This month's full moon altar honours the Mayan Goddess Ixchel, represented here in her three divine aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Ixchel's name (pronounced ee-shell) means "Rainbow Woman" or "Lady Rainbow." Her Mayan civilization flourished 2500-3000 years ago in Mexico and Central America before both the Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest.
In her Maiden aspect, Ixchel represents the power of youth and fertility. She's obviously great pals with her Rabbit buddy and of course, rabbits are potent symbols of Fertility, Spring and the Divine Feminine in many cultures. The original of this statue dates from around 800 CE.
In her Mother aspect, Ixchel births and sustains all life on earth with her body and breasts, and was prayed to for protection in childbirth. During her lifetime, a Mayan woman would make two pilgrimages to Ixchel's temple on Isla Mujeres ("Women's Island") in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula -- once as a little girl taken there by her mother, and then once again later in life as a mother bringing her own daughter(s) to the temple. In this reproduction of a stone carving, Ixchel beckons us to approach her temple.
In her Crone ascpect, Ixchel controls the power of hurricanes, which she pours out and unleashes from her water jug. In this manifestation, Ixchel is known as "The Stormbringer." Her hurricanes embody both destruction and creation by transforming the earth and bringing new growth. This dual power of death and life, transformation and healing, is symbolized by the Sacred Feathered Serpent headdress which guides her.
All of these reproduction statues were purchased many years ago from SacredSouce.
[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2025]
Debra. Mornin'. You are super duper talented with the photography and the art drawings. Really, really good stuff.
ReplyDelete...rabbits sure are potent symbol of fertility!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read about the ancient Maya goddesses, thanks for sharing 🎭
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week ahead 👍🌞
Marvelous statues!
ReplyDeleteMore goddess education! Thank you. I learn so much in here. I did know about the sacredness of corn (reading Betty Fussell) but most of this post is new to me.
ReplyDeleteA very good friend of mine celebrates the cycle of life by honoring the Mayan goddesses..
ReplyDeleteLove the meaning....but they have a menacing look to them.
ReplyDelete@ Mistress Maddie -- Yes, Mayan and Aztec deities often have a very fierce aspect.
DeleteHello Debra, Ixchel sure kept busy. The version with rabbit seems friendly enough, but I would not trust the beckoning Ixchel one inch. The crone is my favorite version. I like her attitude and the snake on her head, and her water jug reminds me of Guan Yin's, although the Asian version was meant to sprinkle holy water, not to create a deluge.
ReplyDelete--Jim
I like knowing the pronunciation of the names. Ixchel gives a whole new perspective to hurricanes I hadn’t considered before.
ReplyDeleteCodex: I learn a lot from your explanations and enjoy your altars. I'm curious though. The monotheistic religions have never included women beyond their reproduction capability, but many of the ancient religions do the same. Ho do you view this as a feminist?
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous (Codex) -- Every pagan religion has fertility goddesses, it's true. But most also have warrior goddesses, goddesses of healing, and goddesses who are queens/rulers over many diverse aspects of life (weaving/textiles, horses, justice, victory, death, afterlife, are just a few which leap to mind). Taken as a whole pagan religions are a much more well-rounded view of the capabilities of females than child-bearing alone.
DeleteCodex: My wife pointed it out years ago then I started to notice. The more powerful gods are male. In Your experience were there traditional gender roles?
DeleteI learned something new today. Thanks for the explanation and the pictures.
ReplyDeleteLove the Mayan Triple Goddess altar. Ixchel is so beautiful with her fierce indigenous face! The ground corn is the perfect addition.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting altar this month. The rabbit statue reminded me of that old Jimmy Stewart film, "Harvey".... perhaps Ixchel liked the odd drink too?
ReplyDeleteThe statues are absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the history lesson, it was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe lass in the middle looks very diva ish
ReplyDeleteMost pre-Columbian cultures were absolutely awesome and the Spaniards had very little to teach them.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of making a pilgrimage to Isla Mujeres!
XOXO
a fascinating read and i really love your altar - once again we have been blessed with a ringide view of the full moon, directly from my armchair in the living room!!
ReplyDeleteIxchel's representation in her three aspects is a beautiful tribute to the timeless connection between fertility, growth, and wisdom, and her association with the rabbit highlights her deep link to the cycles of nature.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Once again a perfect alter. I love reading about the goddess ‘s
ReplyDeleteAnd learning about them. Thank you
@ Anonymous (Codex) -- Much of the world's mythology either arose in, or was modified from earlier versions in, patriarchal societies which by definition elevated the masculine over the feminine. All mythologies reflect the societies and peoples who create them, including biases. We need to always be aware of that.
ReplyDeleteCodex: Succinctly put. But why the imbalance throughout history?
DeleteThose statuettes are super cool. The godesses know you are honouring them.
ReplyDeleteI like how well she and that rabbit get along.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous (Codex) -- Well, it's the old, old story, isn't it. "Physical might" gets equated with "right" and BAM! before you know it, entire civilizations are created to benefit and empower one group over another.
ReplyDeleteCodex: Don't think more muscle mass is the only reason. At least I hope not. I'll be back on this one later.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous (Codex) -- It's not the muscle mass, it's the violence it enables. And speaking of violence, I'm busy watching the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vegas Golden Knights, so that's all the debating I can do. But if you're interested in a reading recommendation, try "The Chalice & The Blade: Our History, Our Future" (1988) by Riane Eisler. It's a feminist classic on the subject and is available on Amazon.
Deleteoh wow! What a powerful goddess!!!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your goddess posts... Very informative and interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I love your alters.
ReplyDeleteIsn't she something? I love that she is cherished in all three phases of womanhood. But wait, so she's the one in charge of the hurricanes? I suppose I should be worshipping her AND asking that she goes easy on us. 😚
ReplyDeleteWow! Flat out fascinating and beautiful, Debra!
ReplyDelete