is for Humanitiesis for Humanities| A newsletter for students enrolled in the Humanities |
| La Virgen de la
Candelaria In Inca mythology, Manco Capac and Mama 0cllo, children of the Sun, emerge from the depths of Lake Titicaca to found their empire. Their task is to teach humans to serve their Father Sun and give them laws and precepts by which they may live as civilized men maintained by justice, mercy and mildness. Titicaca is an eighty-one square hectare lake at 3,800 m in the Andean plateau. The plains abound in llamas and alpacas, whose wool is knit into garments and sold in the Puno and Juliaca markets. The lake reeds are used to make boats. The region is rich in expressions of Peruvian art, reflected for example, in the February 2 Candlemas festivities for La "Mamacha Candelaria," "Mamita Canticha," "MamáCandilaria, " the patron saint of Puno, the Virgen de Ia Candelaria; see also Fiesta La Octava. . |
February 2
Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 has its origin in European religious history and the Christian feast day called The Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary, or Candlemas Day. In the tradition of the Hebrews, is the Pidyon Ha-Ben "Consecrate to Me every first-born; man and beast, the first issue of every womb among the Israelites is Mine." [Exod. 13:1-2] The intent to make priests of these firstborn was altered (by tradition) when the priesthood was given to the Levites. The firstborn had to be released from his obligation through a payment made to the priest who takes his place.That is, the firstborn son had to be redeemed. In the tradition of the Hebrews, a woman recovered from childbirth had to be purified before re-entering the temple. So the purification of Mary is necessary before she and Joseph can enter the temple to redeem their firstborn. The rite of purification invloved the immersion in payim hayim "living" waters - ocean or stream. Other traditions for February 2 include the Celtic Imbolc and the Greek Thesmophoria. Imbolc comes at the start of February, the month of cleansing ( februarium in Latin). "Imbolc" is from Old Irish, and may mean "in the belly." Another association is that of Bride (Brighid). A statue or representation of Brigid is decorated with shells and ribbons and a hymn is sung: Early on Bride's morn Shall the serpent come from the hole, I will not harm the serpent, nor will the serpent harm me. As a Christian festival the day is associated with calving and Saint Brigid. In England and France the Lords of Misrule hold sway from Oct 31 (All Souls Day) to February 2 - during which time Fools and masquerades and pranks are played. |
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February 14 |
| Send comments to: jaandersen @hotmail.com or joanaa @umd5.umd.edu. |
In the night sky: Saturn and Jupiter are visibly arrayed along the ecliptic from Pisces to Taurus. Saturn lies near the head of the Great Bull. Facing him is the mighty Orion who wears his bright swordbelt marked by a row of three stars. Nearly overhead is the constellation Auriga, the Charioteer, marked by the beautiful Capella; this second brightest star is circumpolar and is always visible above the horizon. Notice how the Charioteer appears to ford the Milky Way at it's narrowest point.
| copyright © 2002 Joan A. Andersen, all rights reserved |
Revised: 1 February 2002
