1 = single line (I); 2 = double line (II). Eight marks: the first four are the right-hand leg, the last four the left-hand leg, each read top to bottom. In the 0/1 notation used in the scholarly literature, 1 here = 0 there and 2 here = 1 there.
Seniority
11
Themes
AseGathering powerThe wordHidden enemiesThe mothersLong life
Òwe ni ẹṣin ọ̀rọ̀; bí ọ̀rọ̀ bá sọnù, òwe ni à ń fi wá a.
English
Proverb — the proverb is the horse of speech; when speech is lost, it is the proverb that finds it.
Offerings
The commentary prescribes ẹbọ to Ògún, to Ọ̀rúnmìlà and to Orí to ease the odù's general difficulty; where the odù portends death, ẹbọ to Ifá, to Èṣù and to Ṣọ̀pọ̀nà. It also says the person should receive Ifá and give offerings to Ifá regularly for the blessing of àṣẹ, and that ẹbọ is needed to keep a secret the person carries from being revealed. The odù's shape is protection of gathered power rather than acquisition of more.
Meaning
Ìká is the drawing in of power — ka as the act of pulling together — and the odù of àṣẹ itself: the breath taken before the ọfọ̀ is spoken, the gathering of personal power that makes prayer effective. It is the feminine principle of contraction, and it says that the same gathered power can build a life or destroy it according to the thought behind it. It brings long life when it is ìre, and when it is not it is self-hatred, gossip and cursing. It is associated with the Ìyàmi because power over the world is the Mothers' birthright, and with the collective power of Ẹgbẹ́. Its people are surrounded by haters and must not speak or think negatively.