Through the ancient techniques of divination and tools of prophecy, the Mayan elders are calling forth to humanity at THIS TIME to pay closer attention to the messages being sent forth by the mother earth and to immediately take the actions they have been calling for, to unite in an effort to bring balance again upon our planet. The recent destruction that manifested in Indonesia is predicted to now occur rapidly upon five continents of the earth. This message is not meant to induce fear, to the contrary, it is a call for bravery and for action. The elders are concerned about what has been presented in their recent divinations and they call to all humanity to warn their leaders and to work very hard at a spiritual level to prevent the impending destruction. This message, verified and brought forth by various Mayan elders in Guatemala, is for all of humanity. The hurricanes in the US and the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia have been warnings and we must now pay attention or the possibilities of floods in Europe, Los Angeles, earthquakes and other efforts of the mother earth to awaken us will manifest quickly.

There is a specific call for people around the world to join in prayer, meditation or whatever method of spirituality one engages in to unite on January 18th at the time of their local sunset (approx 6:00PM). This date is B’elejeb(9) Keme according to the sacred Mayan Cholq’ij calendar and has the potential for protecting humanity from disaster.

There will be many major ceremonies in the Mayan communities for this purpose. An open invitation is extended to humanity that wish to join the Mayan people for the Waxa’qib B’atz’ ceremonies on February 12th in Guatemala.
Again, this is a strong message, not meant to drive us to react in fear, for this will only negatively impact the level of destruction and our own circumstance. This is the opportunity for humanity to rise to the occasion and come together along the strong lines that unite us and overcome the obstacles that divide us. Please distribute this message widely.

Message issued by Mayan elders in Guatemala and delivered via:
Carlos Barrios, Mayan Ajq’ij, Antigua, Guatemala
Adam Rubel, Co-Director, Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies

Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies is a non profit organization based in New Mexico, US. Saq’ Be’ works to bring people, especially young adults, together with ancient traditions for the purpose of cultural and spiritual preservation and to open the doors of opportunity for those traditions to share their teachings with the rest of the world. Preservation programs include Radio broadcast capacity for the Native community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, support for the community of Sarayacu in Ecuador in their struggle against petrol interests, and support for filmed documentation efforts of elders and guides of the Mayan tradition. More information can be found at: www.SacredRoad.org, or by email at: saqbe[at]sacredroad[dot]org.

By Saq’ Be’
For so many of those reading this, the lands of Latin America may seem like a distant place and the Amazon basin like a remote exotic location that bears little relevance to our everyday lives. The reality is this region holds great relevance to all of our lives, on both the physical level as well as a symbolic and spiritual one. The Kichwa community of Sarayacu, located in the central Amazon Basin in Ecuador, find themselves on the front lines in the struggle for preserving a natural and traditional way of life in the face of the continued drive to conquer Nature in the name of profit and greed. Sarayacu is a strong community, and one that survives to this day in part because of the citizens of the world who recognize they share an intricate connection with the people and have raised their voices to holdup the actions of petrol companies that would see the forest leveled and the people destroyed in the name of oil. Yet, unless the eyes of the world continue to carefully watch the unfolding of events in this region, and the stream of letters, emails and phone calls continue to flow to let governments and companies know who is watching, this place of life and magic can cease to exist.

Sarayacu is a territory spanning some 135,000 hectares and is the ancestral land of its roughly 1,200 Kichwa inhabitants. There is a centralized region consisting of five villages where the majority of the community resides. The people travel out to the further regions for activities such as hunting, gathering medicinal plants and even vacations. It is a region without electricity, without plumbing. The pristine nature allows the people to drink the water from the rivers, to eat the fish and live sustainably off the land. Gardens, cultivated over many years, called chacras yield amongst other things staples such as plantains and yucca. Cooking is done over fires using ceramic pots made by the women of the village. Chicha, a beverage made from fermented Yucca, is also a mainstay of social and ceremonial life. It is served and produced in special ceramics with intricate designs produced by women. There are different classes of Chicha, some with more potency for celebrations, others for work or for meetings.

Sarayacu is a community in balance, intricately tied to the jungle environment that survives them – not out of luxury, but out of necessity. There is a rhythm of life that mirrors the rhythm of the jungle. People wake at sunrise and sleep shortly after sunset. The pace is steady, not fast for the heat in the jungle forbids that, but not slow and lazy because survival demands otherwise. It is a rhythm that is so natural, after only a few days of living at such a pace the beat of our modern world appears to be so out of sync with what is natural, what is healthy that it seems absurd. One is left to wonder, on a global level, as the pace of modern society quickens to a deafening rhythm, what impact does the steady pulse of life in the jungle have upon tempering this hectic beat? This natural rhythm helps to produce a certain vibrancy that is evident upon meeting the people of Sarayacu. Only in ignorance would one dare call these a primitive or backwards people. On the whole, they are very intelligent – in both the traditional ways of life as well as having been educated in the western world. There is an honesty and directness that is permitted to shine through their eyes, because they are content in their way of balance and do not seek to undermine or fear being undermined in the name of material gain.

All the members of the community are skilled, and the skill sets are broken down by gender. The women all know how to make ceramics, chicha, how to paint faces, prepare foods amongst their many abilities. “Women have spiritual power. In each household there is usually at least one woman who has the spiritual power to clean bad air (mal aire), to use tobacco, to help things grow. It is a power that is passed down to the younger girls according to their capacity,” explains Marcia Gualinga, who serves as president of the Women’s Association in Sarayacu. The men all know how to fish and hunt and are responsible for all the heavy labor in the community. Decisions are made based on a community consensus. Meetings are held where representatives of different parts of the community gather and hand down their decisions. There are representatives for the women, the elders, the youth, the five villages and others. One president is elected every three years to represent the community and follow the will of the council. Shamanism, including the use of Ayahuasca, has an important role in treating the imbalances within society as they arise. There is a wealth of medicinal plants that are used to treat all of the traditional ailments, including snake and insect bites, stomach illnesses and plants that can be used to camouflage one’s smell and give energy for travel through the jungle. “Our ancestors have been here for thousands of years. There is a relationship between earth, man and time and we need to respect this,” explains Marlon Santi, president of Sarayacu. This is a community of peaceful people living in a harmonious way that imposes upon no one. Yet, it is a community that is willing to fight, to the end if necessary, to defend their home and way of life.

