International Mayan Council
Guatemala, Santiago Atitlan
October 2005

Everything happening in Guatemala is beginning to settle in. It has been an intense adventure for many unexpected reasons. We are staying at a beautiful community center that is pretty disconnected from the village here that is deeply impacted by the mudslides. As we drove in, you could see all of the houses that had been completely destroyed by the mud, and other houses where they've had to clear out huge piles of mud and rebuild. There are still over 1,400 people that are missing and there has been lots of ceremony done here on this land over the past few weeks since I've been here. This week we will be making another huge donation of cots and supplies to the people that need them. That feels soooo good.

The Peace Council in Guatemala ended on Sunday and I am finally able to take moments to begin integrating the experience. The big headline is that the alliance between the representatives of the North and the Maya is being grounded through our relationship as women. The real action that came out of the presentations and discussions was a clear commitment to form a women's council which will consist of representatives from North America, Canada, Norway, Ethiopia, El Salvador and Guatemala. The women's council is being planned for December 2006 in Guatemala, and SpiralMuse is invited to shape and contribute in whatever ways we are inspired.

I am very thrilled about this outcome, and I had some harrowing experiences being on the journey. I am always so humbled when visions get grounded in reality and I begin to feel the true transformation that is needed to have the vision fully expressed. Today, I feel strong and inspired, grateful for the journey. I love being chipped away like a stone, well, of course, until the sensitive, irritable spots get hit.

The wind here is whipping up incredibly as I write!

I've been thinking about this new moon for the past several days and I am not sure what's happening astrologically in the sky, but the energies feel quite strong to me. As you all honor the New Moon in San Francisco, we will be honoring her here at Lake Atitlan. La Luna! La Luna! What a blessing it is to come together to honor the cycles of the moon. My heart goes out to Cassandra for how she has shaped my life through her contribution to SpiralMuse-- what an incredible gift you are, woman!

On a personal note, I've completely fallen in love with my mother on this trip. I can't believe her heart, passion and courage. The Maya kept calling her Nana which is a sign of respect and it so tickled me. I am so grateful that I have one more week to spend time with her, living out my commitment of connecting women, shaping the world while nourishing my relationship with mother.

Love and Blessings,
Marcella
m@spiralmuse.org

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Read more about the 2004 International Mayan Council

Read International Mayan Declaration March 2004

Read Mayan Declaration Feb 2005