AZTEC CALENDAR’S NEW YEAR: A TIME OF MUSIC, CONTEMPLATION, MORE

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Guest editorial by Michael Heralda
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Editor’s note:
We’ve all heard the hoopla over the movie “2012,” and it’s ominous assertion that the ancient Aztec calendar has already doomed us with some kind of proclamation of the end of time. Turns out the observance of the “Mexica New Year,” which arrives Friday, March 12 at 6 am, according to that ancient calendar, is a very spiritual and reflective time, and a musical one. It all begins on March 12 with five days of reflection, food, and contemplation, and then March 12 and the weekend that follows are given to celebration.
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On Sunday, March 21, 5-7 pm, MEXICA presents "Sounds of Ancient Mexico" at Alva's Showroom, organized by Martin Espino. Martin says, “MEXIKA will perform a set of healing, energizing music with ancestral instruments like clay multiple flutes, conch shells, drums, water drums, log drums, indigenous songs and actual shamanic chants (we will teach you these so you can sing along with us). We even invite the audience to join in with us on a vast array of native percussion that we'll bring! Alva’s is a state of the art venue, with excellent sound and lighting as well as a very professional looking yet relaxed environment. Come celebrate the coming of Spring with MEXIKA.” Details at www.discoversound.com/events/event/show?id=2819290%3AEvent%3A8345&xgi=0hXpSOOsREGOUL&xg_source=msg_invite_event. Refreshments provided. Tix, $20.
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L.A.-based musician and expert on the subject MICHAEL HERALDA has performed excerpts from his compelling “Aztec Stories” presentation on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” including music on original and traditional Native American instruments. On Saturday, March 13, at 10:30 am, Michael is a guest on a weekly 30-minute pre-recorded program on KTEP 88.5 FM from El Paso, Texas, simulcast at www.ktep.org. It’s “STATE OF THE ARTS” hosted by Monica Gomez. The next day is the big annual celebration of the event in El Paso, with Michael among the performers.
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Michael always presents a compelling and informative performance, and his written piece on the Mexica New Year is fascinating, spiritual, and a must-read for cultural literacy. It’s our guest editorial, by Michael, and it’s right here:
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Guest editorial
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MEXICA NEW YEAR MESSAGE
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by Michael Heralda
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I hope that you and all those close to your heart make the time to participate, in your own way, the ending of this year and the beginning of the new year. Below is some information that I shared years ago regarding the Mexica New Year and it is still very relevant today. Please read and share with those that may have an interest.
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Have you ever asked yourself “how can I incorporate some of the ancient traditional practices of my ancestors into my daily life?” Well, with the coming of the Mexica New Year and its preceding Nemotemi days (5 days of reflection) fast approaching you have an opportunity to start that reconnection in ways that are easy to follow and maintain.
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Traditionally, the 5 days that precede the New Year ceremony are dedicated to days of self-reflection, contemplation, rumination, meditation and prayer. During these 5 quiet days important decisions were postponed, participants practiced abstinence, and old or worn items from your house were also cast out and/or broken – a symbolic and ceremonial action designed to represent the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.
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Do you have personal items (things) that have lived past their usefulness? If so, make some time to sit down (with them) and recall what they represent to you, how were they used and what memories, fond or sad, are associated with them. Did you learn things from them? Did they advance your life in a positive or negative way? It is not as important to recall only the good memories, but also those that became markers in your life – good or bad. It is because of these associations that we learn and advance. If your personal belongings have served their purpose and usefulness, then these may be good candidates to discard or break (it is not necessary to discard more than one object, only those or a item that needs replacing). Remember, our ancestors understood that by giving away something important it made room for something else (maybe more important) to take its place.
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“Fasting” is also another symbolic action we can take as a means of acknowledging the end of one cycle and the beginning of another – we cleanse our bodies to prepare for the new cycle and new year. Maybe you might consider not eating the foods that are harmful to your body (you know what I am referring to) and focus on eating the 7 warrior foods of our ancestors:
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Corn
Beans
Squash
Chili
Nopal
Chia/sage
Amaranth
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These 7 foods chemically interact with your body to supply all the nutrients you need to be strong and healthy – they are the foods of the great Mexica Warriors!
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In addition, try adding some Spirulina to your (food) dishes and then finish off your healthy meal with a piece of (what else) CHOCOLATE!
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If you don’t know all of the foods listed above then do your research. This is an exercise in re-educating yourself to the beauty of the Nahuatl/Mexica culture. A good book I recommend with regards to learning about a number of the foods l just mentioned is titled “Chilies to Chocolate: Food the Americas gave the World.” This book contains a number of great essays including one about the origins and importance of Amaranth/Huauhtli (in the Nahuatl language) along with other important indigenous foods.
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Want more guidance or a recommended plan with regards to a beautiful culinary indigenous experience? Start on Sunday, March 7th, with a simple but nutritious meal consisting primarily of Corn and Beans. Then everyday after that add one (or more) of the remaining 5 warrior foods to your healthy indigenous meal (of corn and beans) on through Thursday when, by then, you will have eaten all 7 of the Warrior foods and you will arrive at the Mexica New Year the following day.
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One last action to consider is doing a sweat (bath) - a TEMEZKAL in the Nahuatl language. Some people prefer to do this at the beginning of the New Year; others include it during, or preceding, the Nemotemi days. This form of purification is not only healthy for you to do periodically but will also allow you time to relax and think. I cannot overemphasize the importance of making time for yourself to sit quietly and think – believe it or not, you can never do too much of this.
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Reflect, contemplate, ruminate, meditate, and pray during these important ceremonial days. These simple recommendations will work with your body, mind, and spirit in a reawakening process that will draw you closer to your indigenous roots. Embrace who you are and where you come from. In return, this acceptance and embracing of your culture will guide you to where you need to be.
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Many people around the world will be acknowledging and celebrating the Mexica New Year on Friday, March 12, 2010 as well as on Saturday and Sunday this year. To learn more about the Mexica New Year, its meaning and importance, plan on attending one of the many celebrations planned in a community near you and ask questions from those who have this knowledge to share. Remember that coming together as a group (Tloke Nahuake - Together and United) to honor something is very important. As a group we create a very powerful energy field that affects things around you. In addition, honoring something on a singular and personal level is also powerful medicine. However you decide to honor and celebrate this very important event do it with your heart.
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Mexica Tiahui! Onward Mexica!
Michael Heralda
Aztec Stories
www.aztecstories.com
E-mail: michaelheralda@aol.com
P.O. Box 50221
Los Angeles, CA 90050
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You can find more at www.flickr.com/photos/familyheralda/4363793892/sizes/l and www.aztecstories.com
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Catch Michael Heralda on a radio special about Mexica New Year…
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RADIO: Sat, Mar 13, on broadcast & web radio:
10:30-11 am (Pacific) “STATE OF THE ARTS” hosted by Monica Gomez celebrates yesterday’s “Mexica New Year” with musician and expert on the subject MICHAEL HERALDA. It’s a weekly 30-minute pre-recorded program on KTEP 88.5 FM from El Paso, Texas, simulcast at www.ktep.org.
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Tomorrow is the big annual celebration in El Paso, and other performers are among the guests on the show.
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View or download the Mexica / Azteca New Year poster at www.flickr.com/photos/familyheralda/4363793892/sizes/l
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Michael is participating in the big “Fiesta de Ano Nuevo Azteca / Mexica New Year Festival,” aka “Un Paso a la Nueva Era 2012,” the event at Mercado 2101 Myrtle, El Paso, Texas 79901; info, 915-532-6200. It happens Sunday, March 14 from 1-4 pm.
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