December 21, 2008 - March 21, 2009
 

Action: Obsidian/Protection   
 

Obsidian creates security and serenity.  It is an earth element stone.  It grounds us and connects us to resources. This ally appears when we are too wide open to negativity, including negative images on the astral plane.
 
During the next three months, we will be becoming less receptive to negative energies. This can be a conscious or an automatic process.  It is normal to flow back and forth between these two states.
 
The most conscious part of the process will be becoming aware of anger and negative attachments to people or ideas that are draining us.  Obsidian will stimulate deep inner vision that will allow us to be conscious of our distorted communications to others.  Power and abandonment issues create "tapes" or habits.  These tapes involve the idea that we need to fight for power or for our needs.  They may be triggered when we speak or listen to others.  Obsidian will create awareness of these habits by reflecting our thoughts back to us.  It will allow us to be conscious, especially in dreams, of distorted spirit guidance that may incorporate these tapes.  Obsidian will also clear distortions in the way we see ourselves.  These distortions can block our ability to see and make choices.
 
As this layer is healed, the process will become more automatic.  We will remain centered when we encounter negativity.    Obsidian will cut through obstacles and help us to accept our shadow side.
 
When these layers are cleansed, this ally's power will really begin to flow.  Our inner vision will be clear and we will receive guidance in dreams and divination.  We will be guided to wait until we know when it is time to act.  We will be grounded.  This will allow us to receive and integrate the high frequency energies of Lapis Lazuli.  
 
Gift: Lapis Lazuli/Self-knowledge
 
Once the energy field is clear, Lapis Lazuli's gifts will become apparent.  This ally will channel a powerful spiritual transmission to us.  It will allow us to become more aware of the knowledge of past lifetimes.  It will be easier to use that knowledge to activate our gifts and spiritual purpose.  It will become easier to access the Akashic Records through our dreams, visions, and conscious channeling.  This may feel like an information download.  However, our work with Obsidian will allow us to ground this information and act on our highest ideals.  We'll become more creative and more able to empathize with others. 
 
Lapis Lazuli's most powerful gift is the truth that it is normal to love ourselves as manifestation of the divine.  By admiring ourselves as divine creations, it will be easier for us to manifest what we truly want.  We will be imitating the Universe.
 
Lapis Lazuli will allow us to know what the divine would want in a situation.  That will help us to receive clear guidance through dreams.  This ally will connect us with the wisdom of ancient cultures and sacred texts.
 
 It also has a strong affinity with the stars and star beings.  We may even receive messages from star beings or see UFOs.  Lapis is also creating stronger immune systems by healing our DNA.
 
Both of these allies are related to the astrological sign of Sagittarius. This means they will help us to find the truth. This truth helps us to stay secure while we receive the highest energies of this winter period.

 

Before I met him for the first time, I had heard of him through Aluna Joy Yaxkin and also through a friend who was the founder and director of a non-profit organization that had humanitarian projects in Guatemala. I was on the board of that organization and made several trips to a group of Mayan villages to work on our projects. Aluna Joy had written two articles on her experience with Don Rigoberto in Momostenango, Guatemala. What she wrote had moved and inspired me to such a degree that I felt it was very important for me to meet him. I contacted her and obtained directions to his house in Momostenango; she told me something of his work and family.  He and his wife were very gracious, friendly and welcoming to me.  My visit also happened to coincide with a four-day intimate and small international gathering that Don Rigoberto had created to celebrate the fall equinox in Momostenango in the year 2000. This offered me the opportunity to experience Mayan sacred ceremony first-hand at hilltop altars and shrines as well as participate in a "Tuj", a traditional K'iche Mayan sweatbath which is an essential component of K'iche Mayan ancestral healing and medicine.  I remained in Momostenango a few weeks and had frequent contact with Don Rigoberto and his wife Dona Maria. This was the beginning of a long-standing friendship and an on-going working relationship.
 
What was your first experience of Mayan divination with sacred seeds?

My first experience was in several small K'iche Mayan villages near Nebaj Quiche, Guatemala. I was spending six weeks in those villages working on projects for my humanitarian organization and got to know a number of respected traditional elders who were esteemed community spiritual leaders. I had seen them perform these readings from a distance and had faith in the process as well as in their abilities, knowledge and wisdom. The accuracy and relevancy of the answers obtained through this process was impressive. The elders often consulted the tzite seeds for wisdom and guidance when planning community events and celebrations, when making decisions on behalf of their villages. They had great confidence in the tzite, i.e. this ancient system of calendar divination, as well as its ability to call forth wisdom, information, guidance and direction from spiritual realms.

