Customer Reviews

Awo Obi: Obi Divination in Theory and Practice

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I have read and studied a lot of books on Obi divination mainly because it is one of the simplest, yet powerful oracular systems available. Out of all the books I have read, no other book cuts through the red tape like this one. He discusses information about the Orisha, offerings, the Obi Abata, the four cowrie divination and much more.

Often times other authors, in my opinion, get off on the tangent and get to discussing theory, philosophy and their own practices. Meanwhile if you are from a different house you end up having to dissect what they are saying in order to make use of the information. This is not the case with this book.

Baba Osundiya has done a great job by commenting upon other Orisha traditions and not pitting one against another, as I have read other authors do. He has recognized the strengths in all the Orisha traditions throughout the Diaspora, and records them within this book to give the reader a greater appreciation and understanding of Obi.

This is one of the best books on Obi I have ever read and highly recommend it to those who want to make use of this simple and powerful oracle in improving and bringing about balance into their life.

Elegantly concise, morally and ethically compelling, profound in the simplicity of the explication of the symbolism, as also in the tutelage, not only of the understanding of the oracle itself, but of the depths of human/cosmic nature that inform it.

Even if one never resorts to using this particular oracular system, the understandings that Mr. Osundiya lays out are eminently readable and usable, and compellingly so. They will likely be helpful to practitioners of any other divinatory system.

It's probable that initiates of the esoteric schools will find his ease of expression to be refreshing and most revealing. He speaks from the heart, and from the gut, and with an unobstructed mind. His writing flows like music.

Without exclamation marks and words of praise, this book is a must-have for initiates and non-initiates of the Orisa/Ifa traditions. It is concise yet thorough. The author does well to provide information, and training, within easy reading format. Baba Osundiya's work in this book proves vaulable to both academics and the serious learners. He approaches the unacquainted and well-versed students with appropiate tact. The information, wisdom and science provided in his text are stripped of denominational and regional overtones therby benefiting those academics/learners from various religious backgrounds. It is exactly what the title presents: theory and practice.

I have read all the books on Obi divination and this is the most comprehensive. Baba Osundiya gives very good insight on Offereings and description on Orisha and treats the Obi Abata as an Ifa Priest/Priestess.

Baba Osundiya has done a great job.

Baba Osundiya has produced a book that works on so many levels. You can feel his love and respect for Ifa in the pages of the tome. I only wish he were near me so I could study with him. At least I have this book. There is no filler here,no wasted pages of ego.Just an example of Iwa Pele on display for discerning eyes. Buy it.

Without doubt the best book on Obi Abata divination. Osundiya provides an easy-to-follow format that surpasses any previous attempt. Experienced diviners can apply the instructions in the book to take the divination process to a more in-depth level of interpretation.
Obi Abata fails to provide a historical background of the system, and leaves out a few important points that are not well known among the followers of this religion.
In the early 80s, Babalawo Afolabi Epega introduced Obi Abata divination in New the York with his famous "little red booklet," which was being sold together with a set of Obi. At that time, the booklet became the standard guide for those that had the time and patience to digest a system of divination that had more questions than answers. Very few had the training to tackle this new tool on their own. Babalawo Adeleri of Brooklyn, New York was the exception. He took the Obi Abata to deeper levels of interpretation, and he is presently the utmost authority on Obi Abata.
Babalawo Chief Carlos Collazo of the Bronx, New York was credit with the invention of the Obi substitute used today in the Diaspora. On several occasions, priests in the religion have pilfered his invention for their own profit, and never gave Babalawo Collazo the credit that he deserves.

Author of Esu Osanyin

Very good. Really, you will learn not only about OBI divination using Abata Obi, but also, you can learn a lot about Ifa. Attention few book tech how to divine using the Abata Obi, most of authors teach to use the coconut or a kind of substitute. Here you will learn all.

This book has been a great blessing for me. I knew a little about casting Obi before reading this book, but Awo Obi helped me to clarify things that had always been confusing and gave me a tool to work with as I was casting. I use mainly the basic way of casting, but found the more involved ways of casting Obi easy to understand, which was a first. Maybe I'll get to those in time. It has been hard for me to find a book on Obi that was well written and easy to understand, but that's what I found with Awo Obi. This is a great book that goes above and beyond and has alot of additional information most other books lack. I would highly recommend this book.

Divination is a cornerstone on the path of Ifa'Orisa that provides inisght, clarity, and guidance on one's path. Since I have applied the information that Baba Osundiya presented, I've reached a deeper connection to the divine forces(orisa) and my ancestors (egun), my life has improved markedly. This well-written manual continues to be a blessing by providing a resource that will enable me to build and maintain a firm foundation for my interactions and spiritual practices with the divine.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who practice any branch of the Orisa tradition. This book is easy to read thereby allowing a non-initiate to move through each step with ease and understanding and providing initates with a tool to perfect their divination skills. This small investment will pay for itself time and time again.

Ire ati alaafia

This book is great for beginners in reading Obi Abata. The author outlined instructions for basic, intermediate and advanced which was very useful. I would definitely recommend it.