Goddess of the Week: Ix Chel...speaking of swine

You had to know that when the end came it would not be through fire or flood -- it would be through pigs.  Swine flu, or baconnaise's revenge, has arrived, so naturally panic has ensued.  Luckily, there is a goddess just for this occasion.  

Say hola to Ix Chel, the Mayan moon goddess, who is also a medicine goddess.  Her favorite patients are women in labor, but, in a pinch, she will look after the influenza ridden too.

She can definitely feel your pain.  Although she never had swine flu, she did have a bad relationship with her husband, the sun.  Total jealous, demanding jerk.  He convinced himself that she was sleeping with his brother so he threw Ix Chel out of the sky.  

When she found refuge on an island of serpents, the sun was all, "Come back.  I promise I'll change.  I won't be jealous anymore."  

Do I need to say she went back?  Yup.  Big mistake.  He was his old jerky self the next day.  Finally she realized that goddesses need gods like fish need high heels and she left him for good.  

Free of a bad relationship, she could devote herself more fully to her work, which is lucky for you because swine flu ain't no pig in lipstick and it may be headed your way.  Oink.