This is a historical first. A group of Babalawos gathered last December 31, 2001 to cast Ifá for the first time to determine the odu and recommendations of Orunmilá for the year to come. Until now, all yearly Ifá divinations had been performed on a local basis. This is the first time in the history of the religion in the U.S. that the divination is performed for the entire country. We gladly bring you Ifá’s predicitons for 2002.
TO ALL PRIESTS OF IFA, AND TO OUR BROTHERS THE ORIATES, BABALOSHAS, IYALOSHAS, AND IGBORO, AND THE LUKUMÍ RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN GENERAL.
PREDICTIONS OF IFA FOR THE YEAR 2002, FOR THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD
On December 31, 2001, at Midnight, a group of Priests of Ifa (Babalawos), in representation of the vast majority of the religious families in the United States, gathered to perform the traditional ceremonies that would give birth to the well known “letra de año” (Annual Ifá divination), counting with the support and participation 113 priests of the Yoruba Religion, 104 of which were Babalawos. The ceremonies that took place at the Rancho Oddu Ara, located at 6610 S.W.123rd Avenue, in Miami, Florida, were performed by a large quantity of Babalawos who possess an extensive capacity in the matters at hand, of national and international prestige. Their analyses and appraisals were taken into consideration. The following is a summary of what was said.
Iború, Iboya, Iboshishé
Ruling Odu: Iwori Bofún
Prophecy: Iré Susú Oyale Lese Obatalá
Onishesí adimú akará meyó, orí, efún con asiá meyó fúnfún
Onishé Ilekún ekú, eyá, & agbado
Benefit of all the good things (Health, Position and Development) by the Representation of the legislator in the Earth. Obatalá asked for 8 small rolls or loaves of bread with efún, cocoa butter, and 8 white flags, one on each roll. Ifá recommended that we offer smoked fish, smoked possum, and toasted corn to shilekún—the main entrance or doorway to our homes. Ifá also recommended that we bathe with white flowers, efún and cocoa butter.
Ruling orisha: Yemojá
Orisha owner of the oceans. A female orisha, although she works like a man, who is as old and powerful as Obatalá.
Accopanying orisha: Elegbá
He is also known as Eshu, orisha of the crossroads. Olodumaré created him to be the dynamic principle of creation. He is worshiped in all the Yoruba houses by priests and non-priests.
Flag: This year’s flag is half blue and half red with black borders.
Ebó: 1 rooster, 3 small chickens, dirt from the 4 corners of the house, 2 small dolls, male and female, smoked fish, smoked possum, and toasted corn.
Illnesses that will increase:
Serious reproductive related illnesses—mainly the uterus, vagina, and ovaries.
There will be an increase in the number of miscarriages and caesarian sections.
Increments in the number of cases of arteriosclerosis, coronary problems, and problems with the nervous system.
Afflictions of the motor system and sympathic system. Also there will be memory problems.
Social events of interest:
Noticeable increase in migratory control mechanisms and better systems of identification of those that enter the country.
Increase in the lack of respect of young adults for the elderly and vise versa, as well as grudges held by children against their parents for past actions.
Problems with marriages due to misunderstandings of couples and intervention of the parents or in-laws.
Better living conditions will increase as of the second semester of the year.
Greater interest of people seeking the Yoruba traditional religion and other beliefs that teach better living values for the good of humanity.
Several new measures will be taken by the law against those that commit robbery with violence, homicides, and crime in general. (Capital punishment is born in this odu).
Authorities may show an increased incapacity to find and prosecute white-collar criminals—those who commit offenses intelligence crimes and/or “smart crimes,” and many of these criminals will go unpunished.
We will see an increase in the continuous return of immigrants to their natal countries by own free will or deportation.
Governments will continue to improve the quality of life for its constituents and the nation in general.
An intensification of disputes among politicians as well as religious figures.
We will see problems in the sea with an increase in the number of sunken ships and people who die by drowning.
Tropical Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes and strong rains will cause floods as well as penetrations of the sea into land masses. There will be an increased deterioration and erosion of the marine areas.
Recommendations:
Women should visit their OB-GYN periodically and take precautions in the sensible use of vaginal products.
Maintain pre-natal care. Take measures that will help to avoid mis-carriages or abortions. This will ensure no complications at the final hour of giving birth.
Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, salty foods, and fried foods, to prevent coronary problems.
It is advisable to maintain an adequate weight.
