Happy Belated Earth Day!

Happy Belated Earth Day from MayaWorks!

In honor of our earth check out MayaWorks Recycled Huipul Luggage Tags! Which are made from traditional Guatemalan women's blouses.

purchase here at www.mayaworks.org

Exciting Upcoming MayaWorks Events

Spring has officially sprung which means many exciting MayaWorks events coming up! Here are two that we would love to see you at!

World Fair Trade Day
Friday, May 7, 9am-6pm
Daley Plaza
50 W. Washington, Chicago

Join MayaWorks along with many other fair trade vendors to celebrate World Fair Trade Day in Daley Plaza. Sponsered by Chicago Fair Trade, this event will have music, culture and the opportunity to shop fair trade!
Admission is free!

Green Fest
Saturday, May 22, 10am-7pm
Sunday, May 23, 11am-6pm
Navy Pier, Chicago

Join MayaWorks at Green Festival! Which showcases over 350 diverse local and national green businesses. You'll also enjoy great how-to workshops, green careers, a Fair Trade pavilion, kids' activities, delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine, and live music. Admission is $15. Discounted to $10 if you ride your bike or take public transportation

MayaWorks New Spring Products!

Spring has offically sprung! Which means new adorable MayaWorks Florecita Baby products. Check out these great fair trade produts, perfect for any baby!


Comalapa Hi-Top Booties
Your baby will be the most stylish around sporting these Comalapa Hi-Tops. Made with 100% cotton Florecita fabric these boots are not only soft but stay on great with their velcro strap. Available in lilac, coral or baby blue. Fit 6-10 months.$17

Florecita Sunhats
Protect your favorite little baby's head from the sun this spring with a beautiful Florecita Baby Sunhat. Handwoven with "little flower" fabric these hats are truly adorable. Available in lilac, coral or baby blue. Fit 6-10 months.
$23

Order online at www.mayaworks.org

Vote for MayaWorks for Best Non-Profit in Chicago!

Exciting News! MayaWorks is a finalist in Mindful Metropolis' Readers Choice 2010 in the Category of BEST NONPROFIT! Please vote today by clicking on the link to vote for us!

http://www.mindfulmetropolis.com/Blog/Readers_Choice_2010_Best_of_Mindful_Chicago/54

Ixchel: Mayan Goddess of the Moon

As an ancient fertility goddess, Ix-Chel was responsible for sending rain to nourish the crops. When fulfilling that function she was called “Lady Rainbow”. She helped insure fertility by overturning her sacred womb jar so that the waters would flow.

Though sometimes depicted as a goddess of catastrophe (the woman who stands by as the world floods), many of her myths show her in a more benevolent light—as a goddess who refused to become a victim of oppression.This was a woman who, when faced with adversity, took charge of her life and turned it around!

Ix-Chel was almost too beautiful, this girl with opalescent skin who sat in the skies brushing her shimmering hair for hours on end. All the gods were captivated by her. All but one, that is. Kinich Ahau, the Sun God, seemed immune to Ix-Chel’s charms. Yet he was the only one she really ever wanted. For years she had longed for him as she watched him glide across the sky in all his golden splendor.

But the more Ix-Chel followed him around, the worse the weather on earth became. As she chased after him the tides would rise, creating floods that inundated the fields and caused the crops to die. So enamored was she, that Ix-Chel did not even notice the havoc she was causing. Like many moon goddesses Ix-Chel was a fine weaver, and it was the beautiful cloth she wove that finally captured Kinich Ahau’s attention. Soon they had become lovers.

Ix-Chel bore the Sun God four sons. They were the jaguar gods and could creep through the night unseen. They were named for the four directions, and each one was responsible for holding up his corner of the sky.

Unfortunately Ix-Chel’s love affair with the Sun God drew the ire of her disapproving grandfather. In his anger he struck Ix-Chel with lightning, killing her. For the next 183 days she lay lifeless as hundreds of dragonflies surrounded her body and sang to her. Waking suddenly, she returned to the palace of the Sun God.

Their relationship was turbulent—Kinich Ahau had a suspicious nature and was often consumed with jealousy. To make matters worse, he also had a fiery temper. Suspecting that the innocent Ix-Chel was having an affair with his brother (the Morning Star), Kinich Ahau threw her out of the sky.

Ix-Chel quickly found refuge with the vulture gods. Hearing this, Kinich Ahau rushed to plead with her to return and promised never to treat her so poorly again. Little time passed before he became jealous and abusive again.

Finally Ix-Chel realized he was not going to change. She decided to leave him for good. Waiting until he fell asleep, she crept out into the night, taking the form of a jaguar and becoming invisible whenever he came searching for her.Many nights she spent on her sacred island (Cozumel) nursing women during their pregnancies and childbirth. Ix-Chel, like other moon goddesses, governed women’s reproductive systems so it was quite understandable that she would become the protector of women during pregnancy and labor.

The small Isla de Mujeres (“Island of Women”) was devoted to the worship of Ix-Chel. Comfortable with all phases of life, she was honored as the weaver of the life cycle. She protected the fertility of women and was also the keeper of the souls of the dead.

Ix-Chel encourages us to acknowledge the negative forces affecting our lives. And she prompts us to assert ourselves fully in the face of physical or emotional violence that would diminish our sense of self.

Check out MayaWorks Ad on Gozamos!

Go view the MayaWorks advertisement on gozamos.com!

Gozamos is an awesome new online magazine spotlighting Chicago community and culture! Very cool!

The 1st Peoples of Guatemala

The trip with MayaWorks was a wonderful introduction to the Mayan people, their culture, and history.

Unlike other trips, where you visit a new country and leave knowing little about the people who live there, the MayaWorks tour takes you into the homes and villages of the Mayan people, lets you hear their stories, and learn about their beautiful arts and crafts.

While their history has been fraught with violence and hardship, as has been the case of all 1st peoples, the Mayans have survived with dignity and pride and a welcoming attitude. They are proud of their culture and their talents and are happy to show this in their beautiful dress, their incredible weavings and their smiles.

Their weavings are skillful and interesting with old and new designs, a history of a people woven in their fabrics.

Their murals tell the story of their people, a living book to help the old remember and the young to learn. The murals reflect a sense of community that the modern world has lost.

The MayaWorks trip captures all your senses in experiencing a beautiful country and its people.

Carol & Chris Melby, IL February 2010 tour participants