Mayan Ceremony

As we climbed up the winding mountain path strewn with pine needles, shadows of the tall trees welcomed this new community into their ancient fold.
It was so surreal. Here we were in the town of Concepcion being led by a Mayan priest to the town's ancient alter, where we would all participate in a Mayan forgiveness ceremony. We shared the path with our new friends, the Mayan midwives, many of whom would be sharing in this experience for the first just like their American counterparts. Unfortunately this strange reality is not uncommon. Only in the past 15 years have the Mayan been able to express their ancient ways more openly in the town of Concepcion, as in many other villages across Guatemala. The path rose higher to meet a plateau where, encircled by the trees, was the sacred Maya alter. It became clear why today was the day of the bee and the buzzard in the Mayan calendar. The alter was covered in blackened ash surrounded by crucifixes, candles, flowers and...bees. The Maya priet began to unpack his cardboard box full of candles incense and pine wood, more like a holy medicine bag. Just before the ceremony began floating in the sky was a buzzard, he circled once as if to bless the two-leggeds beneath him and flew away. The wind blew giving rise to the sound of the trees, all the while being cradles by the surrounding mountains.

posted by Kristin Pacello