def. Creditor |ˈkreditər|
noun
a person, company or country to whom money is owed.
def. Debt |det|
noun
something, typically money, that is owed or due : I paid off my debts
• the state of owing money : the firm is heavily in debt.
• [usu. in sing. ] a feeling of gratitude for a service or favor : we owe them a debt of thanks.
PHRASES
be in someone's debt owe gratitude to someone for a service or favor.
Ifá teaches us in Ogbè Ògúndá (Ogbè Ìyónú), that one has to take serious consideration before accepting more debt, if at all possible completely avoid it. Moreso, if acquiring something ponder on the matter at length to determine what is the motivation for the acquisition then make a prudent calculating decision.
Sometimes our own motives to create an expense or worse yet enter into debt, could be superficial, shortsighted or vain, depending on the situation. Often times it is better to properly analyze the situation and asses the need for the item(s) to ensure one is not creating an unnecessary expense. An expense that they will not be able to maintain if ones situation was to change or justify the cost efficiency of holdings.
In observing the financial crisis in the US that has also now become a credit crisis (namely China as creditor), I was implored to write what Ifa says about the situation.
Ifá in Ogbè Ìyónú says....
A sá taara
A rìn taara
Ọ̀tààrá taara n'ìṣàn odò
Ojú odún mẹ́ta lobìnrin fi njẹ̀un ọwọ́ ọkọ
Díá fún Ọ̀rúnmìlà
Ifá yóó s'àsè bọ́ gbogbo Irúnmọlè l'ọ́rún
To run majestically
To trek majestically
Majestically and steadily are the flowing of streams
For three good years, a newly wedded wife consumes from
her husband (without contributing financially or otherwise)
They were the ones who cast Ifa for Ọ̀runmìlà
Who would feast all the Irúnmọlè in five days time
He was advised to offer sacrifice
He complied....
This stanza tells us of the time when Ọ̀runmìlà cast Ifá to know what he should do in-order to gain universal respect, respect from his peers and Earthly followers alike. He was told to perform a comprehensive sacrifice and be feeding the various Irúnmọlè every five days. This would require a large outlay of funds and an ongoing responsibility that may not see an immediate return for a long time, but Ọ̀runmìlà sought the funds to fulfill the sacrifice & feeding requirements.
Ọ̀runmìlà did the sacrifice and performed the five day rotating appeasements for some time as instructed, and was eventually held in very high regard by his peers (the Irúnmọlè) and considered their leader, even above those who are his elder. Ifá-Ọ̀runmìlà received a lot of praise and respect, but this came at a high cost, as Ọ̀runmìlà had to continually be hosting the Irúnmọlè, feeding them, sharing his own gains with them etc. They would come for different demands of Ọ̀runmìlà and when in want it was Ọ̀runmìlà they would come seeking for his support.
Yet little by little Ọ̀runmìlà was also gradually benefiting since he was the one funding/providing for the other Irúnmọlè, they were and still are indebted to Ọ̀runmìlà and anything he demanded they were obligated to fulfill.
So when Ọ̀runmìlà was getting petitioned by one of his Akápo (Awo Ifá), he would know which Irúnmọlè to call upon thus how to bless that client, increasing the respect given to his various Akápo, which gave ultimate thanks to Ọ̀runmìlà over the other Irúnmọlè.
This Ifá teaches that when making a cost benefit analysis, choose what the eventual benefit would be and think not of short term or fulfilling the immediacy of gratification, but think of the long term benefits associated with the expense. Which in this case now appears more like an investment reaping multitude of dividends.
Also in Ogbè Ìyónú Ifá says....
Òní lẹ̀ n wò
Ìgbèyìn mi Kàṣàì tòòrò
Díá fún Mákanjúọlá
Tí n sọmọ Elérìn Ṣàjéjé
Èyí tó fẹ̀yìntì mójú ekún sùnráhùn Ire gbogbo
Wón ní kó sákáalẹ̀ ẹbọ ní ṣíṣe
Ó gbẹ́bọ ó rúbọ
It is today you are considering
My future shall not but be bright and successful
that was the declaration of the Oracle to Mákanjúọlá
who was the offspring of Elérìn Ṣàjéjé
when weeping in lamentation of his failure to have any Ire in life
he was advised to offer sacrifice
he complied....
In this Ifá stanza, Mákanjúọlá (meaning; Do-not-be-in-haste-to-acquire-honour-and-wealth), who had been trying his hand for a very long time without any success, he had no money to have wife, no child, no home nor profitable business etc.
His only business was a small one-man operation selling limited goods, that appeared like a time waster, he had no funds to invest in its growth. Mákanjúọlá had watched many of his peers coming from less prosperous families gain so many types of Ire and start many successful businesses by taking credit/loans, while his own self-funded business never seemed to move past a new startup status. Even though his family was well known and respected, he constantly had creditors offering him business loans and funding to grow his business, based on the established name his father has in the town.
One day things seemed all lost, Mákanjúọlá felt completely defeated after seeing the child of several of his peers building their own house while he was still unable to build his first house. His peers and the children of his peers looked at him as a useless man and disregarded him as a useless man.
That day decided to consult Ifá and Ogbè Ìyónú was revealed, the Awo told Mákanjúọlá his matters were not going on well and he was considering taking the fast route to success which will only multiply his problems. He should reconsider and stay focused on his business while performing the appropriate sacrifice and appeasements etc, he should also resist accepting startup funds or credit in conducting his business.
They said when in doubt you should be singing our names...
Òní lẹ̀ n wò,
Ìgbèyìn mi Kàṣàì tòòrò....
It is today you are considering,
My future shall not but be bright and successful......
Mákanjúọlá heard the advice and heeded the warning, he performed all the rituals and would be calling the names of his Awo. Then it happened one day his business became so prosperous and grew so quickly Mákanjúọlá had difficulty maintaining its growth and meeting the order demands, yet he did so debt free.
At the same time his peers, who previously appeared to have prosperous businesses, were forced to repay debt to creditors at very high interest rates, and adjust their business models constantly because they had lost full autonomy of their businesses, because their creditor had in essence become the business owner and was calling the shots and they had become the employee of their creditor.
Ifá says it is often best to live within ones means and be hard working and dedicated to what one is doing. Resist the urge for immediacy and quick success, since they can sometimes have strings attached that can make matters unlivable.
Also never look down at someone who appears less, nor consider someone better because they appear to have more, since you do not know what they did to attain those things or if they even rightfully own them.
Ifá says be hard working, focused and dedicated, consult the Ifá Oracle when undertaking new ventures and deciding on a business approach. Live within ones means and don't become seduced with materials things, so says Ifá in Ogbè Ìyónú....
Àbọrú Àbọyè
Awo Ifálójú
www.alawoye.com
bare with me as I plan to make new podcast and articles, I appreciate the support and followers to my content of the past, I do get your emails and request, I promise efforts will be made to restore these various media offerings, stay in touch via Twitter @alawoye....Ifaloju
