DIVINE POSSIBILITIES

“With IFA all things are possible” This is an age-long saying which all Ifá devotees have to accept as given. Yet, on many occasions, devotees pray for certain things to happen in their lives or even for some undesirable conditions to change and the conditions remain unchanged and what they want fail to happen. They paddled left and right, but their canoe stood still! What could have been responsible for this?
In order to have a full understanding of what could be responsible for the non-realization or our fervent desires, it is more appropriate to commence with those conditions which make them realized and realizable, and the advantages of following these steps. It is certain that if we handle the topic this way, it will surely be clear to us why some people succeed where others fail; why some people attain higher spiritual elevation where others are spiritually backward; why some people are contented with life while others are grappling with frustration.
In Ogbe-dosùnmú (Ogbè Ìrosùn) Ifá says:
Bó bá se wípé ti fá la bá ngbó
Á bá pé bí ará iwájú tii pé
Bó bá se pé t´òpé la bá ín tò léyin
Á bá pé bí ará ìgbàhun-ìgbáhun
Òbe-nké, abàyà sákélé
Díá fún Okó
Tíí somo Oniré Sàmbé…
Transalation:
Had it been that we are listening to Ifá at all times
We will live long as the elders of old
Had it been that we are truly following Ifá at all times
We surely will last as long as the ancestors long gone by
The knife with its broad blade
These were Ifá´s declaration to Okó, the hoe
The offspring of Onírè e Sànbé….
In this Odú, Ifá says that if we truly follow Ifá, we surely will live long and if we truly listen to Ifá´s directives all the time, longevity is assured. This shows that the greatest capital we will gain by listening to, and following, Ifá at all times of our life is the gift of longevity.
Ifá states further that only those who live long will have the opportunity of attaining their hearts´ desires. In Ëjí-Onílè (Èji-Ogbè), Ifá says:
Àfín ló fi gbogbo ara h´ewú
Aro ni ò n´owó kó gbé´gbá Oòsà lájà
Díá fún Èmí
Tíí somo Olódùmarè
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáa se
Orisá, t´Èmi ló sòro o
Orisà, t´Èmi ló sòro
T´Èmíí ò bá bó o
Kò sí ohun yòó nù
Orisà t´Èmí ló sòro
T´´Emíí ò bá bó o
Ire gbogbo kú lèyin
Orisà, T´Èmí ló sòro
Translation:
The albino is he who grows grey hair all over his body
And a cripple is he who cannot raise his hands to carry the Orisà calabash container from the pantry
These were Ifá´s declarations to Èmí, Life
The child of Olódùmarè
He was advised to offer ebo
Orisà, Èmi, life is the most important
Orisà, life is the most essential
If life is not lost, nothing is lost
Orisà, Èmi is the most important
If life is not lost
All the good things of life are attainable
Orisà, Emi is the most essential.
The statement of Ifá in Èji.Ogbè now gives us the reason why ifá says that those who listen to, and follow, Ifá truly and sincerely shall be blessed with longevity. This simply means that they will be blessed with all the opportunities to attain and achieve their fervent desires in life.
Besides this, what are the other advantages that we can achieve if we truly and sincerely listen to, and follow Ifá all the time? Ifá says that we shall be blessed with four things: These are:
1. Divine connection
2. Divine Direction
3. Divine Assurance and Reliability
4. Divine Productivity
1. Divine Connection:
When we have achieved Divine Connection the following shall be added to it: a) Divine Security and b) Divine Pragmatism. Because we listen to, and follow Ifá truly and sincerely all the time, Ifá will reward us by making available to us the opportunity to tap into the divine information and spring of life directly. All the days of your life, we will be connected on-line. We will have limitless access to divine information. We can download and upload information on whatever and any aspect of life. Because we are always On-line with the cosmic, we have Divine Security.
a) Divine Security:
With our being divinely connected, who can harm us? Nobody! In Ogbè-Alárá (Ogbè-Òtúrá), Ifá says:
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
Díá fun Orúnmílà
Baba n lóó gbé Aya rè wolé Aíkú
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
Díá fún Òrúnmílà
Baba n lóó gbé Omo rè wole Àikú
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
Díá fún Òrúnmílà
Baba ín lóó gbé Ara rè wole Àikú
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáa se
Ó gbébo ó rúbo
Njé bo bá se´lé Àikú ma gbayà mi wo
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
Bó bá se´lé Àikú ma gbómò mi wo
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
Bó bá se´lé Àikú ma gbérà mi wo
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
Translation:
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
They were the Awo who cast Ifá for Órúnmíla
When going to carry his spouses into the house of longevity
Baba Míníngo
Awo Baba Miníngo
They were the Awo who cast Ifá for Órúnmíla
When going to carry his children into the house of longevity
Baba Míníngo
Awo Baba Miníngo
They were the Awo who cast Ifá for Órúnmíla
When going to carry himself into the house of longevity
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
If it is the house of longevity, I shall carry my spouses into it
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
If it is the house of longevity, I shall secure for my children
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
If it is the house of longevity, I shall make room for myself
Baba Míníngo
Baba Míníngo
This Odù above assures us that Divine Security is not only for us; rather our spouses and children are also given consideration and included! The implication of this is that as we listen to, and follow Ifá all the times of your lives, Ifá is thinking beyond us. Ifá, the voice of Olodumare, which has assumed the essence of its own, has already included our spouses and children in its reward scheme. This is a clear confirmation of the fact that whatever we do certainly rub off on our loved ones – good or evil.
