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CW: death positivity , trans surgery mention ️‍⚧️, and Bats ______________________________

In english and spanish translations of the Mayan legend, Camazotz is often called the “Death Bat” (“Zotz” meaning bat in the k'iche’ language). They are entities of the underworld and symbols of sacrifice, death, and the night.

While there are fearful tales of them in their native culture, it is important to remember that in many cultures - cosmic beings were not altogether viewed through the western lense of “good and evil”. In fact, in many pre-columbian mesoamerican philosophies the primary dichotmomy was Chaos and Order, with the universe existing in the balance between the two. (and as a physics loving person this makes my heart sing )

Camazotz (sometimes said to be one entity that was “he”, or many of a type of entity that were “they”) to me, is a symbol of natural forces embodying Life and Death. To die is to be unwoven, and return to the earth. To live is to be re-ordered from the unwoven universe. To sacrifice… is to give up personal safety or the order of the status quo - and is something I feel has been relevant to many communities in our ongoing fight for Justice. Though what we work for, is a system that does not make us sacrifice ourselves. ✊✊✊️‍⚧️️‍♿

Even to the Mexica (called the “Aztecs” by the spanish), Bats were a symbol of the connection between Life and Death. Order and Disorder. They roost in the underworld (a place that was the womb of humanity) and fly into the celestial heavens. There are many crops and foods that rely on bats indefinitely.And even the fig trees from which the Mexica got their writing paper were planted by bats.Many of Life’s greatest enjoyments were made by bats and yet they are a popular victim of fear…

Point is…

I was REALLY thinking about bats and about my life in general. And yes! this is my Halloween pumpkin. I carved it on Dec. 25th even though I had it since mid October because of my top surgery making it hard to lift or use my arm muscles ️‍⚧️

(I like to think I sacrificed my chesticles,returned them to theChaos, and rebuilt the place my heart rests…)

I wanted to donate the pumpkin to @batworldsanctuary for the bats to snack on (they take donations!), but they can’t take carved ones .

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