Catholic converts drew stories to colonial priests
The Aztec religion is a polytheistic and monistic pantheism in which the Nahua (Nahuatl, the indigenous language of Mexico) concept of teotl was construed as the supreme god Ometeotl, as well as a diverse pantheon of lesser gods and manifestations of nature [1].
The popular religion tended to embrace the mythological and polytheistic aspects, and the Aztec Empire's state religion sponsored both the monism of the upper classes and the popular heterodoxies [2].
The codices were made by Catholic priests
The most important deities were worshiped by priests in Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), particularly Tlaloc and the god of the Mexica (the tribe from which the word "Mexico" derives), Huitzilopochtli, whose shrines were located on the Templo Mayor ("Main Temple").
Their priests would receive special dispensation from the empire. When other states were conquered the empire would often incorporate practices from its new territories into the mainstream religion [3].
The Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Tlachihualtepetl (Nahuatl/Mexicano for "Constructed Mountain"), is a complex located in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. It is the world's largest pyramid (by volume) and archeological site of a pyramid (temple) in the world confirmed to exist on Earth today [1, 2], not counting massive artificial "mountains" in Bosnia, Buddhist Indonesia, Cambodia, and China, California (not lake but possibly on Colorado), Missouri (Cahokia), dark Alaska, which is four times larger than Giza, and Pyramid Peak. The adobe brick pyramid stands 82 feet (25 meters) [3] above the surrounding plain, which is significantly shorter than the Great Pyramid of Giza's height of 481 feet (146.6 meters), but much wider, measuring 984 by 1,033 feet (300 by 315 meters) in its final form [3], compared to the Great Pyramid's base dimensions of 756 by 756 feet (230.3 by 230.3 meters) [4]. This holy pyramid is a temple that traditionally has been viewed as having been dedicated to the feathered serpent (naga) god Quetzalcoatl [5]. The architectural style of the building was linked closely to that of Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico, with influence from the Gulf Coast evident as well, especially from El Tajín [6]. More
In common with many other indigenous Mesoamerican civilizations, the Aztecs put great ritual emphasis on calendrics, and scheduled festivals, government ceremonies, and even war around key transition dates in the Aztec calendar [4].
Public ritual practices could involve food, storytelling, and dance, as well as ceremonial warfare, the Mesoamerican ballgame (precursor of football, soccer, and basketball), and human sacrifice (a tribute to appease bloodthirsty gods of military service and slaughter) [5].
The cosmology of Aztec religion divides the world into 13 heavens and nine earthly layers or netherworlds [6]. The first heaven overlaps with the first terrestrial layer, so that heaven and the terrestrial layers meet at the surface of the Earth, where we are.
The celestial entities of "shining ones" (sky devas)
Each level is associated with a specific set of deities and astronomical objects. The most important celestial entities in Aztec religion are the Sun, the Moon, and the planet Venus (as both "Morning Star" and "Evening Star") [7].
Convert or die: Become Catholic
After Conquest by Spain, Aztec people were forced to convert to Catholicism, and the two religions syncretized.
In this religion, your black magic blood sacrifice will come from a scapegoat, who is the God Himself disguised as a human to pay Himself a ransom for your eternal soul washed in blood: You have to accept it, or we'll kill you. And let our priests molest your kids because they don't have wives. The Vatican orders it. Don't worry. His Mom is very nice and will do lots of favors for you.
Will the world end? How will the world end? When will the world end? Why will the world end? Questions, questions. Of course, the world will end. Not any time soon, but never mind about that. It's always ending, constantly hurtling towards destruction. "Change is the only constant," some wise person once said. That person was talking about what the Buddha called anicca. We translate this as "impermanence," but that's very limited and misleading. We prefer flux, dissolution, or radical impermanence, though "change" also works.
The idea is that, that something will change is no kind of message to the world. Of course, things are impermanent. We all know that. Only a child would think things are going to stay the same. (Guilty! And we're old enough to know better). It might be better to investigate how things are going to change because that sort of explains the why. The when is easy! Right now. Now. The eternal now. When is a mountainside not crumbling? Even as geological forces send it up, it is already disintegrating. When aren't human cells dying? They are always dispatching and falling off. That's what it means to have a body, though we don't much notice, know, or want to know.
