Ekaaro, Ekassan, Alafia
I Am Apetebi IFAFUNBI
I grew up in the Christian Religion, I was always interested in astronomy and astrology, I was a good old country girl chasing the moon. I grew up cooking with my mom and grandma so theres the love of food that turned into the love of herbology. My Grandpa still has a garden I get some of my herbs and things from him when I go home from time to time. I got interested in greek mythology in middle school sent me down the rabbit hole of spirituality. Then one day someone I considered a friend said I should get a reading from their Iya. I asked what is that then, Her Iya then became my first mentor in the culture, forever appreciate you High Priest OyaFunke. I began my path to IFA in Oyotunji African Kingdom (Mojuba Oba Waja, Long Live the Oba) through the experience of Oyotunji I met my Baba and am still growing my connection to Spirit, Ase.
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I am honored and privilaged to say that I recieved my hand from My Baba, IFAYEKU
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My Baba taught me to always consult IFA (divination) before doing ANY spiritual work therefore, there will always be a consultation with me. If you want the work done without question find someone else, I only do what is best for my client according the advice of IFA.
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With that being said I am Lucumi then Isese taught so I understand lineage and the importance of tradtion to people with that in mind, I am writng from the perspective of my lineage and Ori. Be respectful and remember I am a Omo Oya, I love my Egungun (Ancestors) and Orisha and they love me.
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For those who are curious my first head Orisha is Oya. I Am a proud Omo Oya.
Mojuba Oya, Mojuba Oshun
We feel as a collective we are at a turning point in the culture where we can let it be poluted with scammers and people using their connection to spirit to abuse it or we as a collective can fix it. I still see light in the community. I see a chance for balance to correct people that have gotten lost because this world is hard.
The reason you keep your eyes on your own Mat is because if everyone masters their own craft, when we get together we'll understand more.
Understanding = Growth
With that being said I struggle alot with what I post online because I understand that the tradition is oral, the Ancestors passed down tradition orally. Through the atrocities of time we no longer have acess to elders that know. In the US African Americans are lead back to IFA but not everyone still have culture in mind or heart and sadly now our African family are scamming aswell. I feel it is very important to spread information to keep people from beign mislead and scammed.
HOWEVER I understand, respect, and uphold the importance of this Spritiual Practice being a CLOSED practice. I ask you as my elders and sibilings in orisha to hold me accountable, if I post something that is to far tell me, immedietely so we can discuss it. One of the KEY principals of priesthood is humility, I will gladly admit when I'm wrong, Ase.
Before you scroll, hows your alter looking?
Things I wIsh I Better understood coming into the Culture
Can you still practice your religion while getting into IFA?
Yes, there are many people that practice the christian, islam, and etc. religion, pastors and all that consult Babalaows, for divination and more. Never limit yourself, Law of Polarity.
Whats the difference between Lucumi, Santeria,Yoruba, and IFA?
Lucumi/Lukumi and Santeria are cuban versions of Yoruba, but they are all valid forms of IFA. People do tend to move across the practices as they connect with their ancestors.someone eles experince probably won't be yours. The harder the head the harder the lesson.
What is IFA? (Indeginous Faiths of Africa)
IFA is the Wisdom of Nature, Orunmilla is the Witness to said Wisdom. For beginner purposes Priests of IFA are the highest within the culture. Women are called Iyanifas and Men are Called Babalawos. There are certain ceremonies that cannot completed without both parties. Traditional IFA, one of its bases is the Law of Gender and Divine Balance. Therefore the "seperation" everything in IFA makes sense if it doesn't, Ask questions unless its about a ritual or ceremony then wait your mentor will advise you when the time comes.
Who are the Egungun?
The Egun are the Ancestors, the Egungun are your honorable Ancestors. In my lineage we believe everyone in the diaspora has a right to be connected to their Ancestors, we believe everyone should venerate their Egungun, and know basic obi ("5 formation" the kind that they only speak with their PERSONAL EGUNGUN and CANNOT read other people with)
What is your Ori?
Your spiritual head, that is why we teach understanding your Ori. I cannot and will never speak for someone else but for me taking the time to understand my Ori helped with my mental health.
What are the Orisha?
Orisha are the energies of Nature, the aspects of Nature. That is why they all have their own respective preisthoods to uphold the aspects and balance of nature aswell as guiding people along their Destinys', theres more than one way to be lost.
What is a Guardian or Head Orisha?
Within culutures in IFA, a Babalawo will divine and confirm the Orisha guarding your Ori, keep in mind your orisha may change at any time based on what energy you need to achieve your highest potential. Also Orisha energy can display in multiple ways, it might not always be who you think it is. I have heard of many people crying on the Mats of my mentors not recieving the Orisha they thought was over their head.
If the Orisha align to the Zodiacs how is it different then the one on your head?
Your Zodiac is your connection to the universe, While your Head Orisha is the guardian of your Destiny. You exhibit traits of both and many other things, its okay not to perfectly fit in any box. People are all multifacited beings, the same way two siblings can grow up in the same house and be different people, two people can share guardian/head orisha and a zodiac and be two COMPLETELY different people. Its an aspect or part of who you are not all you are.
What is Divination?
Divination is consulting Spirit, The Oracle, Orunmila, etc.There are readers and Diviners in this culture. Most people start and stay as readers, However there are some that grow into diviners and the rare born diviner, Ive been honored enough to sit and scribe for a Diviner. I promise you its such a different energy.
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Feel free to ask any other questions I will answer them to the best of my ability and accordance to this being a closed practice. If you found my page your meant to know about IFA, even if its just knowing it exists.
