The sun is the brightest object in the sky and the center of our solar system.
Without the sun, Earth would be a frozen wasteland. No plants, animals, or humans would exist.
In Odinala, the sun is known as Anyanwu and it is regarded as the eye of Chukwu, the creator of the universe.
There are many practices and rituals associated with the sun in Igboland. One of the most significant is Itu Oba Anwu.
In the Itu Oba Anwu ritual, a dibia absorbs spiritual energy from the sun. The dibia smears his body with white chalk, which signifies purity, and stands in the early morning sun for four days.
This ritual increases the spiritual energy and awareness of the dibia.
You can absorb the sun’s energy without smearing yourself with chalk.
Here’s a simpler version of Itu Oba Anwu:
- Sit in your personal shrine. Close your eyes and imagine the sun shining brightly in the horizon and a single ray going straight to your heart.
- Take a slow, deep breath and imagine sunlight travelling along the single ray and entering your heart.
Imagine the light filling up your body, reaching every cell and tissue until your entire body glows brightly.
- Exhale slowly and imagine the light in your body fading out.
Take two more deep breaths. With each breath, you imagine light from the sun filling your body completely and then dimming.
Your body glows brightly as you inhale, and fades as you exhale.
I was apprehensive the first time I performed this ritual, trembling as I imagined sunlight flooding my body.
Was this really safe? I asked myself.
I shouldn’t have worried.
The Itu Oba Anwu ritual turned out to be a turning point on my spiritual journey. My self-confidence dramatically increased and I got better, more precise results from my rituals.
I’ve been performing the Itu Oba Anwu ritual every day for the past ten years. It’s an indispensable part of my morning routine.
If you want to take your spiritual capability to the next level, perform this ritual daily.