Desert Messenger

36 www.DesertMessenger.com February 1, 2017 WE ARE BACK for another season! Dance to our music EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT at the Quartzsite Senior Center! 7:00 -9:00 pm $4.00 INTAGLIOS FROM PAGE 17 The intaglios are created by scrap- ing out a design by removing the top layer of desert-varnished rocks exposing the light-colored caliche, a crust of calcium carbonate found in arid areas. According to archae- ologists, the Blythe Intaglios were created over 10,000 years ago, and were fi rst published in the London News in 1932. The Blythe Intaglios have signifi - cant meaning. Alfredo has spent a lifetime researching ancient texts/ graphics (Codex), local indigenous oral history as well as physical sites in the Colorado River Valley. The history he has brought to light from factual documents stems from the early Azteca/Mexica migrations and settlements. The Giant Intaglios are located within the confi nes of the Omeyocan Diamond of Infi nity, which repre- sents the place where the Nahua Creation story originated. There are three primary fi gures and three smaller fi gures. The fi rst fi gure on the plateau west of the Colorado River is a male fi gure whose outstretched arms and body (forms a bow and arrow) point north towards the Riverside Mountains representing the Milky Way. Just below the male fi gure is a geoglyph of a dog with a long snout, pointed ears, and a long neck. It is the animal spirit of the male. Orion and Canis Major are their counterparts in the heavens. Below the dog is a geoglyph of a double-linked spiral, representing water, earth, and fi re. The larger spiral represents the serpent com- ing down from the Milky Way in the cosmos. Across a large wash is a second human fi gure of a woman. It is 171 feet from head-to-toe. She also has outstretched arms, and appears pregnant with her belly facing Moon Mountain. Her counterpart in the cosmos is Cassiopeia. South of the woman is a geoglyph of an Ocelot; the counterpart of which is The Big Dipper, the black spots on the cat representing the stars. The third intaglio is a human fi g- ure which lies by itself. His head points southwest, and his arms extended like the others represent- ing a bow and arrow-like fi gure. The third fi gure does not have any male or female identity and represents the male and female energies combined. The three main fi gures form a triangle which points to Marie Peak in the Big Maria Mountains representing the Creator, Ometeotl as shown in the Vaticanus A codex. The Blythe Giant Intaglios are well-worth the visit, and provide evidence and importance of ancient cultures. The intaglios are fenced to prevent damage such has oc- curred in the past from inconsider- ate use of off-road vehicles and van- dalism altering the historic designs. Alfredo and his group, La Cuna De Aztlan, are committed to protecting these important local historic re- sources and have spent much time raising funds to fence and protect these irreplaceable resources from destruction by untimely develop- ment. If you would like to assist Alfredo in protecting these resourc- es for future generations to enjoy, you can do several things: 1.) Contact Alfredo at 760-922-6422 to arrange a unique local tour for your group, and/or make a dona- tion to support their protection efforts; 2.) Purchase, and enjoy Alfredo's book, "Ancient Footprints of the Colorado River" on-line at, www.Amazon.com. Poems from the road Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretching, exercise, relaxation, meditation) A Million-Dollar Poem I was having tea with a friend at the table on my porch in Quartzsite, Arizona. We were enjoying the view of the beautiful desert while the bunnies and birds entertained us. Out of the blue, she surprised me by asking, "What would you do if you had a million dollars?" Without a moment's hesitation, I replied: "I'd be sitting at this table on my porch in Quartzsite, Arizona; drinking this cup of tea; enjoying the view of the beautiful desert while the bunnies and birds entertain me." Now that goes wayyyy past happy straight into contentment. (Then, maybe, I'd take a trip around the world!) Quartzsite, AZ....1/21/17 Jane's book is WANDERINGS: Living the Ordinary Extraor- dinarily (Stories from the Road). This column consists of poems from the book (email: janefi nley@yahoo.com, website: janefi nley.com). website: janefi nley.com). "A gentle word, a kind look, a good- natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles." ~ William Hazlitt DUMP THE DRUGS IN QUARTZSITE! Do you have expired or unused medications? DISPOSE SAFELY AT Quartzsite Police Dept. Mon - Fri. 8 am-5 pm Sponsored by QPD Town of Quartzsite, AZ

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