Odu Ifa Ogunda Irete (Ogundakete)

Ifa Divination for Orangun Mojo: Surpassing Ancestral Achievement

Understanding the Message of Elevation

This divination from Ogunda Irete addresses one of humanity's deepest desires—to honor our ancestors while simultaneously achieving greatness that surpasses theirs. Ifa reveals that the person receiving this Odu comes from a family where the father holds a position of respect and authority. However, Ifa promises that through proper sacrifice, the child's position will exceed that of the parent—a powerful message about generational advancement and spiritual elevation.

The divination specifically speaks to those who are being called to positions of leadership, chieftaincy, or titles. Ifa makes it clear that when such a calling comes, it must not be refused under any circumstances. The spiritual significance of accepting one's destined position cannot be overstated—to refuse is to reject the blessings Ifa has ordained.

The Symbolism of Ogun's Small Cap

The verse begins with the imagery of Ogun wearing a very small cap, which carries deep symbolic meaning in Yoruba culture. A small cap represents humility and the modest beginnings from which greatness emerges. Ogun, the deity of iron, war, and technology, is often depicted as one who started with little but achieved monumental status through determination and proper spiritual observance. This imagery sets the stage for understanding that current circumstances, no matter how modest, can transform into positions of great honor.

The Sacred Verse

Ogunda kete penpe
Adifafun orangun mojo
Ti o joye ti o ju babare lo
Ebo ni won ni ko se
O si gbebo nibe o rubo
Kee pe
Kee jina
Ewa ban ni je butu ire

English Translation

Ogun was wearing a very small cap
Ifa divination was cast for Orangun Mojo,
Who was destined to receive a chieftaincy title in the presence of his father.
He was asked to offer a sacrifice,
And he complied.
There is neither prolonged silence
Nor excessive haste.
Come and rejoice with me for the blessing of goodness.

The Power of Proper Timing

The phrase "there is neither prolonged silence nor excessive haste" contains profound wisdom about divine timing. When we perform the prescribed sacrifices, blessings manifest in their appropriate time—not delayed to the point of frustration, nor rushed to the point of instability. This teaches us that Ifa's blessings come with perfect timing when we maintain faith and complete our spiritual obligations.

Prescribed Offerings (Ebo)

For those who receive this divination, Ifa prescribes specific offerings to ensure the manifestation of chieftaincy titles and elevated status. The offerings include pigeons (eyele), which represent peace and gentle ascension to power; a hen (agbebo adie), symbolizing nurturing and the care of dependents that comes with leadership; a rooster (akuko adie), representing authority and the announcement of one's position; and money (opolopo owo), which facilitates the practical aspects of assuming a title and maintains the ceremonies associated with chieftaincy.

Practical Application for Modern Times

In contemporary society, this Odu speaks not only to traditional chieftaincy titles but to any form of elevated position—professional advancement, academic recognition, business leadership, or community roles. The principle remains constant: when opportunity for advancement presents itself, particularly when it builds upon or exceeds ancestral achievement, one must accept it with humility while performing the necessary spiritual preparations. Learn more about Ogunda Irete divination practices on our dedicated page.

Ifa Divination for Ajayi: Defeating Death Predictions and Achieving Longevity

Confronting the Prophecy of Death

This divination from Ogunda Irete addresses one of the most frightening experiences a person can face—being told by others that death is imminent. Ifa reveals that people are speaking about the person, predicting that they will not survive to see the next year. This represents not just physical threats but also the spiritual danger of negative prophecies and malicious speech that can manifest as reality if not properly addressed.

The divination also identifies that the person is experiencing nightmares every night, which Ifa recognizes as spiritual warnings of danger. These disturbing dreams are not random but are communications from the spiritual realm indicating that intervention is necessary to prevent sudden death (iku ojiji).

The Sacred Verse

Ogunlode popo iko
Lorawo agada ibeje ibeje
Adifafun ajayi
Ti won ni ko ni joye amodun
Ebo won ni o se
O si gbebonibe o rubo
Nje ifa ni Ajayi wa tije yi
Amodun na otijegba
Omo odo otijegba
Omo oloo otijegba
Ogbon iyako ajayi wa ti jeyi amodun naa.

English Translation

Ogunlode Popo Iko
Who was pleading up and down.
Ifa divination was cast for Ajayi.
He was told that he would not receive the chieftaincy title this year,
But he was asked to offer a sacrifice.
And he complied.
Therefore, Ajayi, how did you get to this point?
Next year will be good.
Hardships do not abandon the mortar.
The small grinding stone does not leave the big grinding stone to suffer alone.

