Who is Orula?
Have you ever wondered, who is Orula? Orula (Orúnmila) is an important Orichá, and is unique in several ways.
First of all, the men and women who are initiated into the Regla de Ocha or Santeria do not have Orula sitting on their head as a guardian angel.
Orula only goes to the head of Babalawos, heterosexual men who have been initiated into the Rule of Ifá. Ocha and Ifá are parallel traditions in Cuba, often working together in the same religious community, each carrying out specific tasks and playing unique roles.
Depending on the tradition of a man’s lineage, he may not have to be initiated into Ocha first in order to move on to Ifá. Some men are directly called to Ifá through divination.
Women can receive the cofá (oikofá) from Orula, and any man can receive the hand (abo faca) from Orula; This puts them under the protection of Orula but does not fully initiate them into Ifá or convert them into Babalawo. Orula is the master fortune teller.
Who is Orula according to the patakis?
According to the patakís (sacred tales), Orula is the only Orichá who knows the future of everyone on earth and has the power to influence our destiny, because when Olodumare was creating the universe, Orula was the only one present to witness it.
Specifically, he knows when each of us will die, and he makes sure that we die at the right time, in line with the destiny we choose for ourselves in heaven.
He knows how we can find happiness, health, peace of mind, and success, because he was there when we came into the world, and he knows what the future holds for us.
He can help us avoid mistakes by keeping us on the right track. Orula communicates with humans through divination with a Babalawo. The Babalawos do not use dilogún (cowry shells) like Santeros/as they do.
They use either an epuele (divining chain) or ikines (kola nuts), and a wooden divination board covered in cascarilla (eggshell powder). They may also use a piece of horn from a deer’s antler to mark certain odu (sacred signs) on the tray.
You can also see this other prayer to Oshun
Offerings to Orula
Orula possesses and personifies wisdom, but is also a powerful healer. He works with herbs and roots to heal people. His colors are yellow and green, and his eleke (bead necklace) is made of alternating yellow and green beads.
Men and women who have received the hand of Orula or the cofá de Orula wear a simple yellow and green beaded bracelet on their left wrist to protect them from premature death.
Orula knows the moment when everyone is destined to die, and those who wear Orula’s idé (bracelet) on their left wrist will not be carried by mistake by Ikú (death). Orula protects against mental illness and madness.
In the Catholic religion, it is tuned to Saint Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is October 4. On October 4, it is important that all the godchildren of a Babalawo visit him and offer him some kind of right (money or gift) to honor Orula.
The traditional gift is two coconuts and two candles. In the home, Osún often stays by Orula’s side as a guardian. Those who have received the cofa or the hand of Orula must formally attend Orula once a month, usually when the moon is new.
Orula’s offerings are usually red palm oil and honey, and we burn two candles in his honor while whispering prayers and special requests.
In some lineages, Orula’s day of the week is Sunday, but in other houses, every day of the week is Orula’s.
Prayer to Orula
Now that you know who Orula is, you can address him with the prayer to Orula
“Òrúnmìlà! Witness of Creation
Second in command of Olódùmarè
Your art is more effective than medicine,
You, the Immense Orbit, that diverts the day of death.
My Lord, Almighty Saviour,
Mysterious Spirit who fought against death.
You should be greeted first thing in the morning.
Your balance adjusts the forces of the World,
Your art is the one that can rebuild life
Of the creatures in misfortune;
Bad Luck Fixer,
He who knows you becomes immortal.
Lord and King who cannot be deposed,
Perfect inside the House of Wisdom.
My Lord: infinite is your knowledge,
If we don’t know you completely we are useless,
Oh, if we knew you completely we could always be fine.
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