History
Beneath the feet of these people, below the territory of nature in its most pristine form, may lie that which has arguably been the cause of more destruction of man and nature in the last 100 years: oil. A consortium, led by Argentinean petrol company CGC, wants to find out if there is oil in the territory and has no qualms about removing whatever “obstacles” lie in their path of discovery and extraction. Sarayacu’s struggle with petrol interest goes back many years. In 1989 the community successfully repelled an attempt by the ARCO company to complete petrol exploration within their territory. According to the official Sarayacu website,www.sarayacu.com, “The conflict with CGC started in 1996 when CGC and the government of Ecuador signed a contract for petrol exploration in the “Block 23″, comprising 200,000 hectares, most of which is Sarayacu territory. Sarayacu was not consulted and opposed the petrol exploration all from the beginning. Because Sarayacu is the community that has the largest number of inhabitants and most of the territory within the block 23, CGC first approached Sarayacu, trying to deceive the people offering money and development works. They managed to bribe Telmo Gualinga, president of Sarayacu 1997 – 1999, giving him a personal contract for construction of a system of running water in his own neighborhood. The company was so sure that it would convince us that it publicly assured that they would not start any exploration work until they had 100% support from the communities within the block. Nevertheless, the people of Sarayacu did not accept the petrol activities, and the later presidents did not accept bribes. Therefore, from the year 2000 up until now, CGC has maintained a real war of calumnies against Sarayacu, in order to destroy the confidence between the community and its own elected leaders.” The present effort to conduct petrol exploration is being conducted by a consortium of companies including Burlington Resources (US), CGC (Argentina) and Perenco (UK/France). Sarayacu is among the most organized communities in the Amazon basin and was the first in the region to reject the advances of the petrol industry. According to Gerardo Gualinga, a guide and resident of Sarayacu, “the elders have a prophecy that say Sarayacu is like the marker of the mid-day. We are the front line for the remaining communities in the region. If we fall, it will not be long before the others follow. But if we can turn back the companies, this will greatly strengthen the other territories.” Sarayacu has received the attention of international bodies. In May, 2004 the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ordered precautionary measures to be applied in favor of Sarayacu. According to Amazon Watch (www.amazonwatch.com), these measures “…included as principle points that the physical integrity of Sarayacu’s community members and its leaders be respected, that an investigation of the incidents which occurred in January of 2003 should take place, and that special protection be given to the relationship that Sarayaku people have with their territory.” These measures were extended in December, 2003 since the measures were not complied with by the Ecuadorian government and the situation had worsened. In February, 2004, the government of Ecuador declared its support for the oil conglomerate, prompting Sarayacu’s leaders to declare a state of emergency, fearing the companies would be entering the territory by force with the backing of the Ecuadorian military.

Tactics
The methods used by the oil company and their supporters may lend insight into what would lie ahead for the community and region should they get their way. A campaign of intimidation, coercion and torture has been leveled against Sarayacu for the last several years. CGC has found an alliance in the Ecuadorian Government and its military that has set the stage for documented human rights violations. According to Marlon Santi, “the leaders (of Sarayacu) can never be tranquil. We are constantly receiving threats, and perhaps these threats are connected with the government.” Indeed, these threats have not always turned out to be hollow ones. In late February, 2004, Mr. Santi was preparing to travel to Washington, D.C., to present the case of Sarayacu before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. As he was in Quito preparing to make the journey, he was assaulted at gunpoint by an individual who claimed “You Sarayacu people will die like dogs.” Mr. Santi was pistol whipped and his travel documents as well as documents for the hearing were taken. Detention and the accosting of villagers happen illegally with an alarming frequency by the petrol company. There are two ways in and out of Sarayacu: by airplane and along the Bobonaza River, which has been the common route for inhabitants of the villages. CGC has established an illegal checkpoint on that river and often turns away villagers that have made the two day journey, preventing the community from raising its voice at national councils and in protests. In December, 2003 violence once again erupted as members of Sarayacu, including women and youths were assaulted at the checkpoint by drunken individuals with ties to CGC as they attempted to make their way to a March for Life and Peace in the city of Puyo. The actual situation was documented on video by one of the members of the community. The media in Ecuador and elsewhere has been used in a systematic campaign to discredit the community at every turn. The community has been labeled as “devils of the jungle”, as being irresponsible with the management of their own natural resources (the jungle itself), and even as “terrorists”, all assertions without any factual basis. This misinformation has been distributed to local, national and international media as well as directly to those who have expressed support for Sarayacu, organizationally or individually. Perhaps the most frightening unveiling of to what ends the petrol company, government and military are willing to go to lies in the recent military buildup surrounding Sarayacu and the discovery of a massive tract of explosives within Sarayacu territory. There are now several military bases on the perimeter of Sarayacu and military personal have been caught entering the territory while performing tactical maneuvers. We were told that recently, a large tract of explosives were discovered within the territory. Once a munitions expert was brought in, it was determined that there was enough TNT to level Ecuador’s capitol city of Quito. It was presumed these were brought in to clear tracts of land following a potential oil vein. This is just a small sampling of the devious tactics being used to undermine Sarayacu’s efforts of self preservation. With such a demonstration of disregard for either environmental concerns or human rights, what will become of the village should the petrol companies have their way?

Impact -The Effect on the peoples of Sarayacu and other Territories

The struggle to resist the destruction of their territory has taken its toll on the members of Sarayacu on different levels. “The women are intermediaries in the situation [with the oil companies],” explains Marcia Gualinga. “The situation comes first and the women are being strong by going out [of the village] with the men. The children and old people are not calm. We are being affected emotionally and morally. We are always worried, always maintaining contact with those that leave the community.” Felix Ramon Santi Santi explains, “Everything is here: school, university. We don’t have to pay for our way of life. The young people don’t even consider abandoning Sarayacu.” Felix explained the different ways that the situation is affecting young people: “Psychologically it is hard because we have to focus on going into the jungle to fight to defend our lands so we are being forced to leave our studies behind. Our morale is low because it is hard to leave our studies and fight in the jungle. Physically, we have become more susceptible to illness.” Marlon Santi spoke about how the situation is affecting the community on a spiritual level. “There is a relationship between earth, man and time and we need to respect this on a spiritual level. Cutting away the rainforest would gravely affect us as well as those inhabiting the forest spiritually. There are spirits in the rivers, the mountains; these are the places the shamans go. The explosives are scaring these spirits away. The destruction of our environment makes the cosmos run away from the beings.” Sarayacu is well aware of the impact petrol companies have had on the surrounding territories. On a more physical level, the entrance of the petrol companies into surrounding territories is creating other problems for Sarayacu. “They are coming into Sarayacu territory to hunt, because their territories have been contaminated and there is no longer enough wildlife for the other communities to hunt.” This is taxing the wildlife populations within Sarayacu and is placing a further burden upon inhabitants to keep their neighboring peoples from poaching.

Sarayacu Community is opposed to this activity taking place as it involves clear cutting, dynamiting and drilling in their pristine virgin rainforest home. During exploration and extraction, hundreds of hectares of pristine forest are deforested, decimated, and contaminated and consequently the indigenous people suffer grave impacts. “We have already seen this occur in the Northern provinces where oil extraction has already occurred,” states Mario Santi. The communities suffer serious socio-cultural and psychological impacts. The oil company activities and ensuing toxic contamination bring grave diseases such as high incidences of cancer, strange diseases and other health epidemics. The oil company also builds roads that open up the communities to further onslaught of mostly the negative aspects of western civilization and colonists who settle along the road further encroaching on indigenous lands. Following the oil company workers is the side businesses of alcohol, prostitution and consequent diseases. The way of life as the communities know it becomes destroyed. The overall destruction and impact is massive.