In the same vein, Ifá assures us that when we listen to, and follow Ifá truly and sincerely all the times of our lives, when any evil is approaching, we shall be informed. Because we are connected on-line, to access this information is very easy-through Ifá consultation. Ifá will give us the signal that there is information to download. We can then access the information when we consult Ifá. The signal can be dreams, haunch, meditation or even advice from any source. In Owónrín Onítudè (Ôwónrín-Irosùn), Ifá says:
Gbèdugbèdu gbèrègèdè
Díá fún Onítude Màgbon
Ti òna Ìràdà
Níjó ajogun káa mó´lé pitipiti
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáá se
Ó gb´ébo, o´rúbo
Ó ní mo jeun-jeun nílé Onítude mo yó
Gbèdugbèdu gbèrègèdè
Translation:
Gbèdugbèdu gbèrègèdè
He was the Awo who cast Ifá for Onítude of Màgbon
On the way to Ìràdà land
When he was surrounded by evil principalities
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied ( He was asked to prepare a lot of food such as pounded yam, amala, corn meal, meat, fish and drinks and he complied)
I ate to my satisfaction in the home of Onítude
Gbèdugbèdu gbèrègèdè
Let the death coming to kill Onítude inform Awo for appropriate solution
Gbèdugbèdu gbèrègèdè!!!
With Divine Connection, all evil principalities shall be exposed and contained before they could have the power to wreck any havoc.
We must however note that if we are always happy with what Ifá had done for us, there is bound to be envy. Fellow human beings, friends and foes alike, are bound to rise up against us one way or another. Ifa says that if and when they do, we shall be protected. In the same Owonrín Onítude Ifá says:
Agbónrángándán àáyán
Bàtà níí m`ónà se kòròkòrò
Díá fún Onítudè
Omo Kangó ojú abe
Nígbà ti n t’orun bo w’áyé
Ó wá n´bé láarin òtá omo aráaye
Ebo ni won ní kí wáa se
Ó gb´ebo ó ru`bo
Njé ibi ti e rí e kígbe è mi lo o
Ìbi e bá rí e kígbe è mi lo ò
Orí Kíí fo ahun
Edò Kíí dun ìgbín
Òtútu kíí m´eja lále odo
Ìbi e ri e kígbe è mi lo o
Translation:
The felling of the strong àáyán tree
The shoe is it that makes sound on the floor
These were Ifá´s declarations to Ònitudè
Offspring of the sharp edge of the cutting knife
When coming from heaven to earth
And when he was in the midst of enemies
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Now, wherever you know, you can shout my name to
The tortoise will never experience headache
And the Snail will never suffer from liver problem
The fish will never experience cold in the river
Wherever you know you can carry my matter to.
Ifá has assured us that no matter how hard our enemies try, they will be able to do us no harm. With this assurance, need we bother ourselves with any or all of the evil designs or conspiracies of our foes anymore?
b) Divine Pragmatism:
The moment we listen to, and follow Ifá truly and sincerely all the days of our lives, we shall imbibe the fact that everything has its own time of maturity. We shall never be in a hurry to attain anything in life. For example, if we plant maize, we need to have the patience to wait for three month to allow the maize to grow and mature before we pluck it for consumption. If we pluck it before this time, it shall not be fit for consumption. In the same vein, if we desire anything from Ifá, we must be patient to wait for that thing to mature before we grab it. If we fail to do this, we cannot lay claim to the fact that we are truly and sincerely listening to, and following Ifá all the days of our lives. In Òsé-Oníwèéré (Òsé-Ogbè), Ifá says:
Èjiká níí morun pega
Díá fún Mákánjúolá
Tíí somo bíbí inú Agbonnìrègún
Èyí ti átòrum bò wálé Ayé
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáa se
Ò gb`ebo, ó rúbo
Njé Ifá ò níí kú run lógún Odun
Èrò ti yóó somo Ikin
Ifá ní ki e má ma kán’jú
Ifá ò níí kú run lógbòn osù
Èrò tí yóó somo Ikin
Ifá ní e má ma Kán’jú
Translation:
The shoulders are branches of the neck
This was the Ifá cast for Mákánjúolá (don’t-be-in-a-hurry-to-achieve-success)
The true son of Agbonnìrègún
When coming from heaven to earth
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Ifá will never die in 20 years
Those who wish to be true children of Ifá
Ifá says that you need not hurry to attain success
Ifá will never die in 30 months
Those who wish to be true children of Ifá
Ifá says that you need not to hurry to accomplish anything in life.
