Hand Of Ifa

One of the first steps to Ifa is getting a Hand Of Ifa. It’s reception marks a turning point where an individual begins to line up with their destiny, While a hand of Ifa is not a full initiation to Ifa, it is an advanced step beyond general interest and before you Initiate fully. Many practitioners at this level find themselves lost, not quite being a beginner and not an initiate either. A book like this has never been done specifically for practitioners at this level. It is a guide for people who have received a hand of ifa, gone through an Isefa ceremony, intend to initiate to Ifa, and also for people who are initiated but have had little instructions on how to manage and work with their Ifa. It can also be very valuable for people who are ready to take the next step in their Ifa journey as they prepare to receive a hand or initiate. Hand of Ifa is a workbook with exercises to further the Onifa and devotee development. It also offers an introduction to the 16 Meji Odus, their verses, and significance with soul development and personal growth. The individual will learn key foundational skills for success in Ifa such as: How to utilize Oriki for invocation and even create an Oriki How to care for Ifa and Esu shrines How to perform Ose Ifa How to assess our spiritual debts and cress through a Spiritual Balance sheet How to understand and interpret Ifa verses How to read Ifa signatures How to prepare some Ifa Akose (Spiritual Medicines) How to gain a personal understanding of Odus via their psychology and practical expressions. And more… One of the first steps to Ifa is getting a Hand Of Ifa. It’s reception marks a turning point where an individual begins to line up with their destiny, While a hand of Ifa is not a full initiation to Ifa, it is an advanced step beyond general interest and before you Initiate fully. Many practitioners at this level find themselves lost, not quite being a beginner and not an initiate either. A book like this has never been done specifically for practitioners at this level. It is a guide for people who have received a hand of ifa, gone through an Isefa ceremony, intend to initiate to Ifa, and also for people who are initiated but have had little instructions on how to manage and work with their Ifa. It can also be very valuable for people who are ready to take the next step in their Ifa journey as they prepare to receive a hand or initiate. Hand of Ifa is a workbook with exercises to further the Onifa and devotee development. It also offers an introduction to the 16 Meji Odus, their verses, and significance with soul development and personal growth. The individual will learn key foundational skills for success in Ifa such as: How to utilize Oriki for invocation and even create an Oriki How to care for Ifa and Esu shrines How to perform Ose Ifa How to assess our spiritual debts and cress through a Spiritual Balance sheet How to understand and interpret Ifa verses How to read Ifa signatures How to prepare some Ifa Akose (Spiritual Medicines) How to gain a personal understanding of Odus via their psychology and practical expressions. And more…

"The sacred texts of Ifa, repository of the accumulated wisdom of countless generations of Yoruba people, are an invaluable source not only for all students of African oral literature and Yoruba civilization, but also for future generations interested in the continuing vitality of Ifa divination and a Yoruba way of life and thought." —Henry Drewal This landmark study of Ifa, the most important and elaborate system of divination of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, remains a monumental contribution to scholarship in anthropology, folklore, religion, philosophy, linguistics, and African and African-American studies.

This book is an in-depth, comparative study of two of the most popular and influential intellectual and spiritual traditions of West Africa: Tijani Sufism and Ifa. Employing a unique methodological approach that thinks with and from—rather than merely about—these traditions, Oludamini Ogunnaike argues that they contain sophisticated epistemologies that provide practitioners with a comprehensive worldview and a way of crafting a meaningful life. Using theories belonging to the traditions themselves as well as contemporary oral and textual sources, Ogunnaike examines how both Sufism and Ifa answer the questions of what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and how it is verified. Or, more simply: What do you know? How did you come to know it? How do you know that you know? After analyzing Ifa and Sufism separately and on their own terms, the book compares them to each other and to certain features of academic theories of knowledge. By analyzing Sufism from the perspective of Ifa, Ifa from the perspective of Sufism, and the contemporary academy from the perspective of both, this book invites scholars to inhabit these seemingly “foreign” intellectual traditions as valid and viable perspectives on knowledge, metaphysics, psychology, and ritual practice. Unprecedented and innovative, Deep Knowledge makes a significant contribution to cross-cultural philosophy, African philosophy, religious studies, and Islamic studies. Its singular approach advances our understanding of the philosophical bases underlying these two African traditions and lays the groundwork for future study.

