Osupa, the moon
Traditionally, the Yoruba adhere to a lunar calendar. Within Orisa Lifestyle, the moon is also a symbol of preferred leadership. That is, the moon appears in numerous verses of Ifa as a leader, whose cool demeanor enabled him to ascend to powerful positions. In the verses that follow, let us explore the spiritual significance of Osu, the moon.
.…We are a flying twosome
The dust and the wind carry us aloft
For we, the disciples of Orunmila,
are ascending to beam light onto the earth
The earth now, behold the moon,
gentle in action and harmonius
Thou, oh moon,
are a sharp contrast
to the harsh and wicked fire,
whose wickedness is exposed
both in heaven and on earth.
- Holy Odu OwonrinIrosun
In this instance, Orunmila was coming to earth on a spiritual mission. Accompanying him were his servants, Osupa (Moon), Irawo (Star), Orun (Sun) and Ina (Fire). When they reached their first stop, a place called Otun Awo Abaa, Ina became angry and in a fit of rage, burnt farms, homes and even people. Shortly thereafter, Orun demonstrated similarly destructive behavior. Orunmila could not accept this and thus sent Ina and Orun back to heaven. So it was that only Osupa and Irawo accompanied Orunmila to earth. In happiness, the two of them then began to sing:
…We are a flying twosome
The dust and the wind carry us aloft
For we, the disciples of Orunmila,
are ascending to beam light onto the earth
The earth now, behold the moon,
gentle in action and harmonius
Above and beyond the ability to see circumstances and outcomes, successful relationships require the ability to see people, to recognize them for who they are. Emotional intelligence is what helps you to understand the value other people can add to your life and your shared endeavors. In the sacred text above, Orun (Sun) and Ina (Fire) both possessed the capacity to illuminate but the nature of their light was too harsh and destructive to add value to the luminary mission. To be certain, Orisa Lifestyle is characterized by cool and patient emotional expression.
The moon is a gentle leader, who provides nurturing strength. In the verse below, we see that Osupa [full moon] is accredited with establishing peace on earth. It suggests that the world was in a state of unrest. Then, Osupa arrived to create a more peaceful and harmonious experience for all. Ifa says:
Anger amounts to nothing for one
Patience is the father of all good characters
An elder who is patient
He is blessed with all the good things of life
These were Ifa’s messages for Ina, the fire
Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator
He was advised to offer ebo
Anger amounts to nothing for one
Patience is the father of all good character
An elder who is patient
He is blessed with all the good things of life
These were Ifa’s messages to Oorun, the sun
Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator
He was advised to offer ebo
These were Ifa’s messages for Osupa Kirimu, the full moon
Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator
He was advised to offer ebo
Only Osupa complied with the advice of the Awo
We have installed Osupa and all Ire has arrived
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
We installed Osupa and the world has become peaceful
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
In vain was the competence of Ina
Ina has no good character
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
Of no purpose is the capacity of Oorun
Oorun is not endowed with good character
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
We have installed Osupa and all Ire has arrived
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
We installed Osupa and the world has become peaceful
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro, the illuminator
- OgbeYonu
Here, Osupa is likened to a calabash of shea butter, which is known for its soft smoothness:
Ofunsaa
Cast divination for the day
And for the month
They asked the day to offer bunches of straw
The month should offer a calabash of Shea butter
They both heard about the offering and performed it
Since then we cannot look directly into a sunny day
(i.e., the sun's rays are like bunches of straw)
But we are able look into a full moon
(i.e., the full moon is like a calabash of shea butter)
- Holy Odu OfunOsa
In the verse that follows, Ifa revisits the relationship between the moon and stars. This time, however, the moon is characterized as the mother of the stars. Additionally, the verse further amplifies the significance of Osupa by linking it to ori:
Whether the ori of Ika is tight
Or it is loose
It is one's Ori that gives one good fortunes
This was Ifa's teaching to Dendere
The crescent moon mother in heaven
Would I see good things at all?
