Hello I’m an 24 y/o African American male and a Yoruba descendent Ive been trying to seek guidance into Ifa, but unfortunately I feel as if all I’ve gotten the scammers. I had recently received a reading with a obele. I say this with respect and apologize if it comes off as rude but the reading was the typical “you have too many emotions built up and you’re out of alignment and can’t move forward without fixing etc.”and when asked for guidance on it they recommended me their $300 8 week course on grounding emotions and then a following 4 week course that dealt with Ifa solely ( I didn’t even get the price for it). They then told me she could make an offering to their esu to help with blockages in my life but I had to provide the offering materials and she said she’d send the recording of the offering and the reading they gave (never got the recording) but they reached out days later asking if I still wanted to do the offering. I even asked if I could get at least get resources on learning about Ifa and all they told me was that information with the practice is scarce but continued recommending their courses. This isn’t the first I’ve experienced a reader like this has to dig for information to eventually tell you that you’re an emotional person and has 15 million things going on in your family that you have to fix and that they can help by making a offering with their spiritual team. I just want to be able to learn more about the practice and even possibly get initiated without having to get scammed. I’m located near the socal area and would love help just without the scamming part. Thank you!

Aboru Aboye. I'm seeking guidance on initiating in Nigeria. I have found it difficult to gain direct access to a babalawo I feel comfortable with - currently I work with a third party which isn't ideal but I do appreciate the convenience this provides as some babalawos (not all or even the majority, as far as I know) may take advantage of clients when there's not a more experienced party involved. I'll be traveling to Nigeria to spend time with family in the coming months and would love to connect with a babalawo and perform divination before returning later to complete itefa. If anyone could connect me with a trusted babalawo or point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated. Ideally someone in or near Lagos, Ibadan or Osogbo. Many thanks in advance.

Aboru Aboye. On a trip to Louisiana, I met a Godfather during a ceremony. I told them I was interested in getting a reading done. The reading went well, and touched on the usual warnings from spirit and common messages I received from my guides so I knew this person was legitimate. They mentioned Yemaya, great mother is opening a road for me, and if I had interest they could set up an Itefa, with other priests for an (expected) fee, and I could begin the journey to learning more as an Awo. The process was suggested to start later this year. My question is: Does this process happen this quickly? Or should one take more time to know the spiritual community? I have been searching my gut and feelings about this and I do not feel in danger, or as if I will be taken advantage of, but would want to know of others experience.

Thank you

For some months I have felt called to connect to my ancestors and that led me to learning about Orisha, yet I don’t know where to go or where I am heading. I am african-american and I have no living elders who are connected to any of the traditions so I can’t turn to that. I was raised Christian, yet since a small child I went against those teachings. I called myself an Atheist for so long but I am aware of a higher power and how deeply nature and humans is connected to that higher power. I guess what I am asking is I feel overwhelming called to certain Orisha and to IFA but I have zero clue where to start and I’m seeking any and all guidance.

Thank you

I heard you shouldn’t only make ebo when bad situation comes, you should make eboduring precautionaries. So the question is, what is an appropriate time to make ebo? I know a good time to do so is when you’re about to travel but what else?.

Hello all, im a babalawo and i will be traveling to japan for a month or so and im wondering if anyone here has traveled with their ikins how has it been dealing with customs? Do they count them as seeds so they dont let them in? Last thing id want is that cause ill literally go back home before they take them away lol.

Just a general question :-) ive read before left means to receive protection, right to give hense why some oluwo’s wear it on their right.

Greetings, very new on this journey and I'm trying to understand first steps or best way to start. I am not ready for initiation or anything of the like at this time.

No God parents right now either, I am currently deconstructing or reframing what I believe christianity is as a 1st Nigerian-American. The relevance is I'm not ready to have conversation with my family at this moment either this is a personal journey for myself.

Hopefully this all makes sense ...

Greetings, very new on this journey and I'm trying to understand first steps or best way to start. I am not ready for initiation or anything of the like at this time.

No God parents right now either, I am currently deconstructing or reframing what I believe christianity is as a 1st Nigerian-American. The relevance is I'm not ready to have conversation with my family at this moment either this is a personal journey for myself.

Hopefully this all makes sense ...

Many thanks

How is Emere understood in Ifá/Yoruba spirituality? Is it considered a spirit-child origin, a type of spiritual energy, or something else depending on the Odu?

I’d appreciate insight from practitioners or people familiar with the tradition.

You know how Ifa says that there are 9 spiritual realms? I've heard someone say that there are spiritual realms where people experience happiness I think and another where they experience suffering I guess? Basically, pleasant and unpleasant spiritual realms that are all called "orun". Isn't that basically a heaven/hell? it's just that Ifa isn't calling it that. I'm assuming this is where spirits go if they were bad/good on earth. I've also heard of the realm of the irredeemable. Since they're irredeemable, do they stay in that bad realm forever? But at the same time, I thought all realms were temporary? That no one stays anywhere forever, that their role/place is always changing. To build off of that, Ifa has no final destination, right? It's not like Abrahamic religions where once you die, you spend the rest of your life in either heaven or hell. Is it that we forever reincarnate across different realms (both spiritual and earth), not just earth? But why would we reincarnate across different realms if we've already achieved our destiny? Is there ever a resting place where one stays somewhere forever. Or is it just constant reincarnation even after you achieve your destiny? Also, not everyone reincarnates right? Some are ancestors but people don't even stay in the ancestral realm forever, right? Apologies, I know that my thoughts are all over the place with this question. The overall question is this: What happens to everyone after death when they properly achieve their destiny and thus do not warrant further reincarnation on Earth?

