Continuous View of Time/Space
The Andean worldview perceives history as a series of interconnected cycles. Our present simultaneously embracing the past and future. This perspective organizes our world vertically into upper and lower spheres of:
"Hanan": upper spaces, associated with male qualities and the firstborn
"Hurin": lower spaces, linked to younger and feminine qualities
Creation emerges from the interplay between Hanan and Hurin—Hanan fertilizing Hurin.
Fluid Boundaries
This timekeeping system emphasizes the fluid, interconnected nature of time, space, and human experience, encapsulating an approach to marking time and space.
Pleiades
The Pleiades constellation cluster (known as the Seven Sisters in Western astronomy nomenclature) is called Qollqa in Kichwa and held profound significance for early Andean civilizations. The Pleiades helped mark new years, agricultural, and ceremonial cycles. The Qollqa's movement across the heavens served as a celestial calendar, guiding the Andean people through the ebb and flow of seasons and the cyclical nature of existence.
Qollqa's disappearance from the night sky in April marks the time-in-between, with the Pleiades reappearing in June.
During the 37 days of the Pleiades' disappearance from the sky, we enter a time of chaos, transformation, and opposing forces—dawn and dusk—as manifested in the community, people, and place. In June, the constellation's reappearance symbolizes a transition from what is past (buried or below) to the present.
Pachacuti: A Turning over of Space/ Time
In the Andean worldview, there are periods of significant transition marked by great change and chaos. These times, known as "Pachacuti" (overturning of space/time), often follow major natural disasters like floods or spurred by leadership. This is recognized as the beginning of a new cycle or era.
The nations of South America, have declared we are in a time of Pachacuti.
Pachacuti also signifies a shift in the cosmic order. During these times, Hanan (the dominant way) from the old cycle can become Hurin (the Uku, submerged ways) in the new cycle. This transformation occurs before the old Hanan is fully displaced into its new Hurin position. Such transitions can be triggered by natural disasters or initiated by a leader.
These periods of upheaval serve as pivotal moments in the Andean understanding of time and space, representing the cyclical nature of existence and the potential for profound societal and cosmic reorganize
1. Andean Concepts of Space and Time
A Continuous View of Time/Space
The ancient Andean worldview perceives history as a series of interconnected cycles, with the present simultaneously embracing the past and future. This perspective organizes the world vertically into upper and lower realms:
"Hanan": upper spaces, associated with male qualities and the firstborn
"Hurin": lower spaces, linked to younger, dark, and feminine qualities
Both natural and human relationships exist within these realms, with creation emerging from the interplay between Hanan and Hurin—Hanan fertilizing Hurin. The concept of Pachamama itself embodies a human's place within this space-time continuum.
Fluid Boundaries
This celestial timekeeping system emphasizes the fluid, interconnected nature of time, space, and human experience, encapsulating the essence of Andean cosmology's approach to marking time and space.
3. Pachacuti: A Turning over of Space/ Time
In the Andean worldview, there are periods of significant transition marked by great change and chaos. These times, known as "Pachacuti" (overturning of space/time), often follow major natural disasters like floods. Ancient Andeans recognized these events as the beginning of a new cycle or era.
The nations of South America, have declared we are in a time of Pachacuti.
Pachacuti also signifies a shift in the cosmic order. During these times, Hanan (the dominant way) from the old cycle can become Hurin (the Uku, submerged ways) in the new cycle. This transformation occurs before the old Hanan is fully displaced into its new Hurin position. Such transitions can be triggered by natural disasters or initiated by a leader.
These periods of upheaval serve as pivotal moments in the Andean understanding of time and space, representing the cyclical nature of existence and the potential for profound societal and cosmic reorganization.
4. From order to disorder and back: the Ritualization of chaos inherent in transition
During the 37 days of the Pleiades' disappearance from the sky, we enter a time of chaos, transformation, and opposing forces—dawn and dusk—as manifested in the community, people, and place. This period is known as a time of "illness" when points of chaos are in constant interaction. Separateness is celebrated and recognized, while giving space for the full expression of differences.
This process helps us build governance systems rooted in principles greater than ourselves, drawing wisdom from nature's time-tested patterns. By aligning our protocols and decision-making processes with these natural laws, we create more resilient and harmonious systems.
5. Using Nature and All the Surrounds
The natural world undoubtedly holds the key to solving numerous challenges, and harnessing nature's intelligence will be crucial in guiding our progress over the next five decades. This approach is rapidly gaining traction, not only in STEM fields but also in everyday life, revolutionizing our problem-solving methods.
In her groundbreaking 1997 book, Janine Benyus convincingly argued that future innovations must be rooted in nature. She defined "Biomimicry" with unwavering clarity as: 1. "nature as model," 2. "nature as measure," and 3. "nature as mentor." This framework has since become a cornerstone for innovative thinking across disciplines.
Drawing inspiration from Wendell Berry's "Home Economics," we can confidently apply these principles to our approach:
Utilize nature's proven survival principles to rigorously test the viability of concepts and proactively promotes life.
Ensure that these principles are unequivocally met and acknowledged before considering scalability.
Refine ideas or concepts with a keen focus on their appropriate implementation and context.
Embrace the fundamental truth that "a properly scaled human economy or technology enables other creatures and beings to thrive alongside us."
6. Governance, Business & Transformative Practices Based on Community Principals
It is thus using the blueprints of nature and the informed ancient practices of the the Andes, as well as my own upbringing, family, communal relations, in combination experience in forensic audits of processes, operations and organizational structures that informs my work and and reports associated.
These principles derived from nature, ancient Andean practices, personal experiences, and professional work in forensic business audits have been instrumental when shaping innovative governance systems and operational procedures. By integrating these aspects, we can create:
Adaptive governance structures that mirror the resilience and flexibility found in natural ecosystems
Operational procedures that respect cyclical patterns and transitions, allowing for periods of change and renewal.
Decision-making processes that consider the interconnectedness of all stakeholders, similar to the Andean concept of Pachamama
Audit and oversight mechanisms that draw from both modern forensic techniques and traditional community-based accountability systems
This approach ensures that governance and operational systems are efficient and rooted in sustainable, time-tested principles that code harmonically between human activities and the world they inhabit.
examples:
Application: Quarterly & Yearly Planning through the CHAKANA METHOD
Application: Appreciation and Approach to Teams through the AXIS METHOD