IRETE-OTURAIrete-Opere, Ese–kan–Ola, Irete–Otun

1. Ifa advises you to pray to Olodumare every morning and ask for all the things that you need. Ifa assures you that they shall be given to you. Ifa says that you shall be congratulated on your good luck and success in life.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 2 rats, 2 fish, 2 pigeons, 2 hens, 2 ducks, 2 guinea fowls, 2 cocks and money. Ifa also says that you need to feed Ifa with 16 big snails. On this, Ifa says;

Aye ni rere Awo ni jojo Awon ni won dia fun Orun-mi-OrunWon dia fun Ela - mi - Ela Eyin ara Orun – mi – Orun Eyin ara Ela – mi – Ela Ifa ni teni ba ji Keni o sa maa kiniAlai kini sa lodi eni Orunmila mo ji mo ki o lonii Omo Olokun ran-mi-lowo O ba ran mi lowo Ki n gborun le segi o Eni to ba tete ka’ laNi yoo ka segi Ifa segi lemi ka Emi o ka’kan nile IsofinDia fun Orunmila Yoo tun Ori Akapo o re se o Ifa je ki n lowoIfa je ki n layaIfa je ki n bimoIfa je ki n kole Ifa je ki n nire gbogbo Ki won ki mi ku ori - ire

E ku ori – ire ni won nki eni to ba lowoIfa je ki won o filu jin mi o Gbogbo otookulu nii filu jin orijin

Translation:Aye ni rereAwo ni jojoThey cast Ifa for Orun-mi-OrunAnd also cast Ifa for Ela-mi-ElaInhabitants of Orun-mi-OrunAnd those of Ela-mi-ElaIfa says that when we wake up in the morningLet us extend greetings to one anotherFailure to greet each other amounts to keeping maliceOrunmila, I wake up and greet you todayOwner of the Okun beads meant to render helpPlease help meLet me adorn my neck with Segi beadsThose who pluck okra early enoughWill be able to pluck the Segi beads materialIfa, what I pluck is Segi beads materialI do not pluck the garden egg in Isofin homeThese were Ifa’s declarations for OrunmilaWho would mend the destiny of his AkapoIfa, please let me be blessed with wealthAnd be blessed with compatible spouseAnd also beautiful childrenPlease let me have my own propertyIfa, please bless me with all ire of lifeLet people congratulate me on my good luckCongratulations is the way we greet those who were blessed with wealthAnd those with compatible spouseAnd those with beautiful childrenAnd those who have properties of their ownAnd those blessed with all ire of lifeIfa, please let me be given authority in the landAll noblemen give authority to Orijin leaves

After this ebo had been offered, you will need to procure some black soap and Orijin leaves, mix them together and use same to bath everyday. You can also grind some fresh Origin leaves and use it to cook herbal soup with two big snails. You will pour this soup on Ifa and consume it very early on the next day while it is still inside your Ifa container. After this, you will clean out your Ifa with alcohol.

2. Ifa says that both Ire and joy shall always be yours. You will not lack any of these two great achievements. Ifa advises you to ensure that most of your dresses are white in colour. Your destiny does not support red or black dresses

.Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 2 white roosters, 2 white pigeons and money. You also need to propitiate Obatala with 12 yards of white cloth, 16 snails, 16 efun (native white chalks), shea butter, 16 yams, 16 kola-nuts, 16 bitter-kola and money. He/she must always be dressed in white attire. On these, Ifa says;

Ire gba iwaju ile Ayo, won a gba eyinkun Dia fun OkinA bu fun AlaEbo ni won ni ki won waa seWon gbebo, won rubo Awo l’Okin Awo l’AlaIfa ma se mi l’Awo alakisa

Translation:

As all ire enter through the front doorSo also does joy enter through the bark doorIfa’s message for Okin, the Peacock

And to Ala, the White Cloth They were advised to offer eboThey complied Okin, the Peacock, is a great Awo And Ala, the White Cloth, is a great Awo Ifa, please do not make me an Awo who goes about in rags

3. Ifa foresees all the good things of life for you. Ifa says that you shall lack nothing in your life. Consequent upon this, you need to be of good behaviour at all times. If you do well, you shall be blessed and rewarded according to the quality of your character.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 2 rats, 2 fish, 2 pigeons, 2 hens, 2 guinea fowls, 2 cocks and money. On this aspect, Ifa says;