So, part of what we need to listen to is the fact that we must, at all times, wait for whatever we want in life to mature before we pluck it for our usage. It is when we do it that we can say that we are truly and sincerely children of Ifá. When we see other people enjoying what they have, whether they deserve it or not, we need not envy them. All we need to do is to wait for our own, which we will truly deserve, to mature. We cannot impatiently consume a hot soup. If we do, it will scald our tongue and when the soup is eventually cold our mouth will not let us enjoy it anymore.
Also in Îretè-Òlótà, (Ìretè-Òwónrín), Ifá has this to say:
Ilé e wa àjo
Onà a wa kò s’òkàn
Ònà ì bà s’òkàn
Ma bá o rìn, ma bá o délé kokooko
Díá fún Baila
Tí ´n loó k´apò Iwín
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáa se
Njé irin Baba wa, Ìrin èèrà ni
Eni tó bá lé gbá ti èèrà
Ló lé gbá ti Èdu
Ìrín Babá wa, Ìrìn èèrà ni
Translation:
We do not live in the same house
Therefore the directions to our houses are not the same
Had it been that we live in the same direction
I would have accompanied you, even to your house
These were Ifá´s declarations to Bíàlà
Who planned to be Ifá´s disciple
He was advised to offer ebo
Behold, the journey of our father is like that of an ant
Only those who can follow an ant will be able to follow Ifá.
The journey of our father is like that of an ant.
To follow Ifá, we must have the patience that it takes to follow an ant. We can experiment this and observe how an ant travels in its own journey then we will understand what Ifá means.
The second pragmatic lesson is that to be a true disciple of Ifá, we must learn to move with the pace of an ant. No rush. No hurry.
Ifá´s says that it is only when we do this that our success will come at the time that it will be enjoyed. By then, all challenges and oppositions would have been eliminated.
Envious friends and foes would have been totally subdued. Because we are Divinely connected, we will know when, how, and why we need to down-load our rewards from Ifá. In Ìworì-Asórín (Ìwòrì-Ògúndá), Ifá says:
Ká t´esúru bo´po
Ká tógèdè boýo
Díá fún Olomo-jìngin
Ti nsunkún wípé ire tòun pé lórun
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáa se
Ò gbébo ó rúbo
Njé jìngin-jìngin gbedemuke
A ó fòrò yíí rerìnín ò, gbedemuke
Jìngín-jìngìn ò, gbedemuke
Translation:
Let us add palm-oil to èsúrú, bitter-yam
And salt to banana
This was the Ifá cast for Olomo-jìngin
When crying that his ire, goodness is too late to arrive from heaven
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Now, jìngin jingin gbedemuke, it is time to feel happy and celebrate
We shall all rejoice over this matter
It is surely time for celebration!
With patience and perseverance, our achievement shall be the most enjoyable, juiciest and most rewarding attainment in life.
It is only those who are blessed with Divine Connection who can be pragmatic enough to understand that our reward will only come when all obstacles have been subdued and eliminated.
It is also with Divine Pragmatism that we do not blame witches and wizards or other people when our time has not yet matured to attain success.
2. Divine Direction:
Because we have been divinely connected, the programming of our lives has become the responsibility of Olodumare and the Divinities. Why must we be connected on-line and still suffer disappointment when the master-programmers (Olodumare, through the Divinities) are at work 24 hours of the day just to ensure that everything works out well for us? In order for this to work very well for us however, we must have a solemn declaration that everything about our lives has been handed over to Ifá to direct properly. It is through this declaration that a mandate is given to the Divinities to take over our lives and program the very best for us. In Ogunda-Bedé (Ogunda-Ogbè), Ifá has this to say:
Ìtàkùn tó so igbá
Ló so ikan
Ló so elégédé
Ló so kèkè etì Ìresà
Omo aràayé fi rí bomì rere sénu
A mú we´rí ajá
Orí ajá mó iyélé-iyélé
Amú w`orun agbò
Ó fún yàlà-yàlà…
Díá fún Órúnmílá
Ifá n lòó t´áyé Olúfè se
Ebo ni wón ní kó wáa se
Ò gb´ebo, ó rúbo
`Njé Ifá t’erú-t’omo tìre ni o
T’ilé-t’oko tìre ni o
Èlà fiyè dé´nú o
Ifá kí o ní sùúrù
T’ilé-t’oko tìre ni o
Translation:
The creeping plant that makes calabash grow
Also makes the garden-egg grow
And even the pumpkin too
It also makes the “kèkè”, the wool spinner which is on the way to Iresa town grow
That which people use to drink when thirsty
It was used to fetch water for washing the head of a dog
And the dog’s head came out clean and shiny
It was used to wash the head of a ram
And the ram’s head was sparklingly white…
These were Ifá´s declarations to Órúnmíla
When going to help mend the life of Olufè.
He was advised to offer ebo,
He complied.
Now Ifá, all my household belongs to you.
