Irete Sa

Also called Irete Ansa, Irete Osa, Irete Temúsa, Irete Tomúlsa

nº 221 of 256 · Edited by Ricco Ledesma

The excess of joy that makes one sick and kills (the Frog lost the throne): there is only one Shangó, and it is the mother who blesses.

20 patakíes 7 eewó 11 ebbós and works 18 proverbs

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Irete Sa is Odù number 221 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Irete family. It is also written as Irete Ansa or Irete Osa or Irete Temúsa or Irete Tomúlsa. This page brings together its prayer in Yoruba, 20 patakíes (3 in full in plain sight, with their teaching, ebbó and chants), its proverbs, 11 ebbós and works and the signs it shows in the consultation — with the full eewó in plain sight; the rest of the iré and osogbo and the full recipes open with The Notebook, in English.

The sign at a glance

Order in Ifá: Odù 221 of 256
Composition: Irete over Osa
Orishas that speak: Shangó · Oyá · Obatalá (Oshanlá) · Elegbá · Olofin · Olokun · Osun · Egun de la madre

What Ifá says in this sign

Irete Sa, also known as Irete Ansa, speaks to a person of great good fortune who must learn how to receive it. In this sign are born jewels and the loss of beauty, the truth that there is only one Shangó and the false one is always exposed, and the law of Olodumare by which everything on Earth lasts until its time is fulfilled. Its ruling is a warning: a blessing is coming toward you, but excessive joy makes you ill and can snatch it from your hands.

You are fortunate, and so is your partner; you may even win a prize. If you do not insist on having your way and secure your luck with the sacrifice, that happiness stays. The prince of this sign waited so long for the throne that, when he learned it was finally his, he let go from the crown of a palm tree out of excitement and broke his legs: he never got to reign. Receive the good calmly and with your feet steady. If you honor Shangó, he can give you authority and place you above your enemies.

«The Frog lost the throne when his legs broke from sheer happiness: the joy of Irete Ansa is celebrated with feet on the ground.»The pulse of Irete Sa

The osogbo of this sign comes from falseness. Someone passes himself off as you or takes the credit for what you do, and so you work for others without seeing your reward. Guard your position, because they want to put someone else in your place, and beware of whoever knows your secrets. A seeming friend speaks badly of you out of jealousy, they set traps for you, tell you lies and may even poison your food or fruit. But before Ifá what is false comes to an end, and the true one becomes known in due time.

In love, rivals appear, and your enemies want to separate you from your partner; sometimes the union never becomes formal or pregnancy is slow to come. It is the mother who blesses: live in peace with her, and if she has died, her Egun will get you out of trouble. If she is still alive, look after her and pray over her head so as not to lose her this year.

In health, take care of your legs: falls, the weariness of walking so much and the rain do you harm, and do not cross the sea or jump over holes. Watch your glands, your weight and vitiligo, which strips color from areas of your skin, and stay away from excess in sex and drink. At work, overcome laziness and do not put off what you have to do; do not keep your money in bills either, because it gets lost. Ask God with your whole heart, honor Shangó and Obatalá, and the good fortune of this sign will be yours.

The sign in one line

Do the head ritual for your mother, do not lie and make sacrifices in proportion to your means; because even in prison, Orunmila divined (atefó) and the ants carried his ebbó.

The prayer of Irete Sa · Yoruba

KERA AWO MOWATE OMO SHANGO OMO OYA AYENI ONI BABALAWO UBANYORO BANYOKO IFA BANYOKO ORISHA BANYOKO YENKORO YENI IFA YORO YERENI KAFEREFUN SHANGO MAFEREFUN ORUNMILA.

Súyere
EMI ALAMO LOMI SHANGO BOGBO ARAYE EME KELEKE EWE AYO EWE AYO.

