MONTHLY ICOFA
“Icofa” - hand of Ọ̀rúnmìlà
The “Icofa” - hand of Ọ̀rúnmìlà is a spiritual tool that consists of 16 Ikin (palm nuts) and allows the Ifa student to deepen their relationship with Ọ̀rúnmìlà in order to gain greater insights and wisdom. Each of us has a unique spiritual path that we must follow, and it benefits us tremendously to approach life lessons and challenges with wisdom and awareness than to stumble upon them half-hazard. Ọ̀rúnmìlà protect us from “death before our time” by helping us make wise choices in our lives. If you have the “Icofa” - hand of Ọ̀rúnmìlà, this reading is for you.
Abọru Abọye Àbósíse (Ah-boh-ruu Ah-boh-yay Ah-boh-she-shay)
Icofa Reading for June 2023
Dafá (Ifá Oracle Divination) revealed Ogbèatẹ̀ (aka Ogbè Ìrẹtẹ, aka Ogbè Tẹ̀tẹ̀) for this month with Iré (on-path, good fortune) for success. It is a favorable time for traveling and getting away, whether on day trips or long journeys. Even a nature walk would bring about renewal to clear your mind so that you recognize new opportunities.
Ogbèatẹ̀ says that when Ọ̀rúnmìlà was coming to the Earth, he chose as part of his destiny to defend and protect his devotees who, in turn, will wear an Idé (bracelet) to show their allegiance. Therefore, Ọ̀rúnmìlà will always protect the home of the Awo from all types of upheavals. If it were a personal reading, it would be a calling to become an Ifá priest; Ọ̀rúnmìlà, in turn, would bless you with Iré (good fortune) for the rest of your life.
The reading for this month refers you to the following ẹsẹ Ifá (Ifá Divination verse) as the "take-away" wisdom.
"Asanigbor, Arinnigboro, Oburin-burin bu-omi igboro bọ’jú divined Ifá for Ọ̀rúnmìlà. It was predicted that Ọ̀rúnmìlà would be enriched from the city. Therefore he should offer a prescribed sacrifice; he heeded the advice."
One interpretation of the above ẹsẹ Ifá is that your life would be enriched if you were to explore beyond your comfort zone; the city implies being away from home, the marketplace where opportunities abound. You have to put yourself out there to succeed.
Òtúrá’Dí (aka Òtúrá Ìdí) revealed Iré (on-path, good fortune), indicating that you are capable of much more than you think.
Ìwòrì Egúntán (aka Ìwòrì Ògúndá) is the Odù that emphasizes success and speaks of timely action so that you don't miss out; opportunities are fleeting. Look for things that you are passionate about and do the work required.
Please make the following Ebó (sacrifice/offering) to your Icofa:
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Honey, as revealed by Ìrẹtẹ̀ Ọ̀wọ́nrín.
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Cocoa butter, as revealed by Ìrẹtẹ̀ Ìdí.
Light a white candle, burn sage or other space-clearing herbs; and place a clear glass of water. Take 16 Ikin (palm nuts) into the cusp of your hands, share your breath by blowing on them three times, then bring them up to your forehead and chant a prayer to Ọ̀rúnmìlà. Say the Odù of your Icofa three times, or if you're an Ifá priest, the Odù of your path. Make the offering on the 16 Ikin; most people have more than 16 Ikin; separately, address the remaining Ikin.
Note: When making offerings, always offer a taste to Èṣù/Ẹlégbá first who is the divine messenger and takes your prayers and offerings to their destination.
Blessings! … Oluwo Ifájuyìtán
"We talk to God through prayer; we listen through meditation."
The Ifá Foundation is dedicated to unlocking your life's potential through the timeless wisdom of the Ifá philosophy, which includes the veneration of Òrìṣà, Ancestors, Ẹgbe Ọ̀rún, Orí, and Ìyáàmí (the primordial mothers.)
Through the spectrum of the 256 Sacred Odù, you will be guided on your destiny's path to grow from your life's experiences and ascend the spiritual ladder of Ìwa-Pẹ̀lẹ̀ (kind and gentle character.) Às̩e̩
See also: Last Month's Icofa Reading
Ebó Supplies:
Please visit our spiritual tools store for Ebó supplies: SpiritualTools
Note: regarding prayers, while there are some known prayers that people recite, make sure it means something to you and that you understand what you’re saying, don’t just repeat words like a parrot. Feel free to adapt it to your specific needs and in the language that you feel most comfortable. Since I’m a priest, I choose to first say a prayer in Yoruba to honor the origins of Ifa but will follow it up in English.
Prayer to Ọ̀rúnmìlà:
Yoruba
Ọ̀rúnmìlà, ẹlẹ́ẹ̀rí-ìpín
Ibìkejì Olódùmarè
A-jẹ-́ju-oògùn
Obìrìtíi –A-p’ijọ́-ikú-dà
Olúwa mi, A-to-i-ba-j’ayé
Ọ̀rọ̀ à-bi-kú-j’igbo
Olúwa mi, Ajiki,
Ọ́gẹ̀gẹ̀ a-gb’ ayé-gún;
Odúdú ti ndú ori emèrè;
A-tún-orí-tí-ko sunwọ̀n ṣe,
A-mọ-i-kú.
Ọlọ́wa Aiyẹrẹ,
Agiri ilé-Ilọ́gbọ́n;
Olúwa mi; àmọ̀ìmọ̀tán,
À kò mọ̀ Ọ tán kosẹ
À bá mọ̀ ọ́ tan ìbá ṣẹ kẹ.
Àjubà Akoda,
Àjubà Aseda.
English translation
Ọ̀rúnmìlà! A witness of fate,
Second to Olòdúmaré {God}
Thou art far more efficacious than medicine,
Thou the immense Orbit that averts the day of Death.
My Lord, Almighty to save,
The mysterious spirit that fought death.
To thee, salutations are first due in the morning,
Thou Equilibrium that adjusts World Forces,
Thou art the One whose exertion it is to reconstruct the creature of a bad lot;
Repairer of ill luck,
He who knows thee becomes Immortal.
Lord the un-deposable King,
Perfect in the house of Wisdom!
My Lord! Infinite in Knowledge!
For not knowing thee in full, we are futile.
Oh, if we could but know thee in full, all would be well with us.
I pay homage to Akoda (1st disciple of Ọ̀rúnmìlà who taught elders, divination)
I pay homage to Aseda (1st disciple of Ọ̀rúnmìlà who gave elders wise counsel)