My home and farm belongs to you.
Èlà, the pure, please show me compassion.
Ifá, please be patient with me.
All my belongings in life are yours as of this moment.
This is a solemn declaration to Ifá to take over the programming of your life. There is no way that we will fervently make this declaration truly and sincerely and expect ourselves to be the same again. If we do this, we will see life anew, we will taste life afresh, and we will experience life in a more challenging manner.
After this declaration, we also need to make a pact with Olodumare. It is this solemn covenant that will bind all parties. That is when we can go home and sleep with your two eyes closed without the fear of all the vagaries of life. In Ejì Onílè (Èjì-Ogbè), Ifá says:
Ní Kékeré ni jàbàjàbà ti níyí ní gàá
Ní Kékeré lomo oba ti nila lórí esin
Díá fún Ààtò
Èyí tíí se bàbá Eriwo
Emi o m´Ààtò, Ifá
Èyí o bá to ló jé rere
Translation:
It is from youth that a cow has honor in the manger
It is from youth that a Prince has honor on top of a horse
These were Ifá´s declarations to Ààtò, methodical planning.
The father of all organizations.
Ifá I know not how is plan.
It is that which you plan for me that I consider good and proper.
As we can see now, it is with this pact that we can confidently say that we have truly handed over our plans and aspirations to Ifá. This pact is our key to demand for our needs from Olodumare. It is with this key that we can open the doors of opportunities.
Olodumare will never enter into any pact with us and disappoint us in the end. This is why we must always ensure that we also keep to our own end of the pact. In Ògúndá-Bèdè (Ogundá-Ogbè), Ifá says:
Kukuté ò mi´ra jìgì
Díá fún Lángosìn
Omo aja´gun gb´ádé bo´rí wálé…
Ibi a bá fòrò sí o
E má mà jé kó ye
Kukuté ò mi´ra jìgì
Translation:
The stump of a felled timber will never shake sideways
This was Ifá´s declaration to Lángosín
He who won a crown through military expedition…
Whatever we agree upon
Please don’t let it be changed
Remember that the stump of a fell timber does not shake sideways!
In this Odú, it is clear that Olodumare, Ifá and the Divinities will keep to their own side of the pact; it is then left to us to ensure that we equally keep our own side.
Because we have handed over everything to Olodumare is not a license for us to become mentally lazy. We need to deliberate regularly on the directions which we want our lives to go. It is after this deliberation that we can go to Ifá for direction and confirmation. We need to go to Ifá for direction so that we do not mess up our ways; we need to confirm also that the path we are towing is the proper and correct pact. We need to be sure that the software of the program we have downloaded is the right one for us. There are different programs for different situations.
In Òsá-Adíjo (Òsá-Ìwòrí), Ifa says:
Òsá n wolé
Ìwòrì n wòde
Ohun a bá jo wò, gígún níí gún
Dìá fún Ìmòràn
Tíí s´egbón Èdú
Imòràn mo dá o télè
Kí n tóó dá Ikin
Translation:
While Òsá is looking inwards
Ìwòrì on the other hand is looking outwards
That which we deliberate upon together is bound to succeed
This was Ifá´s declaration to Ìmòràn, deliberation
The elder brother of Ifá consultation.
I have made my deliberation first before approaching Ifá for guidance.
We need to deliberate upon any step we want to take before we consult Ifá. This will give us no room to become mentally lazy.
Ifá says that if we are making use of all the programs that we download from Ifá because we are permanently connected, anybody who tries to oppose us has all the Divinities to contend with. They will fight such a person to a stand still. In Ogunda-Bèdé, Ifá has this to say on that:
Bèbè ihin odò
Bèbè ohún odò
Af´eni tí Kogílá ó kolu
Afeni tó fásìnrin jeka
Ló lè ko lu Èsú
Ló lè ko lu Sàngó
Àyàfi eni ti Sàngó yóó pa o
Ló lè d´ojú ìjá k’omo Awo!
Translation:
This river bank projects the river
That river bank also protects the river
It is only those who are insane and
Only those who had eaten the smelly rat with their food
They are the ones who can dare confront Esu
And confront Sàngó
It is only those who shall be eliminated by thunderstorm
Who can challenge a true Awo!
So, anyone who plans to confront us is actually planning to have the wrath of Ifá, Sàngó and Esú on his/her head. If this is the case, then why can’t we sleep with our two eyes closed?
At the same time, Ifá says that if we are divinely connected and we also enjoy Divine direction, few people will love us. People love those who had gone astray. They want to make bad reference to them. Ifá says that because there is no bad reference people can make towards us, they nonetheless will wish us never to succeed in life. Ifá says that even this wish will fail. In Òwórín-Ètun (Òwónrín-Ògundá), Ifá declares thus:
Omi súnsún alé àná ò kan
Alòkùbò omi kò korò
Omi kasi ló gbélé olórò ló bàjé
Otí gbélé ahun otí kan
Día fún Gbudu-alà, omo Bákeé
Ebo Olà ni wón ní kó wáá se
Ó gbébo, ó rubo
`Njé tó ba yè n´Ifá o
Bó bá yé L´Esú Òdàrà
Enikan ò gbójú u lílà l´Áwo
Gbúdu-álà, omo Bákeé
Translation:
The water fetched from a fountain the previous day does not go stale
The remaining of the water used yesterday does not taste bitter in the mouth
The water fetched the previous day is declared useless in a prosperous man’s house
The beer in a miserly man’s house will eventually become stale.
