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21 Days of Gratitude, Day 4 – Happy Maya New Year!

Oct18

8 Monkey/Chuen/B’atz’

Galactic Tone 8: Justice – Harmony and balance are the intent of Eight. Eights carefully weigh ll evidence to reach a balance of justice. Eight is the power of organization demonstrated in statement, “as above, so below”. The energy of 8 organizes all levels of creation.

Monkey/Chuen/B’atz’: Known to the maya as the weaver of time – Monkey takes ideas as threads of vines and weaves them into the fabric of our reality.

HAPPY MAYA NEW YEAR! (Waqxaqui (8) B’atz)

Wajxaqib’, 8 B’atz’/Chuen/Monkey

Wajxaqib’, 8 B’atz’/Chuen/Monkey

The K’iche’ Maya of highland Guatemala honor this day, 8 B’atz’ (Chuen/Monkey) as the beginning of the 260-day cycle of the Tzolk’in calendar. This is a special day when the Maya community joins to celebrate with Fire Ceremonies of gratitude and is the day of initiation for Shaman and Mayan Daykeepers.

When Maya people celebrate the Tzolkin new year, they are celebrating that the creation of the world has been fulfilled and that a new cycle of 260 days begins. The ceremony includes calling all of the 260 days of the Tzolkin/Cholq’ij calendar. Monkey is the first one called in during the Count of Days in Guatemalan Mayan fire ceremonies because he signifies the beginning of time.

These ancient sacred ceremonies are a time of purification, blessing and celebration now recognized and honored by Daykeepers throughout the world as well as the traditional Maya. Among the practices of a Daykeeper is to welcome the inspiration of a new Sun, and to send a message of love forward on the Sun in lak’ech to the next Daykeepers waiting for the dawn.

To all my relations, I am grateful for honored traditions brought forward from our ancestors that bring meaning and connection to our lives. I am grateful for every new beginning and for the opportunity it brings to be made new once again and to clear a way for a fresh path forward.

Most of all, I am grateful to hold a sacred space with those that share the path of beauty that we may all move forward in harmony and in the spirit of lak’ech – “I am another yourself.”

Today brings an opportunity join in a celebration in harmony with all that is. As this new day dawns, I send my love around to you on the Sun.

5 Lamat/Star/Rabbit – Multiplying Empowerment

Oct15

5 Lamat/Rabbit

Galactic Tone 5: Empowerment
Star/Lamat/Rabbit: Power of Multiplication

Five is an intelligent organizing force which manages communications and materials, knowledge and application. Lamat as sign of the “star” shines in all directions. As rabbit, Lamat brings multiplication of all things to abundance.

All things to abundance… we manifest that which we give our attention to.

Gratitude is among the most powerful spirit tools we can use to change our lives. What if we chose to multiply our gratitude?

One of the proven and worthy tools offered through Medicine Circle teachings is a ceremony of 21-days of gratitude. The Mayans practiced similar ceremony leading up to special dates on the calendar.

It’s simple – for 21 days, start the day in gratitude and return your thoughts to gratitude when you become conscious of them wandering elsewhere. Instead of praying for what you want, pray in gratitude for what you already have.

Keep a Gratitude Journal for 21 days and choose your own ceremony – whether it’s lighting a candle, making an offering, or greeting the sunrise. The real power of ceremony is not in the action but in remembering that action was taken.

“Be grateful for what you have and you’ll end up having more. Focus on what you don’t have and you will never have enough.”

4 Jaguar/IX – Creating the World

Oct1

Galactic Tone 4: Stability, bringing form and dimension as the 4 directions of the Medicine Wheel provide orientation, and height, width, length and depth bring shape to any form. It is a day to see the new creation taking form. Along the journey of life, 4 is the GPS moment that brings clarity to a new direction.