How are things changing? Little by little until they give way to a noticeable amount. The more closely we investigate and notice, the more and more we become aware of when and how this is happening. It can become so upsetting that we stop clinging. Why, being ourselves impermanent, would we chase and cling to impermanent things?
Once upon a time, the Buddha was walking along the river and he came upon 1,000 fire worshippers with their matted locks or jatas, wandering ascetics in search of truth. They saw him and were moved by his gravitas, charisma, and appearance. He himself was a wandering ascetic but a Scythian (Shakyian) from the West, serene, and delightful to look upon. What could he possibly have to say about ultimate truth? See "The Fire Sermon."
IN THIS STORY: Mexican officials are calling the discovery of a Zapotec (Be’ena’a) tomb one of the country’s greatest archeological discoveries of the last decade.
The tomb, dated to 600 C.E., features colorful murals that experts hope they can soon decipher.
Other architectural highlights within the tomb include friezes and carvings in doorposts.
Dated to 600 C.E.—a pre-Hispanic [Pre-Columbian era, pre-arrival of Spain and European Conquistadors] period during which the Zapotec culture ruled the region—experts believe the architectural and cultural meanings they can extract from the find will reveal unknown elements of Zapotec life 1,400 years ago.
“This is an exceptional discovery due to its level of preservation and what it reveals about Zapotec culture: its social organization, its funerary rituals, and its worldview, preserved in the architecture, and mural paintings,” Mexico’s Secretary of CultureClaudi Curiel de Icaza said in a translated statement from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The tomb features sculptural elements and mural paintings that contain symbols often associated with power and death, while friezes and tombstones bear inscriptions which appear to reference calendars.
Pres. Claudia Sheinbaum in front of MX flag
“This is the most important archeological discovery in Mexico in the last decade due to its level of preservation and the information it provides,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said at a press conference, according to INAH.
The murals and architecture start at the entrance to the antechamber. An owl, which symbolized night and death for the Zapotec people, covers the painted face of a lord. Experts with INAH believe that the portrait may be of the ancestor to whom the tomb was dedicated. His descendants may have hoped that he would serve as an intercessor with deities. More
The Zapotec civilization (the Be'ena'a or "The people who came from the clouds," circa 700 BC–1521 AD) is an advanced indigenous pre-European (pre-Columbian, pre-Hispanic, pre-invasion) civilization that flourished in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica (part of North America above Central America, mostly comprised of modern Mexico). Archaeological evidence shows that their culture, now replaced by Mixtec culture, originated at least 2,500 years ago. The Zapotec archaeological site at the ancient City of Monte Albán has pyramids, monumental buildings, ball courts, tombs, and grave goods, including finely worked gold jewelry. Monte Albán was one of the first major cities in Mesoamerica. It was the center of a Zapotec state that dominated much of the territory which today is known as the Mexican state of Oaxaca [1, 2]. The Zapotecs are their modern Mexican descendants. More
This is the time of mooncakes and the traditional Sabbath Day or uposatha. That means it's the best time to observe the "fasting day," which means not eating before daylight or after noon. This is part of observing the Eight Precepts, an ancient tradition the Buddha praised as something worth continuing.
How do Buddhists observe the uposatha service?
(Buddhism Reflections) Uposatha days hold a special significance on the Buddhist calendar, particularly in the Theravada tradition. These weekly observance days are aligned with the phases of the moon, including the full moon, new moon, and two quarter moons.
During these times, both lay Buddhists and monastics engage in various practices that enhance their spiritual journeys. On the one hand, lay practitioners often take on additional precepts, dedicating themselves to deeper spiritual activities and community involvement.
Monastics, on the other hand, focus on reflection and purification, reciting the Patimokkha ("Path to Moksha"), a summary of the major rules of the Monastic Code of Discipline, which is a vital aspect of their monastic life.
The uposatha service is not just about individual practice; it also fosters a sense of community as laypeople gather at monasteries to support monks and nuns through food preparation and participation in rituals (pujas).
This day is steeped in tradition and serves as a reminder of the commitment to the Dhammaor Teachings of the historical Buddha.
The observance of uposatha varies slightly among different sects and countries, adding a unique flavor to this rich tradition.