These were Ifá´s declarations to Gbúdu-alà, the child of Bákeé (Èsù Òdàrà).
He was advised to offer the ebo of prosperity
He complied.
If not for Ifá and for Èsú Òdàrà
Nobody wishes an Awo to succeed.
Gbúdu-álà, the child of Bákeé.
The significance of this Odú is that those who do not wish us to succeed have Ifá and Èsú Òdàrà (Bákeé) to contend with. They, Ifá and Èsú, will ensure that we do not lack success. They will never open their eyes and allow our antagonists and our enemies to laugh over our failure. They will equally not close their eyes and ears to our yearnings. With Ifá, opportunities are boundless; with Èsú, impossibilities are possible.
Let us examine two examples where Ifá guided its children away from calamity. Everyone who planned these evils was so confident that these Ifá´s children would never escape from their traps. Unknown to them, Ifá never sleeps. They never realized
that there were irrevocable pacts between Ifá and all its children. Had the enemies known, they would not try their evil designs. In Òkanràn-Ìretè, Ifá says:
N’ísojúu gúnnugún, bíí kílè ó d´eko
Kí gúnnugún ó maa mù
Kí gúnnugún ó maa yo
Nísojú à kàlàmàgbò, bìi Kílè ó d´òkú
Kí akalamagbo ó maa mù
Kí akalamagbo ó maa yo
Nísojú onígbànso òkè Àkèsán
Bíi K´ésin ó tòpóoro esè w´ojà
Kó fó gbogbo igbá ti n be níbe
K´ónígbanso ó maa mù
K´ónígbànso ó maa yo
Díá fún Adesopé Ájàó
Eni Olòrun mò
Níjó to n lo sóde àjòdún
N ò r´éèyàn ti n relé Adesopé Àjàó, eni Olòrun mò
Onje ti nbe níbè nni
Ko ma se bá won jeé
Onje kó, iwo ní n be níbe o
Olòkànràn o ò r’ótè nlè?
N ò réèyàn ti n relé Adésopé Àjàó, eni Olòrun mò
Omi ti nbe níbè nni
Kó má se bá won muú
Omi kó, iwo ní nbe níbe o
Olòkànràn o o róte nlè?
N ò réèyàn ti n relé Adésopé Àjàó, eni Olòrum mò
Ení ti nbe níbè nnì
Kó má se bá won jòkòó lée
Ení kó, iwo ní nbe níbe o
Olòkànràn o ò róte nlè?
Translation:
In the view of Igun, the vulture
It wishes the whole land to turn to cornmeal
So as to feast to its satisfaction
And dine in contentment
And the wish of Akalamagbo
Is for everything to turn to corpse
So as to feast to its pleasure
And drink to its satisfaction
In the innermost estimation of the calabash mender
He wishes a horse to stray into the market
And break the entire calabashes brought there
So as to attract to himself unlimited business opportunities
These were Ifá´s declarations to Adésopé Àjàó,
He who enjoys the recognition of the heavens
When going to attend an anniversary
I see no one going to the house of Adésopé Àjàó
He who is well known by the Divinities
Please inform him that the food they would give him at the party.
Don not eat it at all
It is not food, it is pure poison
Olòkànràn, don’t you see conspiracy?
Is there anyone going to the home of Adésopé Àjàó,
He who is recognized by the Divinities
The water they will provide for him there
He must never partake in drinking it
It is no water; it is poison
Olòkànràn, don’t you see conspiracy?
Can I get anyone going to the house of Adésopé Àjàó?
He who is well known to the Deities
The mat they will spread for him in that party
He must never sit on it
It is no mat, it is poison
Olòkànràn, can’t you recognize conspiracy?
We can see that in this Odú, there was a conspiracy against Adésopé Àjàó, He was invited to an anniversary. All his enemies had planned to poison him there. They put the poison which was similar to the food, drinks, mat, seat, palm wine, etc. that he would be given at that party. They were so sure that he could not escape all the traps set for him. Unknown to the conspirators Adésopé Àjàó was enjoying the recognition of Heaven. They hinted him about all the evil designs of his enemies. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. He escaped all their plans and their conspiracy amounted to nothing.
