Ile Òșungbàràdá (means “House where Òșun does things with style”)
Ese gan, modupe pupo (both ways of saying “thank you” in Yoruba) for your interest in my lectures! Here is a listing of all the lectures I’ve recorded and the prices, if any, attached to them. I offer them in three ways: free of charge, for a set price, or for your own donation of your choice, referred to as DOC.
First, a little about me. I’ve been a student/practitioner of Ifa for over 32 years, receiving my first initiation to begin my priesthood training in 1992 to Òṣun in the Lukumi system. This was done in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, with Cuban Oriate Oba Ecun officiating. Next came EgbeOgba in 1996 in Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria, arranged by Awiṣe Agbaye Baba Dr. Ogunwande Abimbola, with Madame Omoladun Ẹgbẹninhun officiating as my Nigerian godmother. Finally, I returned to Nigeria in 2016, this time to Ibadan, Oyo State, with my current Oluwo, Odofin Taiwo Alawode Adesola, to make Ifa. This was after accompanying other family members for their work in 2013.
My culture-focused travels have allowed me to visit Ghana (1997), Cuba (2001 and 2022) and Puerto Rico (2023), as well as various parts of the United States, and have provided learning and experiences from several knowledgeable elders who are now in the realm of the ancestors: Baba Sango Dei Alafia (the first African American Oriate in the US), Baba Medahochi K. O. Zannu, Baba Tenu’Leri, and Baba Ogundiya Iroko Abimbola. Ibae and modupe pupo to them! Please understand, my initiations were both Nigerian and diasporal. I respect both lineages, even though I apply changes as I learn more, when necessary.
These wonderful men and women have contributed greatly to my life and my learning process, and I seek to share what they taught me, as well as how I’ve processed and lived those things out. I like to give recognition to my teachers and experiences to give a perspective on where I’m coming from. Additionally, my career as an RN showed me the importance of “self-care plans” so to speak, including spiritual ones. This is why I like to share information, experiences, inspiration and suggestions. All of this sounds wonderful, and it has been. I’m very grateful! But I’ve also had my share of losses, making bad decisions, and being stressed out. For those learning experiences I’m also grateful.
So, with the introduction of myself out of the way, once you decide which lectures or Check-In you want, email me: barbara@bbbeyondcategory.com and we’ll go from there.
Free of Charge Lectures
Ifa Theology, Cosmology, and Belief
This is a general, beginning overview of the Ifa system and how it’s structured for belief and usage. Ifa is culture, spirituality, connection to nature, life-style, and community centered, versus a religion.
Ancestral Reverence
Ancestral Reverence is an overview of the ancestral veneration practices of the Yoruba people, as well as a few examples of other cultures. As an aside, if you celebrate family reunions with a family tree, you are doing a basic level of ancestral reverence.
The Ileke (Beads)
Many iles (“houses,” in this case, orişa houses) give out Ileke in a ceremony. Here I give some considerations and a brief discussion.
DOC (Donation of Choice)
4-Cowrie Shell Divination Part 1
This is a beginning explanation of 4-cowrie shell divination, that ultimately can be used with obi/coconut pieces as well as some aspects of obi kola. There are some nuances, and they are NOT the exact same, but it can give some insight, show similarities, and be a good way to begin. I suggest beginning with ancestors and/or Elegba, if you have one or the other set-up, and consecrated.
4-Cowrie Shell Divination Part 2
Part 2 goes deeper as far as methods of questioning as well as some prayers.
Lectures at a Specific Cost (Email me for cost)
The Critical Nature of One’s Ori
“Orisa cannot give what Ori will not accept.” No other divinity, as a matter of fact, can bless a person without their Ori’s consent or cooperation. Ori, or “one’s own head” is a person’s primary divinity. Doesn’t matter who they’re “crowned” to, Ori is still first and foremost. This is an overview of the concepts surrounding Ori, why it’s critically important, and some care tips.
Ori Feeding: With or Without Snail!
When da’fa was done for the worldwide Ifa reading for 2020-2021, the odu was Ogbe Otura. The recommendation was for appeasing one’s Ori with igbin, or “snail.” I decided to share this video because it’s a simplified way of feeding your own ori besides just rinses. I made a few adjustments to the snail process, but I like the energy of it. Please know that there will be times when your ori STILL needs to be fed by an elder. But for maintenance, you can do your own from time to time. This is primarily a Lukumi way of doing a feeding or “rogacion,” but aside from the ingredients, the two methods, Iṣeṣe and Lukumi, are similar.
