Irete-Ogbe - How Odu Became Orunmila's Wife Part 12

"Odu told Orunmila that no one could disturb them.  If oso wanted to destroy them he would be destroyed.
Odu told Orunmila if Aje wanted to destroy them, she would be destroyed." 

Commentary:

Oso is a reference to the power of male ancestral societies and Aje is a reference to the power of female ancestral societies.  These powers are used to protect family lineages within any given community and family lineages can and do develop conflicts that do not necessarily contribute to the harmony of the entire community.  Giving Ifa a position of authority in a community requires protection from both personal and collective efforts to influence that authority in negative ways.  The verse is saying Odu has that power.

How does that power manifest?
When an Awo or Iyanifa integrates right brain/left brain they have the ability to go into possession with Ela.  In a state of possession Ela can take a person down the right hand path, meaning the path of elevation or down the left hand path, meaning the path of protection.

Having both witnessed and experienced the left hand path of Ela I can say that it is an extremely powerful weapon in the medicine bag of communal protection.  For this reason presentation to the Odu pot is limited to those who are considered capable of embracing iwa pele.

"Odu told Orunmila that he should never make fun of her.  Odu said if he did not make fun of her all of her work would be good and she would never fight with Orunmila."

Commentary:

Not making fun of Odu means respecting women and women's power.  The verse is saying that if Orunmila and by inference Ifa initiates abuse, denigrate or disrespect women in any way they will loose access to the ase and protection that comes from Odu.

"Odu told Orunmila if he knew what he wanted to send her to get it and it would be his.
Odu said if Orunmila sent a message for someone to suffer, that person would suffer.
Odu said if someone wanted to harm Orunmila even if only slight, she would go to war against that person.
Orunmila said I know you are important.  Orunmila said you are stronger than all other women in the world.
Orunmila said he would never be displeased with Odu.  Orunmila said none of his children would ever make fun of her because Odu is the power of the Babalawo.  Orunmila said if a Babalawo possesses Ifa he would also possess Odu."

Commentary:

Here Ifa is affirming his commitment to the taboo of Odu.  Those who believe this taboo is limited to who can and who can't see the contents of a specific pot are, I believe, missing the point.

Ire,

Awo Falokun