Happy Mexica New Year!

(Chicome Tochtli – 7 Rabbit)

Most of us celebrate New Years day on the first day of the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is a modified version of the Julian calendar, and begins on the day that Jesus Christ was supposedly born. But why would we non-Christians care about the birthdate of Jesus Christ? Before this Christian calendar was introduced to us our ancestors had already created several sophisticated calendars to keep track of time. In fact, these calendars were the most advanced and accurate calendars in the world.

The Julian calendar actually had nothing to do with Jesus. Julius Caesar introduced it in 46 B.C. with the aid of astronomer Sosigenes. It was a 12 month, 365 day calendar.

Aloysius Lilius introduced the Gregorian calendar, a modified version of the Julian calendar, in 1582. The Catholic Church was motivated to adjust the calendar so that Easter could be celebrated at the time agreed upon at the First Council of Nicaea. The Gregorian calendar is firmly rooted in Christianity and no other religion or people were considered in its creation.
Tonalmachiotl is the proper name for the Aztec calendar (Aztec sunstone). The first known calendar in the Americas begins in 3113 B.C. and ends in 2012 A.D. It is believed to have been created over 3,000 years ago by ancient Meso-Americans. The Olmecs and ancient Mayans were highly-advanced civilizations whose feats in mathematics and time are unparalleled by any other world culture. Their genius was reflected in their calendars. The Mexica took these ancient calendars to a new level of excellence with the creation of the sunstone, an artistic masterpiece with no equal. Source: Anahuac Calendar Lessons

As we strive to decolonize our minds and souls we should learn to live by the calendars that were created by our ancestors rather than take the easy route and give in to the will of the Christian church and Western Civilization. For lessons on how to read the Nahuatl calendar please visit Anahuac Calendar Lessons. There are also books you can purchase to guide you in your quest for ancient knowledge including  Aztec Calendar Handbook and  Aztec Calendar and Other Solar Monuments.

Because we will be living our lives based on the calendar systems of indigenous peoples we should observe their traditions and holidays as well. We should replace Christmas with the Mexica Winter Solstice Celebration and we should celebrate the New Year at the time that was set by our ancestors. Instead of getting drunk to usher in a new year we can reflect on what we did or didn’t accomplished in the previous year and think about what we can do to make the next one better for ourselves and all of our people. More info...

We are now in the year Chicome Tochtli, 7 Rabbit. Tochtli symbolizes fertility, pleasure and creativity. Its cycle of gestation corresponds with the lunar cycle. Chicome, Nahuatl for 7, is indicative of the transformation of mental anxiety. In Chicome Tochtli comes the awakening of Coyolxauhqui – Meztli. It is of the Moon, of the woman, female in essence. The fulfillment of distant predictions is initiated, prompted by the woman, and by the ever-present feminine qualities in men. Source: Nahuatl New Year

I attended the Mexica New Year's celebration in San Jose on Saturday, March 11, 2006. The actual first day of the New Year Chicome Tochtli is March 12, 2006. All I can say is that it was incredible and that each one of us should participate in it every year. I do not want to go into too much detail here. It is just something you have to experience for yourself. For more information on the celebration please visit the following site:  http://www.pochtecayotl.com/

Remember to always honor the traditions of our ancestors. Replace Christian European celebrations and traditions with indigenous ones every time you get a chance. And never forget to Decolonize!