27 Jun Trust the Taboo, Claim Your Power!

Blessings Family! Do you trust that what is for you is for YOU and what’s not, is NOT? This week’s Orisa Prayer and Meditation brought us a reminder that those things that are forbidden to us, whether through a formal declaration or the quiet understanding of our own ori (inner head), are forbidden for a reason–even when we don’t understand what that reason is.

I recounted a story from the Odu Ifa idi obara whereby the energy of eewo (taboo) was personified on earth and was living in a beautiful home, with a lush and lovely fruit and veggie garden, which sat by a cool, flowing river. Eewo went on a trip and before it did, it went for Ifa divination and did ebo to protect all that belonged to it. Further, it was decreed by the king of the town that no one should go into Eewo’s house, eat from its garden, or drink from its river while it was away.

At first, all the people of the town adhered to the decree, but after Eewo had been gone for a while, they decided to ignore it. People began to drink from Eewo’s river, eat from its garden, and some people even threw a party in Eewo’s house! Upon its return, Eewo declared that there would be consequences for everyone who broke the taboo. Those who drank the water would ever be thirsty. Those who ate the fruit would no longer taste sweetness. Worst of all, those who danced in Eewo’s house would lose their rhythm!

The townspeople ran to Orunmila for help and, ultimately, he did help them. But he also reminded them that taboos exist for a reason, even when we don’t know what that reason is and warned them not to do things that they know have been forbidden. He also told them that before they perform any ritual, they should simply go and apologize to eewo for doing something it explicitly asked them not to do. The apology was a part of the ritual, as it always is when we seek to make amends.

Lessons abound here, as always. The first being that we don’t know the consequences of things until they happen. When we get an intuitive hit — or a spiritual directive — to avoid a certain place, person, food, or anything else, that is often spirit protecting us from something we may not even be aware of. We negate the protection by ignoring the directives.

Another lesson here is that people are allowed to say no — and so are you! No one HAS to give anyone else access to their energy or their things, period. No matter how much abundance we have, no matter how much it doesn’t make sense that we would say no, no matter how tempting what we have may be to someone else, we’re not obligated to give it to them. Just as taboos may shield us from harm in ways we don’t realize, there are times when our “no” protects us as well, so don’t be afraid to use it.

Our message for the moment comes from the six of pentacles which reminds us that, for as much as we’re talking about things being taboo and saying “no,” there are many yeses headed our way! All we have to do is open our hand to receive. If you find yourself in need of help, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need, and trust that you will receive it. And if you do get a no? Ask somebody else!

Bixbite comes through with some serious power as our crystal ally. Packing the power of fire, bixbite inspires confidence in us and encourages us to go for the gusto! Whatever it is you need empowerment to do–say no, say yes, open your hand to receive, whatever!–bixbite can help you do it by helping to banish fear and bolster strength and vitality.

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

~Iya Funlayo

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