The foundation of Mayan cosmovision and astrology is the concept of the four cardinal directions and the center. The oldest known Mesoamerican glyph, the quincunx, depicts the four points of the compass and the center.
Finding the center was vital for the ancient Maya and remains so for us today. Without knowing the center, you become unbalanced and out of rhythm with the world and cannot live in harmony with planet Earth, our galaxy or the universe.
East, the primary cardinal direction, is the direction of the rising sun. It was shown at the top of a compass or map by the ancient Maya, as seen in the colors of this modern-day “glyph.” The four small dots are the four corners of the world.
Each direction exerts a distinct energy and rhythm, which sets the stage for the day. It is always the same direction as that of the day’s nahual, or Lord of the Day, which provides the script, actors and props for the next act in the theatre of life on the stage set by the cardinal directions.
Influences and Colors of the Directions
Direction Energy Color
East Initiation, Unity Red
West Adjusting, Duality Black
North Reduction, Diminishing White
South Increase, Harvest Yellow
When interpreting a Mayan day sign, it is helpful to note the cardinal direction of a person’s main day sign, that of Adulthood (whose influence is in effect throughout life. This, along with the Year Bearer and trecena ruler, is one of the influences that forms the foundation of the person’s chart.
Relationships and Activities
Each of the nahuales is associated with one of the four directions. People get along best with others of the same direction. More on compatibility and relationship charts will be posted when we reach that stage of this online tutorial.
When scheduling activities according to the Sacred Calendar, knowledge of the cardinal direction of potential dates (as well as of the Lord of the Day) can make it easier to choose the most effective date.
Finding the Center
At the center of the four directions, a vertical axis runs between the zenith above and the nadir below. With the four directions and the center, three dimensions are established and a structured world is the result. The ridge pole raised by First Father to lift the sky up from the Earth in the Popul Vuh is a metaphor for this vertical axis.