Ifá says — what Irete Sa tells you

So much joy at once can kill you: a blessing, a happiness arrives, but it can slip out of your hands.
You could break both legs in a fall or an accident; one must protect the legs and be moderate with intimate excesses and with drink.
It announces a break between godfather and godchild; to prevent it they must perform the bonfire work in the woods with a rooster.
Whoever is an Awó of this Odù gives himself airs, boasts of being handsome and likes to live on appearances.
The woman does not manage to become pregnant; a goat and a rooster must be given to Elegba.
The couple does not manage to marry; the necessary works must be done, giving the speckled hens to Oyá.
There is a tendency to be lazy: laziness is the vice that keeps one away from work and effort.
Food and fruit are poisoned; in love one faces rivals.
People lie or pretend: someone who seems a friend can be a false friend.
Obatalá takes people out of the hole and afterward they deceive him with empty promises, just like the frogs of the two hundred songs.
The young person of the house, between 14 and 16 years old, goes through solitary habits made worse by scenes he witnessed at home and could not accept; he must get along with his mother and treat himself gently, because his mind lives with complexes.
It refers to the pigmentation of the skin, that is, to vitiligo.
Signing documents to settle property.
Your position or post must be guarded, because they want to seat someone else there; you work for the good of others without seeing a reward, because what you do is credited to someone else, like the impostor of Shangó.
Show respect for the waters, because you could become involved in a death.
That Orunmila did atefá in prison with his dinner plate, a rib bone as irofá and the iyefá he scraped from the wall; the ants carried off the ebbó and Elegba set him free.
Of performing the head prayer for the mother with 2 doves, so that she does not die within 1 year; if the mother has already died, her Egun is fed with the roof tile, the 4 doves and the 16 candles.
About the 4 ebbós to different cities, with 4 roosters for Shangó, Elegba, Ogún and Oshosi, each one in a cazuela with 3 toletes.
That the Awó ought to give Shangó two hundred rams, two hundred fish and two hundred roosters, but in practice gives him one Indian rooster and says: «Allow me to offer you a sacrifice that matches what I can afford»; the 3 brooms are used to sweep the heart of his house.
About not sitting in a broken chair and not delaying what you have to do.
Of begging God with your whole heart; otherwise you will see no result.
About not crossing the sea or jumping over holes.
Herbs of the Odù: manajú (its resin heals wounds on the feet) and llerén (an antidote).

Proverbs of Irete Sa · Òwe

“Whoever owes Babá should pay him.”
“Fly carefully, bat, or you will lose your clothing in flight.”
“Too much joy makes you ill and kills you.”
“A liar is never saved before Ifá.”
“You are saved, if I speak.”
“I am King of Kings, said Shangó.”
“A friend in appearance can be a false friend.”
“The wicked man flees though nobody is chasing him.”
“When a country is going badly, the number of rulers grows.”
“The fanatic's happiness is clothing that falls to rags.”
“When the head is full, we call the barber; when the river is full, the boatman.”
“The body's enemy is illness; the cure is its friend.”
“Complaining is the father of misfortune.”
“Arguing does not prove intelligence.”
“Do not hand your wisdom to someone who may become your enemy.”
“Against the wise man, ignorance can do nothing.”
“Beatings only teach you to bow your head, not to use it.”
“Whoever crushes the poor is rain that destroys the harvest.”

15 proverb interpretations in this Odù, locked.Every proverb explained: which road it comes from and how it applies.Unlock →

Iré and Osogbo

Three iré and three osogbo of this sign, open to everyone.

Iré · what the sign brings

The person is very fortunate, and so is his wife; he may win a lottery prize.
A blessing or a happiness is coming toward the person and, if it is secured with the sacrifice, it is not lost.
The woman who spent a long time without becoming pregnant conceives.

Osogbo · what the sign warns

There are people who envy him and want to ruin his business.
Out of jealousy, a seeming friend slanders him.
His enemies want to separate him from his wife.