Let's delve into the practices and significance of uposatha days in Buddhism and discover how they contribute to spiritual growth and community bonding. #BuddhaTeachings #Buddhism #Mindfulness
Mysterious Old World: Sumerians, did they invent everything? They claim to have invented nothing. It was all given to them by the Anunnaki, those who came from the sky. Ask Zecharia Sitchin. But 6,000 years ago and longer, in a place called Sumer (reminiscent of Mt. Sumeru in Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain cosmology), there lived a people in Mesopotamia doing miraculous things they should not have been able to do.
The most mysterious theories in mathematics | Ancient Aliens
(HISTORY) Highly advanced mathematical theories are discussed in this Ancient Aliens compilation such as Ancient Alien angels and astronauts (Buddhist celestial devas).
Watch all new episodes Fridays 9/8c; stream the next day, and stay up to date on all favorite shows on The HISTORY Channel website at history.com/schedule.
#AncientAliens
ABOUT: "Ancient Aliens" explores the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have [been with us all along and have] visited Earth for millions of years.
(ABC News Australia) A doctoral student has unexpectedly uncovered a lost Mayan city hidden under the jungle canopy in Mexico, examining data from advanced laser light scanning system called LiDAR. Tulane University’s Luke Auld-Thomas says his team found over 6,000 [the BBC and others report 7,000] buildings and structures that resemble pyramids, palaces, reservoirs, sports fields, and causeways in the abandoned metropolis US researchers have dubbed "Valeriana."
Ancient Mayan city discovered in Mexico jungle by accident | BBC News
(BBC News) Oct. 29, 2024: A huge Mayan city has been discovered centuries after it disappeared under jungle canopy in Mexico. Archeologists found pyramids, sports fields, causeways [giant roads] connecting districts, and amphitheaters in the southeastern Mexican state of Campeche. The hidden complex -- which they have called Valeriana -- is believed to be second in density only toCalakmul, thought to be the largest Maya site in ancient Latin America. The team discovered three sites in total, which are the size of Scotland's capital Edinburgh, “by accident” when one archeologist browsed data on the internet.
Subscribe to BBC News: bit.ly/1rbfUog. For more news, analyses, and features, visit: bbc.com/news. #MayanCity #Mexico #BBCNews
Archeology breakthrough as US student discovers huge Mayan city in Mexico by accident
Mexico is an ancient empire
CAMPECHE, Mexico - A student has discovered a huge Mayan city centuries after it disappeared in a Mexican jungle by accident.
American Luke Auld-Thomas, a Ph.D. student at Tulane University in New Orleans, USA, was analyzing publicly available data when he found the buried world, which has since been named “Valeriana.”
The hidden city was discovered using LiDAR, a remote sensing method that is used to examine the surface of the earth [with ground-penetrating radar to see through the foliage]. Archeologists use the technology to try and identify previously unrecorded sites.
As these surveys are normally quite expensive to conduct, researchers need to prioritize areas where Mayan settlements are already known to exist.
However, Auld-Thomas and his team realized they could use data from a 2013 LiDAR survey initially commissioned for monitoring carbon levels in Mexican forests.
“I was on something like Page 16 of Google Search and found a laser survey done by a Mexican organization for environmental monitoring,” Auld-Thomas told the BBC. More
"Lost Maya city Valeriana discovered in Mexico: Ancient pyramids and culture explored"
(Explore Wonders) Premiered Oct. 29, 2024: Discover the lost Maya city Valeriana, recently unearthed in the jungles of Campeche, Mexico. This incredible archeological find features ancient pyramids, sports fields, and complex urban planning that reveals the rich history and culture of the Maya civilization.
This video explores: How the accidental discovery was made by future archeologist Luke Auld-Thomas using advanced LiDAR ("light detecting and ranging") technology. The significance of Valeriana is reshaping our understanding of Maya urban life and its role as a major civilization center.
Impressive architectural features include pyramid temples, plazas, and ancient ball courts, giving us insights into how this discovery changes our view of ancient societies and their responses to climate change and environmental challenges.
Valeriana challenges the idea that tropical regions were inhospitable to ancient civilizations. This discovery highlights the complexity and sophistication of Maya culture.
