Winter Solstice: The Birth of the New Sun ‘Huitzilopochtli’

Winter Solstice: The Birth of the New Sun ‘Huitzilopochtli’

 

Whoever contemplates the cosmos admires his own projection
 
Whoever contemplates the cosmos sees projections of his ancestors, his contemporaries, his future descendants 
 
Whoever contemplates the cosmos sees his own, private, intimate projection…his work

The Birth of Huitzilopochtli
Artwork: The Birth of Huitzilopochtli by David Gremard Romero
 
…Story is told that when the moon, (Coyolxauhqui) along with her brothers Tzentzowitznawac (the night stars), found out that their mother Coatlicue (Mother Earth) had become pregnant after tucking an eagle feather into her breast, they became angry and plotted to kill her...
However, Huitzilopochlti (the sun) while in his mother's womb, heard their plan and assured his mother that he would help her and in so doing was born fully formed… Upon his birth (the rising sun), drove his siblings away (the night stars) and dismembered his sister the moon (representing the moon in her four aspects: new, waxing, full, and waning).
The birth of the new sun ‘Huitzilopochtli’ is celebrated on the winter solstice and with this, the arrival of vigor to all people, you can see how the sun reaches the limit of the west and begins its path to the right side.

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Taking a deeper look, the word Huitzilopochtli (translates to Left-Handed Hummingbird) is made up of two other words:

 

Huitzilin = hummingbird
+
Opochtli = left (side)


…and is a metaphor for our heartbeat; for heart-centered will power and free will. 
Consider the immense energy and determination of the beautiful bright hummingbird that flies thousands of miles from the South to the North and back again.
 
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The birth of Huitzilopochtli represents the rising sun; the light overcoming darkness (consciousness and unconsciousness), self-mastery (overcoming the challenges of the Sun's long night of the soul), and strong willpower. 

It is the challenging inner work known as the Flowery War; our internal battle to awaken from the dream of materialism and of living without purpose.

 
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How can I celebrate Winter Solstice in ceremony?

  • Wake up early, before the sun rises
  • Drink water and breathe deeply
  • Light a candle, incense or tobacco with prayer intention
  • Sing, to give thanks for the birth of the sun, and with it the arrival of a new day, a new cycle
  • Include corn, honey, or cacao in your diet as the main food
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(Excerpt of writing by Maestra Griselda Grace Alvarez Sesma)
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