Orunmilà, Orisha of Divination
Symbol: divination
Orunmilà (spelled Ọ̀rúnmìlà in Yoruba, also Ọrúnla or Orúla in Santería/Lukumí) is the orisha of wisdom, intuition, premonition, knowledge, destiny, and prophecy, and divination. His source of knowledge is believed to stem from his keen understanding of humanity and of purity. Orunmilà occupies three positions: (1) as the primordial Irúnmọlẹ̀ (an orisha responsible for the creation of the universe); (2) as Olodumare’s second in command. Orunmilà explains the complexities of life; and (3) as Agbonniregun, the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom of Ifà.
Orunmilà was also the only orisha present both at the beginning of Creation and then again amongst humanity as a priest who taught advanced forms of spiritual knowledge and ethics. His praise name is “Igbákejì Olódùmarè” (meaning second in command to Olodumare), and “Ẹlẹ́rìí ìpín” (meaning witness of fate). It was also Orunmilà who carried the wisdom of Olodumare to Earth. Priests of Ifà (Yoruba religion) are known as babalawos (meaning Fathers of Secrets) and the priestesses are called iyanifas. Orunmilà is a sage, as Olodumare himself placed Orí (consciousness, intuitive knowledge) inside him. In fact, Orunmilà was the first Babalawo.
Orunmilà is syncretized as San Francisco (Saint Francis of Assisi).
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