Greetings From Guatemala At Winter Solstice 2012

by Robert Wilkinson

I just got this dispatch from the land of the Maya. It has as the banner "THE WORLD WILL NOT END ON DECEMBER 21, 2012." Aren't you glad? What follows is what the Maya and their friends have to say about the giant hype going on here in the US and elsewhere, along with where the celebrations are happening.

Our dear Spiritual Brother Felipe of Maya Earth Coffee is in Guatemala taking part in the celebrations going on there, and is in touch with many Mayans who are friends of his. This is what they requested he send to me for posting on this site concerning "the end of the world as we know it," and includes links to the celebrations going on today and tomorrow in case any of you want to hop a plane and be part of the action in Guatemala.

Below is an editorial published a few days ago by the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Maya Quiche, Rigoberta Menchu reiterates this message.

"The Mayan civilization, has been studied the world over, not only in the cultural field, commonly demonstrated through the folklore in our country, but also from a scientific angle, cultivated in an extraordinary way and strictly to the point that to this day, today modern science not only corroborates our knowledge but also continually discovers new advances of our sciences.

The mathematical and astronomical knowledge was huge, branches reflected, no doubt, in our different calendars, which are derived in wonderful conjunctions of time. Maya astronomical science, for example, is a reflection of human evolution on the paths through the galaxy and universe, which has allowed us, likewise, to understand and comprehend, first of all , that the universe is life, and secondly, that This is concatenated with the cosmic whole.

Within the Maya concept of time, what will happen on December 21 is not catastrophic. Everything said in the latter direction is only the malicious vulgarization, by a prevailing culture of fear, imposed and extended to a society in crisis, a fact which is completely opposite of the true meaning. Actually what will happen in our galaxy, in the framework of this concept, is what is known as the birth of a new sun and thus the continuity of the counting of time and Mayan calendrical cycles in sync with exceptional conditions for the cosmic return of life and the construction of this phenomenon has been fully natural, without and mechanical and automatization.

The New Age, that starts next Friday in the Gregorian calendar and the Mayan calendar in kajib 'Ajpu is not unique only to the Mayan or indigenous peoples, but for all peoples and therefore for all mankind. The cosmos, the universe, and its energies involve absolutely everyone, and so in time to come we will have an opportunity for the beginning of a new destination, which will be marked by the pursuit of harmony, understanding , justice, and peace in society and this in tune with Mother Nature.

The present generations, from their calendrical, and astronomical legacy and our Mayan cosmogonic ancestors, now have the opportunity not only to learn but to live a unique and wonderful moment, on which are placed with the highest expectations and hope. The start of the New Sun must also be an intense struggle that leads the human being towards no fear, towards finding inner peace.

As we gather these spiritual capitals, which must also be supported by the values and ethics in human action, societies must necessarily yield the expected shift in which the inequities and injustices will be no more. Of course, the best destination, is also best for Mother Nature, because greed, in its attempt to subdue her until now continues to destroy her. (Translation by Google Translate)

Good wishes to everyone at the beginning of the New Age.

A GRAND CELEBRATION AND GREAT DIFFERENCES

On the eve of the Oxlajuj Baktun/Thirteen Baktun (5,200 year cycle), the indigenous pueblos of Guatemala are preparing for a grand celebration. Mayan communities across the country are planning activities to celebrate this memorable occasion on December 20 and 21, 2012. Among events to take place are traditional Mayan ceremonies, commemorative Oxlajuj Baktun ceremonies, dances, music, presentations, and other cultural and social events.

Shamans will lead the sacred fire ceremonies: artists will share their music and dance: educators and orators will share their words and prose; spiritual leaders will share their wisdom; and community leaders will exercise their organization skills, solidarity and humility.

On the other hand, the Guatemala government, through the Ministry of Culture of Guatemala is promoting the Thirteen Baktun event in 13 sacred Mayan sites scattered around the country.

The following links are from the Guatemala Ministry of Culture and provide written information, videos, still images, and official agendas for the 13 sacred sites. For those who do not read Spanish, you can use Google Translate.

Amanecer Maya (Maya Dawn)

One step away from of the final close of the cycle

The Baktun lives

Agenda of activities December 20 and 21

Although the government has been actively promoting this event, many indigenous leaders are requesting that the government not celebrate Thirteen Baktun because it's been grossly over-commercialized.

Meanwhile, Amilcar Pop, of Winaq and deputy chairman of the Congressional Transparency Committee requests the Government cancel the activities that are planned for 13 B'aktun, indigenous organizations reiterated their rejection of these celebrations for commercial use that is made using Maya peoples.

Pop said that "as a representative Maya, he feels offended because the state has hidden amounts of money spent and not fully declared them all and they have, "folklorized our-identity." He explained that the government has been irresponsible on several issues, citing conflicts in Totonicapán, lack of policies against racism, breach of international conventions, such as respect for consultations with indigenous peoples, among others.

He added: "I asked the Minister of Culture, Carlos Batzin, to not play with our sacred fire to let the President know." I also requested the cancellation of 13 B'aktun activities "because they have not complied with the policies demanded by indigenous peoples."

Jose Antonio Cac, leader of the Mayan and Xinka, explained that "now we see that the government and private companies are marketing the B'aktun Oxlajuj name, for commercial and tourist purposes only."

Cac said despite the celebration announced by the Presidency, "they do not stop to analyze the situation and needs of indigenous peoples, so we ask them to stop these practices that continue to affect our culture. They commercialize the principles and values of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala."

