Next Stop: Yuctatan Peninusula

The uproar about the Mayan prophesy of the end of the world in 2012 was hilarious to me.  Western culture always searches for absolutes when life rarely operates that way. According to the Mayan long calendar, the old tumultuous cycle ended in December 2011 and 2012 unfolds a new, gentler cycle.  I will journey to the Yucatan Peninsula next week to witness the Mayan Spring Equinox at Chichen Itza,  This sacred Mayan site boasts 1,000 years of Maya and Toltec history as well as cultural and spiritual significance. The Spring and Autumn equinox were sacred times of healing for the Maya, when day and night equaled exactly the same length and when the "Descent of The Feathered Serpent"  down the Pyramid of Kukulcan pictured above, marked the season of rebirth and renewal.  I will hopefully witness the perfect alignment of the sun with the Kukulcan Pyramid, creating a play of light and shadow that conjures up the illusion of a massive reptile representing the feathered serpent god Kukulcan , slithering down the north side of the pyramid. This phenomena is just one of the demonstrations of the stunning astrological knowledge of the Maya. I'll also participate in other rituals, including swimming in a sacred cenote, which are ancient entrances to underground caves and river systems, the Maya considered them to be full of powerful spiritual energy.  So look for posts about my Mayan adventures after next week. Happy Spring!