01 Apr Know who YOU are, let go of what’s gone!

Blessings Fam! How much do you know about the history of YOU? This week’s Orisa Prayer and Meditation message came from the odu Ifa oturupon irosun and reminds us of the importance of learning the story of our family. This itan (story) spoke of the elephant, the buffalo, and the frog, who were brothers. The elephant and the buffalo being older and larger assumed they would have an important position in life while the frog asked that his ori lead him to the right position for him. The three of them were advised to make ebo (ritual offering) and also to learn their family history.

All three of them did the ebo, but only the frog took the second piece of advice and learned the family history. Soon, the three of them were called before the town’s chiefs to find out what position they would hold. The elephant and the buffalo arrogantly thought they had chiefdom in the bag but when they were called forward they were asked one question that neither could answer: Tell us of your family history. Upon their failure to respond, the frog was called forward and beautifully recited the oriki (praise poem) of its family. The town’s chiefs were so impressed by the performance, they made frog a big chief and the elephant and buffalo were so disgraced they had to leave town. This is why we don’t find elephants or buffalo near towns, but frogs are plentiful. Listen on a summer night and you’ll likely hear their voices calling out to you!

Lessons on lessons here: first, stay humble! Elephant and buffalo were so convinced they were gonna get what they wanted that they didn’t do all they were directed to do. Sometimes, we’re so sure we got it that we cut corners and don’t complete our work — that’s an aht aht! You never know what purpose even things that seem insignificant may hold, so follow the directives of spirit completely.

Second, as we learn in many different odu, one of the most empowering things we can do is know ourselves. Find out who and where we come from, who our people dem are and were. Although, of course, the experience of the maafa has made that difficult for many of us in the diaspora to go as deep as we’d like, we’ve got a lot of resources available to help us now, starting with our elders. Don’t wait til your people are gone to put them on an altar. Talk to them now. Collect their stories and recipes, ask about their childhoods. Begin to craft your own praise poem of yourself and your lineage. This is ori work!

The final piece I’ll highlight, which is reminiscent of last week’s lesson is that it is often the practical aspect of the assignments we’re given that is the most important.  Don’t be so focused on the “ritual” and “magic” that you miss making a simple behavioral change or studying to show yourself approved. Knowledge really is power in more ways than we sometimes realize!

Tap into our power statement for the week: I will study my history!

Crossing paths, our card for the week from the Chalks of Kikongo Oracle Deck challenges us to remember that there are reasons and seasons for everything. Don’t hurt your own feelings by trying to hold onto something that has run its course. Know it’s alright to let go and, though change is sometimes difficult to manage, embracing the fact that it’s life’s only constant can help us to better manage it.

Our crystal ally for the week, dumortierite, helps to opens our ori — especially the third eye and crown energy centers — and encourages organization and discipline. It can also help to soothe the mind, clear “brain fog,” and usher peace and calm into our spirits. Just what we need when moving through the crossroads!

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

~Iya Funlayo

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