Equinox Ceremony with Mayan Elders

I know I said we were going to the ruins at Chichen Itza today for the big March 21st event. However, this morning I had the opportunity to attend a traditional Spring Equinox ceremony presided over by Mayan elders.

I felt afraid that my video camera might provide an intrusion in the sacred ceremony. However, when the grey-haired elder saw me, he asked that I tape the ceremony. I felt so happy to be of use to him.

It involved a walk into nature where five ceiba trees were planted – one for each of the cardinal directions and one in the center. I wish I could convey the mystical fragrance of the copal that was burned throughout the ceremony.

After the elder ceremoniously planted the trees, he continued with the second half of the event by smudging all of us with the fragrant smoke and then we were brushed with a small branch of green leaves dipped in water. The water splashed against my face to my surprise. The elder also brushed our torso and limbs.

Finally, we were given liquids to drink in gourds. One liquid contained the bark of the ceiba tree, cinnamon, honey, and purified water. I did not get the second drink because they ran out of it but Miriam did. She said it was made out of corn and water. Corn is very important to the Maya.

When we returned to the hotel, and after lunch, we were so tired that we slept all afternoon. I assume we had received a healing and our bodies were processing the changes. It had been important that we were in the sun and heat so that we were sweating during the ceremony.

During the event, I felt so moved that at times I was almost in tears even though I could not understand a word that was said since the event was in Mayan. I felt so grateful and full of love for the elder who was the leader of the ceremonies. There was also one man who kept feeding the clay burner containing the copal. He also sang at various times. Two men blew on conch shells whenever a ceiba tree was planted. Another man played hypnotically on a hollow log drum.

After the ceremony, I asked, through a translator, if I could ask the elder about 2012. He graciously accepted and told me his understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for all of us.

It wasn’t only the healing that kept us from the event at Chichen Itza. Most of the afternoon was overcast. Clouds filled most of the sky. In the end, we awoke from our afternoon sleep just as the sun broke through the clouds at 5 pm, the time of the light on the serpent. It lasted for five minutes and then it began to rain.

When we drove to the restaurant for dinner, we were amazed at the number of people pouring out of the Chichen Itza ruins. Not only were they walking three abreast on the shoulders of the road, but an overflow parking area had been created where over a dozen buses were parked. It must have been crazy in there, just as a tour guide had said when we saw the light on the serpent yesterday. We were fortunate to have seen the light pattern on the side of the serpent for over 30 minutes yesterday.

Love and blessings,

Carol Chapman

Copyright (c) 2009 Carol Chapman