Page 41 - SYTYGIB_Aztec

The Aztecs believed in 13 heavens and nine underworlds. While today many people think that living a good life will help you when things get all deady, for the Aztecs where you ended up – heaven or underworld – was more about how you dIeD, in glory or just normally.
If you died in battle, in childbirth or as a human sacrifice, you went to the third of the 13 heavens – home of the sun god and a paradise for those who made it there. Other heavens included the place where the stars moved, the region of blue, the region of white and the place of the gods.
For most people, however, death meant a very dangerous four-year journey down to Mictlan. Bad luck, folks!
Did anyone remember to pack some sandwiches?
To prepare you, you’d be buried with your possessions along with food, drink, clothes, tools and weapons. You’d also have a gift for the Lord or Lady of the Underworld – though probably not a nice box of chocolates or a personalised mug.
The challenges you then faced were as follows: A mountain pass.
A road guarded by a scary serpent.
An enormous swamp filled with crocs.
Vast deserts.
A series of mountains that crashed together.
A wind as sharp as razors.
A raging river.
Showers of arrows.
An area where the heart would be attacked by beasts.
FANCY THAT!
The Aztecs made their own toothpaste. Some were made from ashes and salt, while others used chillies and geranium. So, while you might have a cheesy grin, an Aztec would have a CHILLI grin!
You’d think that after AlL tHaT you’d be given some kind of reward. Errr, no. You basically disappeared and ceased to exist at that point. Not exactly a happy ending.
It’s likely this destination will not be high on your list of ‘100 Places I Really mUsT Visit Sometime Soon’.
And on that cheerful note, this has been Aztec medicine. Hurrah!
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health and medicine