Adataka, Awo won lode EjigboDia fun won lode EjigboWon n sunkun awon o rire gbogboEbo ni won ni ki won waa seWon gbebo, won ruboNje Adataka EjigboAje la n wa kiri lode EjigboAdataka Ejigbo Aya la n wa kiri lode EjigboAdataka EjigboOmo la n wa kiri lode EjigboAdataka EjigboIle kiko la n wa kiri lode EjigboAdataka EjigboIre gbogbo la n wa kiri lode EjigboAdataka Ejigbo

Translation:Adataka, the Awo of Ejigbo land

He cast Ifa for the inhabitants of Ejigbo landWhen lamenting their inability to secure all the good things of lifeThey were advised to offer eboThey compliedNow Adataka of EjigboIt is the blessing of wealth we are looking for in Ejigbo landAdataka of EjigboWe are looking for suitable spouses in EjigboAdataka of EjigboWe are looking for beautiful children in EjigboAdataka of EjigboWe are searching for personal properties in EjigboAdataka of EjigboWe are in need of all the good things of life in Ejigbo landAdataka of Ejigbo land

4. Ifa says that you are blessed with something that most of your contemporaries do not have; both parents who gave birth to you are praying for you daily, anywhere you may be and anywhere they are. Their spirits guide, guard and direct you to achieve success in life. For this reason, nothing can stop you from succeeding in life.

In the same breadth, there is the need for you and your spouse to guide, guard and direct all your children to success. That is the only sensible thing you can do.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 3 pigeons, 3 guinea-fowls and money. On this, Ifa says;

Omo kekere nii jeegunAgbalagba nii j’eranDia fun Iye-OmoTi yoo rubo ola sile d’omo re

Dia fun Baba-OmoTi yoo rubo ola sile d’omo reNje Iye omo l’olola omoIya mi lo ma ma ni oNi mo se la beeIye omo l’olola omoBaba omo l’olola omoBaba mi lo ma ma ni oNi mo se la beeBaba omo l’olola omo

Translation:While youth eat bones (during training period)The Elders eat the fleshy part (after graduating)This was the Ifa cast for the Child’s motherWho would offer ebo of prosperity for the child ahead of

timeThis was also the Ifa cast for the Child’s fatherWho would offer ebo of wealth for the child ahead of

timeTruly, a child’s mother is the harbinger of prosperity for the childIt is my mother who offered appropriate ebo which made me to succeed soA child’s mother is the harbinger of prosperity for the childAnd a child’s father is the source of wealth for the childIt is my father who offered appropriate ebo which made me to prosper soA child’s father is the source of wealth for the child

You do not need to wait until you give birth to the children before you begin to offer ebo of prosperity for them.

5. Ifa promises you that you shall be blessed with free gifts in your life. What others will spent a lot to get, you shall receive it freely and with relative ease.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with two pigeons, two hens, two guinea-fowls, two cocks and money. On this, Ifa says;

Adataka AgbigboDia fun IgbinOmo Abaluu j’ofeEbo ni won ni ko waa seO gbebo, o ruboEro Ipo, ero OfaEyin o mo wipe ifa lawa nje e la nile e wa o

Translation:Adataka AgbigboHe cast Ifa for Igbin, the SnailHe who enjoys free gifts everywhere he goes in townHe was advised to offer eboHe compliedTravelers to Ipo and Ofa townsDon’t you know that we get free gifts to succeed in our home?

6. Ifa says that a mighty building shall be erected or inherited by you. You will also be conferred with a title in your life. You will be self-fulfilled in your life. Just be hopeful, persevere and be patient.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with a matured she-goat, 12 yards of red cloth, plenty of palm-oil and money. On this, Ifa says;

Kariaje nii s’awo ApalosiOkanjua eeyan nii wo wonran-wonranIganngan eerun, afenu foyeEre nii morun agbaagba

Dia fun Iji Werewere e miA ki fun Efuuufulele werewere e miAtiji were-were e miAtefuufulele were-were e mi Agbe n gbe won-on rele e Mogbe- OguoIfa wi, o lomo o sunkun iyanEmi naa wi, mo lomo o sunkun iyanIfa lomo o sunkun akaraEmi naa lomo o sunkun akaraIfa wi, o lomo o sunkun eran ni jijeEmi naa lomo o sunkun eran ni jijeIfa lekun-un kin lomo nsun o?Mo lekun oyeEkun oye lomo nsun oO ni e ja eyi werewere ewe igbaKa ja eyi poroporo ewe egungunEwe amoye e tan yanran-yanran-yanran lori otaDia fun OlunredeEyi ti yoo lo ree joba Eletutu Nje eniyan reeIfa eniyan re e o EletutuEniyan re e o!

