Flowing with the Ancestors: Cultivating the Natural Current

In Yorùbá spirituality, the bond between the living and the ancestors — Egún — is not symbolic but living, active, and indispensable. Life itself is understood as a current that flows between Ayé (the visible world) and Ọ̀run (the invisible, spiritual world). Death does not sever this current; it transforms it, allowing those who came before us to become guides and protectors for those who remain.

A Yorùbá proverb reminds us:

“Àwọn tí ó kú, kò kú pátápátá; wọ́n ń gbé nínú ọkàn àwọn tí ó yé.”“Those who have died never truly die; they live in the hearts of those who remain.”

This teaching affirms that existence is continuous, and the “current” between ancestors and descendants is a sacred lifeline that cannot be broken.

The Cosmology of Ancestral Presence

According to Ifá cosmology, the human being is composed of body (ara), breath (ẹ̀mí), and spiritual consciousness (orí inú). When death occurs, the body (ara) returns to the earth, while ẹ̀mí returns to Ọ̀run. Those who lived well, honored destiny (ayànmọ̀), and fulfilled their obligations become Egún (ancestral spirits) who protect, teach, and bless the living.

The ancestors are not ghosts lingering in shadow; they are Ara Ọ̀run — full citizens of the spiritual realm. They sit at the threshold between Ọ̀run and Ayé, watching over their descendants and intervening when called upon through ritual. This is why divination, offerings, and remembrance serve as bridges: they keep the current flowing.

A verse of Ifá, Odu Oyeku Méjì, declares:

“Ẹni tí ó bá rántí àwọn baba rẹ̀, ọ̀nà rẹ̀ á ṣí.”“Whoever remembers their ancestors will have their path opened.”

Thus, the cosmology reveals that remembrance itself activates the current.

Reciprocity: Feeding and Being Fed

The current is maintained by reciprocity — a sacred exchange between the living and the dead. As the living refresh the ancestors with food, water, palm wine, prayers, and libations, the ancestors in turn refresh the living with health, protection, and alignment of destiny.

This reciprocity is not transactional but covenantal. It is the fulfillment of the Yorùbá belief that no one lives for themselves alone. Just as the ancestors supported us by paving the road we now walk, so too must we nourish them with our remembrance.

If neglected, the current weakens. Dreams may turn unsettling, misfortunes arise, quarrels disturb the household. These are not punishments but signs that the current needs repair. Ritual restores balance, and balance restores peace.

As Ifá says in Òsá Méjì:

“Bí a kò bá fọ́ àwo, àwo a gbé wà lọ.”“If we do not tend to the shrine, the shrine will carry us away.”

In other words, neglecting sacred duties allows disorder to take hold.

The Ancestors and Destiny (Ayànmọ̀)

Every soul (orí) chooses a destiny (ayànmọ̀) before birth, in the presence of Olódùmarè. Yet, this destiny requires guardianship and guidance to manifest in the earthly realm. The ancestors are among the primary guardians of destiny, clearing the road when it is blocked, and intervening when a descendant strays too far from their divine path.

When the current with ancestors is strong, an individual finds doors open effortlessly, opportunities arrive with divine timing, and dangers are avoided without explanation. When the current is weak, confusion, stagnation, or repeated setbacks may occur.

In Odu Ìrosùn Iwòrì, Ifá reminds us:

“A kì í mọ ìtàn ẹni láì béèrè lọ́wọ́ àgbà.”“One cannot know their own story without asking the elders.”

The “elders” here are not only the living but also the departed. They carry the knowledge of lineage, and through them, destiny is illuminated.

Continuity of Life

Yorùbá philosophy sees existence as cyclical, not linear. Life, death, and rebirth form a chain of continuity where no link is lost. The ancestors once lived as we do, and we will one day join them. This continuity affirms the eternal rhythm of creation.

Neglect of ancestors is considered dangerous because it interrupts this cycle. It creates disconnection not only with the past but also with the future, weakening the bond that holds generations together.

A proverb says:

“Tí a bá gbàgbé orí itẹ̀, a máa ṣubú.”“He who forgets the base of the stool will fall.”

The stool is life; its base is the ancestors. To ignore them is to risk collapse. To honor them is to keep life stable.

Living the Current

Living in harmony with the current of the ancestors requires more than ritual; it requires embodying their values. It is not enough to pour libations or light candles if one lives dishonorably. The current flows through character (ìwà), for character is the true shrine of the ancestors.

To honor ancestors is to live with integrity, compassion, courage, and communal responsibility. To dishonor them through deceit, cruelty, or selfishness is to weaken the current, no matter how many offerings are made.

As Odu Ògúndá Méjì teaches:

“Ìwà rere l’ẹ̀ṣin orí; ìwà búburú ló ń bà orí jẹ.”“Good character is the horse of destiny; bad character destroys destiny.”

Thus, the natural current flows not only through offerings but through the daily embodiment of ancestral virtues.

Conclusion

The natural current between the living and ancestors is the foundation of Yorùbá spirituality. It is the flow of life itself, binding past, present, and future in one eternal stream. Through reciprocity, ritual, remembrance, and the cultivation of good character, this current remains vibrant and strong.

To honor the ancestors is not only to pour water on the ground but to live in such a way that one’s life will also be remembered. In doing so, the current never ceases: the ancestors walk beside us, clear our roads, and prepare us for the day we too will take our seat among them, becoming strength for the generations yet to come.