How to Prepare for Ifa Divination Session (Don’t Waste It)

Knowing how to prepare for Ifá divination can mean the difference between a transformative session and a wasted one. Let me show you what happened when someone didn’t prepare properly. Ifa divination is extremely important in the practice of Yoruba traditional religion.

However; many clients fail to grasp the value of these questions and fail to comprehend how important it is to have active interaction with the Ifá divination session.

A man once paid me $200 for a divination session and walked out angry.

Not because I did anything wrong. Not because the reading was unclear. But because he wasn’t ready to hear what his spirit needed to tell him.

He’d come asking about his marriage. Why his wife was “so difficult.” Why she “always started fights.” Why she “couldn’t just be reasonable.”

The Odu that came told a different story.

It spoke about his pattern of shutting down emotionally. About how he’d learned from his father to avoid conflict by going silent. About how his silence felt like abandonment to his wife, which triggered her to escalate, which made him shut down more.

He looked at me like I’d slapped him. “But I asked about her behavior, not mine!”

I said gently, “Your spirit knows that the only behavior you can change is your own.”

He left. Didn’t complete the prescribed offerings. Didn’t do the work.

Six months later, he came back. Third divorce in process. Finally broken open enough to hear the truth.

We cast again. Same Odu came up. Same message. But this time, he was ready. This time, he could receive it.

That session changed his life. But he had to waste the first one to get ready for the second.

Don’t be that guy.

Why Preparation Matters More Than You Think

Here’s what most people don’t understand about Ifá divination.

Your spirit selects which Odu manifests during the casting. Not your conscious mind. Not me. Your Ori—your inner guide, your spiritual consciousness—that’s what’s communicating through the Oracle.

But here’s the thing: your spirit might be ready to tell you the truth, but if your mind isn’t ready to hear it, you’ll walk out confused. Or angry. Or convinced the reading was “wrong.”

I’ve been doing this work for over forty years. I can tell within the first five minutes whether someone is actually prepared for divination or just going through the motions.

The people who get the most from their sessions? They’ve done the hard work before they ever sit down with me.

They’ve looked honestly at their role in their problems. They’ve stopped blaming everyone else. They’ve accepted that real change starts with them.

The people who waste their sessions? They come looking for validation. They want me to confirm that they’re right and everyone else is wrong. They want the Oracle to tell them how to fix other people.

That’s not what Ifá does.

Ifá shows you how to fix yourself. And if you’re not ready for that conversation, you’re not ready for divination.

The Truth You Need to Hear Before Your Session

You’re Probably Part of the Problem (And That’s Good News)

Let me tell you a story.

You’re driving on the highway. Someone cuts right in front of you without signaling. No warning. Just boom—right in your lane.

Or worse: the highway’s bumper-to-bumper, but there’s one person who thinks his time is more valuable than yours, so he takes the shoulder to pass everyone, then forces his way back into traffic.

What do you do?

If you’re like most people, something happens inside you. Your chest tightens. Your hands grip the wheel harder. Maybe you lay on the horn. Maybe you speed up to block them. Maybe you change lanes just to chase them down and let them know what you think.

Did you start your day planning to be aggressive? Did you wake up thinking, “Today I’m going to be a hard ass on the road”?

Probably not.

But someone else’s bad behavior made you become something you didn’t intend to be. With very little effort on their part.

And that’s the truth about most of our problems.

We let other people’s behavior turn us into people we don’t want to be. We react instead of respond. We take the bait. And before we know it, we’re in an altercation we never wanted, dealing with consequences we could have avoided.

You’ve heard the old saying: “It takes two to tango.”

That’s not just a cute phrase. It’s a universal truth.

All it takes is for one person to buy into the anger of another, and suddenly you’ve got a five-mile traffic jam. A destroyed relationship. A lost job opportunity.

Here’s what I need you to understand before your divination session:

99% of the time, you are part of the problem you’re asking about.

Not the whole problem. Not the bad guy. But a contributor. An active participant.

And here’s why that’s actually good news: if you’re part of the problem, you can be part of the solution.

If the problem was entirely external—all those other people, all that bad luck, all those circumstances beyond your control—then you’d be powerless. Stuck. A victim.

But if the problem includes you? Then you have the power to change it.

That’s what Ifá is going to show you. And if you’re not ready to see your role, you’re going to have a very frustrating session.

If You’re Not Ready to Hear This, Reschedule

I mean that seriously.

