The Aztec rule what we call South America. In this alternative history they were never conquered by the Spanish and now make incursions into the Unclaimed Territories in larger and larger numbers.
Their magic relates to their beliefs:
Ometeotl (Dual Creator Deity)
Ometeotl is the supreme dual god, embodying both masculine and feminine aspects as the Creator of all things. Residing in the highest heavens, Ometeotl represents unity, balance, and the source of all life. Though not directly worshiped with temples or sacrifices, Ometeotl is considered the origin of all the other gods and the cosmic balance.
Huitzilopochtli (God of War and Sun)
Huitzilopochtli, meaning “Hummingbird of the South,” is one of the most important gods, symbolizing war, the sun, and the Aztec patron deity. He led the Aztecs on their migration to Tenochtitlan, where he was honored with the Templo Mayor. Huitzilopochtli’s struggle against darkness each day is honored through human sacrifices, symbolizing the need to nourish the sun and ensure life.
Quetzalcoatl (God of Wind, Knowledge, and Civilization)
Quetzalcoatl, or the “Feathered Serpent,” is associated with wind, knowledge, learning, and the arts. A creator god and cultural hero, Quetzalcoatl is believed to have created humanity from bones of the previous world. His gentle and wise nature contrasts with other warrior deities, emphasizing harmony, agriculture, and intellectual growth.
Tezcatlipoca (God of Night, Sorcery, and Fate)
Tezcatlipoca, known as the “Smoking Mirror,” is a powerful god associated with darkness, the night, conflict, and fate. Tezcatlipoca is often depicted as an unpredictable and cunning force, embodying both good and evil. He is revered and feared for his control over life’s fortunes and his ability to create or destroy.
Tlaloc (God of Rain and Fertility)
Tlaloc is the god of rain, water, and fertility, essential for agriculture and sustaining life. Tlaloc is worshiped with great reverence, as his blessings bring crops and nourishment. However, he can also unleash destructive storms if displeased. Children were sometimes sacrificed to Tlaloc, as it was believed their tears would bring rain.
Xipe Totec (God of Renewal and Agriculture)
Xipe Totec, the “Flayed Lord,” is the god of agriculture, spring, and renewal. Representing the shedding of old for new growth, Xipe Totec is associated with rituals of rebirth and transformation. In ceremonies, priests would wear flayed skins to honor Xipe Totec, symbolizing the life-death-rebirth cycle of crops and nature.
Chalchiuhtlicue (Goddess of Water and Rivers)
Chalchiuhtlicue, meaning “She of the Jade Skirt,” is the goddess of rivers, lakes, and freshwaters, as well as childbirth. As Tlaloc’s consort, she nurtures life through water, representing both purity and the dangers of flooding. She is also a patron of fertility, supporting the growth of life and the well-being of children.
Mictlantecuhtli (God of the Underworld and Death)
Mictlantecuhtli is the lord of Mictlan, the underworld, where souls journey after death. Representing death and the afterlife, Mictlantecuhtli is a skeletal figure who oversees the dead’s passage to their final resting place. The Aztecs viewed death as a natural part of life, and Mictlantecuhtli’s realm was a place of rest for those who did not die heroically.
Tonatiuh (God of the Sun)
Tonatiuh is the sun god of the present era, known as the Fifth Sun. Aztecs believed the world had gone through previous eras, each ending in destruction. Tonatiuh’s role as the sun god requires nourishment through sacrifices, as he sustains life by moving across the sky, and without offerings, he would not rise.
Coyolxauhqui (Moon Goddess)
Coyolxauhqui is the moon goddess and sister of Huitzilopochtli. According to legend, she was defeated by Huitzilopochtli in a cosmic battle, symbolizing the sun’s triumph over night. Her story is depicted on the massive Coyolxauhqui Stone, representing cycles of day and night and reinforcing the power of the sun.
Xochipilli (God of Flowers, Art, and Music)
Xochipilli is the god of beauty, flowers, art, dance, and music, symbolizing joy and creativity. Often associated with love and pleasure, Xochipilli embodies the happiness and vitality found in artistic expression. He is celebrated through colorful rituals and is associated with harmony, fertility, and human connection to nature’s beauty.
Xochiquetzal (Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Fertility)
Xochiquetzal is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and childbirth. As a figure embodying desire and youth, she is worshiped as a patroness of young mothers, artisans, and lovers. Xochiquetzal also represents the beauty and abundance of the natural world, particularly flowers, butterflies, and the life force.
Huehueteotl (God of Fire)
Huehueteotl, the “Old God,” is associated with fire, wisdom, and the hearth. Representing both the destructive and sustaining powers of fire, Huehueteotl is central to rituals seeking protection, longevity, and purification. Fire ceremonies, such as the New Fire Ceremony, honored his spirit to ensure the continuation of the world.
The Four Tezcatlipocas (Directional Deities)
The Four Tezcatlipocas—Black, Red, Blue, and White—are associated with each of the cardinal directions and different elements or forces. Each Tezcatlipoca has specific characteristics and influences, creating balance and order in the universe. They are involved in the creation and destruction cycles of the Aztec cosmos.
Sacrifice and Cosmic Balance
Sacrifice, particularly human sacrifice, played a significant role in Aztec spirituality. It was believed that the gods required offerings of blood to maintain cosmic order, allowing the sun to rise, rain to fall, and crops to grow. Through sacrifice, the Aztecs honored their gods and sought to ensure the balance of the universe and continuation of life.
The Calendar and Rituals
The Aztecs followed a complex calendar system that combined religious and agricultural cycles. The tonalpohualli (260-day calendar) guided rituals, while the xiuhpohualli (365-day calendar) marked seasons and festivals. Each period was associated with specific gods, rituals, and omens, reinforcing the Aztecs’ devotion to maintaining harmony with cosmic forces.
Myth of the Five Suns
Aztec mythology holds that the world has gone through five cosmic eras, or “Suns,” each ending in a cataclysm. The current era, the Fifth Sun, is sustained by Tonatiuh, who requires human sacrifices to continue shining. This myth illustrates the cyclical nature of time and the belief in renewal after destruction.
Tlalocan (Paradise of the Rain God)
Tlalocan is the paradise realm of Tlaloc, where souls of those who died from water-related deaths or in childbirth are believed to reside. Unlike Mictlan, the underworld, Tlalocan is a lush, fertile place symbolizing abundance and joy, representing an alternative afterlife for those closely connected with nature.