Overview
"Ifa: A Forest of Mystery by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold is a major study on the cosmology, metaphysics, philosophy and divination system of Ifa, written by a tradition holder and member of the council of elders, known as the Ogboni society, of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Ifa - an alternative name for its prophet Orunmila - is a religion, a wisdom tradition and a system of divination encoding the rich and complex oral and material culture of the Yoruba people. The Yoruba culture is grounded in memory, an ancestral repository of wisdom, that generates good counsel, advises appropriate ebo (sacrifice) and opens the way to develop a good character on our journey through life and in our interactions with the visible and invisible worlds. The work is a presentation of the first sixteen odu of the Ifa corpus of divination verses explained in stories, allegories and proverbs reflecting the practical wisdom of Ifa. The work is both a presentation of Ifa for those with little knowledge of it, and a dynamic presentation of the wealth of its wisdom for those already familiar with Ifa. The deities and key concepts of Ifa metaphysics are discussed, including: Obatala, Onile, Sango, Ogun, Oya, Osanyin, Yemoja, Esu, ase (power), egungun (ancestry), iwa (character), and ori (head/consciousness/daimon). Notably, Dr Frisvold has created a work which celebrates the Yoruba wisdom tradition and makes a bridge with the Western world. It is of value for the light that it casts on the origins and mysteries of Esu and orisa, and an important source for those practicing Quimbanda, Palo, Santeria, Vodou and the African Diaspora religions. Yet its lessons are universal, for it is the art of developing character, of attracting good fortune and accruing wisdom in life. ""Ifa is a philosophy, a theogony, theology and cosmology rooted in a particular metaphysic that concerns itself with the real and the ideal, the world and its beginning. It is rooted in the constitution of man and the purpose of life and the nature of fate. Ifa is a philosophy of character. The philosophy of Ifa lies at the root of any religious cult or organization involving the veneration of orisa. [...] Through stories and legends, divinatory verses and proverbs, this philosophy will be revealed piece by piece until the landscape has been laid open before you."" - Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold"
Full Product Details
Author: Nicholaj Childerico ,
de Mattos Frisvold
Publisher: Scarlet Imprint
Imprint: Scarlet Imprint
Dimensions:
Width: 17.00cm
, Height: 3.10cm
, Length: 24.00cm
ISBN: 9780993120008
ISBN 10: 0993120008
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 01 September 2015
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Author Information
Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold, a native of Norway and resident of Brazil since 2003,is a behavioral psychologist, anthropologist and master brewer (Capirotagem Cervejaria). During the last 25 years he has travelled extensively in search of traditional wisdom and spiritual legacies, with a particular focus on African and Afro derived traditions along with what is generally defined as traditional witchcraft in Europe. This has led to deep involvement with several streams of wisdom, such as traditional Ifa, Haitian Vodou, Palo Mayombe, Quimbanda and a rich knowledge of witchcraft from diligent commitment and involvement with various recensions of the 'witches' way.' Frisvold is a pragmatist with an interest in spiritual philosophy, occult history and the aesthetic language used to describe and understand tradition, spirituality, sorcery and witchcraft, as exemplified in his books Palo Mayombe, Pomba Gira, Exu and Ifa. Beside brewing, research and writing, Frisvold arranges workshops, courses and events of a spiritual and psychological orientation, as well as initiations at his grange in the Brazilian countryside, Villa Draconis, with his wife, Katy. They also offer spiritual, magical and astrological services and products through the Sacred Alchemy store. Articles, news and updates can be found on his blog, the Starry Cave.
