An Ifa Derived Ritual in Honor of the Ancestors

With many thanks to Martha!


We gathered on this night of the lunar eclipse, in the Season of Samhain, to honor our Ancestors (the Egun), using elements of Ifa', the religion of West Africa.

The area was cleasnsed by spitting alchohol in a fine mist and reciting this incantation to dispel negativity:

"Kose' Orun, kosi ibu' kosi aje' kosi afo' kosi fitibo; Ariku' Baba wa."
(May there be no sickness, death, evil spells, loss, confusion. May we not forget our ancestors)

A red candl was lit while asking permission of the gatekeeper, Eleggua', to procede with the ritual.

The answer was determined usin the Obi (coconut) divination. On the first throw, the answer was "Itagrea", a qualified "yes". A request for a more specific information. When asked whether the spirits wanted cigar smoke, the answer was "Elife", a definite yes. This was done, and the ritual continued.

Items were placed at the corners to represent the elements - a clay figure for earth (north), a shell for water (west) incense for air(east), and a 7 African Powers Candle for fire (south)

Calling the corners:
Since no members of the group were initiates of Ifa' it was decided not to actually invoke the Orishas, but simply to recognize and honor them, as follows:

    East: "Spirits of Air, especially Oyá, Orisha of wind and rain, owner of the graveyard, we honor you. We thank you and appreciate you. Ashe."
    North: "Spirits of Earth, especially Ogun, warrior, Orisha of metals, we honor you. We thank you and appreciate you. Ashe."
    West: "Spirits of Water, especially Yemayá, Orisha of the sea and all life which comes from the sea, we honor you. We thank you and appreciate you. Ashe."
    South: "Spirits of Fire, especially Changó, Orisha of thunder and lightning, we honor you. We thank you and appreciate you. Ashe."

A white candle was lit for the Egu'n, and members brought pictures and mementos of their
ancestors to the altar. Participants addressed their ancestors and made offerings of food, drinks, and tobacco.

Water was offered by libation.

The Obi divination was again used to ask the Egu'n if they were pleased with the offerings, and the answer was an unqualified yes.

Thanks were given to the ancestors and to Eleggu'a.
    East: "Spirits of Air, especially Oyá, Orisha of wind and rain, owner of the graveyard, we honor you. We thank you. Ashe."
    North: "Spirits of Earth, especially Ogun, warrior, Orisha of metals, we honor you. We thank you. Ashe."
    West: "Spirits of Water, especially Yemayá, Orisha of the sea and all life which comes from the sea, we honor you. We thank you. Ashe."
    South: "Spirits of Fire, especially Changó, Orisha of thunder and lightning, we honor you. We thank you. Ashe."


The candles where extinguished and the Circle opened.

Tou Ache' (Blessed Be)