![]() Come on, you know you want to.![]() Tlazolteotl (Whose name can be variously translated as "Earth Goddess," "Filth Goddess" or "Dirt Goddess") is the Aztec and Toltec Goddess of guilty pleasures, Who both inspires and forgives carnal acts. She is a love and earth Goddess Who is said to remove sins from Her worshippers by absorbing them into Herself. The punishment for adultery under harsh Aztec law was death; but if the offender confessed to Tlazolteotl he or she was absolved and the law would not touch them. However, a person was only allowed one confession per lifetime, so people would leave it as long as they could! Tlazolteotl has aspects both of earth Goddess and moon Goddess, and is one of the guardians of the Tree of the West, as well as a Goddess of childbirth. She is the mother of Cinteotl, the corn God, and Xochiquetzal, the Goddess of love. Tlazolteotl is also known as the Goddess of witches, and is said to have four aspects Who were depicted riding broomsticks and wearing pointed hats, just like the stereotypical European depiction of witches, except that They were naked. In the Codex Fejervary-Meyer Tlazolteotl is shown nude (except for Her jewelry) on a red broomstick holding a snake. These four aspects of Tlazolteotl were considered four sisters, from the eldest Tiacapan, through Teicu and Tlaco, to Xocutzin, the youngest. They were said to tempt people facing decisions towards evil and vice. The hermit Jappan, after abandoning his family, made his home in the desert and committed himself to devotion to the Gods. Tlazolteotl, rather insulted by his renunciation of the world, went to him to "console" him. He fell for it and was easily seduced by Her. When the Gods found out, They cut off his head and changed him into a scorpion. Tlazolteotl is considered one of the nine figures of the creation of the world, which also include Chalchiuhtlicue and Her husband Tlaloc, as well as being one of the thirteen Companions of the Day. Perhaps because of this, Tlazolteotl is sometimes called "the Mother of the Gods." This card in a reading indicates temptation and seduction that would not now be wise to give in to. Alternate spelling: Tlazolteutl, Tlacolteutl. Other aspects: Tlaelcuani, the Eater of Filth; Teteoinnan, "Mother of the Gods," patroness of midwives and healers; and Toci, "Our Grandmother," Who represents nature's healing powers. This design is available on prints via ArtPal. |