Six months ago I joined a weekly circle where we meet up at each other's houses and take turns presenting metaphysical subjects that we are into. Its been lots of fun; earlier this year I got to teach tarot and astrology and I am now I am back as a student, which I love. This week we kicked off with a new round of classes on Mayan spirituality, specifically the 13 cycles of the moon, from New Moon to Full Moon and what we learn about ourselves as we start to peel back the layers of the ego. The round of classes will span 26 weeks, I will be working on it into the New Year.
Exploring The Mayan World View
This week kicked off with a bit of theory on the Mayan "World View" of the human being as a functioning, sentient being that is part of the Universe but not all of it, just like a kidney is a functioning organ that is part of the human body and not separate from it (but also, not one and the same with the whole). The idea was that we each have a function to complete on earth, just like the kidney has a specific role, and that by fulfilling that function all of our needs would be met. This contrasts to our modern world view where the belief could be that we are competing with each other for jobs, money, resources, promotions, etc - and that through that world view, we have created a system that validates and reinforces those beliefs. I'm not sure how this fits in with the 13 moons, but the idea was intriguing ...
Yesterday's overarching theme was relationships - our relationship with the world whether it is a human being, a tree or an animal. The teacher encouraged us to sit in meditation and connect with plants and animals to receive their guidance. We did this in a short meditation where each of us was guided to meet one of our power animals, and to connect with a particular kind of tree and ask it what kind of healing it could give us. The tree that came to mind for me was the Eucalyptus, and it told me that we could receive its healing by chewing on its leaves. Afterwards, our teacher told us that Eucalyptus trees were about taking a breathe and resting, if you will. With regards to my power animal, I saw three: a spider, which I ignored and asked my intuition to give my something else. Then came a flying squirrel, which I saw as a cartoon character from the Sword in the Stone. I also got the lyrics to Seal's Fly Like an Eagle, along with a visual of an eagle flying over a lake and diving into to cool down.
After the meditation we discussed what we'd seen - the spider represents creativity so I guess it says something about my current creative process when I ignored the spider and waited for it to move along. The squirrel I think was about finding freedom, stretching your wings and also finding a bit of magic in our daily lives. Finally I'm not sure what the eagle represents and my homework was to connect with its energy in my daily meditations. It was pretty cool overall. The class we are taking is based on books by a woman called Jaime Sams, who has written extensively about Native American spirituality. I believe this specific course is based on the material in her book, the 13 Original Clan Mothers. She also published a set of Medicine Cards that I have been eyeing for years: The Discovery of Power Through the Way of the Animals.
Relationships As Reflections of Ourselves
The first moon's overarching theme is relationships as mirrors; how what we dislike in other people is often something that we are disowning in ourselves. And what we like in others are often qualities that we like in ourselves. So our relationship with the world is largely dependent on our relationship to ourselves, and in order to soften those triggers, we need to look within. Here's an example, let's say I'm super annoyed by people who show off. Is there a part of me that wants to show off but doesn't? Or is there an aspect of my life where I can't help showing off?
Along the same lines, when we think about what it is about a person that makes us like them, could it be that we have that same quality and it is one of the things that we like about ourselves? So for example, I am drawn to people who are happy and smile a lot (aren't we all?) and its usually people who are uncomplicated and happy that I like spending time with. Though it may be an aspirational mirror as I am quite happy and uncomplicated, but I could probably have more sunshine in my life. I think that is why I'm so drawn to Reiki, it is like a burst of sunshine in your mind's eye.
Our homework is to try and be more aware of what it is that draws us to other people (or away from them) and how those traits could be a reflection of ourselves. This is a theory that I was already familiar with, especially with regards to opposites in astrology. For example, as an Aquarius, I can be put off by Leo's drive to shine but really, it is just the opposite side of my coin. What I see as separate from myself is part of my disowned shadow. Let's think about what that means...
Update 2025: The class I took emphasized the Mayan tradition - Jamie Sam’s book is on Native American spirituality. Por si las moscas …