Would good things stay with me? She asked
She was asked to perform sacrifice
The crescent moon performed sacrifice
All the stars stayed with the moon
All good things stayed with her
She brought back many children
Ifa says he wishes this person well
He said whether the ori of Ika is tight
Or it is loose
It is one's ori that gives one the good fortunes
This was Ifa's teaching to Dendere
The crescent moon mother in heaven
She was asked to take care of the ground and perform sacrifice
Dendere heard about the sacrifice
And performed it
Dendere is back
The crescent moon mother
Come and see the children she brought back from her journey
Dendere is back
The crescent moon mother
- Holy Odu IkaOfun
It is ori that enabled Dendere to achieve fulfillment. And so, as the stars follow the moon into the sky, so shall your ori enable you to attract vast blessings in abundance.
In contrast, the to the gentle nature of the moon, it also brings victory. In the verse that follows, the moon is a symbol of unique talent and natural capabilities that cannot be matched, even by multitudes of conspirators. Here, Ifa says:
A te yeku o yi won berepe
Igba abere ko toko
Igba irawo o to su
Adifa fun igba irawo ti nba Osupa sota
Kile o fosu se
Pataki ni tosu ninu ojo
Eyin o mope igba irawo ko ni le mole to Osupa lailai
A te mole oyi won berepe
- IreteOyeku
200 needles are not enough to be called a hoe
200 stars are not enough to be called a moon
Cast divination for 200 stars wishing evil for the moon
What harm can you do to the moon?
The moon is indispensable in the usefulness of mankind
Don't you know that 200 stars can never be as bright as the moon.
For those who envious of our position and wishing us evil,
Let Olodumare who creates the moon deal with them.
- IreteOyeku
The verse invokes a powerful spirit of protection by aligning the moon with its creator, Olodumare.
++++++++
The Holy Odu OseOkanran says:
The lot of Ose is celebration
That of Olokanran is joy
He who took the dancing step of glory into the land
Ifa’s message for Lagerege
When going to procure Osupa the Moon has his slave
And the same message was given to Osupa Kirimu, the full Moon
Who was the slave of Lagerege
They were advised to offer ebo
Only Osupa complied
The moon glows brighter than the Sun
This child is not hot in the body
The moon glows brighter than the sun
- Holy Odu OseOkanran
Orunmila ni ogbagi
Moni osu ire lé
Orunmila nibo lo lé si?
Moni ile Alara ni
Orunmila ni o ribi ire lé si
Orunmila ni ogbagi
Moni osu ire lé
Orunmila nibo lo lé si?
Moni ile Ajero ni
Orunmila ni o ribi ire lé si
Orunmila ni ogbagi
Moni osu ire lé
Orunmila nibo lo lé si?
Moni ile Owa orangun Aga ni
Orunmila ni o ribi ire lé si
Babalawo edan difa fun edan lojo ti edan nsawo rele Owa Ilobu omo afopa ogodo sorò won ni ko karaale ebo ni ki o wa se nitori ki o baa le di eni apesin ki o baa si le ni okiki rere, obi meji, eyele funfun..... Edan kabomora o rubo won se sise ifa fun, nigbati edan wa dele owa Ilobu won wa tewo gba lati igba naa ni edan ti di olokiki to si ti di eni apesin, edan wa njo o nyo o nyin awo awon babalawo nyin ifa, ifa nyin Eledumare oni riru ebo a maa gbeni eru atukesu a maa da ladaju nje ko pe ko jina ifa wa bami ni jebutu ire nje jebutu ire ni a nbawo lese obarisa.
Orunmila said it is ogbagi
I said the moon of goodness have shown
Orunmila said where did the moon of goodness was shown?
I said it is Alara's house
Orunmila said it shown in a good place
Orunmila said it is ogbagi
I said the moon of goodness have shown
Orunmila said where did the moon of goodness was shown?
I said it is Ajero's house
Orunmila said it shown in a good place
Orunmila said it is ogbagi
I said the moon of goodness have shown
Orunmila said where did the moon of goodness was shown?
I said it is Owa orangun Aga's house
Orunmila said it shown in a good place
The priest of edan cast divined for edan
when edan was going to the house of Owa ilobu omo afopa ogodo soro,
edan was advised to offer sacrifice so that she may be fortunate
and has a great fame, two kola nuts, white pigeon......
