Practical Irosun Osa

The Odu for Ifa New Year 2023

Every year, an Ifa Odu pulled at the beginning of June in Nigeria in honor of the New Year. This is the Yoruba  new year according to the ancient calendars. Until recently, there was one Odu pulled for the planet and that was in Ife. Now , one is also pulled in Ekiti as well and people tend to get them confused.  I won’t get into the politics of it but upon having to choose which one would apply most for us, we asked Ifa which we should follow.  Ifa said we should go with the Odu pulled in  Ife, so that is what we do at Ashe Soul. That being said, the Odu pulled for 2023 in Ile Ife is Irosun Osa. In a couple of weeks an official document will be released that will share relevant information and verses identified in Ife. Today, I’d like to just share some supportive  information that may help you better understand Irosun Osa from a practical perspective. 

Themes of Irosun Osa 

1.Emotional management: This Odu can produce highly emotional experiences and reactions. People can make misteps due to reactionary behaviors and attitudes. It asks individuals to be mindful of being overly emotional or dramatic. When feeling intense, there is a need to step back, take a deep breath, and reflect before choices are made that will be regretted.

2. Consequences: The Odu teaches that every action has consequences, and that individuals must be mindful of their behavior in order to avoid negative outcomes. It emphasizes that even small choices can have significant impacts on one's life and the lives of others. This extends to the need to think things through before acting including what we say. Irosun Sa says individuals need to be more devoted to their  Ori than what they want to do. Everything that a person may want to do and feel compelled to do should not always be acted on or there can be unforeseen consequences. Instead, sit with and meditate to know actions. There may be a need to perform Ibori ritual to maintain calm and to see things clearly rather than through an emotional or irrational lens. For information on how to perform Ibori on yourself , checkout Isese Spirituality Workbook at Amazon for instructions.

3. Virtues: Irosun-Osa promotes the values of honesty, humility, and respect for authority. It teaches that these virtues are essential for building strong relationships and achieving success and prosperity in life. To this end, this Odu calls for faithfulness in relationships and being trustworthy.  Sexual promiscuity can backfire and can cause breakups and possibly Sexually transmitted diseases. If individuals are experiencing tension in the relationship, avoid acting out against the partner. Try counseling, respectful communication, be patient with them to try to solve issues before cheating or separation. 

4. Self-awareness: The Odu encourages individuals to be self-aware and to recognize their own flaws and weaknesses. It teaches that by acknowledging and addressing these shortcomings, individuals can improve themselves and their relationships with others. This can also apply to not being too harsh or strict with others such as subordinates, children, or our partners. Realize everyone is working on something including ourselves. 

5. Personal Responsibility and Accountability : Irosun-Osa emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and being accountable for the outcomes. It teaches that individuals must be proactive in seeking solutions to problems and must be willing to accept the consequences of their choices. To this end, it also warns against cheating or dishonesty as it could end up giving people a case or end up in litigation.  

6. Perseverance: T
he Odu teaches that perseverance is essential for achieving success in life. It encourages individuals to stay committed to their goals and to have faith in themselves and their abilities, even in the face of adversity. There may be a need for individuals to take their power back or address some challenge where they could lose power. If this is the case, there may be some medicines that could be prepared by a priest for you to help support your position. However if their has been injustice, it may be a time where is a shift to a new regime. 

7. Defense and Protection: The Odu teaches that sometimes you won’t please everyone, and that there is sometimes a need to protect yourself and loved ones from hidden enemies. This Odu can produce battles and power struggles.  In this case, Irosun Sa says it is Sango, Oya, Egbe and Esu that can support you. There may be a need to feed both for protection and defense. 

8. Relationships and alliances: This Odu tells us that individuals that have been thinking of marriage and or struggling to achieve blessings, then they should marry or secure  partners that will help . Irosun Osa talks  about how Sango married Oya and thus formed a powerful marriage and alliance. Individually they were strong, but together they were a force to be reckoned with. If already married, then recommitting and seeking to become stronger is helpful. 

