Royalty Begins at Home: How to Use Self Discovery to Ascend the Throne of Your Own Destiny

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Quality cannot be added. No amount of polishing will turn brass into gold. Likewise, the babalawo cannot grant you anything that your ori did not choose as part of your destiny. Your prenatal choice is the basis of your success. Therefore, you must use self discovery in order to ascend the throne of your own destiny. Failure to do so will only end in falsehood and pretense. 

I have met so many people who went to consult Ifa or Orisa and were told "You are destined to be a king... You are destined to be a queen... You are destined to have a big following and many God children." Unfortunately, along with these lofty claims, they were never taught to discover their natural gifts and talents. They were never taught that the job is not done when you get tired or frustrated or afraid;  the job is done when you have completed the task. They were never taught to organize or to communicate. All they got was the regal fantasy. 

I consider myself blessed that my experience was quite different. When I was initiated to Ifa, I had already corrected my name. I had already earned a Master's Degree. I had already travelled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America and Africa. I had already started a professional career, taken a wife, bought a home and fathered children. That is, I was already successful by the time I was formally introduced to Ifa. Most importantly, I was grateful for the blessings that had been bestowed upon me, thanks to my ori.  

In fact, the very first prayer I learned was my name; ORIGUNWA, which means, "My destiny is enthroned." It is a constant reminder that ori is supreme and orisa is just one of many supporters. Consider what Ifa teaches on the subject:

Iwonran Olokun ko ko ara lile
Iku Ijebu ko ko oorun
Ifa’s message for Ori Apere
He who sells Akara, Beancake to prosper
When coming from heaven to earth
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Where people were blessed with the Ire of wealth
Akara
My Ori please let be counted among them
Akara
Where people were blessed with the Ire of good spouse
Akara
My Ori please let be counted among them
Akara
Where people were blessed with the Ire of great children
Akara
My Ori please let be counted among them
Akara
Where people were blessed with the Ire of property
Akara
My Ori please let be counted among them
Akara
Where people were blessed with all Ire of life
Akara
My Ori please let be counted among them
Akara
- Holy Odu OturaIrete        

The position of maximum spiritual elevation and perfection is  called Ori Apere. It is the pinnacle of human existence and rep-
resents the total optimization of human character, ability and purpose. As such, it is safe to say that Ori Apere is the ultimate
stage of spiritual maturity. For this reason, it – more than any other theological principle – is synonymous with destiny itself. And while you have been conditioned to think of destiny in  terms of a destination outside of yourself, it is more appropriate to recognize destiny as the realization of your true identity. From this perspective, we can see Ori Apere for what it really is, the highest expression of your life’s purpose. In other words, Ori Apere is total and complete fulfillment. So, when you are aligned with Ori Apere you actually transcend the mysteries of Òrìsà. [1]     

Until you fully grasp the significance of the title you selected at birth, you will be constantly enticed to seek out external sources of power and authenticity. Not only that, once you have externalized your power, you will find it very difficult to reorientate yourself and reclaim your natural authority. Let's look once more at the teachings of Ifa for better understanding:                                                         
It is Olodumare that showers rainfall in sweet torrents
The sky bound eagle is the one that jumps up and down on ridges
If a source of wealth is coming to look for one 
There is no need to be apprehensive in work any longer
The rock pebble in the riverbed cares not about cold
Cast divination for Ajojigodogbo
On the day he was going to ascend the throne of the Benin monarch
He was asked to perform sacrifice
He heard about the sacrifice
And performed it
The throne I ascend in Benin
The throne is enough
It is Ajojigodogbo that has rejected the title of Agbanri
I have ascended the throne of the king of Benin
I am not coming back
Ajojigodogbo
He said they should keep Agbanri
- Holy Odu OturaIrete

Ajojigodogbo was born to a royal lineage. When Ifa was consulted for him, Ajigodogbo was told that he was destined to become kind in two places. He was advised to take the throne of his forefathers before taking the second crown. But before he ascended the throne, he travelled abroad to the kingdom of Benin. Once there, the king makers recognized his talents and abilities. They offered him the throne, which he accepted. Later on, his father died and the king makers of his birth place sent for him. But Ajigodogbo rejected the crown of his birth in favor of the throne of Benin. 

Here is a precious lesson. Ifa teaches us that, No matter how beautiful she may be, one will never tie waist beads [a sign of beauty and wealth] on another person's child before their own. In like manner, one should not use his natural gifts and talents to enrich and empower another kingdom when he has his own to look after. 

What you have created with your own hands cannot be taken from you. That means, it is also yours to pass down to future generations. This is as true of a throne as it is a business. When you become the president of your own company, it is yours to bequeath to your children. This is true, no matter how small the company may be. But even if you are hired to be the CEO of a multimillion dollar corporation, you cannot pass down your title to your children.

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[1] Origunwa, Obafemi. Fundamentals of Orisa Lifestyle. P 125