Also in Òwónrín-Aséyín ( Òwónrín Òsá) Ifá says:
Kinní kan n be nínú ògàn
Ò n dún màhururu-màhururu
Kinní kan n be nínú ògàn
Ò n dún màhèrèrè màhèrèrè
Díá fún Adágudu
Tíí somo bíbi´inú Agbonrirègún
Igbàtí ú be lágbatèmó omo aráyé
Ebo ni wón ní kó se
Ógbébo ó rúbo
Adágudu omo ò mi nio
Ò bá tè siwaju o
Ki o ma te seyin
Adágudu omo ò mi níí se o
Translation:
There is something inside the termite-hill
It is making some frightening sound
There is something the ant hill
It is making some horrifying sounds
This was the Ifá cast for Adágudu
The son of Agbonnìrègún (Órúnmílá)
When he was in the midst of enemies
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Behold, Adágudu is my true son
Please, step forward
Do not step backwards (there is a trap in the back)
Adugudu is my true child.
This is another example of how Ifá gives Divine Guidance and Direction to its true children in order to put the evil designs of their enemies to naught and put the conspirators to shame. Here, a big ditch was dug behind Adagudu. The conspirators were persuading him to step backwards in order to make him fall into the ditch which they had hitherto covered with a mat. They never reckoned with the fact that the child of Ifá is above all intrigues. They tried; they failed and they were put to shame.
3. Divine Assurance and Reliability:
It is very true that once we follow the part of the Irunmole, we are bound to pick up a lot of enemies than we ever expect. What happens when we are surrounded by these enemies? The answer is “nothing”. They have no power to do us any evil. This is what Ifá has to say in Òsá-Olóyànnán (Osa-Irete):
Géngé omo-olo
Omo-olo géngé
Oyún níí m´óyàn yo tàràtàrà
Díá fún Ení-à-n-bu-ku
Ti Olórun-Oba n bù kún
Ebo ní wón ní kó wáá se
Ó gbébo, ó rubo
B´enikan ò kí mi kó jókoó o
Kíkí Orí mi ju igba Èèyàn lo o
B´´enikan ò kí mi kó jókoó o
Kíkí Olórun ju igba èèyàn lo o
Translation:
Gèngé omo-olo
Omo-olo géngé
The pregnancy is it that makes the breasts more prominent
These were Ifá´s declarations to He-Whom-they-are-disgracing
Whom Olodumare is showering praises upon
If nobody greets me, let them sit down
The greetings of my Ifá is better than those of 200 people
If nobody recognizes me, let them be
The recognition of my Orí is better than those of 200 men
If nobody salute me, let them go and rest
The salutation of my God is better than those of 200 people
Which other assurance can be better than this one?
This means that the moment we connect ourselves, we stay connected. Nobody can disconnect us. We know of many people in this world who rely on human connections in order to achieve their ambitions. It is rather unfortunate that the same people who connected them were the ones who disconnected them in the end. With Divine Connection, you are sure of Divine Direction. With Divine Connection and Direction you are sure of Divine Assurance that you will stay connected.
In Ìdìn-Atàgò (Òdí.Òtúrá), Ifá says:
Orunmla wí o ló di ògèrèrè
Ifá mo ló di alásunle
Ifá ní tani eni tó tó eni ti àá sùn lé lórí?
Mo ní òbí eni ló tó eni ti àá sùn lé lórí
Àsé òbí eni kó tóó sùn lé ráráárá
Órúnmílá wí ó ló di ògèrèrè
Ifá mo ló di alásùnlé
Ifá ní tani eni tó t´éni ti àá sún le lóri?
Mo ní aya/oko eni ló téni ti àá sún lé lóri
Àsé aya/oko eni kò tóó sùn lé ráráárá
Orunmla wí, ó ló di ògèrèrè
Ifá mo ló di alásùnlè
Ifá ní tani eni tó téni ti àá sùn lé lórí?
Mo ní omo eni lo téni ti àá sùn lé lórí
Àsé omo eni ló toó sún lé ráráárá
Akápò ní ohun o mo eni to téni tí àá sùn lé lórì
Ifá ti ohun nìkan lòhun téni ti àá súnlé lórì
Ifá ti o bá se mi, se mí ti mo fi láje
Opè àgùnká n ó si maa sùn lé o ni
Ifá tó o bá se mí, se mí ti mo fi níre gbogbo
Òpè àgùnká n ó si maa sùn lé o ni o
Translation:
Órúnmílá declares that it is time for rest
I respond that it is time to sleep on top of someone
Ifá says that who is dependable enough to sleep upon?
I respond that our parents are dependable enough to sleep upon
I never know that our parents are not worthy of sleeping upon at all
Órúnmílá declares that it is time for rest
I respond that it is time to sleep on top of someone
Ifá says that who is dependable enough to sleep upon?
I respond that our spouses are dependable enough for us to sleep upon
I never know that spouses are not worthy of sleeping upon at all
Órúnmílá declares that it is time to take a rest
I respond that it is time to sleep on top of someone
Ifá says that who is dependable enough to sleep upon?
