CIMI (Death) - This is the sign of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. The Maya saw death as the creator of life. 

There is, almost invariably, a special kind of softness about people born on this day sign. In ancient sources, it was considered to be the luckiest of days, and these people were supposed to be very successful in business. Entire communities can benefit from their discipline and organization skills. The Mayas challenge in life is to live it fully and not give in to defeatism.

Native Names: CIMI [kee'mee], KEME
Common Mayan Usage: death
Qualities: surrender, release, death, transmutation, forgiveness, humility, revelation
Symbols: six-sided crystal in roots, evergreen tree, moss (growth in death), owl
Number: six (organic balance)
Color: forest green
Element: air
Direction: north

Shadow Wisdom: feeling the need to be in control; fear of death; depression; struggle and resistance
Shadow Transformation: Surrender to the pattern of perfection. Listen to the part of you that is calling for death and transformation. Receive its wisdom.
Harmonic Wisdom: serenity

Mudra: hold hands together under right cheek, as if sleeping; then cross arms on chest while bowing; finally, raise head with crossed arms in front of eyes

Meditation: "I am the fuel, mulch, and fodder for the destruction of all obstacles to reconstruction in God."
Affirmation: "I release. I let go. I surrender. I forgive."

The Journeyer

In this life-time you are being asked to release and surrender. Surrender is the opposite of giving up. It is freeing yourself from the desire to be in control, letting go of how you think things should be. Surrender is freedom. You are being invited to release yourself from the bondage of preconceived action, to let everything be all right as it is, so that you can live a more inspired life in the moment!

You are being asked to take action in the process of surrender and release. You are requested to die a symbolic death, to surrender your limiting beliefs. Symbolic death unveils the self by cutting away the outgrown parts of yourself that no longer serve you. In such death, ego structures fall away to reveal the garden of the true self. Look for new ways of being, new people, new ideas, and new directions that will move into the vacuum created through surrender and release. Like yeast, surrender enlivens and empowers you to experience more of life's fullness.

Holding on to past patterns and grievances only limits the possibilities. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Let go. Surrender whatever limits you. Face whatever you are resisting. In the experience of any loss, it is never too late to complete. Through your willingness to walk in the dark forest, insights and revelations will naturally emerge.

Cimi teaches you to let go and be. It represents the death of outgrown parts of the small self, which can be used as fodder or fuel for the regeneration into a more expanded self. The energy that is generated from the transformation of these parts creates a refinement of your spirit. Also, by burning off the dross of the small self, a vacuum is created, drawing new people, ideas, and directions into your life.

In the past, an old behavior or belief system may have created a way for you to temporarily feel better about yourself by supporting your ego structure. As that ego structure is burned off, you create a pathway for Spirit to fully satisfy the same needs. Through your willingness to walk in the dark forest, the gifts of insight and revelation are provided.

Accept the truth of your present situation. Through accepting what is, you are free to go forward. Change and growth become easier and more natural. Each experience in this enlivened state of surrender allows for more joy.

The color for Cimi is forest green. You, like the symbol of the evergreen tree, are alive and green amidst the process of apparent death and transformation of winter. Green creates a feeling of balance and restful calm. It is restorative and healing, grounding, and centering. If you wish to access the power of Cimi, visualize forest green.

Shadow Wisdom and Transformation

If you find yourself disturbed by or denying any painful processes, be willing to look at how you might embrace death. Death is a natural part of transformation. Sometimes we are brought to experience symbolic deaths such as loss, divorce, illness, or separation from others. Embrace these seemingly dark or difficult experiences; they will release you from attachments and expectations, clearing you to more fully receive the light. If you find yourself in a dark corner of depression or despair, Cimi offers you a lifeline, a way out. Allow your burdens to be lifted into the sweet release and forgiveness of Cimi. Don't give up. There is always someone somewhere who can help you. Reach out to a friend, a loved one, a therapist. Know that you are comforted and supported in love's unconditional embrace.

Another shadow of Cimi is the desire to be in control, which can move into fear of death. This fear may be expressed as an imbalance in your physical, mental or emotional well-being, or as an exaggerated focus on the body, health, money or addictive activities. Look at the consequences and possibilities that would be presented by your symbolic death. The transformation offered in Cimi is found in surrender, release and forgiveness. Through awareness and clear intention, old patterns can magically shift, offering you a loving hand that shows a new way.