Ix-Chel, Mayan Moon Goddess

Having visited Isla Mujeres (“Island of Women”) recently, I learned that this island was devoted to the worship of Ix-Chel. Comfortable with all phases of life, she was honored as the weaver of the life cycle. She protected the fertility of women and was also the keeper of the souls of the dead.

As an ancient fertility goddess, Ix-Chel was responsible for sending rain to nourish the crops. When fulfilling that function she was called “Lady Rainbow”. She helped insure fertility by overturning her sacred womb jar so that the waters would flow.

Though sometimes depicted as a goddess of catastrophe (the woman who stands by as the world floods), many of her myths show her in a more benevolent light—as a goddess who refused to become a victim of oppression.

This was a woman who, when faced with adversity, took charge of her life and turned it around! Ix-Chel encourages us to acknowledge the negative forces affecting our lives. And she prompts us to assert ourselves fully in the face of physical or emotional violence that would diminish our sense of self.

I created a watercolor painting of Ix-Chel

Colorful Women of Isla Mujeres

I wanted to share photos of the Mayan women and families we met at Isla Mujeres. It was fun making purchases from these woman and practicing my Spanish. I love the fact that children are always around while Mom works.

We visited The Beading Collective



Met these fabulous seamstresses



More colorful women and children





And the colorful market

Mayan Women in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

I just returned from a Women's Retreat at Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Isla Mujeres is an island just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Isla Mujeres is Spanish for the island of women.

Other than dodging the snow, hail, and rainstorms in Washington, what I really enjoyed was meeting the Mayan women. We visited with a group of Mayan women who have created a small beading collective. The women support themselves and their children from the beading collective sales. They sell their crafts in a tiny shop up island and in the town square during fiestas and holidays. The purchase of one small bracelet, handcrafted with traditional Mayan designs, provides the equivalent of three day’s wages for these women and their families. Most of the women are indigenous culture, and speak Mayan and Spanish. Their children and grandchildren help them with written Spanish. With the proceeds, life’s necessities are purchased, school tuition for their children paid, and the fee for them to study at a new English language school is possible.

Another Mayan woman, Hortensia, sewed whatever style clothing you desired from the beautiful fabric at her shop. She looked at you, took a few measurements with the fabric in hand, and the next day she had an outfit that fit perfectly.

And Cecilia, this colorful woman, carried her merchandise and sold to those on the beach.



What a treat it was to meet these lovely Mayan women and to support them with our purchasing of their art.