Even in the adversity of famine, we must not eat hot stew hastily. For if we eat hot stew hastily, it will surely burn our mouths. Otura'Wori...
One who does not build a house does not have to sleep in the treetop. One who does not cultivate yams does not have to eat dirt off the ground. An adult who learns the teachings of Ifa, does not have to eat old kola nuts. Ogunda'Wori...
Even if you have money, it does not mean you will not become blind. It does not mean you will not go mad. It does not mean you will not become lame. It does not mean you will not become ill. Therefore you should go and get more wisdom so you may think deeply about things. You should cultivate good character; you should acquire wisdom; and you should come and sacrifice so that you may be at ease inside and out. Obara'Wori...
If we continually tasted sweetness without tasting a little bitterness also, life would be dull. One who has never experienced the hardship of adversity does not really know the pleasure of prosperity. Irosu'Wori...
Let us do things with joy. Those who want to go, let them go. Those who want to stay, let them stay. Surely humans have been chosen to bring good in the world. Irosu'Wori...
When a new day dawns we should not be as uninformed as yesterday. Iwori 'Rosu...
If we have wisdom and do not use it we will become uninformed persons. If we have ability and do not use it, we will become sluggish. Idi 'Wori...
On the day that Olodumare would think that a star was being arrogant, we would see that star suddenly fall and disappear into darkness. Oyeku Okanran...
Orunmila says we should endure hardship in the beginning, so that we might enjoy prosperity in the end. Ose Ogbe...
Now if I have been made, I should reconstruct myself. The forbidden things which are enumerated for me, I will comply with. For I have been made, and I must also remake myself. Ogbe 'Ate...
Even if the beginning of wrongdoing is pleasant, the end of wickedness will not be good. We cannot use evil to secure goods and expect them to be anchored firmly. Retribution belongs to Olodumare. The king of the world will reward everyone precisely according to the work of their hands. Ogbe 'Ate...
A person who is in deep distress cannot afford to take an afternoon nap. And a useful trap cannot afford to sleep at night. Ogbe 'Tura...
Anyone who wishes to have good fortune will constantly practice sacrifice. Anyone who cultivates the habit of doing good deeds, especially for the needy, this person will never lack happiness. Ogbe 'Tura...
All the good things we have, if we do not have character, these good things belong to someone else. And so it is character, iwa, we are looking for, character. Ogbe 'Tura...
Character is all that is required. Character is all that is required. There is no destiny that needs to be called unfortunate in Ife City. Character is all that is required. Ogbe'gunda...
An uncontrolled temper does not create anything for anyone. Patience is the father of character. A person who is patient will become the master of all things. She will reach a ripe old age. He will live a healthy life. And she will enjoy life thoroughly like a person tasting honey. Ogbe 'gunda...
If we would listen to the teachings of Ifa, we would last like our ancestors lasted. If we would follow the teachings of Ope, Orunmila, we would grow old like the ancient ones. Ogbe Irosun...
Bad conduct is what is attributed to youth. Bad character is what is attributed to elders. Ogbe Iwori...
Those who are in the habit of throwing water in the streets, you should throw it cautiously, so that you might not wet your own guests. Ogbe Iwori...
The unrestrained mouth; the mouth that cannot govern itself. The trap set by the mouth never fails to catch victims. It is the mouth of the talkative which causes the talkative to suffer. It is the mouth of one who talks overmuch which brings suffering to him. It is the mouth which talks too much that causes one suffering who talks excessively. What the eye sees, the mouth talks about. When the mouth talks, it is torn apart like a piece of cloth. Otura Meji...
Lying does not mean that one will not become rich. And breaking commitments does not mean that one will not reach an old age. But on the day of death, the sacrifice will be required. Otura Meji...
Even a wise person cannot tie water into a knot on the hem of a garment. And no sage knows the number of grains of sand on the ground. Oturupon Meji...
The hand of a child cannot reach the high shelf. And the hand of the elder is too large to enter the mouth of the gourd. The work the child humbly asks an elder to do, the elder should not refuse to do. All of us have work to do for each other's good. Osa Meji...
The head of a person with a bad future does not swell up. No one can recognize the footprints of a madman on the road. And, no one can distinguish the head of an honorable person in an assembly of people. Osa Meji...
May we not die young. May we not reach an old age in wretchness. May we not have to walk around with a stick searching for food at the place of sacrifice. Odi Meji...
All things I desire, I will disclose to my Ori. My Ori is my sympathizer. My Ori, save me. Ese Ifa...
She is the wisdom of the forest. Oshun is the wisdom of the river. Where the doctor failed, she cures with fresh water. Where medicine is impotent, she cures with cool water....
In anything we do, if we do not guarantee the place of women, that think will not succeed. Ifa says we should acknowledge to power of women. If we acknowledge their power, the world will be peaceful. Osa Meji...
It is Iwapele (gentle character) that allows the rope of life to remain strong in our hands. Idi Irete...
The fine sand which children play with on the road to the land of Ilesa; If it is used to teach children how to walk, it can also be used to teach them how to walk gracefully. Irete Meji...
If we would listen to the teachings of Ifa we would last like our ancestors lasted. If we would follow the teachings of Ope, Orunmila, we would grow old like the ancient ones. Ogbe Rosun...
When the hair grows long on the head, we call the barber. When the river is swollen, we call the ferryman to take us across. If the ferryman refuses to take us across, we cross anyway. Odu......
We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Yoruba Proverb...

