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    African Guidance From Cowrie Shells

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    lunnarosa
    The Yoruba people of West Africa have used cowrie shells for millennia to provide guidance through divination. Sixteen cowrie shells are prepared by breaking open one side to create a "mouth" and "eye" on each shell. The shells are shaken and cast in a circle, counting how many land with the mouth facing up. The number corresponds to a yes or no answer on the provided chart, or is totaled for two digits to give a "stronger" answer. The system provides advice on relationships, opportunities, emotions and other life areas depending on the number received.

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    African Guidance From Cowrie Shells

    Uploaded by

    lunnarosa
    448 views2 pages
    The Yoruba people of West Africa have used cowrie shells for millennia to provide guidance through divination. Sixteen cowrie shells are prepared by breaking open one side to create a "mouth" and "eye" on each shell. The shells are shaken and cast in a circle, counting how many land with the mouth facing up. The number corresponds to a yes or no answer on the provided chart, or is totaled for two digits to give a "stronger" answer. The system provides advice on relationships, opportunities, emotions and other life areas depending on the number received.

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    The Yoruba people of West Africa have used cowrie shells for millennia to provide guidance through divination. Sixteen cowrie shells are prepared by breaking open one side to create a "mouth" and "eye" on each shell. The shells are shaken and cast in a circle, counting how many land with the mouth facing up. The number corresponds to a yes or no answer on the provided chart, or is totaled for two digits to give a "stronger" answer. The system provides advice on relationships, opportunities, emotions and other life areas depending on the number received.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    448 views2 pages

    African Guidance From Cowrie Shells

    Uploaded by

    lunnarosa
    The Yoruba people of West Africa have used cowrie shells for millennia to provide guidance through divination. Sixteen cowrie shells are prepared by breaking open one side to create a "mouth" and "eye" on each shell. The shells are shaken and cast in a circle, counting how many land with the mouth facing up. The number corresponds to a yes or no answer on the provided chart, or is totaled for two digits to give a "stronger" answer. The system provides advice on relationships, opportunities, emotions and other life areas depending on the number received.

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    African Guidance from Cowrie Shells

    Adapted from The Book of African Divination, by Raymond Buckland and


    Kathleen Binger (Inner Traditions, 1992).

    Simple Solution
    This simple form of guidance has been practiced for millennia by the
    Yoruba people living along the coastal areas of West Africa. The
    system uses sixteen cowrie shells--oval-shaped shells available in
    many craft shops or found in inexpensive jewelry at places like the
    Dollar Store.

    Find out how these shells can help you to answer yes-or-no
    questions, here:

    Cowrie shells have two sides. One is flat and smooth with a
    narrow serrated opening. This side is known as the
    “mouth.” The other side is rounded but has been broken
    with a sharp, pointed object to leave a larger opening. This
    side is known as the “eye.” Your yes or no answer depends
    on the number of mouths you get, according to the chart
    below.

    Draw a circle on the ground in front of you or on a piece of


    cloth or paper placed on the table.

    Take sixteen prepared cowrie shells and hold them in your


    hands. Shake them in your hands while you focus on the
    yes or no question you wish to have answered. Now allow
    the shells to fall over the circle.

    Counting only the shells that fall within the circle, see how
    many “mouth” sides fell facing upward. If you get 0 to 9
    mouths, simply consult the chart below. If you get ten or
    more mouths, you will need to total those digits. For
    example, 15 mouths would be 1 plus 5 = 6. Find the
    corresponding number below for your answer.

    1 Yes
    Freedom, spirit, creation, take charge now

    2 No
    Partnership, unity, uncontrolled energy, need for
    diplomacy

    3 Yes
    Frustration, caution, learning for happiness, hard work
    4 Not Yet
    Opportunities, talents, expansion, be with others

    5 Yes, but use caution


    Power to create or destroy, think before doing

    6 Not yet
    Sacrifices, compromises, caring, inner strength, victory

    7 Yes, but use caution


    Victory, love, women, uneasy relationships, intuition

    8 Not yet
    Learn to plan and communicate, think carefully

    9 Yes
    Very emotional, stressed out, need time to think, births

    0 No
    Delay necessary, absolutely no

    If you are dealing with a reduced number (the 15 that


    makes 1 plus 5 = 6, for example), it is a “stronger” form
    than a single simple number. It therefore gives more of a
    challenge, or is more strongly positive or negative. Here is
    an example: in a question about love life, a simple 7 would
    indicate victory in love with somewhat uneasy
    relationships, but 16 reducing to 7 would indicate that a
    victory might well be hard won, with some challenges
    along the way. In either case, the person involved should
    listen to her or his inner voice.

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