Ifá doesn’t give you comfortable lies. It gives you uncomfortable truths.

If you’re coming to your session in a defensive mindset—already convinced you know who’s at fault, already sure you’re the victim, already determined to prove you’re right—then please, save your money and reschedule.

Come back when you’re ready to be wrong. Come back when you’re ready to be surprised. Come back when you’re ready to hear that the person standing in your way might be you.

Here are some signs you’re not ready yet:

• You’ve already decided what the problem is (and it’s definitely not you)
• You’re coming to get validation, not truth
• You’re defensive when people suggest you played a role
• You’re looking for someone to blame
• You want the Oracle to tell you how to change someone else

Here are some signs you ARE ready:

• You’re willing to be surprised
• You’re tired of the same patterns and genuinely want change
• You can admit you don’t have all the answers
• You’re ready to look at uncomfortable truths about yourself
• You understand that fixing you might be the key to fixing the situation

If you’re in the second category, you’re going to have a powerful session. If you’re still in the first category, do the preparation work I’m about to give you, and then book your session.

The Self-Reflection Work You Must Do BEFORE Your Session

Week Before: The “It Takes Two to Tango” Exercise

Grab a notebook. You’re going to need it.

At the top of a blank page, write: “My Current Concerns.”

Then list everything that’s bothering you. Everything you’re struggling with. All the problems you want guidance about.

Don’t filter. Don’t try to make yourself look good. Just dump it all out.

Maybe it looks like this:

• My marriage is falling apart
• I can’t keep a job
• My mother drives me crazy
• I’m always broke
• Nobody respects me
• I’m exhausted all the time

Whatever it is, write it down.

Now, here’s where the real work begins.

For each problem on your list, ask yourself these questions. Write down your honest answers:

1. Who else is involved in this problem?

Don’t just say “my spouse” or “my boss.” Be specific. What are they doing? What are you doing?

2. What did I do or fail to do that might have contributed to this?

This is the hard one. Most of us want to skip it. Don’t. Dig deep. Be brutally honest.

3. Could I have dealt with this situation differently?

Look back at the specific incidents. What would a calmer, wiser version of you have done?

4. Did I get offended because this hit a sensitive spot in me?

Sometimes our biggest reactions reveal our deepest wounds. Where are you most defensive?

5. What pattern do I see here?

If this has happened before—and it probably has—what’s the common thread? What role do you keep playing?

I know this is uncomfortable. I know you’d rather focus on what everyone else did wrong.

But here’s what I’ve learned in forty years of doing this work: when you talk through your problems with a good listener—when you really explore them honestly—you almost always find the answer within yourself.

The answer was there all along. You just couldn’t see it because you were too busy defending yourself.

That’s what this exercise does. It helps you see what you haven’t been able to see on your own.

The Three Truths You Need to Accept

Before you walk into your divination session, you need to make peace with three fundamental truths:

Truth #1: You contributed to this situation somehow.

Maybe not intentionally. Maybe not maliciously. But somehow, your choices, your patterns, your unconscious behaviors—they played a role.

Accept that going in.

Truth #2: The answer involves changing YOURSELF, not others.

Ifá can’t make your ex come back. Can’t make your boss appreciate you. Can’t force your family to respect boundaries.

What it CAN do is show you what needs to change in YOU so that you stop attracting these situations.

Truth #3: Ifá will show you things you can’t see yourself.

That’s the whole point. If you could see the root of your problem clearly, you wouldn’t need divination. You’d just fix it.

You’re coming because you’re stuck. Because you keep hitting the same wall. Because something’s operating below your conscious awareness.

Ifá is going to shine a light on that blind spot. And when it does, it might surprise you. It might make you uncomfortable. It might challenge your entire understanding of the situation.

Let it.

How to Frame Questions That Actually Get Answered

The Three-Layer Question Framework

Most people come to divination with surface-level questions. And they get frustrated when they receive deeper answers.

Let me teach you how to ask questions that work.

Every problem has three layers:

Layer 1 – The Surface: What’s bothering you right now? The immediate, visible issue.

Layer 2 – The Pattern: Why does this keep happening? What’s the recurring theme?

Layer 3 – The Root: What needs to change in YOU? What’s the spiritual cause?

Most people only ask Layer 1 questions. Ifá usually answers at Layer 3. That’s why they feel like the Oracle didn’t answer their question.

Here’s how to get all three layers into your questions:

Start by writing your Layer 1 concern: “My relationship is falling apart.”