What happens during an initiation ritual?
 
The K'iche Maya daykeeper or priest [ajq'ij or chuchkahaw] begins by removing the bright-red tzite seeds from his sacred bundle of seeds and crystals and places them in a large pile on a hand-woven cloth.  He or she usually has a special table set aside for this purpose close to his or her home altar. It is here that the client consults the Maya priest [or spiritual guide as they prefer to be called] for spiritual counseling and divination readings as well as requests for sacred ceremonies.  The Maya daykeeper or priest moves the sacred tzite seeds in a circular motion with his or her hand, blows on them and prays over them asking Ahaw [the Creator] and the Nawales [spirits of the daysigns] to guide him and empower or facilitate the reading. He divides the pile of 260 seeds into four smaller piles and then begins to create rows of seed groups to answer the first of four related questions on a particular topic or issue. He creates groups of four seeds until he runs out of seeds.  It is auspicious if the last little group of seeds has 2 or 4 seeds. Each little group of seeds represents a specific calendar date in the 260 day ritual calendar. He might begin counting dates on the date Wajshakib' B'atz, the K'iche ritual calendar New Year, or the client's birthsign date or the ritual calendar date on which the reading is taking place. This varies from daykeeper to daykeeper, but the method remains the same. The daykeeper or Maya priest says the calendar date out loud as he or she counts days and goes through the rows of seed groups twice. The last date he reaches each time he counts is significant as well as any date that activates his or her "blood lightening", i.e. causes movements of energy, tingling and pulsations of energy in the priest's body that are moving through his or her bloodstream.  The calendar dates that emerge during the divination reading and the location of the priest's "blood lightening" shed light on the client's problem or issue and assist in answering the question posed in the reading, clarifying the situation, suggesting a solution to the problem. There are commonly understood meanings or sets of meanings for each daysign that emerges during the reading or for the "blood lightening" movements within the priest's body. The meaning would depend on the question, problem, issue or situation that is being addressed by the divination reading. The meanings change according to the theme, purpose and context of the reading. A particular daysign has one meaning within the context of a reading on a proposed marriage and another in relation to an illness, for example.
 

The K'iche Maya do divinations to determine the cause of an illness and how to work on the spiritual levels to heal it, before making important decisions or changes in their lives, to determine the suitability and compatibility of a potential partner before a formal engagement or marriage, to resolve a conflict or dispute, determine the source of a family or marital problem, to ascertain the potential success or failure of a proposed business deal or trip, to uncover the underlying causes of failed or failing crops, etc.  Private consultations/divination with tzite readings/private spiritual counseling sessions are performed for many different reasons but are frequently executed for the purpose of obtaining greater clarity and insight on the problem, situation or issue the client presents to the Maya spiritual guide.

There is no set time for readings. The client either shows up at the home of the daykeeper or priest unannounced or phones and makes an appointment beforehand.  [cell phone technology has made telephones much more accessible than before] 

The K'iche Maya use the same basic format for the ritual calendar divination with tzite seeds  with every reading. This is a very ancient system and there are references to it in the Pop Wuj, the sacred K'iche scriptures. The grandparents of the hero Jun Junajpu are daykeepers who do this same type of calendar divination. The calendar date used to begin the reading may vary from daykeeper to daykeeper and the meanings of the ritual calendar dates that emerge during the reading vary according to the issue, situation, problem and theme of the divination reading. So again, a particular date would have one meaning within the context of a business proposal and another if the priest is attempting to uncover the underlying spiritual causes of a chronic illness.
 
Some anthropologists mention a special bag used for divination. Does Don Rigoberto use a diviner's bag?

Yes .  All new daykeepers receive a cloth bag with 260 tzite seeds at the time of their initiation ceremony on the date Wajshakib' B'atz, the ritual calendar New Year.  This bag is called a "Vara Sagrada" in Spanish and K'iche Mayan; it is usually translated into English as "sacred bundle".

It symbolizes the profession of daykeeping and the initiate's sacred mission. 
 
What is the role of the calendar in these divinations?

These divinations are based on the ancient ritual calendar of 260 days, the K'iche Mayan version of the Tzolkin. The priest lines up small groups of seeds and assigns a calendar date to each one. The various meanings of the dates that emerge during the reading answer the client's questions and shed light on their situations, issues and problems. 
 
Is there a connection between dreams and different types of divination?