And ifa leafs, edan complied
when edan reached the town of Ilobu
edan became popular and achieved her aims.
- Awo David Osagbami
The dust and the wind carry us aloft
For we, the disciples of Orunmila,
are ascending to beam light onto the earth
The earth now, behold the moon,
gentle in action and harmonius
Thou, oh moon,
are a sharp contrast
to the harsh and wicked fire,
whose wickedness is exposed
both in heaven and on earth.
- Holy Odu OwonrinIrosun
In this instance, Orunmila was coming to earth on a spiritual mission. Accompanying him were his servants, Osupa (Moon), Irawo (Star), Orun (Sun) and Ina (Fire). When they reached their first stop, a place called Otun Awo Abaa, Ina became angry and in a fit of rage, burnt farms, homes and even people. Shortly thereafter, Orun demonstrated similarly destructive behavior. Orunmila could not accept this and thus sent Ina and Orun back to heaven. So it was that only Osupa and Irawo accompanied Orunmila to earth. In happiness, the two of them then began to sing:
…We are a flying twosome
The dust and the wind carry us aloft
For we, the disciples of Orunmila,
are ascending to beam light onto the earth
The earth now, behold the moon,
gentle in action and harmonius
Above and beyond the ability to see circumstances and outcomes, successful relationships require the ability to see people, to recognize them for who they are. Emotional intelligence is what helps you to understand the value other people can add to your life and your shared endeavors. In the sacred text above, Orun (Sun) and Ina (Fire) both possessed the capacity to illuminate but the nature of their light was too harsh and destructive to add value to the luminary mission. To be certain, Orisa Lifestyle is characterized by cool and patient emotional expression.
The moon is a gentle leader, who provides nurturing strength. In the verse below, we see that Osupa [full moon] is accredited with establishing peace on earth. It suggests that the world was in a state of unrest. Then, Osupa arrived to create a more peaceful and harmonious experience for all. Ifa says:
Anger amounts to nothing for one
Patience is the father of all good characters
An elder who is patient
He is blessed with all the good things of life
These were Ifa’s messages for Ina, the fire
Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator
He was advised to offer ebo
Anger amounts to nothing for one
Patience is the father of all good character
An elder who is patient
He is blessed with all the good things of life
These were Ifa’s messages to Oorun, the sun
Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator
He was advised to offer ebo
These were Ifa’s messages for Osupa Kirimu, the full moon
Who wanted to be installed as Olonroro, the illuminator
He was advised to offer ebo
Only Osupa complied with the advice of the Awo
We have installed Osupa and all Ire has arrived
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
We installed Osupa and the world has become peaceful
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
In vain was the competence of Ina
Ina has no good character
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
Of no purpose is the capacity of Oorun
Oorun is not endowed with good character
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
We have installed Osupa and all Ire has arrived
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro
We installed Osupa and the world has become peaceful
We have installed Osupa as the Olonroro, the illuminator
- OgbeYonu
Here, Osupa is likened to a calabash of shea butter, which is known for its soft smoothness:
Ofunsaa
Cast divination for the day
And for the month
They asked the day to offer bunches of straw
The month should offer a calabash of Shea butter
They both heard about the offering and performed it
Since then we cannot look directly into a sunny day
(i.e., the sun's rays are like bunches of straw)
But we are able look into a full moon
(i.e., the full moon is like a calabash of shea butter)
- Holy Odu OfunOsa
In the verse that follows, Ifa revisits the relationship between the moon and stars. This time, however, the moon is characterized as the mother of the stars. Additionally, the verse further amplifies the significance of Osupa by linking it to ori:
Whether the ori of Ika is tight
Or it is loose
It is one's Ori that gives one good fortunes
This was Ifa's teaching to Dendere
The crescent moon mother in heaven
Would I see good things at all?
