Cuban Santeria Priests’ Prophesy for 2013

HAVANA TIMES — In their annual New Year’s forecast, Ifa priests of the Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba have predicted better lives for the Cuban people in 2013, reported the Prensa Latina news agency.

In their prophecy, issued on Tuesday in Havana, Cuban babalawos called on people to maintain their hygiene, avoid self-medication, be attentive to signs of hypertension as well as skin and liver diseases, and to cultivate positive emotional states so as to prevent stress and to strengthen family relationships.

They also warned of possible shortages of domestically grown food. In addition, they called on men to be respectful of women and to adopt more “retributive attitudes” in social life as well as in the family and at work.

Since December 1, in the presence of babalawos from Cuba and other countries, along with members of the Cuban Council of Elder Priests of Ifa, ceremonies for the pre-opening of the 2013 prediction letter (“la Letra del Año 2013”) have been held at the association’s headquarters. The yearly issued letter discloses the recommendations of Afro-Cuban deities for avoiding or overcoming difficulties.

The following is an unofficial HT translation of the entire message:

Cuban Council of Elder Priests of Ifa

The Republic of Cuba

2013 Letter of the Year

Sign: Obara Ika.

Prophecy: Ire ariku yale tesi timbelaye lese orichas (a written message of health, attached to the earth, that is provided by all Orishas [saints])

Ruling body: Orichaoko

Accompanied by: Oshun

Flag: Pink and blue (horizontal)

EBBO: One goat, one rooster, two doves, bread, dirt from the door of the house, flag, flour, dirt from the road, plowed earth, dirt from shoes, one arrow, one trap, dirt from work, two coconuts, two candles, cocoa butter, palm oil, brandy, honey, smoked fish, jutia (species of Caribbean rodent), roasted corn, husk, one pink and blue flag. Opolopowo.

Sayings of the Sign

1 – Appearances are fooling

2 – On the earth there is no divine justice

3 – All that seems is not, and what doesn’t seem is.

Works of the Sign

Give the roof something to eat

Plants of the sign:

Yagruma and buttercup (flor de agua)

Recommendations

Ifa says: In his predictions, saint Egun will play an important role and will even accompany the saints Orichaoko and Oshun for the overcoming of difficulties this year. Therefore it’s necessary to pay special attention to all aspects Egun.

Ifa says: We should pay attention to Elegua.

Ifa says: We should cultivate an even temperament so as to prevent stress and to protect our own health.

Ifa says: We should avoid problems between couples.

Ifa says: Ifa priests should be humble, respectful and examples to the godchildren and society.

Ifa says: We must be careful and very respectful of women.

Ifa says: We must plant in order to sow – in social life, in the family and at work.

Ifa says: There will be difficulties and food shortages, especially agricultural produce. We must take steps to prevent this.

Ifa says: All rituals that we have outstanding must to taken care of.

Ifa says: We must act clearly and precisely to avoid embarrassment, disrespect and misunderstandings.

Ifa says: In this Odu, jealousies and betrayals will predominate, so it is recommended to be alert.

Ifa says: With regard to health we must keep good hygiene, be careful about taking expired medications or those that have not been prescribed by a doctor.

Ifa says: In this Odun problems with the liver, the rectum, childbirth complications, skin and blood pressure diseases will be common. For which it is recommended to seek medical attention.

Ifa says: We should avoid grudges between families, both social and religious ones.

Ifa says: We must carefully examine all documents that come into our possession and be very careful about signing them if we’re not sure what we’re doing.

Ifa says: We should be aware of events: climatic, economic, social, family-related and any other type that might substantially change the way we live.

Ifa says: Climate changes that have been taking place for several years will continue to occur and in some cases intensify.

Ifa says: In this Odu, Orunmila was imprisoned for disobedience, so we must be very careful with attitudes that lead to legal problems, such as drug use, alcohol abuse, fraud, the use of weapons, etc.

Ifa says: Our overall improvement depends on the manner in which we are able to comply with the guidelines of the orishas.

For general knowledge

The first of December, 2012, with the presence of a significant number of babalawos from Cuba and other countries, in addition to members of the Cuban Council of Elder Priests of Ifa, ceremonies were held related to the pre-opening of the “2013 Letter of the Year” at the Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba.

The recommendations were as follows:

The 25 key positions that were requested were carried out. In all cases the responses from the deities were quite satisfactory.

On December 30, 2012, sacrifices were made to the deities as determined in the pre-opening ceremony.

Those ceremonies were held at the “Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba.”