Saturday, March 21, 2015

Solstice celebrations at the pyramids of Teotihuacan

The day started out with balloons flying over our terrasse early morning.

In Teotihuacan, thousands of people visit for the event, many dressed in white with a red scarf or other accessory. Many dance, burn incense and chant but the defining ritual is to stand at the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, with arms outstretched facing the sun in the morning on the eastern horizon. Most climb this pyramid between 9am and 1pm. However, those who arrive early enough can see the sun rise over the Apan Mountains to the east of the Pyramid of the Sun, with its red rays coloring the landscape and the onlookers’ clothing. Chanting and other clamor accompanies this sunrise as participants stand with arms outstretched. Some come because they believe they are following in the footsteps of their ancestors, in asking the gods for energy and health on this day. Some New Age sources claim that at the point of the equinox, man is at a unique place in the cosmos, when portals of energy open. Climbing the 360 stairs to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun is claimed to allow participants to be closer to this "energy".


 The pyramid of the sun was the most sought after today.
There was a one hour line all day to get to it





There was no waiting in line for the pyramid of the moon. That's because you are not allowed to go all the way to the top.



Copal smells so good.










There is a huge supply of obsidian around here.
 Turquoise is common too.


Offerings.


 Dance steps are very precise and are supposed to be reflected in the whole universe.

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