(Spi)Ritual Solutions
Spirituality: adj: relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul. The word Spirituality emerges deeply from the Latin Spiro (“breath” “(be) alive”).
The spiritual solutions we speak of here relate to the human spirit or the human condition, and along the way applies focus to improve the seekers immediate life. We call these improvements the Basic Blessings - Long life (aiku), home (ile), business or means (owo/aje), spouse or partners (oko/aya), children (omo, and not just physical children, but anything you create or that becomes your legacy) and victory or overcoming obstacles (isegun).
In the science of Ifa, having the basic blessings (health, wealth, stable home, family/support, children/creations, and victory over obstacles) are the primary vehicles of spiritual practice and evolution.
Where a consultation is the first step on the path to improved life, Ebo (sacrifice, ceremony and ritual) follows as a close second. Every time we Consult Ifa, there is a prescription for evolution and success, to surmount the odds or cement the odds in our favor, to dance through the tribulation and ultimately create a successful outcome.
Ebo literally means sacrifice – to give one thing in order to receive another thing – most notably to receive a successful outcome. There is no complete list of the potential Ebo to look over as a reference; the Ebo for each individual is determined at the time of Consulting Ifa and is far from cookie-cutter.
Below, though, you will find a basic overview of some of the common rituals, ceremonies and ebos in Ifa and Orisa traditions used to manifest change.
Everyone starts at the consultation.
A consultation is a divination into your current situation, using tools and authority from Ifa or Orisas, and providing a prescription for evolution and success, to surmount the odds stacked against us or cement the odds in our favor, to dance through the tribulation and ultimately create a successful outcome.
There is no reason to perform any ceremony or ritual unless it is prescribed by Ifa and properly determined to be necessary. For this reason, have an Ifa reading first before beginning any ritual.
An introductory initiation, this ceremony is a one-to-three day process, culminating with the reception of an Odu – a sacred contract with destiny as you currently experience it. The goal of this ceremony is to develop spiritual intimacy with Ifa and your Ori (inner head), as well as Ifa’s message for you on navigating life smoothly.
Ibori
Head Cleaning
Before anything else, we are told to know ourselves – to honor Ori (inner head). Knowing the self is quiet, private, and reflective. A person who knows their own Ori, knows themselves, will end up much better than one who holds high position but lacks knowledge of self. Self-knowledge prevents us from being fooled, or going down a path not in our best interest; it is protection from the inside out.
Ancestral Veneration
It is important to always remember those that have come before. By working with and elevating your Ancestors through prayer, service, listening, and offerings, you are better able to not only spiritually heal members of current or unborn family, but also yourself. Venerating and working closely with your own ancestors is a powerful step towards a happy life on Earth.
To get an ancestral altar going is a great beginner practice, and a low-risk investment of time. Our Temple offers customized direction or assistance with setting up an ancestral alter for the first time, for about the same cost as a consultation. Contact us here, and one of our Temple leaders will be in touch.
Oba Ifagbemi both initiates seekers locally at his Temple and can coordinate trips to West Africa. Some of the various Orisas one may initiate to include the following: Ifa, Esu, Obatala, Osun, Sango, Ogun, Osoosi, Obaluaye, Yewa, Yemoja, Olokun, Oya, Egbe, Osanyin, Egungun, Gelede, and various societies within the tradition, etc. Please contact us for details on how to arrange this if you are interested.