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Obi Divination - The
Mouthpiece of the Orichas
By Jacqueline Mathers | Submitted On August 11, 2009
Ezinearticles.com
"Ago Obi, ago Obi, ago Obi"
The prayers begin for Obi, the binary system of divination from the Yoruba
religion to obtain "Yes" and "No" answers to questions in various levels of
intensity and meaning. This system, crucial to all in the African religious
concepts under the major heading of Ifa and their various levels of dilution
under the categories of Lukumi and Santeria, are a methodology of the ways
Nigerian kola nuts (Obi Abata), fresh coconut meat (darle el coco) and four
cowrie shells speak to us and are considered the 'mouthpieces' of the Orichas.
The Orichas, as they are collectively known as, are African based Gods and
Goddesses of Nature who rule various places and elements of the World and are
considered 'guardian angels' of each and everyone who inhabits the Earth. Each
and every one of us is considered having that particular Deities' "Ache" or
"spirit" and it is within the patakis, or stories of the Orichas' interactions
with each other and the World that the lesson is given or the message is
delivered.
The spirit of Obi, once a mortal on earth, ascended to being an Oricha once good
deeds had been done, fell from Grace because of Ego. Upon descending to Earth,
Obi's spirit embodied the coconut palm tree. Although Obi cannot speak with the
use of his tongue, he communicates through the white ("clean") side or brown
("dark") of coconut meat. If cowrie shells are used, it is the side that has
been filed open to indicate "Yes" ("clean") and the closed ridged side that
indicates a "No" ("dark") side of the answer pattern that fell during
questioning.
After ritual libations and prayers, some utilize Obi divination with coconut to
answer questions during a divination reading in the presence of the client. Obi
also gives clarity to confusion in regards to the message of the cards when used
with cowrie shells in a tarot card reading for a client. Clients can ask Obi a
question and the consultant or spiritual worker may also be prompted to ask as
well when the layers of cards upon themselves are not in association with the
clients' dilemma. Obi divination is not to be taken lightly and is regarded as a
tool to help Mankind seek clarity in decision making, regardless of whether you
are fully initiated into the religion or not. There are 5 levels of intensity to
Obi; two affirmative or positive in different severities, two negative or "no"
answers, and a "maybe" answer that needs a second question to extract a less
ambiguous answer.
The five different shell patterns that will fall during a questioning session
are as follows:
"Alafia" - "Yes with blessings!" - This is the most affirmative answer but
because it can be over eager in it's delivery, it must have a second toss to
confirm and secure the answer. The second fall of the cowries must be another
"Alafia" or an "Ejife" or "Etagua" answer to be taken as a "Yes" answer.
"Ejife" - "Yes" (but without emphasis) - This affirmative answer is interpreted
as a "Yes, and your World is balanced", meaning that what you have proposed or
achieved (or about to) brings balance to the give/take, yes/no, or contradictory
struggles of the World to keep in harmony.
"Etagua" (or "Etawa") - "Maybe" - This answer comes up when the question needs
clarification (posing it in a way to be able to obtain a "Yes" or "No" answer to
begin with) or Oricha is pondering the whole situation and needs a second
question that has been 'tweaked' to be able to answer. When Etagua appears, the
second answer of the second toss of shells is the true answer. If another
"Etagua" (Etagua-Meji) falls after the first one, the meaning is "do not ask
what you already know".
"Okana" - meaning darkness is surrounding the client and a positive outcome is
not available, perhaps without additional spiritual work. One open shell and
three closed ones indicate to focus on the small beam of light in the darkness.
"Oyekun" - The most serious "No" answer as it tells of the client being out of
touch with their spirituality and walking in darkness. This is a dire warning;
it presages unforeseen problems, accidents, fires and even portends death.
Additional questions need to be asked in the clients' behalf to determine why
Oyekun has come. Water must be sprinkled on Oyekun and if it appears more than
once, the shells must be placed in water to 'cool' down the answer.
After the full tarot card reading, the client has an opportunity to ask
questions that were not addressed in the card reading. These may be of
additional clarity on the original shell toss or other unrelated questions on
relationships and business strategies. Once we begin to receive multiple
"Etaguas" to questions in an obvious pattern, this is an indication that the
line of questioning needs to end as the client is asking questions to obvious
answers in front of their face.
While not always an immediate answer, Obi gives insight on things to come. It is
no mystery that clients who return for a follow up reading three months later
will exclaim, "The shells were right! I just didn't see it (the situation)
evolving before me!" and other affirmations that indicate that revelations of
Truth that Obi gives come true. For me, as well as over 70 million plus devotees
of this African indigenous religion, we know Obi does not lie.
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