New Moon Prosperity Ritual for Orisa Aje

What you cannot find by day might be tracked by night. What you expect to happen in a matter of days may actually happen in a matter of months.  Destiny and fate are governed by time. Consequently, spiritual work is always synonymous with the religious calendar. In Orisa Lifestyle, time is reckoned by the phases of Òṣùpá, the moon. Each New Moon signals the beginning of a distinct ritual sequence, which reaches optimal manifestation with the Full Moon, followed by gradual decline. Consider what Ifa teaches in this regard:

The New Moon appears
Turning its narrow edge to the universe
Exposing its other large side to the heavens
Ela Poroke
Ifa divination was performed for the New Moon, 
Offspring of Ajalorun
- Holy Odu OwonrinSindin

The Moon was once much closer to the Earth. The Moon wanted to be known throughout the universe and so the Moon went to consult Ifa with the diviner named Ela Poroke. The Moon was told to sacrifice, not only for honor, but also for peace of mind. However, the Moon only sacrificed for honor, disregarding the offerings for peace. Consequently, Olodumare commanded that the Moon would be eternally restless; enjoying 15 days of growth and honor, and another 15 days of reduction.*

The new moon is an optimal time to quiet the mind and focus the emotions. It is considered naturally beneficial to dedicate additional time to meditation and chanting on the day of the new moon, as well as one before and one day after. Priests of Orisa Oko - the divinity of agriculture - will make offerings for abundance on this day.

NEW MOON ON A MONDAY
According to Yoruba thought, Monday belongs to Orisa Aje, the daughter of Olokun. Aje is prosperity. She is regarded as the indispensable one, the key to physical as well as spiritual progress. The importance of understanding the divine essence of money cannot be overstated. At the same time, however, money must be prioritized according to its ability to support your life's work. 

In this light, you learn that, instead of praying FOR money - or even worse, praying TO money - it is best to invoke the spirit of Aje to activate prosperity for the sake of facilitating your destiny. In this way, you develop a relationship with money that is in alignment with the spiritual laws that govern the universe. 

When the new moon falls on a Monday, let your prosperity rituals be organized around six core values:

• Giga | Elevation: Money is meant to serve the highest intentions of the human spirit.
• Otito | Trust: People are best served when the use of money is based on long-term relationships.
• Afarabale | Discipline: Economic success will be defined by balancing social, spiritual and ecological impact, not by financial results alone.
• Egbe | Networks: The strategic integration of social networks will be increasingly important in the circulation of money.
• Aseyori | Innovation: A deeply entrepreneurial culture is required to generate breakthrough ideas at the intersection of social change and finance.
• Idogba | Equality: All who seek to align their values with their money will be granted access to opportunities for investing, lending, and giving.

THE RITUAL [1]
If you do not have a consecrated shrine for Orisa Aje, you can perform this ritual seated in a cool, relaxed place. It is best done first thing Monday morning, after your morning shower. 

Phase One: Invocation 
Scarcity of money, awo of k’oro town
Situation saver, awo of Ijero kingdom
If money is scarce for the babalawo
Situation saver will save the day
This was Ifa’s message to Òrunmìlà
He was advised to offer sacrifice
- Holy Odù EjiOgbe

Phase Two: Gratitude
I give thanks to Olódùmarè for Aje, the spirit of prosperity. I give thanks for the wealth I have experienced, the wealth I have to- day and the wealth that has yet to come. Ase.

Phase Three: Offering
I bring you this offering of prayer and to ask you to activate the spirit of prosperity in my life today. Ase.

Phase Four: Agreement
Olódùmarè, as long as you do not allow me to suffer poverty, I promise to use money to heal my life and the lives of the people I am destined to serve. Ase!!! 

WAXING MOON
As the fullness of the moon increases, you can repeat the ritual every Monday and take advantage of the emotional and spiritual forces that promote growth and prosperity. 

[1] Pataki, A Practical Guide to Òrìsà Devotion.  Available at: ObafemiO.com/publications
*(Ifa, the Custodian of Destiny. Fayemi Elebuibon. Page 146)