Spiritual Steps for Correcting, Balancing and Transforming Destiny

Aboru, Aboye, Abosise.

Within Ifá, different spiritual steps may be prescribed to correct errors or disturbances associated with destiny and to transform difficult circumstances toward ire—blessings, favorable conditions, progress, peace, victory and fulfilment.

One of the most important concepts in understanding these processes is Ẹbọ.

Ẹbọ is often translated into English simply as “sacrifice.” However, this translation does not completely express its meaning within traditional Ifá practice.

“Sacrifice” may help a non-Yoruba reader understand the general idea, but ẹbọ can encompass considerably more than the ordinary English understanding of sacrifice.

Depending upon the circumstances revealed through Ifá, different spiritual measures may be prescribed.

Important Spiritual Steps in Ifá

1. Ẹbọ Rírú

Commonly translated as making or performing sacrifice.

Ẹbọ rírú is performed according to the spiritual requirements revealed through divination. Its purpose may include correcting imbalance, removing obstacles, seeking protection, opening opportunities, restoring harmony, or supporting the fulfilment of destiny.

2. Ètùtù Ṣíṣe

Appeasement, reconciliation or atonement.

Ètùtù is intended to calm, reconcile or restore equilibrium where spiritual disharmony has been identified.

3. Ìpèsè

Offering.

An offering may be presented according to the requirements of a particular spiritual circumstance, Òrìṣà, Irúnmọlẹ̀ or other spiritual relationship.

4. Orí Bíbọ

Propitiation or spiritual care of Orí.

Orí occupies an essential position in Ifá.

Taking care of Orí means recognizing and supporting one’s personal destiny, inner consciousness and spiritual essence.

5. Bíbọ Ẹgbẹ́

Feeding or propitiating Ẹgbẹ́.

This concerns the spiritual relationship between an individual and Ẹgbẹ́ and may be prescribed when that relationship requires attention.

6. Ṣíṣe Ọ̀rọ̀ Ìbejì / Ṣíṣe Ọ̀rọ̀ fún Ìbejì

Spiritually caring for twins.

Within Yoruba tradition, Ìbejì possess particular spiritual significance. Appropriate rites may therefore be performed for them according to tradition and circumstance.

7. Bíbọ Egúngún / Eégún

Feeding, honoring or propitiating the ancestors.

Our ancestral lineage forms an important dimension of traditional Yoruba spirituality. Remembering and honoring the ancestors establishes continuity between generations.

8. Sàárà / Ìpèsè fún Ẹnu

Giving food or offerings to others—to “feed the mouths.”

Not every spiritual act is directed toward an invisible force.

Giving food, helping others and allowing other mouths to benefit from what we possess can itself become part of a prescribed spiritual action.

9. Ìtẹ́fá / Ìtẹ́nifá

Initiation into Ifá.

Initiation establishes a deeper relationship with Ifá and may reveal important information concerning destiny, spiritual responsibilities and the individual’s journey through life.

10. Gbigba Òrìṣà

Receiving or initiation into Òrìṣà.

According to the individual’s path and what is prescribed, a person may receive or undergo initiation connected with a particular Òrìṣà.

11. Ègùn

This refers here to the incorporation or manifestation of the spirit of Òrìṣà, which may involve trance and prophetic communication within the appropriate traditional context.

ẸBỌ CAN TAKE MANY FORMS

Ẹbọ does not necessarily mean an elaborate ritual.

Depending upon what Ifá prescribes, simple materials may be employed, including:

Obì — kola nut
Orógbó — bitter kola
Ataré — alligator pepper
Ìyèrosùn — sacred yellowish powder used in Ifá divination and ritual
Owó ẹyọ — cowries
Èso — fruits
Omi — water
Ọtí — gin
Ẹ̀wà — beans
Àádùn — traditional sweet preparation
Àkàrà — fried bean cakes
Àkàsà — cooked/fermented corn preparation
Àgbàdo — corn
Oúnjẹ — food and other edible preparations.

Depending upon the particular traditional prescription, other materials may also be required, including palm oil and various agricultural foods and preparations.

