It has been a full few weeks since the last dispatch. While my time here is coming to a close, I’ll reflect upon some of what we’ve been able to accomplish through Saq’ Be’ in that time:
We welcomed elder Pichekiix (Mariano Xitumil) who was gracious enough to spend several days with us, sharing knowledge and wisdom. We added to our video library with several additional hours of footage, delving deeper into various topics including understanding more about some of the other calendars our there, including a calendar of music (with 20 tones), seeds and more on the calendar of death. He also spoke about diet, seeds more generally, and of the men of light and darkness.
Denise and I met with Rafael of Groupo Sotz’il, a local art and dance company that uses modern interpretations of these forms as a way to maintain the Maya tradition and engage Maya youth (Kaqchikel) in a deeper connection and experience with the tradition. Rafael shared a book the group produced, entitled Ati’t Xajoj that does a fantastic job explaining the Nawales (animals) for each Ch’umil, including identifying the reason and source of information. They even have a guide for animal dance movements to go with each Nawal. This is an area we came into this trip interested in exploring, as there isn’t always consensus on the topic, yet we hope to incorporate information on the Nawales into some of the materials we offer. We discussed exploring ways that Saq’ Be’ and Grupo Sotz’il may partner and support each other’s work in the future.
We had the good fortune to spend time with Don Pedro Ixchop, whom you may recall, has contributed the prayers that are published in the Daily Ch’umil for each Trecena. Don Pedro is the head of the Association of Maya Ajq’ij. We were able to film a fascinating presentation of the initiation process for Maya Ajq’ij that was used before the current process of “walking 20 altars”. Don Pedro also discussed how the Maya tradition is founded on a mathematical understanding of the world, and without that mathematical basis, much of the tradition can not be deeply understood. We discussed his hopes for the Maya lineage moving into the world and ways for Saq’ Be’ to support its continued vitality here in the homeland. He also spoke about each of the Ch’umil’al, the associated numbers, and offered a prayer in Kich’e.
In case you missed it, you can still check out the Facebook Live we did with Carlos Barrios. In it, Carlos delivers a message for these times, discussing the energies that follow 2012, why we are in the time of “ego” and how precarious these years can be if we don’t pay attention. He shared thoughts on the importance of connecting with water, and the intersection of understanding personal purpose and creating societal transformation. Be on the lookout, we may have an opportunity to get in another livestream video or two while we’re down here! By the way, check out this article from the archives where Carlos gave an interview discussing his path to becoming an Ajq’ij.
Let us know what seems interesting, exciting, relevant or what you’d like to learn more about in the comments below.
Until the next dispatch… Maltiox!
We’ve had a busy time since the last dispatch. Last weekend, Lina, Yamanik and their friend, another young lady that is also an Ajq’ij came to visit. We had a good conversation, and made some plans for a ceremony and to conduct an interview exploring the role and life as female Ajq’ij’ab in the Maya culture. The next day we met with Denise and were joined by Juan and Miguel, twin brothers who are both 
We then joined Carlos, Roberto and Denise on a journey up to Momostenango to celebrate the Maya New Year, 8 B’atz’. We had a fairly successful journey up the winding road from Attitlan to Momo, with just one child getting car sick :-0 We traveled to the altar of Paclom, considered to be the naval of the world. It is also the home of grandmother Ixmukane, where a thread was cast, and it was determined to be the center of the world. It is one of the oldest altars here, a key part of the origin story in the Pop Wuj. We knew there was a pilgramage walk the night before, with Paclom being the 4th altar in the 4 directions around Momostenango, where people were traveling by foot throughout the night and making offerings at each of the altars to arrive at Paclom in the dawn hours. We arrived at the altar towards the late afternoon, and purchased our materials for the ceremony just outside. It was quite a scene with more than a dozen fires going at once, the local Maya radio station blasting music full tilt, and at least a hundred people either participating in ceremonies or hanging out. There are some places where you can feel the ancientness, where the wisdom of elders has been imbued into the altars over millennia, and this was certainly one of those places. 
We had an amazing fire, setting up on a corner of the lower altar, along side other friendly and welcoming ajq’ij’ab and families. It was interesting to note as well several young Maya folk come up to Carlos out of respect for his work in supporting the rescue of the tradition. Even through the strong presence of Catholicism and synchretism, Evangelism, alcoholism, etc., it is clear that there remains a vibrancy to the tradition here in the homelands!
