Divination and cowrie shell game

What it is: The cowrie shell game and other divinatory procedures are used for consultation and ritual discernment.

How the religion understands it: Divination seeks to guide obligations, identify links with divinities, understand imbalances, and indicate spiritual care.

Basis and context: The practice dialogues with African systems of consultation and with terreiro tradition in Brazil.

Debates and variations: Not every house uses exactly the same system, and the legitimacy of the game depends on recognized ritual training.

Supportive

José Beniste, Òrun-Àiyé

candomble,jose-beniste,cosmology,ori

A work on cosmology, the person, and relations between worlds.

Reference: José Beniste, Òrun-Àiyé.
Content: The book deals with cosmology, orí, the relationship between the visible and invisible worlds, and Yorùbá-matrix categories in the Brazilian context.
Use in debate: It is useful for sacred hierarchy, divination, orí, and ritual cosmology.

Oral tradition of the merindilogun

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Cowrie-shell consultation is transmitted through ritual training and practice.

Reference: Oral tradition of the merindilogun and the cowrie-shell divination game in terreiros.
Content: Interpreting the falls, combinations, and messages requires training, authorization, and a proper ritual context.
Use in debate: It is an important source for divination and religious discernment.

Contrary

Deuteronomy 18:10-12

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A biblical passage often used against divination and ritual consultation.

Reference: Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
Content: The text condemns practices of divination, consultation, and spiritual mediation in ancient Israel.
Use in debate: It is often mobilized by Christian critics against cowrie-shell divination and ritual consultations.