20 Aug Do Your Work, Feel Safe, and Keep Your Crown!

Alaafia Family and Happy Isese Day! Question: Do you get a little lax after achieving a goal? Don’t feel bad if you do, it’s natural to want to relax a bit once you’ve reached a goal you were working toward. And you should rest! But this week’s Orisa Prayer and Meditation message from ose irosun reminds us that we can’t get too comfortable because getting to a position is one thing–but staying in it is another!

The story I told shared the story of an oba (ruler) named Lorile who was a little too confident in his position as king. He was so confident, in fact, that he ignored the warning of his trusted assistant who told him that a close friend and chief, Balegun, was gunning for his throne and planned to overthrow him. The “small boy” assistant suggested that Lorile go and see Orunmila to consult about the situation and, at first, Lorile refused, saying he didn’t believe his friend would betray him. But that night he had a dream confirming what the “small boy” had said, and so he decided to heed the advice and go for Ifa divination.

Upon getting his reading, the odu ose irosun was revealed and Orunmila gave Lorile several ebos to complete. Instead of doing the rituals himself. Lorile sent the “small boy” to complete his tasks, as he was worried about how people might react on seeing the king engaged in sacrifice. He feared it would make them doubt his power.

Upon returning to his palace, Lorile and his “small boy” found the place under siege! The plot to overthrow him was in progress and they had no choice but to flee; his “small boy” who ran home while Lorile ran back to Orunmila’s place. Orunmila told Lorile that it was too late, he didn’t do the ritual in time and, further, he didn’t complete the rituals himself, so he should be happy just to be alive.

Meanwhile, chief Balegun took over as the oba of the town and ruled for just a few months before realizing that the task was much greater than he anticipated. He remembered the loyalty the “small boy” had to Lorile and decided that he would make a good king. So he sent his messengers to get the “small boy” and he was soon crowned oba of the town.

Lots of lessons here! First, it’s critical to remember that getting to the position we desire is only one part. As a Yoruba proverb says, “the higher you climb, the more your buttocks show”, so we are called to be more mindful as we advance, not less. Staying on top of divination, ritual, and spiritual cleansing becomes more important as we rise to higher heights, so be sure you stay on it!

As well, as hard as it is to accept, betrayal can only come at the hands of those who we let get close to us. Just because someone has been by our side for a while doesn’t mean they’re meant to stay there forever. It’s important to heed the signs when they tell us someone doesn’t mean us well, no matter who they are or how long they’ve been in our life.

Finally, and real simply, do your own work! It is through the works of our own hands that we are blessed so don’t be over reliant on priests or assistants to do your spiritual work for you. Who does the work is who gets the blessing! Get into our statement for the week:

I will do my work and keep my crown!

Our card for the week from the African Goddess Rising Oracle Deck is Tituba, who was an ancestral mother believed to be of Guyanese descent who was the first person tried during the infamous Salem witch trials of the 17th century. Tituba encourages us to feel safe in our surroundings, in spite of things that may have happened in the past. Perhaps we have been betrayed like Lorile, or lost a position that was important to us. That doesn’t mean we’re destined to repeat those things. It’s time to relax and trust that you have come through the trial and are now safely on the other side. Do the things you need to do to keep moving forward without spending too much time with your neck turned back–that’s how you trip over things.

Crystal ally sunstone amplifies this message, encouraging us to let go of the things that bind us and embrace freedom. Radiating the energy of the sun, this stone invites us to bask in joy and helps us to heal parts of us that have been wounded. It says, “brighter skies are ahead!” so stop worrying about the rain.

May these messages and lessons resonate with you whenever you connect with them! Ase!

~Iya Funlayo

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