So for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, the ancient stories have a wealth of information to share. It is up to each of us to make the necessary decisions that will decide whether the genetic heritage we inherited from our courageous ancestors will continue into the future or get snuffed out at the next catastrophe. The only guarantee is that the next catastrophe will certainly come and will likely come unexpectedly. What one does with this awareness will, of course, determine much.
Afterword
If you prefer physical books, a hardcover edition is available entitled Mayan Calendar Prophecies: Predictions for 2012-2052. A paperback edition is also available as is a paperback pocket book edition.
If you are interested in reading more of my research on ancient Mayan prophecies visit my websites TheRealMayanProphecies.com and MayaProphecies.com. You can also like my TheRealMayanProphecies Facebook Page and/or subscribe to my TheRealMayanProphecies newsletter.
If you are interested in learning more about the ancient Mayan civilizations visit my websites TheMayans.org, TheMayans.tv and MayaInAmerica.com.
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Author’s Note
There is an ongoing debate among Mayan scholars as to the correct usage of Maya versus Mayan. The overly simplified version is that Maya is reserved for the people and Mayan for the language. In this version, Maya is both a singular and plural noun as well as an adjective. Thus one would say, “Three Maya went to the store. Maya art is exquisite.” Besides sounding “wrong” to the ears of the average reader this arbitrary rule presents a problem. Is a “Maya scholar” someone who studies the Maya or is he a scholar of Mayan descent? Furthermore, Mayan scholars call themselves “Mayanists.” If “Mayan” refers only to the language then are “Mayanists” people who study the Mayan language? Actually, “Mayanist” refers to scholars who study any aspect of Mayan civilization thus these Mayanists do not even follow their own rule when referring to themselves.
Another group of scholars allows the use of Mayan as an adjective such as “Mayan textiles,” “Mayan culture,” and “Mayan scholar.” This group also allows “Mayas” as a plural form of Maya, i.e. “Three Mayas went to the store.” While yet another group of scholars believes that “Mayans” is the more appropriate plural form. Thus there is no real consensus even among academics as to the “proper and right” way of doing things. The reality is no scholar has been perfectly consistent in following any of these rules sometimes breaking them within a single journal article or book.
I think the overly simplified “Maya for people, Mayan for the language” is rather clunky and ignores basic rules of English grammar. For instance, we don’t say “America art” in English. We say “American art.” Likewise, the average person does not search for “Maya calendar” on the Internet. They search for “Mayan calendar.” To the average person “Mayan Calendar” sounds “right” as opposed to “Maya calendar.” More importantly, using “Mayan” as an adjective allows for a distinction between someone who simply studies the Maya (a Mayan scholar) and someone who is a Maya with an advanced degree (a Maya scholar.) It also makes it clear that a “Mayanist” is a person who studies the ancient Maya as opposed to someone who simply studies the language only.
For all of these reasons I will use “Mayan” in reference to the language as well as an adjective throughout this text. It should be abundantly clear from the context when I’m referring to the language and when I’m using it as an adjective. But I will use “Maya” as both a singular noun and plural. It just sounds better to my ears to say “The Maya” rather than “Mayas” or “Mayans.” Others are free to use whichever method works best for them.
Appendices
Above: The Lords of the Thirteen Katuns from the Chilam Balam of Chumayel
A. Creation Story from the Chilam Balam of Chumayel
Chapter X. The Creation of the World
It is most necessary to believe this. These are the precious stones which our Lord, the Father, has abandoned. This was his first repast, this balché, with which we, the ruling men revere him here. Very rightly they worshipped as true gods these precious stones, when the true God was established, our Lord God, the Lord of heaven and earth, the true God. Nevertheless, the first gods were perishable gods. Their worship came to its inevitable end. They lost their efficacy by the benediction of the Lord of Heaven, after the redemption of the world was accomplished, after the resurrection of the true God, the true Dios, when he blessed heaven and earth. Then was your worship abolished, Maya men. Turn away your hearts from your <old> religion.
<This is> the history of the world in those times, because it has been written down, because the time has not yet ended for making these books, these many explanations, so that Maya men may be asked if they know how they were born here in this country, when the land was founded.
It was <Katun> 11 Ahau when the Ah Mucenca came forth to blindfold the faces of the Oxlahun-ti-ku; but they did not know his name, except for his older sister and his sons. They said his face had not yet been shown to them also. This was after the creation of the world had been completed, but they did not know it was about to occur. Then Oxlahun-ti-ku was seized by Bolon-ti-ku. Then it was that fire descended, then the rope descended, then rocks and trees descended. Then came the beating of <things> with wood and stone. Then Oxlahun-ti-ku / was seized, his head was wounded, his face was buffeted, he was
