Tag Archives: El Mirador

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

Aztlander Live Presentation – 22nd September 2025

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The Aztlander Magazine did me the honour of requesting an article from me, which was published at the beginning of September. However, this was only part of the honour.

I will be reaching an important milestone in many ways on 22nd September 2025. Not only will it be my 54th birthday, but I will also be making a public presentation, over Zoom, about the El Mirador trek.

In the presentation I will talk about the elements of astronomy and archaeoastronomy which guided my timing for the journey. Then I’ll take you along with me, through photos and video footage from the trek. We’ll be visiting preclassic Maya sites and watching sunsets, and sunrises, from the tops of pyramids deep in the jungle.

I will be giving the presentation at 8pm EST on 22nd September. The event is free and public, here is the Zoom link to join https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84027561067

If you would like to read the original article, you can find it here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/288247/2107713

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

New Aztlander Magazine Article and Presentation

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For the past few years I have been receiving both The Aztlander and the Institute of Maya Studies magazines. I have also had the pleasure of attending many live presentations by some of the foremost people in the fields of archaeology, archeoastronomy, anthropology and linguistics. These excellent programs have greatly expanded my understanding and knowledge. I would highly recommend subscribing to the IMS magazine, and signing up for The Aztlander.

To request free monthly issues of The Aztlander: Magazine of the Americas (and/or to make a donation) contact editor Jim Reed at: [email protected]

If you would like to subscribe to the IMS, here’s the link https://www.instituteofmayastudies.org/

In early spring of this year, Jim Reed, the editor in chief of The Aztlander magazine approached me to ask if I would like to make a presentation and submit an article. He suggested an article on the El Mirador trek, something I have a great passion about. We first talked about it before I went to El Mirador in March, so this project has been with me for some time. I actually already had an article published in the April edition of The Aztlander while I was at El Mirador.

Jim gave me the date of September 22nd 2025 for my presentation, and told me that my article would be published in the September edition of The Aztlander magazine. September 22nd is my Gregorian birthday, and what better celebration could there be than making a presentation about my passion?

It is with great pleasure that I share this link to The Aztlander Magazine with you https://publuu.com/flip-book/288247/2107713

My article begins on page 10 of the September 2025 edition, but as you will see, the whole magazine is fascinating and well worth reading.

My presentation will take place at 8pm ET on September 22nd 2025, here is the Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84027561067

I would love for you to join me on this journey!

 

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

The Trek to El Mirador Video Series

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This year, I made my 6th trek to El Mirador and Nakbe. I have put together stills and video to give an idea about what it feels like to make this journey. I tried to capture the flora and fauna, as well as the archaeological sites. If you feel inspired by these videos, you may be interested in the journey I am organising for next year. You can find the information about the Junajpu journey here: https://thefourpillars.net/the-junajpu-journey/

Here are links to each of the videos on YouTube

Day 1 – Carmelita to El Tintal, entering the otherworld

https://youtu.be/I48TerRzlG8

Day 2 – El Tintal to El Mirador, deeper into the forest

https://youtu.be/8rd9Ug59d8A

Day 3 – The Milky Way, Venus rising and El Mirador exploration

https://youtu.be/i5JJcLRlrwE

Day 4 – El Mirador to Nakbe, the parting of the ways

https://youtu.be/gbUk8mhhfjk

Day 5 – Nakbe to La Florida, entering the royal tomb at Wakna

https://youtu.be/fLu94hehAqw

Day 6 – La Florida to Carmelita and a return to Flores

https://youtu.be/X0rI06BDoEQ

A big thank you to the Cooperativa Carmelita for such wonderful guides, cooks and mule handlers. If you want to make your own journey to El Mirador, you can get in touch with them here to organise it for you. https://turismocooperativacarmelita.com/cooperativa-carmelita/

Another big thank you to Luis from Musica Maya Aj for permission to use his music in my videos. Their music is made with traditional Maya instruments. If you want to hear more, you can find them here on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fJ9oEsJca8MTM9guMSvoK

My comfort on this trek was greatly enhanced by Craghoppers Insect Shield clothing. I’m really happy to give this my seal of approval and confirm that their socks, trousers and shirts are indeed jungle tested by me. If you want to try their clothing, you can use this code ELMYCHGUIDE to get a 30% discount on their US site https://craghoppersusa.com/

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

Jungle Expedition

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Hello

I’m sending this message out as I will be out of contact for a couple of weeks. I’m trekking to El Mirador again, so I will be unable to reply to messages until 14th March. There’s no WiFi in the jungle (or phone signal, electricity,  light pollution, etc!)

My posts should be published automatically and should appear on my Four Pillars Facebook page. They are unlikely to make it to other Facebook pages that I normally publish them on unless some kind soul copies them across.

I have temporarily disabled some pages on my site, for bookings or calendar requests, as I will not be able to reply to them until I get back.

Thank you for your understanding and I hope to have some beautiful new pictures to share with you when I get back!

The path that led to the top of the pyramid. Visiting La Danta at El Mirador had been a dream of mine for 22 years. Here I celebrate taking the final steps of a very long journey by sounding my conch. As I see all around I now look for a new adventure.
Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

The Junajpu (One Hero) Retreat

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We have finally done it! After many people have asked for it we created a retreat, an adventure on the physical and spiritual levels.

On 26th February 2020 (1 Aq’ab’al) we begin a 13 day journey in Peten, including the 6 day hike around El Mirador, Nakbe and La Florida, to find your inner hero. Using the hero’s journey as a template, and the nawales as guidance we will take you through various shamanic journeys to help you to find and recover the highest aspect and purpose within you.

All the details are here: https://fourpillarsretreats.com/

We look forward to welcoming you on to this journey!