The Plante in Seattle - 23 October 1999
They came to find their Guardian Angels (their Orisha). And some came to get help from Ifá. But all who came received the sage advice of Orunmila on October 23rd received it in full. The babalawos were Pete Rivera with over 10 years in Ifá, Angel Luis Rivera and myself. All came away knowing a bit more about themselves, the world around them and their place in it.
There were five people who found out they were children of Yemayá, four were children of Obatalá, one turned out to be a child of Aganyú. There was one child of Oshún, one child of Ogún, and two children of Elegba. And there was one who turned out to be a child of Obba. Maferefún Orunmila! Maferefún Gbogbo Orisha!
There were no corners cut, so everybody who came were assured of accurate information about matters of such importance. They know. Finding out about your Orisha is no joke. If a person is initiated to the wrong Orisha the consequences can be sad indeed. We’ve seen the results of such mistakes. Their Orishas were not found by a simple throw of the shells or of the Opele, but the Table of Ifá in full after the babalawos had brought down Orunmila. Of course, there were more than a few red faces as Ifá told them things about their lives that they thought no one but themselves knew. But that is the way with such things.
Thank you to the Oluwos (babalawos) Pete Rivera and Angel Luis Rivera for their hard work, thank you to our ahijados (godchildren) who also worked very hard, and thanks to all who were present for making this Plante such a success.