Sacrificial Ceremonies of Santería: A Complete Guide to the Rituals and Practices by Ócha'ni Lele

Author:Ócha'ni Lele [Lele, Ócha'ni]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Spirituality/Religion
ISBN: 9781594775000
Publisher: Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Published: 2012-08-21T16:00:00+00:00

INTERPRETING THE CAST

We have just asked, “Ke ebó fin ke ebó ada?” In English, “Is the ebó offered an ebó accepted?” We have ten possible patterns that could serve as an answer to this question.*28 There are times when the oracle can give us more letters and more detailed answers; however, in divination, context is everything, and for this particular divination we keep things simple. Because the orishas understand simplicity (after all, they created the rules by which we live) there can be no misunderstanding. The letters that fall and their different meanings†6 in relation to this question are:

aláfia (all four whites fall face-up): The word aláfia means “blessings”; with this, the orisha gives permission to proceed with the sacrifice as planned. The priest crouches low on his feet and prays in Lucumí, “Aláfia omo. Aláfia owó. Aláfia Imale. Aláfia arikú babawa.” This is a request that aláfia comes with “peace and abundance, peace manifesting with children, with prosperity, the kind of peace not seen with an early death.” There is no need to question the orisha further: the answer is an unqualified yes.

etawa (three white sides and one black side falling face-up): This is not a complete pattern; obí must be cast a second time to get a full answer. The diviner prays, “Etawa owó. Etawa omo. Etawa arikú babawa. Obi kenyo!” In English: “Etawa brings us the blessings of children, of money, of a long life. Obí, speak well for us!” Then, the diviner retrieves the four pieces of coconut to make a second cast, in which the answer is then based on the composite revealed.*29

etawa-aláfia (three whites followed by four whites): This is the first pattern that may emerge when obí is cast twice for the orisha. Etawa is the first sign given, a mandala of one black rind and three whites, followed by aláfia, a pattern of all white rinds. When etawa-aláfia comes, it is safe to proceed with the sacrifice; the answer is yes.

etawa-meji (three whites followed by three whites): This is the second pattern that may fall when obí is cast twice for an orisha. The first sign, etawa, has repeated itself; one black rind and three white rinds has doubled. When this letter falls, it is often said that “one should not ask what is already known.” The answer is yes, and the sacrifice may proceed.

etawa-ejife (three whites followed by two whites): This is the third odu that can fall in the etawa family when a double casting is necessary. Etawa, a pattern of one dark and three white rinds, has been followed by a mandala that is balanced, two whites and two blacks. The answer is yes, and the sacrifice may proceed.

etawa-okana (three whites followed by one white): This is the fourth possible pattern that can open when obí must be cast a second time. Three white rinds are followed by three black rinds. The answer is no, and as things stand, the sacrifice is not ready to proceed. See the section

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