I respond that our children are dependable enough to sleep upon
I never know that our children are not worthy of sleeping upon at all
I now declare my ignorance of who is dependable enough to sleep upon
Órúnmílá says that he is the only one dependable enough to sleep upon
Ifá if you program me to become wealthy
Òpè àgùnkà, forever will I continue to sleep upon you
Ifá if you program me to be blessed with good kids
Òpè àgùnkà, forever will I continue to sleep upon you
Ifá if you program me to be blessed with al the good things of life
Òpè àgùnkà, forever will I continue to sleep on you
In this Odú, Ifá set an examination for his disciples. He asked them to tell him who they knew that was dependable enough that when they rely completely on such a person, they will never be turned back. Some of them said it was their mother, some said it was their father; some picked their spouses, others picked their siblings, yet some others picked their children while others picked their close neighbors. Órúnmílá asked them to go to those people they had picked and asked for financial help. He told them to go there everyday. By the time they went there five to six times, they were insulted and turned back.
Órúnmílá asked them to mention other people whom they feel were dependable enough to approach to solve all their problems and satisfy all their needs. All the Akapo declared that they do not know such a person again. Órúnmílá then told them that he was the only one who was dependable enough for everyone to approach to solve all their problems and satisfy all their needs. They said that how would he do that? Órúnmílá declared that if he was approached for any form of assistance today, he would give them one thing; tomorrow he would increase the gift to two, in two days time the gift would be increased to four; in three days time the gift would be increased eight and on and on. He declared that it was not only this, but what he would never complain when giving out to his children what others give out with complaints. He assured all his disciples that where he used to get his own supply was an inexhaustible source- it is directly from Olodumare!
This is the reason why when Idin-Atàgo is cast for anyone in need of any form of assistance from Ifá, all his/her Ikin will be thoroughly cleansed and spread on the client’s bed. The client will be directed to sleep on the Ikin for 16 days. On the 17th day, the Ikin will be gathered and a matured she-goat would be offered to it. All what the client was looking for would be realized with relative ease. It is therefore clear that Ifá is the most reliable force on earth because all the assistance and support which we shall get are coming directly from Olodumare. If this is true, which we know that it certainly is the truth, what then is the position of Orunmila with Olódumarè? A stanza in Òwónrín-Olójèé( Òwónrín-Ogbè) gave an answer to it. In this Odú, Ifá says:
Orúnkún abara yíyi
Àlùfó lorùn akèrègbè
Día fún Olúkosí-Òpè
Tíí somo Olórun Àsáádí
Bikú ló bá n lé mi í bó wá Ifá
Awímológbón gba mí o
Òpé Asinla gbà mí
Iwo mà lomo Olórum Asáádi
Bí Àrín, Ejó, Òfò, gbogbo Irunbi ló bá n lé mi i bò wá Ifá
Awímologbón gba mí o
Òpe Asínlà gbá mí
Ìwo mà lomo Olórun Àsáádí o
Translation:
The knee with its thick skin
The neck of a bottle calabash is always beaten until it gets broken
This was the Ifá cast for Olúkosì Òpe (Orunmila)
The son of God, the shelter. (Olórun Àgáádí)
If Death is pursuing me
Awímológbón, the teacher of wisdom, please save me
Òpé Asinlà, please come to my aid
You are the son of God, the shelter
If affliction, contention, loss or all the evil things in life are pursuing me
Awímológbón, please save me
Òpè Asinlà, please come to my aid
You are the son of God, the shelter.
Now that we know that Olodumare considers Orunmila as his own son, no wonder then that there is nothing that Orunmila cannot get for us from his father! That is why our enjoyment of Divine Assurance and Reliability will remain intact and unbroken forever and ever. Àsé!!!
Also in Òsé-Bìílè (Òsé-Ìretè), Ifá has this to say:
Ìhín ní n bá yá sí
Òfún ni n bá yà sí
Irona-Ìrònà làa sinkú òré eni
Díá fún Orunmila
Baba n se ohun gbogbo ti okan ò yorí
Wón ní kó lo rèe fi Olórun re se baba
Gba mí o, Olórun un mi gbà mi o
Iwo ni mo gbójú lé
Gba mí o Olórun ùn mi gbà mí o
Ìwo ni mo fèyìn mi tì
Gba mí o Olórun-ìn mi gbà mi o
Enikan kíí fèyin ti Olódumare kò dójú ti ni
Gba mí o, Olórun-ún mi gbá mí o
Translation:
I would have taken this path
And I would have followed that route
In stages does one do the burial rites of one’s friend
This was Ifá´s declaration to Órúnmílá,
When doing all things without succeeding in any
He was advised to make Olodumare his father
Save me, my God, please save me
You are the one I depend upon
Save me, oh my God, please save me
You are the one I rely upon
Save me, oh my God, please come to my rescue
Nobody can rely on Olodumare for him to be disgraced
Save me, oh my God, please save me.
Orunmila made Olodumare his father in order to accomplish all his heart’s desires. That is why those of us who are the true children of Orunmila will continue to enjoy unlimited opportunities from the inexhaustible fountain of all opportunities. Since this source can never be exhausted, all others who wish to enjoy like us are welcome to log in. It is for free!!!
