On the night of October 31st, when the veil between the worlds is said to be at its thinnest, a witch emerges from the dark corners of her realm. The Holy Night, as it is often called, holds a special significance for witches around the world. It is a time of powerful magic and spiritual connection. The witch on the Holy Night, known as Esjop, is a mystical figure who embodies the spirit of this sacred time. Esjop is said to have the ability to harness the energy of the moon and the stars, using their power to perform spells and rituals with profound effects. She is a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and hidden knowledge.
It is time to bring back our mascot.
Associated Students approves a resolution from the Native American Student Alliance and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán to oppose the Aztec Warrior. Associated Students Council passes a resolution, backed by the Native American Student Alliance, that calls for retiring the Aztec moniker and Montezuma mascot because they are racist and culturally insensitive.
She is a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and hidden knowledge. Esjop is not a frightening figure, as some might imagine. Instead, she is ethereal and beautiful, with long flowing hair and eyes that seem to hold the secrets of the universe.
It’s Time For SDSU To Bring Back A Mascot
The first season for San Diego State Aztecs football at Snapdragon Stadium has come and now has gone. In what has now been built as the sports hub for all things football and futbol, the stadium is undoubtedly a huge success.
The primary use for SDSU Aztecs and secondary uses for both San Diego Wave FC and San Diego Legion are surely raising up the profile of all the sports they perform in regionally.
Local high school recruits visited Snapdragon Stadium each Saturday and the love has been visible all over social media.
The most recent CIF San Diego Championships are also evidence of the phenomenal impact this new $310 million dollar SDSU facility can have in each San Diego community.
But it’s no secret the performance of the stadium this inaugural season was unfairly criticized. In early September the hottest Aztecs game to have ever been played kicked things off when SDSU hosted Arizona.
That first day left an impression that stuck with the fans the rest of the season. Coupled with a tough but fascinating year on the field, the atmosphere began to take form as the team also did—very slowly.
The devaluation of the game ticket added together to bring the goal of filling all the seats much more difficult than expected. With a not so full stadium environment it’s only natural that the eyes are then focused on the entertainment value that is being presented.
Not every year played in this new San Diego landmark will be a 12-2 outcome. For those lean years that may come, that is when the tradition and pageantry of College Football must kick in and take center stage.
Marching bands, cheerleaders, dance teams, majorettes and mascots are some of the elements that make collegiate athletics so wonderful. The sights & sounds either create culture for the University or tap in to the culture of the community around them to bring the faithful together in a fun and entertaining way.
For 100 years SDSU has been building their football culture and only recently made the decision to part ways with one of the most fan friendly elements of it—the mascot.
In 2019 under the unilateral decision of President Adela de la Torre, SDSU ended the use of an Aztec Warrior/Monty Montezuma mascot & representation after 88 years of service.
The move was largely criticized but lacked in any real repercussions against the University decision to side with the changing of today’s culture. The years of using live human representation as mascots seem to be over—specifically when depicting that of any ethnic or indigenous tribe or civilization.
Agree or disagree with the move, the one conclusion that all SDSU fans and alumni can agree on is that the retirement left an open job that has yet to be filled. Promises of creating new Aztec iconography and symbolisms to fill the void left by the Aztec Warrior have yet to be seen.
This leads Sons of Montezuma to ask the question of Aztec Nation … Should SDSU bring back a mascot? More directly should SDSU bring back Zuma?
The First Go Round
The furry feeline was quickly judged as a BYU knockoff and was attacked by leaders in the fanbase. Reports to the administration swelled up and unofficially had the lovable sidekick to Monty Montezuma booted away after only two years.
But now after ten years of this dismissal, is it possible that SDSU fans had it all wrong from the start?
Dress For Success
SDSU is seeking to step up their athletic brand in many different levels. The largest would be joining a Power-5 conference. The PAC-12 or BIG12 are the most attainable in this latest round of expansion currently happening.
The move especially to the regional no brainer PAC-12 would mean an increased dedication to marketing, performance, fan engagement and of course, revenues.
