| "Ago Obi, ago Obi, ago Obi" | | | | in it's delivery, it must have a second toss to confirm |
| The prayers begin for Obi, the binary system of | | | | and secure the answer. The second fall of the |
| divination from the Yoruba religion to obtain "Yes" and | | | | cowries must be another "Alafia" or an "Ejife" or |
| "No" answers to questions in various levels of intensity | | | | "Etagua" answer to be taken as a "Yes" answer. |
| and meaning. This system, crucial to all in the African | | | | "Ejife" - "Yes" (but without emphasis) - This affirmative |
| religious concepts under the major heading of Ifa and | | | | answer is interpreted as a "Yes, and your World is |
| their various levels of dilution under the categories of | | | | balanced", meaning that what you have proposed or |
| Lukumi and Santeria, are a methodology of the ways | | | | achieved (or about to) brings balance to the give/take, |
| Nigerian kola nuts (Obi Abata), fresh coconut meat | | | | yes/no, or contradictory struggles of the World to |
| (darle el coco) and four cowrie shells speak to us and | | | | keep in harmony. |
| are considered the 'mouthpieces' of the Orichas. The | | | | "Etagua" (or "Etawa") - "Maybe" - This answer comes |
| Orichas, as they are collectively known as, are African | | | | up when the question needs clarification (posing it in a |
| based Gods and Goddesses of Nature who rule | | | | way to be able to obtain a "Yes" or "No" answer to |
| various places and elements of the World and are | | | | begin with) or Oricha is pondering the whole situation |
| considered 'guardian angels' of each and everyone | | | | and needs a second question that has been 'tweaked' |
| who inhabits the Earth. Each and every one of us is | | | | to be able to answer. When Etagua appears, the |
| considered having that particular Deities' "Ache" or | | | | second answer of the second toss of shells is the true |
| "spirit" and it is within the patakis, or stories of the | | | | answer. If another "Etagua" (Etagua-Meji) falls after the |
| Orichas' interactions with each other and the World | | | | first one, the meaning is "do not ask what you already |
| that the lesson is given or the message is delivered. | | | | know". |
| The spirit of Obi, once a mortal on earth, ascended to | | | | "Okana" - meaning darkness is surrounding the client |
| being an Oricha once good deeds had been done, fell | | | | and a positive outcome is not available, perhaps |
| from Grace because of Ego. Upon descending to | | | | without additional spiritual work. One open shell and |
| Earth, Obi's spirit embodied the coconut palm tree. | | | | three closed ones indicate to focus on the small beam |
| Although Obi cannot speak with the use of his tongue, | | | | of light in the darkness. |
| he communicates through the white ("clean") side or | | | | "Oyekun" - The most serious "No" answer as it tells of |
| brown ("dark") of coconut meat. If cowrie shells are | | | | the client being out of touch with their spirituality and |
| used, it is the side that has been filed open to indicate | | | | walking in darkness. This is a dire warning; it presages |
| "Yes" ("clean") and the closed ridged side that indicates | | | | unforeseen problems, accidents, fires and even |
| a "No" ("dark") side of the answer pattern that fell | | | | portends death. Additional questions need to be asked |
| during questioning. | | | | in the clients' behalf to determine why Oyekun has |
| After ritual libations and prayers, some utilize Obi | | | | come. Water must be sprinkled on Oyekun and if it |
| divination with coconut to answer questions during a | | | | appears more than once, the shells must be placed in |
| divination reading in the presence of the client. Obi also | | | | water to 'cool' down the answer. |
| gives clarity to confusion in regards to the message of | | | | After the full tarot card reading, the client has an |
| the cards when used with cowrie shells in a tarot card | | | | opportunity to ask questions that were not addressed |
| reading for a client. Clients can ask Obi a question and | | | | in the card reading. These may be of additional clarity |
| the consultant or spiritual worker may also be | | | | on the original shell toss or other unrelated questions on |
| prompted to ask as well when the layers of cards | | | | relationships and business strategies. Once we begin |
| upon themselves are not in association with the clients' | | | | to receive multiple "Etaguas" to questions in an obvious |
| dilemma. Obi divination is not to be taken lightly and is | | | | pattern, this is an indication that the line of questioning |
| regarded as a tool to help Mankind seek clarity in | | | | needs to end as the client is asking questions to |
| decision making, regardless of whether you are fully | | | | obvious answers in front of their face. |
| initiated into the religion or not. There are 5 levels of | | | | While not always an immediate answer, Obi gives |
| intensity to Obi; two affirmative or positive in different | | | | insight on things to come. It is no mystery that clients |
| severities, two negative or "no" answers, and a | | | | who return for a follow up reading three months later |
| "maybe" answer that needs a second question to | | | | will exclaim, "The shells were right! I just didn't see it |
| extract a less ambiguous answer. | | | | (the situation) evolving before me!" and other |
| The five different shell patterns that will fall during a | | | | affirmations that indicate that revelations of Truth that |
| questioning session are as follows: | | | | Obi gives come true. For me, as well as over 70 million |
| "Alafia" - "Yes with blessings!" - This is the most | | | | plus devotees of this African indigenous religion, we |
| affirmative answer but because it can be over eager | | | | know Obi does not lie. |