9. Respect women. This Odu teaches about feminine forces of power and the need to be respectful to them. Many women hold conscious and unconscious power. Women must learn to use that power in balance so as not to abuse, but heal and empower.  Men must learn not to abuse or mistreat women so as not to experience blocks and setbacks. This can also show up in attitudes conscious and unconscious. Ipese May be needed to feed the mothers of the night . They are responsible for spiritual justice and addressing spiritual debts accumulated from harmful behaviors or attitudes. But,  it may be just as helpful to resolve issues in peace  with mothers, mother figures, baby mamas, sisters, aunts, and girlfriends. 

10 Shifts,  Changes, and transformation: This Odu can produce many changes internally and externally. It’s important to secure the base and remember what is most important while letting go of what is not. These shifts can move you in new directions not originally imagined. 

Proverbs of Irosun Osa


1. "Ika lehin kankan, a difa fun Olosun, awo Osa nlo ree" - This proverb means "After much suffering, Olosun consulted Ifa, and it was Osa who divined for him." It emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance and support in times of difficulty and the idea that help can come from unexpected sources.

According to one version of the story, Olosun was a wealthy man who became arrogant and selfish. He refused to share his wealth with others and mistreated those around him. As a result, he suffered a series of misfortunes. He consulted Ifa, and it was divined that he needed to make sacrifices to Osa in order to restore balance and harmony in his life. After making the sacrifices, Olosun's fortunes improved, and he became a more humble and generous person.

2. "Owo to ba ri owo lo, awo Osa ni" - This proverb means "The one who sees wealth is the priest of Osa." It speaks to the idea that those who are blessed with abundance have a responsibility to give back to their community and make sacrifices for the greater good.

3. "Akiyesi ni Osa, alaaye ni Osa" - This proverb means "Osa is the witness, and Osa is also the mediator." It highlights the importance of honesty, fairness, and impartiality in resolving disputes and conflicts.

4. "Osa ni o je, Osa ni o mu" - This proverb means "It is Osa who eats, and it is Osa who drinks." It emphasizes the idea that everything in life is interconnected and that actions have consequences that can affect individuals and the community as a whole.

5. "Osa lo igbin kan, igbin kan lo Osa" - This proverb means "Osa owns one snail, and one snail belongs to Osa." It speaks to the idea of balance and harmony in life and the importance of recognizing and respecting the interconnectedness of all things.


Practical ways  to incorporate principles of Irosun Osa in daily life. 

1. **Embrace change and transformation**: Be open to change and look for opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. Adapt to new situations and learn from them, as this can help you become more resilient and resourceful.

2. **Seek guidance and wisdom**: When faced with challenges or obstacles, turn to trusted sources for guidance and advice. This could be spiritual advisors, mentors, diviners, or even friends and family members who have experience in the area you need help with.

3. **Maintain balance and harmony**: Strive to create a balanced life by giving equal attention to personal, professional, and spiritual aspects. Practice self-care and prioritize your well-being to ensure you can effectively manage the various areas of your life. Perform regular Ibori to stay in balance and to be able to ac in alignment for your highest good. 

4. **Act with justice and fairness**: Uphold ethical principles in all aspects of your life, and treat others with respect and fairness and ultimately how you would like to be treated. Stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. 

5. **Make sacrifices when necessary**: Recognize that achieving your goals may require sacrifices or offerings, whether spiritual or material. This could involve dedicating time and effort to your personal growth, offering support to others, making financial contributions to causes you believe in, or divinations and performing Ebo for success. 

6. **Exercise caution and vigilance**: Be aware of potential pitfalls and deceptions, particularly in situations where something seems too good to be true. Stay alert and protect yourself by seeking advice and guidance when needed.

7. **Practice gratitude and humility**: Acknowledge the role of higher powers, ancestors, spiritual beings and helpful people in your life. Show gratitude for their guidance and support, and remain humble in acknowledging your own limitations and areas for growth.

8. **Engage in spiritual practices**: Establish a consistent spiritual practice that resonates with you, whether it involves prayer, meditation, or rituals. This can help you stay connected to your spiritual roots and enhance your understanding of the principles of Irosun Osa.


Categories: Practical Odu Ifa