Jaguar/IX: With a deep love of Mother Earth, Jaguar or shaman is directly tied to the source of all Earth magic. Jaguar possesses great power of intellect and strength or character through integrity. The spirit of Jaguar inhabits the Mayan temples and is called on to assist in spiritual as well as in material ways – also known as the God/Goddess of gratefulness. Mayan Magix

Someone once expressed their opinion that “you live, you die, and that’s all there is.” Casting aside my opposing views, I took a moment to imagine how I would experience that kind of framework in my own life. I could not help thinking what a small world that would be – and, how many of my experiences would have never been a part of my life under that scenario.

We alone determine the construct of our world. That means we get to decide the length, breadth and depth of the world in which we live.

Because I say it is so, at any given time, I can stop in a moment to find my own Peace on Earth… regardless of what the outer world brings to me. I can have faith in the unseen and believe in a Grace that sees me through my own shortcomings. I can know that everything will be okay, regardless of how things might look on the outside. I can also believe that even difficult times are encouraging personal growth to bring about greater happiness and joy in my life.

We create the world in which we live. With that choice, comes a great responsibility.

In my world, I’m open to the challenge, believing within every experience is an opportunity to transform my experiences and myself. And, the greatest power and transformer on earth is the magic of Love.

1 Monkey/CHUEN – Creating Yes

Sep28

Galactic Tone 1: The beginning of all things, the first, the whole and the all in one.

Monkey/Chuen: Known to the maya as the weaver of time – Monkey takes ideas as threads of vines and weaves them into the fabric of our reality. New patterns or inventions are also woven into our lives by monkey – amiable, intelligent, generous and a jack of all trades. Monkey’s innocent curiosity leads to artistic expression and constructive solutions. Monkey/CHUEN is a prevailing influence over the next 13 days as Galactic Tone 1 begins a new trecena.

On Chuen days, the Maya express their intention to freely receive all that they have requested from the universe, and to be able to unravel or resolve any matter or issue. Chuen days are extremely auspicious for all artistic works and endeavors; in fact, it is a powerful day to begin any project. And it is the best day in the Tzolk’in to ask for a partner or to be married.

What if you were given a time when the answer to your every request was YES? What would you ask for that you’re not asking for now?

Why aren’t you asking for it now? Are you afraid of the answer “No?” Or, have you reached even further to imagine the scenario of “no” with all its disappointing outcomes? Sometimes I think of all the scenarios I’ve endured over a lifetime – stuff that never happened. And, the many times I never asked because I convinced myself the answer was already No.

Under the right circumstances, every request holds the power of a ‘yes’ answer. When we anticipate ‘yes’ we operate in a completely different way. I’m more likely to present my request with humility and gratitude.

When I expect to hear “no” – I’m inclined to justify why I deserve the “yes,” and, how I might best control and manipulate this outcome.

Right there, I am left with no way to graciously receive anything. Even someone with the power to say “yes” may be less inclined to, and if they do – the right to freely GIVE is reduced to obligation versus the balance of an equal exchange. The win-win has been taken out of it. No one leaves the exchange feeling better.

The first step in asking for anything is to release the outcome and see that regardless of the answer, everything will be okay. That in fact, whatever the answer, I am being led to higher ground.

What do you really need to ask for? And, imagine that the answer has already been decided – as YES.

5 Wind/IK (Cherokee Whirlwind Agalu’ga)

Sep19

Empowerment in the wind… the breath of life.

The Cherokee symbol of the whirlwind is a double spiral helix in rising smoke and related to the direction of the North. In Cherokee, the constellations are represented by 12 birds (dancers) and the 13th bird is the Whirlwind, the lead dancer.

Galactic Tone 5 is Empowerment with Wind as a channel of communication. Wind is a force not seen, but heard and felt.

Give breathe to the words you need to say to the Creator… and listen to the Wind.

Advice to my daughter – and myself

Sep12
From the Feline Conservation Center in Rosamond, CA

Twilight, Black Jaguar Feline Conservation Center in Rosamond, CA

10 Jaguar/IX (Cherokee, Panther/Saho’ni)

Never give up.