Once the oil well starts operating, both routine contamination as well as accidental occurs. Contamination occurs when the formation water (a by-product of the refining process rich in salts and toxic elements) is separated and the associated gas is flared. This affects mainly water sources, thus all aquatic life and the fish people depend on as an important food source. “If we eat sick fish and sick animals, then we will get sick,” explains Corina Montalvo, “and oil development would also affect the planting and gardens, where we grow food staples.” Trees will die, and the animals that live in that area will die and become scarce. During oil and exploratory perforation and extraction hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of toxic waste are thrown into the environment without any treatment and then the soil will not produce anything. In the northern provinces, where oil extraction has already occurred there are elements such as cadmium, nickel, lead, benzene and hydrocarbons present in toxic quantities. According to reports, some in quantities 40,000 times higher than what is allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. An elder woman in Sarayacu stated, “We live from the land, we grow yucca, plantain and if the oil companies destroy the land…then how will our children grow, what are we going to feed our children?”

Oil company representatives have promised the people that they will provide food such as rice and canned tuna, but several times we have already seen in the northern provinces that these are only temporary tactics to get to the oil. Once the oil companies get what they want, they soon forget the promises of food, funding schools and other such promises (signed or not signed) and leave the people of the communities to fend for themselves in an environment that can no longer support them.

How to Help

The following link has models of protest letters:
http://www.sarayacu.com/oil/#protest

You can help by writing protest letters to the following addresses. Your letters will have a greater impact if you print them and put them in a stamped envelope or fax them. Please CC a copy to: copia@sarayacu.com and if you receive a reply to your letter, please provide also send a copy to Sarayacu.

Sr. Lucio Gutierrez
Presidente de la Rep�blica
Palacio del Gobierno
Calle Garcia Moreno y Espejo
Quito – Ecuador
Fax: 593-2-2580-751
Fax: 593-2-2580-748
monica.iza@presidencia.gov.ec

Mr. Diego Garz�n Duarte, CEO
Compa�ia General de Combustibles (CGC)
Av 12 de Octubre, Torre 1492 N� 2697 y Lincoln
Oficinas 602 y 603
Quito – Ecuador
diego_garzon@cgc.com.ar

Mr. Bobby S. Shackouls
Corporate Headquarters
Burlington Resources Inc.
5051 Westheimer, Suite 1400
Houston, TX 77056
USA
jbartlett@br-inc.com

Mr. Miguel Caro
PERENCO
23-25 rue Dumont d’Urville
75116 Paris FRANCE
Tel : +33 (0)1 53 57 66 00
Fax : +33 (0)1 47 20 38 43
mcaro@fr.perenco.com

Sr. Norberto Morita, Gerente General
Southern Cross Capital Mngt.
Cerrito 1294 – 8�
(1010) Capital Federal
Argentina
Fax/Tel: 54 11 4816 5054
Or 54 11 4816 2469
horacio@southerncross.com.ar

You can also support and visit Sarayacu Community through its sustainable Community Eco-tourism Program. You can arrange visits by contacting SARAYACUINFO@YAHOO.COM

You can also send funds through Saq’ Be’. 100% of the funds will be passed on to the community. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Funds can be sent to: Saq’ Be’; PO Box 31111; Santa Fe, NM 87594 or visit www.sacredroad.org for other ways to donate. Please make a clear note that funds are for the community of Sarayacu.

Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies is a non profit organization based in New Mexico, US. Saq’ Be’ works to bring people, especially young adults, together with ancient traditions for the purpose of cultural and spiritual preservation and to open the doors of opportunity for those traditions to share their teachings with the rest of the world. Preservation programs include Radio broadcast capacity for the Native community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, support for the community os Sarayacu in Ecuador in their struggle against petrol interests, and support for filmed documentation efforts of elders and guides of the Mayan tradition. More information can be found at: http://sacredroad.org, or by email at: saqbe[at]sacredroad[dot]org.

The following are notes from a conversation with Mayan Ajq’ij Carlos Barrios on August 10, 2004 regarding the latest messages and warnings from the Mayan elders in preparation for an interview on earthchangestv.com.
The elders are saying that we need to work hard, that there is not much time left. They expressed that they are angry, because although they have delivered their messages and warnings, they are not being heeded and people are not taking them seriously. They say that we need to create consciousness and to teach this to other people. Of primary concern and emphasis is the environment. Humanity has the ability to take responsibility and to limit the contamination of the environment. They say that we can do things like write letters to our representatives, take action, whatever we can to stop this contamination. They gave warnings of floods, another heat wave in Europe, and bad things fro agriculture, especially in Africa. There will also be many other disasters. They warn that the Scandinavian countries can become frozen over, a process that will not happen over night but can take 5-7 years. They say that people working for the negativity are killing spiritual leaders. This happened to Don Antonio Esquinas in Santiago Attitlan, Guatemala as well as to elders in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia. They are calling for unity of spiritual people and would like to see a gathering of spiritual leaders in the four corners region of the United States. We must pay attention to the prophecy of the serpent, whereby the energies must move to the south Andes. They are presently blocked in the four corners region. People need to develop their internal powers, now is the time. 2006 is a time where the energies for war and destruction are very strong, but we can stop this. The transit of Venus began the energies for a period ot destruction and confrontation. Orion is affecting the planet causing even greater destabilization. Since June 8th, the dark side has begun to show its face completely and we have begun to see more of the darkness. We will also be facing economic problems as oil is destabilizing countries. The elders are calling for a return to alternative, more natural ways of producing energy. We should continue to light candles at sunset, focusing on creating balance. We can use red, white and green candles for the environment. The elders have given all their prophecies, now the people need to take action.

We were also told that Carlos’ books would be available soon in English. One is on Mayan prophecy and the other on Mayan astrology.

Carlos Barrios is a Mayan Ajq’ij, who originates from and resides in Guatemala. Carlos has been given the mission by his elders to begin sharing the prophecies and teachings of the Mayan peoples with the rest of the world. Carlos travels internationally to share these teachings and to generate awareness and support for the rescue and preservation of the ancient Mayan tradition in his homeland. Carlos is also the author of “Kam Wuj: El Libro del Destino”, and out of print book on the astrology and prophecies of the Mayan peoples.

Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies is a non profit organization based in New Mexico, US. Saq’ Be’ works to bring people, especially young adults, together with ancient traditions for the purpose of cultural and spiritual preservation and to open the doors of opportunity for those traditions to share their teachings with the rest of the world. Preservation programs include Radio broadcast capacity for the Native community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala and support for filmed documentation efforts of elders and guides of the Mayan tradition. Meetings programs include trips to Native communities in Guatemala and arranging for travel and teachings for the keepers of this ancient wisdom to the US and abroad. More information can be found at: http://sacredroad.org, or by email at: saqbe[at]sacredroad[dot]org.

For the Mayan world the planet Venus has been one of the most predominant Celestial phenomena as well as one which entire centuries of observation have been dedicated to. It can almost be said that the ancestral Mayan Wise men had an obsession with Venus. The earliest written accounts on this subject are found in the first pages of the sacred book of the Maya-Quiche nation, the POPOL WUJ, it describes how Wukub Kaquix (one of the original names for Venus) tried to take over the place of the Father Sun. This happened in a previous humanity, and relates cataclysms and destruction caused by Wukub Kaquix as by his sons Cabracan and Zipacna. This destruction included the predominant incarnation of humanity of that time, the “Men of Wood”.