Would good things stay with me? She asked
She was asked to perform sacrifice
The crescent moon performed sacrifice
All the stars stayed with the moon
All good things stayed with her
She brought back many children
Ifa says he wishes this person well
He said whether the ori of Ika is tight
Or it is loose
It is one's ori that gives one the good fortunes
This was Ifa's teaching to Dendere
The crescent moon mother in heaven
She was asked to take care of the ground and perform sacrifice
Dendere heard about the sacrifice
And performed it
Dendere is back
The crescent moon mother
Come and see the children she brought back from her journey
Dendere is back
The crescent moon mother
- Holy Odu IkaOfun
It is ori that enabled Dendere to achieve fulfillment. And so, as the stars follow the moon into the sky, so shall your ori enable you to attract vast blessings in abundance.
In contrast, the to the gentle nature of the moon, it also brings victory. In the verse that follows, the moon is a symbol of unique talent and natural capabilities that cannot be matched, even by multitudes of conspirators. Here, Ifa says:
A te yeku o yi won berepe
Igba abere ko toko
Igba irawo o to su
Adifa fun igba irawo ti nba Osupa sota
Kile o fosu se
Pataki ni tosu ninu ojo
Eyin o mope igba irawo ko ni le mole to Osupa lailai
A te mole oyi won berepe
- IreteOyeku
200 needles are not enough to be called a hoe
200 stars are not enough to be called a moon
Cast divination for 200 stars wishing evil for the moon
What harm can you do to the moon?
The moon is indispensable in the usefulness of mankind
Don't you know that 200 stars can never be as bright as the moon.
For those who envious of our position and wishing us evil,
Let Olodumare who creates the moon deal with them.
- IreteOyeku
The verse invokes a powerful spirit of protection by aligning the moon with its creator, Olodumare.
++++++++
The Holy Odu OseOkanran says:
The lot of Ose is celebration
That of Olokanran is joy
He who took the dancing step of glory into the land
Ifa’s message for Lagerege
When going to procure Osupa the Moon has his slave
And the same message was given to Osupa Kirimu, the full Moon
Who was the slave of Lagerege
They were advised to offer ebo
Only Osupa complied
The moon glows brighter than the Sun
This child is not hot in the body
The moon glows brighter than the sun
- Holy Odu OseOkanran
Orunmila ni ogbagi
Moni osu ire lé
Orunmila nibo lo lé si?
Moni ile Alara ni
Orunmila ni o ribi ire lé si
Orunmila ni ogbagi
Moni osu ire lé
Orunmila nibo lo lé si?
Moni ile Ajero ni
Orunmila ni o ribi ire lé si
Orunmila ni ogbagi
Moni osu ire lé
Orunmila nibo lo lé si?
Moni ile Owa orangun Aga ni
Orunmila ni o ribi ire lé si
Babalawo edan difa fun edan lojo ti edan nsawo rele Owa Ilobu omo afopa ogodo sorò won ni ko karaale ebo ni ki o wa se nitori ki o baa le di eni apesin ki o baa si le ni okiki rere, obi meji, eyele funfun..... Edan kabomora o rubo won se sise ifa fun, nigbati edan wa dele owa Ilobu won wa tewo gba lati igba naa ni edan ti di olokiki to si ti di eni apesin, edan wa njo o nyo o nyin awo awon babalawo nyin ifa, ifa nyin Eledumare oni riru ebo a maa gbeni eru atukesu a maa da ladaju nje ko pe ko jina ifa wa bami ni jebutu ire nje jebutu ire ni a nbawo lese obarisa.
Orunmila said it is ogbagi
I said the moon of goodness have shown
Orunmila said where did the moon of goodness was shown?
I said it is Alara's house
Orunmila said it shown in a good place
Orunmila said it is ogbagi
I said the moon of goodness have shown
Orunmila said where did the moon of goodness was shown?
I said it is Ajero's house
Orunmila said it shown in a good place
Orunmila said it is ogbagi
I said the moon of goodness have shown
Orunmila said where did the moon of goodness was shown?
I said it is Owa orangun Aga's house
Orunmila said it shown in a good place
The priest of edan cast divined for edan
when edan was going to the house of Owa ilobu omo afopa ogodo soro,
edan was advised to offer sacrifice so that she may be fortunate
and has a great fame, two kola nuts, white pigeon......
And ifa leafs, edan complied
when edan reached the town of Ilobu
edan became popular and achieved her aims.
- Awo David Osagbami