Focused on the indigenous African belief that ethics and spiritual growth are irrevocably linked (Iwa Pele), this book provides clear direction for those interested in the spiritual path of Ifa. Filled with Techniques and Understandings for Beginners and Adepts alike, Iwa Pele continues to be a "Must Have" book for Western Ifa Followers to understand how and why the tradition is practiced.It is with great excitement that we welcome this second edition of what has become a classic in Yoruba literature. In this ground breaking book, Babalawo Falokun Fatunmbi continues the work of Yoruba writers such as Dr. Wande Abimbola and others in unmasking the deep cosmological and theological principles of the Yoruba people. This exposition of the theology of the Yoruba people challenges the prevailing prejudicial assumptions regarding the depth, beauty and relevance of African theological thought. Titled “Iwa Pele,” this book focuses on the indigenous African belief that ethics and spiritual growth are irrevocably linked. Written in a highly accessible manner and in a style easily assimilated by the Western mind, this great work also provides sensible direction for those wishing to embark on the spiritual path of Ifa. Each chapter provides instruction for the adept on Ifa/orisa veneration as done in the traditional manner.

Divining the Self weaves elements of personal narrative, myth, history, and interpretive analysis into a vibrant tapestry that reflects the textured, embodied, and performative nature of scripture and scripturalizing practices. Velma Love examines the Odu—the Yoruba sacred scriptures—along with the accompanying mythology, philosophy, and ritual technologies engaged by African Americans. Drawing from the personal narratives of African American Ifa practitioners along with additional ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Oyotunji African Village, South Carolina, and New York City, Love’s work explores the ways in which an ancient worldview survives in modern times. Divining the Self also takes up the challenge of determining what it means for the scholar of religion to study scripture as both text and performance. This work provides an excellent case study of the sociocultural phenomenon of scripturalizing practices.

Iyanifa means Mother of Wisdom or Mother of Ifa. It is the position of the High Priestess in the Ifa Orisha tradition . The Ifa Orisha tradition of Africa is thousands of years old and was so strong, it was able to survive the slave trade to go on in the new world. What didn't survive the slave trade ,but remained in Africa was the position of Iyanifa. In a world where women have lost much of their ancient mysteries to patriarchy and slavery, a tradition is presented here that went underground but did not die. Iyanifas, Iyami, and Queen mothers of Africa resurface now to continue a legacy for new generations across the globe. This book is a collection of stories, essays, and explorations of the position of Iyanifa and its resurgence in the Diaspora. Gleaned from the perspective of the elder mothers who broke the glass ceiling to reclaim the tradition , they share their divine wisdom teachings, candid personal experiences, joys, and growing pains drawn from their lives as Iyanifas and women in the tradition. This volume of work features authors such as Luisah Teish, Iyanla Vanzant, Aina Olomo and many other powerful healers, diviners, and counselors. It is offered as a gift to women in the tradition and to those interested in Woman’s and African Studies to explore the path of Iyanifa and to be a resource for years to come.

An inspirational overview of the West African Yoruba traditional indigenous religion and tradition of Ifa, which has spread to worldwide importance. Related to Orunmila, Orisha, Ifa, Odu, Esu, Olodumare, and so on.

The Ifa Oracle is an ancient African divination system that has been passed down orally through the generations. Like the hexagrams of the I Ching, the odus - or stories - that comprise the oracle are consulted for their sage advice and wisdom regarding life questions. Now, for the first time, the 256 sacred stories of the Ifa Oracle have been translated into English by Dr. Afolabi Epega, a fifth-generation Nigerian babalawo, or Ifa priest. Both classic and Western interpretations by Dr. Epega and American babalawo Philip Neimark clearly illuminate each translation, setting the context for using and understanding the power of Ifa wisdom in modern life.