Iwori Rete

Also called Iwori Rote, Iwori Lote

nº 59 of 256 · Edited by Ricco Ledesma

Where the four seasons and the miracles of San Lázaro were born: the guardian of the Atepon Ifá, a sign of whims and shifting luck.

18 patakíes 5 eewó 7 ebbós and works 15 proverbs

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Iwori Rete is Odù number 59 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Iwori family. It is also written as Iwori Rote or Iwori Lote. This page brings together its prayer in Yoruba, 18 patakíes (3 in full in plain sight, with their teaching, ebbó and chants), its proverbs, 7 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 59 of 256
Composition: Iwori over Irete
Orishas that speak: Orunmila · Azowanu (Osajuano) · Oduduwa · Olokun · Oshún · Osain · Eshú

What Ifá says in this sign

Iwori Rete, also known as Iwori Rote and Iwori Lote, speaks to an intelligent, talkative person who lives among changes. In this sign were born the seasons that divide the year, the promises and offerings to Osajuano, and the pact by which hair protects the flesh and the flesh feeds it. Here Iwori Rete became the guardian of the Ifá board. Its ruling is one of balance: like the seasons, no bad time lasts forever, and calm comes to whoever makes ebbó and takes care.

This Ifá brings serious warnings. There is danger of fire in your house: do not play with it. Three troubles can come to you together, among illness, traps and grief. Your enemy is close, inside your own house, and someone else who stays hidden pushes him; they study your footsteps and never fight openly. An Egun who goes with you pretends to be good and is not. Avoid high places, the street after midnight, and turning corners close to the wall.

«The rooster pecks at the chick because he sees a rival in it; Iwori Rote teaches how to grow without attacking and without allowing yourself to be attacked.»The pulse of Iwori Rete

In love, the sign gives the example of the hair and the flesh, which quarreled, suffered each on its own, and in the end understood that they needed each other. In your house there are arguments every day, and your temper can break your marriage. Do not live off others or stay beside someone you cannot bear. You like to change partners, and the one you left may come back. Do not be a tyrant or mistreat your family. This sign warns of a danger of violence: an older man may go as far as killing the young woman who leaves him. Never think of killing your younger partner if they leave your side: let them go in peace.

In money and work, Ifá brings you good news: a godchild who opens your luck, money that comes through a Saint or from the countryside, and a fortune you did not expect. Oshún defends you and stands up for you. Do not be like the rooster who pecked the chicks for fear that they would surpass him: let those who come after you grow. And do not bring work problems home, because your family ends up paying for them.

In health, watch your stomach and intestinal parasites, and get tested often. An illness passed on through intimacy that you already had can return: you are passionate, and excess is paid for. Take great care of your head and your bones, since a slip can fracture them. Take care of Osajuano, owner of the miracles of this sign, and make offerings to him for your health: he, who suffered, knows how to care for those who suffer. All the good you do comes back to you.

The sign in one line

Do not live halfway, beware of fire and send away the pretended dead man, for the seasons of Iwori Rote change, and yours comes with luck and money.

The prayer of Iwori Rete · Yoruba

Iwori Rote adan abi oma dudu ekun fibi kurumu tele ijo shewe irin shewe adifafun akuko magalaja ako tolofe anegue omo Olokun gbogbo awo eranko eiye igbo shugbo Olokun eniku ni eja oko abele abele ikoko meta adifafun Eshu.

Súyere
Akuko akuko gerebale gere · Akuko gere gere bale.

Ifá says — what Iwori Rete tells you

That Iwori Rote took the place of Ogbe Weña as guardian of the Atepon Ifá.
That the rooster pecks at the chick because he sees in it the one who will be his rival.
Fire in the house: the person may get burned; beware of fire.
That it speaks of three bad things at once: illnesses, evil deeds, troubles, traps or betrayals.
That one must not live as a dependent in another's home or share life by halves with anyone.
Of a tyrannical man who leaves the home and returns to keep mistreating his wife.
Of intestinal parasites; you must get tested regularly.
That when the young woman wants to leave with a younger man, the older man kills her.
Of an Egun who walks beside you and pretends to become good without being so; Oparaldo must be done.
That they are watching you to catch your footstep; your enemies are working in secret.
That the person is of fiery temperament and enjoys changing partners.
Of an enemy who lives at the back of your house, incited by another person.
Of stored stones that belong to a Saint and can solve everything for you.
That you have, or have had, three husbands; the current one is a merchant and one of them runs off with his money.

