Modern technology is opening new ways for us to learn from and nourish living lineages. A couple of years ago, Jim Jenner and Brenda Bynum joined us in Santa Fe for a consultation with Maya Ajq’ij Lina Barrios. Their immediate connection with the tradition brought Brenda back here from her home in New York to participate in sessions, workshops and a ceremony in July of last year. This quick connection suddenly found Jim and Brenda on a journey to Guatemala this past January, applying their film making skills while traveling with Denise, Lina, Carlos and others, filming elders, ceremonies and sacred locations. This footage is being compiled to make use of the medium to further tell the stories of the living Maya lineage, so that we may learn, transform, and return to nourish the roots of the tradition. They are hard at work compiling these videos in their spare time, putting forth a tremendous volunteer effort to make this content available. We are excited about the potential that is being unleashed by filming lineages in an appropriate manner.
While this is being compiled, we are able to share some images of their journey in the gallery below. More to come soon…
Number 12 has the energy to ignite and put your plans into action. Q’anil, the seed, symbolizes the energy of creation; every project or relationship that is planted on a day Q’anil has a positive future. This is a good day to plant all those dreams that you want to materialize.
Kej projects the energy of balance; it represents harmony and it is a good day to find balance with the four elements and with Mother Nature. Number 11 brings spiritual tests; it is a day to transmute our experiences into wisdom. If number 11 brings you unbalance during this day, take a walk in nature or light a candle to connect to Kej and obtain its equilibrium and positive energy.
Number 10 symbolizes the communication with the Cosmic and Telluric energies. Kame is the energy of our ancestors, of our spiritual and family lineage. The energies of this day open a channel that connects us with other dimensions and allows our ancestors to guide us and advise us. Light a purple candle to honor the memory of those who have parted and to thank them for their help and guidance.
Number 9 symbolizes the circle of life; it is the development of a person throughout their life. Kan is the energy that strengthens your inner fire and through it the Creator and Maker of the Universe pours its energy and wisdom into you. You are in a constant dance with the Universe and its energies, connect to them and use their wisdom for your personal development.
I had to put up a quick blog post, as the US news headlines features NASA scientists declaring that the SW US is set for unprecedented drought that will last decades. Perhaps the only thing new in this view is that it is being confirmed by scientists, as I imagine many people expect this to be the norm within the context of climate disruption. Personally, we live in an area often affected by drought (New Mexico), and see its impact on our drinking water, agriculture and fires. Of course, this is not only the case in the US, but in other parts of the world as well, including the Americas.
There are two things that come to mind in reading through this:
1) Our relationship to water. Within our modern context, we treat water as though it were a fixed commodity. We extract it, exploit it, pollute it, bottle it and worry that we won’t have enough of it. What if we were to shift our frame, to see water as something that is alive, connected, that can grow, heal, sustain and regenerate? Would we open new realms of possibility in the way that we manage, allocate and perhaps even grow this elemental foundation to all life? This brings me to point #2:
2) We have recently (and some of the Saq’ Be’ team have ongoingly) had conversations with a Latin American representative for UNESCO. The group is highly aware of an impending water crisis throughout the Americas (from North to South) and sees a solution in turning towards the knowledge and wisdom of the continent’s Indigenous peoples. This is because humanity has learned much over time through our interconnected relationship with that which sustains us, and we are fortunate to have peoples that have not lost that connected lineage. They are able to teach us in the modern world, but it requires a fundamental transformation of the way we view that which gives us life – from a commodity towards a relationship. UNESCO is very serious about collecting, applying, and integrating this knowledge and wisdom while protecting the territories of first peoples.
Clearly this will be a delicate process, but it points towards the opportunity we have. My new friend here in New Mexico, Larry Littlebird, brought forth the question: what is the opportunity of climate change? This story highlights one for me, what are the other opportunities that you see? Study: Unprecedented ‘Megadroughts’ Expected For U.S. After 2050
K’at represents the net that helps us group and bring together the elements we need to accomplish our life’s purpose; but it is also the energy that can tangle us in a web, mostly of our own making. Number 8 is a strong power that symbolizes the complete energies of the physical world. Today the results will depend on your actions, they may help you acquire whatever you wish, or they can trap you and complicate your efforts.
Aq’ab’al represents the first ray of light in the darkness; it is the new dawn that allows you to regenerate at every instant. Number 7 symbolizes spirituality; it is our connection to the Great Father. This day brings a great power that dissipates the darkness and opens the doors to many new opportunities
Iq’ represents the wind that nourishes our mind. Number 6 symbolizes learning and responsibility; it is an energy that may bring conflicts and imbalances. Your mind can play tricks with your throughout this day, bringing out your fears and creating confusion; be patient and reflect before taking any decisions. Light a stick of incense and connect to the energy of the wind, ask it to take away any confusion and unbalance.
You may have noticed that I’ve stepped in over the last few days to provide the daily Nawal. That is because Denise has been offline from her home in Antigua, where Volcan del Fuego erupted on Saturday. The city is covered with ask and communications were knocked down for a bit. Thankfully, everybody is doing just fine. Fortunately for everybody else, Denise is back to writing the Daily Nawal to share with everybody! We are extremely grateful for all her hard work and dedication!
We’re thinking about expanding the content on the Daily Nawal. Let us know if there is something that you would like to see on a daily basis that would support your connecting with the energies of the Cholq’ij Calendar.
Here’s a little news video on the eruption:
Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies
