Guadalupe, The Lady of the Americas?

[mato]

What are your thoughts on Guadalupe (the aztec one not the spanish one)? I have done a little research into her and find that she is an interesting figure, along with another woman of influence they saved the aztec people by creating the Mexican people. I want to hear your opinions on the Goddess of America, and stuff. I am curious if any one has done any research into her and if so do you have any interesting thoughts on her? If not why? Her myth and her legend, her aztec and catholic roots. I am interested in hearing more about her but as I have exousted (sp) my recources, I have to wait some time before being able to buy the meny books on her, so I am asking you. Thoughts feelings, intuition, whatever you have on her would be helpfull. Thanks.

[Chibi-Fallon]

I've always like the story about the dude who got the flowers and then the Lady of Guadalupe's pictures showed up on it. They did a Wishbone on that story once.
I've heard a little about the church where that piece of cloth is. The devotion the Hispanic people show her is amazing. People won't walk into the church. They crawl in. I've always like the Lady of Guadalupe myself, never done much research about her but it's always kinda been one of those back burner projects. :o

[Mareth]

I am a big devotée of Guadalupe and I have been for years. I was first introduced to her through my now-ex-husband, a non-practicing Roman Catholic who insisted on having at least one candle dedicated to Her at all times.

I did some research into Her and discovered that many believe Guadalupe to be a thinly-veiled version of the Aztec deity Tonantzín (roughly pronounced "as Tohn-ahnt-SEEN"), who was a Virgin Goddess associated with the Moon. She is worshipped with incredible reverence and devotion, by Pagans and Catholics alike.

If you ever get the chance, watch the televised coverage of "Las Mañanitas a la Virgen" in the early morning hours of Dec 12th, the feast day of La Guadalupana. During this service, offerings are laid at the feet of Guadalupe's statue in the the basilica of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe ("Our Lady of Guadalupe") and songs are sung in her honor.

Many of these songs are incredibly moving stories of how La Guadalupana has blessed the writer's life. The stories that some of these artists tell the commentators are also very interesting, such as one singer whose mother made certain her first stop after leaving the hospital with her newborn child was at Guadalupe's basilica, to thank the Virgin and to ask for her blessing on the child's life.

Univision broadcasts this ceremony live every year. It might be hard for those who don't speak Spanish to follow the commentary, but you don't have to understand Spanish to feel the devotion with which star upon star of the Mexican music industry sings to the Virgin. I cry like a baby every year while I watch it and, as a matter of fact, tears are threatening just at the memory.

I read not too long ago that there is a movement among younger Mexicans--mostly women, I believe--to turn away from the Roman Catholic church and to worship Guadalupe as the Aztec Goddess that she is. I wish I could find the story online...

Blessings of the Mother,

-Mareth