In the same way the oral tradition of the Elders describes to us: “millions of years ago Venus suffered the crash of another celestial body that provoked the destruction of the latter (perhaps an asteroid?), at the same time taking Venus out of its orbit. This provoked a series of cataclysms and readjustments in the planetary system, on the way to its current orbit and due to its proximity to the terrestrial orbit. It changed the rectitude of the Mother Earth (the terrestrial axis?). It also tried to take over the Sun’s position, since it seemed bigger than any other celestial body in the skies and it outshone the Sun and the Moon. Furthermore they where no longer visible, and its pride and vanity grew to a point that it demanded the humanity of that time to worship it and pay tribute to its children, who could raise the mountains in one night (Zipacna) and destroy them on the next day (Cabracan) . This is how this humanity, that of the Men of Wood, lived mistakenly in their end, until the Great HUN AB KU intervened and set it on its place. This way the Great Father Sun got its power back and the Moon appeared at night. Now when Venus is seen it is only announcing that the Father Sun is coming and its power had been reduced to being the first star to be seen at night”. In few words, this is the story of Venus told in the year 1987 by Don Pascual , who was one of the highest Wise men of the Eagle Clan of the MAM nation, the most ancient next to Qanjobal in the great Mayan civilization.

Aside from predictions based on the Sacred calendar (TZOLKIN or CHOLKIJ), the MAYAN CODEX ,the KUMATZIN WUJ JUN (better known as the Dresden codex) contains descriptions of the rituals for some of the Mayan Deities, as well as calculations for a few thousand years for Solar and Lunar eclipses. The codex especially contains the charts for the calculations of the cycles of Venus, its transit over its apparent path over the face of the Father Sun. This codex is proof of the amazing astronomical knowledge, mathematics as well as Mayan writing.

The fascination of scientists and mystics has been limited, because few of them know the real meaning of the context of this extraordinary document. Regarding the sinodic phases, cycles and transit of Venus, they only confirm the close attention (almost obsessive) that the Mayan world has had over this planet.The apparent Path of Venus over the face of the Father Sun (an ecliptic transit in relation to the Sun) has announced drastic changes in the Earth, from cataclysms, wars, destruction (lack of food, plagues, etc.) to historical changes regarding the evolutionary development of both human beings and the Mother Earth (a destiny that is connected although not intertwined).

Now that we are at the gates of a New Path of Venus over the Face of the Sun on June 7-8 2004, the least we can do is expect a new change in the outcome of humanity. Death is knocking at our doors. The drums of war can be heard. Intransigence, the destruction of our Mother Earth, pollution, new diseases, the resurging of old plagues, global warming, the fear of world conflict, intolerance and fundamentalism in any of its manifestations, negligence, apathy, the confusion or worst still the extreme estrangement of drug abuse. All of this is a reaction to the fear caused by the thought that the world as we know it can be destroyed, and to the poor answers that materialism gives, having reached its limit and offering no other direction, because it is based in distractions, in momentary satisfactions. While reason and logic tell us that we have to stop all this madness, we are living in the age of prophecies, and the responsibility of balancing things is ours. There is no more time to play; it is know time to act.

Venus is for the Mayan world the messenger; it brings its share of events that do not happen from one day to the other, those that are irreversible. It is the announcement of change. The movements that are being organized for this date (ceremonies, meditation, fasting, etc.) are important and are aimed towards a new path for as we know them. We can minimize Pluto’s energy and especially Orion’s energy, both of which provoke violence and destruction, because they move the rest of the planets towards chaos.
The Mayan Cross for this day tells us that this day’s energy is preceded by the hidden magic of the Aj Itz (Black Magicians) to create chaos. The heart manifests power over the mind, and a powerful and psychic energy which carries violence. Destiny shows that great authorities reveal themselves and uncover their sins, and a new authority will come that will change the path of things. However, this can be painful (unless we are prepared and willing). In the material hemisphere, forgiveness and sin surge in their highest expression. A balance in the spiritual hemisphere starts to surge from duality (this is if we are prepared and willing). Conditions to plant a new destiny are created. The Great Ajaw, the Father Sun, goes hunting. This means that in the hope of making a balance between the forces of the positive and the negative, we can count upon that magnificent assistance.

There are payments, but the net is willing to contain the destruction of the manifestation of the material reality. The regent carrier is the one of wisdom. The other part carries an energy with a great deal of strength (violent).

The pyramid of forgiveness and sin that rules the material world; that has ruled for all these years, has the law in its heart, authority of the beginning (hope), its crest (head) has the energy of the number seven (this number gives access the knowledge of magic within the material) and its bases give us the winal the twenty that is the number of purity and at the same time it manifests the human being.

The great guardian brings the energy of a new beginning, the beginning of a new era (it will begin after the change of attitude and the action of the beings of light). Here we can make a relation with the beginning of FIVE AJAW, the FIFTH SUN. This is the cycle of a new humanity: of peace, harmony, balance, knowledge and the kingdom of wisdom, the return to the Original Law, to the basic, to the harmony with Mother Earth, the encounter with ourselves. This cycle begins on December 21 of 2012.

Carlos Barrios is a Mayan Ajq’ij, who originates from and resides in Guatemala. Carlos has been given the mission by his elders to begin sharing the prophecies and teachings of the Mayan peoples with the rest of the world. Carlos travels internationally to share these teachings and to generate awareness and support for the rescue and preservation of the ancient Mayan tradition in his homeland. Carlos is also the author of “Kam Wuj: El Libro del Destino”, and out of print book on the astrology and prophecies of the Mayan peoples.

Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies is a non profit organization based in New Mexico, US. Saq’ Be’ works to bring people, especially young adults, together with ancient traditions for the purpose of cultural and spiritual preservation and to open the doors of opportunity for those traditions to share their teachings with the rest of the world. Preservation programs include Radio broadcast capacity for the Native community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala and support for filmed documentation efforts of elders and guides of the Mayan tradition. Meetings programs include trips to Native communities in Guatemala and arranging for travel and teachings for the keepers of this ancient wisdom to the US and abroad. More information can be found at: http://sacredroad.org, or by email at: saqbe[at]sacredroad[dot]org.

Below are the notes from a recent discussion with Mayan Ajq’ij Carlos Barrios in Guatemala in preparation for an interview on earthchangestv.com. The projections were made by Carlos, Carlos Alvorado and Mayan elder Don Julian Aq’ab’al. Further and more detailed projections expanding upon those below will be released in the near future. The projections are broken down by category of effect: Economy, Environment, War, Transit of Venus – June 6th, and Yellowstone

Economy –

We’re going to begin to witness the start of a retraction in the economy. It won’t be drastic, rather a gradual process that will begin in May. It will change slowly, but in a negative manner. The time around November/ December will perhaps be more dangerous. Europe, however, will begin to see some realizations towards economic and social development in a more balanced way, one that expresses greater equality. We may also see a lot of manifestations – social protests during this time.

