Òfún Meji (Ofun)

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.

The commentary prescribes ẹbọ to the Ìyàmi against unexpected misfortune, ẹbọ to Àjẹ́ and to Olókun for financial prosperity, and says the person should receive Ifá for protection from enemies. Its ẹ̀wọ̀ are cleanliness and generosity — the odù says a child of Òfún must be hygienic, and must be generous and kind especially within the family — and those are treated as part of the prescription rather than as advice.

Òfún is the last of the sixteen and the principle of whiteness, which the tradition reads as pure consciousness in its first form: the àṣẹ that generates consciousness in the Irúnmọlẹ̀, and the point at which prayer becomes manifestation. It is sacred to Ọ̀bàtálá and to Òdùduwà, and the tradition places the birth of the fundamental principles of earth in it, where Ọ̀gbẹ̀ holds the birth of humankind — so the first and last odù stand in a special relation, the cycle closing on itself. Its main ìre is leadership and honour. Its people are generous and rich in wisdom, they carry Ọ̀bàtálá's traits, and they are often physically frail; the odù asks patience, compromise and an understanding of give and take.