Okay, so I was getting a few questions about this, so I’m going to do a TLDR version, but @ehimeora speak in it often, so please follow them if you haven’t. (Also, @ehimeora feel free to chime in if you have anything to add). https://twitter.com/blvck_herbalist/status/1387189977415626757

So, one of the first things my Oluwo taught me was about Ori. There is a verse in Oworin Ogunda that states:
“Ones Orí (Destiny) is ones Ìsẹṣe
It is Ìsẹṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹṣe”

She’s told me that our Ori is our divine self that is always connected to source that is Olodumare. Because it’s an individualized spark of consciousness tailored to YOU, it’s important to be in alignment with it.

While your Ori knows your destiny, it’s also your personal deity. It’s what knows what Orisha you need, and not just want out of what’s popular. Having a relationship with your Ori helps keep you out of unnecessary trauma or drama. It teaches you to trust your intuition.

The Ori knows the lessons and soul purpose you have this lifetime, thus it’s important to keep an active and healthy relationship with it. And this can get complicated because your Ori is broken down in different groups (but that’s a different conversation)

Our Ori gives us the opportunity to know the bigger picture of our lives. It should be, in my opinion and how I was taught, the beginning of anyone’s process in the Orisha tradition.

Lastly, I always recommend my Oluwo’s book for those looking for a foundation and it covers the Ori as well: (I believe it’s on Amazon too) https://books.apple.com/us/book/isese-spirituality-workbook/id1524131765