Tlazolteotl

Tlazolteotl : Eater of Filth; Goddess of Garbage; Lady of Confessions

Tlazolteotl is the spirit of magic, healing, love, sex, desire, cleansing, and garbage. As goddess of filth, Tlazolteotl cleanses individuals and Earth of spiritual debris, sin, and shame. Tlazolteotl is credited with invention of the Aztec sweat bathhouse, the temescal.

ORIGIN:

Mexico

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Female healers, midwives, witches, and weavers

ICONOGRAPHY:

A famous statue of Tlazolteotl portrays her as a naked, squatting woman grimacing in labor: this image appears as the stolen idol in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Other traditional images show her riding on a broomstick, naked except for a peaked hat made of bark.

ATTRIBUTE:

Broom

BIRDS:

Owls, ravens, vultures

COLOUR:

Turquoise

CREATURES:

Bats, snakes

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.