Guided by the Orishas: My Path towards Spiritual Humility & Simplicity

Personal Reflections on Embracing Tradition in a Modern World

Dear Beloved Community,

I recently received feedback from a reader requesting more personal reflections in our newsletter. Though I typically shy away from self-promotion within spiritual contexts, I recognize the value of sharing personal experiences to enrich our collective journey. Today, I'd like to share a story close to my heart, and perhaps more will follow in the future.

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The Beginning of My Journey with the Orishas

Many say that the Orisha tradition chooses you, rather than you choosing it. This resonates deeply with me. I wasn't born into this tradition, nor do I have African heritage or fluent knowledge of African languages. My nearly two decades in Brazil offered minimal exposure to these practices. Yet, the Orishas found me in the most unexpected way, at a time and place I could never have anticipated.

From a Childhood Memory to Orisha Tradition

One of my earliest memories is watching an old version of Moby Dick on a wooden-framed TV with my parents. I was captivated by a scene where an old man predicted doom using a bone oracle. This image stayed with me, although its significance eluded me for years. My attempts to engage with this vision were hasty and unsuccessful, as I was more focused on searching than being found. It wasn't until much later, when I found myself in the presence of a Babalorisha and his open oracle, that the path began to reveal itself. From that moment, we walked this path together with mutual respect, gratitude, and friendship.

The Big Questions

As someone always drawn to spirituality, I immediately felt that this tradition was my true home, despite its unfamiliarity. I placed my trust entirely in the guidance of the Orishas and the house that welcomed me. This trust came with the realization that following the Orishas meant embracing responsibility and surrendering control. I understood that my mission was to help this tradition flourish in Europe and beyond, leveraging modern media to share its principles within the diaspora.

Orishas in Europe

Many Europeans, unfamiliar with the tradition, find the experiences, imagery, and energies overwhelming. For me, it felt like coming home, as my new experiences aligned with my intuitive understanding of life. My greatest challenge was learning to dedicate my time and focus to a tradition I knew little about, without betraying its essence or eroding its foundations.

The Orishas Answer

The Orishas took their time answering my questions. In this tradition, answers often come after you've taken steps in faith. I started our spiritual work with nothing but trust, passion, experience, and acquired knowledge. There were no traditional houses or people to share or support our rituals. Many rituals were impossible to perform here due to the lack of necessary herbs, legal constraints, and other resources. I often wondered if I had the means or the right to pave the way for the Orishas in Germany.

One night, my spiritual guide Caboclo 7 Luas appeared in a dream. He asked if I believed there were no Orishas in the desert, despite the absence of traditional ritual materials. Of course, I thought, the Orishas are universal principles of nature, present everywhere. This meant they existed in Europe too, and there must be ways to connect, heal, and initiate here as well. His answer to how we should achieve this was: simplicity and humility. He urged me to understand and implement the essence of things, as this would have the greatest power. He emphasized that every adaptation must be spiritually sanctioned to be complete and "right."

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Myth of the Traveler: The Journey of Òrúnmìlà

In the Odu Ifá Òtúrá Méjì, there is a story of Òrúnmìlà, who embarked on a journey to distant lands to spread the wisdom of Ifá. Despite facing many challenges, Òrúnmìlà carried a deep yearning for spiritual connection and the mission to share divine knowledge.

As he traveled through unfamiliar territories, he encountered diverse cultures and languages. In a remote village, he met an elder who, recognizing Òrúnmìlà's quest, opened his oracle to reveal the traveler’s destiny. The oracle disclosed that Òrúnmìlà had been chosen by the Orishas long before his birth, destined to bridge the wisdom of Ifá with faraway lands.

The elder taught Òrúnmìlà the importance of humility and simplicity, guiding him to understand that the essence of Ifá could be conveyed through fundamental principles rather than elaborate rituals. Embracing this guidance, Òrúnmìlà continued his journey, trusting in the Orishas to lead the way. He became a beacon of knowledge, helping people connect with the Orishas and understand their own spiritual paths.

This story from Òtúrá Méjì reflects the belief that all stories in Ifá have been lived and told before, highlighting the timeless nature of these teachings.

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Simplicity and Humility

This early vision has guided my work with the Orishas. Doing simple things well is crucial for the effectiveness and authenticity of our tradition's magic. Orishas are pure energy, and everything we use serves this purpose. Anything superfluous should be omitted, and everything added should serve a purpose. Humility is a source of strength, not submission. It is the understanding of guidance and the knowledge that all readings, rituals, and developments are under the Orishas' leadership. Our responsibility lies in doing the right thing and listening; the results are in the hands of the spiritual world. Over the years, I’ve seen outcomes often exceed our hopes and expectations in creativity and intelligence.

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Lessons Learned

Through my work and mission, I've learned that the labels we use—Ifá, Santeria, Candomblé, Vodou, Palo, Kimbanda, or Umbanda—are irrelevant. These are merely individual expressions giving space to the Orishas. What matters are the essential experiences shared through Odu Ifá myths and the elders of our traditions. We all share a common goal with countless paths to reach it. Therefore, my personal aim is to highlight these shared aspects and present the differences, allowing each person to make their own choice.

I encourage simplicity and humility. Practicing in a country without traditional ritual access, I often share simple, universal rituals. These are not meant to discredit the complex, individual rituals of various traditions and houses but to provide accessible practices for those without regular access. With respect, humility, and simplicity, we can connect with our Orishas everywhere. As my Caboclo 7 Luas once said, "With a candle and a glass of water, you can do everything."

"Ẹní bá mọn'á máa rin, á bá ẹni tó pé jọ."
"He who knows the way never gets lost."
- Yoruba Proverb

In the spirit of the Orishas,

Babá Tilo Plöger de Àjàgùnnà
DAILY IFÁ