The Heart of the Mountain
Mountains as living beings with spirits that must be honored.
Mountains (witz) are living beings with powerful spirits residing in their hearts. Mountain spirits control weather, fertility, and the fate of communities. Before building on or near mountains, their permission must be sought and ongoing respect maintained.
The mountain has a heart that beats; disturb it at your peril.
Mountain reverence shows the Mayan perception of landscape as animate.
Living Tradition