Ifá grant your blessings as I praise, enumerate and proclaim your glory, greatness, strength, wisdom, virtues, loving-gentleness, power and excellences. Asé.
May your life giving asé impart strength, enthusiasm, hope, awe, love, joy, peace and healing to all who consider these divine thoughts. Asé.
Ifá you are the divine messenger, message and rectifying (healing) grace (power) of Olodumare, we praise you! Ifá, you are competent to be King over us because in you Ifá, we find revealed the kindness, friendliness, power and gracefulness of Olodumare.
Ifá, you are the wisdom, love and power of Olodumare. Ifá, who does not know that to know you is to know happiness, contentment and satisfaction!? Ifá, who is a better friend, relative and guide than you?
Ifá, you protect, defend and guide your devotees with excellence and perfection. Ifá you allow no one to harm, deceive and mislead your devoted followers. Skillfull are you Ifá, in waging war against the enemies of truth, peace and goodness. You wage war in such a way that the enemies of rectitude, peace and harmony think you are just playing and jesting with them!
Ifá in your action you are more graceful than the centipede. Ifá in your patience you are more persevering than the ant. Nothing deters you from accomplishing your determined purpose.
Oh Òrúnmìlà, you who are one with Ifá and are intimately acquainted with Ifá, to know you Òrúnmìlà is to know salvation, to know you is to partake of vibrant long-life!
Òrúnmìlà Ajana, you are the one who is small in stature yet you are great in power and full of wisdom. Òrúnmìlà! Your ways are untraceable, profound and difficult to comprehend! Òrúnmìlà, there is no better companion and friend in life than you. You are the one worth spending ones time with.
Oh Òrúnmìlà, are you not the one who is the owner of the large house that is high enough to see the limit of the flight of birds, oh dweller of heaven and earth?! Oh Òrúnmìlà, who does not know that you dwell simultaneously in heaven and on earth and that you are aware of all that is unfolding?!
Òrúnmìlà omo Olorun asadi (Òrúnmìlà, son of Olodumare, you who are the sure refuge and shelter), to look upon your face is to behold the goodness, kindness, glory and loving concern of Olodumare.
Òrúnmìlà who is like you? Òrúnmìlà you are the one who disarms us of our fears, insecurities, doubts, worries and anxiety. You transform our sorrow into irrepressible joy!!
Òrúnmìlà, you who are one with the Ifá spirit of limitless light, love, power and immeasurable life, are you not the one who wards off imminent mishap, suffering and death?! Òrúnmìlà, you are a true friend, mentor and father upon whom I can lean upon forever, because you are more firm and stronger than an immovable mountain. There is no one I would want to spend my time with more than you, for you are Iriju Olodumare (prime minister of Olodumare).
Òrúnmìlà, you alone know the secrets of the heart of Olodumare. Òrúnmìlà, you alone know the glorious purposes of Olodumare because Olodumare hides nothing from you. Òrúnmìlà, to call and rely upon you is to receive the sure and full support, goodness and blessings of Olodumare Oba Iré.
Strong, wise and power Òrúnmìlà, even the fierce leopard turns upon its heels and flees when it sees you because it knows that it cannot ever overpower you! Joyful homage and praise to you Òrúnmìlà, you who sits majestically upon the skin of the leopard! Even death honors you!
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! Those who follow you as wholehearted student-disciples are in turn pursued and followed by limitless blessings, happiness, peace, honor, longevity and prosperity. Joyful homage and praise to you Òrúnmìlà because you are the divine mystic and seer who eats a lot of palm oil yet does not turn red. Òrúnmìlà, you are the sage who wrestles death into submission!
To know you Ifá, to know you Òrúnmìlà, is to know and experience eternal life (the divine quality of life which is had and enjoyed by Olodumare and the divine Irunmole-Orisa)! It is you Ifá who gives life and hope to all. Òrúnmìlà there is no failure with you.
Òrúnmìlà you are the refuge from death, sorrow, fear and destruction. Ifá you are the one who teaches us how to spiritually grow, progress and transform through the mysteries of Ela, the spirit of purity, nobility, godliness and salvation.
Ifá you give us power to joyously and contentedly persevere, prevail and conquer our inner and outer antagonists through truthfulness, patience, perseverance, unwavering integrity, goodness, divine spirituality and humility.
Òrúnmìlà Awimilogbon (wise teacher and guide)! Òrúnmìlà Awinrin (the one who sees and understands all things with clarity and precision)!
Òrúnmìlà Oba Atayese (King empowered to rectify, heal and correct), why do people not know that if they call upon you with simplicity, sincerity, earnestness and good-faith you would immediately and compassionately rush to bring them relief and deliverance from their troubles and sufferings?! Why do people not know that you are are near and not far away?! A sincere and devoted thought directed to you always receives immediate recognition and response. Compassionate, loving and kind Òrúnmìlà, you are the one who feels our sufferings as if they were your own. You are the one who delights and rejoices in our success and happiness.