It is important to have in order one’s legal documentation and especially one’s migratory status, documents related with such issuas as: Residence, Citizenship, Social Security, Driver’s Licenses, IRS and others. It is important to inspect these often and to keep especially abreast of those documents that have expirations dates.
There is a great need for greater comprehension between children and parents, and to avoid holding grudges against one’s parents for past actions.
There should be reconciliation among godparents and their Omó Orisha—godchildren. One must avoid animosities with one’s elders, religious and sanguineal.
A proverb from this odu says: “The good turns better, and the better even better.” This is why it is expected that the “modus vivendi” of each person that performs ebó and listens to the sacred word of Ifá turns for the better. Gradually people will be noticed for their deeds and be rewarded. We will exit the recession in which we are currently. As of the second semester, the country will enter a phase of economic recuperation, arriving at a small boom around the end of the year.
Greater comprehension is needed and analysis among couples. These must arrive at sensible agreements on dealing with family and economic matters.
Olofin recommends approaching closer relationships with religion. Those who have been told to perform ordinations to Osha, Ifá or other ceremonies should do so.
This sign has a proverb that says “Do a good deed, but never look at the face of the recipient of the good deed [as Olofin and the orishas will reward you].” Have greater considerations with thy neighbor and those in need. Olofin calls upon the Babalawos, Oriatés, Babaloshas, Iyaloshas, Igboro and the religious community in general, as well as politicians, and the businesss sector; all those who in one way or another have the destiny of others in their hands, to show greater kindness, compassion and love for their fellow.
It is necessary to step up the measures of security against the thieves.
The unity of all the religious branches is necessary. The unity must be based on mutual respect and consideration. We have to avoid the discords, differences, arrogance and all the bad intentions that impede the achievement of a greater stability and solidification of our religion.
Better systems of public services are needed, and an increase care in the management of our water purification and sewage systems. We need to implement better warning mechanisms, security measures, and early detection systems to prepare for atmospheric disasters.
This sign says “He who raises birds of prey, the birds will pluck his eyes.” One must exercise care if raising someone else’s children.
Sacrifices—offerings recommended by Ifá:
Place offerings and give thanks to Obatalá, Yemojá, and Elegbá often.
Baths and to washing one’s head with omiero of Yemojá.
Use one’s eleké—necklace— of Yemojá.
Use a rosary and to visit the Church.
To ask the blessings of one’s mother, and if she is deceased, have a mass said in her honor.
To offer sacrifice to the orishas.
Sacrifice geese or ducks to Yemojá with two white roosters.
Those that need to should receive Olokún, Yemojá Mayelewo, and Oduduwá to aid with health matter and bring stability, security, and blessings.
To put the Idé of Orunmilá on the children as a means of protection.
Babalawos should carry an ekuele as if it was a rosary.
To feed eledá—the head— two white pigeons.
Proverbs of the odu:
“The good turns better, and the better will be even better.”
“Do a good deed, but never look at the face of recipient of the good deed.”
“He who raises birds of prey, the birds will pluck his eyes.”
“The chick that follows the hen, is the chick that will eat the roach from the foot of the hen.”
Invitation:
We extend an invitation to all the Babalawos, Oriatés, Babaloshas, Iyaloshas, and Iworos to dresses in white or as light as possible to come and join us on the13th of January, 2002, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00pm. We shall hold a wemilere dedicated to the ruling orishas of 2002, Yemojá and Elegbá, to pray for the peace, health and stability of all humankind.
Address:
Rancho Oddu Ará
6610 S.W. 123 Avenue
Miami, Florida.
Recognition:
We want to appreciate and recognize the cooperation of all the Oriatés, Babaloshas, Iyaloshas, Igboro, Apetebi, and Awofakan that contributed for this activity. A special recognition is in order for the contribution of Roberto Berenger, Osha Lerí, owner of the Ranch Oddu Ará. His generous support and service given in the ceremony of the Annual Ifá Divination, and for the Wemilere to Yemojá and Elegbá is greatly appreciated and well noted. Also, we regret that some Babalawos did not receive the information about the divination in due time. Unfortunately we could not contact everyone because we did not have everyone’s address, phone numbers or emails. We expect to update our files with more names and addresses so that we can count on the participation of as many Babalawos as possible for next year’s divination and preparatory ceremonies.
Wishing all of you a healthy and a prosperous 2002. Organizing Commission for the Odu of the Year.
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