In Mexico, the ancient Aztecs believed that death gave life. Prehispanic artists considered it an inspiration for poetry, sculptures, and other kinds of art.
The ancient Aztecs believed that the spirits of the dead went to one of three places after death: warriors left dead in battle went to the paradise of the Sun God; the Rain God Tlaloc sheltered drowning victims; they who died of natural causes went to Mictlán.
This resting place for the soul, Mictlán, was reached after passing through eight regions. Many people were buried with dogs due to the belief that a dog was needed to guide the soul to this realm.
The Aztec Underworld is known as Talocan to the decendants of the ancient people, the modern day Nahuat Indians of central Mexico. They believe we can travel to this “Mosty Holy Earth” in dreams. Talocan is also known as a great flower of darkness.
The heart of the flower, the true center, is sometimes visited by the Aztec witch, known as a naoalli. The naoalli is also a healer, shape-shifter, and wise person. The flower’s heart is where the naoalli may travel to to save souls and heal the sick.
The resemblance between the old and newer traditions is easily visible (see paragraphs 2 and 3). In the New traditions, there are four places in the Underworld, each in one cardianl direction: to the east is the Water Place, the Great Sea; to the south is the Land of Heat; to the west the House of Women in the Place of the Sun; to the north are the Land of the Dead and the Cave of Winds.
In the Eastern Waters, the Lady known as Water Woman resides. The waters of springs, waterfalls and streams are released by the “water keepers,” and the “water ones” are spirits living in every stream and water body in central Mexico. Though they can live anywhere, the “lightning ones” usually make their home in the Cave of Winds. Wind Woman is Lady of the Winds in the North. The “hill heart ones” embody the hills; they dwell in caves and mountain shrines. One can also see the elemental differences from--and similarities to--the usually seen east-air, south-fire, west-water, north-earth associations.
The Day of the Dead is celebrated in Hispanic countries from November first to second, though November first is also known as All Saints Day.
In Mexican homes an altar called an ofrenda can often be found. This altar is used to honor dead relatives and cherished friends. On the Day of the Dead, the ofrenda is decorated with candles, yellow cempazúchil flowers, photographs of the deceased, etc. in their honor. The living also lay out food--such as favorite foods and drinks, sugar skulls, sweet bread and chocolate--for the deceased to partake of when their souls visit. The food is eaten after the Day by family and friends.
Sources:
P. Helguera, J. A. Macarena, M. E. McDonagh, M. E. Solíz; The Day of the Dead Activity Handbook, The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
D.J. Conway; Falcon Feather & Valkyrie Sword: Feminine Shamanism, Witchcraft & Magick, Llewellyn’s Women’s Spirituality Series, 1995
Marguerite Elsbeth; “Talocan, the Aztec Underworld of Dreams,” Llewellyn’s 1997 Magical Almanac, pgs. 302-303