The Gods of Mexico
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The Gods of Vegetation and Fertility |
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Xipe Totec - Our Lord the Flayed.
Ruler of earth and fertility, patron of the springtime, ruler of the East.
In honor of Xipe Totec warriors, men and women, are sacrificed in gladiatorial combat. When
they've given their service, their bodies are flayed (skinned) and a priest then wears the
skin; this is called the "Garment of Gold." Though some would argue, I believe he is the same
as Xochipilli, God of Love and
Flowers; as Centeotl, God of the Maize; and as Macuilxochitl, God
of Games and Chance, the patron of gamblers.
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![[Centeotl]](../../../simages/aztec/gods/centeotl.jpg) |
| Centeotl
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Cihuacoatl - The Snake Woman.
Mother of mankind in her guise as Quilaztli, she is often referred to as
Tonantzin, "Our Honored Mother." Cihuacoatl is the patroness of cities and civilzation;
to her and to the Fire God Xiuhtecuhtli, men and women do their service in the flames of the
furnace. She is the patroness of childbirth, the teacher of midwifery and the ultimate midwife
herself. To her women who die in childbed are sacred.
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Xilonen - The Goddess of the Young Corn.
Xilonen personifies the young, just-ripening corn. Major celebrations are
held in her honor, where young girls impersonating her give their service at the temples. A
girl destined to be sacrificed is often called "Xilonen."
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| Xilonen
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Chicomecoatl - The Goddess of the Crops and Grain.
Chicomecoatl, "Seven Snake," is the goddess of the crops when they've
reached their fullness. Chicomecoatl is, I think, the same as Xilonen. Just older.
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Xochiquetzal - The Goddess of Love and Flowers.
Husband of Xochipilli, Xochiquetzal - "Flower Plume" - the ruler of all
things of beauty. She is the patroness of happy marriages and of prostitutes alike. She is
sometimes referred to as "She Who Has a Snake Girt Round Her Loins." At her celebration in
Tenochtitlan, the two loviest girls from a certain family are offered; in Tlaxcala, some of
the local prostitutes come forward voluntarily to be immolated for the principle of love.
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![[Xochiquetzal]](../../../simages/aztec/gods/xochi2.jpg) |
| Xochiquetzal
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Mayahuel - The Goddess of Pulque.
Mayahuel is the patroness of pulque and of all other intoxicants and
hallucinogens as well. The maguey plant, from which pulque is made, is sacred to her. In
partnership with Quetzalcoatl, Mayahuel introduced romantic love into the world. Always she
sits on a maguey plant or on her Tortoise Throne, and she is sometimes said to have 400
(that is, uncountable) breasts.
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![[Mayahuel]](../../../simages/aztec/gods/mayah.jpg) |
| Mayahuel
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Patecatl - The God of Medicine.
Mayahuel's husband, Patecatl is physician to the gods, the giver of herbal
remedies, the teacher of surgical technique. He is, I think, the same as Ixtlilton, the
"Little Black Face," the patron of health and curing technique.
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![[Patecatl]](../../../simages/aztec/gods/patecat1.jpg) |
| Patecatl
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