Dig to Layer 2: “Why do all my relationships end the same way?”

Go deeper to Layer 3: “What pattern or belief in me keeps creating this dynamic, and how can I heal it?”

That third question? That’s the one that gets real answers.

Questions That Work vs. Questions That Don’t

Let me give you specific examples.

POOR QUESTION: “Will my ex come back to me?”

This is trying to control someone else’s free will. It’s passive. It makes you a victim waiting for someone else to decide your fate.

BETTER QUESTION: “What do I need to understand about my relationship patterns, and how can I create healthier connections in the future?”

This puts the power back in your hands. It focuses on growth, not control.

POOR QUESTION: “When will I get money?”

This treats money like it’s just going to fall from the sky. It ignores your role in creating prosperity.

BETTER QUESTION: “What’s blocking my prosperity at a spiritual level, and what actions can I take to align with abundance?”

This acknowledges that prosperity is something you co-create with the universe, and it asks for both understanding and action steps.

POOR QUESTION: “Is my coworker trying to sabotage me?”

This is blame-focused. It gives all the power to someone else. And even if they ARE sabotaging you, knowing that doesn’t help you.

BETTER QUESTION: “How can I navigate workplace conflict in a way that protects my peace and advances my career?”

This focuses on what YOU can do. It’s solution-oriented, not blame-oriented.

See the difference?

The poor questions are about other people, external circumstances, and things you can’t control.

The better questions are about YOU, your growth, your power, and your path forward.

The Question Template That Never Fails

If you’re stuck on how to phrase something, use these templates:

“What do I need to understand about [situation]?”

This opens you to receive insight you don’t currently have.

“How can I [desired outcome] in alignment with my destiny?”

This acknowledges that not all paths are meant for you, and asks for guidance on YOUR path.

“What’s the spiritual root of [recurring problem]?”

This gets straight to the cause, not the symptoms.

“What action can I take to [resolve this] while honoring my highest good?”

This asks for practical steps while staying aligned with your soul’s purpose.

Use these. Modify them to fit your situation. But keep the focus on understanding, growth, and action YOU can take.

Your Pre-Session Checklist (24 Hours Before)

Mental Preparation

The day before your session, do this:

Review your self-reflection notes. Read through what you wrote. Notice where you’ve already had insights. Notice where you’re still resisting.

Prioritize your questions. You probably won’t have time to ask everything. What’s most important? Put that first.

Set your intention. Decide right now: you’re coming for TRUTH, not comfort. Say it out loud if you need to. “I’m ready to hear the truth, even if it’s hard.”

Release expectations. You might think you know what the Oracle will say. Let that go. Be surprised.

Spiritual Preparation

This doesn’t have to be complicated.

Take fifteen minutes alone. Sit quietly. If you pray, pray. If you meditate, meditate. If you don’t do either, just breathe and be present.

Ask your Ori—your inner guide—for clarity. Ask for the courage to hear what you need to hear. Ask for the wisdom to understand and apply the guidance you receive.

Then let it go. Trust the process.

Practical Preparation

Don’t forget the basics:

Bring a notebook or recording device. Ask me if it’s okay to record before you start. Most Babalawos will allow it. You WILL forget things if you don’t take notes.

Have your written questions ready. Don’t try to wing it in the moment. Have them written down so you don’t get flustered and forget.

Clear your schedule after. Don’t book your session right before a big meeting or important event. Give yourself time to process what you hear.

Silence your phone. Obvious, but worth saying. Be present.

What to Expect During Your Session (The Real Talk)

When Ifá Says Something You Don’t Want to Hear

It’s going to happen.

At some point during your session, the Oracle is going to say something that makes you uncomfortable. Something that challenges your version of events. Something that reveals a truth you’ve been avoiding.

Your first instinct will be to resist. To defend. To argue.

Don’t.

Here’s what to do instead:

Pause. Take a breath. Notice the resistance rising in you.

Ask yourself: “Why am I resisting this? What am I protecting?”

Stay curious. Instead of defending, get curious. “Tell me more about that. Help me understand how I contributed.”

The most valuable moments in a divination session are often the most uncomfortable ones. That’s where the breakthrough lives.

I’ve seen people transform their entire lives because they were willing to sit in discomfort long enough to hear the truth. And I’ve seen people waste profound guidance because they couldn’t get past their own defensiveness.

Which one are you going to be?

The Follow-Up Questions You Should Ask

Don’t just sit there and take whatever I say as final. Engage with it. Ask questions.