What may seem hopeless today can turn around in a moment.

Be brave.

Don’t wait for failure to find you. Dare to meet it head on.

Reach high.

Aim beyond your reach and you’ll exceed your expectations.

Hold a vision.

Nothing is as important or as powerful as your own imagination.

Offer a blessing.

In the moment you turn your thoughts to gratitude, your fears will fall away.

Forgive.

No one walks through life without making mistakes – sometimes, very bad ones.

Remember.

Solutions are not of the world. In the end, love is the only thing that matters.

Jaguar Woman’s White Road Saq b’e Soup

Aug31
Jaguar Woman's White Road Saq b'e Soup

Gifts of the Harvest

A swirl of textures and flavor perfectly compliment the sweetness of summer white corn… a chilled soup perfect for Indian Summer. Now taking orders…

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 ears of corn, kernels cut off cobs reserved
  • 1 small yukon potato cut into small cubes
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans coconut milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 2” strip of lime zest, to be removed later
  • 3 slices of fresh ginger (about 1/8”), to be removed later
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Cilantro, lime wedges, and jalapeño pepper slices for garnish
  1. Saute onion in coconut oil and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon turmeric until onions are clear.
  2. Add corn kernels, potato, coconut milk, lime peal, ginger and 1 cup water, coconut milk, and reserved cobs (broken into pieces). Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 20-30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, spread coconut flakes on baking sheet and bake until golden (350° F for about 5 minutes).
  4. Discard corn cobs, lime zest, and ginger. Cool to room temperature. Add ½ teaspoon salt to taste. Blend soup to smooth consistency and chill for 2 hours.
  5. Serve chilled, garnish with cilantro and toasted coconut with lime wedges and jalapeno slices on the side.

1 Road/Eb – Bearer of Time & Destiny

Aug20

UPDATE SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 21, 2017

1 Road / EB – Truth of Our Destiny: Day 1

This was my early beginning. I see so many errors now. But, more important – I see how the calendar has changed me. Thanks for your visit. in lak’ech, Debra

August 20, 2015

1 Road/Eb

Mayan Tzolkin Calendar - Day 1

Day 1 of the Sacred Mayan calendar, trecena beginning 1 Road/Eb

1=Is the beginning of all things as the first day of the Mayan 13-day Trecena. The energy of each trecena steadily increases from day 1, peaking in the middle of the week on days 6-7-8, then steadily decreases to the end of the 13-day cycle. The intentions set today will flow with that cycle – gaining momentum as the week progresses to the peak energy, and resolving/establishing itself as the energy decreases. Whatever you would choose to manifest in your life is accelerated by integrating this cycle in the same way one may set intentions with the moon cycle. Because 1’s are about setting new intentions and an inward day, in fact, inner reflection may be all you are able to do on a 1-day!

I’ve found that my personal energies flow with the Tzolkin calendar whether I realize it or not. (I believe we saw this as self-evident in times before the Gregorian calendar.) If I find myself trying to accomplish something but unable to make any headway… it’s because ONE is about STOPPING to receive inspiration for the new intention. (2’s are much the same.) 3 is the first day of movement – and if you wait for it, you’ll more than make up any time you may think you’ve lost.

Others are feeling this too. I’ve learned to hold off on knee-jerk responses and lower the expectations I place on others, as well as myself – waiting to see how perceptions may be changed over the next 2 days. It’s NOT a day designed to declare anything to anyone… but, an important day to stop and consider your own truth. (You just don’t have all the information yet to arrive at accurate assessment.)

Road/Eb

Road/Eb is the BEARER of time, the road to destiny. Our destiny is born over time by the paths we follow. Road is about the blessing of the journey and starting a new journey with the PATH as our focus to learn better ways to reach our desired destinations.

As 1 Road/EB, the first day of a cycle, Road/EB continues to be an over-riding theme each day throughout the 13-day trecena. See if you don’t arrive at a new way of proceeding forward toward your intention by the end of this trecena!

