Our trip was
filled with wonder and a new connection to our past. I just returned
last night from New Mexico. It was great to meet
some new found cohorts in this wondrous journey we have selected
to venture. We met about 6 PM, some came later. The
weather was perfect. Clear skies, warm breeze, sometimes high
winds, then calm stillness. I felt as if I was not in this time
and space for
just a while. To get to Chaco, one must endure a longer journey
than usual. This is not a "on the way" place. It is
with intent, and some may say endurance. It was as if it were
intended to let a person go through a slowing down, a shifting
of energy and
focus, getting just a little more in touch with nature before
you arrive. The last 39 miles of the journey is on a dirt
road filled with wild life. With each mile closer, we could feel
an ever slight regression in time.
When we arrived,
we noticed the incredible housing development (ancient of course)
complete with roads, walkways gathering places, sacred ceremony
location called "kivas". A full assortment of crops set aside
a water source which is now known as "Chaco Canyon". Having lived
in Saudi Arabia for almost two years, it reminded me of ancient
civilizations of the middle east. Communities were built along
what is called "wadi's". More popularly known as "oasis" in the
middle of desert. This is what I found in Chaco. Crops could be
grown year round and a constant source of water.
I would have
to say Pueblo Bonito was my favorite. Do to time restraints, we
were only able to see a small part of the city. When I return,
yes you are invited, I plan to camp at their small campgrounds.
I have no doubt two or even three days would be needed to truly
get the essence of what this incredible community has to offer.
Note: several photos were taken. I will create a photo
gallery for all to view by next week.
We initiated
our own private ceremony to bring in the autumn equinox around
7:30 PM just after sunset. We did so along the path just outside
of the Pueblo Bonito compound. It was truly a scared place. You
could hear the wind bounce off the shear cliffs which sounded
like singing or as one said "voices of the past". We gave our
thanks and acknowledgment to the four directions. We offered tobacco,
water, homemade cornbread, singing, chanting, and individual blessings
for small place in this great plan.
Later, as
we were exiting the scared grounds, I noticed a small red light
several feet from the visitor center. (it was very dark by this
time). I was told it was nothing and to continue on. But something
told me to investigate, so I did. Thank goodness! We were treated
to a special lecture from a professor of astronomy. Not only did
we get a one our lecture complete with an incredible slide show,
but there were no less than 5 amateur astronomers complete with
large telescopes. Wow! I learned quickly that Chaco Canyon is
known world wide as being one of the darkest places on earth for
celestial viewing.
It was here
that our group received a history lesson on the Anasazi Indians
and the possible "why" they chose this site and why they built
their compound in the precise layout of structures. It is very
much like Stonehenge. When the Sun hits portals at certain times
of the year, namely solstice, there is a direct alignment to mark
that particular day of the year. It was stated by our educator,
there is ongoing controversy of "chance vs design". Gee, this
sure sounds like my affirmation...'we are all just kind of guessing'.
It was as if he was saying "follow your truth, not mine".
:-) In my opinion, it would be hard to deny the Anasazi had an
acute awareness of astronomy just as the Mayan's, Aztec's, Hopi's
and many others of our ancestral heritage.
We left Chaco
Canyon around 10 PM wishing we could have stayed the night or
two or three. That night I stayed in Cuba. A small town on the
road back to Albuquerque. We stayed at a hostile named "Circle
A Ranch". It was a large adobe house sitting on 25 acres which
took a 10 mile ride down a dirt road to get to. I recommend this
for all who would like to escape from the fast pace world we live
in.
Treated
to a surprise
When we returned to Albuquerque, we realized the state fair was
taking place. So we went! What we heard on our way in was the
sound of drums. Yes, it was an international powwow. Living up
in Seattle, we have a high native american presence. I had been
to three powwow's already this year. But this one was even
more special. The obvious would be just coming down from 7,500
feet at Chaco Canyon and being in wonder over our ancestors. Again,
I took several photos (hope they come out) that I will be glad
to share on a special photo page coming next week.
The Anasazi
Indians
The Anasazi culture emerged, in the south western USA, long before
the whites arrived and left a great amount of
archaeological evidence. That can be seen now in the territory
of the Four Corners, crossed by the modern borders of the four
states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado.
The main center
of this culture was in the Chaco Canyon where many masonry villages
still exist, known as Casas Grandes with several kivas, sacred
meeting places where the natives gathered together to celebrate
their rites. The Anasazi culture, born around the time of Jesus
Christ, slowly developed to originate the so called Chacoan Phenomenon,
showing the apex for this population between 1050 and 1125 A.D.
Around that time the Anasazi built several roads, sometimes reaching
9 meters across. These reached beyond 300 km out of Chaco Canyon,
probably their capital, connecting villages and especially prominent
ritual sites through long straight stretches. Notable among these
roads due to its length was the Great North Road that stretched
out for more than 20 km pointing exactly southwards.
The migrations:
At a later
time raids by the Atapasca, namely Navajos and Apaches, forced
this population to seek refuge into many rock sheltered villages
that still can be seen for example at Cliff Palace in the Mesa
Verde, and in many places along the Canyon de Chelly and other
areas. Finally, around 1125 in the Chaco area, a dreadful famine
repeatedly showed up, forcing people to partially move out northwards
to the area of the Aztec Ruins, Solomon Ruins and other places
in New Mexico far north. Here too things were difficult and new
famines pushed the Anasazi people to migrate again, from the Aztec
area, around 1275, to reach, at least part of them, after a very
long march, the placed called Casas Grandes, in today's Mexico,
more than 620 km south of the Chaco Canyon.
Main descendants
of this population are now the Hopis living in Arizona, together
with the Zunis, Acomas and Pueblos of the New Mexico, now secluded
into the Indian reservations.
ECTV has
an eye on Albuquerque
While in Albuquerque, I took the time to stop by the local studios.
I wanted to see what facilities were available for a TV Show.
Well, it is not Seattle, but it could do just fine. As some of
you know, I have been very seriously considering moving to the
southwest. I have been experiencing a call to migrate for sometime.
The unknown has always been "when" and exactly where. All I can
say at this time, is Albuquerque may be at the top of the list.
I will be making a decision before years end.
Thank you
for allowing me to share this gracious experience with you. I
wish each and every one of you the very best on your personal
journey's which I have no doubt will take you to where you are
suppose to be.
Best Wishes,
Mitch Battros
Producer - Earth Changes TV
http://www.earthchangesTV.com
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