We were again joined by Lina and her daughter, Yamanik, for a ceremony at an altar on the other side of the lake in Cerro de Oro. As you can see in the pictures, this was quite an impressive and ancient place, where we had an amazing ceremony that went into the night.
Well, here is my second update with assorted musings from our time spent here in the heart of the Maya lands. I’ve been reflecting upon the importance of the work we are doing with Saq’ Be’, and its particular relevancy in this moment in time. We’ve always worked to open pathways for individuals to develop themselves more fully in accordance with their life purpose by integrating living, ancient wisdom. We’ve also been long committed to supporting the vitality of these living lineages in their homelands where it is essential they continue to flourish. I think there has also been a desire to be a resource to transforming the collective, at community and global levels. This seems like the kind of moment where this is critical.
– Yesterday we went to spend time and make offerings to Maximon in Santiago Attitlan. It was an honor to spend time with the Tilenal and Cofradia, and to share in this sacred space. As we were making offerings and generally hanging out, I had a few further reflections: We may be facing a time where we have to stand for our communities, in the same way as 
– 8 Tijax – Another ceremony – Horay! This time, we were joined by Carlos, Denise, 
K’at represents the net that is used to store those things that will nurture us in the future, not only physical things, but also what is invisible, such as our memories and experiences; it has the power to unite the people and elements required to do what we need to do. Number 1 is a creative and innovative energy. Throughout the course of this trecena (thirteen days) use the power provided by 1 K’at to consolidate those ideas that have come to mind and to catch the people and elements that can help you develop them.
Great Spirit of the Ajaw of the Day K’at grant me the development and expansion of my thoughts. I ask you that nothing can disturb my heart and my thoughts; that no one can damage my life and my destiny, Heart of the Sky and Heart of Mother Earth. I ask you that my feet, my hands, my thoughts and my intelligence are not tangled before your presence. That my enemies are not aimed to lock me with their pretexts, that they won’t be able to lock me or my family’s intelligence, words, feet, hands, body, or eyes, Ajaw. Give me the freedom to pray outside of the prisons of the enemies of your Sacred Spirituality, Ajaw of the Sky and the Earth. I ask you that all the physical and mental prisons are vanished and destroyed by your power, Father Ajaw. I ask you to grant freedom to any enemy intending to cast their nets to lock and to lie to your creatures, Ajaw, so that they can serve you every day. You know that I offer my faith through my prayers and my offerings in the ceremonies that I celebrate, Father. Do not allow my enemies to bother or torment me in my mission to follow you Heart of the Sky and Heart of Mother Earth. I ask you to untie any illness, whether physical, emotional, or mental. Relieve me from all pain in my veins, my arteries, my body, my mind, and my heart. Relieve me from all pain in my internal and external organs. Take away all swelling and excessive temperament in my body, my mind, and my heart. I ask you that any excessive pain will be untied, discarded, and eliminated by your power, Ajaw. Maltiox, Maltiox, Maltiox, and four times Maltiox.
Greetings from Guatemala! Saq’ Be’ North has traveled to be with our Saq’ Be’ family here for a few months. We’ll be spending time with elders, Ajq’ij’ab and communities, where we plan to continue research deeper into the knowledge and wisdom of the Maya tradition, visit sacred places and work to support those that keep these traditions alive and vital. We plan to turn important parts of this experience into new and ongoing programming available to you, articles, videos and other means of sharing and clarifying aspects of this rich tradition.
Number 3 stands for the results of your actions. Ajpu represents the hunter and the warrior; it brings material and spiritual certainty. Every decision you make in life opens a path of possibilities for you, the things and situations that are meant for you will come to your life.
Kan, represented by the feathered serpent, is the energy of transmutation, of transforming knowledge into wisdom, thought into action. Number 11 is the energy that brings us the experiences we need for our learning and development, it is the tests we transmute into knowledge. This is an excellent day to meditate on what experience has taught you, to allow those experiences to help you change and improve.
Thanks to our friends Jim and Brenda with the Oasis Theater Company, we are pleased to be able to share this video that features elder Juan Manuel Mendoza discussing the way that traditional Maya culture and spirituality has been embedded in Santiago Atitlan. He shares a tour of the church in Santiago that embodies traditional imagery, often featuring