The Little Oracle That Goes a Long Way: Ifa's Obi Abata (Mouths of God Oracle Series) [Paperback]

Min Ra Ifagbemi Babalawo (Author), Ra Ifagbemi Babalawo (Author), Ra Ifagbemi Babalawo (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mouths of God Oracle Series | Publication Date: February 1, 1999

It is gratifying to know that Min. Ra Ifagbemi has produced a manual on Obi divination. While brilliantly pioneering this subject, he has precisely and concisely created a work of great practicality. Based on the age old Yoruba Oracle Obi, this book will certainly become a standard reference for Obi divination; allowing the reader to comprehend the full potential and divine message from the mouth of the Spirit of Creation itself. Obi Abata, which is the focus of this work is the simplest Ifa Oracle. It requires no initiations nor prescribed animal sacrifices. But, be not fooled, although apparently simple, it is extremely accurate and has the power to mathematically generate one leg of the Ifa Ikin and Opele oracles. Obi, when properly cast, reveals the exact state of affairs of any situation

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Athelia Henrietta PR (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890157120
• ISBN-13: 978-1890157128
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,393,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is excellent. This is one of the most diverse...., October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Little Oracle That Goes a Long Way: Ifa's Obi Abata (Mouths of God Oracle Series) (Paperback)

This book is excellent it is one of the most diverse oracle systems that I have ever encountered. Nothing escapes this powerful little oracle. If you are looking for a oracle book that is simple to use. Look no further the lay out of the Odu and patterns make for easy reference to learning to read Obi Abata

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide and teaching of African oracles, April 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Little Oracle That Goes a Long Way: Ifa's Obi Abata (Mouths of God Oracle Series) (Paperback)

This book has taught me how to delve deep into knowing any given situation. It is amazing to see the situations or experiences unfold from a reading divined through the Obi. I have found this book to be a serious practical guide to understanding how the creator and/or the principals of the creators speak to us. Each reading takes you on a road of greater indepth knowledge about myself, other people, and the world around me. You will not leave home without your oracle guide book. Get closer to your roots and knowing how African Civilizations were built on the basis of such oracles and divine readings.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Parlor divinatory jargon without helpful explanations, April 22, 2003

By 

Phil Rogers (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Little Oracle That Goes a Long Way: Ifa's Obi Abata (Mouths of God Oracle Series) (Paperback)

I would say that this slender 100 page volume with very large print and no explanatory illustrations (say what!?!?!?!) is probably overpriced . . . maybe instead it should be given away. Pretty much all of the language smacks of those slick psychic so-and-sos that feed yet ultimately confuse 'the masses'. This isn't to say that Rev. Babalawo is unethical . . . it's probably just the way he ordinarily thinks (in severe allegorical 'shorthand'). It could very well be that he's perfectly sincere.

But if you want in-depth, contextual understanding, and true metaphor, I suggest NOT squandering your cash here, but instead opt for Baba Osundiya's 'Awo Obi: Obi Divination in Theory and Practice', coincidentally by the same publisher. Osundiya's expressions/explanations are elegant and thorough. There are ample illustrations (both pictorial and verbal) as well as example divinations at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels. And most importantly, he plugs one into the oracle's symbolic workings in an effortless way, rather than the perfunctory, glib, and/or slapdash [take your pick] manner by which Babalawo goes about it.

'The Little Oracle That Goes a Long Way' is anything but pure simplicity . . . unless you are of the author's particular bent of mind, it will probably prove to be essentially valueless, though (hopefully) not harmful. If you want pure simplicity, on the other hand, I would opt for 'The Little Fire Engine That Could'.