Professional Documents
Culture Documents
38
ODI
(7 COWRIES)
Odi says that those who turn away from Ifa and Orisha
will have a troubled life. This person needs to bring sacrifice to
Ifa and Orisha and return to their spiritual discipline.
Odi says that this person should sacrifice cola nuts to the
Iroko tree (sacred to Aje and Egun ) on seven occasions. This
person's head should be cleaned then they are advised to
practice forgiveness.
Odi says that this person will meet an insult and that
anger must not consume them. If this person remains cool
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headed a blessing will follow. This person should wear white
as protection from the insult.
Odi says that this person must not whip them self.
(Physically or emotionally).
Odi says that this person doubts the good news that has
been spoken to them by Orisha.
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let me die without disease,
ki nma ba won r'arun ajorun.
let me not die in an epidemic.
Okan ewon kiike,
One link of a chain does not lock,
ki e se - Odi agbara yi me ka,
I pray that you will rally around me,
ki owo mi ka'pa omo araye bi omo odi
tiika'lu.
in the same way that you put a garden
around the yard.
Ase.
So be it.
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EJI OGBE
42
EJI OGBE
(8 COWRIES)
Little-by-little-the-boa-constrictor-becomes-thicker-little-
by-little-the-refuse-heap-grows-with-his-face-to-the-lagoon-he-
looks-at-Olorun -on-high cast for the chief who was given a
blessing of long life.
Eji Ogbe says that death will not recognize this person,
sickness will forget to inflict this person, loss will not find this
person, loneliness will flee from this person, poverty will pass
this person by, all that is required is patience.
Eji Ogbe says that if this person needs a place to live they
should sacrifice 32,000 cowries, 1 mat, and cloths to the poor.
The sacrifice was made; a blessing of a house was received.
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Eji Ogbe says that Oshun offers will offer 2 blessing at
home and 2 blessings on a journey.
Eji Ogbe says that success comes to those who look and
act successful.
Eji Ogbe says that if this person gives clothing to the poor
they will be able to shed their old skin.
Eji Ogbe says that this person will find abundance in the
city.
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Eji Ogbe says that if this person is suffering from insults
it is Olokun who they should speak with.
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Kiemaa gbe ire ko mi nigbabogbo tabi kiemaagbe fun
mi.
Bring good fortune to me always.
Ase.
OSA
46
OSA
(9 COWRIES)
Cat's-eye-and-thron-panther-and-leopard-greed-and-
theft-seem-equal cast for Wisdom and Knowledge who wanted
to mate. Osa says that a union should not take place unless
the shells confirm it. This is how Orunmila and Oshun came to
be together. A blessing for those who follow the advise of
Orisha.
Osa cast the shells for Oya who wanted to have children
on earth. Sacrifice 18,000 cowries, multi-colored cloth, and
meat of ewe (bean mush). The sacrifice was made which is
how Oya came to have nine children. (Those who want
children may sacrifice to either Oshun or Oya in this Odu. Ebo
Oshun is 18,000 cowries, 1 pigeon, 1 rooster, and eggs)
Enemies-outside-are-not-as-bad-as-those-at-home-those-
at-home-are-the-one-who-harm-you cast the shells for Afala
who wanted to wash a black cloth until it became white.
Sacrifice 18,000 cowries, rat and white cloth. The Sacrifice
was made. Afala escaped danger.
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Osa says that this person is in danger from a friend. This
person should stay home for 9 days to avoid conflict. A friend
who betrays a friend betrays himself or herself. Orisha says
danger is averted, a blessing of long life.
It-is-in-poverty-that-a-child-learns-divination-it-is-after-
learning-divination-that-wealth-comes cast the shells for
Afijaberu who was seeking wealth. Sacrifice 18,000 cowries, 1
rooster, 1 pigeon, cloths to the poor and palm oil. The sacrifice
was made. Afijaberu received a blessing of wealth.
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akotagiri ejo fun awon ota,
or as the snake is greatly freared by its enemies,
kieso mi di pupo fun rere,
let me be blessed for good,
ki'mi r'owo sna owo ori,
that I will have the money to pay alldebts,
kimi r'owo san awin Orun mi ati beebee.
and to do good things in the world.
Osa.
Run-away.
Ase.
So be it.
49
OFUN
50
OFUN
(10 COWRIES)
I-offered-two-hundre-cowries-things-are-hard-for-me-I-
offered-two-thousand-brass-beads-things-became-easy-for-me
cast the shells for Shekere Rattle who had made offerings but
was still in need. Sacrifice brass beads to Orisha. The
sacrifice was made and things became easy for Shekere Rattle.
