Welcome to the New month of April, the astrological sign of Aries, the planet Mars and the energy of Ogun. This is the time of the year when my family,  Institute members and students connect  intentionally and gratefully to the  energy of Orisa Ogun
Through ceremonies, ritual, dances, songs, sacred space we awaken our fire to deliberately create friction in our life bringing about a new masterpiece. for empowerment.
Ogun is Orisa  that you would invoke  on a daily basis.   He is the patron orisha over surgeons, barbers, metalworkers, blacksmiths, mechanics, computer analysts and programmers, network engineers, and those who create new roads.  These are all areas of Ogun. We sometimes overlook the dependence we have on this powerful Orisa’s manifestations when we are driving, riding in our wonderful cars, trains, airplanes etc

One of Ogun’s aspects is Oniponri. Oniponri means iron smelter.  One of the praises is, “Ogun Oniponri Aye. Ogun Oniponri Orun.” Ogun Oniponri aye means the iron smelter of earth.  Oniponri orun is the iron smelter of heaven.

In the blacksmith’s chamber there are different elements that are employed in order to temper iron into the shapes and forms that we would like it to be transfigured into.  One of which is air. He use air in the bellows in order to flame the fire that we use.  The fire is represented by Ogun’s brother Shango .The air is represented by his wife, Oya.  Then, once we get the iron tempered and shaped as we want it, we use water.  Water would be Oshun or Yemoja. The interconnectivity of mineral, air and water in our life  allows us to appreciate the importance of harmony and balance.
At times  we fall short  of the dedication and bravery required  to walk a spiritual path in search of happiness
This month commit to  honoring the warrior within you, both men and women as you “Empower the People to Empower Themselves and use that Empowerment to Change the World
Ogun is the energy that governs courage, zealousness, bodily harm, and is motivated by situations that involve challenges or hard and dangerous work Ogun’s colors are red, brown, black and white. Ogun’s power is manifested through the use of metal, knives, or tools for hunting, farming, surgery, sculpting, cleansing and removing negative energy and cutting away obstructions from the aura.
Ogun is also the Orisa of entrepreneurial pursuits. He reminds us that in life there is always a “Pay Day” If you keep doing the things that motivates you, feeds your passion while adding value to the life of others, then you will have a rewarding life, a pay day.
As a loved and  respected person  in my community, I am expected and obligated  to encourage the younger generation by passing the torch in our community  to those who are unceasingly doing God’s work
Many young people are searching for answers Many of us are  committed to  giving them something to tie themselves to. While raising our future generations, they  must be shown  what it takes to be globally successful, financially savvy, spiritually grounded,  committed to their calling, passion and to something larger than themselves.
 I am so very happy and proud of the 2 guests on my Ask Yeyefini Show on YouTube and Facebook on April 3, 7:00-8:30 pm They generously will be sharing some of the magnificent work they have been doing to be the change they want to see in the world.
Verona Spence-Adofo is the co-founder of Ancestral Voices which is an educational initiative that provides information of African Spiritual philosophies and practices. Along with her husband Dalian Adofo, they have conducted over 10 years of research including interviewing traditional practitioners from across the globe. Ancestral Voices provides a range of learning resources on the subject including, documentaries, books & courses Website: www.ancestralvoices.co.uk
Wise Enrichment Group Founded in 2021 by Baba Akinbola. Wise has come a long way from its beginnings in Charlotte, NC. When Baba Akinbola first started out, his passion for helping individuals and families drove him to do intense research and studying, and gave him the impetus to turn hard work and inspiration into to a booming resource center. We now serve customers all over US and are thrilled to be a part of the growing wing of the financial education industry.    http://www.wisefinancialliteracy.com
April 1, 2022 is the New Moon and a great  time to connect to Ogun through ceremonies and rituals
 Ritual 1;
Take a large green candle(in the jar); rinse the outside of the jar with fresh cool water (the lower half first, the the lower half) Proceed to write an affirmation of what work, job, or position you want to receive and put the paper under the candle and allow it to burn for 7 days. Every morning and every night before going to sleep say the affirmation or prayer request, such as ” I am ready and open to receive my blessing, which is ____________( here you state the desire)
After the 7 days, a bath should be prepared with white a bucket of water, flower petals.1/2 tsp of honey and the water from a coconut that has been broken and liquid poured into the mixture.. Proceed to pour the mixture after you have showered as you normally would do. You will make the mixture your final rinse while giving thanks to your guardian spirits, your Ori/head and guardian angels.
Ritual 2: Take a raw piece of meat,, rub pal oil, honey and liquor on it and pray to Ogun for protection. Once you have finished praying, proceed to rub the meat on the back and front bumpers of the car. Wipe the hubcaps of the car as well asking Ogun’s blessings for safety with your vehicle. Once you finish throw the meat in the woods so an animal will enjoy eating it Thank Ogun for your protection and walk away knowing that you are safe (This can be repeated monthly)
Chant for Ogun
Ogun de are re Ire  ile gbogbo L’Ogun wa
Ogun wa  nile Ogun wa Lona Ire gbogbo  L’Ogun Wa aiye
Ogun, Itinerant stranger of Ire, arrived. He is in all houses
Ogun is in the house and on the road
He is in all houses of the world
Have a wonderful, successful Ogun season my friend
Iyalode Yeyefini Osuniohun Efunbolade