manygifts – Cara Carozza

Living Maya Time – The Trecena of Iq

I woke this morning to the howling sounds of the wind. Iq was making itself known. The glyph or symbol for Iq signifies a window. It is thought of as the breath of life and rules communication. The energy of Iq encourages adaptability. It can change in an instant just like the wind.

After this second Eclipse, I could use a breath of fresh air. Before I short circuit. Iq beckoned me outdoors today and I am feeling refreshed and revitalized. Another strong nawal, Iq clears the way for change. It invites us to remember the profound impact of our words in shaping our reality. The energy of Iq demonstrates why prayer is so powerful, especially in unison.

Prayer is what I had when I didn’t want to live anymore. When music, cannabis and even making love brought no peace, prayer is what I turned to. I was gifted a mantra that anchored me when sleep alluded me for days at a time. Speaking some uncomfortable truths to clients, my family and most importantly myself, was what ultimately banished my demons. Saq Iq’ means soul in the K’iche’ Mayan language. Iq is the nawal of divine inspiration. For the Maya to express yourself eloquently is to share your soul and is a gift.

Enjoy the renewal and revitalizing nature of the next thirteen days. Share your thoughts and your ideas freely but not aggressively. Iq can have a destructive energy when our words are anger filled. Like a hurricane, it can destroy everything in it’s path. With active solar weather and geomagnetic storms, thinking before you speak would be prudent.

Breathwork and movement of any kind will serve and support you. Prayer may be particularly powerful. Create with intention.

Much Love,

Cara

Living Maya Time

The world had just entered lockdown when I was first introduced to the Maya ceremonial calendar. Seeking connection and community while I sheltered in place, I joined an online Telegram group for women called Align Your Life with Magic. Each morning a story would be waiting for me. A story that described the energy of the upcoming day through the lens of the Maya sacred calendar. The Maya sacred calendar is Chol Q’ij in K’iche’ Mayan. It’s a 260 day calendar comprised of twenty thirteen day cycles called Trecenas. Each of the twenty Trecenas begins with a different Nawal and has a different theme. The numbers each carry their own vibration and influence how the Nawal that they are paired with expresses in the energy of the day.

Listening to the stories each day, I came to understand each Nawal as an archetype of sorts. Each archetype had a personality and an energy that influenced the day. That energy could make it more or less conducive for engaging in certain activities. I quickly found it to be immensely useful. I also really liked the pace of the calendar. A new cycle every thirteen days. I felt a rhythm within it that resonated with my own internal rhythm.

The Chol Q’ij is a cyclical calendar. One could say that it could begin on any of the 260 days, but among the Maya people still living in the Guatemalan highlands, the new year begins on Wajxaquib B’atz. Wajxaquib is eight in K’ichean. An unusual number to begin a calendar on. But when you understand that eight embodies wholeness and that B’atz is the weaver, the creative genius and represents the thread of time you start to see the wisdom of the choice. The sacred calendar is a representation of how that thread is woven to create reality. It is a tool for living and creating a reality that is in harmony with the energies.

On 8 B’atz large fire ceremonies are made to welcome another cycle and to initiate new calendar daykeepers. Fire has always been a part of my spiritual practice, lighting candles, ceremonial burnings and smudging being my favorties. Still, the Mayan fire ceremony was unknown to me before I started learning about the calendar. I had the opportunity to experience one virtually and it was quite powerful. It also inspired me to start making my own micro fire ceremonies as part of my practice. It offers me a container in which to create, play and pray. Tomorrow a new cycle begins and I’ve been called to make a traditional Mayan fire ceremony in celebration of the new year. I have gathered almost all of my supplies. I can’t wait to share my experience with you next time.

Wishing you a Blessed New Year!

Cara xoxo

What a Difference a Year Makes!

It’s hard to believe it has been an entire year since I launched my website and entered the “BLOGOSPHERE”. If you have been with me since the beginning then you know I am an observer of cycles. They fascinate me.

Last May the Blood Flower Super Moon danced in the expansive sign of Sagittarius. The perfect day to begin speaking my truth in a more public way.

“Seeker of Magic, Spreader of Light. Do you think you can own that? Walk that Talk?” When my editor and website creator Lee Mayimele asked me that question a year ago, I honestly didn’t know.

It’s May again and I have now published FORTY blogs. I had to count them, of course. This year the Blood Flower Moon emerged in the sign of Scorpio, the great transformer.

Have I transformed in the past year? I would say YES and I would say speaking my truth triggered the transformation.

Who knew writing and co-creating had such power to ALCHEMIZE?

Lee certainly did! She could see a version of me that even I had not glimpsed yet. This vision is part of what makes her a great writing coach and co-creator. If you would like to see how she can help you see your best self, contact her at http://www.leemayimele.com.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me, friends. Thank you for holding space for all my shares and for watching as I become a true SEEKER OF MAGIC and SPREADER OF LIGHT.

I am looking forward to another year of evolving with all of you!

Much Love,

Cara