Translation:Kariaje is the Awo of ApalosiAn avaricious person looks sidewaysThe emmet school uses their mouths in constructing their hillsThe boa conscriptor crawls in an elderly mannerThey cast Ifa for the tornadoAnd also for the BreezeAgbe, the Brown Woodcock will carry them to the home of the thorny palm-treeIfa says that the child is not crying over pounded yam mealI say that the child is not weeping for pounded yam mealIfa says that the child is not weeping over cassava flour meal

I say that the child is not crying for cassava flour mealIfa says that the child is not crying over pieces of meat to eatI say that the child is not weeping over pieces of meat to eatIfa asks, what is the child crying over?It is chieftaincy titleThe child is crying over chieftaincy titleHe asks them to pluck the small igba leaves (parkia filicoidea) And pluck the big egungun leaves (eriodendron orientale)These were leaves which guarantee the receipt of chieftaincy titleThey cast Ifa for OluuredeWho shall become the Oba of the white AntsHere comes the complete gentleman, the king of the white AntsHere is the gentleman!

Ifa considers you as a complete gentleman. This is the more reason why you must not disappoint yourself.

7. Ifa says that you have a friend whom both of you shall succeed together. Ifa says that your friendship shall yield positive results for the two of you. Both of you must not think of separating from each other as you both complement one another. You should not allow anyone or anything to bring about separation between the two of you.

Ifa advises each of you to offer ebo with 2 pigeons, 2 guinea-fowls and money. You also need to feed Sango. There are lots and loys of goodness for both of you together.

Ese kan olaEse kan olaEse kan pata loke odoDia fun SangoTi oun Bata jo nsoreEbo ni won ni ki won waa seWon gbebo, won ruboWon lawon sebo ese kan olaEse kan olaEse kan pata loke odo

Translation:One leg of properityAnd one leg of honourOne leg by the side of the riverThey cast Ifa for SangoWhen he and Bata drum were friendsThey were advised to offer eboThey compliedThey declared that they had offered the ebo of one leg of prosperityAnd one leg of honourOne leg heavily by the side of the river

Nobody can separate Sango from Bata drum and no one can separate Bata from Sango. They both succeeded together.

8. Ifa says that a great opportunity to succeed is coming your way very soon. The Elders of the Night are the ones who will direct the opportunity to you. When this opportunity comes, you will savour it for a long time to come.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 2 pigeons and money. After this, you are to feed the Elders of the Night with

bits of all the internal organs of a cow. On this, Ifa says;

Ti ao baa se bi elede lona IkoroduA o le se bi Adegboro loja ObaDia fun OrunmilaWon ni ki Baba ruboKo le baa bo Eleye yoBaba gbebo, o ruboNje Eye nsu’woEye nsu’lekeOgbere, eye e mi lu o r’okun oEye nsu’mi ola lawo lowo

Translation:If we do not act like a pig on the way to Ikorodu

townWe cannot be like Adegboro at Oja-Oba (Oba’s

market)This was Ifa’s message for OrunmilaWhen they asked him to offer eboTo enable him feed all the Elders of the Night to their satisfactionHe compliedThe bird is passing the feces of moneyAnd those of expensive beadsOgbere, my Bird had flown to the high seasThe Bird is passing the feces of prosperity for the Awo

9. Ifa says that even though you have all the potentials in the world to succeed, you nonetheless need to watch your character. You need a lot of Iwa-Pele to consummate all these fortunes. If you do this, you will continue to go up. If you fail to be of Iwa-Pele, I am afraid, those who are behind

you may end up overtaking and surpassing you. This, you must never allow to happen.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 3 pigeons, 3 guinea-fowls and money. You should also note that every year, during the period of the anniversary of your initiation into Ifa, you must not go out for seven days. Please try to remember this and observe it every year. On this, Ifa says;

Ire nii gb’oju ile woleAyo nii gbeyinkuDia fun OlokoseTii s’egbon OkinEbo iwa ni won ni ko waa seKo ruboNje sebi oun lo fiwa da ire nuOlokose l’egbon Okin oS’oun lo fiwa da’re nu o

Translation:Goodness enters through the front doorAnd joy through the back doorIfa’s message for OlokoseThe elder brother of Okin, the PeacockOlokose was advised to offer ebo of good

characterHe failed to complyBehold, it was Olokose who used his bad character to throw away all his fortunesOlokose was the elder brother of OkinHe was the one who used his untoward character to throw away all his fortunes

Olokose was the elder brother of Okin. He was advised to offer the ebo of Iwa-Pele. He failed to do so. Before long, Okin his younger brother met him and also overtook him. Olokose became a failure and Okin became a success story.

