Kame represents death and birth; it symbolizes reincarnation, the spiritual and family lineage, and our invisible guardians. Number 9 reflects the energy of love, wisdom and spirituality. The energy of this day is used to ask for protection both for ourselves and for the community. Light a white candle and ask the Great Father for you well being and the well being of those who need to be protected.
Momma, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Tourists!
As Autumn arrives, we have a chance to reflect upon the passing Summer. Here in the US, warm weather and kids out of school conspire during this season to bring about one of our long-held cultural rituals: Summer Vacation! Now, before traveling down the path of considering vacation (a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday) as an indulgence of western culture, we learned on a trip to the Amazon that villagers occasionally travel with their families deeper into the jungle for brief periods to escape the stresses of village life, fish and relax. Digression aside, this year my family took our annual trip to Pine Ridge, SD, then seized an opportunity to spend some time on the road camping and visiting some of the remarkable lands (and sea) of the western US. One of these early stops included Yellowstone National Park, considered by some to be the Serengeti of North America due to its diverse array of visible wildlife and impressive geysers and land formations. The sites did not disappoint – but the tourists…and the culture of tourism.
When I say “culture of tourism”, I am referring to the sense of not belonging, of passing through without feeling responsible for the improved well-being of the land and people that welcome you as a guest. Extracting experience without exchanging a meaningful contribution, and sometimes not even respecting the hospitality. So, we found ourselves in the tourist sea, taking in sites and experience without feeling or finding a meaningful connection or contribution. What led our national parks to be paved with this kind of cultural experience? Well, a little digging and we find that the history of “pristine” and protected areas is born out of a mindset that believes that humans have little, if anything to contribute to the benefit of the natural world. We can see it, look at it, but interact with it as little as possible or we will mess it up.
Indeed, humans are terraformers, we’ve been shaping our world since as long as we have walked this earth. We have done it well and we have done it poorly. One of the key shifts we must make is in returning to see humans as a part of nature, not separate from it, and to learn from the Indigenous populations that have co-evolved upon this earth for millennia so that we may regenerate places around the planet. In National Parks, a historical look back reveals how our dominant world view evicted those best suited to manage it, then brought them back in for display to tourists. As the article below points out, this history continues to live today in “conservation” efforts around the world.
In subsequent articles, I’ll bring forward examples that highlight the growing awareness of traditional knowledge and wisdom that places humans within living cosmologies is guiding us to terraform our world in a much better way – led by the lineages that live within Indigenous communities.
The Forgotten History Of ‘Violent Displacement’ That Helped Create The National Parks
8 Kan – Today’s Mayas Day Sign (Ch’umil)
Number 8, which represents physical force, has the virtue of creating the energy you need to carry out your plans. Today it increases its impact by combining with the intense and vibrant power of Kan, the symbol of vitality and activity. Together they grant you the ability to reach the highest levels of productivity.
7 K’at – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Ch’umil)
Number 7 projects faith, spirituality and intuition; it stands for balance and it possesses the power to impel. K’at is the net that allows you to catch anything you wish if you learn to cast it at the right time. Everything you gather today will contribute toward creating a stable life for you. Concentrate on the power of positive thinking.
6 Aq’ab’al – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Ch’umil)
Aq’ab’al represents the sunshine and the sunset, the light and the shadows, it is the opposite, yet harmonious energies that renew us and allow us to head toward new destinations as we experience cyclical changes during our lifetime. Number 6 entails learning and changes; it stands for life’s trials and personal development. Use your inner strength and choose to have a positive attitude when facing life’s problems, this may be a day filled with challenges; keep in mind that these may represent a change of course and a new cycle of your life.
5 Iq’ – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Ch’umil)
Iq’ is the wind that brings with it inspiration, fills you with energy, and renews your spirit. Number 5 signifies liberty, charisma and magnetism; it stands for the love that comes into your life and flows from you. Free yourself from any bonds and let the winds of Iq’ carry your thoughts, charisma and love to have better communication and relation with everyone around you.
4 Imox – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Ch’umil)
Imox represents the essence of our consciousness; it puts our mind in a receptive mode, increases our spiritual strength and provides us with the power to understand nature’s messages in order to plan our next steps in life. Number 4 projects stability, firmness and security. Pay attention to the signs that may occur during this day and light a blue, pale-blue and white candles to activate your intuition and visions.
3 Ajpu – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Ch’umil)
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.
2 Kawoq – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Ch’umil)
The energy of this day projects strength in union. Kawoq represents the family and the community; it is a good day to ask for the common good. Number 2 alludes to duality and union. Join hands and hearts with others to work towards the wellbeing of your family, your community, your country and your world.
1 Tijax – Today’s Ch’umil and Trecena Prayer
Within Tijax lies the strength of Mother Earth, which gives you the ability to manage any changes and complications that may come to your life. Number 1 contains great force and power. The energies of this day provide you with the necessary elements to achieve anything you want; number 1 has the strength of new beginnings and Tijax helps you open new paths. Use the strength and power of Tijax during this trecena (thirteen days).
Trecena Prayer by Don Pedro Ixchop
In this sacred day Ajaw, Heart of the Sky and Heart of Mother Earth, I ask you that nothing gets in the way of our progress in life; that no obstacles come to the path of our life. I ask you, Ajaw, that the personal purposes I want to accomplish are not taken away from me; that the faith of following your path is not taken away from me. I ask that there is no despair or doubts in your heart that can harm my prosperity. That all laziness will fade away from my body, from my hands, from my feet, from my ears, and from my mind. Grant me the cornerstone of intelligence at every moment of my life, so that anything I study, any wisdom, will bring strength to my mind. Do not allow anything to cause me to lose my studies, my job, and my prosperity, before your presence Ajaw, for I wish to achieve success in my path. I ask you to heal me through your divine power with the medicines that nature has left for us; I ask that there is no threat, intimidation, sudden death or unforeseen accident that may come to me, because you are always with me, ahead of and behind my footsteps wherever my feet 
guide me over the face of Mother Earth. Maltiox, Maltiox, Maltiox and four times Maltiox.
Ajaw Great Father or Supreme Being
Maltiox Thank you