Òrúnmìlà, master of the sixteen principles of creation, may we never forget you and may we never lose sight of you. It is early in the morning we praise Ifá and Òrúnmìlà. It is in the morning I wake up to salute, greet and praise Ifá and Òrúnmìlà.
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! Remember me as I remember you. Do not forget me as I do not forget you. Do not forsake me as I will not abandon you! Others may forget you; others may not appreciate you, but I will not abandon you, I will not lose my appreciation towards you because I know that you have done me only good.
I will not from others my confidence and faith in you. I will never be ashamed that Ifá is my father and I will never stop being a loyal and grateful son. Ifá I call on you! Ela I call on you! Ifá! Ela! Receive and be pleased with the offering and sacrifice of my heartfelt praise and words of gratitude. Ifá, weigh my heart on the balance of truth, sincerity and good faith; and bless (benefit) me according to the measure, weight and quality of my heart!
Ifá you live in my heart and nowhere else! Ifá, I live in your heart and nowhere else! Ifá, you and I are surely united. Ifá, you and I are surely one.
Oh Ifá, for many lifetimes I have been following you and you have been following me! Who can understand this mystery of friendship, love and respect between you and I?! Countless times I have come from Orun (pre-mortal divine spirit world) to Aye (the earth) and countless times I have ascended from Aye and returned to Orun, and in all my journeying you have been with me like the loyal and trustworthy friend that you are.
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! Your excellences, virtues and perfections cannot be enumerated. In one fell swoop (in just one step) no one can attain to your sublime status and condition, but little-by-little I seek to be firmly established in Ifáyelele.
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! Many are my defects and flaws, but one sure virtue do I have, and that is that I do not forget you and neglect you. To the best of my ability I trustingly and humbly exert myself to obey you as a son obeys a loving, caring, gentle and wise father. Ifá may I never forget you! Ifá may you never forget me! You are the true treasure. Your wisdom is true riches.
A person can have many material goods and material riches of all sorts and yet be far from you. Ifá may I never forget you, may I never be far from you and may you never be far from me. Ifá, may you be my inexhaustible treasure of inestimable value.
A person can be endowed with great intelligence, wisdom and ability and yet be far from you. Ifá may I never forget you, may I never be far from you and may you never be from from me. Ifá may you be my intelligence, wisdom and ability.
A person can be a partaker of great affluence and be endowed with a great following and yet be far away from you and your noble ways. Ifá may I never forget you, may I never be far from you and may you never be far from me. Ifá may you be my charisma and may I be blessed to be among those who know how to masterfully follow you.
A person can be a partaker of good health and well-being and yet be morally-spiritually unhealthy and impoverished. Ifá may I never forget you, may I never be far from you and may you never be far from me. Ifá impart to be mental, emotional and spiritual serenity, joy, peace and vitality. Ifá may I always be inwardly healthy, strong and robust. Ifá, may you be my strength, health, stamina and vitality.
A person can appear to be outwardly happy, content and satisfied and yet be far away from you. Ifá may I never forget you, may I never be far from you and may you never be far from me. Ifá may you grant me the grace and means so that I may always have and enjoy genuine, deep and lasting happiness. Ifá grant me contentment and satisfaction.
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! You are fully aware how our lives upon this earth are often beset with afflictions, sorrows, adversities and challenges of all sorts. Ifá, you are aware that at times we are under heavy burdens, stressors and pressures that rob us clarity and the resolve to always do what is right. Grant us courage, strength and determination so that we may follow the noble, joyful and peaceful path that you have shown us.
Oh Ifá. Oh Òrúnmìlà. We must admit that at times we fall short from the proper path you have shown us due to ignorance, despondency, stress or neglect. Òrúnmìlà, extend the mantle of your compassion, gentleness, understanding and forgiveness over us and upon us. Òrúnmìlà uplift us, mend and heal our broken and shattered personal lives.
Ifá, if I have offended you please do not demand of me sacrificial offerings, but instead grant me unconditional remission as you did for the people of the town of tranquility. Ifá, I take full responsibility for my choices and actions. Ifá I ask you for the gift of strength and understanding so that I can correct myself and do what is right, proper and acceptable before you.
Ifá, if I have offended you please do not ask of me a sacrificial offering, instead grant me complete remission, as you did for the people of the land of tranquility. Ifá, lead me and empower me on the path of good conscience.
