Obí: Oracle of Cuban Santería

by Ocha'ni Lele, Bart Stuart Myers

Overview

• The first book to provide complete, specific instructions for casting the obi oracle of the Santería faith.

• Uses the shell of a coconut, which embodies the spirit of Obí, as a divination tool.

• Includes a detailed “mojuba” or prayer that awakens the orishas and invites them to speak.

• Examines in depth the five basic patterns that appear when obí is cast and explains how to interpret the oracle's answer.

• Explores the fifty additional patterns and meanings contributed by ten orishas closely associated with the orisha Obí

One of the paths to the spirits within Santeria is through a divination technique known as obi, the coconut oracle, which gives the petitioner access to the orisha of the same name. The orisha Obí began as a mortal human who ascended to become an orisha as a reward for good deeds done on Earth, then fell from grace because of excessive pride. When he descended back to Earth, his spirit was embodied in the coconut palm. Though he no longer has a tongue, he can answer questions posed to him through the patterns made by four pieces of coconut shell cast as a divination tool.

Obí: Oracle of Cuban Santería is the first book to fully explore the sacred body of lore surrounding Obí, as well as his particular rituals and customs, including opening considerations, casting and interpreting the oracle, and employing advanced methods of divination. Also explained are the previously unpublished secrets of closing the oracle properly so that any negative vibrations will be absorbed by the coconuts and permanently removed from the diviner's home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780892818648
Publisher:	Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Publication date:	06/01/2001
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Author of The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination, Ócha'ni Lele has been immersed in the underground culture of Orisha worship since 1989. By 1995 he had received several initiations in both Santeria and the Congo faith Palo Mayombe and in 2000 he made Ocha and was crowned a Santeria priest. He lives in Florida.

Table of Contents

Obi
Oracle of Cuban Santeria
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Beyond the Middle Passage
1. Understanding the Orisha Obi
2. The Principles of Casting Obi
3. Interpreting the Oracle
4. Interpreting the Oracle: Apere Ti, Obi
5. Closing the Session with Obi
Mail-order Sources for Religious Supplies
Glossary
Suggested Reading
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"It's the only title to narrow the focus on Santeria to Obi, and provides specific divination instructions for casting and interpreting the oracle."

"For one wishing to learn about this particular system of divination, it is the best book on the subject I have seen. It is clearly written, easy to read, and the author does not talk down to the reader. It is easily affordable, and well worth the effort to obtain and read it."

Editorial Reviews

"For one wishing to learn about this particular system of divination, it is the best book on the subject I have seen. It is clearly written, easy to read, and the author does not talk down to the reader. It is easily affordable, and well worth the effort to obtain and read it."

Mike Gleason

"It's the only title to narrow the focus on Santeria to Obi, and provides specific divination instructions for casting and interpreting the oracle."

December 2001 The Midwest Book Review

"It's the only title to narrow the focus on Santeria to Obi, and provides specific divination instructions for casting and interpreting the oracle."

"For one wishing to learn about this particular system of divination, it is the best book on the subject I have seen. It is clearly written, easy to read, and the author does not talk down to the reader. It is easily affordable, and well worth the effort to obtain and read it."

From the Publisher

"It's the only title to narrow the focus on Santeria to Obi, and provides specific divination instructions for casting and interpreting the oracle."

The Midwest Book Review