Divination via Fa

The different ways of consulting Ifa

       First of all, to consult Ifa means to do divination. And as I mentioned in the previous article, there is more than one way to do divination, I mean to question Ifa, the spirit that is considered knower of everything. The most known and most used way to consult Ifa is through “akplè” (a special chain conceived for that purpose). Before the chain was created or integrated, only nuts (special palm nuts) used to exist, but the use of nuts demands more effort and is time consuming. The chain is then an alternative to the nuts though these ones are still in use. The chain or the nuts are used to interpret signs’ combinations that could be considered as the language in which the universe is written, which justifies the reason why people see Ifa as a science. Though the learning process, to be effective, is very long and has points to enlighten further in this document, everyone can learn the interpretation of these 256 signs; which signs together embody thousands of stories and parables, proverbs and incantations. Another way of consulting Ifa is through water or through mirror. In this case, the reader (the priest) may not see the spirit called Fa in the mirror but just a sign that he will interpret. Other priests may see it though such priests are very rare regarding my experience. Another way of consulting Ifa is via another spirit. There are other spirits that are close messenger of Ifa that are easier to see with eyes or to hear than Ifa. So, a priest who has such a power can do reading through that. But you should be very careful with that practice because it is somehow man-made spirit which had been very efficient in the past but which seems non-existent today though many priests boost themselves as if they were true holders of such power.