At the heart of Mayan cosmology lay the understanding that time itself was sacred, not merely a neutral container for events but rather a dynamic force that shaped reality through its cyclical patterns. The Maya recognized time as the fundamental organizing principle of existence, believing that by understanding temporal rhythms, one could align with cosmic forces and participate consciously in the ongoing creation of the world. This perspective transformed timekeeping from a practical necessity into a sacred science that revealed the hidden patterns underlying all phenomena.
The Mayan conception of the universe was structured around the World Tree, or Yaxche, a cosmic axis that connected the underworld, the earthly realm, and the heavens. This sacred tree was not merely a metaphorical concept but an actual energetic structure that channeled cosmic forces between the different levels of reality. The astronomical observations that formed the basis of Mayan astrology were understood as readings of the World Tree's condition, interpreting celestial movements as expressions of the cosmic tree's health and the flow of divine energy through its branches.