Environment –
All nations need to put their attention towards the environment. There will be a change in the oceanic currents, in the form that the cold currents will move south. This will affect the weather. It can get very cold, and this will affect agriculture in the United States. This will happen at some point in the next 2 or 3 years, but it can happen at any moment during this time. We need to take an active role in preventing this. We need to work to curtail the pollution and put special attention towards the Amazon. There are energy groups that can destroy up to 30% of the forest in the next year or two, and this will have a great effect on the climate. We need to reach those in the extractive industries – timber companies, oil, etc so that they can elevate their consciousness and become aware of what they are doing. We must also do this for the chemical companies.

War – 
We must encourage the world leaders to promote a dialogue of peace rather than confrontation with other countries. Israel and Palestine need to develop an energy of peace, as well as a conversation with developing nations must begin.

Transit of Venus – June 6th
This is a significant event. It will affect us more on the psychological and emotional levels than physical. We are in a special moment for humanity. Pluto is the force that makes confrontations and this is in complete opposition with Venus. This can create emotional problems for humanity and the problems in the Amazon may be amplified because of this. We need to send our energy, prayers and support to the Amazon. We are pretending on the surface that there is nothing that is going to happen, but in the deeper parts of ourselves we know that there are changes. If we don’t create unity we are in trouble. This is why we are working towards a gathering of spiritual leaders for this purpose, to come together to demonstrate the unity that we share at this time. We need this gathering so these leaders can take the torch of the light to create balance. This may take place in New Mexico, maybe Sweeden (note: this is a project Saq’ Be’ will be working to help coordinate).

Yellowstone – 
This needs to serve as a warning for humanity. Of course there are movements and there is a good chance of explosions. This is the way that mother earth is saying we need to work harder to take care of her. This is the beginning of a warning and similar manifestations could well follow shortly after in other places. May 8th is an important date, as there are special ceremonies happening in the US around the Yellowstone region. This was called for by a Shoshone elder from the Yellowstone area. The Mayan elders are calling for prayers and ceremonies around the world to support this effort and to hopefully stop the destruction that is possible from Yellowstone. Meditation and prayer is the least we can do on that day, and we should focus on being in harmony around the world. In particular, people can light green candles to support this effort. There will be ceremonies in Guatemala at this time.

Carlos Barrios is a Mayan Ajq’ij, who originates from and resides in Guatemala. Carlos has been given the mission by his elders to begin sharing the prophecies and teachings of the Mayan peoples with the rest of the world. Carlos travels internationally to share these teachings and to generate awareness and support for the rescue and preservation of the ancient Mayan tradition in his homeland. Carlos is also the author of “Kam Wuj: El Libro del Destino”, and out of print book on the astrology and prophecies of the Mayan peoples.

Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies is a non profit organization based in New Mexico, US. Saq’ Be’ works to bring people, especially young adults, together with ancient traditions for the purpose of cultural and spiritual preservation and to open the doors of opportunity for those traditions to share their teachings with the rest of the world. Preservation programs include Radio broadcast capacity for the Native community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala and support for filmed documentation efforts of elders and guides of the Mayan tradition. Meetings programs include trips to Native communities in Guatemala and arranging for travel and teachings for the keepers of this ancient wisdom to the US and abroad. More information can be found at: http://sacredroad.org, or by email at: saqbe[at]sacredroad[dot]org.

It is not our possessions, nor our actions that determine who we are. It is our decisions that make us. And if in this reality, with the divine power of life we have been given which is not defined, the destiny of our life is marked by its transience.

Throughout thousands of years, the traditional Mayan world has preserved the ancestral knowledge. This legend has been transmitted throughout different clans or groups that follow the highest Mayan spirituality – which is where the purity of the ancient wisdom has been maintained. Today we are living in prophetic times. Various prophecies of the Maya as well as other traditions point to these times. This transcendental time is where the changes are manifesting. Humanity needs to see these changes with respect to themselves and towards the whole of the sacred mother earth. We are at the doors of change for the structures of the system that we know both economically and socially, which need to be transformed towards something that is more just and balanced. The Mayan prophecies are a mixture of scientific/technological knowledge based on the sacred Tzolkin calendar and the visionary powers of the Chilanes Balanes (shamans/prophets). To date, all of the prophecies they made have been realized with a high degree of precision. The prophecies are the foundation of the Mayan world, which is based on the sacred calendar. In the Mayan world, this reality exists in the Najt (space-time), and is an infinite spiral in which cycles and events are repeated with a certain correlation to a previous/future time, corresponding to similar events. This is why each person has a sign inside of the cycles of the Winales (period of twenty days). This will mark their destiny regarding events that occur during different periods of their lives. Every human brings a certain energy and purpose to their life.

When a wise one speaks, it is not to convince the incredulous. They do it to guide and awaken the consciousness of those that follow the path towards consciousness. Their words are not only for intellectual debate or for the nourishment of the spirit. In actuality, the spirituality of these prophetic times are not limited to contemplation and meditation. Today spirituality is synonymous with action; and action is every act of your life, in harmony with Mother Nature, and most importantly the harmony within ourselves, and in relation to the way in which we live.
Don Pascual
Wise elder of the Mam Maya

This message begins from being with the elders and Aj’qij’ab (Mayan priests) of the Quiche Maya people on the Cerro Turkaj of Chichicastenango in the highlands of Guatemala on April 9th, 2002, at the start of the celebration for the beginning of the cycle of the sacred Tzolkin, known as the sacred Mayan calendar of 260 days. We received a phone call from a spiritual brother, Dr. Marco Cagastume G., that transmitted the words of the eldest wise one from the town of the Mam, member of the council of the grand confederation of Ajq’ij’ab, wise-ones, elders and Mayan principals. His call was of simple but very strong words. There was a tone of desperation, incredulousness; his strength and desire was to shake us from unconsciousness. He told us, “Enough is enough! Don’t you realize the damage that you are doing to your home? When did you loose your sense of reason? When did you loose the respect for our mother earth?” He would ask, “Why haven’t we taken action towards the implacable destruction we make every day, all the contamination? How is it that you can sleep at night, having this knowledge? Is it that perhaps we don’t feel a responsibility for what is happening? The reality is we do have a responsibility, a very big one. By our permitting a few others who have suspect economic interest to do what they want without our putting a stop to this action, we become equally responsible. Is it not enough to see how the climate has changed? How the earth is contaminated, as well as the air? How the rivers are poisoned, and without mentioning, the oceans as well? Where are our green Mountains? Where did the spiritual guardians run off to? Where will the jaguars, the birds and the flowers inhabit? And the rest of the brothers and sisters that gives joy and balance to life? Why have we let mother earth dry up? And then we become frightened of the floods, the plagues and the earthquakes? All of this, WHY? You know the answer. It seems we only live for the moment. We only live to obtain the material illusions, the uncontrollable consumerism of things that don’t serve us. Things that pacify us, distract us and make us feel as though we are somebody. What to say of the spiritual guides? This call is primarily for them, and for all the beings that are working for the light. Let’s take awareness – it is time to assume the role that they are responsible for. It can all be put into one simple word: UNITY! Let it bring us harmony and a return of consciousness. Harmony with mother earth, respect for each other, respect to our brothers and sisters the animals, towards the plants and most of all, toward ourselves. Ask your grandmother, your grandfather, the elders ? they have the peace and the wisdom, the awareness. Listen to the wind. Hug the ancient trees and ask them. Listen to the river or simply quiet your mind. You will see that the answer, the truth is within yourself, in the depth of your soul ? then you will know that you are a warrior of the light, of the peace, of love and of harmony. And then raise your voice ? without violence, but with strength. All of us united will reconstruct the wonder of life. Please, let’s return to be human beings!”

