Chichén-Itzá, "One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World"

Lak'ech Ala K'in "I am you, and you are me." Maya Greeting

"At the mouth of the well of the Itza" - "enchanted waters"

• Maya-Toltec style buildings, observatory, an impressive pyramid where the shadows of moving serpents can be seen on the spring and fall Equinox, are the main attractions.
• Eclipses, equinoxes, solstices, etc., were observed and studied by the priests who controlled not only the calendar, but, every aspect of the population.
• The Toltec, from Central México, united with the Maya to make Chichén-Itzá the most powerful city and Pilgrimage Center for over one thousand years.
• Kukulcán or Quetzalcóatl (Feathered Serpent) was the name of their ruler.
• In the 13th.C the Maya fought the rulers of Chichén-Itzá, after that, no new buildings were made, and, although it remained a sacred place of pilgrimage until 1531, when the Spaniards arrived, the city was abandoned.
• There were 3 Sacred Cenotes, only two can be visited; Sacred Cenote and Xtoloc Cenote. Cenotes are the Sacred entrance to the Maya Underworld.
• The Pyramid of Kukulcán, "El Castillo", was dedicated to the Feathered Serpent God "Kukulcán." It has sculptures of feathered serpents that run down the sides of the northern staircase. The shadows of the snakes can be seen on the spring and fall Equinox. Kukulcán is the feathered serpent deity also known as "Quetzalcóatl" by his Nahua followers in the southwestern United States and northwestern México. The serpent could fly and from inside the serpent, the god would come out. Representations of the feathered deity can be seen in stone carvings and walls.
• It has 9 levels depicting the Maya Cosmological view; 9 levels in the Maya Underworld. 91 steps on three of the sides, 92 on the staircase, giving us a total of 365 steps, or days of the year. The staircase, (center of the pyramid), has 13 levels; the number of levels in the "upper worlds".
• The pyramid is 95 ft. high and has a temple on the top of more than 19 ft. high. The sides of the pyramid are 181.43045 ft. At the base of the northern staircase there are two carved heads of the feathered serpent deity.
• El Caracol,"Observatory." - Maya astronomers knew from observations that Venusappeared on the western and disappeared on the eastern horizons at different times in the year, and that it took 584 days to complete one cycle. 5 of these Venus cycles equaled 8 solar years.
• Venus would appear at the North and South at eight year intervals.
• In the interior of the pyramid there is another pyramid, as the Maya used to construct one every 52 years. Symbols and Mythology
• The buildings are connected by the sacred Maya roads called Sacbé. There are more than 100 Sacbeob (plural) connecting the site to other sites.
• SACBĖ – SA - White, Cbé or Ché- path - Pedestrian Maya road made of shells, lime, sap of the Zapote tree, and stones. The sacbés are pedestrian raised roads that connected the city with other Maya sites. The Maya traveled at night to avoid the heat, and, by using shells on the roads, the light of the moon reflected on them. Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia INAH

- The archaeologists just discovered another construction and are working to uncover it. We were told that the new one will be uncovered in 3 more months (March 2010). The climb to the top is not allowed anymore. Inside of the pyramid there is the stone-carved throne of the King Kukulcán; a jaguar throne painted in red with spots of jade incrustations and stairways.

• Temple of the Warriors-The Great Market -Platform of the Skulls
• Juego de Pelotaor Ball-court -Temple of the Jaguars - with feathered serpent columns, jaguars and murals.
• Sweat Bathsto purify the body and soul.
• El Caracol"Observatory"- A circular temple that served as an astronomical observatory.
• The Red House -House of the Deer -Temple of the Wall Panels
• Akab' D'zib Palace; hieroglyphic inscriptions
• High Priest Grave; tomb for one of the city rulers.
• Nunnery Complex - Was the Royal palace at one time.

- Before you visit the site, read about the symbols, the calendar and the wonderful love story that helped the return of some of the treasures that were stolen.

Love Story in Chichén-Itzá

Aluxes - Ask the guide about the wonderful legend of the Aluxes , ethereal beings small as dwarfs, that protect the sacred sites, temples and pyramids. Ask the guide how to ask permission to enter the sacred site, and, on the right side of the Observatory, walk until you find a wall; it has some carvings depicting them. Find the magic!

Location - 30 minutes West of Valladolid, 205 mi. approx. 3 hours from Cancún and 115 mi. from Mérida.
- There are two ways to enter the site; through the town of Piste or through the Hotel Zone. The best deal is to stay in the Hotel Zone and start the visit early in the morning with a guide, return to your Hotel, take a swim and lunch, and return before the closing of the site so that you avoid the crowds from the cruises. We usually stay 3 days and visit several sites. Check the times. With your entrance you can go to the Light and Sound Show on the evening. Bing a flash light for the Light and Sound Show, sunscreen, hat, mosquito repellent and water. If you have an extra day, visit Old Chichén.It is inside the private property of Hacienda Chichén and not open to public visits. It is part of the Maya Jungle Reserve and Nature Trails and open only to the Hacienda Chichén guests and visitors for bird watching and horseback-riding tours. Ask at the Villas Arqueológicas Hotel where they offer great guides and tours at a great price. If you have a chance, read "La Peregrina" from Alma Reed. A wonderful historical love story.