Understanding the Metaphor of Grinding Stones

The metaphor of the mortar and grinding stones carries powerful meaning in Yoruba philosophy. Just as the small grinding stone remains loyal to the large grinding stone through all the work of grinding, so too do spiritual forces remain with those who maintain proper spiritual practice. The grinding process represents life's challenges—persistent, sometimes painful, but ultimately productive. The message is that hardship is not abandonment; rather, it is a process that, when endured with proper spiritual support, leads to refinement and blessing.

The Reversal of Negative Prophecy

What makes this divination particularly powerful is how it transforms a death prediction into a promise of longevity and success. Ajayi was told he would not survive the year, yet through compliance with Ifa's prescription, not only did he survive, but the following year brought goodness (amodun na otijegba). This demonstrates Ifa's power to reverse even the most dire predictions when proper sacrifices are performed with faith and obedience.

Prescribed Offerings (Ebo)

For protection against death predictions and sudden death, Ifa prescribes a goat (oruko) and money (opolopo owo). The goat represents substitution—it takes the place of the person in the spiritual realm, satisfying whatever forces were aligned against them. For deeper understanding of Yoruba spiritual philosophy and divination systems, consult scholarly resources on African Traditional Religions and Ifa Divination.

Ifa Divination for Elewi: Victory Through Strategic Sacrifice

The Complexity of Multiple Blessings and Challenges

This divination from Ogunda Irete presents a complex situation where multiple blessings and challenges exist simultaneously. Ifa reveals several critical messages: the person has already offered sacrifice to overcome illness, but must not rely solely on medicine for healing; they must avoid physical confrontations and fights; a new wife is destined for them; and they are currently engaged in a dispute with others over something valuable or important.

The uniqueness of this divination lies in Ifa's instruction that the person must offer sacrifice in three different ways (ona meta ni won orubo yi si) in order to win their disputes and receive all their blessings. This three-fold sacrifice represents the comprehensive nature of spiritual work—addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the challenge.

The Sacred Verse

Agogonla abi enu gbaagba
Adifafun elewi
Ti n so gbogbo arun tin tirakaka alai le dide
Kabojuju kaitele juju
Omo elewii ni o bo juju tele juju
omo elewi ni o bo bata tele fijuju le omo
Elewii ehoro omo elewi ni
Ebo won ni won o se
Ehoro nikan ni n be leyin ti n rubo
Nje nikan nibe leyin tin rubo
Nje ogbaduke ojelewi ehoro
Ogbaduke ojeleewi.

English Translation

The big bell with the widest mouth
Ifa divination was cast for Elewi,
Who was very sick and struggling but unable to stand.
One must have confidence and believe.
Elewii Obojuju, the son of Elewii,
The one who wears shoes to move up and down.
Elewii Ehoro is also the son of Elewi.
They were all asked to offer a sacrifice,
But only Elewii Ehoro complied.
And he was the only one blessed.
Later, Elewii received the title of Ogbaduke.

The Principle of Selective Blessing

This story teaches a critical principle in Ifa: when multiple people receive the same guidance, only those who actually comply with the prescription receive the blessings. Three sons of Elewi received identical divination, but only Elewii Ehoro performed the sacrifice. The result was that he alone received blessings and eventually gained the prestigious title of Ogbaduke.

This illustrates that opportunity is democratic—Ifa offers guidance to all—but blessing is merit-based, given to those who demonstrate faith through action. Knowledge of what to do is worthless without the commitment to actually do it.

Prescribed Offerings (Ebo)

For victory in disputes and the reception of multiple blessings, Ifa prescribes a goat (oruko), money (opolopo owo), and a stick used to tie animals (eekan). The eekan is particularly significant—it represents binding one's enemies and securing one's victory. Explore more wisdom from our collection of Ifa teachings.

Ifa Divination for Ehoro: The Sacred Power of Secrecy

The Blessing and Burden of Confidential Knowledge

This divination from Ogunda Irete addresses one of the most delicate situations in human relationships—being entrusted with secrets that could bring harm if revealed. Ifa reveals that someone will confide in the person receiving this Odu, sharing information that is sensitive and potentially dangerous. The warning is clear and absolute: the secret must never be revealed under any circumstances.

