Maya Pilgrimage

It is said that travel broadens one’s horizons. A pilgrimage, on the other hand, expands one’s consciousness. The end result of a pilgrimage is the capacity to see the sacredness in the places that are visited. One such sacred place is the vast territory of the Maya world, where thousands of pyramid-temples form a network or web of interconnected sites. These sites - like Tikal in Guatemala and Copan in Honduras - are remnants of a complex and highly-advanced civilization that existed on the continent of the Americas, forming what was known as the Land of the Plumed Serpent. This mysterious and awe-inspiring Land of the Plumed Serpent is the subject of this book. Travel with the author on a pilgrimage of this land and explore the heart and soul of the Americas in Guatemala, where the Maya people to this day have preserved the ancient customs, traditions, and religion of their ancestors. Learn about Xibalba (the Maya underworld), the Popol Vuh (Maya Bible), 2012 (calendar cycle), Maximon (the ancient Mam of Maya mythology), the Milky Way (the double-headed serpent Kukulcan), and much more. Wander the streets of colonial Antigua, the ancient capital of the Spanish Empire. Sail the waters of Lake Atitlan, the heart center of the planet, and see the numerous indigenous Maya groups in their colorful traje (clothing). Walk on the black volcanic sand beaches of Monterrico, where the turtles reenact their eternal drama of survival. Climb the active volcano Pacaya and stand next to a flowing river of lava. Shop at the incomparable market of Chichicastenango in the Guatemala highlands. After reading this book, you will marvel at the beauty of the Maya world, and you will realize that the Maya consciousness is still alive and thrives in the Land of the Plumed Serpent. 3