Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Southwestern Goddess: Rowan will explain the relationship between Guadalupe and the Aztec mother Goddess, Tonantzin. Was the incident that established Guadalupe as the Goddess of the Americas a typical Marion apparition, or was it something more?  Is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City built on what was previously an undistinguished site, or was it, like many churches in Europe, built on a an ancient shrine to a native Goddess?

According to traditions, the Virgin appeared to a Nahua man named Juan Diego in December 1531 on Tepeyac Hill, north of Mexico City, where there was a shrine dedicated to the female Aztec earth deity Tonatzin.  To this day, in Nahuati-speaking communities (in other communities as well), the Virgin continues to be call “Tonantzin” and her appearance is commemorated on December 12 each year.

Rowan has been active in the pagan community of northern New Mexico for over 35 years. She is a third degree initiate of the Ladywoods tradition and currently serves as the Dean of the School of Magick and Witchcraft at Ardantane. In her mundane life, she holds a BS in education from UT El Paso, and an MBA from UNM. She has taught at festivals in New Mexico and Colorado and nationally, but enjoys teaching at Ardantane the most.