21/01/2023
THE IFA CONCEPT OF CREATION
Cosmology is the study of the· structure of the universe which attempts to discover the principles of unity that sustain Creation. The Cosmology of Ifa is based on the belief that the microcosm (immediate environment) is a reflection of the macrocosm (the universe).1 This means that the forces that created the stars and the galaxies also created the earth, including the plants and animals that evolved on the planet. Because of this continuity, Ifa teaches that every problem faced by humans has an analogous counterpart in every realm of Being. If a scripture frequently describes the problems encountered by animals and plants with the underlying assumption that the human condition encounters the same struggles for survival.2
One of the functions of divination is to identify the ways in which universal forces manifest in everyday life. This is done through the use of myth. Because myth makes use of symbolic material, an understanding of symbols makes it possible for the diviner to relate myth to a given situation. The fundamental cosmological paradigm that Ifa uses to interpret symbols is the belief that manifestation in the Universe is the result of balancing polarities.3
Most systems of metaphysics are based on the belief that the primal polarity that sustains the physical universe is the tension between expansion and contraction.4 In Ifa this polarity is usually described as the relationship between darkness and light. This relationship is not considered a conflict between the forces of "good" and the forces of "evil." The polarity between expansion and contraction is understood to be a fundamental quality of dynamics and form as they exist in Nature.5
Using the divination system of Dafa, expansion or light is represented by a single vertical line (I). In Dafa contraction or darkness is represented by a double vertical line (II). Using the divination systems that make use of cowries, light is represented by the open concave side of the shell and darkness is represented by the convex side of the shell. The convex side curves to form a mound. Usually the mound is removed, exposing a single column down the center. This side of the shell is called the "stomach" or "inu" in Yoruba. The concave side has two lips that curve inward with an opening down the middle. This side of the shell is called the "mouth" or "enu” in Yoruba.6
If a cosmology teaches the principle that light comes from darkness and darkness comes from light. It also teaches that everything that exists is an expression of ase. The Yoruba word ase has multiple meanings. In a cosmological context, ase is the Force that sustains Creation. The primal manifestation of ase would be the invisible Force that creates both light and darkness.7 Physics calls this force electromagnetism. Everything in the material universe generates electromagnetic force fields. Those electromagnetic forces that expand by moving away from their source generate a field of radiation that includes the visible spectrum of light. Those electromagnetic forces that contract by moving towards their source draw light out of the visible spectrum into darkness.8 In Nature, the smallest atom to the largest star contains forces of expansion and contraction in a spherical arena.
The spherical shape of most energy patterns is represented in Ifa divination through the use of a two-dimensional circle in the form of a tray (Opon Ifa). Merindinlogun generally represents the sphere on a mat (ate Orisha). Every sphere is defined by the distance between its poles and its equator. The poles and the equator are determined by placing a horizontal and a vertical line at right angles from the center of the sphere. These lines are drawn in Dafa a by making marks in the iyerosun powder that is placed on the tray. These lines are drawn in Merindinlogun by making marks in the efun powder that is placed on the mat. This results in an image that is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional reality:
When these four lines are stacked together in a single vertical column, they become a form of linear notation that is used to represent a specific three-dimensional reality.9 The symbol for light is as follows:
I
I
I
I
Using the same process, the symbolic representation of a sphere of darkness would be a vertical column of four double lines as follows:
II
II
II
II
In addition to poles and equators, every sphere has a center called the nucleus that forms a hidden core within the boundaries of the outer shell. The nucleus of a sphere also forms a sphere at the point where the lines of the poles and the equator cross.
Dafa uses two vertical lines to represent the outer boundary and the inner nucleus of energy patterns that exist in Nature. Using the examples already given, a sphere of light with light at its core would be represented by two columns of single lines. In Ifa divination this symbol is called; "Eji Ogbe" or "Ogbe Meji." It appears as follows:
I I
I I
I I
I I
The patterns are read from right to left. The right side is the visible exterior and the left side is the invisible interior.10 In metaphorical terms the right side is the male side and the left side is the female side. In Ifa, the association between expansion, light and masculine energy and the association between contraction, darkness and feminine energy is related to the expansive and contractive nature of the male and female reproductive organs.11 One is not considered better than the other. The polarities between expansion and contraction; between light and dark; and between male and female are all seen as the dynamic principles that generate diversity within Creation. DM me if you're interested in ifá lecture and lessons.... ALAAFIA🙏🏻💖🧿✨
