Tlazolteotl (“Tlats-ohl-TAY-oat-l”) is a Toltec earth mother, the goddess of carnal love and desire. Like Kali in India, she is portrayed as a horrible, devouring girgure yet is also honored as a moving, creative principle. She is sometimes pictured as four sisters (the four ages of woman) who are present at the crossroads of one’s life.
Tlatzolteotl is best known as the Eater of Impurities. Once in a lifetime, a person confessed her worst deeds and sins to Tlazolteotl, holding back nothing. In return the confessor received absolution: no impurity or defilement was too great to be forgiven. Tlazolteotl is that deep part of ourselves that we fear because it is so powerful and unfamiliar. Yet when we touch her through her fearsome countenance, we find absolute mercy.
She is proof that anything that can overwhelm and destroy us also has the power to heal and grant forgiveness.
Our beautiful global goddess images are drawn each month from the Goddesses Knowledge Cards, painted by Susan Seddon Boulet with text by Michael Babcock. The deck of 48 cards can be ordered from Pomegrate Communications in Petaluma, California. (We are not affiliated with Pomegranate in any way, we just love these cards!)
leftmidst says
thanks for eye opening Goddess keep I safe blessings