www.mexicanewyear.com       Kurly Tlapowaya

 

During Atemoztli, we return once more to the mountains and Tlalok and the Tlalokeh. Atemoztli is during the dry season of Tonalko, but there are occasional showers during this time, and so Tlalok is thanked once more for his waters. During the ceremony of Tepeilwitl, the Feast of the Mountains, offerings were made to the mountains and Tlalok. Amaranth images (Ixiptla) of them were made, sacrificed, and eaten, in recognition of the sacrifices that the Teteoh make for us. They are our life, and so we must constantly give them honors and sacrifices. We remind the Teteoh that we are paying them our debt, and make offerings so that the rains return, now, and in the season of Xopan which is to come. We again make amaranth images of the mountains, and again partake in their sacrifice and death, and again consume their flesh, just as we drink their waters. 

​

At the center of the Atemoztli ceremony is a paper flag, which is given their own tlamanalli and their own offerings. Likewise, the amaranth mountains are also adorned with paper flags. The amaranth mountains represent the abundance of the Tlalokeh, and their gift of water and life. The white paper flag spattered with liquid rubber, the aztapantli, represents all that we owe the mountains for their gift of life. The aztapantli reminds us that we must live in balance with Tlaltekuhtli, Our Mother the Earth, and that we must pay our debt to the Mountains and the Lords of Rain. The banner carries the message of our sacrifice to the Teteoh. Offerings are made to them, and after the ceremony has ended both the aztapantli and the paper flags which had adorned the amaranth mountains are taken to a sacred hill, spring, or river, and there returned to the source of creation and life. 

The amaranth mountains are sacrificed in the ceremony with a weaving batten. This instrument is used by weavers to compress the threads while weaving their cloth. It represents our destiny, woven by the Teteoh, and by Tlazolteotl and Ziwakoatl in particular, who are manifestations of Our Mother the Earth. They weave our destiny, and likewise that of all being. The mountains are pierced with the weaving batten, and their hearts of jade removed, for Ziwakoatl has ordained that They, just like us, must die, and be reborn. We remember in Atemoztli that we and the mountains are linked, and our lives and well-being depend upon one another. We were born to protect the mountains and wild places, just as they protect us. We are asked to partake in the honorable harvest, and to live according to the principles of reciprocity our ancestors have taught us.  

​

again partake in their sacrifice and death, and again consume their flesh, just as we drink their waters