Proverbs of Iwori Rete · Òwe

“The world is held up by four corners.”
“Carelessness is a friend of tragedy.”
“The Awó should not bathe in the sea if he cannot swim.”
“Whoever does good, does it for themselves.”
“For whoever keeps the taboos there is no bad weather.”
“Fire warms in winter and is a nuisance in summer.”
“When a demon gets into the orí, even an angel commits murder.”
“The words of the wise bring peace.”
“Between the plate and the mouth the soup is spilled.”
“Prosperity is the result of selfless sacrifice.”
“Sleeping around is the fire that burns a home down.”
“The good judge starts with his own house.”
“Respect for elders makes the humble man prosper.”
“A fruitful family never dies out.”
“Whim makes the fool suffer.”

12 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

They are a very intelligent person and like to talk.
A godchild arrives who brings them luck.
Money comes to them through a Saint, and money from the countryside.

Osogbo · what the sign warns

There is fire in the house, and the person may get burned.
There is tragedy among relatives and three evils at once.
This sign brings misfortunes, illnesses, malice, upsets, traps and betrayals.

59 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 Iwori Rete · Ìbí

The four seasons of the year.
From the path where Olodumare sent the wind, the guide of the currents that give life to the seasons.
The gifts or wonders dedicated to Osajuano (Saint Lazarus).
The fury with which the Awoses act during the plague of the Iyoye.
Orunmila took revenge on Akala, who was tormenting him, by striking him with the stick.
That hair shelters the flesh and the flesh in turn nourishes it, and that everyone has hair on the body.

What is forbidden · Eewó

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

One must not live as a dependent in another's home or share life by halves with anyone.
You cannot play with fire.
One must not be out in the street after midnight.
You might run into beings from another world.
It is forbidden to be in high places; stay away from heights.
Be careful of a slip and breaking a bone.
Do not turn the corner along the sidewalk; do it down the middle of the street.
So that you do not get a fright or get attacked.

Ebbós of Iwori Rete · The sacrifices that open the road

IréEbbó for Iré Umbo🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesEbbó so they do not beat you🔒 The Notebook LoveEbbó to go back to the husband🔒 The Notebook To protect the fiancéeEbbó so the bride is not killed🔒 The Notebook

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

Works of Iwori Rete · The workings of the sign

ProtectionInshé Osanyin of the sign🔒 The Notebook Overcoming difficultiesWork with Oggún of the yagruma tree🔒 The Notebook The hair and the fleshInshé of the hair🔒 The Notebook

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

Patakíes of Iwori Rete · The roads of the Odù

1The Whipping of the Iyoye

Before coming to the world, Orunmila, whom they called Aideju Awó in heaven, consulted the oracle and this sign came out, with a warning: once in the world, he must not try to escape suffering. Orunmila went down to the lands of Oduduwa, who had an only son named Akala.

The boy devoted himself to tormenting Orunmila. He woke him before dawn, shook him roughly and pricked him with spikes, and Orunmila did not answer a single word because he was a stranger in that house.

Soon afterwards Akala became ill and, after fifteen days, was dying. Oduduwa, at a loss, sent for Orunmila. He saw the same sign again, demanded a large number of animals and took the young man into the bush to perform Ifá for him.

When the Iyoye came, Orunmila thought: “Now I can take revenge.” He gripped a rod, sang a song and gave him hard blows on the back, running after him among the trees. Healed, Akala returned to Oduduwa, who was filled with joy.

For that reason one understands how hard the awó strike on the day of the Iyoye.

What it teaches

Whoever endures mistreatment in another's house in silence may end up saving the one who attacked him. Knowledge is put at the service of the one in need even though he was treated unjustly, and the Iyoye remembers that settled account.

The work of Ifá in the bush

Orunmila demanded many animals and took Akala into the bush to perform Ifá for him.

Prayer of this path

IWORI IRETE AIDEJU AWO ADIFAFUN ORUNMILA UMBO WASIYE EURE MEJI ELEBO EYELE MEJI ELEBO OWO MEDILOGUN ELEBO. AWO JEREKUN ILE ODUDUWA AKALA ITANA IGBO DUN IFA AKALA AWO NIFA AKALA OMO ORISHA UMBELORO YEYE MANIBU ORUNMILA LODAFUN ORUNMILA MAFEREFUN ORISHA.

Súyere of this path

AKALA AWO ONIFA AKALA OMO ORISHA ORUNMILA MABINU

What Orunmila sang as he chased Akala at the Iyoye

AKALA AWO NIFA AKALA OMO ORISHA IFA MABINU

This path keeps 3 awó secrets in the complete treatise.🔒 The Notebook

2The rooster who won Olokun's daughter

All the animals had fallen in love with Are Ege, the daughter of Olokun. The father announced that he would give her to whoever was first to plant the whole row of yams assigned to him.

The rooster went to Orunmila, who consulted the oracle and found this odu. He ordered an ebbó with six doves, three hoes and three posts. Eshu gathered the posts and drove one into each corner of the farm.

