04/30/2023
Aged Ifa
The elder aged, aged and aged
He said he was unable to work
The work he did with energy
When his system was well hydrated
Did not lead to richness
Now that he is aged
He washes his clothes gently
No person washes clothes in haste
Cast divination for Obatala oseere igbo
The day he will no longer rush
They told Obatala to offer for his resting place
- Holy Odù OgundaKete
Obatala was once an impetuous youth. But time gradually withdrew his fire. He had to conserve energy and focus on what would bring him peace.
Obatala became venerable. That is becoming of an elder, after all. A 50 year old who thinks and behaves the same as he did at 25 has wasted half of his life.
When Obatala lost his child to violence, he used his spiritual powers to curse the culprits. The curse worked and their lives became worse. They became even more wretched. And as a result of their deplorable quality-of-life, these destitute people ended up in attacking Obatala's family again, and claimed the life of his second child.
It was then that he remembered the advice that IFA had given him many years before. And so, Obatala refrained from cursing his foes. Instead, he patiently cleaned them up, just as one would wash his own clothes.
Obatala used his spiritual power to rehabilitate his enemies! It was then that he was blessed! It was then that all his prayers were answered.
What are you willing to become in order to actualize the providence that Olodumare has in store for you? Are you willing to slow down? Are you willing to be patient? Are you willing to do the dirty work that doesn't pay?
Obatala is self sacrifice. He embodies sacred service and humility. The extent to which he is willing to give will determine the extent to which he will receive.
May Obatala empower me to pay closer attention to the details associated with extending blessings to others. Ase!
Obafemi Origunwa, MA
