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When the first men became
conscious of the light that was emitted from the sun, and the
relationship that exists between light and day; darkness and night;
the sun and the moon;
they assigned them each values.
The sun received the positive values: life and flourishing nature;
the moon’s values were a little more negative: the world of
the dead, a decline.
From the sun comes positive
energy, and to him, “Tonathiu”, the highest honors are given in the
festivals and traditions that come from the “life cycles” – the same
cycles which are associated with the arrival of Spring.
In all of the pre-Colombian
cultures, the sun is associated with the Spring rituals, when life
is reborn and flourishes.
It is also the time of year to prepare the fallow land for harvest.
In the “huichol” pueblos, a ritual is prepared for the
“deer”, which is the sun that carries light to the pueblos
throughout the three-day celebration.
The figure of the sun is
even present in the roundness of our Mexican tortilla, which
nourishes and provides energy for our body.
The form of the tortilla – round -- and the corn – yellow
like the sun – bring together symbolic elements of the positive
values.
The Pre-Hispanic cultures
took advantage of the light of the sun, converting into energy for
their own bodies. They
would rub their hands together vigorously, and then expose their
hands to the sun of the heavenly star for several minutes, sitting
on the ground with their legs crossed in the lotus position.
In archaeological centers
across the world, it has become a tradition for the people to
receive the equinox. As
the pyramids attract energy, people arrive dressed in white, ready
to receive the forces of the sun.
Many arrive early in the morning, climb the pyramids, and
find a good place to receive the energy.
Some wear flower necklaces; others wear red handkerchiefs
around their foreheads; and those who are the most deeply rooted in
the tradition light incense and walk in huaraches or go barefoot
along the edifying rocks.
The force of the sun can
not be diminished by anyone, not even by its antagonist – the moon.
If it could, life, goodness, and a growing and flourishing nature
would all come to an end. Therefore, when there is a solar eclipse, indigenous
villages come to the sun’s defense, and through dance, prayer, and
many diverse rituals, they protect the sun from the moon.
The triumph comes when, according to the tradition, they
manage to drive away the “meztli” – the traitor moon which leaves
after he is kept from eating the sun.
The sun…luminous life that
gives heat and is represented in all sorts of clay forms, copper,
murals, bracelets, necklaces; in the treasure of “Olinalá” and in
the belts of “Quiroga”…the sun, which belongs to everyone…the same
as always.
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