With such a unique, exciting, and vibrant representation as the Aztecs, one only needs to look at the peers of the PAC-12 to gain some insight as to what should be done with this all important mascot decision.
Every single institution represented in the 12 team conference has a furry, cuddly and relevant mascot for their teams. Wether it’s the Bruin of UCLA, Beaver of Oregon State, or Buffalo of Colorado, the uniforms worn are on par with that of a Disneyland production.
The only example of a live human representation is that of USC’s Trojan. However Tommy Trojan is also joined in compromise with Traveler his trusty horse, and also a costume mascot with a cartoon creation of the Trojan to be kid friendly.
Smart thinking by USC administration to find a compromise of the two styles. Could this be an option for SDSU? Only the powers that be can decide that.
One thing is for sure, this is not some unattainable mission for such a successful leadership that has reached across all political factions in San Diego County to get a stadium built that was once considered impossible.
Two Sides to An Aztec Warrior–The Eagle and the Jaguar
Ideas of dragons, quetzals and other iconography for SDSU’s spirit leader are great for exploration, but the answer is not that mysterious. The Aztecs themselves have already given us the answer.
By all signs, the human Aztec Warrior is not making a comeback any time soon. But when you consider the historical facts of ancient Mexica culture, the Warrior was represented in two animal distinctions.
Either a Jaguar or an Eagle represent the warriors in battle. Though SDSU fans may not want to face this reality—Zuma, if repurposed and executed correctly, can have a perfect fit. But it’s got to be done right.
If the mascot decision going forward is not a more historically stylized Zuma 2.0, then it is the Eagle which is the next model to aim for.
As glorious of a new home as Snapdragon Stadium is, if the in game environment is going to improve, ultimately it is up to us—the supporters. It’s time to make the call to have our mascot culture back.
It is time to bring back our mascot.
But now after ten years of this dismissal, is it possible that SDSU fans had it all wrong from the start?
She wears flowing robes adorned with symbols of the moon and stars, and carries a staff topped with a crystal that radiates with magical energy. During the Holy Night, Esjop ventures out into the mortal realm to fulfill her role as a guide and protector. She is said to visit those who are in need of her assistance, offering guidance, healing, and protection. Those who encounter Esjop on this sacred night are often filled with a sense of awe and reverence. Esjop's presence on the Holy Night serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of tapping into the spiritual energies that surround us. She encourages people to embrace their own inner magic and to connect with the divine energies that flow through the universe. While the legend of Esjop may vary from culture to culture, the underlying message remains the same - the Holy Night is a time to honor the magic within ourselves and to acknowledge the forces beyond our understanding. It is a time to connect with the spiritual realm and to seek guidance and wisdom. So, as the world sleeps and the moon shines bright, keep an eye out for the witch on the Holy Night. She may just have a message or a gift of magic to share with those who are open to receiving it. Embrace the enchantment of this sacred time and allow the energies of the universe to guide you on your journey..
Reviews for "Embracing the Unknown: Embodying the Spirit of the Witch on the Holy Night"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch on the holy night esjop". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were poorly developed. It felt like the story was rushed and there was no depth or complexity to it. The artwork was also underwhelming and didn't capture my attention. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and cannot recommend it.
2. David - 1 star - I regret purchasing "Witch on the holy night esjop". The story was convoluted and boring, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The writing style was also very flat and lacked any creativity or emotion. Additionally, the artwork was lackluster and didn't enhance the reading experience for me. I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Witch on the holy night esjop" failed to captivate me. The story felt disjointed and the pacing was off, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and development, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The artwork was average at best and didn't add anything special to the overall experience. Overall, this book fell flat for me and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I wasn't impressed with "Witch on the holy night esjop". The story was confusing and didn't make much sense to me. The characters were forgettable and didn't leave a lasting impact. The art style was average, and there was nothing unique or memorable about it. I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.
5. Laura - 1 star - "Witch on the holy night esjop" was a disappointment for me. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot was predictable and there were no surprises or twists to keep me engaged. The artwork was mediocre and didn't add anything to the overall experience. I wouldn't recommend this book as it failed to leave a lasting impression.