Here are good follow-up questions:

“Can you help me understand how I contributed to this?” – If it’s not immediately clear, ask. I’ll give you specific examples.

“What specific actions can I take?” – Don’t leave with vague guidance. Get concrete steps.

“How will I know I’m making progress?” – Ask for markers. Signs to watch for.

“What should I watch out for?” – What pitfalls? What old patterns might try to resurface?

The more engaged you are, the more useful your session will be.

Common Preparation Mistakes That Ruin Sessions

Coming to Prove You’re Right

Remember the woman I mentioned earlier? The one with the journals?

She came to a couples divination with her partner. She’d brought three journals documenting everything her partner had done wrong. She had it all highlighted. Organized. Proof.

She was ready for war.

When I cast the Odu, it spoke mostly to her. About her need to be right. About her pattern of keeping score. About how she used documentation as a weapon instead of actually communicating.

She didn’t hear a word of it. She was too busy thinking about her next counterargument.

Her partner, on the other hand, sat there quietly and absorbed every word. He did the work. He changed. Their relationship improved dramatically—once she finally left him because she couldn’t handle not being “right” anymore.

Don’t be that person.

If you’re coming to prove you’re right, you’re not coming for divination. You’re coming for validation. And those are two very different things.

Asking Questions About Things You Can’t Control

You can’t control what your ex thinks or feels. You can’t control whether your boss gives you a promotion. You can’t control your mother’s behavior.

So don’t waste your questions on those things.

Focus on what you CAN control: your choices, your reactions, your patterns, your growth.

Not Taking Notes or Remembering Guidance

You’ll think you’ll remember everything. You won’t.

I’ve had people come back months later and say, “You told me something last time, but I can’t remember what it was.”

That’s heartbreaking. Because that guidance was important. And now they’ve wasted months because they didn’t write it down.

Take notes. Record if allowed. Review your notes regularly.

The guidance you receive today will make more sense six months from now. Don’t lose it.

After Your Session: Making the Guidance Stick

The First 24 Hours

As soon as you leave your session, find a quiet place and do this:

Review your notes immediately. While it’s fresh, go through everything you wrote. Fill in gaps. Add anything you remember that you didn’t capture.

Write down your initial reactions. How do you feel? What surprised you? What made you uncomfortable? What felt true?

Identify action steps. What do you need to do first? Second? Make a concrete plan.

Schedule any prescribed offerings. If the Oracle recommended ebo (offerings), put dates on your calendar for when you’ll complete them.

Don’t wait. Don’t let the momentum fade. Strike while the iron is hot.

The First Week

Over the next seven days:

Begin implementing the guidance. Take the first action steps. Start the behavior changes. Do the spiritual work prescribed.

Pay attention. Notice what comes up. Resistance? New insights? Synchronicities? Old patterns trying to reassert themselves? Write it all down.

Return to your notes daily. Read them. Let them sink deeper. Often, guidance that seemed confusing at first will suddenly click into place.

Be patient with yourself. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Real transformation is gradual. Trust the process.

Your Preparation Checklist (Print This)

Before your divination session, make sure you’ve done all of this:

☐ Completed self-reflection exercise – Honestly assessed my role in each problem

☐ Identified my contribution – Stopped blaming others and looked at myself

☐ Framed questions about ME – Not about controlling or changing others

☐ Set intention for truth – Ready to hear uncomfortable things

☐ Prepared to take notes – Notebook or recording device ready

☐ Ready to hear difficult truths – Released defensiveness

☐ Committed to taking action – Won’t just listen and forget

If you can check all those boxes, you’re ready for a transformative session.

If you can’t, do the work. Then book your session.

Look, I’ve been doing this for over forty years. I’ve seen thousands of people sit across from me for divination.

The ones who transform their lives? They come prepared. They come humble. They come ready to hear the truth and do the work.

The ones who waste their sessions? They come defensive. They come looking for validation. They come wanting me to tell them how to fix everyone else.

Which one are you going to be?

You’ve already made the investment in booking your session. Now make the investment in preparing for it properly.

Do the self-reflection. Frame your questions carefully. Come with an open heart and a humble spirit.

Because Ifá is going to tell you the truth whether you’re ready or not. The only question is: will you be ready to receive it?

Your spirit already knows what you need to hear. The preparation work is about getting your conscious mind ready to listen.

Do the work. Show up prepared. And watch what happens when you finally hear what your Ori has been trying to tell you all along.