I’ve always been fascinated by tales like The Once and Future King, where the great King Arthur would someday return to fight for right once more. Many cultures have similar beliefs with the core hope that someday, somehow, a savior will return when the world needs him the most.
Some Maya still believe that Great Feathered Serpent will return one day. He was known by many names across Mesoamerica: Kukulkan, War Serpent, Quetzalcoatl. His cult might have started at Chich’en Itza, but it spread through the ages and across the land to Guatemala and Mexico.
Some say he might return at the supposed end of the age, December 21, 2012. Some say he was a god–part quetzal and part serpent/dragon. Some say he was a man, likely a ruler or priest of Chich’en Itza, who was later confused with the god.
In The Bloodgate Warrior, I say he’s something else entirely. He’s returning, all right, but only if one woman can open the Bloodgate and bring him through to our world.
Of course Chich’en Itza plays an important part in this story, although Cassie has to go to Guatemala first to find her legendary warrior. El Castillo, Kukulkan’s Pyramid, stands as a reminder of his great legend and the promise of his return.
I want to go there so badly.
Someday I’ll climb those steep steps and enter the temple, perched at the top of the world.
Such power must linger in that place.
Power that Cassie gives her warrior in a smoking hot ritual on top of that pyramid.
~ * ~
Have you been to a Mayan ruin? I want to hear about it! One commenter will win a free copy of The Bloodgate Warrior.
I’m also running a “Save An Ent – Read an Ebook” Giveaway where you can win your choice of an eReader. Details are on my blog.
If you’re intrigued by Maya mythology and want a little background about how the Bloodgates work, I’m offering a free read “Bloodgate” on Smashwords!
Joely always has her nose buried in abook, especially one with mythology, fairy tales, and romance. Find her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.. Be sure to check out her free reads!
Love the new cover! Cant wait to read it
Yes! I’ve been to Tulum. Way back in 1983 when you were still allowed to go op close to the ruins and climb the steps. I have some amazing photo’s of the artwork painted on the walls – which you now can’t get close to. So I hear anyway.
Sounds like a great story.
In 2009, I visited the Mayan ruins in Tulum. It was a shore excursion on a cruise. A lot of my friends were doing things like zip-lining, shopping, hanging out at the beach but one friend and I thought that there was no way any of those things could compare with seeing a bit of history. So off we went!
It was truly an amazing experience. The understanding that the Mayan culture had of astrology and mathematics was incredible. One thing that has stayed with me is the black rock that can be found throughout the ruins. When the sun shines on it, it slowly takes on a golden sheen. It was suggested by our tour guide that perhaps this is how the Legend of El Dorado came about. The walls of the ruins used to have this black-gold rock layered on the outside. With the sun glinting off of it, approaching travelers would have seen a city shimmering as if made of gold.
Unfortunately, you don’t really get any time alone to just absorb the energy around you, as happens with a lot of tours. I’d love to go back with one other person and just wander among the ruins in hopes of having a more spiritual experience.
I’ve never been to a Mayan ruin, but it’s on the bucket list!
Haven’t been, but want to really badly! I have an (unpublished) novel partly set in Chichen Itza.
Thanks, Jacinta! I think it’s a very sexy cover!
Cristal, I’m so jealous! Tulum sounds wonderful.
Lora, I would have been the same way – forget the zipline, etc. let me see the ruins! Sounds like an incredible experience.
Julie, it’s on my bucket list, too!
Nicole, I love Chich’en Itza – it’s definitely the first place I’d like to see. But I also want to go to Palenque and Tikal.
This sounds pretty epic. I haven’t been anywhere south of Arizona so no ruins for me
I have, however, been to Europe so I really enjoyed the ruins in Rome.
I have not been to any Mayan ruins but I would love to go visit them. I love reading books about archeological discoveries so getting to explore ruins is one of my dreams.
Wow, that is so interesting! I had no idea people think he will come back at the end of the year. It’s rather creepy to think about…
Congratulations on your new release, Joely! I wish you much luck– and can’t wait to read it myself!
Creepy to think about the world ending, rather
Joely,
If you ever visit Palenque, let me know, would be happy to see you there. I live very close by, after all. Palenque is beautiful, I hope you can visit some day.
I have never been to a Mayan ruin but it sounds like an amazing thing to see.
I’ve never visited one, but it sounds like fun.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
When the brinks truck wrecks in my front yard, and leaves me a few bags of money, I’d like to go see the Mayan ruins and a bunch of other places. Thank you for the free ebook. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I’m really liking the ebook over the print book. They take up less space, and are easier to take along with you.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
No Mayan ruins yet, and probably not for a while, since Europe is first on my list of must-see places!
I’ve never been to a Mayan ruin either, but would also love to. And I don’t need to be entered in the giveaway for the book, since I’m in the middle of reading it!
I’d noticed the similarities to the Arthuruan legend (which I also love), and had wondered if that was a part of the Mayan belief or something you created. Neat to know that it existed already!
I imagine the view from the top of a ruin is amazing. I wish one day to stand up there. And for all we know there were lots of blood and sex rituals.
SheriV
smurfettev AT gmail DOT com