As the light reached the innermost part of the cavern it pierced the stalagmite shard and a single jubilant tone rang through the subterranean halls. The sound shivered through the souls of the waiting listeners. Ixchel, the rainbow goddess was set free from her crystal prison and moved among them and into the world above. The ball game had been won by the hero twins and the gods of Xibalba were again defeated. At each of the four corners of the earth, Ixchel’s four sons would forever hold up the sky vault over the people of the corn.*
For some reason this photo reminded me of my journey along La Ruta Puuc (of the Maya), from Sayil to the Lol Tun caves, when I traveled through the Yucatan two years ago. Sacred to the ancient Maya as portals to the underworld- and as journeys of the soul, the beautiful Cenotes and Caverns had captured my imagination years ago, along with the mysterious Mayans themselves.
I used a tile blur and a lens filter on this crystal rock. We don’t have much sun these days so I was grateful when an errant beam slipped through the window before the rain gods arrived.
*My story background:
Xibalba: the underworld or place of fear
In the beginning of time the hero twins Hunapu and Xbalanque challenged the dark gods to a ball game. The ball game then became part of the sacred ritual of life and death as is evident by the many ball courts and depictions of the game found on all the archaeological sites.
In Mayan myth the first humans were created from corn.
Some of their wonderful mythology can be found in a few surviving codices called the Popol Vu.
If you ever travel to the Yucutan, Chiapas and Central America remember Dzitnup Cenote,Lol Tun Caves,Balankanche Caves, The Wizard’s Temple, among other beautiful sites including those in Guatemala.
Dazzling reflections of light and inspirational thoughts excitingly complimenting the fabulous image ! Looks like a meteor burst in the infinite universe ! Great concept my friend ! Doda 🙂 xxx
Great brief story and I loved the way that crystal rock reminded you of your trip along La Ruta Puuc (of the Maya)… The inclusion has been perfectly achieved!. Aims to fit well and it does!, best wishes, dear Cybele ⭐
Aquileana 😀
Marvelous capture. Light bouncing off that crystal, an looks like a mini-rainbow has formed too. Each time light falls on such a glimmering rock, you practically see the stone in a new light. Love the story behind it 🙂
Interesting crystal photo, but I really wanted to say that I like the tribute to your brother. I lost mine too, so I feel that I can relate to it. It’s no fun being left behind.
Cheers and respect from one brother to another!
Thanks. I just read your post and checked out your about page, so I’ll have to rephrase the end of my last comment:
Cheers and respect from a brother to a sister!
Oooooow!…Beautifully expressed & visually realized… & very like Ixchel’s vibe as I experienced her in a dream the night before going to her alter ( washed away in a storm not long after I was fortunate enough to have seen it )… Hugz, DG
Very powerful words for very powerful characters! Well done! I especially like the expression “a single jubilant tone rang through the subterranean halls”!
I love that picture and the story it inspired. The Mayan myth obviously didn’t include rats or crows, knowing how they love feasting on corn. No corn, no humans!
“As the light reached the innermost part of the cavern it pierced the stalagmite shard and a single jubilant tone rang through the subterranean halls.”
What a great photo of a crystal – they are so hard to capture. I love the way you have woven the image of the crystal into a story about Mayan mythology. The background information is really interesting too.
They are and I took a few!! Mayan myth is fascinating- a little on the dark side to us, but rich in symbols and ritual and of course I used a bit of poetic licence with it. It’s very mysterious and sadly, much of their writings were destroyed by Spanish monks.
indeed, and their mathematics was astounding. Their calendar was more accurate than ours as well!!! Their observation of the cosmos was combined with sacred ritual!!
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
A wonderful photo and an interesting visit. Thank-you very much.
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thanks DB, I’m a story teller at heart I think!
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Dazzling reflections of light and inspirational thoughts excitingly complimenting the fabulous image ! Looks like a meteor burst in the infinite universe ! Great concept my friend ! Doda 🙂 xxx
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thank you for your lovely and poetic comment!!!
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Great brief story and I loved the way that crystal rock reminded you of your trip along La Ruta Puuc (of the Maya)… The inclusion has been perfectly achieved!. Aims to fit well and it does!, best wishes, dear Cybele ⭐
Aquileana 😀
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thanks so much Aquileana!! your comments are so encouraging!!
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It is a beautiful crystal is it yours? Lovely, powerful story. I have crystals everywhere, they have amazing healing powers. 🙂
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yes, I’ve had it a long time!! I agree that they are healing!! Thanks for your lovely comment moon sister!!!!
