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<TITLE>Aztec Moon Goddess = Wolfe Inspiration?</TITLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Hi,<BR>
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I'm not very good at framing these thoughts well but here is a question for the list. I have scanned the archives but didn't find this mentioned.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Catherine/Katherine the patroness of the guild is represented by a maid who is decapitated every year.</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">There are theories as to her relation to Severian; most notably because of the quote where her face is described as like a reflection in a </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">pool of water by moonlight [paraphrased].</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">So, two data points:</FONT>
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<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">associated with moon</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">decapitated ritually</FONT></LI>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Also, the action on Urth is mostly set around the commonwealth which is in some sense South America (and other areas)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">So, further data point:</FONT>
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<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">South American influence</FONT></LI>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Finally, Severian is a solar deity and so one would expect any sisters or his mother to have a connection to the sun</FONT>
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<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">relation to sun god</FONT></LI>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">So how about this:</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://atheism.about.com/od/aztecgodsgoddesses/p/Coyolxauhqui.htm">http://atheism.about.com/od/aztecgodsgoddesses/p/Coyolxauhqui.htm</A></FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">She is:</FONT>
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<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Aztec (OK, this is Mexico I know but it is close to the region)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Goddess of the Moon</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Sister of the Sun</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Was ritually decapitated in mythology and source of inspiration for ritual decapitations in the Aztec religion.</FONT></LI>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Think she could be an inspiration for Wolfe?<BR>
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