It is important to distinguish between two categories of people within the community of initiates, particularly those who have been initiated into Ifá.

An initiated soul is called an Awo. According to this teaching, there are two principal categories of Awo: Awo Ire and Awo Okunkun, also known as Awo Ika.

The difference between them is not found merely in the fact that they have undergone initiation. It is revealed through their character, conduct, discipline, intentions and the ways in which they use their spiritual knowledge.

Initiation alone does not define the quality of an Awo. The true measure of an initiate is found in the life that follows the initiation.

Who Is an Awo Ire?

An Awo Ire is a good and benevolent Awo—an initiate who embraces and seeks wisdom, patience, good character, forgiveness, positive habits and love for humanity.

Awo Ire work diligently and maintain discipline in every aspect of life. They are dependable, reliable, honest and readily available to share wisdom. Through their character, writings, teachings and daily habits, they seek to improve the lives of others.

They do not deliberately harm themselves or other people. Instead, they continually search for ways to support, help and rescue others and to put smiles upon their faces.

Awo Ire Build Loving Families and Communities

Awo Ire love their families. They work to build honest, reliable, faithful, pure and loving families, groups, communities and societies.

They make their surroundings lively and peaceful. They avoid unnecessary tension and arguments and distance themselves from anything capable of creating friction, anger, sorrow and resentment.

They perform sacrifices, rituals and initiations for their personal safety and protection and for the security of their families, groups and communities. They believe in the sanctity of life and seek success and progress for all humanity.

Awo Ire prosper and enrich their own lives through honest and diligent work. They cooperate with others and contribute to the development of strong, vibrant and dependable families, societies, groups and communities.

Forgiveness, Discipline and Service

Awo Ire forgive readily. They remain focused on whatever they are doing to make society a better place and add immeasurable value to life.

They refuse to carry the burden of the past. Instead, they continually train their minds, hearts and souls to seek:

• Wisdom
• Light
• Love
• Peace
• Harmony
• Happiness
• Prosperity

They do not surrender easily when problems arise. They search for ways to improve themselves so that they can confront the challenges before them.

Through their spiritual power, energy, wisdom, positive state of mind and unwavering focus, they overcome the difficulties they encounter.

The Foundation of an Awo Ire

Awo Ire are determined to succeed in all worthy endeavours because they understand that good things, positive actions and meaningful pursuits often come with challenges.

They refuse to bow before failure or hardship.

Success becomes their emblem.
Peace becomes their foundation.
Discipline becomes their wall.
Love becomes their ceiling.
Wisdom becomes their roof.
Endurance and courage become their way of life.

Good character and patience become their faith. Healthy living becomes their tradition and custom. Trust, conviction, faith and a positive mental state become their religion.

Choose to become Awo Ire—a good Awo who makes life more bearable, suitable, meaningful and fulfilling for others. By helping others fulfil their destinies, you also move towards the fulfilment of your own destiny, both here and hereafter.

Who Is an Awo Okunkun or Awo Ika?

An Awo buruku, Awo Okunkun or Awo Ika is an unreliable, inconsistent, undependable, untrustworthy, unfaithful, dishonest and undisciplined initiate.

Their foundations are built upon immorality, lies, deception, deceit, destructive conduct, disgrace, doom, unhappiness, dishonesty, laziness, unworthiness, indolence, meanness and an unforgiving spirit.

They are unable to handle responsibility without complaining and repeatedly fail to move forward in life. They resist doing what is good for themselves and others. Their hearts and minds become filled with anger, rancour, bitterness, hatred, immorality, drunkenness and a lack of wisdom.

Such initiates are called Awo Alaso pipon—initiates with evil souls and “tattered cloth.” Their lives are marked by dubious character, greed, selfishness, severe immorality, harmful habits and impatience in their activities.

The Misuse of Spiritual Knowledge

Awo Okunkun seek charms and perform sacrifices to take revenge upon or destroy other people. They refuse to forgive and lack the discipline required to pursue the higher and greater things that could improve their own lives, families and communities.

They complain and condemn. They possess the spirit of AJE DUDU, OSO BURUKU or OSO IKA—that is, black or bad witches and wizards.

They enjoy seeing others suffer and delight in evil. Their unforgiving spirit torments them until the grave. Because of the evil within their souls and their refusal to forgive, it is as though they consume poison every day. Eventually, they bring sadness and destruction upon themselves.

Spiritual knowledge should uplift life, protect destiny and bring wisdom. When it is used to harm, threaten or destroy others, the initiate has abandoned the character and purpose of Awo Ire.

The Declaration of Awo Ire

According to Ifá:

Awo ti mo gba, Awo Ire ooo,
Awo ti mo gba, Awo Ire,
Emi o se Awo Okunkun,
Mi o se Awo eke,
Awo ti mo gba, Awo Ire.

Translation:

I belong to Awo Ire—the community of good Awo.
The Awo I have chosen is Awo Ire.
I do not belong to Awo Okunkun.
I do not belong to false or deceitful Awo.
The Awo I have chosen is Awo Ire.

I belong to Awo Ire—that is, the community of good Awo. I do not belong to evil Awo, nor do I associate myself with mischievous, greedy, callous or inhumane people, killers or destroyers. I do not belong to wicked Awo. I belong to Awo Ire.

Examine Your Character and the Character of Your Priest

Examine your own character carefully. Also observe the character of your priest or Oluwo.

If your priest is fond of committing evil; refuses to support or guide you; withholds wisdom; continually avoids you; becomes immersed in immorality; drinks excessively; smokes; gambles; repeatedly threatens to kill or destroy others; or constantly searches for harmful magic and evil charms, reconsider your steps.

Examine your tradition and consult the Ifá that resides within your head—that is, your Ifá Ori.

A spiritual leader should not be evaluated only by titles, initiations, rituals or claims of supernatural power. Character reveals the true spiritual condition of an Awo.

Discipline, wisdom, good character, patience, love, peace and a reliable spiritual support system are the defining characteristics of a good Awo—an Awo Ire.

Choose the Path of Awo Ire

May Olodumare transform our lives.

Avoid anger, fighting, doubt, fear, worry and a lack of faith. Do not allow these forces to prevent you from becoming a good Awo.

Say continually to yourself:

“Awo ni awo temi.”

“My Awo is a good one.”

Repeat this declaration many times, but do not allow it to remain only in words. Support it with good actions, a positive attitude and positive mental power.

Let light, love and wisdom shine upon your soul every day. Let your conduct demonstrate that you have chosen Awo Ire.

Initiation opens the door, but character determines the path you follow. Choose wisdom over destruction, forgiveness over revenge, discipline over indolence and love over hatred.

Choose to become Awo Ire.

Ase.

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