Yes.  A similar process is taking place in both cases.  The K'iche of Momostenango  value their dreams and view them as a source of guidance and messages from spiritual realms. The purpose of divination is also to bring forth information, messages, answers, solutions to problems, guidance and direction from spiritual worlds and other dimensions, from our common divine Source. A Maya priest might counsel a client during a reading to pay close attention to his or her dreams and advise that person to look for answers or solutions to problems .Maya daykeepers and priests are adept at dream interpretation. 
 
Is divination with sacred tzite seeds ever performed to guide the destiny of humanity?

Yes. Calendar divination is done in relation to a specific event , project or gathering. Maya priests do divinations on community projects, events and activities.  The elders that lead the community have divinations done or they perform them themselves to guide their actions and decisions on behalf of the community.  Divinations are performed before organizing an international gathering or deciding whether or not to participate in one.  The president of Guatemala is an initiated daykeeper so it's possible that he sometimes uses calendar divination with tzite seeds to guide his actions and decisions on the national or international levels.
 
Did Don Rigoberto ever use special crystals with the sacred seeds?

Yes  It is part of K'iche tradition for priests to use crystals which they place on their home altar and also form a row of them on their divination table to empower a reading and aide them in the process of drawing down information, answers, messages and guidance from spiritual realms and higher dimensions. There are tiny crystals in the sacred bundle of 260 bright-red sacred tzite seeds . Some Maya priests work with large crystals and use them outdoors during sacred ceremonies . Some priests are adept at reading large crystals and obtaining info or messages from them.  This in itself is another form of divination.


Did you ever experience the spiritual aspects of the calendar during these rituals?

Yes. The spiritual power and energy of the Nawales, the Spirits of the daysigns, come through during the reading. The daykeeper or Maya priest experiences tingling, pulsations and energy movements through his or her bloodstream as he or she passes a finger over a particular daysign; this indicates that the daysign and its meanings within the context of that specific reading is part of the answer to the client's question and may also be a solution to his or her issue/problem. The accuracy of the info and messages coming through, the uncanny relevance of the answers are testimony to the spiritual presence and power of the Nawales. I recall that during a reading in Deland, Florida, I experienced being filled with energy of a positive and spiritual nature as I translated the words of Don Rigoberto into English for a local woman who was receiving a private consultation from him, a divination reading with the sacred seeds. She later commented in an email to us "I really felt the great love you give to all humanity.

Is there a connection between the sacred seeds and the calendar?

Yes. The 260 tzite seeds in the sacred bundle represent the 260 days of the K'iche ritual calendar.
 
What was the most profound thing that you gained from observing these rituals?

The realization that past, present and future co-exist in the moment and that one already has the answer to a question or solution to a problem if one can tap into the unlimited spiritual guidance available.

How did your concept of time and the future change as a result of these experiences?

The divination process transcends time and reveals the interconnectedness and interdependence of past, present and future. One might for example, be ill as a result of a past family dispute or for not honoring a dead relative or ancestor. i would say that my own experience and observations in relation to calendar divination have caused me to perceive time as an integrated whole in which the past, present and future are inherent in the present.

For a basic description of the Maya Calendar, check out this wonderful article by Jim Papp.

 

This classic, first published in 1995, attempts to examine modern pagan practice and trace its ancient European roots.  The author of this book is a scholar and practicing pagan.  She relies on both historical and archaeological evidence.  She proves European paganism has been practiced continuously since ancient times.
 
The book begins with Crete and Greece.  She then examines Roman, Celtic, Germanic, Baltic, Russian and Balkan paganism.  Each region has one or more chapter. The chapter begins with the earliest historical records of pagan practices and follows their development until the present.  There's a concluding chapter on the history of the modern pagan movement.
 
The chapters on the Germanic tribes are excellent, documenting their rituals, calendar, and resistance to Christianity.  Celtic and Germanic cultures were very similar, separated more by geography than by way of life.  A famous symbol in both cultures was the sacred column, representing the World Tree. This became the maypole.  All Souls Day was the beginning of the year in both calendars.
                                       
The chapters on Russia in the Balkans are also intriguing, because they include material that was not available before the 1990s.
 
The author dispels Christian and Pagan myths about European history. Resistance to Christianity, in areas that were not conquered by the Roman Empire, was fierce and lasted beyond the first millennia.  (Lithuania kept its Pagan Temples into the 1400s.)  Pagan Goddess-worship may be an import from the Middle East.  She includes many examples of Goddess cults that came from that region.  She also argues against the idea that 100,000 witches were burned to death during the Middle Ages.
 
The book is comprehensive.  In some ways, it tries to cover so much that nothing can be explored deeply.  However, if combined with other books, it is a really valuable resource.  If you're interested in reading it, and live in Sarasota ,Florida, you can find it at the Selby Library.  It is also available at amazon.com.   