The other birds began to till while the rooster was still asleep. But he used his enchantment, an order addressed to the hoe so that it would till by itself, and he advanced at great speed. Every time the parrot shouted “you will break,” the rooster's hoe broke and he took another.

Eshu helped by striking one of the posts: queen ants appeared and the other birds ran to eat them. Thanks to that distraction the rooster got ahead of them, finished his furrow first, and received Are Ege from Olokun.

The other animals, full of envy, threw him into the river. The rooster was carrying his wife in his beak and swallowed her without meaning to; she became the long feathers of his tail. That is the reason for doing an ebbó before marriage: to keep the wife from losing her life.

What it teaches

Winning what one desires takes more than speed: the ebbó and the help of Eshu are needed. Defeated envious people may want to harm the winner, so it is wise to keep protecting oneself even after reaching the goal.

The rooster's ebbó

Six doves, three hoes and three posts. Eshu buries the posts, one in each corner of the farm.

Advice when this odu appears

Before marrying, an ebbó is done, to keep the wife from losing her life.

Prayer of this path

Iwori Irete Adan Abi Oma Dudu Efun Fibi Kurumu Tele Ijo Shewe Irin Shewe Adifafun Akuko Magalaja Ako Tolofe Anegue Omo Olokun Gbogbo Awo Eranko Eiye Igbo Shugbo Olokun Eniku Ni Eja Oko Abele Abele Ikoko Meta Adifafun Eshu.

Súyere of this path

Akuko, Akuko, Gerebale Gere Akuko Gere Bale.

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

3The tyrant king

A king kept his people under iron rule, without any freedom. His character was unstable and despotic.

On one occasion he left his ministers in command of the kingdom and set out to visit several nations. The ministers loathed him, because he treated them with total despotism. As soon as the king left, the people heard the news and held great celebrations. Without the tyrant, though only for a time, the people lived contentedly, but never stopped fearing the day of his return.

Months later, a messenger brought the king's order: he wanted a solemn welcome, since his tour of neighboring countries was about to end. On this notice, the ministers, who were the ones governing, got together and decided to defeat him on his return. They set traps at every access to the kingdom and then covered them, disguising them with grass.

When the messenger came back with the ministers' reply, the king resolved to leave for his land that same day. He rode a white horse. On approaching an access to the kingdom, the animal fell into a trap, and from the fall the king died. So the people were freed from that bloodthirsty tyrant.

The path also refers to a despotic man who leaves his home and later returns to go on mistreating his wife and his relatives. It also speaks of obstacles, perhaps caused by a work of witchcraft or by the doing of an Egun araye, that prevent someone from being crowned in the Santo.

What it teaches

Power used with cruelty prepares its own fall. When those who suffer under a tyrant come to an agreement, they can set up his defeat without his noticing. This odu also speaks of the man who abandons his family and returns to mistreat it, and of obstacles that hold back the crowning, whether through witchcraft or because of an Egun araye.

Ebbó of this path

This path has its own ebbó; the full list is in the complete treatise.

This path keeps 2 awó secrets in the complete treatise.🔒 The Notebook

4The origin of the promises to Osajuano🔒 The Notebook 5The rooster Opipi and the chicks that replaced him🔒 The Notebook 6The hair and the flesh🔒 The Notebook 7The four seasons of the year🔒 The Notebook 8When the vulture made ebbó🔒 The Notebook 9When Oshún helped Iwori Rote🔒 The Notebook 10The power of the atare🔒 The Notebook 11The crocodile and the wealth of Olokun🔒 The Notebook 12The prince who left his parents' house🔒 The Notebook 13Iwori Were, Ikú and the river of Olokun🔒 The Notebook 14The opposites🔒 The Notebook 15Hatred and love🔒 The Notebook 16A conversation between an omo Ifá and an unbeliever🔒 The Notebook 17The therapy of the mariwo🔒 The Notebook 18The godchild's claim🔒 The Notebook

15 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 Iwori Rete in Spanish →

Frequently asked questions about Iwori Rete

What does the Odù Iwori Rete mean in Ifá?

Where the four seasons and the miracles of San Lázaro were born: the guardian of the Atepon Ifá, a sign of whims and shifting luck.

What number is Iwori Rete among the 256 Odù of Ifá?

Iwori Rete is Odù number 59 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Iwori family.

Which orishas speak in Iwori Rete?

In the Odù Iwori Rete these orishas speak: Orunmila, Azowanu (Osajuano), Oduduwa, Olokun, Oshún, Osain, Eshú.

What is a proverb of the Odù Iwori Rete?

One of the proverbs of Iwori Rete says: «The world is held up by four corners.».

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