Chichen Itza And More

There is a reason why Chichen Itza again tops the list of 7 wonders of the world. One very good time to have a reading is at the change of the season, like vernal equinox and summer solstice. ChichenItza was built to maximize the equinoxes.

Another good time to have a reading is when you're in a transition - divorce, marriage, a new baby, a new job, a move to a new location.

Of course it's a good time to have a reading at your birthday. You can find out what lies ahead in the beginning of your own personal New Year, and don't forget to check this out regarding loved ones as well. Bosses and other important people too!

Which brings up the point that it's great to have a reading when you don't know what's going on with someone. If you can't figure out that Capricorn boss, or where your Scorpio lover has crawled off to, LOL.

Readings are good when you can't get the answer. If you're in the battle of the experts and everyone's telling you different advice, why not go to the Source?

It's a good time for a reading when you're bored, and things are stagnant. You can find out why, when it will lift, if there is anything you should or can do about it, and how to cope in the meantime.

Mercury Retrograde is a very popular time for readings. (When my calendar overflows, that's when I know it's Mercury Retrograde). That's when, for all of us, communications are screwed up. Faxes don't go through, people hang up on you, disastrous emails get sent, people don't show up at all, or go to the wrong place at the wrong time, traffic is snarled, batteries die and appliances don't work. These last for several weeks and occur several times a year. It's good to be prepared for them, and good to get readings during that time so you can maneuver through the landmines better.

You'll really want to get a reading at your Saturn Return (and important people in your life). This occurs for each of us around the age of 28-30, and then it comes around again at 58-60, where we -- if we know what's going on -- get the Big Second Chance. Very important to know about this so you can maximize this fantastic opportunity in your life.

Of course eclipses and full moons are a popular time for readings. Don't forget to get a reading right After A FULL MOON. That's when it all shakes down.

And don’t forget VENUS RETROGRADE. Once every 18 months, it brings in major changes. Get a reading and be prepared. You can lose a love relationship, have one transform. Women can cause problems in your life – his ex-wife starts acting up, some women goes after your job, or your man. It can also bring old loves back into your life. Really an exciting time, if you have a “good one,” and a reading helps prepare you.

Another great time to get a reading? Yesterday. Then you'd know what's going on today. :-)

And last but not least, a particularly good time to get a reading is when the thought occurs to you. There's a reason why. It's not an 'accident.' So pick up the phone, or email, and get a reading. You may find a happy surprise.

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Just over 100 miles from the glamorous resorts and pristine beaches of Cancun, rests Mexico’s most celebrated historical site. Chichen Itza, once a prominent regional capital of the Mayan civilization, is a sprawling complex of pre-Columbian ruins. Though the city lay neglected until archeologists began exploring and preserving the site in the 1920s, the Mayan capital has become one of Mexico’s most visited attractions. Chichen Itza – meaning “at the mouth of the well of Itza” – is also a World Heritage Site and finalist for the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The most well-known structure at the Chichen Itza site is the Temple of Kukulcan, also known as El Castillo. In addition to being one of the most famous remains of the Mayan civilization, this wonderfully preserved step pyramid once served as a monument to the culture’s greatest mythical creature. Kukulcan, the feathered serpent deity more commonly known as Quetzalcoatl, is celebrated in an incredibly unique architectural flourish. During the spring and fall equinoxes, the structure casts ornate shadows in the form of a feathered serpent along the northern staircase.

Demonstrating a common Mesoamerican architectural tradition, El Castillo was actually constructed atop another smaller temple. At the base of the northern staircase, visitors can enter a tunnel to the interior temple. The small room at the top of the staircase still houses King Kukulcan’s Jaguar Throne, carved from stone and painted red with jade spots.

These temples are at the heart of the debate surrounding the age of the city and the year of its decline. For decades, it was believed that the interior temple dated to a period just before 1000 AD, soon after the ruler of the Toltec civilization of central Mexico – who would later call himself Kukulcan in honor of the god – came to Chichen Itza. The historical belief held that Kukulcan, working with his Mayan allies, expanded Chichen Itza into the most powerful city in the Yucatan region. While many of the remaining structures at Chichen Itza represent a mixture of Mayan and Toltec styles, advanced technology has shown that the city most likely rose to prominence around 600 AD. Furthermore, while Mayan chronicles reference a revolt and civil war in 1221 – the previously held date of Chichen Itza’s decline and Mayapan’s rise – archeologists now believe Chichen Itza may have fallen by 1000 AD, creating a mysterious historical gap between the peaks of these Mayan capitals.

El Castillo and its inner structure are not the only temples at Chichen Itza. The High Priest’s Temple – a smaller version of El Castillo – served as the burial site for elite members of society. The Temple of the Warriors is another well-preserved step pyramid surrounded by carved columns with depictions of Mayan fighters. The Temple of the Warriors is also near the large plaza now known as The Great Market.

To the northwest of El Castillo is a large open space that might seem like another market at first glance. However, this area is the largest Mesoamerican ballcourt in all of Mexico, measuring 545 feet by 232 feet. The field is lined with sculptures of athletes, most notably a depiction of the losing team captain being decapitated. On the ballcourt’s exterior wall, The Temple of the Jaguar and another jaguar throne – similar to the interior of El Castillo – were built into the structure.

Another pair of popular structures is the complex known as Las Monjas (The Nunnery) and El Caracol (The Snail). Though referred to as a nunnery by Spanish conquistadores, Las Monjas was actually the primary governmental palace of Chichen Itza. El Caracol – a large round building on a square platform – served as the city’s observatory.

Called “the snail” for its spiral staircase, the Mayans incorporated many unique features into El Caracol. From the doors aligned for viewing of the vernal equinox to the stone cups designed to hold water and reflect the stars, Mayans based their understanding of the universe on this observatory’s technology.

Whether you visit Chichen Itza on your own or with a tour group, getting to the site from Cancun is a breeze. Tours can be arranged directly through your resort and most feature knowledgeable guides. However, guided day tours don’t always allow much free time at the site. If you want to explore the site on your own schedule or just beat the early afternoon crowds, consider renting a vehicle or spending a night at the pleasant villa near the ruins.