Monthly Archives: February 2021

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

6 E’ (1st March 2021)

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6 E'Just as the combination of nawal and number can create challenges, it can also create perfect conditions. The combination of the number of stability with the nawal of the path should give an excellent day for exploration.

The energy of the nawal E’ takes us on a voyage of discovery, whether that involves actual physical movement or not. It seeks adventure, and can be known as both a thrill seeker and a risk taker, although E’ is usually known as a benevolent energy. E’ is certainly a restless energy, and may show up today as a desire for new experiences.

However, the combination with the stabilising energy of the number 6, can be particularly useful when combined with the energy of the nawal E’. The properties of the number 6 bring stability to the wandering energy of E’, bringing purpose and direction. This is not just a physical journey, there is much more behind it. It brings the inspiration from both heaven and Earth into the physical realm in order to set its course. Not only is it guided by a higher perspective, it is also blessed by it, and as such today should be a particularly beneficial day for travel. This too applies to learning and research, all which moves into new areas of understanding and experience.

Today is a day to stabilise your life path.

Footprints

Nawal E’ represents the journey of discovery, the life path in both its physical and spiritual aspects. E’ is the explorer, it craves novelty. It inspires travel to understand different cultures and ways of life, it is a seeker of experience. It can be a thrill seeker, and sometimes will take risks to understand what it is examining. Whilst it gains experience and understanding through physical travel, E’ also drives us to explore our inner world, helping us to understand our own minds and hearts, and those of others. E’ sometimes creates a restlessness, the desire to find new things within the world means that E’ finds it difficult to sit still.

E’ can sometimes cause us to explore simply for the sake of exploration, we seek the new experience because it is there. This can give rise to a lack of direction, aimless wandering. However, even in its wanderings E’ is discovering. It may not know exactly where it is going, but it will when it gets there. In it’s best aspect, E’ seeks out knowledge and experience in order to form an understanding which brings wisdom. E’ enjoys sharing the wisdom gained with its peers, for the enrichment of the community.

E’ is another of the classic  carriers of the year, or year lords. It is said that E’ years tend to be some of the more gentle and favourable years. E’  is seen as a good natured nawal. E’ days are considered to be good days on which to travel and explore, whether that be externally or internally. It is a day to find or remember your path, a day to ask for your path to be cleared of obstructions, and a day to ask for guidance and protection on your path.

The number six is said to be the number of ultimate stability. It is the first of the three middle numbers of the cycle, the balance point neither too strong nor too weak. It is a day frequently used for ceremony thanks to its conducive energy. It represents the four directions with the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. It also represents family, relating to the six qualities that nourish and hold families together – health, understanding, property, employment, friendship and actions.

The cross at the top of the central hill, Paclom, in Momostenango. Paclom is known as "the six place" and the two armed cross represents the four directions combining with the Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This picture was taken on Wajxakib B'atz, February 2010.
The cross at the top of the central hill, Paclom, in Momostenango. Paclom is known as “the six place” and the two armed cross represents the four directions combining with the Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This picture was taken on Wajxakib B’atz, February 2010.
Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

5 B’atz (28th February 2021)

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5 B'atzThe energy of B’atz days is thought of as being very favourable, especially for the arts – after all they are always full of creative potential. Even when coupled with the energy of a more challenging number such as 5, they can still be beneficial.

If you really need to get working on a creative project, today will prove very useful. The energy of B’atz is interwoven with the number 5, bringing an industrious impulse to the day, although that does not have to take away from the artistic feeling. On some days it is difficult to get started, and yet other days the creation flows from you. In fact the only way you could be more productive would be if there were more hours in the day.

However, the energy of the number 5 can occasionally throw up an obstruction, and you might still find parts of your creative experience hard work. Perhaps a touch of writer’s block, a power failure on the stage, or an unexpected interruption to the creative process.

All the same, today is a day when you really might achieve a great deal more in your project than you expected. The hard work you put into your creation pays off as you beautify the world around you. Get weaving!