44 more iré and osogbo readings in this Odù, locked.The rest of the iré and osogbo of the sign, sorted by subject — health, money, love, death, loss…Unlock →

What is born in Irete Sa · Ìbí

That six candles and six stones are set before Shangó at his consecration.
About the path of the true Shangó and the false one: the secret of Irete Ansa is the 6 odduará inside the cazuela.
Giving a hand of Ifá to Shangó, to regulate his power.
Jewels and the ruin of beauty.
When you do the moyugba, say: "ASHE EGUN QUE TIMBELORUN, ASHE BABA QUE TIMBELORUN, ASHE YEYE QUE TIMBELORUN, ASHE OLUO QUE TIMBELORUN".
About the path of the land Moñaña, where the Egun put their ashé in the food of the ebbó.
The monstrous creature of the world, which came out of the sea.
Shangó appeased him with the three meals and made him swear that everything would exist until its time came.
The true Shangó and the impostor; in reality there is only one Shangó.
That Olodumare decreed that all things existing on the Earth last until their time comes.
The Ifá of the five bear cubs and vitiligo.
The skin of the disobedient bear covered Shangó's depigmented skin.
That the cockroaches eat the money.
Do not keep money in bills.
The destruction of the omologú (the sorcerer).
The one who, in order not to die, must go through Osha or through Ifá.
The three clubs and the pot.
Shangó's kumombó, which lives in the cazuela of Irete Ansa.

What is forbidden · Eewó

The full eewó of this Odù, open to everyone — with the road each ban came out of.

Do not argue.
Good luck comes to you.
Do not let the rain fall on you.
It is an Ifá of rain: the bad weather made the Prince's legs sick.
Do not cross the sea or jump over holes.
Do not sit in a broken chair.
Do not keep money in bills.
Cockroaches eat it.
Do not do anything foolish with a bladed weapon.
Be careful: along your way you will find something that will shame you.
Do not leave your belongings in anyone's hands (the Awó).
They try to replace you and destroy you; be reluctant to teach your secrets even to the godchildren you trust most.

Ebbós of Irete Sa · The sacrifices that open the road

LossThe 4 ebbós to different cities🔒 The Notebook Keeping death awayEbbó of the Frog (against excess joy)🔒 The Notebook LoveEbbó for the union of marriage🔒 The Notebook HealthEbbó for vitiligo🔒 The Notebook HealthEbbó to avoid getting fat🔒 The Notebook

5 ebbós in this Odù, locked.Each full recipe: ingredients, preparation and where it goes.Unlock →

Works of Irete Sa · The workings of the sign

Overcoming enemiesShangó's pot and the three clubs (the secret of this Odù)🔒 The Notebook SpiritualFood for the mother's Egun (Iyaré)🔒 The Notebook SpiritualOparaldo for the mother🔒 The Notebook SpiritualWork so godfather and godchild do not part🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesInshé Osain of this Odù🔒 The Notebook SpiritualOparaldo of the three little pots🔒 The Notebook

6 works in this Odù, locked.Each full recipe: ingredients, preparation and where it goes.Unlock →

Patakíes of Irete Sa · The roads of the Odù

1The Prince who longed to be King

A Prince was eager to put on the crown, but his father, the King, did not die and the years went by with the throne occupied. Tired of waiting, he left the palace and settled in the countryside.

There he began to produce liquor from palm seeds. Some people warned him never to climb those palm trees; he did not listen and climbed anyway.

One morning, while he was working at the top of a palm, a messenger came and announced the King’s death. He was overjoyed, since at last he would reign, and because of that distraction he let go with his hands. He plunged to the ground and his legs were fractured in several places. He was left crippled and never ruled that country.

What it teaches

Overflowing emotion, even over good news, makes a person lose care and can ruin what was awaited for so long. Impatience and not heeding warnings are paid for dearly.

What this path announces

It is a sign of frustration and of unhappiness.

