JANUARY 2007   

by Yvonne Taylor

I would like to pay tribute to a most marvelous woman, a wise counsellor and most of all a true friend. I have known Maya for ten years; we met in 1996 in Milina, Greece at the Chiron Convergence. I knew nothing about her then except that she was a highly esteemed professional American astrologer—and I held her in awe!

In the days that followed, during all our explorations, rituals and workshops I came to know Maya as a very down-to-earth, kind and generous soul. One of our workshops called on us to choose a stone or crystal, then we were arbitrarily paired off so we could express what that stone told us of the owner. I happened to be paired with Maya—and was terrified! How could I, an amateur in astrology, give an accurate reading to such an illustrious lady?

However, Maya being who she was, soon put me at ease; I looked at her crystal (she had chosen a beautiful polished amethyst) and told her that although her life might have been rough in places, I felt she had worked out all the troublesome places, the rough edges had been smoothed off and she was now a spiritually clear and pure soul. She seemed pleased with that interpretation. Looking back I think that described her well.

We kept in touch via e-mails and in 1999 met again in Iceland. It was through Maya that I ended up in that exquisite country. Our warm friendship was rekindled, and we felt that old connection again. The following year Maya visited Cape Town and spent two weeks with me. It was a wonderful time for me to be able to show her around this beautiful neck of the woods. I’m an Aquarian too, so we chatted deep into the night about “life” and everything else. Her insights and advice were incredible. The bond of friendship deepened into what I like to think of as the love of sisterhood.

In the past six years we have continued to stay in touch, mostly via e-mail, and sometimes Maya phoned me just to chat. Oh how I enjoyed those times, we could really talk up a storm. In trying times for me—especially this year—Maya has been such a wise counsellor and has helped me through the dark patches with love and kindness.

I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact that I’ll never hear her voice on the phone again, never read her delightful e-mails. Maya was a very important part of my life, both astrologically and as a loving friend. Her passing has left a huge gap which I doubt will ever be filled in the same way. The last e-mail I received from her was of a Fire Rainbow, it was a beautiful photo and now I feel it describes Maya perfectly—so colourful, so full of fire and enthusiasm, such a lovely creation. That’s how I will remember her.

I treasure the times we spent together, the conversations, the wisdom, the laughter—I feel privileged to have known such a lovely soul, a lady in every respect, and a friend the likes of which I have seldom known before.

I’ll continue to hold Maya in the Light, to wish her peace and love on her new journey.

Much as none of us wanted to lose her, I’m sure she is destined for greater things on a higher plane and this world is all the richer for her time with us.

Adios dear Maya, 'til we meet again.

Yvonne

Photos:

Maya (middle right) and group (Yvonne in blue jacket on left) in Greece, 1996

Maya (in red), Yvonne (right) and group in Greece, 1996

Maya and Yvonne, Iceland, 1999

Iceland tour, 1999