How do I become Ifa?

How do you become an IFA? In order to become an IFA, you first need to complete a Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA). This qualification is made up of two units, with the first being based on financial services regulation ethics and the second focusing on advanced financial advice.

What happens when you leave Ifa?

Some time after settling at Ado, Ifa became tired of living in the world, and accordingly went to dwell in the firmament, with Obatala. After his departure, mankind, deprived of his assistance, was unable to properly interpret the desires of the gods, most of whom became in consequence annoyed.

What does Ifa believe in?

Like Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Ifa is monotheistic, but its supreme creative figure, Olodumare, shares power with dozens of subsidiary deities. Each represents particular elements of life or nature – fire, rebirth, agriculture, the arts – and serves as an intercessor between humans and the creator.

Who is God in Ifa?

Eshu, also spelled Eschu, also called Elegba, trickster god of the Yoruba of Nigeria, an essentially protective, benevolent spirit who serves Ifa, the chief god, as a messenger between heaven and earth.

What is initiation to Orisha?

Initiation is a seven-day process rich with prayers, animal sacrifice and divination. During the ceremony, orishas are placed inside the initiate's head, which is why the heads of Thomas' initiates were shaved.

Interested in Ifa? How to get started with Ifa.

How do you know if you are a child of Oshun?

She is one of the most popular and venerated orishas. If you see the number 5 a lot (my two most recent apartments were on the 5th floor), are attracted to the color yellow or gold and enjoy sweets, specifically honey, then you too may be a child of Oshun.

How much does it cost to become a Santero?

A full-on initiation ceremony into Santeria, which grew out of the Yoruba religion brought to the Americas by African slaves, would cost a foreigner well over $1,000.

How do you greet in Ifa?

Spirit of Destiny I am greeting you, Spirit of Destiny I am greeting you, Spirit of Destiny I am greeting you. Ifa mo pe, Ifa mo pe, Ifa mo pe. Wisdom of Nature I am greeting you, Wisdom of Nature I am greeting you, Wisdom of Nature I am greeting you.

How do you pray to Ifa?

Praise to the Spirit of Mystery, Spirit who cleans me inside out. Praise to the Spirit of the River, Spirit who cleans me inside out. Praise to the Spirit of Seduction, Spirit who cleans me inside out.

Who does Ifa worship?

Ifa has many gods called Orishas. Scott has two gods that he prays to: Oshun and Eleggua. In the religion, your god chooses you. “When you first become Ifa, you have to do a reading, and that's when your god chooses you based on your mindset,” Scott said.

Where is Ifa practiced?

Ifa divination is practiced by the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and West Africa. The exact origin of Ifa divination is unknown, but it appears to pre-date Christianity and Islam in West Africa and it continues to be an important part of Yoruba culture in Nigeria and for Africans in America.

How many verses are there in Ifa?

The Ifa divination system is applied whenever an important individual or collective decision has to be made. The Ifa literary corpus, called odu, consists of 256 parts subdivided into verses called ese, whose exact number is unknown as they are constantly increasing (there are around 800 ese per odu).

What is an IDE in Ifa?

Ide ifa/ileke ifa (Ifa beads) which is usually wear as symbol of identification by ifa devotee. But wearing ide ifa to many go beyond mean of identification. As people before us usually have some method of spiritualy activating this ifa beads for purpose of protection and poperity.

What is an ODU in Ifa?

The word Odu is open to various interpretations, but in the Kawaida tradition, Odu is translated as “Baskets of Sacred Wisdom.” Thus, the name Odu Ifa can be translated as “Baskets of Sacred Wisdom of Ifa.” This name evolves from the Ifa creation narrative in which Olodumare, God, gives orisha (divine spirits who aid ...

What does Shango like eating?

Ritual worship foods include guguru, bitter cola, àmàlà, and gbegiri soup. Also, he is worshiped with the Bata drum. One significant thing about this deity is that he is worshiped using red clothing, just as he is said to have admired red attire during his lifetime.

Do Yoruba believe in afterlife?

There is a belief in an afterlife that is a continuation of this life, only in a different setting, and the abode of the dead is usually placed at a place just outside this abode, and is sometimes thought of as separated by a stream.

How do I pray to my ancestors?

God, Source of all hope and love Hear our prayers for our ancestors. May the road they walked in pursuit of peace and joy in you Mirror for us the same peace and joy we long for. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

How many orisha are there?

Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more – an innumerable number". Different oral traditions refer to 400, 700, or 1,440 orishas.

How do you say hello in Babalawo?

Whenever you greet a Babalawo or Iyanifa, the proper greeting is Aboru (Ah Boo Ru) Aboye (Ah Boy Yea) Abosise (Ah Bo She Shay) . It's a lot to learn at first but becomes easier over time.

What does aboru Aboye Abosise mean?

Aboru Aboye Abosise is a means of greeting between Traditionalist, but specifically it is meant to be a term used pay homage to the elders( Ona ti a n gba juba awon agba awo tabi Asiwaju), and it is also a way of showing gratitude to one's helper.

What is the meaning of ashe?

Ase or ashe (from Yoruba àṣẹ) is a Yoruba philosophical concept through which the Yoruba of Nigeria conceive the power to make things happen and produce change.

How much does a IFA reading cost?

The babalawo must make them after doing his readings and divining which warriors, tools and weapons are appropriate to the situation. (Ifa tradition forbids females from becoming babalawos.) Neimark charges $28 for each reading, a sum determined by Ifa numerology.

Why do Santeria shave their heads?

This is done to rid the initiate of malevolent or harmful spirits of the dead which might have attached themselves. The initiate's head usually receives most attention in this washing; often, their hair will be shaved off. This cleansing of the head is known as the rogación de cabeza.