A Rare “Ring of Fire” eclipse is coming. Here are 10 ancient Maya Facts about this Phenomenon

1. During the eclipse, the sun or moon is consumed or “bitten” (literal translation)  by their counter-party or another divinity they are in conflict with, and for an eclipse, they have decided to attack.
2. The Sun god is Kinich Ahau, and the Moon Goddess is Ix Chel. 
3. For the Mayas, a solar eclipse foreshadowed war or death, while a lunar eclipse affected pregnant women and children. The pregnant women feared their children would be born with a deformation caused by the eclipse. 
4. They also believed that the Sun God manifested his fury during an eclipse, demanding a ritual. 
5. The ancient Maya observed the solar eclipse’s reflection on water bodies because they believed that watching it directly meant that birds would come and pick out their eyes to make them blind. 
6. The ancient Maya could predict eclipses with a 55 percent accuracy. 
7. They wore amulets during an eclipse to protect their body and energy. Pregnant women placed a red handkerchief on the waist to protect the fetus from the eclipse’s energy.
8. Metals in the form of crosses were also placed on the stomach for protection.
9. A solar eclipse is referred as “Chi’ibal kin” (mordedura de sol) Biting of the Sun (literal translation)*
10. A lunar eclipse is referred as “Chi’ibal uy” (mordedura de luna) Biting of the moon (literal translation)* 

BONUS:

If a pregnant woman observed the eclipse, the child would be born with marks on his or her skin, specifically where the mother scratched herself; these marks can be either red or black. 

Where to See the Eclipse:

Saturday, October 14th, 2023, an eclipse will be visible in the Western United States and Central and South America. The moon will block the sun, appearing slightly smaller, producing a glowing ring in the sky. This natural phenomenon will occur until 2039. 

Check out the path as the eclipse visits Mexico and Central America, passing over Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. 

In Belize, it will be visible in Belize City, Belmopan, Dangriga, Orange Walk Town, and San Pedro. In San Ignacio, Cayo the eclipse will be seen partially.

Keep An Eye Out For:

Although the Ancient Mayans’ superstitions gave us a peek at what this momentum occurrence meant for them, science has also highlighted a few interesting facts, such as the drop in temperature experienced as the sun is blocked, Cicadas stop singing, bees might disappear to their hives, and even songbirds may quiet while owls and nighthawks come out.