The Ancient Maya worshipped an impressive pantheon of gods but there
was only one goddess,
Ix Chel, goddess of the moon, sea and fertility and mother
of all other gods.
On the island of Cozumel, the easternmost outpost of the Maya world,
is where her sanctuary was established around 800 A.D.
Eighteenth century Mayan scribes, in the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel,
describe Cozumel as
the center from which the Earth children multiplied 'like bees from
a hive of honey.'
Women crossed the 12 mile, 3000 foot deep channel from the Yucatan
to pay homage to Ix Chel for whom at least thirty shrines were built.
In 1511, when eighteen shipwrecked survivors drifted in a small boat
to the eastern shore of Cozumel,
islanders gave thanks for their bounty, and Captain Valdivia along
with seven other Spaniards were promptly sacrificed at her altar and
eaten.
From the Castillo at Zama, which today is referred to as Tulum, the
temple of the dawn was built to honor Ah Kinchil, the sun god...
It is here that the moon goddess, Ix Chel, has come to warn the Mayan
Warlord, King of Zama, of the Spanish invasion that threatens their
very way of life.
