INITIATION INTO ÒRÌá¹¢À
The term initiation was used in ancient times to describe the process through which people became priests in ancient Egypt. Likewise in the ancient African Yoruba culture, initiation is also
the process where normal human beings become extraordinary through spiritual transformation and study.
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Initiation is the ancient process where a person undergoes a sort of spiritual surgery and is reconnected with their spiritual source of extraordinary power. It is a process by which an initiate becomes the responsible custodian of certain natural energies
and spiritual powers which the priest in turn will cultivate for the benefit of him or herself, family and community.
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One initiates after a series of spiritual investigations and rituals
to determine which energy is most appropriate for the devotee. These energies are centered around entities called orisa, who
are sometimes described as personified forces of nature but
really represent powerful spirits which have influence over
forces of nature.
Reasons Why We Initiate to Òrìá¹£à
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In traditional Isese Ẹ̀sìn Òrìá¹£à Ìbílẹ̀ (Traditional Native Òrìá¹£à Spiritual Tradition), there are at least 4 reasons why a person initiates to orisa:
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1. Because they are an embodiment of the Òrìá¹£à energy and need initiation to stabilize that energy.
2. Because they need the Òrìá¹£à energy to supply some type of energy they lack.
3. Because the Òrìá¹£à is a family or hereditary Òrìá¹£à that tradition dictates they initiate to.
4. They choose to initiate to an Òrìá¹£à who they are connected with and like.
Because of this, it’s common to see priests fully initiated to more than one Òrìá¹£à. For some diaspora lines this may seem odd but for an Isese traditionalist, it’s quite acceptable.
Either way, initiation should always be confirmed by divination or the Òrìá¹£à itself.
Ultimately Òrìá¹£à initiation is like a sort of spiritual marriage between Òrìá¹£à and human being which form permanent bonds of support, protection and spiritual development. it’s not to be taken lightly or to just collect titles. Each initiation comes with rules, responsibilities and taboos to follow. It’s not a game.
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Types of Initiations
Our Initiations are available for various orisa including Ifa, which is considered one of the most powerful and encompassing initiations which one can undergo.
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Ifa initiation, also called Itefa allows one to identify one's guardian spirits as well as one's odu, which represents a type of spiritual and physical horoscope which speaks about the life and destiny of a person. Ifa initiation involved various esoteric and secretive processes which only intiates may witness and know about. It is not for non-initiates. Initiation is also the license to study and upon validation from one's elders, divine and assist others spiritually through divination.
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Our initiations are conducted in Yorubaland, Nigeria by knowledgeble and skilled priests in a safe and welcoming location with western-standard accomodations.
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Contact us today if you are interested in exploring the possibilities of inititiation.