9. Ifa says that you shall receive the blessing of many children in your life. Ifa says that your children are at the feet of Obatala.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 4 rats, 4 fish, 2 hens and money. You also need to feed Obatala with 10 snails. On this, Ifa says;

A tee lotun-unO yi won biripeA tee losiO yi won biripeYiku-yiku nii s’omori igbaDia fun Orisanla OseeremagboTi nmomi oju sungbere omoEbo ni won ni ko waa seO gbebo. O ruboE wa ba ni ni wowo omo

Translation:We stepped on it from the right sideIt tripped them and they fellWe stepped on it from the left sideIt tripped them and they fellThe calabash cover is noted for its instability and unsteadinessThis was Ifa’s message to Orisanla Oseeremagbo (Obatala)When weeping in lamentation of his inability to have his own childrenHe was advised to offer eboHe compliedBefore long, not too farJoin us in the midst of many children

10. Ifa says that it foresees the ire of a beautiful child for you. The baby, when born, should be named Ifafore – Ifa spoke of ire. Ifa warns that you must never tell lies, cheat or deceive anyone. Also, you must never double-deal.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 4 rats, 4 fish, 2 hens and money. You also need to feed Ifa with one matured she-goat. The reproductive organ of that she-goat will be removed and be cooked into herbal soup with areyingbomopon leaves (seeds under the leaves).

Ifa also warns the group of Awo where this Odu is revealed never to cheat or breach the trust reposed in them. On this, Ifa says;

Mo kere, mo j’ataMo dagba, mo j’ataMo dagba tanOgbon inuu mi jinwonwon-jinwonDia fun Ire-n’Ifa-foTii somo bibi inu AgbonniregunEbo ni won ni ko waa seO gbebo, o ruboIfa a mi waa fore lowo otunE gba’bo o re lowo osiEyin o mo wipe loooto n’Ifa a mi fore omo

Translation:When I was young, I ate pepperEven when I became a grown-up I still ate pepperWhen I grew to maturityMy wisdom became deep with understandingThese were Ifa’s messages for Ire-n’Ifa-fo – Ifa says it is IreThe child of AgbonniregunHe was advised to offer eboHe compliedMy Ifa spoke of childbearing on the right handYou picked the determinant on the left

Don’t you know that, truly, my Ifa spoke of ire of childbearing?

11. Ifa says that you shall be triumph over all those who plan evil against you, especially some sections of the Elders of the Night. They will like to suck your blood but they will surely fail. Ifa is solidly behind you. If the Elders of the Night want to assist you, it will work; but if they plan to suck your blood, Ifa will not allow them to do so.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with 3 cocks and money. You also need to feed the Elders of the Night. On this, Ifa says;

Solo lomiPata loke odoDia fun BotujeTi nbe ni aroobuje ewureEbo ni won ni ko waa seO gbebo, o ruboIle ni Botuje nba ewure gbeBee ni ewure o gbodo jee

Translation:To jump into the riverAnd struggle into the river bankThis was Ifa’s message for Botuje (Physic Plant; jatropha curcas)When it was the consumption target of the she-goatShe (Botuje) was advised to offer eboShe compliedIt is in the same house that both Botuje and she-goat liveThe she-goat must never touch her

Ifa says that you will be walking about right in the midst of witches and they will not be able to do you anything.

13. ifa advises the owner of this Odu Ifa to be cautious and aware of danger. He/she should be always mind his/her actions towares people in order not to incur their urath . he/she also to offer ebo with 1 he goat, money and to offer ‘ipses’ for ‘agba’ (witches). On this says:

O gun gege bi oju igunO toro gege bi omi owuroDia fun Opere, eye OrisaEyi to ti ni o mewu lewuIya a re ni ewu o see mo O ni oun fe mewu Opere wa rubo Nje opera de, eye OrisaEye to mewu ko wopo

Translation:

It balances perfectly like the eye of vultureAnd it settles perfectly like an early morning water These were Ifa’s message to Opere, the bird of Orisa The one who claimed he did not know what danger is His mother replied that it was not worth knowing He insisted and offered the ebo Behond, hose comes Opere, the bird of OrisaThe bird which know danger are not many.

14. Ifa says that people are planning against you and they are those whom you have once helped in their lives. Ifa says that you will be able to overcome the evil plan.

