Thursday, June 28, 2007

The Wind God

We have had more rain everyday and some hail again yesterday afternoon. It cleared for a while but about 9:30 PM it started raining hard again and rained......until sometime after I was asleep. Of course we also had some wind with the rain but that wasn't the wind that makes me think of the Wind God.

Sometimes on a perfectly still day a ferocious wind will whip into our tree and down into the patio. It isn't the wind preceding a storm, it isn't a wind from the street, it is sudden intense and localized. Every time I'm in that phenomenon I can't help but think of Mixtli, the main character in Gary Jenning's book Aztec. At times in his life he was enveloped by a sudden wind from no where and was given guidance by a wise old man in the wind.

I've looked to see if I could find information about a "Wind God" in pre-hispanic Mexico but the closest I came was Quetzalcoatl.

QUETZALCOATL - God of Civilization and Learning
Quetzalcoatl is called The Feathered Serpent and is often portrayed in this form. He is also said to appear as a wise old man with a black beard. He is one of the greatest gods and is viewed as the most kindly disposed toward man. He is said to have taught men the secrets of the calendar and science. Many credit him with the discovery of poetry, corn, and irrigation. Those who seek enlightenment, truth, and knowledge say prayers to him. He commands the wind and the rising of the evening star Venus. Quetzalcoatl teaches men to act with kindness and understanding toward others. He seeks the end of strife. His priests hold life in high regard and refrain from practicing the sacrifice rituals.


Whenever this wind envelops our patio it always feels so strange and ominous. I've listened but so far Quetzalcoatl has not spoken to me.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Love your blog. Small world indeed it is. One of my neighbors, Kay Tyler, was a good friend of your sister's and worked together at for IBM. I discovered SMA three years ago and have returned three times. Spent the first month at the Academia and subsequently took classes at Warren Hardy. Love it. Kay and some of our neighbors want to go later this year. Maybe we can meet in the Jardin for a drink. Thanks again for your comments regarding adapting to the Mexican culture. Could not agree more.
Linda Neeley, Horseshoe Bay, Texas