)

‘The person who (pridefully) (vainly) desires to be superior and different from others (put others down or see them as inferior) will soon become consumed by arrogance.’

‘I chosen (intelligently decided) to walk with care, caution and attention. This made of me a prudent person.’

‘An intelligent person doesn’t delay his journey to stop at the desert to count the grains of sand. The wise venerate wisdom like the skunk practices it’s hunting skill.’ (The wise person doesn’t set unrealistic and unattainable goals for himself, but with great care, understanding and sound planning makes or sets practical, methodical and joy giving attainable, essential, beneficial and needful objectives.)

‘The greedy man is never satisfied and knows no contentment or peace. The greedy man doesn’t enjoy what he had because he is always focused and just adding and amassing more unneeded things to his store of possessions. In his greed and obsession to amass more and more he loses true prosperity.’

‘What you have in abundance do not horde, but share it with those in need. Is the the peculiar virtue of the snail to be able to walk without arms or legs. (The person who shares and gives what he has in abundance with those in need will experience the miracle of not lacking any good thing and will alway end of having more than what he had before he began to share with others his surplus of goods, money, wisdom, encouragement etc. It is a miracle that without arms or legs a snail can ‘walk’. It always has and finds what it needs to survive without fretting or worrying.’

May the ase, ire and presence of Ela Omo Osin Asiwaju illuminate you and carry these reliable life giving divine truths into your heart. Ase.

Aboru Aboye.

THE LANGUAGE OF GOD

Aboru Aboye

A soul that speaks the language of God is a soul that sees the glory of God and adds values to lives and to other souls in the cosmos.

Let the language be your language when you wake up, when you are in the toilet, when you are talking to family friends and relatives, when you are alone, and whatever you are doing, and when anger wants to come into your soul, just ordinary offering of simple prayer that ” I am blessed”.

Several times, induce and enlighten the soul to see the light of God rather than the fight from yourself and from other. May God bless you and illuminates your lives, and may be connected constantly to the energies of divinities.

All is well. Your positive changes is my happiness, the more people change for the best, the more blessing from God and his numerous blessing for me, for those who changed and for the universe , never relent to speak the language of God, which is the language of prayer “iwure “.

It is the only language divine realm knows and the only language God knows, when we speak the language everyday, we will see the glory of God and the support of his divinities in our lives and our generation yet unborn.

You are a blessed man, and may God continue to illuminate you, and all shall be well with you as long as there is an appearance of the sun, thank you very so much. I want you to have a strong faith, because your time of success has come. Claim your success, prosperity and blessing , and all shall be well with you as long as there is an appearance of the sun. Ase

I want you to fast, pray, guild the entrance of your mind, be positive and have a self control on what you say, talk, do, think ,eat and your everyday action to stick to the power of OLODUMARE , and all is well.

Alafia

THE ORIGIN OF THE WORSHIP OF IFA RELIGION

CHIEF Demola Famubi

THE ORIGIN OF THE WORSHIP OF IFA RELIGION

HOMOSEXUALITY

In reality, IFA would not condemn you on the basis of sexual orientation, colour and race. If Ifa is a religion of acceptance and real love, IFA will love you independent of your sexual stands or sexual orientation.

Indeed, in Yoruba tradition, the word homosexual has no meaning, since, it is not part of the culture and customs. People in the traditional African setting, most especially in Yoruba culture, they see homosexuality as a strange phenomenon and sexual disorientation of the western culture to tamper with human procreation. You must know that Yoruba culture is primitive, and whatever we call primitive would not change, but assume the old conception of things.

But if we want to go by what the odu Obara Meji says, in the seventh vibration or energy of OLODUMARE out which odu is deduced or withdrawn, then Obara Meji speaks of duality, which can means, a man or woman or deities possessing two form of lives, the masculine and the feminine parts, namely, the same man or woman can exhibit both masculine and feminine parts without altering the glory of GOD. All divinities are neither female nor male, because sex or sex division are only in the ethereal form of life that has no justification in the spiritual realm and divine glory.

What really matters in life and in IFA is Iwa, the total sum of your good character, that distinguishes you from mere mortal man which out spiritual and divine power, character is life, and life is spiritual and every life is the spirit its possesses, and the character he or she assumes on getting to ethereal level of life, hence improve your character , and your life will improve and your spirit will be elevated.

Life or spirit is not about sex, but a good life can be achieved on getting to the physical state of existence through good character, and not through sexual classification or orientation.

Duality of life occurs in the physical state, while unity of all things exists in the spiritual level and perfect love are the characteristics of divine realm. Whenever there is divine love, which is the foundation of good character, no one really looks at the sexual identification or orientation.

To be divine is to assume divine characteristics which is founded and based on perfect love , while to be spiritual is to unify yourself to the work of spirit, which is the work of faith, devotion, belief and dedication , improvement and understanding , knowledge and energy.

While the physical level tends to seek for physical desire, and every desire has its own destructive elements that generate extensive pains, if you belief that whatever you are doing do not impair the life of others, then, stick to it and have a perfect love for your neighbour, because it is whatever you do to your neighbour that counts in life and such attitude will give you credit on a spiritual level of existence , and earn you a good mark on divine plain.

Your orientation depicts your understanding of how spiritual and divine energy operates and works in the cosmos or nature. You are what you think you can do and do better to improve the life of others, not your sexual orientation or sexual desire that care less about the physical suffering of the people or meeting the spiritual consciousness of the people or their divine level. Your sexual orientation does not free you from being the part of spiritual community, or debars you from the glory of GOD.

Alafia

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