Ose Ifa (Ifa and Orisa)

Preparation

Before beginning any kind of devotion, the Ifa and Orisa devotee must be clean. As E.
Boloji Idowu informs us, ritual defilement may be incurred in several ways, depending
on what are "taboos" to the particuar divinity who is being worshipped. It is believed
that sexual intercourse immediately before worship or when its "stain" has not been
removed by thorough washing, is a thing forbidden by all divinities. It is also taboo for
a worshipper to carry bad medicine on his/her person. The greatest obstacle to
efficacious worship is impurity of the heart. Therefore, moral and ritual cleanliness are
pre-requisites of any devotional endeavour.

Before performing Ijuba, select the required number of obi abata (sacred kola-nuts),
wash them and place them in a bowl of water.

Next perform Ijuba while pouring liberation using any alcoholic beverage.

Ijuba

Iba Olodumare, Olojo oni (Reverence to God the controller of this day)
Iba Ila oorun (Reverence to the East)
Iba Iwo oorun (Reverence to the West)
Iba Ariwa (Reverence to the North)
Iba Guusu (Reverence to the South)
Iba Ile (Reverence to the Earth)
Iba Esu Odara (Reverence to Esu, who works magical wonders)
Iba Eegun Idile mi (Reverence to family masquarades )
Iba Baba (Reverence to my father)
Iba Yeye (Reverence to my mother)
Iba Oluwo (Reverence to my godfather)
Iba to to to mojuba (Complete entire reverence, I pay my respect)


The four devotional phases of Ose Ifa are devotion to Esu, Eegun, Ori and Ifa. Each
phase consists of four steps.

1. Invoking the relevant spiritual force

2. Deteremining whether that spiritual force brings Ire (good fortune)or Ibi (bad fortune)

3. Determining the king of Ire or Ibi.

4. Determining the appropriate offering for manifesting Ire or for averting Ibi.


Table 1: Determining Ire or Iba

ALAAFIA
All segments open
Ire: the word Alaafia means well being

IWA
Only 3 segments open
Ire or Ibi: depends on one's IWA (behavior)

OBI YAN
Only 2 segments open
Ire: Obi Yan means the obi is favourable

OKAN
Only 1 segment open
ibi: Okan means the heart

OPO TAKU
All segments closed
Ire: Isegun (Victory smash the obi segments)

Notes

If Opotaku appears, smash the obi segments and continue on to the Eegun phase. if Iwa
appears, ask again, "Is something good coming?" If Iwa appears the second time then
the response is ire.

If Ire appears, cast the obi to determine which kind of Ire is coming. The are: Aiku (long
life), Aje (financial success), Aya (wifes), Oko (husbands), Omo (children), and
Isegun (victory over enemies). Follow the order from Aiku to isegun until recieving a
"Yes responce by asking, "Do you see (name the ire)" (See Table 2)

After determining the kind of Ire ask Esu, "Is this obi a sufficient offering to bring about
(name of Ire)? If a "Yes" response, leave one or two obi segmetns before the emblem of
Esu and plase the rest in the bowl of water. If a "No" response, ask what must be added
to make the offering acceptable.

Whenever Alaafia appears, move your hands as if throwing water on your face.

If ibi appears, cast the obi to determine what kind of ibi is coming. They are Iku
(death), Arun (sickness), Ofo (loss), Ija (fight, quarrel), and Orun (problem, trouble).
Follow the order of severity until recieve a "Yes". Then ask Esu, " Do you see (name
the ibi)?" (See Table 2) After determining the kind of Ibi ask Esu. "Is this obi a
sufficient offering to avert (name the ibi)?" If a "No" response, ask what must be added
to make the offering acceptable.

Table 2: Interpretating subsequent casts of Obi

ALAAFIA
All segments open
Yes

IWA
Only 3 segments open
Cast again. "Yes" if Iwa appears again

OBI YAN
Only 2 segments open
Yes

OKAN
Only 1 segment open
No

OPO TAKU
All segments closed
No

Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon