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tomasorban · 4 years

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Pachamama: Mother Goddess of Inca

Pachamama is the Supreme Goddess honoured by the indigenous people of the Andes including Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. Pachamama is referred to as both the Physical Planet Earth as well as the Universal Feminine Energy in Time and Space, The Cosmic Mother. Pacha is an archaic Quechua word meaning universe, world, time and space. So She is in fact the Goddess of all that exists for all time, eternal.

She is considered the Mother who begets life, nourishes and protects. In Her role as Earth Mother, She oversees planting and harvesting and is responsible for the well-being of plants and animals. Offerings are made to Her regularly for success in all endeavours. Pachamama is often depicted as a huge Dragon as She represents the Andean Mountains. When She feels disrespected, She may cause Earthquakes. The Andean People believe that recent quakes in the region are a direct result of humanity’s disregard for the planet. Pachamama is showing us Her displeasure at our attitude toward Her. The Andean People also believe Pachamama teaches us that work is a supreme virtue. For if we build, create, plant etc . . . with love in our hearts, our work will be sacred and we will be sacred. In this way, love and work may take us to a state of higher consciousness much like the Karma Yoga of Eastern Religions.

Apachetas

Offerings to Pachamama are referred to as Apachetas. The apachetas most often consist of a hole, or well, dug into the earth within which is placed the offering and piles of stones are placed on top. Offerings may include cooked food, coca leaf, grain and corn flour, wine, cigars and chicha (a fermented drink). Each village would have a ceremonial apacheta and individual homes may also have one. They are also found throughout the Andes at mountain passes. The sacred cairns are used for offerings for a safe journey through the mountains, or may be used to indicate where the trails lead. These cairns may also indicate an energetic opening or doorway. The apachetas are also symbolic of the Triple Goddess aspect of Pachamama. The stone cairns represent Pachamama Sky (Janaj Pacha), the offerings refer to Pachamama Soil (Kay Pacha) and the well itself represents Pachamama in Her aspect as She Who is Queen of the Underworld (Ukhu Pacha).

Pachamama is honoured on August 1 and the entire month of August is devoted to Her. She is also revered on the First Friday of every month and may also be prayed to prior to undertaking any new project. Offerings are buried in the apachetas to “feed the Mother.” Prior to planting, permission is asked of the Mother to hurt Her with plows to prepare the soil. At this time, men will stab the soil with plows shaped like spears, and women will follow singing to the Mother as they plant the seeds.

Mythology

Pachamama birthed the God Pachacamac and He became Her consort. Together they created the Stars, Sun, Moon and Planets. They lived on an island in the centre of a lake atop White Mountain (Nevado de Cachi). The island is inhabited by a bull with golden horns who bellows like thunder. Pachamama bore twins, a boy and a girl. Soon after, Pachacamac disappeared. The Widowed Goddess, alone with Her Children, lived in darkness and solitude. One night, they saw a bright flame in the distance and began to follow it. The trio faced fearsome monsters as they made their way to the light. They finally reached a cave and met Wakon, the Brother of Pachacamac.

Wakon asked the children to fetch water to boil potatoes and while they were gone, He tried to seduce Pachamama. When She refused His advances, He killed and devoured part of Her and kept the remainder in a pot on the fire. The Twins returned and asked about their Mother. Wakon told Them, She would return shortly but days passed and She did not return.

The Children befriended a bird who knew what Wakon and done. He informed the Children of Their Mother’s fate and that They too were in danger. The Children were advised to enter the cave where Wakon slept and to tie a large rock to His long hair. They then escaped from the cave and fled. They met Fox and explained what had happened. Fox offered to hide the Children in his den.

Meanwhile, Wakon awoke and was so angered that the Twins had fled, He did not notice the boulder in His hair. He went in search of the Children, meeting Cougar, Condor and Snake. The animals loved Pachamama and refused to tell Wakon where the Twins were. Wakon met Fox who shrewdly suggested He climb the highest peak and mimic the voice of Pachamama calling for Her Children. Wakon did so and as He peered over the steep mountain to seek Them, the stone in His hair dislodged, tumbling into the abyss below and Wakon, still entangled, followed the stone. His death caused a violent Earthquake.

The Twins lived with Fox for a time but They missed their Mother. The Girl had a dream about finding a doll, broken in pieces. She related the dream to Her Brother and while doing so, She threw Her hat into the air where it began to spin. As the Children gazed in wonder, a rope emerged from the sky. They decided to climb it and reached the Heavens where They were reunited with Their Father, Pachacamac. The Boy was transformed into the Sun and the Girl became the Moon. As for Pachamama, She remained forever on the mountain in the form of an imposing snowy peak. To this day, the Mountain is known as The Widow.

Puma and Condor

Pachamama is often associated with Snake (or Serpent in the form of a Dragon), but She also has several other Animal Totems which are important to Her. I will focus on the two I have met on my journeys with Pachamama, Puma and Condor. Puma first came to me in dreams and meditations prior to my meeting with the Goddess, almost as if She was sniffing me out to determine if I was worthy. When I finally met with Pachamama, the initial encounter was brief. “Follow the Puma” was all She said. Puma is an archetype of Kay Pacha (Pachamama in Her Earth Mother aspect). Puma is sacred to the people of the Andes. The city of Cuzco, Heart of the Inca empire, is in the shape of a Puma and Lake Titicaca is translated as Lake of the Stone Puma. Puma is one of four totem animals that are found at Machu Picchu ( the others being Snake, Condor and Bear).

The Andean people believe that we are entering a special age and that more Puma People are incarnating, the Puma Runa. Puma People bring balance and purpose to all they do. They see little difference between their spiritual quest and their everyday life. A potential Puma lives in each of us. As puma walks alone, so part of our spiritual journey is alone. The great teaching of the puma is that it is the animal with the least ego, never seeking to be seen. You don’t see the puma, only where it has been. Puma reminds us to move forward with faith and courage, to stop procrastinating with respect to important tasks. Puma teaches us to be clear and assertive in our beliefs and brings balance to our personal power.

The Condor accompanies Pachamama and is symbolic of Her role as crone or as Janai Pacha (the Sky). She is known as the Eagle of the South. In Andean myth, Condor oversees the flow of life, birth and death of galaxies. This silent flyer is the voice of the Great Mystery. Condor is our messenger from the Cosmos and connects the reality of the Light Beings to our own. It is a symbol of seeing the perfection of all of creation without judgment. Its positive energies help us in shedding aspects of our selves that are no longer useful as well as experiencing the magick of spiritual flight. Condor is seen as honouring the sun as it spreads it wings to dry the dew upon waking at dawn. Its ability to ride the thermal drifts is likened to seeing the auric field. It is a symbol of purification, death, rebirth and new vision.

The Pachamama Alliance

When the Condor of the South meets the Eagle of the North, the Earth will awaken. This Inca prophecy is being fulfilled as more people from North America (the Eagle) are coming to understand and appreciate the indigenous cultures of South America. The Pachamama Alliance, established in 2004, is a partnership between a group of people from the modern world and the leaders of remote indigenous groups in the Amazon region of Ecuador. It came about over concern for the destruction of the Rain Forest and the impact this is having on the entire planet. The Pachamama Alliance believes that our ability to meet the challenges that face humanity as we make the transition to the next millennium, depends on our ability to successfully combine the best elements of . . . the intellectual and scientific prowess of the modern world, with the deep and ancient wisdom of traditional cultures. This is the commitment which underlies the work of The Pachamama Alliance. 8) We must all do our part to heal the Earth for She is Mother of us all. https://www.pachamama.org/

Guided Meditation

You have walked far through the jungle to reach this place. You have sensed a presence near you for some time, just out of sight, watching you. You have faced your fears and now you emerge from the dark jungle onto a mountain top plateau bathed in bright sunshine. Below you are the ruins of an ancient city, Machu Picchu. You walk down the trail to an ancient aqueduct. Water has flowed from these stones for centuries. You cup your hands and drink the cold, refreshing spring water. You find your strength renewed as your fatigue vanishes. In the distance, you notice a large stone monument. You are drawn to the stone and walk toward it. You find it rests on a rock base and you sit down with your back to the stone and close your eyes. You feel a movement coming from the stone. You lean into the stone, enjoying the vibration that moves up your spine and out the top of your head.

You sense a shadow pass over the warm sunlight and you open your eyes. A large black dot traverses the sun, gently wafting down in a slow spiral. You watch in wonder as the giant condor circles down ever closer toward the earth. As it touches the ground in front of you, it transforms into a Woman. She is tall with wild dark hair, a cloak of condor feathers about Her shoulders. Tufts of white llama wool at Her wrists and ankles and Her skirt is of finest woven alpaca wool. Her beautiful ample breasts are bare on Her dark skin. A Puma walks at Her side, watching you. The Woman smiles and a name comes to you, “Pachamama.”

“This is my Stone” She says, indicating the large monument behind you. “Are you prepared for an adventure?” You nod and She encourages you to turn and place your palms upon the Pachamama stone. You immediately sense the vibration emanating from the sacred stone and find your body humming along. “This is the song of the Spheres, the sound of the universe, OHM . . . You resonate with the sound, adding your voice to the sacred OHM. You chant until you feel your entire being vibrating with the stone. Pachamama asks you to place your forehead against the sun-warmed stone. As your third eye contacts the stone, you are surprised by the intense electric jolt that passes through you. You sense your visionary eye awakening.

You turn to face Pachamama and She opens Her arms to embrace you. As She enfolds Her mighty wings about you, you sense gravity pull away. Pachamama has taken flight with You in Her arms. You gaze in wonder at the ancient city of Machu Picchu, far below you now, as you soar higher above the Andean mountains. From up here the mountains look like the back of a spiny dragon. “This is Who I Am” She whispers. You continue to fly higher into the sky and as you look behind you, you see the Earth as a sparkling Blue-Green Jewel. “This is Who I Am” She laughs. You fly out past the planets and stars to the farthest corners of the Universe. “This is Who I Am” she shouts.

She takes you back to the beginning of time and space, you are a midwife to Pachamama as She births the universe into existence. “This is Who I Am” she screams. You follow the births and deaths of the stars and planets and catch glimpses of your own past lives being born and dying and being reborn. You turn to look at Pachamama and see Her eyes are your eyes, Her face is your face. “This is Who I Am” you whisper.

You find yourself back at the Pachamama stone. You find a gift for Pachamama in your hands. You leave it on the Stone platform. You find that She has left you a gift. You pick it up and hold it to your heart.

“This is Who I Am”

Ritual for Pachamama

So many of us have experienced angst when we think about the ultimate questions. What lies beyond death? Are we alone in the universe? What does eternity feel like? When I was a child, I had a recurring vision. As I lay in bed, my mind would transport me to the far reaches of the universe. I would become lost in the vastness of space and eternity. I could not comprehend what it meant, all I knew was that it frightened me, I was too young to understand. I realize now what a gift this glimpse into the vast emptiness of space-time was, but I continue to struggle with what it means to me, and my childhood fears have often prevented me from seeking further. I believe Pachamama has come into my life to teach me what I was meant to learn so many years ago and I have designed this ritual to help me overcome my childhood fears and connect to Goddess in a more profound way.

If possible, do the ritual outdoors where you can create an apacheta (e.g. a small corner of any garden). This also allows you to look up into the starry sky and truly get a sense of infinite space and time as many stars you see tonight have already lived out their lives. For this ritual, the intent is to delve into the mysteries of Space-Time to better understand ourselves and to discover our purpose in this life. Begin the ritual on the cusp of Friday night (the first Friday of the month is sacred to Pachamama) and into Saturday morning (to connect with the energies of the unknown, death and time)

Supplies

Candles--Red candle to represent Pachamama and a black candle to represent the unknown, place both in the center

Symbols for the four direction. I have placed a crystal in the North, photo of a Condor in the East, a small, red candle in the South, and a bowl of spring water in the West.

Small trowel/spade for digging

Offering to “feed” Pachamama (corn, flour, cakes, libations...)

Small object to symbolize intent -place next to the black candle. I chose an Ourobouros (serpent swallowing its tail) as a symbol of eternity.

Several small pebbles Incense- Basil (sacred to Dragons) and Sage (immortality, wisdom)

Cleanse in a bath sprinkled with Basil and Sage. Light the Red candle and Cast the circle. As you light the Black candle, place within it the thoughts and fears that keep you from your Path.

Call on the four directions, guardians or angels.

Face the South, this direction is sacred to Pachamama

Invocation to Pachamama

Oh Pachamama

Queen of the Universe

Mother to the Stars

You birthed time in Your great Womb

Oh Pachamama

Enlighten me with Your secrets

That I may know myself better

Guide me as I seek truths within and without

Oh Pachamama

Teach me to overcome my fears

Nurture my growth as I seek the unknown

Encourage me to face challenges

Oh Pachamama

I wish to share Your knowledge

I am ready to learn without fear

Mother, your child is here

Meditate on what eternity means to you. Spend some time connecting to Pachamama in the vastness of Space-Time. Sense your own connection to the Universe. When you are ready, hold the object to the four directions and say “I place within this object my intention to learn the secrets I have kept from myself. I ask Pachamama to guide me in my quest to seek the truths that lay beyond and within.” With the trowel, dig a small hole in the Earth. Place the object of your intent in the apacheta along with the ritual foods. Cover the well with pebbles. To maintain your connection to Pachamama, you may want to place pebbles on the apacheta on the First Friday of every month.

Give Thanks, Open the Circle and Ground.

#mother goddess #divine feminine #pachamama #religion #inca #consciousness #meditation #spirituality #ritual

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human-odyssey · 5 years

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The Gods of Inca Mythology

The majority of the world’s religions speak of a single God who created the universe, but in Inca mythology, many deities were involved in the creation of the cosmos. They each had a role in forming different elements of the sky, earth and underworld.

The most important god to the ancient Inca was Viracocha. He was the first of the creator deities, responsible for designing the heavens. From his own form, he established the sun, moon, planets and stars. When he commanded the sun to move over the sky, time itself was created, allowing for the rise of civilization. He was represented as wearing the sun for a crown, with thunderbolts in his hands, and tears descending from his eyes as rain.

The second most important deity of the Inca pantheon was Inti. He was the sun god, and it is uncertain whether he was a brother of Viracocha, or his son. He brought light and warmth to the lands, and became known as the ‘Giver of Life’. He later sent his children to earth to start the Inca civilisation. Inti and his sister, Mama Killa (Moon goddess) were generally considered benevolent deities.

Coniraya was a male Moon God, associated with the creation of life. Legend says that as he wandered over the earth, plants and animals appeared. He held dominion over agriculture, and helped the farmers irrigate their fields. He once fashioned his sperm into the fruit of the Lumca Tree, which was eaten by Cavillaca, a beautiful virgin goddesses. Cavillaca became pregnant and ran away in shame. Coniraya went in search of her and his child, but sadly, when he found them, they had both turned into stone.

Kon was the first born of Inti and Mama Killa, who resided over the rains. He was strong and lithe, which allowed him to move quickly over the the plains of Peru. Kon was lonely, so he created the first race of humans. He set them down in a pleasant, fertile land, and gave them grain which they could harvest, and fruits which ripened quickly. His creations wanted for nothing.

During the rule of these early gods, Kon’s human creations became lazy and wicked, so Kon punished them with drought. He would only dispense his life giving waters if they worked hard enough to earn his favour. Kon’s tyrannical regime soon came to an end with the appearance of his brother Pachacamac (Inti’s son).

Pachacamac was known as the "Creator of the World", and immediately challenged his brother Kon. After a tremendous struggle, Pachacamac managed to drive Kon from the land. His became the new god of Peru, and redesigned it as a paradise. He wasn’t so fond of the Kon’s mortal creations, however, and turned into monkeys. In their place, he created a new race of humans (the ancestors of the Inca). In return, these people made Pachacamac their supreme deity.

After the dethronement of Kon, a new god was needed hold dominion over the rain. This role was gifted to llapu, who used the power of the storm to fertilise the lands. The Incas believed the Milky Way as a heavenly river, where Illapu's sister stored a great water jug. When Illapu struck the jug with a bolt of lightning, it would create the sound of thunder, and release a heavenly rain. He appeared as a man in shining clothes, carrying a club and stones.

Catequil was another storm god, linked specifically to lightning. Legend say’s he created thunder-bolts by striking the clouds with his sacred spear and a mighty club. He was venerated as a weather deity, who could divine the future. Catequil was linked to a myth about the twins Apocatequil and Piguerao. Many Incan people believe Apocatequil was none other than the lightening god in human form.

The story goes that the twin brothers, Apocatequil and Piguero, were conceived by a woman who had sex with a sky god. Her name was Cautaguan, and she bore her sons within two eggs. Close to their birth, the goddess was killed by her brothers (the Guachimines). Once her sons hatched, they revived their mother, and took vengeance on their uncles by hurling lightening bolts at them.

Apocatequil become the prominent leader of the Inca, and served as the chief priest for the lunar deity, Coniraya. To keep Apocatequil happy, the Inca built statues of his noble self and placed them upon the mountaintops.

Below these mountains lived Urcaguary, a chthonic deity, who resided over underground treasures (metals and jewels). He guarded them from greedy interlopers who tried to steal them, and had a formidable appearance. He was often depicted as a large snake with the antlers of a deer, and a tail coiled with gold chains.

For those who wished to secure a safer way to wealth, there was always Ekkeko. He was the god of abundance, called upon by his followers for luck and prosperity. The ancient Inca made dolls that represented him and surrounded them with miniature version of their desires (pets, treasure, food, etc). This was believed to help manifest whatever it was their hearts desired.

Another God revered for his prosperity was Urcuchillay. This bestial god was worshipped by Inca herders, who watched over the herds of Peru. He was prayed to for their well-being. Urcuchillay would often bring good fortune to his followers, ensuring their protection in the wilderness. It was said he possessed a bright, multicoloured coat, a symbol of life and wonder.

Yet life and prosperity couldn’t last forever, as all paths eventually lead to the grave. This final feature of the Inca life was ruled over by Supay, the god of death. He lived in Ukhu Pacha (the underworld), with an army of demons. Miners would also pray to him for a safe decent into the underworld, when they went digging for precious treasure. Ukhu Pacha was not such a terrible place, for it was linked to the womb of mother earth (Pachamama). The subterranean waters of ‘Ukhu Pacha’ were believed to have rejuvenating qualities, which linked the health and prosperity of the Inca people.

If you’re looking for a really immersive experience of world mythology, why not subscribe to my Patreon page, and gain:

Access to in-depth posts on the gods, monsters & heroes of world myth Entry to my FB group on the 'Tales of the Monomyth,' AKA the first story ever told A 'behind the scenes' peek at my upcoming novels & much much more!

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ARTWORK

Oshiro Kochi

Keisy Lopez

Nati Fuentes

Javier Sama

Gonzalo Kenny

Daniel Eskridge

Gilles Ketting

#inca #mythology #incan #gods #viracocha #Inti #mama killa #coniraya #cavillaca #kon #pachacamac #Illapu #catequil #apocatequil #piguerao #ekkeko #urcuchillay #pachamama #peru

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mariamaravillamendoza · 4 years

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Origin

Manco Capac was the son of the Sun God Inti and the Moon Goddess Mama Quilla. Manco Cápac himself was worshipped as a fire and a Sun God. Together, the gods lives in the realm known as Hanan Pacha. This realm is where the Incan Gods resided. These gods referred to the Earthly realm as Kay Pacha, and watched over the realm with great interest.

Manco Cápac, along with his brothers and sisters, were sent to the earth by Inti and emerged from the mystical caves of Paqariq Tampu, high above Lake Titicaca in the Andes. Manco carried with him the Tapac-Yauri, a staff of wondrous magical powers, forged by the god of metal Urcaguary and enchanted by Inti himself. They were instructed to create a Temple of the Sun in the spot where the staff sank into the earth. With the staff, they traveled far and wide, facing many indescribable horrors along the way, and uniting with other tribes encountered in their travels. Eventually, the Manco Capac found the spot that would eventually become the Peruvian city of Cuzco, where along with their worshipers, built a temple in honor of their father, the Sun God. Manco Capac married a fellow goddess named Mama Occlo. The city of Cuzco was created, and the Incan Empire was born. The Incan Empire became the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, with the city of Cuzco at its center.

However, there was great unrest between the gods. Ayar Kachi, one of the crueler gods, was feared not only by the Incan people, but by the gods themselves. Manco feared that Ayar's cruelty would cause their empire to fall, so he planned to have his own brother imprisoned. Manco Capac told Ayar Kachi that something important had been left at the caves of Paqariq Tampu. Once Ayar entered the cave, he was sealed inside. Before he was sealed off forever, Ayar conspired with Supay, ruler of Uku Pacha, the realm of demons and death. Ayar had Supay hide evil demonic huacas (spirit) within mystical ruins. Manco Capac discovered these ruins and hid the away deep under a temple, hoping their evil will never be unleashed to the world. As a countermeasure, Manco sealed the Tapac-Yauri nearby. It was said that if the evils were ever unleashed, one of the descendants of the gods themselves will take the staff, and vanquish the evil.

Many centuries later, in modern times, Tristán Mendoza was a poor Peruvian farmer. He met a beautiful woman named Lilia and soon they were wed. Tristán and Lilia had tried to have a child for many years, to no avail. One day, while Lilia was tending to the llamas on the farm, she heard the most beautiful music being played. She went to the source of the music and saw a beautiful woman, playing a pan flute. The woman offered her some enchanted fruit, before disappearing into the night. A few nights later, Lilia had discovered she was pregnant, and the Mendoza family were happy. After his beloved wife gave birth to their daughter, Maria Mendoza, they drove back from the hospital in the valley to their home. But before reaching home they were stopped by highway robbers. Tristán refused to give them any money and in the ensuing scuffle Lilia was shot and killed. When the police finally arrived, they asked Tristán for money to track down the bandits, and ended up taking his truck as compensation. Tristán had to walk back to his village on foot, carrying his newborn daughter with him. It was one of the hottest days Tristán had ever experienced. He considered it a miracle he or the child didn't die from the heat that day. When Tristán finally returned to his village, he saw the cops and the thieves splitting the profits from his truck . From that day forward, in order to protect his daughter, Tristán resolved never to be a victim again and that like the dirty police, he would have money through whatever means were necessary. In time, he became judge in the small village of Santa Atalaya, and would often be paid off by the criminals of the town.

As the years grew by, Maria Mendoza grew to be the most beautiful woman of Santa Atalaya, being sought out by both men and women. She worked long and hard on her family farm, often looking after the poorer people in her village. She seemed to enjoy working in the sun, often spending most of her days in the outdoors, tending to the farm and the animals. She never seemed too bothered by the heat, almost rarely breaking a sweat. She was a very outspoken woman, very protective of the ancient ruins outside her village. She would often lead protests against those who wish to desecrate or damage the historical landmarks. One particular day, she was protesting the illegal archeological digs being conducted at the men of the rich, influential crime lord Armando Guitez.

Guitez's excavations had an even more sinister goal than selling off Peruvian history on the black market. There were ancient mystical secrets hidden in the ruins and according to legend, the Incan sun god Manco Capac had buried great powerful evils under the city to imprison them. Guitez hoped to find magical powers in the ruins to use for his own personal gain. Guitez's quest for mystical power was making him aggressive and irritable, even by crime lord standards.

Maria sneaks onto the excavation site, where she finds an archeologist named Esteban, who was instantly attracted to Maria. Esteban claimed he was attempting to keep Guitez honest by trying to preserve as much as the site as they can. The two are eventually chased away from the site by an unseen force.

Maria arrives at the courthouse and scolds her father for letting Guitez get away with so much crime. Shortly afterwards, Guitez arrives at the courthouse and begins to flirt with Maria, much to her disgust. She gets away from him, but Guitez vows to make Maria his.

While at the courthouse, Maria overhears farmers telling her Judge Mendoza about monsters attacking their land, and that Guitez had ordered the police not to intervene. The farmers beg for Judge Mendoza to help, only for Guitez to order the police to beat the farmers in the courthouse. One farmer escapes to the front of the courthouse and commits suicide in terror. This action finally prompts Judge Mendoza to speak out against Guitez. Guitez responds by ordering the police to drag the judge away to the Guitez estate. Maria witnesses this and attempts to follow them, with the help of Esteban, who uses his status as an archeologist hired by Guitez Industries to get onto the property. Maria splits off from Esteban, where she witnesses Guitez murder another farmer in front of Judge Mendoza in an attempt to get him to fall into line. Judge Mendoza, finally tired of all the horrible things he let Guitez get away with, refuses to follow the man's orders. Guitez responds by shooting the man in the face. Witnessing the death of her father, Maria runs to him and holds his dying body in her arms, giving her hiding position away to Guitez and the others. Guitez demands Maria be his wife, and Maria responds by striking the crime lord in the face and groin and attempted to run away. Unfortunately for her, she was quickly captured. Guitez once again asked for Maria to be his wife, to which Maria responded by spitting in Guitez' face. Guitez had his men beat Maria, stripped her clothes off, and have her chained up in a hot sweatbox for torture. He hoped Maria would suffer humiliation, dehydration and heat exhaustion, and hopefully force her to agree to become his wife. By some miracle, Maria seemed mostly unbothered by the torture, something that confused the henchmen who watched over her.

Days later, she was rescued and freed from her cage by Esteban, and after a quick change of clothing, the two fled towards the ruins together. There, they found the ancient mystical ruins Guitez was searching for. Esteban explained he learned of the dangerous, powerful nature of the ruins and had two of the ruins shipped to America so the crime lord couldn't get to them. Esteban revealed he had recently found a third one and held it in his hand. In that moment, Guitez caught up with the pair and shot Esteban, shattering the mystical rune he was holding in the process, causing Guitez to gain the mystical powers of dark spirits within. He transformed into a monster and smashed another nearby ruin, also gaining its power. He vowed to head to America to find the rest of the ruins in order to gain ultimate power.

Meanwhile, Maria was drawn to a light in the mystical ruins and found Tapac-Yauri, the staff of Manco Capac, and turned Maria into the demi-goddess Maravilla. She hears the voices of the Incan gods, who instantly teach her how to use her abilities.

She chased Guitez to Los Angeles, where she found his crashed airplane near the Hollywood sign. The ensuing battle was witnessed by William Willard and the staff of the tabloid magazine The National Exposer. They fought all over Los Angeles, eventually finding themselves at the Church of Eternal Empowerment. She eventually impaled the demonically powered villain on a spike on the top of a temple before summoning lightning to incinerate him.

Adapting to her new surrounding with her trademark courage and resourcefulness, Maria quickly became a reporter at L.A.'s tabloid the National Exposer . Her exceptional beauty made it rather easy to be hired by editor William Willard, who was earlier saved by Maravilla.

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0poole · 5 years

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Man, Netflix is a godly invention

Seriously. Once my generation takes over, the only TVs will exist in restaurants. Once subscription on-demand services take over (assuming they haven’t already) then cable TV will be done for. Literally the only benefit of cable is that, if you’re punctual enough, and have enough free time, you can “technically” watch whatever you want. On the other hand, you could pay less to access a slightly more limited (when it comes to new stuff) catalogue of shows to watch whenever or wherever you want. Obviously, though, you can’t always find the old stuff you’ve never seen before on cable. That’s what this stuff is good for.

I’ve watched so many great movies that I’ve definitely heard of time and time again, but either never watched, or watched so long ago that I don’t actually remember any of it. Basically, since I have nothing else to do, I’m just gonna talk about the old stuff I’ve watched so far.

Lilo & Stitch: Just finished this one, and it’s the one that made me want to talk about this. OH MY GOD Lilo deserves so many hugs. It was almost bizarre, like this character that, to me, has only existed in merchandise is now... actually... moving? How peculiar, it had feelings all along!

Seriously, though. I thought I saw this movie once, but it really didn’t feel like I did. I definitely had McDonalds toys of discount Wazowski once, but I don’t really remember anything from the movie. It was surprisingly real. I can definitely see how people can appreciate Nani for being the most real and respectable character in all of animation (and also for being sexy despite not having a beautiful™ face).

Also, aliens. When are aliens ever bad? I say, only when they’re mindless, killing lizards (excluding el Xenomorph, I can still like him (still need to see his movie tho)). But, I can always love the classic, bulbous alien designs ala. retro sci-fi. My god, they animated discount Wazowski so well... He looked so boneless and floppy. Not to mention Jumbo being so soft and squishy looking. Stitch himself is such an icon that it’s hard to see him as anything other than Stitch, if you know what I mean.

Anyways, the only Lilo and Stitch derivative I remember was what I remember as a sort of monster-of-the-week series where they had to go around capturing and cataloging the other experiments. It definitely seems like a fitting idea, but of course I really don’t remember any of it. I do remember the yellow stitch-like guy who had a very normal-guy voice and had a thing for sandwiches, though. He was like the comical sidekick to the main baddy.

Bolt: The movie I definitely remember the most of, but wanted to watch again anyways, because I definitely remember liking it. Most of my movie re-watchings are just to solidify my memories of these movies in my current mind, because my past self seriously had a habit of living in the moment so much that I just didn’t bother to remember what I just experienced.

Anyways, I’m just gonna be honest... I’m not a dog person... but when a dog makes a cute girl happy, I’m happy. Also, I have a habit of never crying at the sad parts, and always at the happy resolutions to the sad parts. Oh my god, I remembered the ending, but I still cried my eyes out. The superbark may not actually be super, but it’s super to him, dammit! Seriously, though. Emotions are always at stake when kids movies get real. That was a real fire, and a real risk of death, and he saved the girl.

Also, why are so many cute girls named Penny? In animations, that is. Not that... no, not happening.

I honestly can’t remember any other cute Penny’s (apart from my own Penny) but for some reason that name is eternally one of the cutest girl names out there.

Looking it up though, I can see why. There’s the main girl from the Proud Family (never watched it), the girl sidekick from the Inspector Gadget cartoon (never watched it), and the girl from the Peabody and Sherman movie (watched it and enjoyed it. She was almost a human sacrifice tho). All cute girls.

Atlantis: One of those too-good-for-its-own-good movies. It was seriously cool, but got a criminally low amount of attention.

Really, the movie stands on visuals alone. The scene with Kida walking across the water to the giant floating carvings of past kings... That was some seriously amazing animation. Then, when she was walking back to shore with an invisible forcefield around her, which you could only see because of the water splashing off of it... That was amazing.

I’m 0 for 2 in mentioning cute girls so far, so let’s keep going. Kida’s a big one I’ve seen around in, well, art... Meanwhile, Audrey was right there! How come I haven’t seen this chick anywhere? Did Kida steal her spotlight? I’ll tell ya, ancient technology as a whole is totally my style, but Kida herself isn’t pushing any buttons. But, a sun-kissed girl with bushy hair in overalls is my weakness.

Road to El Dorado: Okay, I actually can’t avoid talking about cute girls in this one. Chel is actually criminally sexy. This level of sexiness should be illegal. I’ve already drawn her. I can’t get enough.

You know, sometimes, when I draw or mention cute/sexy girls, I always have a thought in the back of my head: God, some people are gonna think I’m a creep because of this...

No fuckin shame here dog. She LITERALLY FUCKS ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTERS TO GET HER WAY. Sexy is one of her character traits, and the designers, animators, writers... they know it. How is this a kid’s movie?

Anyways, the movie... I’ll be honest, I only remembered to watch this one because of the “Both? Both? Both is good.” meme. Being a part of the “artists who draw cute girls” circle, I can’t avoid that meme. Whenever someone says “Boobs or butts?” I see it. Whenever I see “Which of these cute girls should I draw?” I see it. Seriously, that gif has probably been posted more times than the number of people who actually went to see this movie. Then, there’s the gif of Chel bumping her armadillo pal with her hips... Like, come on. She’s hardly even wearing pants. You can’t do this to me.

I did actually enjoy the movie though. I definitely think the concept of “normal people visit ancient society and are believed to be Gods” has a lot of potential in it, and I love the idea that the king of El Dorado doesn’t actually think they’re Gods, and is just playing along pretty much... That’s really fun. I definitely prefer it to the wholly ignorant, possibly also stupid primitives that are 100% sure that the person is their God. It makes a nice dynamic.

The Emperor's New Groove: Come on, what else is there to say? It’s the the-teacher-is-letting-us-watch-a-movie-on-the-last-day-of-school classic. It’s hilarious. It’s fun. It’s got the heckin PACHA MEME BROOOS AMIRITE FELLOW INTERNETERS?

I love the nonsense humor in the movie. I LOVE it. I love it when movies don’t take themselves seriously. It’s the time of the Aztecs, and yet they (didn’t) order a giant trampoline. Rollercoasters. Boy scouts. For some movies, it’s lame, but this one was probably the originator of the idea. Oh my god, the cut outs to Kuzco’s narration? I love it. I love it all.

Cute girls? Uhhh... I mean, Pacha’s daughter was pretty cute, but not the soul-wrenching kinda cute. What about ol’ Vexus? God, I rarely look up voice actors, but Eartha Kitt kills it both as Yzma and as Vexus. It’s the absolute perfect evil voice. It matches the stereotypical “evil” people know, but toys with it the perfect amount to make it super fun. Also, whenever I can relate something back to MLaaTR I’m happy. Cute girls, and all...

Song of the Sea: cute cute cute cute Cute CUTE CUTE.

This is why I watch all movies with subtitles whenever I can. What’s the name of that adorable little girl? Surf-shuh? Shur-suh? It’s Saoirse. I’m honestly surprised I remembered how to spell it.

Remember when I said I cry at happy resolutions? Well, I ALSO cry at scenes that are so impossibly pure, wholesome, and/or cute that it just pours out of my eyes. An example being Colette’s song in the Les Miserables movie. Gets me every time... Anyways, watch the movie, but also spoilers-that-aren’t-spoilers-because-it-was-obviously-going-to-happen: She gets her voice back, and hoooo boy... I nearly died from dehydration. Not much more can be said without actual spoilers...

Aside from the overflowing levels of cuteness in this movie (there are seals btw), I’d die for the mythical elements in this movie. It scratched every itch that The Book of Kells missed. Watched that one on Netflix too, but the ending was so... Bible-ish that I had a hard time feeling satisfied. Obviously it’s for a good reason, since, you know... It’s about the Book of Kells... But for a movie it wasn’t satisfying.

The animation couldn’t possibly fit the subject matter more, though. It has such a stylized stain-glass painting vibe to it. Isn’t there also another one by these guys coming out soon about a wolf girl? I’ll watch the hell out of that one when it comes out. It’s like Laika, but 2D. You watch it just for the animation, if not for anything else.

