Contemplations on the Odu Obara Meji

The pumpkin is a metaphor we focus on too closely when considering the Ese Ifa of Obara Meji.  The true message is, if we let our vanity take over, focusing on flash over substance, we miss the seemingly mundane thing (pumpkin), which can provide food for us and our family, and wealth in the form a regenerating product to be sold over and over at the market. The Orisa threw away the pumpkin because it wasn't flashy, and in doing so,  flash and instant gratification clouded their judgement. This caused them to miss an opportunity, which in the long term would have put them out ahead. Obara Meji is not about not eating pumpkin, that is done simply to remind us that we shouldn't let flash overshadow substance allowing us to make smart decisions. -- Me 

Contemplations on the Odu Osa Ogunda

Disappearing to a

Remote and desolate place

To be alone

Does not mean you're

Without community

Even then

Plants insects and animals are all

Needed to survive 

Care for those around you

Because tomorrow the person in need

Might be you

Contemplations on the Odu Ogbe Ogunda (Ogbe Yonu)

Sometimes when engaging in battle

a full frontal assault is the best strategy

War

However

Requires a constant chipping away 

At the foundation of an enemy

Eventually

With sufficient damage

Even the greatest fortress will fall

Contemplation on the Odu Ogunda Meji

When walking across the narrow ridge of life, which drops on either side, one finds that only a balanced load and sure footing will stop you from tumbling down and losing your way. -- Contemplation on the Odu Ogunda Meji (Ogun splits it in half)

Contemplations on Irete Ogbe (Irete untelu)

The revelation of the existence of God comes from contemplation of an ant walking across the floor. It's not the act in and of itself, but the millions of years of evolution, and confluence of events that happened in order for that simple event to occur.

Further contemplations on Odu Iwori Ogunda (iwori aweda)

When playing cat and mouse
It is best to not be
Either the cat or mouse
But instead the person behind them
Sprinkling cat nip

Contemplations on Iwori Ogunda

The world is a room

From which we can not escape

But if we open the windows

The light of divine grace

Might shine in

So that we may

See more clearly our surroundings and

Realize that one day

The door to another world

Might open our minds to

Eternity