The Hidden Spiritual Power of Cowrie Shells

The Yoruba knew the best thing to be was deliberate. Their system of divination, Obi, operated primarily in a “Yes/No” way. 

Directing questions to the Orisha, they’d toss a handful of kola nuts, fresh coconut, and four cowrie shells, paying attention to where items fell. The pattern would answer their questions. 

The mouth of Orisha, cowrie shells were powerful divination tools. Known for fertility and healing, their white coloring also deflected negative energy, which is crucial for working within the ancestral realm. 

Our enslaved ancestors brought cowrie shells to the Americas as protective charms to resist enslavement. Part of this resistance was continuing their divination practices. 

Cowries were interpreted based on how they fell. Four mouth-up cowries was a blessed “yes,” with a nudge to throw one more time just to be sure. Three mouth-up cowries was a “maybe.” 

Two mouth-up, two mouth-down cowries was a balanced, definitive yes. One mouth-up, three mouth-down cowries suggested a “No.” Four mouth-down cowries was such an emphatic no that it required a post-throw spiritual cleansing. 

Throwing cowrie shells is just one example of the many ways our ancestors practiced communicating with their guides. 

How do you communicate with God? Whether it’s shells, journaling, prayer, or meditation, our spirits seek to keep an open line of communication and trust the messages we receive are meant for our good.