Ifa says that you need to procure one Okete, big rat and one cock as ebo. You will offer ebo with the okete. After this, you will dig the ground and place your right leg in the

hole. You will slaughter the cock and rub the leg with the blood of the cock inside the hole. You will remove your leg from the hole. By so doing, the ditch which your enemies had dug for you will not be able to cause you any harm. On this, Ifa says;

Ese kan ikuEse kan olaDia fun OrunmilaBaba n rele Olofin loo gbawoEbo ni won ni ko waa seO gbebo, o ruboNje okete wa’sa, Awo loOkete wa’sa, Awo o ku moEwu wa’sa, Awo lo o

Translation:One leg leads to deathThe other leads to survivalThe Ifa cast for OrunmilaWhen going on Ifa mission to Olofin’s palaceHe was advised to offer eboHe compliesNow, Okete had dug trench and had escapedWhen okete had dug the trench, Awo dies no moreOkete had dug the trench And had escaped

When Orunmila went to Olofin, the latter had dug a large hole for Orunmila to fall into. He had earlier offered ebo. When he fell, the Okete which he had offered as ebo dug a trench for him and he escaped. He returned to Olofin who had all along been assisted by Orunmila to become a great person in life. Olofin was put to shame for his bad attitude.

15. Ifa warns you not to give your spouse any trouble that may force her out of your home. If you allow this to happen,

it may be difficult for you to maintain any stable relationship.

You need to offer ebo with a matured he-goat and money. On this, Ifa says;

Imu Iyale la ri ti a n wiEeyan metadinlogun lo n ru ti Iyawo bo lehinDia fun IreTi n loo loko l’ode OsiEbo ni won ni ko waa seIgba to seNi Ire bat un bo s’Otun-unWon ni Ire ma tit e s’Otun-un oNje kinni ka maa peyi oIrete-Otun

Translation:The nose of the senior wife is what we are complaining aboutBut 17 people are carrying that of the junior wife behindThis was Ifa’s message for IreWhen going to marry at Osi landShe was advised to offer eboBefore long, she moved her things and went to enter another relationship at Otun landWhat can we call this?Irete-Otun

16. Ifa warns you against adultery and fornication. Ifa says that you must steer clear of other people’s women. This has the potential of leading to disaster, which may even lead to death.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with one matured he-goat and money. You also need to ensure that you maintain fidelity with your spouse. On this, Ifa says;

Ese kan Ikere, aya ekuIrawe dudu, aya ofinIkoko, aya omiEni to fowo kan Ikere ekuO n wa ija ekuEni to fese le irawe ofinO n wa ija ofinEni to fese le ikoko omiO n wa ija omiOrunmila ni eni to gbese le aya alayaKo saimo pe oun gbese le orun ni

Translation:The bait is the wife of the snareDry leaves, the wife of pitfallSecrecy, the wife of deep waterAnyone who touches the bait with his handsWill surely see the anger of the snareWhoever uses his leg to step on dry leaves of the pitfallWill certainly witness the fight of the pitfallThose who step on the secrecy of the deep waterWill see the venom of the deep waterOrunmila declares that whoever snatches another man’s wifeSuch a person is surely looking for a quick passage to heaven

ABORU ABOYE

B. AFFILIATED IRUNMOLE/ORISA

1. Ifa - for overall success, sanctuary and protection2. Esu Odara - for protection3. Egbe - for support and comradeship4. Obatala - for children, elevation and support5. Osun - for children and companionship6. Egungun - for support of the ancestors7. Oro - for support of the ancestors8. Sango - for support and elevation9. Oke - for long life and vitality

B. TABOO OF IRETE-OPERE

1. Must never eat okra – to avoid the anger of the Deities2. Must never snatch other people’s spouse – to avoid untimely

death3. Must never use Botuje leaves – to avoid your blood being

sucked by the Elders of the Night4. Must never use red, black and dyed dresses – to avoid losing

the support of Obatala5. Must never conspire against anyone – to avoid being put to

shame/ridicule6. Must never act against the principle of Iwa-Pele – to avoid

unconsummated fortune7. Must never eat snails – to avoid unconsummated fortune

C. POSSIBLE NAMES OF IRETE-OTUN CHILDREN

Ifafore – Ifa declares that it is ire for me Irewole – Ire has entered my home

D. POSSIBLE PROFESSION 1. Ifa Priest2. Medical/Paramedical officer3. Historian, Hunter, Wild –lifer

4. Philosophy, Teacher5. Land and Soil analysis – Architect, Geologist, Surveyor etc.