MéXICO, 30 (UPI) - The lands which lie the Maya archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá, which for years were in dispute, were purchased from an individual by the state government of Yucatán in the Mexican peninsula of the same name, a source officer.
The Yucatán Cultural Trust reported that it reached an agreement of sale of 80 hectares of the archaeological zone and around 220 million pesos (17.3 million).
The agreement was made between local government and Hans Jurgen Thies Barbachano, owner of the land, the schools, 45 acres are home to the Mayan archaeological site in 1988 was declared by UNESCO as World Heritage.
Chichen Itza was founded around the year 525 AD and was one of the main settlements in the post-classic period of ancient Mayan civilization in Yucatan. 30/03/2010 14:01 ANSA LATINA

Chamán - Scha- Knowledge - Individual that has the capacity to modify reality or collective perception of the reality. Healing, communicating with soul, visionaries and foretelling the future and knowing the past of someone, are some of the attributes that they have.

Videos MayaJourney.com

Solar Equinox
The Equinox, an astral-archaeological phenomenon, is the time when the earth is illuminated by the sun’s light in the same way in both hemispheres , north and south. By the afternoon of 21st of March and the 22th of September, which are the days of the beginning of the equinox of spring and autumn respectively, it is possible to see in the north staircase of the Chichén Itzá castle, a serpent like projection; that consists in seven inverted triangles of light, as the result of the projection of the nine platforms of this building, at dusk.
Lunar Equinox
Another phenomenon that we can observe trough the walls of the pyramid is the lunar equinox that occurs at the very late night of full moon, in which the light effect of the inverted triangles is repeated on the staircase of the Chichén Itzá castle. This simulates the descent of the feathered serpent god, Kukulkán.
Solstice - During the dawn of the days 20, 21 and 22th of June, the solstice of summer takes place, this spectacular phenomenon makes the light to flare the north and east faces of the pyramid, while the south and west faces remain in the shadows. In winter, the inverse effects takes occurs, that means, the lighten face darkens and the dark flares with light, this also does not happens at dawn, only by the afternoon from 20 to 22 of December.
Light and Sound: Summer 8 p.m., Winter 7 p.m.
Show that must be in your schedule of touring Yucatán, “the night of the Mayas” is a narration of a part of the history of the Mayas... Offered daily at 20:00 hours during summer and at 19:00 hours during winter.
$116.00 pesos (includes the Light and Sound show)
13 years and under: $5.00 pesos
- If you have a chance, read "La Peregrina " Alma Reed. A wonderful historical love story. Part of this wonderful story took place in the Hacienda Chichén.
- Visit one of the Cenotes or the Balankache Cave.
Digital Presentation Chichén Itzá

Ceremonial site with impressive formations. A wonderful magical place with idols and ancient pottery in the positions where they were left by the Ancient Maya. The "Balam Throne", an altar where the Maya celebrated their ceremonies is impressive. The throne is in a round setting, where a 20+ ft. formation of stalagmites, in the form of the sacred Ceiba tree, is located. The Ceiba tree, represent the 3 levels of existence: the underworld (roots), the physical level (trunk) and the heavens (branches). Several objects can be seen where they were left. Clay dishes, copal burners, stones for grinding maize called "metates", and other objects, are still lying where the priests left them. Pay special attention to the tiny "metates."

Tláloc

The mask of the Rain God Tláloc decorates many of the clay pots. At the end, crystal-clear water surrounds another altar. Usually, in the Cenotes, there are tiny shrimps and blind fish. Little fruit bats can be seen on the ceiling. There is a small outdoor museum at the entrance. Once inside there is a light and sound show with explanations in different languages. Check the time for the language of your choice, although you can enter when any language is being spoken. The light and sound show is presented in English, Spanish and French. This fascinating site, in a limestone cave, was discovered by accident in 1959. Undisturbed for centuries, its entrance was blocked with stone and shrub. Open every day of the year ( we were there on Christmas Day 09), parking lot, small museum, cafeteria and services. Located 6 Km. from Chichén Itzá (Road #180) Piste towards Valladolid - Entry $70 pesos approximately, 5 pesos for children.

Scan of Limestone Column - Cave of Balankanché

Some of the medicinal herbs that were used by the Ancient Civilizations in México, and are still in use today, are being tested by different labs and in Clinical studies. One of them, known in México as "Agua de Jamaica," (Hibiscus flower) is a wonderful refreshing drink-tea, that through centuries, locals use it as medicinal and magical. Considered as a 'sacred medicinal plant', the tea is prepared with the dry flowers of the hibiscus. - 2 Cups of Jamaica flowers dried and clean, (if clean and leaves are cut like tea, use just 1/4 cup). Cover the flowers with boiling water. Let them boil for 10 min., strain and discard the leaves. On a pitcher put water, add sugar (move it so that it dissolves) and add the concentrated tea. Add ice and serve it cold. The flower, "Jamaica" (Hibiscus Sabdariffa-Malvacea Family, like Cacao and Hibiscus), is proven to be an excellent remedy for cholesterol and inflammation.

Clinical study IMSS, Oaxaca, México http://vinculando.org/mercado/flor_jamaica.html