Conscious Convergence & Mayan Fire Ceremony in Retrospect
We are happy and proud of what was created. For the sake of cross-cultural appreciation, what follows is the step-by-step process of the ceremony itself.
Next in the pit went four big logs, aligned with the 4 cardinal directions. Around them we placed different types of incense, (their careful corn husk packaging is what is next to the fire pit on the left-hand photo). There were big balls of pine sap called rax-pon, both large and small balls of copal, cacao beans, cigars, herbs and some smaller kindling called ocote. Had we not been successful bringing all these things in from Guatemala, we would have used local ingredients such as pine cones, rice and beans etc. It's the thought that counts.
Eventually we placed big color-coded candles all around: beige for the ancestors, yellow for peace, red for love, green for the Earth, white for purity, baby blue for little boys and pink for littler girls, royal blue for the sky and black for the offering. Once everything was in place, Shuni sprinkled corn meal and Florida water on everything, like icing on the cake.
The Ceremony
Everyone present knew their Mayan day sign (also called Nawal, Day Lord or spirit of the day) so Shuni and the helpers ensured that each person had at least one small candle, pictured right, the color of their Nawal. As the rays of the sun became longer and the light more sublime, Shuni began the Sacred Count of Days beginning with the spirit of the Road. After describing its attributes, we would count in unison to the number 13 (in Spanish) before she offered the 13 nuggets of copal into the flame. One by one, for the full count of 20 Nawales, each person stepped into the sacred circle when their personal Nawal was being called. Whether they realized it or not, they were stepping into their power (see photo below). This is no shy matter to the Maya. Our intentions were fueled into the candles as well as the small bits of copal that we also offered.
A little stash of black candles were dedicated to the Nawal for " Offering" (T'oj) which is emphasized in such a ceremony. When "Bird" (Tz'ikin) was called we offered sesame seeds which sizzled and popped in the fire. Shuni invited us to make bird calls, some of which were quite amazing. The Nawal for Ancestors (Kame) also received special attention. Once everything has been offered to the fire, we offered sacred myrrh and personal items. It was getting dark and the licks of the flames were now dancing with the Nawales summoned through the sacred Count. It was time for silence and awe.
The Closing
Many thanks to Shuni, all of the helpers, those seen and unseen, who made this possible. May their force be with us as we heal ourselves and our world.
In Lak'ech,
bjs
Labels: Conscious Convergence