psychopomp

/ˈsʌɪkə(ʊ)pɒmp/

noun

1. (in Greek mythology) a guide of souls to the place of the dead.

   • the spiritual guide of a living person's soul.

     "a psychopomp figure who stays by her and walks in her dreams"

THIS IS MICTĒCACIHUĀTL; AN AZTEC DEATH DEITY. SHE HERSELF BORN AND SACRIFICED AS A BABY, SHE GOVERNS THE DEEPEST LAYER OF THE UNDERWORLD. IN ANCIENT TEXTS SHE APPEARS WITH HER JAWS AGAPE TO SWALLOW THE STARS TO AMKE THEM INVISIBLE DURING THE DAY, OPENING HER MOUTH ONLY AT NIGHT TO REVEAL THEM AGAIN. SHE HAS A WEAKNESS FOR FLOWERS, ESPECIALLY THE BRILLIANT YELLOW CEMPASÚCHIL, THE SCENT OF WHICH THE AZTECS BELIEVED WOULD WAKE THE SOULS OF THE DEAD AND BRIGN THEM TO LIFE. SHE COLLECTS AND PROTECTS THE BONES OF THE DEAD.

THIS ORIGINAL GRAPHITE, WATERCOLOUR AND METALLIC INK PAINTING IS A3 BUT COMES FRAMED WITH MOUNT IN AN A2 FRAME. 42 X 67CMS READY TO HANG.

MICTĒCACIHUĀTL IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS A PRINT IN THE PRINT SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE.