The very concept of a Babalawo, or group of Babalawo, making a mistake in who crowns your head shakes the very core of our belief system. After all, Orunmila is always right.so how can a mistake be made?

First, I assure you that mistakes are made. My own wife, Iyalawo Vassa was incorrectly read as a child of Obatala from a group of Lucumi Babalawo. Making matters worse, she was initiated as a priest of Obatala, and spent 8 long years of her life trying to become comfortable with an energy that was as different from her actual energy as possible. She is a child of Ogun! Ultimately, she received her physical Ori and was initiated into Ifa primarily to restore the balance that had been disrupted by the incorrect reading and initiation.

Since then a number of people have passed through the Ifa Foundation that faced the same situation. A proud African American woman from California came to one of our Workshops so laden with Obatala beads and adornments, that it was surprising she could walk around. She had been read to be a child of Obatala, and had committed to initiation with her Padrino in California. After a day or so, by simply listening to her, observing her energy and way of thinking, it seemed clear she had been misread. When it was suggested to her, she originally took offence, but ultimately agreed to a reading that correctly identified her as a child of Oya! She initiated Oya in Africa.

A wonderful man from South America contacted me because his life was going so badly after his initiation as a priest of Obatala that he couldn't understand it. From a successful life and career, everything had evaporated for over a year following his initiation. After several readings trying to get him back on path, it became evident that the answer was he had been incorrectly initiated into the wrong orisa. A proper divination confirmed he was a child of Yemonja. Eventually, working with that energy he restored his life, work and family balance and went on to initiate as an ifa priest.

Just last week two women from New Jersey attended our Initiates Workshop. One was just completing her first year as a priest of Osun. Within a mater of minutes it became clear that her energy was quite different than Osun's. Her questions were like machine guns in their rapidity, and lasers in their logic. She virtually exuded Obatala from her being. Frankly, I was hesitant to bring it up. She was here with her Madrina. Yet, both women had come to explore the possibility of initiating into Ifa ( something that was forbidden them in Lucumi) so finally the matter was broached. The young girl was shocked, but reluctantly agreed to the proper reading. She was a child of Obatala who was, unfortunately, crowned as Osun. There she was, dressed in her whites (something not necessary if Ifa ), having invested a year of her life, significant amounts of money and time.all trying to be something she was not. Frankly, she should have had a clue. Her life was not going well. My final comment to her was: " I know how difficult and upsetting this is, but the truth is you WILL come to terms with it sometime. Mostly because you are a child of Obatala, and you will ultimately be unable to deny the logic of yourself." They both left for New Jersey that night, skipping the final day of the Workshop. It won't change the reality and it won't restore the balance. Someday, perhaps, it will have a happy ending.

The question that all this should bring to mind is: " How can Orunmila make mistakes?" The answer is: " The energy of Orunmila is Always correct.BUT the interpretation of the Babalawo's reading you can be severely flawed."

Divination is a precise science. It must follow certain rules in order to work. Without becoming too esoteric, let me simply say that the methodology in Ifa for obtaining "yes" or " no" answers depends upon a comparison of all 256 Odu. In Lucumi/Santeria, it relates to only the right leg of their divination, allowing for sixteen comparative answers rather than 256. From such a shortcut are incorrect Guardians identified.

Properly identifying your primary orisa energy is a critical component of Ifa. You have chosen that energy (see Ori) at the moment of your conception in order to most effectively achieve your Destiny. To try and utilize another orisa's energy to fulfill your chosen destiny is very much like trying to use a recipe for pancakes to make a soufflé. It won't work.

Blessings

Philip Neimark
Oluwo