I bring the Flood.Chalchiuhtlicue is the Aztec Goddess of running water and springs, rivers and lakes, who brings fertility to crops. Her name means "Woman of the Jade Skirt," or "Lady Precious Green Stone Skirt." She is depicted with water-lilies, dressed in watery blues and greens, and sometimes has quetzal-feathers in Her hair. She is the elder sister or consort to Tlaloc, the rain god. Though Tlaloc was a benevolent god, many children and babies were sacrificed to Him. If the children cried on the way to being killed, it was a sign that rain would come, and the populace rejoiced. In Aztec mythology, this world has seen five Suns, or Creations, the first four of which correspond to the four elements, earth, air, fire, and water. Chalchiutlicue brought about the destruction of the Fourth Sun by releasing fifty-two years of torrential rains to flood the Earth (much like Ix Chel of the Maya did) though She also protected Humanity by changing the people into fish so that the waters would not drown them, and by creating a bridge linking Earth to Heaven for those She favored. In the Codex Fejervary-Mayer, She is depicted as bringing too much rain for the corn to sprout; after a period of drought, Her husband Tlaloc provides the right, moderate amount and the corn can grow. Chalchiuhtlicue was the protectress of children and new-borns, perhaps because it was thought She could influence Her husband. She also protected fishermen. In the complex Aztec calender, Chalchiuhtlicue is one of the nine Companions of the Night, who were believed to have created the world, and which also includes Tlaloc and Tlazolteotl. She was also considered one of the thirteen Companions of the Day (Tlaloc and Tlazolteotl number among these as well), and She is the patron Goddess of the fifth day of the calendar. This card in a reading indicates new creativity and overflowing ideas, though there is a possibility of inspiration that comes too much too fast, or even manic episodes. Do the best you can to keep your head above water. Some of Her many manifestations include: Acuecueyoticihuatl or Acuecueyotl, "Woman Who Makes the Waves Swell," the Ocean-Goddess, invoked by women giving birth; Ahuic, "To One Part and To the Other," or "To and Fro," Goddess of the waves on the shore; Apozanolotl, who represents purity, shown as the foam of the ocean or white-capped waves; Aticpac Calqui Cihuatl, "Woman Who Lives in the Sea;" Atlacamani "Sea Storm;" Atlacoya "Sad Waters;" Atlatona "She Who Shines in the Waters;" Ayauhteotl, Goddess of nighttime or early morning mist or fog, associated with fame and vanity; Ayopechcatl "She Who Dwells on the Back of the Tortoise," the protector of newborn children; Huixtocihuatl, Goddess of Salt and daughter of Tlaloc, who was given human sacrifices at Her festival in June; and Xixiquipilihui "It Swells," who creates the waves on lakes. For an earlier version of this card, go here. This design is available on prints through ArtPal here; both the new art and the old art are available on greeting cards (the older here, the newer here) through Zazzle. |