Maiden
What you need to sow
Leave the place that won't let you grow.
K'iche' Maya / Guatemala
Xquic
Blood Moon Maiden
Popol Vuh (K'iche', recorded 16th century)
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Her story
Historical context
goddess · Popol Vuh (K'iche', recorded 16th century)
In the Popol Vuh, Xquic, daughter of an underworld lord, became pregnant by the calabash tree and fled to earth, where she bore the Hero Twins and proved herself by gathering maize.
Mythology & traditions
A skull hanging in a calabash tree spits into Xquic’s hand and miraculously conceives the Hero Twins. Condemned by the lords of Xibalba, she escapes by tricking their messengers with resin mistaken for her heart. On earth, an impossible task of gathering maize proves her truth to Xmucane, making ingenuity and courage as important as miraculous motherhood.
Domains
- moon
- courage
- maize
- motherhood
Symbols
- calabash tree
- maize
- moon
In the oracle
Her guidance
Mother
What you need to grow
Grow the future you carry.
Crone
What you need to know
Know that one plant can feed a family.
Her tradition
K'iche' Maya Tradition
Mothers of maize and the Hero Twins from the Popol Vuh.
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