Ifá, I have surely offended you by my harming, injuring and deceiving others through my careless and disrespectful thoughts, words and actions. Extend to me forgiveness and the power to change and improve myself. Ifá do not demand of me a sacrificial offering. Ifá, I resolve before you to make what reparations I can, and I now renew my vow to proceed henceforth with complete and unwavering honesty, truthfulness and integrity. Ifá, grant me total remission and complete forgiveness as you did the people of the town of tranquility. Ifá may I be pursued by the blessings of good character. Forgive me you who are great King, Rectifier and True Friend. Asé
Oh Ifá. Oh Òrúnmìlà. You know my great reverence and affection towards you. You are my continual joy and delight. When I look upon my sacred Ikin Ifá, I see much more than sacred black kernels from the holy palm tree. When I look upon my attractive, alluring, mysterious, powerful and beautiful black Ikin Kernels I am immediately reminded of you Òrúnmìlà, the holy sage of black hue who came from Iketi!
Òrúnmìlà with great kindness, thoughtfulness and perseverance; and with great power of character and personality you served the people and filled their lives with meaning, hope and values. Òrúnmìlà, you served, remembered and cared for so many people but only few truly appreciated, loved and remembered you in their hearts.
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! When I look upon my sacred, wonderful, beautiful and powerful Ikin Ifá, I behold more than just alluring black kernels from the sacred palm tree. Òrúnmìlà Awinrin!!! When I look upon my Ikin, each with four beautiful eyes, they remind me that you Òrúnmìlà are always with me and that you are looking out for me. Just like the Ikin Ifá which have four eyes, you too Òrúnmìlà have four spiritual eyes with which you see, survey and comprehend fully the events of the past, present, future and the timeless realm of Olodumare and Irunmole! Òrúnmìlà may I never forget you. May I always appreciate you.
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! When I look upon my sacred, attractive and divine Ikin Ifá, I see more than just black kernels from the holy palm tree. There is supernal spiritual fire, light, intelligence, life and power in Ikin!!! Òrúnmìlà, I know that your gentle but powerful divine active presence, power and asé are within Ikin and envelops them. When I am looking at Ikin, you are looking at me! I know Òrúnmìlà, that through Ikin you receive my hospitality, friendship, affection and the outpourings of my heart. I know Òrúnmìlà, that through Ikin, your strength, wisdom, gentleness and power are communicated to me by which is am continuously empowered, motivated, divinely informed and inspired!! When I look upon you. my Ikin Ifá, I recall the sixteen principles of creation by which Olodumare brought all things into existence and by which He upholds, governs and guided them to perfection! Ikin Ifa seemingly appear to be small and powerless, but just Òrúnmìlà who is small in stature and unassuming in appearance, Ikin Ifá are filled with immeasurable and fathomless sagacity, gracefulness, sanctity and power. Òrúnmìlà may I never forget you! May I always value and appreciate you!
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! May you always respond to my call and act on my behalf when I call upon you. May I not have to wait long to experience, receive and see your relief, salvation and consolation. May you hear me and manifest immediately, when in sincerity and earnestness I call upon you. Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! May you never say to me:
“My son (or daughter) I have heard your call but I will not descend and manifest because I have nowhere to affirm my feet.”
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! May my heart be the place of of the descent of your presence, power and asé. May my sincere (clean heart) be your spacious, proper and pure dwelling place!
Oh Ifá! Oh Òrúnmìlà! May my intelligence, conscience and spirit be one with you in quality. May my heart and intelligence be an extension of you Ifá! Ifá you are the great, wonderful and unfailing oracle, guide, mentor and friend. May my conduct, demeanor, attitude and behavior honor you and make your heart rejoice and delight in me.
Ela Ela! Praise and reverence to you!
Ela Ela! Imbue me with your light, truth and purity.
Ela Ela! May the sacrifice and offering of my praise, words of acknowledgment and gratitude be accepted!
Ela Ela! May my spirit, heart and mind soar above to Ile Asé (The divine house-temple of power, command and authority) to receive comfort, strength, wisdom, sanctity, consolation and divine power!
Ela Ela! Spirit of purity, truthfulness, honesty, courage, godliness, authority and power; lead me on your path and grant me access to the hidden and secret treasury of the divine gifts and blessings of Olodumare!
Ela Ela! Bless and prosper me so that I may be able to bring something new, original, needful and beneficial from Ile Asé to this ailing and hurting world. Bless me that I may always be qualified to bring blessings, power and comfort from the limitless treasure store of Olodumare Oba Aiku. May I always have something to contribute to the uplift, healing and rectifying of humanity.
Ela-Òrúnmìlà Moyin Aboru.
Ela-Òrúnmìlà Moyin Aboye.
Ela-Òrúnmìlà Moyin Abosise.
Your friend and well-wisher Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas.
