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Ifá under Idì Ogbè (Idìgbè) speaks of emotional blockages, troubles that may lie ahead, and challenges that can become compounded with time if the necessary steps are not taken.

It warns of misfortune that may become powerful enough to disturb lives, destinies, families, achievements and everything we have worked hard to build.

However, Ifá teaches that these negative forces and manifestations can be deterred through the appropriate spiritual steps, including initiation and sacrifice, and through proper attention to Ifá, Orí, Èṣù, Ṣàngó, Ẹgbẹ́, Ọbàtálá and Ilẹ̀.

Ifá says that rituals and daily prayer, combined with discipline, good character and patience, must be incorporated into our lives to prevent misfortune and overcome imminent problems.

The message of Idì Ogbè is therefore not simply about the existence of challenges. It teaches us that when we recognize problems, we must take the necessary spiritual, mental, emotional and physical steps before those problems become compounded.

We should not wait until a small blockage becomes a great obstacle.

We should not wait until an emotional disturbance becomes a destructive force.

We should not wait until an approaching problem becomes established in our lives.

Wisdom requires timely action.

According to an Ifá verse under Idìgbè:

ÈSÈ IFÁ LÁBẸ́ ODÙ IDÌGBÈ

Idìgbè, awo l’ódè Ọ̀yọ́,
a dífá fún Ṣàngó Arámbàbí Akáká Yẹrí Yẹrí,
ọkọ Ọya, iná lójú, iná lẹ́nu.

Idìgbè, the diviner of the sacred city of Ọ̀yọ́, thus divined Ifá oracle for Ṣàngó Arámbàbí Akáká Yẹrí Yẹrí, the cohort of Ọya, fire in the eyes and great fire in the mouth.

Lọ́jọ́ tí ń bẹ láàrín ọ̀tá sangiliti.

When Ṣàngó found himself in the midst of powerful enemies.

Wọ́n ní ọjọ́ òní Ṣàngó yóò ṣẹ́gun ọ̀tá níwájú,
tí ó rẹ́hìn odi.

It was declared that Ṣàngó would overcome the enemies before him and prevail over the adversaries behind him.

Àwọn ní kó lọ ní ojílérúgba orógbó àti àgbò funfun kan,
kí ó fi rúbọ, kí ó lè ṣẹ́gun.

He was advised to obtain 240 pieces of orógbó—bitter kola nuts—and one white ram to be offered as sacrifice so that he could prevail over his enemies and adversaries.

Ó gbọ́ rírú ẹbọ, ó rú.
Ó gbọ́ àtùkè Èṣù, ó rú.

He heard the instruction concerning sacrifice, and he offered the sacrifice. He heard the instruction concerning the ritual to Èṣù, and he performed it.

Kò pẹ́, kò jìnnà,
Ṣàngó borí ọ̀tá iwájú,
ó ṣẹ́gun ọ̀tá ẹ̀hìn.

Without long and without delay, Ṣàngó overcame the enemies before him and prevailed over the enemies behind him.

PRAYER

Erigi Alo, jẹ́ kí n borí gbogbo ọ̀tá mi.
Erigi Alo.

Erigi Alo, let me prevail over all my enemies and foes.
Oh, Erigi Alo.

The lesson of Idì Ogbè is profound:

Do not neglect a problem simply because it appears small today.

Do not allow emotional blockages to remain unattended.

Do not ignore spiritual instructions when Ifá reveals that corrective steps are necessary.

Through sacrifice, ritual, prayer, initiation, discipline, patience and good character, what appears to be approaching misfortune may be prevented from establishing itself.

Idì Ogbè teaches us to remain spiritually prepared, mentally alert and emotionally disciplined.

Just as Ṣàngó prevailed over the enemies before him and those behind him after following the prescribed spiritual instructions, may we also prevail over every visible and hidden obstacle standing between us and the fulfilment of our destinies.

Erigi Alo, jẹ́ kí a borí gbogbo ìdènà wa.

May we overcome every blockage.

May we overcome every challenge.

May Ifá guide us to take the appropriate steps at the appropriate time.

May Orí support us.

May Èṣù open the way.

May Ṣàngó give us the power to prevail.

May Ẹgbẹ́ support us.

May Ọbàtálá guide us with patience and wisdom.

May Ilẹ̀ sustain and establish our blessings.

Àṣẹ.