President Otto Perez said he has not marketed the B'aktun 13 activity. "If you notice, we wanted to make a celebration of a much bigger way than it is being done."

Perez revealed that several activities were suspended that were already planned and the main reason was because he respected the decisions of the commission appointed and the views of indigenous communities. He stressed that the celebration that will take place on 21 December," belongs to all Guatemalans."

Perez insisted that there is no commercialization at all and that the only aim is to give prominence to the protagonists, which in this case, are the indigenous peoples, who will be responsible for carrying out the activities.

SHIFT OF THE AGES FILM

A film was released this week for "free viewing" on the internet that is titled “Shift of the Ages.” The Shift of the Ages is a dramatic documentary film that reveals the story of the Mayan culture and its sophisticated prophecies of time, as told for the first time by the Grand Elder of the Mayan people, Alejandro Cirilo Perez Oxlaj. The file is one hour and twenty six minutes long.

You can view the film at Shift Of The Ages

Some final thoughts:

We are fortunate and thankful to be here in Guatemala during this special celebration. Our family will be joining the Maya Oxlajuj Baktun celebration with friends over the nest two days.

I hope you all take some time to celebrate this important event in your own way and faith, and that you consciously participate in welcoming the new "Fourteen Baktun" Cycle, and take advantage of the energies manifesting during this time to enhance your spiritual growth and evolution.

Blessings to all, Felipe

© Copyright 2012 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Claire Byers]

So lovely that you get to be down there Robert! I spent some time in Guatemala this summer for a course, and was deeply moved by the Mayan communities I met. I hope I find a ritual to honor these very things you describe! Best to you and yours.

[Robert]

Hi Claire - Actually, I'm in Tucson, triangulating with Brother Felipe in Guate and another Spiritual Brother in Sag Harbor and another Spiritual Brother in Wisconsin during this time of the shift. And yes, it's multiple triangles! I have to be on the Captain's deck of the Starship Aquariuspapers, or else how could I get all these articles done and posted? ;-) Time to go to Guate next year!!

[Micheline]

Hi Robert. I really want to go to and visit all the sacred sites of the Maya some day soon!!! Happy New 14th Baktun! I understand that today ends the 13,000 years of the male consciousness and tomorrow is the begining of the birth of tge female consciousness in our Universe. This feminine energy is needed to balance out tge Male energies we have had for a long time, to heal the earth and nurture. As well as bring harmony and peace to us!!

[Claire Byers]

Micheline, I read that this new time will be a balance of both feminine and masculine energies. It was my understanding that, like you said, we have been in a time where masculine energies reigned; and there was a period prior to that where feminine energies reigned. Now is the time of balancing.

[Deb Marcoux]

Mr. and Mrs. Sun, thumbs up!

[BK]

Celestial Season Greetings to you Robert and to all Aquarius Papers readers. We've survived! May the spirit of HOPE fill us all with courage and optimism as we are reborn into the promised New Age.

[Maya Earth Coffee]

Buenas dias de Guatemala

Gracias Robert for posting the information about the Baktun 13.

We were honored to bring in the "nueva era" welcoming the start of Baktun 14 with a large crowd of brothers and sisters from Guatemala and around the world, at the sacred site of Iximche, located in the heart of the Maya Kakchiquel nation. The ceremony was beautiful, emotional, and profound.

I filmed the event and have some fascinating video clips but unfortunately our internet speed is so slow it is taking a very long time to upload. So long that my nephew said "You'll have to wait till the next Baktun ends before the videos will upload on the YouTube site". And that is no joke! I starting uploading a 3:30 minute clip yesterday and today the file has only been 25% uploaded with 442 minutes to go.

However, I plan to go to Panajachel (a tourist town about 10 miles away) today to see if an internet cafe has a faster internet connection so I can get the clips uploaded.

The message from the Aj Quij (Maya spiritual guide) was the same that we've been saying over the past year - that this new era will bring enhanced opportunities for spiritual growth, that the darkness will turn to light, that fear will be no more. The Aj Quij reiterated the words of the ancient sacred book of the Maya, the Popol Vuh. "Let everyone rise up, let no one stay behind".

I will continue to work on the videos and hopefully provide captions for the messages of the Aj Quij, although it may take some time.

Happy Solstice and the beginning of Baktun 14 to all.

Paz y Luz,

Felipe

[Maya Earth Coffee]

Hola Robert and all in our community,

Here's the first video of the Baktun 13 ceremony.

The Sacred Fire

More to come soon, including:

The Nana Aj Quij (Female Shaman)
The Message
The Dance

Paz y Luz, Felipe

[H]

Dear Robert & Felipe, Much thanks, love & light to you for making it possible to share in these wonders it is greatly appreciated :-) & Happy Baktun 14 for All.

[Robert]

Here's the next video from Guatemala of the Bsktun 13 ceremony:

Maya Woman Shaman and Queen at the Mayan Temple Iximche in Guatemala to Celebrate Baktun 13

[dcu]

Thank you so much Felipe and Robert. Welcome to the new Era!

[Robert]

Here are two more videos from Guatemala that Felipe took of the recent Baktun 13 ceremony

The Dance

The Message

[Maya Earth Coffee]

Greetings Robert and the comunidad,

The video title "The Message" has a transcript of the message in English.

Please click on the 4th link (small icon that looks like a piece of paper) underneath the Name of the video to view the transcript.

Paz,

Felipe