Maximon

The Old Man; The Uncle

**Pronounced:** Mah-shee-mon

**Also Known As:** Maam; Don Pedro; Saint Simon; Brother Simon; Brother Peter

**Origin:** Maya

Christian missionaries who came to Guatemala to convert the local people encountered the primordial Mayan deity Maam. Attempts to syncretize him to Saint Simon backfired. Instead of the Mayan god fading discreetly into the identity of the saint, Maximon, as he became known, took on a whole new life and personality of his own: defiant, rambunctious, anti-social. The Church then attempted to syncretize him with Judas Iscariot or even Satan, but it was too late. All they did was enhance Maximon’s outlaw image and make his devotees love and admire him even more.

The name Maximon is often interpreted as deriving from Maam and Simon. Another theory suggests that it derives from Maam and ximon, a Mayan word that may refer to a bundle or the act of “tying up”, essentially creating a bundle. (The use of bundles as sacred objects is not uncommon in indigenous American spiritual and magical traditions.)

Although his wardrobe has been updated and modernized, Maximon is an ancient, primordial spirit. He has survived numerous attempts to suppress his veneration and is now more popular than ever, venerated throughout the Americas and Europe. He is generally benevolent, associated with healing, prosperity, and protection. In Guatemala, Maximon is traditionally invoked for protection for or from anti-government forces. Nothing is beyond his assistance or outside his jurisdiction, but he is a trickster. Be wary.

Maximon is invoked to heal addictions. He may be invoked on behalf of someone else who cannot or will not ask him themselves. It is not necessary to tell the person that you have requested Maximon’s blessings on their behalf. The deal is between you and Maximon.

Maximon is a crossroads spirit. He mediates between the living and the dead, people and spirits. He serves as a bridge between malevolent and benevolent spirits. Maximon is an extremely responsive spirit who works for comparatively modest offerings. He will accept requests on behalf of others, especially addicts. Make offerings, and then tell him what the other person needs. However, even if the other person reaps the blessings, Maximon is doing you the favour: you must fulfill any vows.

Maximon is invoked in numerous magical spells, rituals, and operations:

Place his image in shops to stimulate better business and for luck, money, and protection. Maximon foils and/or punishes shop-lifters and thieves.

* If someone abuses you, whisper your needs directly into the ear of Maximon’s image. Place the person’s photo under Maximon’s left foot, or write a note and place it there.
* Coil a rope around his image (even around his neck!) to show him that you need his help capturing someone’s heart (or hobbling competing suitors); whisper in his ear to tell him what you need.
* Wrap a rope around his image to keep your spouse from running off with another.

Maximon often accumulates an extensive wardrobe. He is a fastidious spirit whose clothes must be kept clean. The rinse water used when hand-washing his clothes may be preserved as Holy Water or magically charged water. It allegedly has magical and healing powers.

**Manifestation:** Maximon may indicate his presence via the smell of cigar smoke when no cigars are present. He visits in dreams.

**Iconography:** The oldest images of Maximon consisted of masks and mysterious wrapped bundles. However a modern votive image has also evolved possibly based on the only known existing photograph of shaman, wizard, and Maximon devotee Francisco Sojuel (died circa 1907), credited with crafting the first modern Maximon mask. This image depicts Maximon as a mustached man wearing a black suit and a Stetson or similar hat. He is usually, but not exclusively, depicted sitting. The modern image closest to his ancient one consists of a bundle of fabric topped with one or more Stetson hats.

Votive images range from pocket-size to life-size. The mouth of his statue may be open so a real cigar may be inserted. Alternatively, the statue may be designed so that the cigar can be placed in his hand. Ashes and stubs from offerings are collected and preserved. Placed in a small charm bag, they serve as amulets, allegedly bringing good luck. Sometimes tubes are inserted into statues so Maximon can actually “drink”. Liquor passing through his system is then reserved for ritual use.

**Colours:** An elaborate color scheme is used to communicate with Maximon. Those who are experienced candle-burners may choose to retain their own candle color associations, but the following color chart is commonly used to communicate desires and petitions to Maximon. Burn the color candle that closest represents your needs:

* Black: Protection from envy, jealousy, enemies, and the deliberately cast Evil Eye
* Blue: For good luck, employment
* Brown: Protection from resentment and the accidentally cast Evil Eye
* Green: Business, prosperity, cash
* Light Blue: Cash, travel, education, and happiness
* Pink: Hope, health
* Red: Love, fidelity
* White: Protection of children
* Yellow: Protection for adults

**Time:** Guatemalan festivals coincide with Holy Week, culminating on Good Friday.

**Sacred site:** Maximon is the subject of innumerable home shrines, but his major public shrine is in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

**Offerings:** Hats, silk scarves, flowers (he likes bougainvilleas, carnations, and gladioli), fruit, tobacco products especially cigars, copal incense, water, Coca-Cola, tequila, aguardiente. An elaborate offering when you really need a big favour or as fulfillment of a vow is forty candles plus copal incense.

**See Also:** Ajitz; Malinche

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes