The last place we would got that day would be to Ollantaytambo. It is here where the other 3 Elements Temples are. The most obvious one was the Earth Temple which we saw the moment we entered the area. It was made of Terraced steps where at the top were building for the rituals surrounding it.
Our guide Puma told us a bit about the place when we first arrived. The Fire Temple was made to hold crops and was an ancient granary. It was believed that it was a God since the Mountain was shaped like a face and on his back was where they built the granary, so it was like the Atlas figure was holding the world. We weren't able to go that area, and the ritual centers were on the Earth and Water Temple (which we entered upon arriving in Ollantaytambo).
We were free to wander around and I tackled the Earth Temple with my family. This place sparked creativity and the best I felt was when I was away from the group. On the terraced steps it was easy to feel out of time and in full adventure mode. Suffice to say the feel of exploring that place alone will help set the stage for some Temples and environments in future stories of mine.
After climbing to the top we returned down to the Water Temple. The first place we visited was the Light Fountain which at certain times (especially during the cycles of the moon) would glow as the light reflected off of it. The place was calming though my mind still high off of climing the Earth Temple was not in a very reflective mood. Still found the place more amazing than I can describe though. The Temples were designed with inlets to keep them from breaking when earthquakes would occur. These holy sites were built to last.
It was also here that a Cosmic Penis was built by the Incas. Yes, I mean that actually, a cosmic penis. The stone was carved so that when the sun hit it just right it showed the shadow of a penis. It was meant to represent the masculine to the feminine of the world. It was here our guide talked about the balance the Incas constantly sought between the two, and how he saw a loss of the feminine in our world and the need for healing for the Earth.
I certainly agree with healing, though how to go about it is something that I think generations are constantly going to try and figure out. When a river gets polluted and there is a factory that is doing it that feeds the local economy, where is the right an
swer? Where is the long term planning for both the surrounding ecosystem and the livelihood of the village. I don't know, but I'd be curious to hear your answers. Sustainability is part of it, but what does that mean in this and other contexts? This is the modern dilemma I think of taking care of the Earth and the ecosystems within it, and its people.
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