The Mothers and You
Many times, it’s believed that everyone should not go to The Mothers on their own and appeal to Them. I tend to agree, and will generally ask if a person should, or if I need to on their behalf. For those who can, here are some guidelines.
EgbẹOgba (Egbẹ Orun): The Heavenly Mates of Every Human
Ifa theology teaches that before we leave Home (loosely translated to Heaven, the Spirit World), we have a peer group, society, or our 1st family. This lecture teaches the importance of knowing how to manage our Egbe!
The Structure and Interpretation of Eṣe Ifa
Did you know that most Ifa liturgy can be broken down into seven or eight parts? This lecture speaks about how eṣe, or verses in Ifa liturgy, including merindilogun, are structured, what to look for, and how they speak to you.
Elegba/Eṣu: The “Trickster” Divinity
One of the primary divinities, Elegba or Eşu can be a bit complicated for many. One and the same kind of energy, but important differences in some lineages. Here’s a basic look at Him.
Elegba/Eṣu’s Influence During Mercury Retrograde: Yes, or No?
Scientifically, there is evidence that the planet Mercury has an energetic effect on planet earth, and when the planet is in a retrograde pattern, that energy is affected even moreso. Mercury is named after a Greek God, so it is NOT the exact same as Eşu/Elegba’s. AGAIN, ELEGBA, EŞU, AND MERCURY ARE NOT THE SAME! However, across cultures, there are very clear similarities with Elegba, Eşu, and some of the other cultures’ deities. I developed this process due to my own astrological chart placements and my own personal challenges during these three, sometimes four times a year retrogrades, and it has worked for me for at least 15 years. See what you think!
Yemonja, Òṣun, and Oya
Here’s a commentary on three of the major female orişa of Ifa, from Nigerian and diasporal perspectives.
Check-Ins!
Check-Ins are based on how I’m feeling about things going on primarily with me, that I feel might help others endure. These are me keeping it 100%. Sometimes that means “explaining” (vs complaining), expressing gratitude, exercising patience, doing the most, etc., etc. Check-Ins are free. Here’s a list of the topics available right now.
*Feeling Like We’re Driving in Whiteout Conditions (Faith Journey)
*The Most Going On… (Self Explanatory)
*Who’s Right? (What I feel to be the sometimes ugly debate between lineages. If we know where things originated and why they evolved? We’re good. We do NOT have to adopt every practice as our own, nor do we need to make fun of those (oftentimes elders) who were innovative and did what was necessary. AND, we can embrace new information and keep the learning going.
*Eje SWAT (a method I used to anoint my car)
*Interactions With My Egbe (Sharing for the sake of understanding)
*Mercury Retrograde, My Self-Worth Struggles, and Keeping It 100% (a major unexpected blessing and how I handled it)
*Don’t Be Afraid to “Explain” at Your Altar! (You CAN state your concerns in front of your ancestors and your orişa! Just, do so with respect, then listen for answers)
*Reality and Gratitude (Self-explanatory)
*Waiting Our Turn and Being Ready (Self-explanatory)
*Praying From the Heart, In SILENCE! (Yes!)
*Be the Example! (Our communities need you! You don’t have to be perfect, just good!)
*Worthiness: Why NOT me?? (Even though we all don’t have to be millionaires, some might be, and it’s OK to have nice things, be stable and leave a legacy. Why NOT?)
*Purpose and Self-Care (Self Explanatory)
That’s it, for now! I’ll be adding to and updating content over time, including: more information about the system of Ifa, the divinities, the theology, cosmology and belief; perspectives as things in our environment shift and change, as things are revealed, and as new da’fa (Ifa readings and commentary) comes out.
PLEASE DO NOT download, sell, or copy my content. You are free to give my email address to those sincerely interested.
Thank you, modupe pupo, ese gan o, (all mean “thank you”) for entrusting me with your beginning teaching. Just so you also know, I consider myself a community teacher, meaning I have no problem whatsoever with my godchildren learning from someone else, too. This is a lifelong process and experience, and no one knows everything!
Gbogbo Ire!
Love, Iya
I’m also available for collegiate and or corporate level speaking engagements. Please inquire.
www.bbbeyondcategory.com barbara@bbbeyondcategory.com