Monsters vs Aliens: Again, we’ve got aliens. Also, the birth of the giantess fetish, probably. Seriously, though... how did that dress hold up in that first scene? I’m just sayin

If I’m into retro-sci-fi aliens, then I have to also be in classic retro horror trope references. I should really watch the actual The Fly some time. It’s a creepy idea that I really want to indulge in.

I mean, that’s it for that movie. But, the original BLOB? Holy shit, I wanted to watch that movie just to make fun of it, and turns out the theme song did that for me. Hey, this giant alien monster is swallowing up Earth, what kind of a theme should we give it? Jazz with a touch of Surfer? Sure, why not. I love it. I’m a sucker for slimes, and I swear, if I ever manage to write a story about one of my slime characters, I will make a blood pact to reference that song in the story at some point. It’s so good.

Mune, Guardian of the Moon: I don’t usually rewatch movies, but I’m feeling like watching this one again.

Also, I spilled out my guts on this one a long time ago when I first watched it, and I loved it so much I posted it to Tumblr AND Facebook. Since my Tumblr got deleted, I’ll just link to the Facebook post, so I can give it the full respect it deserves: https://www.facebook.com/0poole/posts/967898463366639

Don’t even think about friending me there, though. Facebook is reserved for family matters only. No pesky tumblrs allowed!

There are also a good few I still need to watch. I’d put them in a different post, but since this blog is really just for me to rant, I’ll just keep going:

Shrek: I mean, I know how it starts for sure. Kinda... hard to forget, ya know? Yeah, “forget.” That’s the word. I really just need a refresher on this one.

Astro Boy: Hey, what? There’s an Astro Boy movie? Well, if I’m ever going to understand this franchise, It’ll definitely have to be in movie form. I like MLaaTR and to a lesser extent Robotboy, so why not?

The Prince of Egypt: Remember when I knocked Bible-ish movies? Well, apparently it’s not a problem for this one. It’s clearly has great animation, so why not?

Escape from Planet Earth: I forgot this existed. Everyone did. I saw a trailer for it ages ago, and that’s only how I know it. It’s got aliens, so why not? I remember seeing that Planet 51 was on Netflix too. It’s exactly the same movie but on the other side. I also remember there being an overt penis joke in that one, so...

The Guardian Brothers: What even is this? I don’t know. It’s animation, and not one of those cheap kids shows, so let’s do it.

April and the Extraordinary World: Also don’t really know what this is. It’s 2D animation, and therefore instantly puts it a step above 3D movies in instant interest.

Phantom Boy: I watched A Cat in Paris, and at least didn’t hate the artstyle. It’s a strange look, but unique, so I want to see more.

Look Who’s Back: A story about Hitler being revived in modern times. What could go wrong? Apparently something intriguing enough for people to review this movie well. Or, at least, well enough...

Gnome Alone: Technically these movies aren’t supposed to be Netflix Originals, but, you know... I see cute girl, I click. Looks kinda lame tho

Leap!: I heard that this is a movie with a generic plot, so I kinda left it out of sight. But, might I remind you... I see cute girl, I click. This’ll be my last resort if I’ve exhausted all other cute girl supplies. She is seriously adorable, though.

The Emoji Movie: haha jk we have fun here

There are way too many movies on Netlfix, so there’s obviously more than that. And, that’s not even counting the series... Might separate that into a different post tho

Also, Neflix, my boy... Can we talk about these synopsises of all these great movies? They make each and every one sound like the most generic, pandering bullshit you can think of. Also, I hate how the thumbnails change for some of the movies/shows. To an outsider, it makes it impossible to discern who’s the main character and who’s the bad guy if you don’t already know the content. People make title cards for a reason, you know!

#netflix #rant #rambling #poole #opinions #movies

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foxeswritefiction-blog · 7 years

Text

The Afterlife in the Sky

I watch stun grenades, bricks and Molotov cocktails fly across the screen, people scream and flee from the corrupt Ukrainian police and I'm only able to understand and comprehend what is happening through the English subtitles on the screen. Protesters toss tires into fires, causing thick, black smoke to billow up to the milky way and suffocate the cosmos, as well as the corrupt Berkut police ruthlessly killing peaceful citizens.

Winter on Fire is as cinematic as it is heartbreaking, and I have to remind myself the bloody bodies on screen are real people, and this isn't an action-packed dystopian Hollywood movie; the brains spilled across the asphalt, the blood running down their faces, the gunshots, the screams, they're all real— there aren't props or sets made by professionals, but barricades, recycled and makeshift and finely crafted by those defending themselves against the Berkut. They wave their blue and yellow flags atop their shelters and wear pots and pans on their heads, and I have to tell myself again, "There is nothing artificial about this. This is real."

I think about these people before the Ukrainian Revolution. I wonder if they feared for their lives before Maidan became a symbol of dissent, if now, they look over their shoulders skeptically or stiffen during police encounters; and then I wonder— what about those lost in Maidan? What about the 125 lives taken in Maidan? Or the 6,000 and counting lives lost in the war following Winter on Fire. Millions of people send smoke to the sky along with their compatriots' souls lost in battle; Muslim, Catholic, and Christian alike pray to the God of their understandings.

Ukraine is in mourning every morning and evening and some are still searching for those lost in Maidan, those never found or uncovered from kidnappings, and I wonder where they went. Why can't they be found? I see them hoisted onto stretchers and zipped into body bags, I see them stowed in the back of ambulances and whisked away at unusual speed, but I don't know where they go.

☄

The Incas believe the milky way or Mayu is a river connecting heaven and earth, it is said the river flows from the Vilcanota in Peru. They say it is the road our loved ones walk in the afterlife to cross into the celestial realm in the sky. It is believed one visits the Hanan Pacha (the upper world) in their dreams.

The Incas celebrated a ceremony called Inti Raymi which translates to "sun festival." Inti Raymi is celebrated in June winter solstice and centers around the sun god Inti; the festival is believed to be the day when the Vilcanota aligns with the Mayu causing heaven and earth to come together and the sun to rise and set in the milky way.

