The Gift of Equal Ground: What My Grandfather and Ifá Both Knew
Fairness, Chess, and the Hands That Lifted Ọ̀rúnmìlà
Esteemed keepers of ancestral wisdom,
My grandfather taught me how to play chess. He started gently: “Choose two extra pieces,” he’d say—any except the king. Over time, this became one piece. Then none. And then? No mercy. No favors. Just the game, honestly played. And yet, I never felt punished. I felt trusted.
He taught me that fairness is not sameness. Fairness is a sacred space where everyone can rise to their best—with dignity. That’s the highest form of love: to meet someone not where they are stuck, but where they are capable.
This wasn’t just a grandfather’s wisdom. It is also the voice of Ifá speaking through the sacred signs—especially through Ìrètè Méjì.
The Path Where Ọ̀rúnmìlà Was Saved by the Strength of Three Waters
In one itàn (myth) from Ìrètè Méjì, Ọ̀rúnmìlà—the great prophet and knower of destiny—found himself in deep peril. The forces of death (Ikú) closed in. Alone, he could not prevail.
He turned to three Orisha:
Òṣun, the one who sees even what is hidden.
Ọbàtálá, the Orisha of clarity and cool wisdom.
Yemọja, the nurturing force of life’s oceans and deep resilience.
They did not remove the challenge.
They did not fight for him.
They equipped him.
Òṣun taught him how to disarm danger with sweetness. Ọbàtálá reminded him of his higher purpose. Yemọja gave him the emotional strength to endure. With their guidance, Ọ̀rúnmìlà stood tall—and won not only survival, but insight.
This myth doesn’t glorify struggle. It reveals a truth we often forget:
“Àjẹkù kì í jẹ kó dákẹ́; bí ó dákẹ́, ó ti ku.”
“Leftovers must not go silent; when they go silent, they are dead.”
— Odu Ìrètè Méjì
We are not meant to surrender to hardship. We are meant to respond with awareness, tools, and allies.
So, perhaps the question is not “Why is life hard?” Perhaps the better question is: “Who are the Òṣun, Ọbàtálá, and Yemọja in your life—and are you listening to them?”
The path of growth doesn’t need shortcuts. It needs support, structure, and story—and Ifá gives us all three.
Àṣẹ to your clarity, courage, and careful strategy.
Like chess, life rewards those who make wise moves with love and discipline. May your game be wise, your moves be guided, and your victories earned.
In spirit and service,
Babá Tilo de Àjàgùnnà
DAILY IFÁ
Ask our other GPT Orisha and Ifá advisors (supporting members only):
📣 VOICE OF ORISHA: “What does Ifá say about teaching others with fairness?”
🧠 WISDOM OF IFÁ: “What’s the best Odu for someone seeking resilience after many failures?”
Bom dia e bendito seja- Can I ask Baba, about the translation of Àjẹkù - leftovers -? Could you offer synonyms or a little more context? Thank you - ase.