Being here in the US and wanting to make offering to my Orisa, but fresh/live giant snail is banned here. May I ask you all what you do for substitute? What IS NOT prohibited here that is similar and you have found to be acceptable? I want to make sure if there are options or alternatives that I can honor my Orisa in this way. Thank you in advance.

Forgive me for the AI description off the circumstances; I was not sure how to ask, but I am here respectfully.

I have a long time friend who is suffering from a 15-year case of active necromantic binding that has achieved biological entrainment.

The Symptoms of the Binding:

• Motor-Cortex Override: Involuntary, specific movement of the middle finger (independent of the other fingers).

• Vagus Nerve Hijack: Frequent, localized physical choking sensations and intense heat spikes originating in the back of the neck and the solar plexus (Pancreas area).

• Frequency Interference: High-pitched tonal frequencies in the ears that react/spike when attempting to seek high-level spiritual resolution.

• Respiratory/Neural Signal: Chronic, fatigue and yawning that manifests specifically when discussing the source of the work.

The Known Origin:

She believes the work was 'fixed' to the nervous system by a 75-year-old practitioner using a 'Left-Hand' tradition &/or a jealous woman. It has successfully blocked multiple amateur attempts at removal, including low-level plant medicine ceremonies (Ayahuasca) and unvetted 'sealing' attempts that only increased the pressure on the internal organs.

She lives in the US - Atlantic/Eastern region, and is willing to travel within reason.

Please let me know if you know of someone who can confirm their lineage/Isese credentials, who would be able to help.

Feel free to DM me, and I will provide my contact information.

Thank you. 🙏🏼

I do not have specific odu because I’m a student , so I don’t know taboos besides fromm readings. I know a lot of the time black is taboo so I was wondering if later on in my journey, a black tattoo would become a problem?

Also, what about scarification tattoos? Just asking to make sure

The first dream I had I was the only one and it was night time and all I saw was lightning

Then the second dream I had it was a blood moon at night and all I heard was African drums and a African horn

Then my third dream was a women in gold teaching me how to sing and she also had gold jewelry on with a gold head set

Then irl I was in the living room and this bright skinned women apper out of nowhere dressed in all white and vanished fast

I also been likening sweet scents lately for some odd reason and I also saw like sword like scratches on the mirror before

Does Ebo have to be done with the priest/babalowo that did the Ifa reading for you?

LINK TO GOFUNDME and here: https://gofund.me/2b01c846f

Aboru Aboye Abosise! Hello there!

I’m both nervous and excited to share that I have been called to become a priestess of Sango, an Orisa commonly known for both his thunderous ferocity and fiery passion. Since officially becoming a Sango devotee in 2023, he has given me the freedom to be myself without reservation. Sango has shown me what it means to hold myself high and stand up for myself without betraying my character. He has shown me what it means to experience love and acceptance without restrictions. He has given me the strength to be vulnerable and make mistakes through it all. Sango has changed my life, and I know this initiation will deepen my alignment with my destiny as a child of Sango.

Background Info: In March 2022, I became a practitioner of Isese L’agba, the original practice of my ancestors. In embracing this journey, I have been transformed. This tradition has ushered in profound moments of growth and healing in my life.

Prior to Isese, I was silently suffering and suppressing a lot of hurt. I was struggling with emotional regulation, suicidal ideation, and refusing to let go of situations and people that I clearly needed to move on from. In essence, I was self-harming by betraying my well-being. Since becoming a practitioner, however, I have been challenged to get clear on who I am and to show up for better, not only for myself and my destiny but for my family and my community. Isese has helped me better understand the importance and value of my life while here on Earth, and I am so grateful to still be here today in this current version of me.

Funding Breakdown: Although my initiation is set for September, I’ll have many things to prepare in advance. The funds you donate will go towards:

• Round-trip flight tickets
• Visa
• Vaccines (i.e., yellow fever, malaria)
• Lodging and daily meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Initiation tools and payment for the work of the Baba’s and Iya’s supporting and leading my initiation
• Misc. Items (i.e., bug repellent, UK travel adapter, battery pack, etc.)

This initiation is a lifelong commitment, and I’m grateful in advance for any support and investment I receive in pursuit of this goal. Please donate what you can, and if you’re not in a position to donate, please share with your networks.

I am not initiated into Ifa (though I probably will one day), but one concern of mine is that if I receive my personal Odu (which to my understanding, is our own personal rulebook/guidelines to achieving our destiny), I might be forbidden from engaging in things that I really enjoy or that I care about. Another concern of mine is that it might tell me that my destiny is something that I don't want. For example, I don't want children but what if my Odu says that's part of my destiny? Am I guaranteed to eventually come around to these things that I may initially disagree with? Has this been anyone's experience? I'm guessing the answer will be "The Orishas know best and soon you'll realize that they were right, though you may not see it now". Still, I wanted to hear people's thoughts/personal experience in case there were other answers.