Today, one year after this phone call, after the prophetic warning, (about the war in Iraq and what this encompasses with this charge of violence and death. In spite of these unfortunate events, there was good fortune that the war began in March rather than April, because there could have been more tragic consequences. Before the start of the war, the visionaries and the prophets had begun to talk) we have received the messenger from Xibalbay, known as the underworld. This has nothing to do with the inferno of other traditions. It is a subterranean world where humanity lived for a long time, after a cataclysm that made it impossible to live upon the surface of the world. There are still some powerful magicians/beings of Xibalbay that live in the depth of this world and they have sent this messenger.

Cablicot is the name of this messenger. Its origin is as ancient as the night of time and has as its companion Camalzotz. Cablicot is the owl with two heads and Camalzotz is the bat with two heads. Today, Cablicot has come and its words are a warning; it is of the prophetic memory for these times during which various prophecies converge, be they from Mayan or other traditions. Because of its own dualistic nature, its words came with the war, like a preamble. This is a special messenger that looks towards the darkness. Its head turns three hundred-sixty degrees. Each of its faces looks with indifference towards the two polarities. Its words bring a call without charge, almost like a recording. Its own essence of polarity is the message.

The Mayan prophecies speak to us of the changes towards the fifth Ajaw (fifth sun), on the famous date of December 21, 2012. This date begins the period of 5,200 years. This is a cycle of wisdom, harmony, peace, love, of consciousness and the return of the natural order. It is not the end of the world as many from outside of the Mayan tradition have misinterpreted it to be. The first cycle (Ajaw/sun) was a feminine energy and its element was fire. The second cycle (Ajaw/sun) was of masculine energy, and its element was earth. The third cycle (Ajaw/sun) was a feminine energy and its element was air. The fourth cycle (Ajaw/sun) is a masculine energy and its element is water. The fifth cycle (Ajaw/sun) will be a fusion of both feminine and masculine energies. It will be a transition where there won’t be any more confrontations between the polarities. It will bring balance and there won’t be hierarchy of one over the other. Both energies will support each other. It is why this period is called one of harmony, the kingdom of love and the return of consciousness. Its element will be the ether. This fifth Ajaw/sun comes with the power of transmutation. To reach this state of supreme harmony, it will be necessary to create the balance of the forces of the light and the dark. This is where the importance of the call of the Mam elder comes into place ? the quest for the unity, the return of the natural order. This call is urgent in the face of the prophetic times in which we are living ? principally for the spiritual guides and conscious people. At this time, we need to unite and create a belt of light that will contrast with the negativity.

Those working with the negativity are clear in their purpose. They are the owners and lovers of the material world. They govern with their power and with the illusions that they create. They have most of humanity half asleep. A human being has become an object for the purpose of production, to generate certain output during their lives. Today, s/he is a number, and object which creates necessities and useless gratifications that fills the void of their unconsciousness. Those working with the negativity are clear in their roles ? they don’t discuss hierarchy, they know who the boss is in the different levels of power and they do their job with precision. The contrary exists in the side of the light. Here there is no idea of hierarchies ? every person goes off on their own, each one with their own ego. They believe they are the owners of the truth, the wisdom and in their egoism scream to the four winds that they are the path of salvation. Many don’t have a sense of what is happening. They have sold the knowledge that has been given to them. One of the gravest situations is that many cults and “new age” movements have emerged. Let it be clear that we are not against their work, but we are suggesting they return to the origin where their techniques came from. Many of them were taken from ancestral traditions ? but only in bits and pieces, not in their entirety. Although it may work for specific aspects, the most essential elements have been left aside – the integral and harmonious development. We know that they are necessary steps for development and are a bridge or a path towards the essence of the great traditions, but it is important to recognize the origin of their techniques and to guide the persons towards the depth of the highest spirituality. The call is for unity, to leave aside all differences, to find respect and tolerance, to create the balance. It is true that when a white magician is born, a dark magician is born as well. The ones that are being born now are not wasting any time and they are clear on their mission.

They prefer to destroy the planet (something which we can not deny nor close our eyes to) before the moment of the fusion arrives, rather than relinquish their position of power as owners of the material world. “We are living in dangerous times, my son” my teacher don Pascual would tell me. “If there is no clarity, if there is no unity, if we do not return to the natural order, if we do not reach harmony amongst ourselves we are condemned as a species to disappear as a result of our own madness.”

This is the call to spread, the cry of hope, of returning to the brothers and sisters to create balance based on consciousness, love, the surrender and above all the clarity that we don’t have time to play around anymore. This is the time of action! When we talk about not having any more time left, I am referring to the prophetic projections of the ancestral science of the Mayan world, and of our own intuitions in conjunction with our work with the visionaries, the diviners. This has given us the message of Cablicot. This makes us see a close future of great danger. This is a cycle that starts in mid August and lasts until mid-December of this year (2003). This period is of instability, destruction and confrontation and natural catastrophes can emerge: droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes ? like we have never before seen ? bringing the consequences of death’s appetite. The most difficult confrontations are with intolerance as well as the economic interests. The most delicate confrontation is of the religious fundamentalists, guided by the negative forces that can provoke great conflicts. This is a tendency, an energy that is gestating, which does not mean that we can not change or minimize it on the level on which we are affected. At this moment, the elders and the shamans of the Mayan world are making fire ceremonies daily, without end, in a manner similar to the Native Americans who are working hard with their own ceremonies. This is true of our brothers the Hopi, the Huichol elders, the powerful Taitas throughout the Amazon, the great wise ones of the eternal snows of the Andes, the Ayamaras, our brothers in the Sierra Nevada, the great Tibetan wise ones and all others that don’t have a visible form. Each one with their own tradition and mystical knowledge and sciences, are working to create this balance that has been denominated “El K’uxaaj Saq’ Be'” – the path of the positive energy / the white path of the good heart. This is where the two poles intersect over the west coast of the American continent, touching the continent’s energetic centers simultaneously reactivating the positive flow of energy.

The call is so that we may all work together ? the elders, the shamans, the wise ones and all of the people that have the awareness in order to change the negative force. It is about reaching all of the people with an urgency, to counteract the events that are juxtaposed to this period of August to December. The elders are making a call for the balance that needs to exist, with the intention of calling all leaders as well as all of the people that have the desire to achieve the balance.