 

The Star Allies began as a series of dreams about stars.  As I began to dream about the same stars and constellations consistently, I became aware that stars had special energies that help to transform humanity.  I began to receive symbolic and divinatory meanings.
 
I became interested in traditional star lore from other cultures.  I particularly focused on Central and South America.   At the same time, I became aware of the Starlight Elixirs, created by Pegasus Products.  This form of bottled starlight was very healing.  I combined these interpretations into a small set of cards.  I began to relate eight individual stars, constellations, and galaxies to a process of the soul's development.  I used these cards when I first started working with the Crystal Allies.
 
All of the Star Ally cards are karmic cards.  When you pull one of these cards, you are working with a problem that is both a part of your everyday life and exists outside of time. This is a journey from the southern to the northern hemisphere. The Southern Cross is the first step in this process.
 
Southern Cross is associated with the southern hemisphere.  It is a circumpolar constellation, located between Scorpio and Sagittarius.  There is interesting Indian, Maya, Maori, and Andean symbolism associated with this group of stars.
 
These stars represent rebirth and the beginning of a spiritual journey.  The Andean mystics see it as an entrance to the lower world.  This is a place of healing, associated with the dark-cloud constellation called the Serpent.  Dark-cloud constellations are regions of stellar dust that form black silhouettes against the Milky Way.  The Zulus believe the Southern Cross represents the Tree of Life.  The Lacandon Maya also believe this and associate it with the sacred Ceiba tree.  The Maori describe it as an anchor for the Milky Way "canoe".  In Indian astrology it is associated with the myth of a king who exists between heaven and earth.
 
On the spiritual level, this Star Ally represents soul retrieval. You are ready to transform fragmented, disowned parts of yourself into an integrated whole. You will rediscover the Earth as your mother, and renew your connection to all life. The Southern Cross represents renewal of life force and a new beginning in a completely different form.
 
Great emotional healing that restructures your entire world view is indicated with this card. 
 
On the physical level, Southern Cross helps with immune problems.

 

 

 

I am hoping to publish and ebook on nature divination sometime in 2009.  Here are two short excerpts:
 
 
Star Symbolism Divination
 
If you know the stars in the nighttime sky fairly well, you can do the following divination.
 
Pray and center yourself.  Then ask your question.
Look up at the sky through a tube created by your fingers around one eye.
Focus on one star or celestial body.
If it is a famous star, there's probably important symbolism attached to it.  If not, allow the light from the start to enter your eyes and your consciousness.
Close your eyes and receive the message.  It may take the form of words, feelings, or something visual.
Open your eyes and repeat this process until you receive your information.
If the star is attached to a famous constellation or is at the zenith, you may be able to interpret its symbolism further.  Stars at their zenith are especially powerful.  This is a good omen.
 
Star Meanings:
Pleiades - manifestation, wealth
Sirius - healing, knowledge
Ursa Major - gateway to the divine, mother goddess, nurturing and life education
Spica -wealth
Antares -powerful adversaries
Polaris -unity, centering, the tent pole of the heavens
Cassiopeia- hidden - almost unconscious knowledge, the Otherworld
Southern Cross -renewal, healing of emotional wounds
Alpha and Beta Centauri -fertility, rain, service that is in balance
Orion -male power
                               
 
Journeying up the Milky Way to Your Special Star
 
According to Andean mysticism, every person has a special star.  This star guides and energizes a person.  For Westerners, the star may be known through a dream, divination, or it might just be one that you feel very drawn to.
 
Theo Paredes teaches this journey in his wonderful workshops.  The stars are the gateway to the Cosmic Father, he says.  It is possible to connect with this energy in an easy and safe way.  This is done by journeying up the Milky Way which stretches from Sagittarius and Scorpio to Gemini and Taurus.  The Milky Way is referred to as the "River of Stars" in Peruvian mysticism.
 
This journey is especially helpful if you're having trouble falling asleep because of worry or over excitement.
 
Close your eyes and sit or lie comfortably.
Imagine that you are connecting with the Milky Way.  I think of a band of stars stretching across the night sky.
Begin where Scorpio and Sagittarius touch the earth.  Imagine you are traveling up this river of stars.  You may imagine bands of star clusters or a landscape with rivers and land.  Some cultures also visualize the Milky Way as a ladder, a rope, or as a celestial tree.
Travel up this band of stars until you reach your special star.  Don't worry if it does not fall on the same plane as the Milky Way.  You will know how to get there.
Bathe in the energy of your special star and receive the peace of the Cosmic Father.