SPIRIT TALK

It’s natural to look ahead and focus on the destination. But, what are you missing right now? Do you celebrate the accomplishments you make with each step? One step at a time is the only way to get there, born from being present in the moment.

Staying in that moment bring awareness of the ever-changing motion of life and helps us remember that whatever we are experiencing is a temporary passage. Celebrate the peak experiences. And, celebrate that the struggles are only temporary. (Remember, peak experiences by definition are “higher” points of consciousness – so, “lower” experiences ARE necessary to reach them!) Be here with Spirit today… each day.

Ascension Energy

Aug20

August 19, 2015

13 Monkey/Chuen

13=Ascension to the next higher level and completes the 13-day trecena, the sacred cycles of creation on the Tzolkin 260-day Sacred Calendar… and the last day under the trecena begun on 1 Storm/Cauac. (This trecena has been about thunder and lightening and powerful natural forces. And, being the 13th day of that trecena – ascension may be experienced around matters pertaining to dynamic changes. Lightening separates darkness with light. )

more_fun_thanMonkey/Chuen= The weaver of time – taking the threads of our lives and experiences and weaving them into a meaningful whole. I imagine a threadbare blanket, and monkey gathering bits and pieces of yarn and thread and magically weaving them into a beautiful tapestry. Hands working too quickly to see what he is doing. Magic is the energy of Monkey/Chuen – he calls you to play magic with him. Dig out that magic wand if you had one as a kid, and pretend that your magic words really work. They do!

Spirit Talk…

Yesterday, the troubles of today were all I could think about.

Remember that things can always change in a moment. What seems impossible today could have such an easy solution that ‘miracle’ almost seems like too big a word to describe it… but, DO call it a miracle, because you blessed it with your intention and made it Sacred.

Being uncomfortable doesn’t mean you are spiritally disconnected. It’s a better indicator that Spirit is working very hard on you right now. We are always here to support your good intentions. You know that. So, if we are here at all, we would definitely be around when you needed help. Right?

You’re doing great. Let the old messages go that tell you otherwise. You are so blessed to know that and to be so connected to life that you haven’t overlooked the journey.

WELL DONE.

DIY Space Heater: Heat a room off-grid for about $10/mo

Feb1

A friend pointed me to a video for making this space heater made of terracotta pots. I was intrigued and thought it would be a great resource during the winter in the event of a power outage – and maybe even save some money on the electric bill.  So, I decided to give it a shot. The whole setup with 100 candles cost less than $20. The 100 votive candles should be worth 30 days of use… so, ongoing, about $10/mo to heat the living room in my apartment.

Terra Cotta Planter Foot

Notice Seahawk manicure for Super Bowl. Go Hawks.

First, I found these cool terracotta planter legs and spent $3 for a pack of 3 of them –  and arranged them in a circle on a 12″ terracotta planter tray.

diy-heater2

These are going to prop up the first terracotta pot to allow airspace for candles to burn.

diy-heater3

1/4″ x 3″ hex screw with two washers and a hex bolt.

Next, I took a 1/4″ bolt about 3″ long and anchored with two washers and a bolt on the inside. (Several DIY videos said the long bolt helps to pick up the heat faster to transfer to the pot.)

diy-heater4

Then, set this first pot on the planter feet on the tray.

diy-heater5

Next, I just took a slightly larger pot and inverted it over the first one. (No bolt in this one.)

diy-heater6

I got lucky and both pots fit well on the planter legs, nice and secure.  Below, I decided to just use 3 vs 4 candles, to go with the 3 legs… and voila!

diy-heater7

I lit this about an hour ago and it’s starting to put out some heat. Outer pot is touchable, but not for long – and the bolt showing thru the top of the outer pot is TOO HOT to touch.

This is supposed to work on convection heat principle, heating the inner pot first and forcing air down and around the second. I’m not sure I’m clear on that, but the bottom line – it’s 42 degrees outside and the furnace is turned off and there’s no chill in the air!

I LIKE IT!