As an immediate action, it is important to meditate at sunset (if this is not possible i.e. work, then as close as possible), placing the focus on harmony, reconnecting with Mother Earth, asking for forgiveness for the damage we have done to her, for our own personal responsibility and for other peoples and institutions that are repeatedly destroying her. Then we can place the intention on sending a message to the negativity to let it know that we are active, that there is an awakening, that there is unity and that we will no longer permit the destruction of mother earth or of humanity and that we are conscious of the importance of this moment and to project to the transition of the date of Dec. 21 2012. For this, it is suggested that you light two candles ? one white, that represent peace, harmony, the positive thought – one red that represents the force, the light, the energy of a new dawn and the action. The reason for doing this at sunset is because this is the time of transition from day into night and it is the moment to create the balance and to send positive energy. As inheritors of an ancient civilization, the Mayan elders make us reflect upon the need and the urgency for creating this path of positive energy. The events of the cycle between August and Dec of this year can be extreme expecting plagues, natural phenomena, (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, drought and floods, overheating and the melting of the glaciers), if we don’t create that strength of peace , harmony and balance with mother earth and between human beings. There is also a possibility of creating a major warlike conflict. Theses cycles have occurred in the past with other humans (civilizations) and also at the end of cycles of the Ajaw, cycles of 5,200 years. We are now at the end of the fourth cycle Ajaw that will end Dec 20, 2012, and the fifth Ajaw enters Dec 21, 2012, a date that is known to be catastrophic by people outside of the Mayan tradition- which in reality marks the beginning of changes in the way we see and live life, focusing more on harmony, the key word for existence in this reality.

FROM DECEMBER 4- TO DECEMBER 7 OF 2003

Inside the charge of these cycles of changes, there are vortexes that open up a space. After the red planet distances its charge, there is a subtle convergence between the cosmic and telluric forces, a time that lasts four days. This openness gives us the opportunity to create the force and balance. It is a sublime space that will allow us access to Jun’ab’ku, heart of the heavens. This is a good time to ask for the internal strength, strength for the community, for the consciousness and to synthesize balance. This is the moment when the strength of all those beings of light, are needed. If possible, it is asked to fast, perhaps on fruit, to remain abstinent for at least four days prior and to do ceremonies at sunrise and sunset. It is important to work from sunup to sunset on both the 4th and the 7th, because this is the opening and the closing. The point of focus is to create the longing desire to awaken the south. Beginning from the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, to the Amazons, to the mountain range of the eternal snows of the Andes and carry that energy to the most ancient mountains on this part of the world in Cordova, Argentina. The transcendence of this moment is of much importance for our beloved mother, PACHAMAMA. It is also the survival of this “fourth humanity”.

The day of the 4th brings to us the energy of the Nawal Tzikin, the great intermediary between the heaven and the earth. It is the messenger and the eagle-quetzal-condor that will create the unity between the north and the south. This will permit us willingly if we joined our forces together throughout the continent and around the world to awaken the Saq’ Be’, the white path. On this day we focus on the divine messenger that carries our prayers, our feelings and the drumming of our hearts. Let it be that on this day there is only one heartbeat, one sound of drumming calling to the four corners of the universe and at last finding Great Spirit. In the north it is the Eagle, in the center it is the Quetzal and in the south it is the Condor, (the ancestral messengers between the human and the divine). So, lets have just one heartbeat, one fire, a simple ceremony but very majestic. Let’s travel to the sacred places and reclaim the harmony.

The day of the 5th brings to us the energy of the Nawal Ajmaq, the keeper of the sin and forgiveness. This is a day to reflect upon our lives, to be in silence and to go within, to look at the damage we may have caused consciously or unconsciously, to forgive and be forgiven, to forgive ourselves, but most of all to ask forgiveness for the damage we have caused mother earth. We also need to ask for forgiveness for those that destroy without conscience but only for the madness or for riches. This is an internal ceremony we do. The elders will be having their fires and ceremonies, but our connection (be it through ceremony or meditation) will be channeled towards the south to awaken the force and the return of the wisdom of the condor. This is the moment of the return of the kingdom of TIHUANTISUYO, the giant panther. As of now it is called the kingdom of INCARI. As a day of duality, the energy gives way to balance between the polarities, so this is what we need to focus on.

The day of the 6th, brings us the energy of the Nawal No’j. This is the keeper of the wisdom, the harmony, the balance and the understanding, the power of the mind and of the imagination. This is a day to use the energy of the mind to create the power of balance. On this day we need to practice internal peace as well as peace with the community. The polarization based on religious fundamentalism is reaching its unsustainable limits and it depends on beings that are committed to the essence of the real spirituality and the survival of the human race and of mother earth, to help stop this energy. Let’s not forget that this thing we call reality is mental, the “great illusion”, and the one that commands this force is the Nawal No’j. It is recommended to light white candles, to create chains of meditation and raise our words to the heart of the heavens and to the Great Spirit. We need to purify internally and check our own existence so we can do away with that which no longer serves us; to be free of antagonizing forces so we can then create the force that needs to govern now, which is harmony.

The day of the 7th brings us the energy of the Nawal Tijaax. This day is the culmination of this cycle that opens with the intermediary between the earth and the sky, followed by the forgiveness and the sin, then followed by the purification of the mind (creator of all illusions). Tijaax is the double bladed knife. It is the energy that opens up dimensions and the vortex on this day, creating a space extremely subtle and only perceptive to sensitive spirits. To us humans it gives us the opportunity to cut the negativity, to let go of that which holds us back to the vain illusions, to open up our hearts, to awaken and be able to create the balance between the polarities. We need to ask for all the spiritual guides, so they can leave behind their personal importance, so they may know how to guide us without competition and to be united and so they may not forget they are not the keepers of the truth. Each and every one of us brings a force and internal power and that all the truths are part of one manifestation of reality and this is how we’ll be able to face the changes we are about to encounter. This will allow us to reach the date of Dec. 21, 2012, with much harmony. This is the purpose of Tzacol, the planet being alive, to then be able to transcend to the 5th Ajaw.

THE YEAR 2007

As of February or maybe sooner, according to the sacred books, the sacred Tzi’te and the projections of the wise visionaries, this seems to be an extremely delicate year. Again this has to do with us reaching peace and harmony. As of now the economies can start to deteriorate, we can see that it is based on an illusion. We have seen the real value of things have disappeared many years ago. Today the economic value, money as we know it, is an electronic fantasy and if the socio-economic systems doesn’t return to being human and to the real value, the actual system is condemned to extinction. This is the unconsciousness, the senseless race in the world that continues without stopping, without going anywhere. It is escapism to live an experience in such an accelerated manner. The fear of destruction and the instant gratifications we experience on a daily basis either help us to carry out our existence or to live alienated.

This year will be hard and bring us natural disasters, warlike confrontations and disaster in the world economy. Like with all prophecies and visions of the future, there is the ability to minimize things and in some cases even change them. Although this year is of much concern, we must focus on the present which is where we will define the balance. The period of now to the end of 2007 is of much importance to maintain the balance. We will be living in a very dangerous time that this humanity has not lived before. It is within each and every one of us to reach balance and change. The focus must be on the energy that got stuck in Panama, which, because of the canal, didn’t allow the energy to reach south. This is where the work will be the most revealing, which doesn’t consist only of these four days. It is urgent to activate the base of the spinal cord of the continent of the mountain range of the Andes and the ancient mountains of Cordova. To bring on the change and as the wise Mam elder said: “PLEASE LET’S RETURN TO BEING HUMANS!”

