Cihuacóatl: Snake Woman

Cihua-Woman

Cóatl-Snake

La Mujer Serpiente has been an archetype of feminine Serpent Principles in Mesoamerica for hundreds of years. 

But,

 we also find 

Cihuacóatl is the female counterpart of Quetzalcoatl. She represents the dual nature of creation. Cihuacóatl is the energy of the earth, its fertility, birthing, and health. 

Quetzalcoatl then represents the sun.

 The highest degree of consciousness for women to attain was that of Cihuacóatl. She is the patroness of  the Cihuateteo, women who died bringing new life into the world. These women were given the title of warriors and occupied half of the sky along with those who died in the battlefield. 

Because she is the patroness of the Cihuateteo, in a diffused way, she is also the “goddess” of death. Cihuacoatl is a celestial “goddess” associated with the Milky Way who births twin astral beings.

She is also said to be root tradition for la Llorona. In Mexica tradition, ten years before the Spanish arrived, she is reported as being seen weeping by the lake of Texcoco, she is lamenting for the darkness that will soon destroy the nation. 

As mother to the abandoned Mixcoatl(cloud serpent), she cries for her son. Chicomecóatl

Chicome-Seven, Cóatl-Snake

Chicomecóatl, seven serpent, is the goddess of maize and one of the creators of human beings. Nanahuatzin, who later becomes the sun, breaks open Tonacatepec( the mountain of sustenance) and out sprouts  Chicomecoatl(seven serpent/ goddess of maize). 

It is because of Chicomecoatl that we receive sustenance and life.

Coatlicue The Mother “Goddess” Coatlicue or Tonantzin,

The One With the Snake Skirt, is the symbol for mother earth. She represents the devouring and nurturing mother. She is the ferocity of the feminine principle of creative destruction

“They will bring me storms and I will drink the rainand dancewith the lightening I am no weak flower” ~quote unknown