The Wayeb is a special period within the Haab calendar, the 365-day solar calendar used by the Maya civilization. This period consists of five additional days, known as “days outside of time,” which complete the annual cycle of 360 days (18 months of 20 days each).
The Wayeb marks the transition between one year that ends and another that is about to begin. It is a sacred time to close cycles, reflect, and prepare spiritually and energetically to welcome the new year bearer (govenrment), considered the guardian that oversees time.
Deer
Wildcat
Woodpecker
Hummingbird
This year, we welcome the energy of Jun Kej’ (One Deer), a Sacred time dedicated to our spiritual path, teacher K’amol Bey (Holder of our path) the carrier of our spirit / soul, it is the energy that guides us spiritually, energetically the one that we follow, you name it or visualize it. It is that energy. In our prayers we pray to it: “Nahual Kej may you carry us on you back, so we don’t get tired by walking our mission of life”
Wayeb invites us to approach this transition with humbleness, gratitude, and reverence to receive the blessings and gifts brought by this new year bearer. to clean our physical, energetical, spiritual spaces and aspects of our lives.
Wayeb is considered a period of intense and delicate energies. The Maya believed it to be a time when the boundaries between the earthly and spiritual worlds were thinner, and invites us to walk carefully and be conscious about what we work on and speak about, including our thoughts.
It is a moment for introspection, purification, and connection with ancestors and sacred forces. Many use this time to perform fire ceremonies, prayers, and rituals of gratitude.
In Maya cosmology, the Wayeb was often viewed with respect and caution, as the world’s energies were seen to be in a state of transition, where in the old time, people take off their jobs, stop their activities and dedicate to clean their house, altars, practice the most sacred rituals, just like the Easter Week celebration.
The Wayeb is an opportunity to release emotional burdens, balance energy, and set clear intentions for the coming cycle. Good day to take out non functioning objects, old clothes, shoes, letters, paintings, things that are just holding you back in the past or bringing negativity.
Today, the Wayeb is celebrated as a sacred time to connect with oneself, the community, and natural and spiritual forces. It is an invitation to close chapters, renew energy, and open up to new possibilities. Where we gather everyday to celebrate ceremony everyday during this time, where we do fire and cacao ceremony and practice plant cleansing (this is not teaching) this is part of our ceremony, where also we use sacred Tobacco, and incense. And ceremonies being held by different Tata and Nana
The year of Jun Kej ( One Deer) To carry our paths, asking for strength, balance and harmony for mother earth, project and communities, for clean water, good harvest, strong body and healthy, to give good work and not to lose the humbleness, and not being egoistic or controlling life or roles of others, to give us a path where to focus on, and follow the path of our hearts.
We will honor these days with a sacred ceremony that includes fire, cacao, tobacco, and herbal cleanses, giving thanks for everything we have received. During this time, we will release anything that does not bring positive energy while praying for the blessings to come.
We will ask for the materialization of our dreams and projects, with the purpose of serving the spirit of life.
We will free our hearts, expressing sweet, kind, and inspiring words for others. May these blessings be abundant, colorful, and mature, arriving in their perfect time without force. A good time to bring yourself in retreat for Release, Gratitude and Manifestation, letting the old go is selflove, let go of what no longer serves you. by going to a sacred ceremony everyday.
Xe Abaj Altar
All invited Tatas and Nanas
Ixchel Juyú
Tata Francisco
At the beach
Nana Ix & Tata René
1 Bat’z Altar
Tata Thomas & Nana Aura
Tata Walter’s Altar
Tata Walter Quiacain
2 Kawoq Altar at Kawoq Forest
Tata Izaías & Nana Izabel
Ixchel Juyú Altar
All invited Tatas and Nanas
Lavalove Cacao Altar
All invited Tatas and Nanas
The Wayeb is a sacred period of five transitional days in the Mayan calendar, offering an opportunity to cleanse and release material, emotional, psychological, or relational aspects that no longer serve us. This unique time invites us to purify our surroundings and intentions, paving the way for a life filled with peace, joy, harmony, and blessings.
During these five days, we honor the transition between the old year and the new, a delicate bridge of time, through daily sacred fire ceremonies. This is a space to celebrate with family, friends, and even with those who you do not know, fostering connection, reflection, and the creation of new spaces for growth in all aspects of life.
If you’re in Guatemala or near Lake Atitlán, or if you simply wish to be part of this experience, this is your time. Set intentions for the days you wish to join, and prepare the offerings you feel called to bring for each ceremony. Various Tatas (spiritual leaders) and Nanas will guide ceremonies.
Ceremony of closing the year of OXLAJUJ (13) IQ’ (Hummingbirds)
The Wayeb ceremonies will honor different energies and Nahuales as we close the year of 13 Iq’
We will come together in a grand ceremony to welcome the Year of Jun Kej (1 Deer), marking the New Year.
The altars will be lifted, and the ceremonial space will be closed, completing the cycle.
Good time to reflect on what we have been doing in the past and where we were wasting our time and resources, to find our paths and purpose, maybe changes our work or profession, or beginning to separate some time aside, good time to profound our spirituality and make question to ourselves what we want to do with our lives, and how to continue, maybe its just a release, or strengthen our process.
May this time bring clarity, balance, and blessings to all who participate. You are warmly invited by Lavalove Cacao Team and Tatas & Nanas