Great-wisdom-is-the-key-to-getting-great-wisdom-if-we-
don't-get-great-wisdom-we-can't-learn-strong-medicine-if-we-
don't-learn-strong-medicine-we-can't-cure-illness-if-we-can't-
cure-illness-we-don't-earn-great-wealth-if-we-don't-get-great-
wealth-we-can't-do-gret-things cast for Orunmila who was
tricked into slavery. Orisha says that this person is not a
slave. (This Odu suggests that this person is being guided by a
unworthy mentor and needs to become independent of that
influence. This matter should be taken to Ifa).
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Ofun says that this person should fast for purposes of
health. (This suggests periodic fasting for both physical and
spiritual cleansing, if the person is not sick fasting should be
recommended for spiritual clarity).
Ofun says that someone who had taken an oath with this
person will break that oath. Orisha says be careful in this
regard.
52
OWONRIN
53
OWONRIN
(11 COWRIES)
54
Owonrin says that if this person is working with a sibling
there may be deception involved. Sacrifice to the ancestors so
that this matter will be resolved.
Owonrin says that this person should not put their hand
in indigo dye for 11 days. (This is a reference to the possibility
of deception from Esu). Orisha says that this person should
devote themselves to work to avoid disruption.
Owonrin says that this person should not be disobedient
to the will of the ancestors. Sacrifice cloths to the poor, red
beans, fritters, cornstarch porridge, chicken and beer to the
ancestors. The sacrifice was made a blessing of abundance.
(This Odu suggests that the person should sponsor a ceremony
for the ancestors)
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The Reversed Head, the Reversed Head, the Reversed
Head,
Mo be yin,
I beg you,
ki eso ibi di rere run mi ni gbogbo ojo aye mi,
turn the negative into positive, throughout all of my
days in the world,
ki nre s'owo,
that I may be rich in money,
ki nre s'omo,
that I may be rich in children,
ki emi mi gun ki ara mi kiole,
that I will live a long healthy life,
ki nma ri ayipada di buburu lojo aye mi ati beebee,
and that turning from good to bad may not reach me in
all my days in the world.
Owonrin.
The Reversed Head.
Ase.
So be it.
56
EJILA SEBORA
57
EJILA SEBORA (12 COWRIES)
58
No mouth can command the day.
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(This Odu is for a person who is confused about their destiny;
they should meditate in front of the cowries as part of the
sacrifice)
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let my family not be barren,
Takotabo ope kiiya-agan.
Just as the male and female palm tree is never
barren.
Ejila Sebora.
The Deep Seer.
Ase.
So be it.
61
IKA
62
IKA
(13 COWRIES)
Ika says a blessing of money, a blessing of children, a
blessing of long life. This person has serious concerns
regarding their life. Sacrifice the cloths the person is wearing,
66,000 cowries, 1 she-goat, 1 rat, palm oil on the rat, and a
meal of goat meat to the elders of the community. Orisha says
that as soon as Shopona shook his rattle smallpox appeared.
As soon as you see smallpox (infectious disease) sacrifice must
be made to Shopona. The sacrifice was made the blessings
were granted. (If this person has an infectious disease they
should be taken to Ifa ).
Ika says that half of what this person has must be given
away in order to avoid loosing everything. (This suggests a
systematic program of contribution to worthy causes) If this
person has an infectious disease, sacrifice should be made to
Shopona, and this person should be given baths for Oshun.
Sacrifice she-goat and hot water to Shopona. Sacrifice cool
water and palm oil to Oshun. The sacrifice was made, the
blessings of a good life were granted.
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arun ejo ofo ofo efun edi apeta oso,
prevent harm from those who hex,
aje at awon oloogun buburu gbogbo.
prevent all negativity that is directed towards me,
Ika.
The Controller.
Ase.
So be it.
64
OTURUPON
65
OTURUPON
(14 COWRIES)
(MERINLA )
Oturupon says a blessing of money, a blessing of children,
a blessing of long life. This person is involved in a bitter
dispute with a friend. Both parties should offer sacrifice to
Egun. Sacrifice a sword from each person, (personal weapons)
so that the argument does not become violent. This Odu
suggests that Egungun (mediums) should speak on this
conflict. The sacrifice was not made, the argument led to the
death of one of the friends.
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Let me look back to see if Ifa comes home.
67
IRETE
68
IRETE
(16 COWRIES)
(MEDILOGGUN )
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Irete.
The Crusher.
Ase.
So be it.
70
OPRIA
71
OPIRA
(0 COWRIES)
If all the cowries are face down this person must sacrifice
1 black cloth to the earth to save their life. There is no
orientation on this Odu and this person must be taken to Ifa.
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