A Practical Guide on How to Use Alligator Pepper (Ose Oji) for Energetic Cleansing
Purification rituals involve routines that help cleanse the spirit, mind, and body from negative energies in all forms. Such rituals are used to effect easy flow of positive energy into one’s life by removing blockages or stagnant energy that are believed to cause distress, dysfunction, or inflict harm on a person’s soul and well being.
In this teaching, we will highlight five major steps to consider when using Ose Oji for purification or cleansing rituals in Igbo spirituality.
5 Major Steps to Consider When Using Ose Oji for Purification or Cleansing Exercises
Overall, take four seeds of ose oji or less, touch them over your body from head to toe to cleanse yourself of negative energies then discard them in a secure space.
Step 1: If you are using seeds from a fresh pod of ose oji, you may raise the pod towards the sun then take it behind your back to open it.
Step 2: Take four seeds of ose oji (or the amount you need), and rotate round your head in anti-clockwise motion four times (representing the four market days, four cardinal points), then state while doing so that you are removing negative energies in all its forms.
Step 3: Alternatively, you could draw four (imaginary) triangles and four circles over your head using four seeds of ose oji, OR draw one (imaginary) triangle and seven circles, then state while doing so that you are removing negative energies in all its forms.
Step 4: Touch the seeds all over your body, from head to toe, or at core exposed areas in your body, then throw the seeds away.
Step 5: When discarding the used seeds pay attention to discard in areas or corners without much human contact to avoid them being stepped on by others.
Breakdown of Two Dominant Motifs in This Exercise
Drawing of an imaginary triangle involves starting with the apex at the forehead and the base line connecting the left and right shoulders.
Circling round the head involves drawing an imaginary round 360 degrees circle in anti clockwise motion over the head from ear to ear.
We hope this teaching answers the question on how to use ose oji for purification or cleansing, clearly enough. As always feel free to leave a comment below or share your insights to help others. Udo!
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)
The Many Spiritual Uses of Alligator Pepper (Ose Oji) | Rev. Chikwado Obiamalu (YouTube)
