​​​​

Dafá (Ifá Oracle Divination) revealed Òtúrá-Bàrà (also known as Òtúrá Ọ̀bàrà), an Odù that warns against the dangers of violating Èèwò (taboos). Such transgressions can bring serious troubles into one's life, especially within personal relationships.

​

Some taboos are explicitly given to you during priest initiation, while others may be revealed during regular divination, but in reality, most taboos are simply matters of common sense. Any action that goes against Ìwà-Pẹ̀lẹ̀—the cultivation of gentle, kind, and balanced character—should be understood as taboo.

​

Because this reading arrived with Ibi (misalignment with our destinies) as indicated by Ọ̀bàràbogbè (also known as Ọ̀bàrà Ogbè), it cautions that there will be times when others may have doubts about you, even when you are speaking the truth. Therefore, it will require more effort on your part to gain people's trust; consequently, this adds friction to your interactions with others. So, be mindful of your words, what you say, and how you say it, so you don't create any doubt and lose their trust.

​

Ìwòrì Ọ̀sá reminds us to pay closer attention to our personal relationships now and to take full responsibility for both our words and actions. The Odù Ìdígbè (Ìdí Ogbè) reveals that Ṣàngó will be our guide in navigating the challenges and pitfalls that may arise this week. Known for his charisma, confidence, and eloquence, Ṣàngó teaches us how to engage with others skillfully, winning both their trust and their favor. The strategy should be to think about what you want to convey before you speak, so it doesn’t come out wrong. This being a holiday weekend, there will be more opportunities to interact with others.

​

Patakí (oral narrative or parable) as a "take-away" wisdom:

​

Long ago, there was a man named Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ. One day, he went to consult Ifá, and the priest Paarakọ́da divined for him. Ifá warned Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ clearly: "When you arrive at your farm, you must first make a sacrifice. Offer the male goat you own, give up the knife you are carrying, and above all, do not break taboo by touching something that shouldn’t be touched. Only then will you avoid misfortune."

​

But Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ was stubborn and incredulous. He refused the sacrifice, thinking to himself, "I do not see the point; what can harm me at my own farm?" He went on to work his farm as usual, harvesting and tending to the land. While cultivating the earth, he unwittingly unearthed a human skull. Against his better judgment, he picked it up and immediately regretted it. In his mind, he heard the skull speak. "Don't touch me… don't touch me… don't touch me…" it repeated. Frightened, Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ dropped it and ran to the palace to tell the king of what he had found.

​

The king was very skeptical of Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ’s story, but agreed to test the claim. He sent two guards with Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ, warning him: "Listen, if you are lying, you will be punished with a beating." Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ swore he was speaking the truth.

​

When they reached the farm, Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ picked up the skull again, expecting it to hear it speak. But to his dismay, the skull remained silent. The guards, thinking he had deceived them all, beat him down on the spot with a stick as was instructed by the king. The skull rolled from his hands to the earth—and as soon as it struck the ground, the guards now heard it too: "Don't touch me… don't touch me…"

​

Shaken, the frightened guards returned to the king and confessed: "Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ spoke the truth. We beat him unjustly." The king, now furious with this ridiculous story, sent them back with more men, warning: "If you two are making this up, you too will be punished." When they returned, the guards again lifted the skull, trying to prove Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ’s story. And once again, the skull would not speak. The king's men laugh and beat the guards for deceiving the king. As the guards were beaten, the skull dropped to the ground—and once more, the skull began to speak, and this time they all heard it: "Don't touch me… don't touch me…"

​

In great confusion, when the king’s men returned, the king, now fed up with this, decided to ask Ọ̀rúnmìlà for guidance. Ifá was cast, and Ọ̀rúnmìlà revealed the truth: "Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ was warned to sacrifice and not break taboo. Now the land is cursed. To set things right, the king must offer a she-goat, a fowl, forty-four thousand cowries, and sacred Ifá leaves." He further instructed: "Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ must retrieve the skull from the farm and bury it respectfully where it will not be disturbed again, with proper funeral rites." Only then did peace return to the kingdom, and the curse of the talking skull was lifted.

​

The motto of this Patakí is always to heed the wisdom of the Ifá Oracle, even if it doesn’t make sense to you at the time, and avoid tempting fate by breaking taboos. Ọlọbẹ̀dẹ violated taboo by disturbing a burial ground. Know that once you have violated taboo, things will no longer go your way, as if you were cursed, until you make amends, and people will doubt your truth.

​​​​​​

Please make the following Ebó (sacrifice/offering) for Ṣàngó. 

​​​

• Red Apple, as revealed by Ọ̀sá Ọ̀wọ́nrín.

• Dry Gin, as revealed by Òtúrá-Oríkọ̀ (also known as Òtúrá Ogbè).

• Take some Gin into your mouth, then spray it over Ṣàngó, this adds your Às̩e̩.​

• If you don't usually partake of alcohol, you may pour some of the liquor instead. The remaining liquor can be left in a small glass next to Ṣàngó.

​​​​​​​​​​​​

Until next time, blessings to you all!​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​

General Reminder: When making any Ebó (offerings), always offer a taste to Èṣù first, who is the divine messenger and takes your prayers and offerings to their destination. Or you could make some other offering to Èṣù that he would like better.

​

Às̩e̩

​

Blessings! … Oluwo Ifájuyìtán

"We talk to God through prayer; we listen through meditation."

​