Walking With the Orishas – Part 6: Ifá, Divination, and the Path of Initiation

By now, you've honored your Ori. You've felt the whispers of the Orishas. Maybe you've made offerings, cleaned your home, dreamed deep, and stood at your own crossroads.

And now something inside is asking:

"What’s next?""Is initiation for me?""How do I know what my destiny truly holds?"

This final part of our Orisha journey is about Ifá—the ancient system of divination and wisdom that reveals your path. Whether you're just curious or feeling called, this is a space to understand what Ifá is, how divination works, and how to approach it with clarity, humility, and respect.

🧭 What Is Ifá? The Compass of Destiny

Ifá is more than a spiritual system. It is a living, breathing cosmic library of divine wisdom. Rooted in the Yoruba tradition, Ifá teaches that:

"Before we came to Earth, we chose our destiny. Through Ifá, we remember it."

The knowledge of Ifá is preserved in sacred texts and verses called Odu, which are revealed during divination.

The primary deity of this wisdom is Orunmila the Orisha of knowledge, destiny, and foresight. He is the only Orisha who was present when all human destinies were written, and he works closely with Babalawos (diviners) to guide people back into alignment with their path.

🧱 What Is Divination?

Divination in the Yoruba tradition is not fortune-telling. It’s conversation with destiny.

A diviner (Babalawo or Iyanifa) uses sacred tools like cowrie shells or palm nuts and invokes Esu and Orunmila to reveal your Odu. This Odu speaks directly to your:

• Life path (destiny)

• Current blocks or challenges

• Ancestral messages

• The Orisha walking closest with you (your “head” Orisha)

• Ebo (offerings or rituals) to restore balance

You’ll receive practical, symbolic, and spiritual insight along with actionable steps.

✨ How to Know If You're Ready for Divination

You're ready when:

• You’ve begun doing your personal work cleansing, offering, reflecting

• You feel stuck or confused, even after prayer and journaling

• An Orisha keeps showing up in your life and you need confirmation

• You’re feeling a call toward initiation and want guidance

💡 Divination is often the first sacred step before any initiation. No one can tell you who your Orisha is without it. No one can assign you beads, elekes, or titles without it doing so is not tradition, it’s confusion.

🧘🏾‍♀️ What to Expect in Your First Reading

Every lineage does things a bit differently, but in general:

• You will sit with a trained, initiated Babalawo, Iyanifa, or Santera/Santero

• They will open a divination session by honoring Esu and Orunmila

• You may be asked your full name and intentions

• The Odu will reveal itself, and the diviner will interpret the message

You’ll likely be told:

• What energy surrounds you right now (good, warning, mixed)

• What Orisha is walking with you or calling you

• What you must do to stay aligned (offerings, changes, rituals)

You may be asked to do an Ebo (spiritual offering) to rebalance your Aṣe. This is normal and sacred.

🪶 How to Find a Trustworthy Diviner

This is crucial. Look for someone who:

• Is initiated in a Yoruba-based tradition (Ifá, Lukumí, Isese, etc.)

• Works with a visible ile (house/temple) or respected lineage

• Welcomes your questions and does not rush or pressure you

• Does not sell fear (“You’ll die if you don’t…” = 🚩)

• Keeps Orisha work sacred not just social media content

You can ask:

• What lineage are you part of?

• Were you trained under a godparent or elder?

• Are your initiations documented and traceable?

If you're unsure, take your time. Ori will never rush you into the wrong hands.

🔮 Is Initiation For You?

Not everyone needs to be initiated to walk in power or be loved by the Orishas. Many walk with faith, love, and prayer alone, and that is honorable.

But if you're feeling called to:

• Deepen your commitment to a specific Orisha

• Serve your community as a priest/priestess

• Receive sacred tools or be crowned

• Carry forward ancestral responsibilities

Then initiation may be in your destiny.

This is not a decision made alone. It’s confirmed through divination, guided by elders, and built with time, trust, and discipline.

🕊️ Final Words: Let Your Ori Lead

There is no rush on the path of spirit.

Whether you offer water at your altar, sit at the river with your thoughts, or feel called to kneel before a Babalawo you are already walking the way.

If you’ve made it through this entire series, know this: you are not lost. Your path is sacred. You are being remembered.

Trust your Ori. Trust your dreams. Trust your stillness. The Orishas will meet you where your spirit is ready.