Depicts the mechanism of the universe and the Aztec concepts of their place, both terrestrial and celestial, in it. Commonly known as Aztec Calendar or Sun Stone.

The Aztec Book of Destiny summarizes traditional Mesoamerican beliefs about the spiritual nature of time and its influence on one's personality and fate. The ancient Aztec, Toltec and Maya believed that the day of birth, as defined in their sacred calendar, affects destiny; and this philosophy has guided their daily lives for more than 3000 years. This book condenses the scattered and disparate literature about these beliefs into a fun and informative narrative; but it goes far beyond what academics and popular authors have published to date. The author presents a unique perspective shaped by the wisdom of a traditional calendar-keeper he met in Mexico in 1973. The book's message is that the calendar is not simply an ancient and forgotten curiosity - it is as relevant today as in ancient times. The majority of the book projects the timeless Mesoamerican philosophy into contemporary Western society encouraging introspection and self-awareness.

The ancient Aztecs dwelt at the center of a dazzling and complex cosmos. From this position they were acutely receptive to the demands of their gods. The Fifth Sun represents a dramatic overview of the Aztec conception of the universe and the gods who populated it—Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent; Tezcatlipoca, the Smoking Mirror; and Huitzilopochtli, the Southern Hummingbird. Burr Cartwright Brundage explores the myths behind these and others in the Aztec pantheon in a way that illuminates both the human and the divine in Aztec life. The cult of human sacrifice is a pervasive theme in this study. It is a concept that permeated Aztec mythology and was the central preoccupation of the aggressive Aztec state. Another particularly interesting belief explored here is the “mask pool,” whereby gods could exchange regalia and, thus, identities. This vivid and eminently readable study also covers the use of hallucinogens; cannibalism; the calendars of ancient Mexico; tlachtli, the life-and-death ball game; the flower wars; divine transfiguration; and the evolution of the war god of the Mexica. A splendid introduction to Aztec religion, The Fifth Sun also contains insights for specialists in ethnohistory, mythology, and religion.

A manual for the Aztec calendar that explores the myths, legends, and history behind the ancient calendar, and includes technical drawings, a glossary, timeline, and an extensive bibliography.

The reality of human existence in the Aztec religion began with the Creation, not only of 'the world above and beyond us', but of humanity itself. The legend of the Creation, of the five great Suns, was intimately connected with the notion that human life was ephemeral and doomed to extinction. Chapter 9 from The Aztecs by Brian Fagan details the beliefs of the Aztec religion, the importance of the stars and heavenly bodies and the gods associated with their beliefs. Human sacrifice was the touchstone of all Aztec virtue, the key to their understanding of the spiritual world. (SLNSW Infocus item 2597).