The Mexica Space-Time Continuum

Europeans were not able to make the connection between space and time until the arrival of Albert Einstein in 1905 and his theory of relativity. The Mexica on the other hand (surely guided by surrounding Mesoamericans) discovered the space-time continuum at an unknown time between the years of 1325 and 1521 C.E. The Maya were the first proven Mesoamerican group to discover the space-time continuum which pushes the discovery in Mexico back to an unknown date possibly before the current era (B.C.E.). To begin the journey, one must understand the significance of the division of space to our ancestors. Space was divided as follows:

North - represented by the color black, region of the dead, and is a desert area
South - represented by the color blue, region to the left of the sun, and is unpredictable.
East - represented by the color red, fertility and life, and is a region of light.
West - represented by the color white, symbol is the house of the sun, and is the land of the woman.

In addition to the division of space into four directions, this graphic also represents the four equinoxes.

The incorporation of time into this framework is extraordinary and the Mexica and Maya probably represent the first cultural groups to make this achievement hundreds of years before the development of the theory of relativity. Just as each direction is identified with certain characterstics and colors, each direction is also identified with days of the year. The breakdown is as follows:

The highlighted day names represent year-bearers. These four days take turns dominating our Earth-years. This year, which began on March 11, 2009 on the day Nawi-Cipactli, will be dominated by Calli. This means that the year Mahtlaktli-Calli will be composed of the color white and that the house of the sun, cared for by the women, will guide us. In addition to a direction and day name guiding the year, we will also be guided by Quetzalcoatl who resides in the West.

Mexicayotl is based upon our creator Ometeotl. In a word: balance. The amazing thing about our space-time continuum is that each year-bearer dominates exactly 13 years. 13x4 = 52 years. Thus, the importance of our New Fire Ceremony every 52 years Our next New Fire Ceremony will take place in the Gregorian year 2025. The New Fire Ceremony in effect celebrates the harmony between Huitzilopochtli (South, sun), Tlaloc (East, rain), Quetzalcoatl (West, wind), and Tezcatlipoca (North, earth). Only with the balance of these four elements: the sun, the rain, the wind, and the earth can we achieve harmony.

The year-bearers follow the order of: Tochtli, Acatl, Tecpatl, and Calli. Furthermore each year-bearer is attached to a number 1-13. 13 is a sacred number as it corresponds to the number levels above the earth. Instead of a static universe, our ancestors understood that the universe is in a constant state of change. This is reflected in our profound understanding of time and space.

This is an introduction to a new calendar page which I am working on with the help of an elder in Tenochtitlan named Ome Tecpatl. Please spread this knowledge to as many people as you can.

Tlazokamatli,

Itztli Ehecatl