*No Muss, No Fuss, No Trouble For Us...*

The Wedding is done in more or less the traditional Nahuatl style. in the base of the natural amphitheater where you held court that morning a circle is drawn 7 meters in diameter and marked off with a red rope. Into this circle step the bride and groom, dressed in special garments of fine cloth and with conch shell trumpets and cowry maracas playing them in. They walk sunways around the circle, paying homage to each of the cardinal directions and finally stopping before the altar which is erected in the East, the direction of beginnings and sunrise.

Anci goes down on one knee and Chicahua tosses grains of dried Maize on her, symbolizing male fertility. Chicahua then goes to one knee and Anci showers him with Cocoa Beans, a symbol of female fertility. Meanwhile, the Teoxihuitl recites the passages of the rite which she has just composed today.

"Xupaniztempan, spring, when the land takes the seeds that we plant and they root in the fertile Earth. By your giving of the Maize Chicahua, you pledge your willingness to marry Anci and begin a family." The Maize is given. "Anci, by your gift of Cocoa Beans you pledge your willingness to marry Chicahua, and bear his children, knowing, as do all women, that you risk your life in the birthing." The Cocoa Beans are given.

The Bride and Groom move to the south, where are laid out bowls of flower petals, one red and one white.

"Xupan: The summertime, when flowers and passion abound. Cast upon your beloved the petals of your flowers, and you will be blessed by the Spirits as Husband and Wife," Teoxihuitl recites.

Anci takes up the bowl of red petals and Chicahua the white which they gently cast over each other. They then move to the West, where the Symbols of their respective duties await.

"Tonalco, The autumn, time of reaping and harvest. The summers flowers have borne fruits and it is the time that these are collected. Anci, take up the Popoxcomitl of incense, and present it to your betrothed," A stone goblet filled with burning incense coals is picked up by Anci and handed to Chicahua who inhales a draught of the aromatic smoke then hands it out of the circle to you. You in return hand him a highly decorated spear, which he hands to Anci.
"This incense represents the home fire and hearth of your union, this spear the defense and protection the husband provides it, your two lives halves of a greater whole," You explain.

The Couple then moves to the north, wintertime, and refection.

"Tlaseseyan, the winter, and cold. Now is the time for telling of tales and the making of plans while the Earth is unreceptive to the hoe and the sickle. Speak your vows to one another and make ready for the gifts to the spirits," Teoxihuitl recites.

"Anci, I love you with all my heart and soul: I will cleave unto you and no other for all of our days till either **** should come between us or you should tire of me and cast me aside. I will provide for you and our children to the best of my ability until old age robs me of my vigor and we must rely on our sons and daughters to care for us. You shall never know hunger unless famine is abroad in the land, you shall have fine pelts to wear and meat to eat, and our children too shall not go hungry. This I swear, by all the spirits of The Earth Below, The Sky Above, and The Waters Between!" Chicahua vows, and then it is Anci's turn.

"Chicahua, I love you with all that I am. I will be your partner in all things, keep the fire burning in our home, tan the skins you bring me and cook the meat, knap your obsidian and care for our children. You will need to look to no one else for love for I will supply all you require in a wife. When you are sick, I will tend you, when you are sad, I will cheer you, and when you are ardent, I will open to you. Should the spirits be unkind and take me from you before our time, I will wait for you in the underworld, and when you come there to rejoin me I will welcome any new wife that has come with you. This I swear, by all the spirits of life, light, fire, frost, pain, and joy!" Anci vows, and the two kiss.

"Now, place the offerings on the altar and be married in the sight of all the spirits!" Teoxihuitl says.

The two then place small measures of Corn, Tobacco, Salt, Cocoa, and Flowers on the altar and there is a great cry of "And there it will be!" from the assembled crowd, and the young lovers begin the walk back to the 'palace'.

Teoxihuitl, however, takes your hand and kisses your cheek, leading you back through the city towards her own house...

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