What makes this divination particularly profound is Ifa's instruction that the person must propitiate their mother's destiny (ori iyare) for protection. This shows the deep connection between maternal spiritual protection and the ability to safely guard secrets. The mother's ori serves as a shield against the potential consequences—both spiritual and physical—that could arise from being privy to dangerous information.

The Sacred Verse

Kenu momonu
Kete momo ete
Ni koran beke
Adifafun ehoro tii se wole wode orisa
Ebo ni won ni o se
O si gbebo nibe o rubo
Kee pe
Kee jina
Kawa ba ni laiku kan giri.

English Translation

One should remain silent.
One should sealed their lips
This is what causes trouble for gossipers?
Ifa divination was cast for the rabbit,
Who was a close friend of the deity.
He was asked to offer a sacrifice,
And he complied.
Not too long, not too short,
Come and rejoice with me for the blessing of longevity.

The Rabbit as Symbol of Discretion

The choice of Ehoro (rabbit) as the protagonist in this divination is deeply symbolic. In Yoruba folklore, the rabbit is known for its cautious nature, its ability to move quietly, and its survival through awareness rather than confrontation. The rabbit's close friendship with the deity (orisa) represents the spiritual rewards that come to those who can be trusted with sacred knowledge.

The rabbit's survival depends on knowing when to speak and when to remain silent—a quality that directly parallels the human need for discretion when entrusted with sensitive information. Those who gossip or reveal confidences are like careless rabbits who announce their presence to predators.

The Consequences of Gossip

The verse explicitly states that gossiping causes trouble (ni koran beke). This is not merely social advice but spiritual law. In Yoruba cosmology, words carry spiritual power—they can create or destroy, protect or harm. When we reveal secrets entrusted to us, we violate sacred trust and expose ourselves to the spiritual consequences of that betrayal.

Prescribed Offerings (Ebo)

For protection when entrusted with secrets and to ensure longevity, Ifa prescribes a rooster (akuko) and money (opolopo owo). The rooster, which crows at dawn, represents the voice—by offering it, the person symbolically offers their tendency to speak, transforming it into the wisdom of silence. For scholarly perspectives on Ifa as a knowledge system, refer to comprehensive documentation on Ifa divination.

Akose and Spiritual Preparations of Ogunda Irete

Understanding Akose in Ifa Practice

Akose refers to spiritual preparations or medicinal formulations that combine herbal, animal, and mineral substances with spiritual invocations to produce specific results. Unlike ebo (sacrifices), which are offered to spiritual forces, akose are preparations that the person uses directly on their body or consumes. The akose of Ogunda Irete are particularly powerful for attracting fortune and defeating enemies.

Akose Awure Ola: Preparation for Wealth and Fortune

This akose is specifically designed to attract prosperity, honor, and good fortune (ola) into one's life. The preparation involves combining several spiritually potent elements and using them in a prescribed manner to align one's spiritual frequency with abundance.

Ingredients and Preparation

The akose requires a small piece of a large tree (iginla die), three fruits or seeds from an Olowerenjeje plant (eso oloweremjeje meta), and three alligator pepper seeds (eyo atare meta). These ingredients are ground together into a fine powder, then used to make incisions (singbere) on both hands, marked with the Ejiogbe sign.

Spiritual Significance of the Ingredients

Iginla (large tree) represents strength, stability, and the ability to withstand opposition. The Olowerenjeje plant is known for its protective and victory-giving properties. Alligator pepper (atare) is one of the most sacred substances in Yoruba spirituality, representing spiritual power, clarity, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

The Power of Ejiogbe Marking

Marking the incisions with Ejiogbe—the first and most senior Odu Ifa—invokes the primordial power and authority of Ifa itself. This transforms the akose from mere herbal medicine into a spiritually empowered preparation that carries the full force of Ifa's protection and victory.

Proper Application

The incisions are made on both hands because hands represent action, work, and interaction with the world. By placing this powerful preparation on the hands, every action the person takes is spiritually empowered to defeat enemies and achieve victory. The bilateral application (both hands) ensures complete coverage and balanced spiritual protection.

Important Considerations for Akose Use

Both akose preparations should only be used under the guidance of a qualified Babalawo who can properly invoke the necessary incantations and ensure correct preparation. The spiritual power of akose comes not just from the physical ingredients but from the prayers, invocations, and spiritual knowledge that accompany their preparation and use. For understanding the artistic and cultural dimensions of Ifa practice, explore research on Ifa as an artistic expression of Yoruba knowledge.