[This video seems to have been made with AI, judging by the language and voiceover.] #Maya #LostCity #Valeriana #Mexico #AncientCivilization #Pyramids #Lidar #Archaeology #MayaCulture #HistoricalDiscovery #Mesoamerica #AncientHistory
Found dataset reveals lost Maya city full of pyramids and plazas hiding in plain sight beneath a Mexican forest: The study findings contribute to a growing recognition that tropical regions, far from being pristine wildernesses in the past, were home to sophisticated urban societies. Similar patterns of extensive landscape modification have been found at other tropical sites worldwide, including Buddhist Cambodia's Angkor Wat and recently discovered settlements in the Amazon. This research demonstrates that the Maya did more than build isolated cities they created entire urbanized landscapes that supported large populations through complex engineering and agricultural practices. By analyzing LiDAR data originally collected for environmental monitoring, researchers can now survey vast areas quickly and in unprecedented detail, revealing ancient landscapes that have been hidden by centuries of forest growth.
VIDEO: 100-million-year-old discovery: Scientists uncover ancient seafloor hidden deep beneath earth (MSN) A groundbreaking discovery has revealed remnants of an ancient seafloor beneath the Pacific Ocean, potentially rewriting Earth's geological history! Scientists believe this is just the beginning of uncovering hidden structures in Earth's depths, offering new insights into our planet’s complex past. What other secrets lie beneath? Location: London WooGlobe Ref: WGA177390.
Luke Auld-Thomas on ABC News (Australia); Storyblocks, 10/29/24; BBC News, 10/29/24; Holly Bishop, GB News via MSN.com; Pfc. Sandoval, Crystal Quintero, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Out on a Moonlight Walk, Little Red Riding Hood? How convenient, no Door Dash fee.
.
13 is bad. Be afraid! 666, bich!
Thirteen is scary. Friday (party night!) is scarier. Combine them and holy F. Festivities could get spooky. It's not that we suffer from triskaideka-phobia ("fearing and avoiding the number thirteen").
This phobia is one of the reasons we FEAR Friday the 13th (para-skevidekatria-phobia or frigga-triskaideka-phobia, from the Old Norse Goddess Frigg, whose day is Friday).
In 1910 Isador Coriat mentioned it in Abnormal Psychology, according to Wiki. The supposed unlucky nature of the number 13 -- which we were made to fear by the Church as it defamed our beautiful Moon, Earth's calendar with its 13 lunationsor repeatingphases, swapping it out with the solar Gregorian calendar, moving lunar calendars to lunisolar systems).
HOW MANY MONTHS IN A YEAR? Doodling at work, wondering how often I should get paid my annual salary -- a month being every four weeks -- I stumbled on a math fact hidden in plain sight: How long is 4 weeks? It's 28 days. What is that called? It's called a month. How many months (moonths) in a year? Uh, um, 12? NO! Thirteen: 13x28=364+1 New Year's Day for turning around like a swimmer turning laps in an Olympic pool.
Imagine a time when things made sense for the ancients. Our Moon Moon(Sin, Nanna, Soma, Chandra, Luna) was a calendar in the sky, the seasons came and went, the sun did its thing (going around in a halo, not over us, as depicted in ancient Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, Vedic cosmology, and the modern realization of hated genius Eric Dubay), the stars seemed to wander yet magically keep their positions as Earth, we are now told, spun at 1,000 MPH and wobbled and wiggled all through open space, while expanding with everything else). Hogwash. Here we are on a platform with things moving above us. The Moon and 13 are key, so to keep that from us, we must fear them.
Give us the Sun! We want the return of the Sun! We'll convert to Astrotheology and do whatever the Church says! Just bring back the Son with all your priests and their cult magic.
Time to break out the Edgar Allen Poe poetry.
Several authors claim fear of 13 is an older belief but have yet to produce evidence to document the claim. In fact, the earliest attestation of 13 being unlucky is found after the Middle Ages in Europe. So enjoy a dose of triskaidekaphobiauntil what we've lost becomes clear. This is the first FTT of the year after all. There will be one more (12/13/24) closer to Xmas.
California was overheating; now it's chilly.
Can't wait? Move to Dictator Maduro's new Venezuela, where he declared Oct. 1st as "Early Christmas" three months ahead of time in a bid to deflect criticism for taking over and the economy being bad. But imagine three extra months of the holiday season! That ought to cheer everyone up for smiley face authoritarianism rather than Orwellian truncheons and 1984 imagery.
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