The Odu Ifa Osa Meji is a significant part of the Ifá divination system, symbolizing unpredictability, challenges, and the need for adaptability.

Osa emphasizes the complexities and turbulence of life, teaching the importance of being open to change and staying flexible.

This Odu highlights key themes like transformation, escape, and the influence of external forces such as magic on one's destiny.

It also addresses the roles of Ajogun (forces of adversity), Aje (witches), and Elenini (inner demons) in life's struggles. Femininity, conflict, and eventual resolution are central concepts within this Odu.

Guiding Orishás in Osa Meji include Oyá, representing transformation, and Iyami Osorongá, the powerful witch figure.

Ajogun, symbolizing adversities, and Ajé-Osun, representing wealth and femininity, also play significant roles. Together, these elements create a narrative that teaches how to handle life’s unpredictability and challenges with flexibility.

If you're looking to learn more about Ogundabede, don’t miss our detailed post on what Odu Ifa Ogundabede is.

Osa Meji, guided by Oyá and the Iyami Osorongá, often involves themes of separation and darkness, indicating struggles that must be faced and conquered.

The Ajogun and Ajé influence this Odu heavily, offering guidance on the importance of sacrifice and heeding warnings to avoid going astray.

For those who have this Odu revealed, it often signifies major changes in both personal and professional spheres.

It speaks to the balance between the spirit world and material life, often touching on themes of life after death. Those connected to Osa Meji are typically seen as having strong business acumen and a natural ability to lead.

However, they face significant challenges and must resist the urge to give up when faced with difficulties. Ifá advises that those who receive the Osa Meji Odu will find success where others have failed.  They will be elevated and honored in places where others have been cast aside and humiliated.

Want to know how far Ifa has spread? Check out our detailed guide on where Ifa religion is practiced.

Osa Meji Odu Ifa

Osa Meji, also called Osa Eleye, is one of the foundational principles of African Ifá. It embodies the powerful feminist energy, granted both to birds and humans, living in harmony with God in the sky.

Osa Meji is strongly connected to witchcraft, irrespective of gender. Male witches are called OSO, and female witches are referred to as AJE.

In the Odu Ifa Osa Meji, Ifá narrates the history of the relationship between Iyami (the witches) and human beings.

When humans (eniyan) and birds (eye) descended from the heavens (Orun) to earth (Aye), they made a sacred oath never to harm one another. However, over time, this oath was broken, leading to ongoing conflict.

Witchcraft in this context is not limited by gender, and both male and female witches have distinct roles. The OSO are said to play the drums during their secret gatherings, which typically occur late at night.

OSO and AJE are believed to wield significant power over the earth, granted to them by Eledumare (God). Although they often engage in evil acts due to their conflicts with humanity, those seeking their favor must either join their ranks or offer sacrifices, known as etutu. T

hese sacrifices often consist of food, palm oil, and other local items. The Iyami, or "the mothers," respond to these sacrifices because they appreciate the care and reverence shown to them.

As a result, those who appease them through offerings are looked after by the witches. Osa Eleye delves into this complex relationship between humans and witchcraft, describing how both lived together in heaven until a series of killings arose, each group vying for supremacy.

To end the bloodshed, Olodumare called them together to make an oath of peace, which initially stopped the conflict. However, a famine struck, and humans, driven by hunger, began killing the birds for food.

This act of betrayal reached Olodumare, who called for order, but humans continued their killings. Esu, the trickster, poisoned the minds of humans, convincing them that the birds might one day wipe out humanity.

Learn more about the spiritual meaning behind Ogbe Iwori by checking out our blog post here.

The situation escalated, and Olodumare passed judgment, declaring humanity guilty. From that moment, the birds (eleye) began using their supernatural powers to wage war on humans, refusing to intervene positively unless appeased.

For this reason, anyone under the Osa Meji Odu is advised never to eat dog meat, drink palm wine, or commit acts of betrayal.

Such individuals must avoid becoming custodians of Ifá and Òrìsà worship, as they are closely watched by the terrestrial beings (the witches). If Osa Meji appears during divination for someone, particularly in moments of conflict or grievance, they must offer sacrifices to Ifá or Òrìsà to protect their prosperity.

Consulting Ifá is crucial, as such a person may have strong connections to the terrestrial beings and need to honor them to maintain balance in their life.