Inti Raymi, the celebration of the sun god, is the largest festival in Inca religion. Today the festival takes place on June 24th, the last day of the Incas winter solstice, which technically begins on the 21st. The celebration of Inti Raymi is full of song and dance and fire rituals, the Incas painted their faces yellow and adorned their heads with deer antlers and doubled them as instruments.

☄

I remember how fervently my grandma, who I called Manna, believed in heaven. She believed she was invited and papa and my sister and my mom and me, she didn't think my dad would ever make it, but prayed for him anyhow. She always said she knew she would go to heaven when she died, and I remember unable to comprehend a life without her, which led to vivid fever dreams about her dying from various causes. I remember calling her several times in the middle of the night for reassurance she'd live forever.

I remember she'd always tell me everyone has to die, because that's the funny part about life, to which I would cry until she calmed me down, hushed me and instructed me to look out the window at the moon, and I remember pressing my face up against the chilled glass and spotting the full, white moon just outside my bedroom window.

"Are you looking at the moon?" she said.

"Yes," I replied.

"Okay, good," she said. "Now listen to me sweetheart, we are looking at the same moon."

"Really?" It hadn't occurred to me.

"Yes, really. And we'll always be looking at the same moon. No matter where I am."

I remember her telling me not to worry about her dying because eventually I'd meet her in heaven and I remember asking, "can we meet on the moon?"

☄

President Yanukovych resigned at the dissenting demand of Maidan, and the celebration that ensued paid tribute to those lost in Maidan. The people applauded at the announcement on that Yanukovych resigned and re-elections would take place in May, and they cried and sang for their freedom, proudly waving their blue and yellow flags, with tears of joy tearing through their matching facepaint.

The beauty in the film is restored, after mass bloodshed and war, I can see the beauty of Maidan. I can Maidan as a place of togetherness, not a war torn city. In Ukraine, the passion for freedom outweighs the fear of oppression.

They fill the memorials with assorted rose bouquets and prayer candles and family photos and Ukraine flags and priceless mementos, mourning and thanking their loved ones for risking their lives for the freedom and future of Ukraine. Muslim, Catholic, Buddhist, Jewish and atheist pray together as one, honoring their Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

Ukraine celebrates through the night, with soulful music and festival lights shining into the heavens in lieu of billowing smoke from the winter on fire. I wonder, when the smoke dissipates and the lights go up in Maidan, do the souls of those lost go with them?

☄

While the Incas celebrate the sun I wonder where Mama Quilla is. Mama Quilla is the goddess of the moon, marriage, the menstrual cycle, Inti's wife and sister, and protector of women.

Mama Quilla is the epitome of feminism in Inca religion and is praised today, particularly by women. The Incas believe Mama Quilla's lunar eclipses were shadows of animals pouncing on her and attacking her; they responded by yielding their weapons of the lunar phases and threw rocks to help fend the animals off; and they collected silver from the ground and believed she shed silver tears on them.

On Inti Raymi, I wonder if she is full of life and gleaming white over Peru, or if she is a silver waning crescent hidden by the Mayu, ample with stardust and spirit animal constellations, as it flows from Vilcanota to the upper world. I wonder if she sees the souls of those who have passed float through the Mayu to the Hanan Pachu, and I wonder if she floats too.

☄

I remember sitting beside Manna's chair in the dead of night, it was my turn to watch her even though my family urged me to sleep and rest and not 'take it upon myself to take care of her'. I remember when I began to drift off to sleep, my forehead pressed against the arm of her chair, I woke up as soon as she did. Her eyes opened and looked straight ahead at the small night light blinking in the bathroom. She let a small sigh escape her dry lips and she croaked for me, I asked her if she needed water, she didn't say yes or no, all she said was, "It's time."

I frantically pulled the crumpled note from my pocket and held my phone up to the constellation of words scattered across the page and read through a rushing river of tears. I told her everything I'd planned to tell her before she went.

I remember promising to never let a man treat me poorly, and if Josh, my boyfriend at the time, did anything to hurt me I would stomp him out with my combat boots, like she always promised to do for me. I remember promising to graduate from college, no matter how badly I want to drop out and runaway. I remember promising to write about her always, and to pick up where she left off with her memoir and to pursue my dreams in lieu of financial stability. Her eyes glazed over and opened again, she perked up at the invisible presence that watched over us both and I tried not to let my tears inhibit my words.

I told her I loved her, I think I told her 20 times. I promised to be kind to my father and my sister though our relationships were fleeting. I promised to always look at the moon when I missed her and to name a star after her.

And I remember when the time came, to name a star, it was 15 minutes after I'd heard she passed and I had finally emptied myself of my tears for the day; I looked up at the night sky and for the first time, I was unsatisfied. I couldn't name a star after her because I couldn't find one good enough. I remember staying outside on my balcony for hours, lying on my back and criticizing the stars as they shot across the sky like a constellatory light show; with each star that fell from the sky, to wherever, I wondered where she went.

I remember the third time I tried acid. I was alone and outside, watching the sky during a meteor shower. I remember seeing patches of the milky way, aural blue watercolor splotches glittered with stardust. "Is that real?" I asked allowed to no one in particular, but was answered with a chill wind creeping up my spine and a star shooting through the galaxy.

I didn't decide the milky way was real and not just a hallucination, but the universe decided for me, and I named her Sandi.

☄

I wonder if Manna has seen the milky way, or the souls from Maidan. I wonder if she's in heaven, and I wonder if I reject or accept the idea of heaven or spirits crossing into it through the Mayu. I wonder if I'll ever know where Manna went or if I'll meet her on Mama Quilla when my time inevitably comes. I wonder why we go where we go when we die, and if she's with Ukrainians or the Incas, or both, because it seems the only requirement for access to heaven is to fervently believe in something, which every fiber of your being, so much it makes you cry or risk your life.

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