Carlos Barrios is a Mayan Ajq’ij, who originates from and resides in Guatemala. Carlos has been given the mission by his elders to begin sharing the prophecies and teachings of the Mayan peoples with the rest of the world. Carlos travels internationally to share these teachings and to generate awareness and support for the rescue and preservation of the ancient Mayan tradition in his homeland. Carlos is also the author of “Kam Wuj: El Libro del Destino”, and out of print book on the astrology and prophecies of the Mayan peoples. Carlos is presently working on a revised edition which is to be translated to English.

Saq’ Be’: Organization for Mayan and Indigenous Spiritual Studies is a non profit organization based in New Mexico, US. Saq’ Be’ works to bring people, especially young adults, together with ancient traditions for the purpose of cultural and spiritual preservation and to open the doors of opportunity for those traditions to share their teachings with the rest of the world. Preservation programs include Radio broadcast capacity for the Native community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala and support for filmed documentation efforts of elders and guides of the Mayan tradition. Meetings programs include trips to Native communities in Guatemala (next trip is for the Mayan New Year, June, 2004) and arranging for travel and teachings for the keepers of this ancient wisdom to the US and abroad. More information can be found at: http://sacredroad.org, or by email at: saqbe[at]sacredroad[dot]org.

Birds are dropping from the hot tarnished sky onto the congested streets of Mexico City. Treetop nests empty of baby birds plunging to their deaths as chainsaws and bulldozers terrorize the Amazon Rainforest trailblazing an insatiable path to feed the hunger for oil and fast food beef. When the World Trade Center was hit, thousands of birds fell to the ground, their wings burned off and their bodies still on fire joining the other trapped spirits in debris that extended for blocks.

Indigenous peoples throughout the world recognize birds as our spiritual messengers and as our relatives through clanships and stories. Occupying the world that links the Earth and sky, birds tell us what our lives have become and of our destiny. Just as the miner’s canary indicates the shift from fresh air to poisoned gas, so does the array of signs we have witnessed over the decades from the birds, other living things, as well as from ourselves. 9-11 was a human event with repercussions for the rest of the world. The messengers are dying. As an indicator species, the birds warn us that all of life is threatened by the terror perpetuated on the Natural World by unrestrained human voracity.

The events of 9-11 occurred during a time of World Renewal among the tribal communities of northwestern California, my husband’s people, who belong to a land rich in ancient redwood forests and cool, salmon filled rivers. Each year, with woodpecker red headrolls, the echo of songs, and the vibration of continued focused thought and movement, the world is realigned and made new again. Here they say that your behavior – – thoughts, actions and character – – during this time of ceremony, when the world is being fixed and re-made, determines how life will be for the coming year. Rash decisions and violence should not occur. Relationships are reaffirmed, not broken. Not abiding by these principles may not impact you personally, but may visit those you love. Spiritual justice. Probably because of this timing, my impression of “ground zero” where the World Trade Center was hit and the resulting actions is set within this metaphysical backdrop. So that I imagine the devastation of “ground zero” is something like standing in the middle of a clearcut where 1000-year-old families of trees used to live and support a vibrant ecosystem. Now it is a place consumed by violence. The bodies of the dead are unrecoverable, crushed under the debris.

As a pueblo Indian whose people are of the desert southwest, it is even easier to imagine “ground zero” as an open pit mine similar to the one run by Peabody at Black Mesa in Arizona, with massive gaping holes leaking out the Earth’s energy and from where pristine water is used to slurry coal hundreds of miles away, further draining a fragile area of a precious life resource. Perhaps it is more a reminder of the uranium mines that left sores, and cancer all over Acoma and Laguna pueblos and surrounding communities. Maybe that bleeding hole in the Earth is more like what the coal strip mine slated by the Phoenix-based Salt River Project for our sacred Zuni Salt Lake would look like if allowed to go forward. Salt Lake, where our Salt Mother dwells, is a cherished site rich in stories and a rainbow of memories for Zuni people and for so many other desert tribes reliant on the gifts of that sacred place for physical and cultural viability, but some others hunger for the coal underneath.

Indigenous peoples of the Americas live on intimate terms with the shadow of terrorism.
It has fed on us with a ravenous appetite for our peoples and lands for centuries. It is a shapeshifter, taking the form of the Scorched Earth policy that rips apart Maya communities and that war which has lain to waste over 60 million of the buffalo people on the Great Plains during Westward Expansion, and 3000 more bison since 1995. There was that same hunger for blood in Montana where the Gros Ventre sacred Little Rocky Mountain was scraped red, down to the Earth by Pegasus Goldmine’s cyanide heap leach method, leaving only a pile of rubble where a mountain once stood. And, we know of this violence in the forced sterilization that thousands of Native women have survived. We recognize signs of terrorism in the mutilated bodies at Sand Creek and Indian Island, and on the blood-soaked snow at Wounded Knee. The vampire was there in the boarding schools where Indian children as young as four were raped and tortured, laced inside by barbed wire and fear, their mouths bleeding from being scrubbed with wire brushes when they spoke their tribal languages, and those who fled for home, their dark eyes vacant.

Terrorism is nothing new and it did not begin at the World Trade Center on 9-11. Through the lens of time and in the collective consciousness of peoples on every continent are the memories of the disappeared, the displaced and the dismembered. Terrorism has long been perpetuated in the name of God, Gross National Product, and globalization and such destruction continues unrelenting against the Natural World and each other every day. In the essence of our being Pueblo people can easily remember Onate, Coronado and De Guzman. Salmon from the Columbia River near the Hanford Nuclear Facility are covered in tumors and glow in the dark. The School of the Americas trains killers in Georgia. The Vatican put a telescope on Mt. Graham, a sacred site. An Afro-American man is dragged to his death in Jasper, Texas.

Considering this urgent social and environmental crisis, flags should be hanging half-mast and upside down.

Let this not be a war against memory. Whether it is drilling for oil in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge or in U’wa territory in Colombia, dumping toxic waste in Yucca Mountain, the strip mining of a sacred salt lake, or bombing Hiroshima, Nevada or Kabul, it is clear the birds have been reminding us that the world is out of balance. What was once a lush world is becoming a dry landscape, which only tears soften now. We can refer to the deaths at Camp Mauthausen or Manzanar, lynchings at Mankato, or the desecration of Medicine Lake, all in the same breath because the impetus of their destruction is the same and the results are so similar.

The rain burns. Whole plant, animal and human societies have vanished and others continue to be threatened with extinction at an ever-increasing rate. Terrorism is nothing new. This is not a time to celebrate violence in the name of patriotism but a time to mourn and act with compassion and vision for our collective survival. A third of the world’s birds are threatened with extinction due to habitat depletion, pollution, corporate invasion and other human threats. And birds in Afghanistan are dropping dead from the burning sky.
Tia Oros c. 2001

Tia Oros (Zuni) serves as the program director of the Seventh Generation Fund, an Indigenous peoples’ nonprofit organization.

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