Some forms of traditional ẹbọ may involve animals such as poultry, pigeons, goats, sheep, guinea fowl, snails or other animals according to the specific prescription and tradition.

The essential point is that the appropriate ẹbọ is determined by the spiritual circumstance and the prescription—not merely by the size or monetary value of what is offered.

SOMETIMES YOU ARE PART OF THE ẸBỌ

One of the most important lessons about sacrifice is that the material placed before a divinity is not always the most difficult thing to offer.

Sometimes what must be sacrificed is a destructive habit.

A person may be instructed to:

fast,

keep vigil,

pray,

abstain from alcohol,

stop smoking,

avoid gambling,

control excessive speech,

stop criticizing others,

avoid unnecessary conflict,

stop cursing others,

release grudges,

exercise patience,

develop good character,

control the mind,

speak positively,

avoid a particular journey,

remain somewhere during a particular period,

or reduce association with particular people, environments or places.

In such circumstances, the sacrifice becomes deeply personal.

You are giving up something that may be pleasurable, habitual or convenient because a greater blessing, greater stability or greater alignment with destiny is being sought.

This reveals a deeper principle:

Ẹbọ is not merely about what you give. It is also about what you are willing to change.

SACRIFICE AND ÌWÀ

Sacrifice without personal transformation should not become an excuse for continuing destructive behavior.

If a person continually performs rituals but refuses to change the behavior creating disorder in his or her life, an important dimension of the teaching has been missed.

This is why Ìwà—character—and Sùúrù—patience—remain fundamental.

Spiritual practice should be accompanied by:

good character,

mental discipline,

patience,

constructive speech,

responsible action,

self-control,

wisdom,

prayer,

and appropriate conduct.

Sometimes the greatest ẹbọ is giving up the version of ourselves that continually creates the same problem.

WHY DO WE PERFORM ẸBỌ?

Sacrifices, rituals, offerings and propitiations may be undertaken within Ifá to:

restore order,

bring calmness,

correct imbalance,

seek protection,

address spiritual difficulties,

support favorable transformation,

strengthen relationships with spiritual forces,

and assist an individual in fulfilling destiny.

They represent an attempt to bring the human condition into greater harmony with the spiritual and divine dimensions of existence.

When circumstances become difficult, Ifá does not necessarily teach us simply to remain passive and complain.

We seek wisdom.

We consult.

We understand the situation.

And where prescribed, we take the appropriate spiritual action.

Ẹbọ, ètùtù, ìpèsè, propitiation, initiation, prayer, discipline and good character therefore become different instruments through which the practitioner seeks restoration and alignment.

The objective is not merely to escape difficulty.

The greater objective is to establish balance between the individual, destiny, community, ancestors, nature and the divine order.

ẸBỌ AS TRANSFORMATION

At its deepest level, sacrifice teaches us that meaningful transformation frequently requires giving something.

We may give material things.

We may give food.

We may give money.

We may give time.

We may give effort.

We may give prayer.

We may give service.

And sometimes we must give up habits, relationships, behaviors or desires that prevent us from becoming what our destiny requires.

Therefore:

Ẹbọ is action.

Ẹbọ is responsibility.

Ẹbọ is correction.

Ẹbọ is alignment.

Ẹbọ is transformation.

When performed correctly under appropriate spiritual guidance, it becomes one of the traditional means through which human beings seek harmony between themselves and the forces surrounding their existence.

Tomorrow, we shall examine five to six fundamental reasons why Ẹbọ is necessary within Ifá and explore more deeply the philosophy behind sacrifice.

Kí ẹbọ ó rú.
May the sacrifice be fulfilled.

Kí ẹbọ ó gbà.
May the ritual and offering be received and accepted.

Kí ẹbọ ó dé Àjùlé Ọ̀run, kí ó sì gbé ire wá fún wa.
May the sacrifice reach the higher spiritual realm and return with blessings for our lives and destinies.

Aboru.

Aboye.

Abosise.

May there be victory, successful completion and divine acceptance in our spiritual undertakings.

Àṣẹ.

May the divine word, authority and spiritual command be established and manifested.