4. Divine Productivity:
The moment that we log into the Divine Program, we shall enjoy Divine Connections. These connections will bring automatic Divine Direction. With Divine Direction comes Divine Assurance and Reliability. All these will then ensure that there is adequate Divine Productivity which will make us enjoy our lives to the fullest. We are aware of some Ifá priests and priestesses who are not necessarily rich in the real sense of it, but who are always happy, comfortable and contented. With Ifá, you can never experience any system virus, bug, spam, junk messages, server disconnection or any irritation that normally and frequently happen with all human programs.
Ifá says that all what we shall receive shall be increased on a daily basis. We shall not lack anything in all spheres of life. What is given to us today shall be more than what we might have received yesterday. In the same vein, what we shall receive tomorrow shall be more than what we have today. In Oturupon-Ìká, Ifá gives assurance thus:
Ò jí túú bí omo oníhun
Ò rìnrìn gbere-gbèrè-gbere bí omo oníhun
Òjí ní Kútúkútú f´aso ìgbòsù bosè
Díá fín Asiyanbí
Tíí somo Ol´rò Kan àtijó
Bí igbá bá jí, yóó fowó o rè móko
Ifa oní kò tó Ifá òla tó n bò
Bí gbòrò bá jí, yóó fowó o rè móko
Ifa òní kò tó Ifá òla tó n bò
Eluluú kó máa ké tùtúru
Ifa nlánlá ni yóó wolé tò wá wá
Translation:
He woke up like the son of a prosperous father
And walked majestically like the child of a successful father
This was Ifá´s declaration to Asiyanbí
The son of the successful man of those days
If the calabash plant wakes up, it will rest its stems on the farm tree
The free gifts of today will not be as much as the ones coming tomorrow
When the pumpkin plant wakes up, it will rest its stems on the farm shrubs
The free gifts of today will not be as much as the ones coming tomorrow
Let the hoopoe summon the rain continuously
Big free gifts shall rush to us in our homes.
As we can see, Ifá does not think of what we need yesterday and today alone, Ifá is truly great. This can be compared with what Ifá says in Idin Atàgò (Òdì-Òtúrá) stated above. Ifá will never leave its children to suffer or experience any want. Àsé!!!
In Òwónrín-Omo-Obà-Tútù (Òwónrín-Òtúrúpòn), Ifá assures us that we shall be crowned in our various undertaking if we follow Ifá with all our minds and we are truthful and sincere in all our dealings with Ifá. As long as we remain Órúnmílá´s children, we shall be crowned. Who then are Órúnmílá´s children? The children of Órúnmílá are those who do all those things which please Olodumare at all times. All of us who are ready to do all the things which will please Olodumare at all times are welcome on board. In this Odu, Ifá says:
Bí a bá tí sin Ifá sí ni Ifá se n gbe’ni
Bí a bá ti sin Òòsà sí ní Òòsà se n gba
Bí a bá bo Òpè l’àboòyé
Nse níí síjú ire é wo´ni
Díá fún Órúnmílá
Baba n t’íkòlé Ayé lo s’íkòlé Òrun
Ó n lòó gba irinwo adé wale aye
Won ni irinwo ade kò tó fún gbogbo aye
Orunmila ní kò sí fún gbogbo aye
Òní t’àwon omo ohun ti wón n se ifé Olodumare ni…
Translation:
The extent of our Ifá worship will determine the extent of support that Ifá will give us
As we worship Òrisà is proportional to the support that we shall receive from the Orisa
If we tirelessly worship Ifa
Ifá will reward us with its benevolence
These were Ifá’s declarations to Orúnmíla
When going from earth to heaven
When going to bring 400 crowns from the domains of Olodumare
People said that 400 crowns were insufficient for the whole world
Órúnmíla declared that they were not meant for the whole world
He said that they belong to his children who are doing only those things which please Olodumare at all times…
What else can we say on this? I am prepared to be a recipient of one of the 400 crowns which Órúnmílá had brought from Olódumarè´s domain. Are you? Let us endeavor to be. We shall all be “Opa Ifá, ìbà Èsu” Àse!!!
Now, do we need to dwell so much on why some people fail where others succeed? I do not think so. What are those things that qualify one to b a child of Órúnmílá?
1. Think no evil
2. Say no evil
3. Do no evil
4. Be faithful
5. Be realistic
6. Move close to all Divinities though Ifá
7. Be humble at all times
8. Otíto, Ododo; Truthfulness, Honesty.
9. Seek only Divine Connection, rely on no man
10. Believe in Divine Assurance and Reliability
11. Follow Divine Direction
12. Work towards Divine Productivity
13. Bring others on board
14. Be a role model and a shining example in your community
15. Be proud of what you believe in.
16. Above all, work for the Crown brought by Órúnmíla
17. Be happy and contented at all times.
If we can follow all the 17 points above, surely we shall ALWAYS succeed where others had failed.
Aboru, Aboye