It is good to be back in the Ancient Worlds after a long abscense. So much is going on here. It is wonderful to celebrate the change of seasons and the birth of spring!
Baden~Powell _TRISTEZA
Museum of the Americas presents from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC:
In the Maya view of the cosmos, caves are openings to the water-filled underworld-Xibalba, or the Place of Frieght-which plays a key role in the story of creation as described in the Popol Vuh, a sacred book of the Maya.
May 6, 2004
The Mystery of Xibalba
Posted at 21:00 EST
XIBAIBA
She was the virgin daughter of prince Cuchumaquiq. From her father she had learned of the marvelous calabash tree. Desireing to possess some of the fruit, she journeyed alone to the somber place where it grew.
Later when Xquiq returned to her home, her father discovered that she was to become a mother. She told her father that the child was begotten when she gazed at the head of Hunhun-ahpu in the calabash tree, and that she had known no man. No one belived her and the princes of Xibalba demanded her heart in an urn. Led away by her executioners Xquiq pleaded that they spare her life. They agreed to this substituting the fruit of the rubber tree. The sap was red and the consistency of blood. When the princes of Xibalba placed the supposed heart upon the coals of the alter to be consumed, all were amazed by the perfumed aroma. They did not realize that they were burning the fruit of a fragrant plant.
