Ogbe Ọ̀bàrà

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Ifá speaks of the importance of maintaining balance between work or business and family or relationships. We should not become so occupied with our work, ambitions and material pursuits that we neglect those who share our lives and support our destinies.

Ifá says that through discipline, sacrifice and rituals, we will attain peace and rest of mind.

Ifá speaks particularly about the support of a woman or women, especially the support a man receives from his wife or partner in building something remarkable in life. Sometimes the greatness that a person eventually manifests is connected with the patience, encouragement, sacrifice and support received from the person beside him.

Therefore, Ifá says we should appreciate our wives and partners and give them presents and gifts. Appreciation should not remain only in the mind; it should also be demonstrated through our actions.

Take good care of those who stand beside you.

Ifá also says that we should support our children and regularly do something that brings happiness into their lives. The greatness we seek should not separate us from our responsibility toward our household.

BE WATCHFUL OF BETRAYAL

Ogbe Ọ̀bàrà also warns us to be watchful of betrayal, even when it may arise from people very close to us—relations, family members, friends and trusted allies.

Not everyone who stays close to you necessarily carries the same vision that you carry.

Ifá says our fortune, greatness and victory can become corrupted through the distortion and delusion of close allies if wisdom, discipline and vigilance are absent.

This does not mean that we should live in fear or suspicion of everyone around us. Rather, we should cultivate wisdom and discernment and protect what we are building.

Ifá says initiations, sacrifices and rituals strengthen our confidence, commitment and spiritual power. Through these spiritual steps, greatness can manifest to such an extent that adversaries and enemies become jealous of our achievements.

Nevertheless, Ifá says we shall overcome our challenges with ease when the appropriate spiritual steps are taken.

Ifá says sacrifice can prevent untimely death arising through the actions of close allies.

Ifá also advises sacrifice against sickness and illnesses that may arise periodically, including widespread sickness affecting communities or populations.

According to an Ifá verse under Odù Ogbe Ọ̀bàrà:

Ẹsẹ Ifá lábẹ́ Odù Ogbe Ọ̀bàrà

Orí ẹyẹ ni ó pa ẹyẹ.

May my destiny prevent misfortune and induce enduring victory, just as a fortunate jungle fowl or bird escapes unexpected attack and untimely death.

Ìwọ tá ń wo àparò bí ká fi dáná.

We look upon the jungle bird or jungle fowl as though we should kill it and roast it for food.

A dífá fún Awójúwọ̀n ọmọ Olófin Ajaláyé.

Thus was Ifá divination performed for Awójúwọ̀n, the child of Olófin Ajaláyé.

Èyí tí wọ́n ní kó rúbọ nítorí ìjàmbá àti ikú òjijì láti ọwọ́ ọ̀rẹ́.

He was directed to offer sacrifice to prevent misfortune, disaster and untimely death arising from friends and close allies.

Wọ́n ní kí ó máa tọ́jú aya àti ọmọ rẹ̀ dáadáa.

He was directed to take good care of his wife and his children without hesitation.

Ó gbọ́ rírú ẹbọ, ó rú.

He heard the instruction to offer sacrifice, and he offered the sacrifice.

Kò pẹ́, kò jìnnà.

Without long, without delay.

Ibi yí padà, ó di ire.

Misfortune turned around and became great fortune.

Erunmogale, má má jẹ́ kí ilé ọlá ó tú báyìí Ifá.

Erunmogale, do not allow the household of wealth, greatness and honour to scatter or become desolate, oh Ifá.

Má má jẹ́ kí n ṣàgbákò ikú òjijì àti àìsàn tí kò gbógùn báyìí Ifá.

Do not allow me to encounter untimely death or severe sickness, oh Ifá.

THE CENTRAL TEACHING OF OGBE Ọ̀BÀRÀ

Ogbe Ọ̀bàrà teaches that greatness must be accompanied by balance.

Do not build a successful business while destroying your family.

Do not pursue wealth while forgetting the wife or partner who supported you.

Do not become so occupied with your ambitions that your children no longer experience your presence, care and generosity.

Do not allow success to make you careless about those who surround you.

At the same time, do not allow fear of betrayal to destroy your peace of mind.

Maintain discipline, wisdom, vigilance and good character.

Appreciate your wife or partner.

Support your children.

Protect your household.

Be careful with close associations.

Offer sacrifice when Ifá directs you.

Perform the necessary rituals and spiritual steps.

And maintain equilibrium between your spiritual life, family life, relationships, work and material responsibilities.

When these forces are properly balanced, what appears to be misfortune can turn into fortune:

Ibi yí padà, ó di ire.
May misfortune transform into blessings.

May our homes never become desolate.

May betrayal never destroy what we have spent years building.

May our wives, husbands, partners and children share in our blessings.

May our work prosper without destroying our families.

May sickness and untimely death remain far from our households.

May our Orí protect us from what we can see and what we cannot see.

May Ifá guide our decisions.

May Olódùmarè establish peace, prosperity, longevity and victory in our homes from generation to generation.

Aboru.
Aboye.
Abọṣíṣẹ́.

Àṣẹ.