Learn Iyawó: Why the orishas go on the mat for their first three months.
This is no simple straw mat, it is a sacret space upon which your orisha will dwell for the first 3 monthsEvery single
step taken in your first year of existence as a new initiate has a reason.
This is the year to learn the fundamental blocks of this religion, use your time wisely and learn to observe and ask intelligent questions.
Speaking about foundation, when the orishas are brought to your home for the first time they should be accompanied by your elders, or at least by your oyugbona (second godparent) who will find a suitable location where to place them.
It is your duty to have your place clean and neat so there are no delays in placing a mat on the floor and your orishas right on top of that mat. The orishas must go on the floor for a space of three months, the same three months that you will observe by eating on the floor and using a spoon.
Why are the orishas placed on the floor? The orishas are the foundation of your life, of your home and of your future. Their placement upon a mat on the floor allows them to irradiate the very foundation of your home. It also allows you to sit with them and share with them as you eat, take a nap on a mat by them, and to have a place where to ‘level’ with them and read, study, and overall spend time with your orishas.
There are those houses that immediately put the orishas on a cabinet, or on pedestals or whatever other arrangements they deem appropriate. Why would your orishas be elevated and away from you as you eat, pray, sleep or nap by them? Why would they not have the time to irradiate the foundation of your home with their energies?
There are various Oddú that make reference to the mat (estera) such as Oddí Ogundá, Osálofubeyó, and Iwori Koso to mention a few. The mat is fundamental and key to our practices so meditate upon this as well.
As the ebbó meta raises you to a different level within your year of iyawó, so should the orisha then be raised and other steps follow. The ‘in my house we do it this way’ nonsense should not apply here. Learn to use your intelligence iyawó, to ask the right questions in the proper way at the right time… If there is indeed a logical answer to elevating the orishas immediately as they get to your house, lets then hear it.
Omimelli
Oní Yemayá Achagbá
This is no simple straw mat, it is a sacret space upon which your orisha will dwell for the first 3 months
step taken in your first year of existence as a new initiate has a reason. This is the year to learn the fundamental blocks of this religion, use your time wisely and learn to observe and ask intelligent questions.
Speaking about foundation, when the orishas are brought to your home for the first time they should be accompanied by your elders, or at least by your oyugbona (second godparent) who will find a suitable location where to place them.
It is your duty to have your place clean and neat so there are no delays in placing a mat on the floor and your orishas right on top of that mat. The orishas must go on the floor for a space of three months, the same three months that you will observe by eating on the floor and using a spoon.
Why are the orishas placed on the floor? The orishas are the foundation of your life, of your home and of your future. Their placement upon a mat on the floor allows them to irradiate the very foundation of your home. It also allows you to sit with them and share with them as you eat, take a nap on a mat by them, and to have a place where to ‘level’ with them and read, study, and overall spend time with your orishas.
There are those houses that immediately put the orishas on a cabinet, or on pedestals or whatever other arrangements they deem appropriate. Why would your orishas be elevated and away from you as you eat, pray, sleep or nap by them? Why would they not have the time to irradiate the foundation of your home with their energies?
There are various Oddú that make reference to the mat (estera) such as Oddí Ogundá, Osálofubeyó, and Iwori Koso to mention a few. The mat is fundamental and key to our practices so meditate upon this as well.
As the ebbó meta raises you to a different level within your year of iyawó, so should the orisha then be raised and other steps follow
. The ‘in my house we do it this way’ nonsense should not apply here. Learn to use your intelligence iyawó, to ask the right questions in the proper way at the right time… If there is indeed a logical answer to elevating the orishas immediately as they get to your house, lets then hear it.Omimelli
Oní Yemayá Achagbá
