Happy "Wataqallariy" (Andean New Year)

While people in North America and Europe are celebrating the summer solstice today, here in Peru it is the winter solstice. For my ancestors the Incas, the winter solstice represented an important moment in the calendar, in its relation with Nature. They had a profound understanding and respect for astronomical phenomena. During the winter solstice the sun reaches its lowest point, after which it begins its gradual ascent, marking the beginning of a new cycle of growth and fertility.

The Incas considered the sun as a supremely important Deity and worshiped Him during the celebration of Inti Raymi. (the festival of the Sun.) The winter solstice was also associated with harmony with the terrestrial world. According to their spirituality, the Incas felt that this day was special, as this was the moment the Deities communicated more directly with them.

This was the moment to thank our "Tayta Inti" (Father Sun), rising with the splendor of His cheerful golden glow. From this sacred city of the Puma called "Qosqo.", He is usually seen rising from the majestic mountain Apu Pachatusan to the East. The inhabitants used to dress in their best attire and received Him with cries of joy and with ceremonies, filled with gratitude for another year of bountiful harvests.

The "Tayta Inti" (Father Sun) and the rest of the Deities received their offerings and looked at them with goodwiil because the people were living in harmony with our Pachamama.

Today, in this beginning of a new solar cycle, the Andean people are sad because our Tayta Inti isn't showing Himself in this part of the world. This is unusual because it is supposed to be the dry season, when the sky is clear all day. We feel that our brothers and sisters of the world are losing respect for our beloved Mother Earth and no longer live in harmony with Her.

𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 the Mother of Life!