Once upon a time, Olódùmarè brought Oòrùn (sun) and Òṣùpá (moon) together to be married as husband and wife. The day of their marriage was fixed to take place between the realm where the light meets the darkness.
Their marriage was attended by many creatures who were guests and well-wishers including the ìràwọ̀ (stars). The stars were specifically instructed by Olódùmarè to bring a lamp each to the couple's wedding party to light up the event. The lamp should give good quantity and quality of lights.
At that time both the sun and the moon were not producing any form of light.
The marriage was a successful one and Olódùmarè gave light to the oòrùn and commanded him to share his light to the Òṣùpá as long as she obeys him as her husband.
Since that day they live blissfully together as a couple, oòrùn shining light in the day and òṣùpá illuminating the night. These they do in appreciation and support to all the creatures who graced their marriage ceremony.
But for the ìràwọ̀, they continue to shine in the sky according to the quantity and quality of the light of the lamp each of them brought to their marriage ceremony.
After a while, the couple started bearing children. The first was ọjọ́ (day), then ọ̀sẹ̀ (week), followed by oṣù (month). The last was ọdún (year) and is the only female among them.
The couple always celebrates their union by showcasing each of their children for all to see. It usually starts with the eldest ọjọ́ who takes the dancing floor seven times in a row, ọ̀sẹ̀ comes out after for four times, while oṣù appears twelve times. Ọdún's emergence is usually once yet always the most beautiful and glorious to watch.
People always long for the beautiful spectacle of Ọdún hence they pray: a kò ní pa ọdún jẹ (May wé never fail to see the appearance of Ọdún).
Olódùmarè however warns that as they celebrate the appearance of
ọdún, they should treat her carefully because she is an abo (female) so she will not turn to an akọ (male). And so they pray: ọdún á máa yabo (May ọdún always remain abo).
Abo signifies bliss, success, fruitfulness and all good things, while akọ underlines hardship, struggle, failure and negatively.
Olódùmarè also advises that people should never disregard the other older siblings of ọdún because nobody can see ọdún without experiencing the appearance of the others first.
Since ọdún appears annually the Yoruba often pray: ojú a máa rí ọdún (May we continue to witness ọdún's pleasing appearance).
As we see ọdún in her new form, I congratulate you and your family.
Ẹ kú ọdún, ọdún á ya abo
(Happy celebration of seeing ọdún again, may ọdún bring bliss, success, fruitfulness and all good things).
Àṣẹ (Amen).
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