We are honored to present Maya Tz ́utujil Elder Nana Marina Cruz, who will be leading a cacao ceremony for us in celebration of Oxlajuj Tz’ikin.
Oxlajuj is the 13th day of the mayan trecena. As the final number of the 13 day cycle, it represents connection with the spirit world. It is a powerful day, where both the positive and negative aspects of the nawal it is attached to come through strongly.
The nawal Tz’ikin is a nawal of good fortune. The word Tz’ikin means bird, although many like to relate it to the Quetzal bird or Eagle. Tz’ikin has the ability to give visions, it helps people to see the bigger picture within life. It also helps people to focus on details. It has grand aspirations and helps people to rise to the top of their abilities. Where the nawal Ix is connected with the Heart of the Earth, Tz’ikin is connected with the Heart of the Sky.
Nana Marina Cruz is an Ajq'ij (spiritual guide) of the Tz ́utujil People of Guatemaya. She is the daughter of Tata Pedro & works not just as a healer and therapist with natural folk methods, but as a ceremonial leader of fire, tobacco, cacao and temescal. She is a teacher of the Mayan calendar and the Mayan cosmovision. She works closely with the midwives of her community to coordinate prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. She emphasizes the importance of being truly connected in body and spirit. She believes that all things have a meaning, every emotion, every disease, and that these energies all have their origin. It is by finding the origin, that we can truly heal the spirit and body.
Cacao is a powerful medicine, so please do NOT DRINK COFFEE or any other stimulants at least three hours before the ceremony. We recommend that you do not eat for at least two hours prior to the ceremony.