General Discussion
Posted by: Shubert Mendez, Omo Odu Oddi Leke
Iboru, Iboya, Ibosheshe to the family of Omo Odu Oddi Leke and our extended community.
In our tradition, there is a sacred principle: you cannot skip steps and expect stability in your destiny. Yet, many have tried. They leap past receiving the Hand of Ifá, chasing other ceremonies, initiations, and even crowning, only to find themselves returning—confused, spiritually disconnected, or worse—misaligned with their Ori (destiny).
Let me explain why the Hand of Ifá is non-negotiable.
🔍 What Is the Hand of Ifá?
The Hand of Ifá is not just a ritual—it's your spiritual GPS, your blueprint. It reveals your:
Odù Toyale – your governing sign, past, present, and future.
Okuta – the cause of your problems or karmic debts.
Tomala – the confirmation and prescription.
Prophecy – the potential blessings or misfortunes tied to your actions.
This rite establishes your link with Orunmila, the Orisha of wisdom and destiny, and allows your Ori to receive direction with clarity and protection.
⚠️ What Happens When You Skip It?
Too often, I’ve counseled individuals who crowned an Orisha, built a bóveda, or even began giving spiritual services—but never received their Hand of Ifá. What happened?
They made decisions without knowing their Toyale Odù.
They formed relationships with spiritual forces not meant for them.
They encountered repeated osogbos (misfortunes) that could’ve been avoided if they had proper spiritual insight.
They started from the middle, and now they carry gaps.
🧠 Even Ifá Warns Against Bypassing
In Otura Meji, Ifá says:
"Ifá says you should always go to him before your problems worsen. He will guide you."
("Ifá dice que debe estar siempre acercándose a Ifá ya que él le va a sacar de las dificultades." — Otura Meji)
And in Oshe Meji, we learn:
"Those who went after wealth without consulting Ifá were buried under its weight."
("Es por eso que todos aquellos que buscan dinero con codicia y avaricia son enterrados prematuramente bajo la avalancha de dinero." — Oshe Meji)
They did not consult Ifá before acting—and suffered the consequence. Just like them, many bypass the Hand of Ifá and dig too deep, too fast.
🌱 Closing the Gap, Reclaiming Alignment
If you’ve bypassed the Hand of Ifá, it’s not too late. But let us be honest: there is work to do. We must return, humbly, and receive what is ours so we can realign with our Ori and fulfill our highest potential.
For those just starting—start here. For those returning—you’re not behind, you’re just now getting on the correct path.
🕊️ Remember: “Ilé ti a fi itẹ sile, kii ba le gbo gbo.”
(The house built without foundation will never stand firmly.)
🌀 Reach out through the forum or our Botanica services to begin the process. Let us honor your destiny the right way—from the root.
— Shubert Mendez, Babaláwo
Omo Odu Oddi Leke