A personal account: Expo Maya 2012

For several months I have been planning this trip to celebrate 8 B'atz' in Momostenango. It was also to be a final preparation of my plan to move to Momostenango permanently either in May or Nov.

I decided to make stops in Antiqua and Lago Atitlan to see the last two parts of my list of places to visit here in Guatemala. I have been in Guatemala now almost two years. Along the way on my stops, I managed to meet Shay Adams, Ken Johnson, Francisco Lopez, Don Rigoberto and his entire family, Anita Garr, Mark Elmy, and a visiting group from the Maya Conservancy. These people represent a premier collection of Maya archealogists, writers, priests, shamans, historians, and activists. I learned much from each one of these people.

Yet, I still do not know if and when I will make the move to Momostenango permanently. I need to sort out what will be best for me emotionally, spiritually, and physically. As in any move in life there are major pluses and minuses. I have given myself until April 1 to make a final decision. There is so much to do in 2 days to make this happen.

I arrived at Expo Maya on Friday to help set up the booths for the start of the Expo on Sunday. It is a three day Expo and ends on the actual day of 8 B'atz', the beginning of the new year in the Sacred Calendar. I used this time to meet and get to know many prominent Maya Elders in Momostenango. It is also a time to meet visiting Maya experts. It was also a time to see what I wanted to buy from the artisans. This year I bought a 2012 Maya Calendar and an English version of the Popol Vuh. It was fully illustrated with glyphs from each of the 3 codices. The hot chocolate they make from scratch and is superb and helps keep you warm in the cold rains that come nearly every afternoon.

The day of the fire ceremony, 8 B'atz', we had to get up at 3 am to be ready to leave by 3:30. The actual fire ceremony is on top of a remote mountain top, Mayor Mundo. The location was cleared and an altar prepared. Of particular significance are the 4 colored candles representing, in color and position, the Four Cardinal Points. The 4 points are a big part of the opening and closing of the fire ceremony.

Individually, each participant was permitted to approach the altar and throw in sacrifices of rosemary, cigars, pom, candles with different color significance, and we made a full sweep of our bodies in a cleansing motion 13 times. From the outside we were brushed and smudged as one participant noted. We were brushed with smoke from the Pom/Copal, and branches from bushes; and we had alcohol smudged on our faces. These are all cleansing practices.

There were 3 primary principles spoken of at the fire ceremony:

1. Be thankful of everything you have in life. 
2. Ask for forgiveness of your sins. 
3. Ask for help in obtaining your wishes in life. 

I am caught up in the physicality of my experience at this fire ceremony. My body becomes completely energized. I am moving in 4D and 5D both in my body and my spirit.

I will write again soon and let you know what I decide to do with my journey into learning more about the Maya people, culture, and their Sacred Calendar.

Namaste, Chac

p.s. Below are a few images from Don Rigoberto's Fire Ceremony.... enjoy!