2The Prince Who Won Every Battle and Lost the Crown

The Prince went from one land to the next, fighting for all of them, because he wanted to be recognized as King in each. He lost no fight. What did defeat him was the road: he walked so much that his legs became sick and could no longer be cured. More than the armies, what harmed him was the rainwater, the harsh weather and the problems of the journey.

For that reason he never became King, and that disappointment stayed with him all his life.

This is an Ifá of rain, so it is wise to avoid getting wet. From this path comes a work of four ebbós, one for each city, and its content is not published here.

What it teaches

Fighting without rest and winning battles is not enough if the body wears out on the road. Rain and hardships can do more harm than rivals, and effort does not always reach the crown.

The four ebbós

This path has a work of four ebbós, one for each city; its content is in the complete treatise.

Beware of the rain

Whoever receives this Ifá should avoid getting wet in the rain.

This path keeps 4 awó secrets in the complete treatise.🔒 The Notebook

3The Awó crowned by Shangó

Shangó crowned an Awó as Obá, in the land called Adarasa.

Every awó who has this odu is in debt to Shangó and owes him two hundred rams, two hundred fish and two hundred roosters. He acknowledges it by shouting, saying that he cannot deny that he is at his service. Next he prays the odu and asks permission to make him a sacrifice in keeping with his means. Right away he offers him a native rooster. He also takes 3 brooms and asks Shangó to sweep the heart of his house with them each day.

What it teaches

Whoever receives an honor from a greater power takes on a debt that cannot be denied. He acknowledges it aloud and answers with what he can, besides serving daily.

The awó’s debt to Shangó

Two hundred rams, two hundred fish and two hundred roosters. It is proclaimed by shouting that one cannot deny service to Shangó, the odu is prayed, and permission is asked to make a sacrifice in keeping with each one’s means.

Offering to Shangó

A native rooster.

The 3 brooms

Three brooms. Shangó is asked to sweep the heart of the house with them each day.

4The Frog (too much joy)🔒 The Notebook 5Akere Kokoyo and the two pieces of news🔒 The Notebook 6The little bear that stepped aside and Shangó's skin🔒 The Notebook 7The mother's blessing (Awó Akere)🔒 The Notebook 8Awó Akere and the rain🔒 The Notebook 9Shangó gets free of an impostor🔒 The Notebook 10The two Shangós🔒 The Notebook 11False Shangó and true Shangó (Ona Magba)🔒 The Notebook 12The murdering beggar🔒 The Notebook 13Shangó and the three meals of the monster that came from the sea🔒 The Notebook 14The poisoned fruit🔒 The Notebook 15Shangó and the Egun free Moñaña from the ogú🔒 The Notebook 16Where the ants helped Orunmila🔒 The Notebook 17Oyá gives everything🔒 The Notebook 18The poisoned honey in the war of Heaven and Earth🔒 The Notebook 19The breeding ram and the frizzled rooster for power🔒 The Notebook 20Obatalá and the hundred and sixty-four people🔒 The Notebook

17 more patakíes in this Odù, locked.Read every road in full with The Notebook.Unlock →

The full treatise is in English. With The Notebook, the whole sign opens on this page in English: the full text of every patakí, the recipes for the ebbós and works, and the iré and osogbo readings. · This page is also available in Spanish: See Irete Sa in Spanish →

Frequently asked questions about Irete Sa

What does the Odù Irete Sa mean in Ifá?

The excess of joy that makes one sick and kills (the Frog lost the throne): there is only one Shangó, and it is the mother who blesses.

What number is Irete Sa among the 256 Odù of Ifá?

Irete Sa is Odù number 221 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Irete family.

Which orishas speak in Irete Sa?

In the Odù Irete Sa these orishas speak: Shangó, Oyá, Obatalá (Oshanlá), Elegbá, Olofin, Olokun, Osun, Egun de la madre.

What is a proverb of the Odù Irete Sa?

One of the proverbs of Irete Sa says: «Whoever owes Babá should pay him.».

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