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Beautiful image, powerful story and lovely music! Well done, my friend! 🙂
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thank you so much my friend!!! Always glad when you enjoy my offerings!
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Love this beautiful image Cybele.. Strong, yet delicate and love that sunbeam!
Fabulous story telling as always.
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so glad you like it!! – and the story!!! Thanks my friend!!
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I do 🙂
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Marvelous capture. Light bouncing off that crystal, an looks like a mini-rainbow has formed too. Each time light falls on such a glimmering rock, you practically see the stone in a new light. Love the story behind it 🙂
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thanks so much for coming by Mabel and for your great feedback!!!
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Interesting crystal photo, but I really wanted to say that I like the tribute to your brother. I lost mine too, so I feel that I can relate to it. It’s no fun being left behind.
Cheers and respect from one brother to another!
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Thank you Cardinal!! Yes I hear you. I have a post about it too on my blog. It’s still hard 3 years later. Many good thoughts your way!!
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Thanks. I just read your post and checked out your about page, so I’ll have to rephrase the end of my last comment:
Cheers and respect from a brother to a sister!
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thank you Cardinal!! and to you too!! Our family of course (and I’m sure yours) was forever changed by this. It’s a hard road sometimes!!
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We were deeply affected by it. I had to move into a youth care center before I was moved into a foster home. It was insane times.
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it’s healing to acknowledge and write about your (and my) experience!! 🙂
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Oooooow!…Beautifully expressed & visually realized… & very like Ixchel’s vibe as I experienced her in a dream the night before going to her alter ( washed away in a storm not long after I was fortunate enough to have seen it )… Hugz, DG
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wow, what a wonderful dream!! Big hugs you clothed in rainbows woman!! 🙂
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I love the ‘sound shivering through the souls of the waiting listeners’. Thanks for re-telling this story so that I could hear it Cybele.
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your feedback is much appreciated!! Thank you!
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Very powerful words for very powerful characters! Well done! I especially like the expression “a single jubilant tone rang through the subterranean halls”!
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someone else liked that sentence too!! Thank you so much for your great feedback Lizzie!!
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I love that picture and the story it inspired. The Mayan myth obviously didn’t include rats or crows, knowing how they love feasting on corn. No corn, no humans!
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Thank you Sarah!! They had jaguars and serpents!!
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Nice, very creative take on the challenge.
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thank you for coming by and for your comment!!
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Lovely story and image. Thanks so much for popping by CTB 😀
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thanks so much for your visit too!!!
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Nice story Cybele and superb photo !
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thank you Della, I’m pleased that you like it!!!
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Very nice!
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thanks Jamie!
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Oh I’ve always wanted to go to the Yucatan! I shall spend some time reading about your Mayan travels 🙂 This is beautiful and I love the story too!
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It’s a fascinating place and history Sarah!! I’m happy you liked the post!! Thank you.
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My pleasure Cybele 🙂 Yes, the history intrigues me. The Mayans had a very complex civilisation and it’s sad that so much knowledge is lost to us!
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Beautiful way of conceptualizing this short story!
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thank you so much for your kind words Maria!!! Glad you liked it!
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So much beauty in the words and image! I love the way you see light.
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I’m very flattered Laura!! Thank you for a beautiful compliment!!
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You’re welcome!
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“As the light reached the innermost part of the cavern it pierced the stalagmite shard and a single jubilant tone rang through the subterranean halls.”
What a fine prose there, Cybele! I love it.
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Much appreciated coming from you Peter!!
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Short, but beautiful.
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Thanks so much Snow!! Sometimes short is good!! I don’t get so carried away lol!
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What a great photo of a crystal – they are so hard to capture. I love the way you have woven the image of the crystal into a story about Mayan mythology. The background information is really interesting too.
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They are and I took a few!! Mayan myth is fascinating- a little on the dark side to us, but rich in symbols and ritual and of course I used a bit of poetic licence with it. It’s very mysterious and sadly, much of their writings were destroyed by Spanish monks.
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Yes those Mayan stories do get very dark – what a strange culture it must have been – they were brilliant astrologers though.
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indeed, and their mathematics was astounding. Their calendar was more accurate than ours as well!!! Their observation of the cosmos was combined with sacred ritual!!
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This is most interesting. Superb photograph
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Thanks Raj!! Glad you enjoyed it!
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