Ose Oji as an Affirmation Tool in Igbo Spirituality: A Practical Guide on How to Use Alligator Pepper for Blessings
Igbo dibia (’diviner’) standing on sacred tender palm fronds called ọ̀mụ́, praying with edible chalk in hand.
The Ose Oji referred to in this context is the fruit known as alligator pepper, not the peanut butter dip (okwu ose) which some people (like myself 😊) eat with garden egg. In another post, we went into some details on some of the major uses of Ose Oji (alligator pepper) and it’s importance in Odinani. In this post, we will highlight some major steps anyone can take when using ose oji for affirmations or declarative practices.
Affirmations and declarations are positive statements or phrases that we repeat to ourselves, to challenge and eliminate negative thoughts or unhelpful mental programs that have the ability to hold us back. Affirmations are aimed to affect the conscious and the subconscious mind, they can help us begin to act or think in ways that align with our own ideals or goals. Affirmations and declarations work more effectively when they are repeated daily and backed by true belief.
Ose oji acts as an amplifier when it is used for affirmations and declarations, it increases the amplitude, power, and energetic vibration of the words applied to its potency. Ose oji anaghi eje ije ifele, yana mmuo na mmadu na adi mma. This is an Igbo saying that reminds us that the alligator pepper does not go on any message in vain, because it is always at peace with all natural forces.
8 Major Steps to Apply When Using Ose Oji for Affirmations:
Overall, take seven (7) seeds of ose oji, put them in your mouth, then speak positivity & greatness over your day.
Step 1: Give thanks to the divine, your creator, your chi, your ezumezu (spirit guides).
Step 2: Acknowledge the divinity in the seeds, greet or bless the chi (life force) within the ose oji you’re about to use.
Step 3: Typically, seven (7) seeds of ose oji is used when spirtual hygiene has already been taken into consideration. If it has not then three (3) seeds or less than seven (7) seeds should suffice.
Step 4: Be barefeet, stay grounded.
Step 5: Take the seeds into your mouth and begin to make your declarations or affirmations.
Step 6: State your positive affirmations and declarations out audibly, there is no need to shout and disturb your neighbours, the universe is not deaf.
Step 7: After making your declarations or affirmations, chew and spit the seeds out four times into open air calling on the four market days—Eke-Orie-Afor-Nkwo, to help you manifest your wishes or chew and swallow the seeds asking your inner self to help you bring it to fruition. Your approach here depends on what you feel inclined to do in the moment.
Step 8: Conclude your process with iseeeee (so shall it be, it is so) or its equivalent.
It should go without saying, still, please do not use this process for curses or malevolent intentions, you will only end up causing harm to yourself. If you decide to apply the process in the constructive way which it should be used, then take it seriously. There is always divine power laying dormant in nature waiting for those who have the foresight to put them to use. Everything that moves for us is moved by faith.
As always feel free to leave your questions or remarks in the comment section below. Yagazie!
Seven Cool Igbo Proverbs & Axioms to Ponder on:
Ako bu Ije - Wisdom is the way.
Afa onye kporo nkita ya ka oga aza - The name one calls their dog is the name it will answer.
Ebe onye oso ruru, onye ije ga eru ya! - Wherever one who runs reaches, one who walks would also reach.
Ekele dike na nke omere, omekwa ozo - If a (great) person is thanked/praised for something they did, they’d be keen to do another.
Enu uwa bu olili, onye nosia, o naba - The world is a recreational ground, the players return home after the games / the world is for tourism; a visitor must go home.
Mmuo na mmadu na-azu afia, mana ofeke amaroo - Spirit and human beings are in constant transaction, but the ignorant person does not know.
Ose oji anaghi eje ije ifele, yana mmuo na mmadu na adi mma - The alligator pepper never fails to succeed on any message it takes on, it is always in good terms with spirit and man.
Recommended resources:
Seven Major Uses of Ose Oji in Igbo Spirituality (Odinani) | Odinani: The Sacred Arts & Sciences of the Igbo People (Article)
Spiritual Hygiene In Igbo Spirituality | Odinani: The Sacred Arts & Sciences of the Igbo People (Article)
The Symbolic Representation of Ose Oji (Alligator Pepper) in Igbo Culture | Asiogu Ugochukwu (Article)
Alligator Pepper’s 7 Exciting Health Benefits and Uses | Shinanyshine (Article)
The Many Spiritual Uses of Alligator Pepper (Ose Oji) | Rev. Chikwado Obiamalu (YouTube)
