The Four Directions, Tonantzin, and Jesus Helguera

I've gotten hopelessly behind in my blogging (poor February was left out in the cold altogether, but I'll attempt to resurrect her). Meanwhile, this panel was inspired by my Latino friends, most of them female.

In the printed version, this calendar panel is titled, "It's Complicated - a woman contemplates the paradoxical pathways of her spiritual inheritance". It speaks to the complex genealogy of the Mestizos: the people whose roots are both indigenous and European. This is why we see a mixed metaphor in the image of the classic Virgin of Guadalupe. In the panel, she floats above the Kukulkan pyramid; her icon is decorated with indigenous glyphs. She is a bridge connecting the old and new cultures.

I was unable to locate the artist who built this image; I would love to credit that person, if anyone can inform me of its maker.

For many years I seemed to find work only in Latina-run public health education programs. I was given a rare glimpse into their world, seeing the day-to-day challenges, struggles with dominant mainstream institutions, and observing how cultural considerations influenced their decisions, their values, and their actions.

Those outside of the culture are tempted to lump them all together in one group, but on the inside, there are definite differences between Hispanic, Mexicano, Chicano, Latino.

Many of the Chicanos (those who have been here in North America for many generations) are now monolingual English speakers, and they mourn the loss of their Spanish tongue. Parents and grandparents discouraged its use, believing this would help their children better adapt. And yet, as I learned, Spanish is not truly their Mother tongue; rather it would have been Nahuatl, K'iche, or another of the more than 30 Mayan languages that can be traced back 4,000 years. Spanish is the language of their conquerors, who created the Mestizo people through intermarriage and, of course, rape - a primary weapon of war.

Why did I keep ending up in Latina-run agencies? What did I have in common with them? What I witnessed in the community that I came to know is an inner struggle between Catholicism and the earth-based spirituality of their ancestors from before the Conquest. Still today, they must individually reconcile this war in their DNA.

I finally had an epiphany about this: a similar war goes on in my own DNA. Within my blood are my Scottish ancestors (the ones I identify with, and LIKE to claim), AND the Anglo-Saxons who conquered them.

But for Latinos, the struggle continues externally as well. In Denver in 2009, a mural of Guadalupe which resided for decades inside a church named for her was painted over and hidden away by order of Father Benito Hernandez.http://www.westword.com/news/our-lady-of-guadalupe-church-members-fight-to-restore-mural-of-mexican-patron-saint-5882262

That conflict between Church and indigenous spirituality is articulated in the legend of the Virgen de Guadalupe, narrated here in the pure voice of a child:


A very quick summary is: the visions of the Virgin manifest to a humble Aztec man and he is the chosen vehicle to convey her messages to the authorities of the Church. He fully expects not to be believed because he is of the lowest class in Aztec society (macehualli), He implores Her to select a different messenger, but this request is refused.

His original, indigenous name, Cuauhtlatoatzin, means talking with eagles. 'Juan Diego' was the Christian name given to him by the Franciscan priest who converted him at the age of 51. His encounters with the sacred Virgen happened when he was 57, as he walked to Mass, a journey of over three hours.

In 2002, Pope John Paul II visited Mexico City to canonize Juan Diego, whom he describes as the "first indigenous Saint of the American Continent." Diego is a fascinating figure, and cultural history pivots sharply on this legend. "In accepting the Christian message without forgoing his indigenous identity, Juan Diego discovered the profound truth of the new humanity, in which all are called to be children of God."

I like that much better than another statement from the same website: "Consequently Guadalupe and Juan Diego...are a model of perfectly inculturated evangelization." That reeks of the same old Papal Bulls(sh*t) to me.
http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20020731_canonization-mexico.html

At least the Episcopalians have revoked the Doctrine of Discovery, even if the Vatican has not. This Doctrine (only one of the Papal Bulls) directly authorized the exploitation of 'whatever was found' in the New World, permitting the Europeans to seize indigenous lands and enslave The People. Good show, Christianity!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pope-francis-doctrine-of-discovery_us_56058eb9e4b0dd8503076c17 

But let me take a moment to offer special praise to the artist Jesus Helguera, who painted the incredible portrait anchoring the panel. His skill is stunning, his images breathtaking, and here is one that again references the history of conflict in the blood that is still being resolved, this mix of the indigenous and the newcomers.

Many Chicanos today are reaching back to their oldest and deepest roots - the ancestral tribes. They have resurrected old ways, like Aztec dances. They have revived and adopted practices from curanderismo, the ancient bush medicine. In their ceremonies, they pray with humility and reverence in the Four Directions.

Each Direction has its own properties, character, and purpose. East is of course for new beginnings, that we might start hopefully all our endeavors; the South is playfulness, children, joy, music, and fun; the West is where we let go of our regrets, our sorrows, and whatever no longer serves the best in us; and the North is spiritual guidance from our ancestors and teachers.

The Four Directions even contain a recipe for balance in dietary considerations. If I remember it properly, it informs us to eat 9% protein (North), 26% vegetables (West), 14% fruits (South) and 51% grains (East).

The Four Directions ceremonies always conclude with honoring of Father Sky and Mother Earth. I have come to love these ceremonies so much, because the Four Directions feels to me like an umbrella that we all stand under. Like the Rainbow Bridge and the Good Red Road, it is a metaphor of inclusion. And right now - and forever, while we're at it -- these are the most helpful metaphors we can embrace.

Guadalupe is also referred to as Tonantzin, an Aztec name for Mother Earth. Here she stands in my garden, just waiting for me to paint on her true colors.

and here is her prayer:

Mother Earth, Tonantzin

I'm sorry

Please forgive me

Thank you

I love you

Many thanks to my Latino/indigenous friends who have taught me, and given me these treasures to love. This panel is dedicated to you.


Happy New Moons,
Mrs. Kiva's Mom