Temperance and The High Priestess cards:
I entered through the gate of my intuition, trusting that inner peace comes as I process my emotions calmly. I look inward to guide my outward moderation (harmony) and greet Chaya’s nourishment, offering resilience and abundance.
The symbols:
Chaya, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius:
Also known as "tree spinach," it is a highly nutritious, perennial leafy green native to the Maya region (Yucatan/Tabasco) and has been consumed since pre-Columbian times. It is rich in protein, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C. Traditionally, it has been used to treat diabetes, improve circulation, aid digestion, and reduce inflammation, though it requires boiling for at least 5-15 minutes to deactivate poisonous cyanogenic glycosides. In the Yucatán, the chaya plant holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Maya. Beyond being a staple food, it is considered a sacred plant possessing a spirit of its own. Because it can withstand severe droughts and thrives in the unforgiving, shallow soils of the Yucatán, it symbolizes resilience and the life-giving forces of the earth.