What Questions to Ask During a Diloggún Reading
Diloggún divination is one of the most sacred ways the Orisha speak with us. Using sixteen consecrated cowrie shells, the orisha open the path to reveal guidance, warnings, blessings, and the spiritual conditions shaping our lives. Because of this, the questions you bring to a reading are just as important as the answers you receive.
Below, I share what types of questions are encouraged, and which ones are best avoided, so that your session honors the orisha and gives you the deepest clarity.
Encouraged Questions
Diloggún is most powerful when you bring questions that open the way for the orisha to teach, guide, and protect you. These include:
Life Path & Decisions: “What should I know before changing careers?” “Is this the right time for me to move?”
Destiny & Alignment: “What is the condition of my ori (inner head) right now?” “How do I realign with my purpose?”
Healing & Balance: “What is causing the imbalance I feel, and how can I restore harmony?”
Relationship with the Orisha: “What offerings or practices does [Orisha] ask of me at this time?”
Clarity on Odu: “What is the best way to carry out this guidance?” “Which path should I follow to bring this teaching into my life?”
These kinds of questions invite the orisha to open the story of your life, showing not only what is happening, but also why and what you can do about it.
Discouraged Questions
Because diloggún is a sacred dialogue, not a parlor trick, some questions are not appropriate:
Trivial or Testing: “What color shirt am I wearing?” “Which lottery numbers will win?”
Repetitive Doubt: Asking the same question multiple times hoping for a different odu.
Fixed Fortune-Telling: “When will I die?” “What exact day will this person call me?”
Transactional Demands: “If I give this offering, will I get rich tomorrow?”
Yes/No-only Questions: These are better suited for obi (coconut/kola nut) divination, which is designed for direct yes/no answers.
When we bring shallow or disrespectful questions, we limit what the orisha can reveal. The diloggún is not about predicting every detail of the future — it is about uncovering the spiritual forces shaping your present and future, so you can act with wisdom.
Final Thoughts
When you come to the diloggún, come with an open heart, clear mind, and respect. Think of your questions as doorways. The more thoughtful the doorway, the deeper the orisha can enter and bless your life.
If you are new to divination, don’t worry. I will help you shape your questions so that you receive the clearest guidance. Remember, the Orisha want you to thrive — your role is simply to ask with sincerity and be ready to listen.
