San Simon Patron Saint to Guatemalan Indians, Gun, Alcohol. and Cigars, and the Catholic Church can not stop him! A Legend!!

Two photos are my jar I brought home, San Simon is huge in Guatemala, a kind of Mayan God with a Catholic name. The red beans in the jar are to stop the "evil eye" rest is tobacco. one day each year all people burn there garbage in the street, to get rid of bad spirits. The town (Antigua) fills with smoke. Big parades for San Simone, they carry a wood statue of him, people give cigars and alcohol. I loved all this, fascinating. Nothing can stop him. The Catholic Church tries but it is useless. Look: Despite the hostility of the Catholic church, which has tried to identify him with Judas Iscariot, in many Guatemalan villages Maximon is still worshipped with offerings of tobacco, alcohol, Coca Cola, and a tropical plant with orange-red berries. Incense and perfume dedicated to him is scented with the orange blossoms or blended citrus odors of lemongrass, citronella, and sweet orange. On his feast day, he is carried through the streets on the shoulders of his human "horse," and his statue is given cigarettes or cigars to smoke. In some villages he may be hung from the sacred Mayan world-tree-cross at the end of his ceremony. "San Simon Esencia" is a perfume used by both men and women who seek the aid of the old Guatemalan Mayan god Ma'am under his contemporary guise as Maximon or Hermano San Simon. Maximon ensures bountiful crops, fertility, success in business, and good luck in gambling. HI I am huge fan of San Simon! A REAL FOLK HERO!! Don http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkIW9uC0ng