The Maya developed a participatory cosmology that saw the universe divided into 23 levels, the surface of the earth separating 13 levels of the heavens from 9 of the underworld. Each level was inhabited by different gods, who were both stupid and lazy. Bribery and tricky was required to influence the gods, and so hold everything in balance.
Maya astronomy attempted to discern what the gods were doing, while the Maya calendar was a map of their habits.
See also: