Yoruba Independent Priests in Cuba Reveal 2025's Letter of the Year

The "Miguel Febles Padrón" Organizational Committee, composed of independent Yoruba priests, has unveiled the 2025 Letter of the Year for Cuba and the international community. These Ifá priests operate separately from the Cultural Association of Yoruba in Cuba. Since 1986, they have been conducting their own ceremonies to forecast the year ahead.

Annual Predictions from Ifá

On December 31, 2024, the committee gathered at the Temple House located on Ave. 10 de Octubre #1509, between Josefina and Gertrudis in Víbora, 10 de Octubre, Havana. They emphasized the ceremony was supported by Ifá priests from most Cuban families and their descendants worldwide. As tradition dictates, the youngest priest drew the letter.

Ruling Sign: Odibre
First Witness: Obesa
Second Witness: Baba Eyiobe
Prophetic Prayer: Osorbo Oná Buruku Alayé Intori Eggun
Shangó Oniré: Offerings include cooked cornmeal and okra, a hand of green plantains, plus a red ribbon and other ingredients.
Ebbo: 1 feathered animal (umbeboro Shangó), 7 black princes, 1 stone (identified with Eggun), 1 gourd of aguardiente, 1 gourd of honey, 1 gourd of dry wine, and other ingredients.

Guardian Deity: Odúa

Odúa embodies righteousness, justice, and fairness. He was instrumental in developing the Ifá empire, uniting the ancient Yoruba people's thirteen colonies. Revered as the first deified king, Odúa is synonymous with monarchy among the Lukumí, who honor his statue as a human dedication to Mother Earth. As the Eleca (creator) of every monarch, Odúa plays a crucial role in leadership ascension.

Accompanying Deity: Yewa

Derived from "ye" (to be alive) and "wa" (to exist), Yewa governs our existence and is regarded as an Orisha of Death presiding over graves and desolate places. In Cuba, Yewa is syncretized with Our Lady of the Forsaken and is associated with the cemetery. Her necklace features pink beads, and she receives offerings of female animals that have not given birth. Her primary plant is Las Mil Flores (clerodendron fragans).

Flag of the Year: White and Pink

Health Warnings

Extreme caution is advised for skin diseases, infectious diseases, cerebrovascular conditions, and memory loss.

Social Concerns

Society may face rising juvenile crime, infant mortality, declining birth rates, congenital malformations, job dismissals, increased violence, child abandonment, and family separations.

Guidelines and Recommendations

Steer clear of mediating debt disputes to avoid dire outcomes. Urban sanitation is crucial to prevent epidemics. Limit salt intake, ensure regular health check-ups, and avoid repeating outdated methods. Awareness of potential new wars is advised, alongside the use of alternative green medicine. Communication should be the primary method for resolving challenges.

Behavioral Proverbs of the Sign

Clinging to the past obscures present solutions and future plans. Emotions can cloud judgment. Fear transforms dreams into nightmares. Selfishness leads to isolation. Resentment harms more than a dagger.

Practicing religious individuals are encouraged to consult their respective godparents for specific guidance according to this sign. The committee extends gratitude to the media outlets that help spread these predictions worldwide. Wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous 2025, from the "Miguel Febles Padrón" Organizational Committee.

The Letter of the Year: A Tradition Under Debate

The Letter of the Year, an interpretation of the Ifá oracle, is a highly anticipated event in Cuba that unites both the religious and secular by offering predictions and guidance for the new year. Its aim is to provide direction in areas like health, family, politics, and the environment, ensuring a prosperous year. However, the release of three separate Letters of the Year in 2025 has sparked controversy on social media.

The Cultural Association of Yoruba in Cuba, criticized for its alleged closeness to the regime, has lost credibility among many practitioners. Yet, its predictions continue to be respected and consulted by most followers. Meanwhile, the Kola Ifá Ocha Commission in Miami released a Letter of the Year under the sign Ogbe Kana, highlighting the independence of exiled practitioners. Their predictions are greatly valued in Florida and among Cuban Yoruba in the United States.

A third Letter of the Year comes from the independent Yoruba community in Cuba. These practitioners are strong advocates for diversity and their right to uphold tradition free from regime control. While some online discussions point to a lack of unity and internal conflicts among Ifá priests or babalawos, others support the idea that each religious community should have the freedom to publish their predictions, allowing followers to choose which Letter of the Year to follow.

2025 Predictions from the Cultural Association of Yoruba in Cuba

On January 1, 2025, the Cultural Association of Yoruba in Cuba unveiled its anticipated Letter of the Year, governed by the sign Ogunda Ogbe. The prophecy, Iré Arikú Oyale Tesi Timbalayé, promises stability and health under the protection of the deities Shangó and Oshún. The main recommendations include measures to curb crime, improve hygiene, avoid garbage accumulation, and focus on youth and family well-being.

The identified illnesses include venereal diseases, food allergies, and cancer. The Letter also emphasizes the importance of discretion and respect in religious rituals, as well as social harmony.

2025 Predictions for the U.S. and Miami

The Kola Ifá Ocha Commission announced that the ruling sign for the Letter of the Year in the United States will be Ogbe Kana, with witnesses Ogbe Fun and Ejiogbe. The guiding deities for 2025 are Oggún and Oyá, representing strength and transformation. This document was crafted with the active involvement of over 300 religious participants in Miami, reinforcing this Yoruba community's standing in the U.S. A virtual conference is planned to delve deeper into the practical implications of these spiritual guidelines for daily life.