Choosing a Babaláwo — a priest of Ifá — is a serious decision. A consultation opens your private matters to another person, and the counsel you receive can shape real choices. Whether you consult Dr. Oba Ifágbèmì or anyone else, these are the measures worth applying.
1. Lineage and years of practice
Ask who trained him, and for how long he has practiced. Ifá is a transmitted tradition: a Babaláwo is made through initiation and years of study under elders, not through reading alone. A priest who can speak plainly about his lineage and his years in the tradition is showing you the foundation he stands on. Dr. Oba brings 25+ years of Ifá practice to every consultation and is the Oludasile (founder) of Ilé Àálá Temple in West Palm Beach, Florida.
2. Transparency about the fee and what it includes
Before you pay, you should know exactly what the session includes: how long it lasts, whether the divination is performed live, whether you can ask questions, whether you receive a recording or written summary, and what happens about ẹbọ. A clear description — like the one on our consultation page (https://www.oracleifa.com/consult-ifa) — lets you compare honestly and decide with full information.
3. Time for your questions
A consultation is a conversation, not a verdict handed down. The Odù is revealed through Dàfá (traditional Ifá divination), and its interpretation should unfold with you — with room for your questions, your context, and your understanding. If there is no space to ask, something essential is missing.
4. A clear explanation of ẹbọ
When Ifá prescribes ẹbọ — remedies or offerings — a trustworthy priest explains what is being recommended, why, and what it involves, including any separate cost. Discussion of ẹbọ belongs inside the consultation. Its performance, and any materials, are separate matters, priced separately, and always your decision. Be cautious of anyone who presents additional paid work as urgent, mandatory, or the only path.
5. No fear-based pressure
Ifá counsels; it does not threaten. A legitimate consultation may bring unwelcome news — the Odù speaks honestly — but it should never leave you frightened into paying for more. Pressure, urgency, and warnings of disaster without recourse are signs to step back, not forward.
6. Honesty about what Ifá shows
Sometimes the Odù confirms what you hoped. Sometimes it does not. A Babaláwo worth consulting tells you what Ifá actually says — including when the counsel is difficult, when the timing is not right, or when the answer is to wait. Comfort that costs you the truth is no service.
7. The consultation itself as the measure
In the end, the session is its own evidence. Were you heard? Was the Odù interpreted in language you could understand and use? Were your questions welcomed? Did you leave with clarity rather than confusion — and with your own judgment intact? Trust what you experienced.
A note on price
Consultation fees vary widely. A fee reflects the priest's years, the depth of the session, and what is included — time, interpretation, questions, recording. Compare those concrete things when you compare prices, and choose the consultation whose depth matches the seriousness of your question.
If you would like to consult with Dr. Oba, you can choose your format and book here: https://www.oracleifa.com/consult-ifa