Ancestors

Standing on the Shoulders

Many Africans believe that those who go before us make us who we are. As we walk on the Earth, we stand on the shoulders of bodies which have been committed to the soil, the water, and the wind. Our Ancestors influence us through heredity and human culture. Yet, there is a deeper connection to the Ancestors as spirits who continue to influence our lives. We honor them with altars, music and prayer. They in turn offer us guidance, protection and prosperity. Luisah Teish

Orisha

Celebrate and Worship

Like the rays of the sun, the orisa are the particular rays of the One Creator as manifested through the four elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
As humans, we can begin to understand creation through these forces of nature. Ifa says there are 401 Orisa; the "1" being the possibility of one more yet unnamed spiritual force in the unfoldment of creation. We honor, celebrate, and study the Orisa primarily associated with the African Diaspora.

Knowledge

Growing in Knowledge

Ifa is a system of Knowledge. It is an understanding of the constitution of, and the relationships between humans, nature, and spiritual forces preserved in oracular scriptures. Ifa says this knowledge is attainable. It is, in fact, the destiny of human beings to attain the "knowledge of all things" and to know our true nature. In addition to celebrating and worshipping the Ancestors and Orisha, we are committed to a path of Knowledge and Understanding.

Alignment

Staying in Alignment

According to Ifa, we choose our Destiny before making the journey into this incarnation. We hug the Tree of Forgetfulness before traveling down the birth canal and we relinquish the memory of our agreement with Creation. One purpose of family, spiritual elders, and community is to help us remember and manifest our destiny. Divination, ceremony, counseling and dreamwork are a few tools that can be utilized to help us stay spiritually aligned and unfold the memory of our life's purpose.

Tools

Sacred Art

Photo

The path of Iwa Pele (gentle character) is a journey of elevation requiring personal growth and education. This is a creative process. As Orisha people who are writers, artists, and healers we make the tools to support and enrich our practice of Orisha spirituality; to draw us closer to our true path. We receive direction and inspiration from Orisha and Egun (ancestors) for creating unique artworks and ritual objects. Our Marketplace will feature sacred objects, teachings and writings.

In our Marketplace you will find Books, CD’s, DVD’s and Ritual Supplies, some related to the teachings and assignments in our Temple Services, workshops and online classes, as well as unique artworks and sacred objects for gifts and celebration.

Main Menu

About Us

Ile Orunmila Oshun (House of Orunmila and Oshun) is a twenty year old spiritual center founded by Iyanifa Fajembola Fatunmise (Luisah Teish) located in Oakland, CA. Members of the Ile practice the Ifa/Orisa tradition as preserved throughout the African Diaspora.

Ile Orunmila Oshun (IOO) is a house of learning and love. A 501c3 religious organization, IOO's expanded mission offers art, science, philosophy and the teachings of Ifa to a larger international community through public and private rituals, monthly temple services, divination, classes and community service.

Welcome to Ile Orunmila Oshun

Osanyin 2010

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Festival of the Bones: What is Remembered Lives

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What is Remembered Lives is a deeply personal collection of stories, poetry and narratives about specific and collective ancestors and about the experiences and transformations brought about by acts of remembering.

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Quotes from the Book

Chief Bolu Fatunmise--King of Ife

It has been recently announced the Chief Bolu Fatunmise will assume that throne of the Oba in Ile Ife, Nigeria, the cradle of Ifa/Orisha worship. We have known Chief Bolu as Elder, Teacher, Spiritual godfather and one who has a university of knowledge contained within his being. We have had the great great fortune of being under his tutelage and send our love and congratulations. The date for his coronation will be released here as soon as it is determined. Hepa Orisa! Hepa Ifa!

Temple Service Location and Time

Our monthly Temple Service is held the last Sunday of every month.

When: 11:00 am - Noon, Last Sunday of each month

Location:

The Sacred Well

536 Grand Avenue, Oakland

Festival of the Bones: Celebrating the Ancestors

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Our first volume of Festival of the Bones is a collection of instructive articles by initiated priests to guide individuals in building a sacred relationship with one's ancestors.

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