Mayan Calendar Wavespell — September 24, 2011

Mariela Maya

Wavespell of the White Wizard
September 24 to October 6, 2011

     On September 24, 2011 the Wavespell of the White Wizard starts with thirteen days to create magic and feel empowered in the now!

     As shared before, we can all become magicians when we open our hearts, consciously breathe in the present moment and experience life as a sacred gift. In this way, we enter into the eternal flow within the web of life, the inexhaustible source of energy we are all part of.

     The White Wizard is also known as the shaman, jaguar or spiritual visionary.

What is shamanism?

     Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice that teaches us how to have access to the non-ordinary reality in order to receive guidance from helping spirits to heal ourselves and others. It is not a religion or dogma; it is just a way of life, which facilitates our path to live in communion with Nature serving as a doorway to the invisible world. It has been practiced by indigenous people around the world for tens of thousands of years.

     The word “shaman” has its origins in Siberia meaning “the one who sees” or “the one who knows.” A shaman is a visionary man or woman who serves as a bridge between the human (physical, matter) and spiritual (energy, sacred) worlds.

     Shamanism is a wonderful path that reminds us we are part of Nature. Shamans are known as animists, because they know that everything has a spirit and is alive. All existence is interconnected through the web of life, giving us a profound sense of oneness and unity. As mentioned in previous messages, this is the principle of the Mayan greeting “In lak’esh,” reminding us that we are all connected.

     Shamans perceive the non-ordinary reality divided in three worlds or planes: the Lower World, Middle World and Upper World. These worlds are known in the Andean tradition as Uku Pacha (Lower World), Kay Pacha (Middle World) and Hanan Pacha (Upper World).

     A key component of shamanism is the shamanic journey, a method by which the shaman accesses one of these worlds to find answers, wisdom and power for healing. Drums and rattles are generally used to help achieve an altered state of awareness.

     There are several modern shamanic practitioners who brought this ancient practice to the contemporary Western world: Michael Harner the pioneer, as well as Sandra Ingerman, Alberto Villoldo and Hank Wesselman, among others.

     Jose Stevens explains in Awakening to the Spirit World, book written by Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman, that three tools are needed in order to experience the shamanic path:

     Gratitude—an attitude based on an open heart, which gives us access to the spiritual world. Our ego tends to shut down our heart and, by doing so, it closes the portal to the sacred preventing us from receiving its gifts and help.

     Seeing—“‘to see’ is to cut through the veils of ignorance, the false appearance of the world, in order to see clearly into the true nature of Spirit as it manifests through all of reality.”  Our projections and distorted thoughts are based on fear of the unknown blinding us and creating endless misunderstandings and assumptions.

     Blessing—blessing everything and everybody (including ourselves) is an act of “recognizing and acknowledging the grand flow of Beingness that is present in everything we do. It helps us to awaken and become conscious that we are alive and that Spirit is flowing through us.”

Shamanism as a Spiritual Path

     In these confusing and accelerated times, we can see everywhere in the world people exploring different practices for spiritual awakening, while seeking for a more meaningful, joyful, healthier and balanced life.

     There is an increasing interest in the shamanic path as a way to re-connect with Nature, recover one’s own inner powers, and regain wisdom and self-healing. Anyone can use shamanic principles in their traditional sense or in a symbolic way, based on their interests, life style or intended purpose.

     An accessible way to start connecting with sacredness in our daily lives is by performing rituals or participating in ceremonies. A ritual is any conscious act where we dedicate time and space to connect with our own essence and all existence. It can be through meditation, creating an altar with our elements of power (stones, images, or anything that has a special meaning for us), or just something as simple as taking an immersion bath with candles and incenses to relax, unplug and feel. What counts is the intention.

     My favorite ceremonies are during solstices and equinoxes. The four Seasons of the year serve as crossroads, a sacred time for reflection and increasing self-awareness. I’ve been participating in these gatherings since the late 90’s and hosting my own groups for the past few years. They are simple yet powerful ways to re-connect with Nature’s cycles and step into the sacredness. Another example is celebrating the moon cycles, living in this way in alignment with our natural rhythms.

     And the last tool I would like to share with you in this message is the Medicine Wheel, a sacred living object or space used by different indigenous cultures, mainly Native American and First Nations people. As a physical representation of spiritual energy, the Medicine Wheel is a circle divided in four parts. It honors the four cardinal directions (East, South, West and North), four Seasons of the year (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), four elements (Fire, Water, Earth and Air) and our four levels of existence (Spiritual, Emotional, Physical and Mental). Some also relate different power animals to each cardinal direction and the four colors of human races (Yellow, Red, Black and White).

     We can use the Medicine Wheel on a daily basis as a map for healing our body, mind and soul, by finding balance between our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. When using it on a personal level or during rituals or ceremonies, in addition to the four directions, we are also invited to invoke the space: above, below, circle, center and within.

     Although all use the Medicine Wheel for similar purposes, it is important to clarify that different traditions have the colors and their meanings positioned in a different way.

**********

     Remember that, in addition to the beginning of the Wavespell of the White Wizard tomorrow, we are also transiting the Year of the White Wizard. Don’t forget to take time to intentionally step into the sacred, whatever it means for you and however you get connected with it!

In Lak’esh,

Mariela Maya
Yellow Electric Star

                                                                                            —30—

In Lak’esh means “I am another yourself!”, a Mayan greeting that recognizes the Divine in each living Being. It’s a message of Unity that reminds us that, when we give, we are also receiving. In this way, the Mayan honored and respected each other, reinforcing the belief that we are all interconnected: what we do to others and to our environment will also affect ourselves in the end…

To follow the daily energies, please visit the Daily Tzolkin