Odu Irosun-Ika

"The sound of a bell is heard
all over the entire world" was cast
for Orunmila, on the day
that he worried about his future.
It was said that Orunmila's name
would be heard all over the entire world,
and that everybody would do their best
to get to know him.
They also said that he would live in peace.
They instructed him to sacrifice
for inner peace.
The offering was a mudfish,
a pigeon, and 20,000 cowries.
Orunmila listened and made the sacrifice.
Ebo for this client: mudfish, pigeons,
and 2000 cowries.
Some additional insights on this text, coming from my own practice and experiences:
Here the reference to the mudfish as sacrifice imay be very telling. Although not mentioned as such, the reference is to DRIED mudfish or "eja aro". When such a thing crops up, I always consider giving the client the advice to undergo a head feeding, because eja aro is one of the most interesting ingredients of such a ceremony. In my own headfeedings for clients I tend to say (among other relevant things) the following when offering mudfish to the client's Ori: "Ori, please accept this offering of dried mudfish. Just like the mudfish is at home in water, deep in the mud and even on land, make this child feel at home wherever he is. The mudfish is supple and can bend its body without breaking; make the life of this child supple, and let it bend instead of break. Just like the mudfish is a calm and cool animal that goes about its business without much fuss, make the life of this child cool and calm, without undue fuss." The client's inner peace can be fearily easily maintained, and in some cases restored, by having his head improved by the application of dried mudfish. Another point in this text is the suggestion that the client should consider pursuing Ifa(-Orisha) as their life path or life style.

When we see Irosun appear, followed by
the appearance of Ika, Ifa says that
a sacrifice is in order. It was
"Palm Tree with many leaves" that cast
Ifa for the Village Weaver Bird, who cast
for Weaver Bird when she cried because
she had no children. Ifa said that Weaver Bird
should make sacrifice, and that the Awo Palm Tree
should also make sacrifice, and that amulets
or charms should be made, amulets that would result
in kindness finally being rewarded. Palm Tree said:
"What? Everybody I am kind to, why wouldn't they
be kind to me in return?" Sure, sure... in Utopia...
but that's not how it works in our real world!
But Palm Tree did not sacrifice... So let's go back
to Weaver Bird, what should she do in order
to have children? They instructed her to offer
28,000 cowries, and the multi-colored cloth
that she was wearing. Weaver Bird made the offering,
and she began having children. But because she did not
have any clothing on her body anymore, het children asked:
"Mother, who did take your cloths?" She answered:
"Palm Tree did". Oh dear! Weaver Bird's children then began
to tear off Palm Tree's leaves, they took all Palm Tree's
clothing off, and began to build their nests with them.
This is why no weaver bird can ever leave a palm tree
in peace: they still tear off its leaves and build
their nests with them, until this very day! Weaver Bird
was happy and rejoiced, because it was
"Palm Tree with many leaves" that cast
Ifa for the Village Weaver Bird, who cast
for Weaver Bird when she cried because
she had no children. Palm Tree with many leaves,
Weaver Bird has children, and you yourself
will have no leaves to cover your body with anymore.
Ifa says a blessing of money is coming. This is why
the Awo must not use the cloth that he receives
as an offering for himself - he must give it away as a gift.
Ifa says that this person should wear an amulet,
in order for kindness and friendliness to be
fully returned. And when this person receives
the amulet, he should donate clothing to the poor.
After having recited the above text, the Awo might decide to continue with the following more "inside" lines:
Ifa says we know a person who is full of advice
for others, but doesn't live according to his own
advice, which is calmly and quietly destroying him.
He also ignores the good advice given to him by others.
And somebody faces the question whether or not charity
begins at home. The answer is: yes, charity does.
When we are faced with the choice between giving up
something old to achieve something new, or improve
and protect something old, we should decide to do
the latter. This is not the right time to start
lots of new things... this is the time to consolidate
and improve. Ifa also says that a person is afraid
that his successes will be to the detriment of
someone else. Yes, that is exactly what will happen
when that other person doesn't listen to good advice.
And finally Ifa says that we should make people
pays us immediately for whatever product or service
we deliver, because otherwise we won't get our money.
Some additional insights om this text:
Now the interpretation of this verse is of a multiple nature. Much of it is already said in the previous additional part, but there's also a strong admonition here to never take revenge on anybody. Resist any urge to hit back at anybody who does you wrong, and read mylips and take this to the bank (some US president used to say that - wide and wicked grin!): you will sooner or later (probably sooner) be placed in a positition where hitting back and taking revenge is a very attractive option! Also, each and every Ifa text could be interpreted in one of three ways. One: it means exactly what it says. Two: it means the exact opposite of what iit says. Three: it means fugg-all but is only meant to trigger the Ashe of both client and Awo. Actually, option three is always present to a certain extend, because without it the first two options could never come to full bloom. Here it's pretty easy though: apply the text and its admonitions to the client in a literal and straightforward sense and... take care that nobody takes their revenge on you!

Irosun-Ika

Irosun-Ika, like every combination with Ika, admonishes the client to be very careful of everything that is, might be or might become an infection. Take this in the broadest sense of the word. If you cut your finger, however small, put some iodine on it. If you take anything out of the fridge, look at the expiration date and when in doubt, don't eat it. Be careful what you eat, cook certain foodstuffs well and thoroughly to kill all possible bacteria. Stay away from places of possible infection or contamination. In this day and age the Ika warning alaso pertains to sex, unfortunately. If you have sex with anybody (with the possible exception of your regular partner), take care of good quality protection! Now don't get paranoid for Ifa does not say that you will get a nasty infection of inflammation or such, Ifa simply says that all combinations with Ika warn against the possibility, so you can take precautions.