Images of weaving using a backstrap loom, from the Madrid Codex

There are two nawales which bestow incredible talents, one of which is B’atz, the other is No’j. B’atz is the nawal of artisans and of weavers, but this is not just creation and weaving on the Earthly level. B’atz weaves the threads of time together to create reality. B’atz is the nawal of the sacred calendar, which could be considered to be the fabric created from these individual threads of time. If B’atz is clever enough to weave time into order, then of course it is clever enough to create more down to Earth trinkets. B’atz is the master artisan, creating whatever it chooses, at will. It is just as comfortable painting, as it is playing music or writing. The arts come naturally to this nawal. However, this can lead to issues when B’atz has to deal with those less talented than itself. This can lead to a certain arrogance around those who fail to achieve their standard of excellence.

Their talent draws attention, which is something B’atz craves. It is the nawal of the born entertainer, who can sing, dance and play all at once. This nawal is the life and soul of the party, it also makes excellent teachers, who hold the attention of students through entertaining them. It is a particularly fun loving nawal that feeds on the adoration of the crowd that it pleases.

It is a day to create, especially within the fields of the arts. It is also a day to weave your reality the way you see fit. Where Aq’ab’al was the conception, B’atz is the gestation. Now is the time to incorporate what you wish into the pattern before it is birthed.

The Sacred Mayan calendar is often said to be a calendar of human life, and parts of it can be seen as a microcosm of the human body. The number five is one of these parts. It is representative of the hand with it’s five digits. It is with our hands that we work, and with what we earn for that work that we pay our debts. Five is also a number that relates to the sacred fire where we pay our debts with offerings and prayers. Five might be so busy working that it fails to remember what it is working for. It can also signify that what it is attached to becomes work, or is “hard work”.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

4 Tz’i (27th February 2021)

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4 Tz'iThe day 4 Tz’i may come as a welcome relief after the challenges faced yesterday. If those challenges caused you to lose faith in yourself or your world, here is the nawal Tz’i to restore it.

This is again rather a wonderful combination, the unconditional love and loyalty of Tz’i being grounded into the real world by the number 4.  The 4 leans very much to the practical world and gives us the solid foundation on which all physical existence is based. Its combination with Tz’i  gives a feeling of dependability, a solid and honest energy, bringing justice to the physical world. It is the unswayable loyalty that brings absolute trust to life.

It is a day when you might encounter some unusual examples of the lengths your friends will go to to help you. It is a day where you may find your faith in your journey restored and strengthened by your experiences. This of course also gives you the opportunity to act in the same manner, to go the extra mile for someone today. The “other” side of Tz’i should be calmed today, and is unlikely to raise it’s head. It is a day where the instinct serves to bring stable guidance in your journey. It is a day when the natural laws of the world are balanced, and true justice may be seen.

The dog sits by the cauldron, from the Madrid Codex

Tz’i is possibly the nawal with the most colourful reputation. Some describe it as the nawal of “sex, drugs and rock and roll” and it has the possibility to live up to that label. One of the functions an Aj Q’ij (Mayan spiritual guide) performs is divination, usually using red seeds called Tz’ite. If a question is asked about a relationship and Tz’i comes up in the reading, it is seen as a sign of  infidelity. Tz’i is instinctual, and closes its ears to reason when it gets an idea, particularly when it is hormonally driven. This is the worst possible aspect of Tz’i and when it falls down, it does so spectacularly, which is why it tends to be remembered for those events.

However, what is sometimes forgotten is the other side of Tz’i, which is the side more frequently displayed. Just as Tz’i can represent infidelity, it also represents faith and loyalty, and just as it can be the trouble maker, it also represents law. It is the nawal of police, lawyers and judges. Tz’i is unwavering faith, unconditional loyalty. The totem animal of Tz’i is the dog, and through the actions of dogs we can understand both the loyalty aspect, and the instinctual. Tz’i is also the guide and protector on life’s path, ensuring that its charge travels safely. It is a day when your faith or loyalty may be tested,  where your instincts are stimulated. The positive traits of this day give rise to to some of the greatest displays of friendship, but be aware that your loyalty may be tested by temptation.

The number 4 is very important within Mayan mythology. Four represents the cardinal points, the four colours of maize, the four carriers of the year, the two equinoxes and two solstices, as well as midnight, sunrise, midday and sunset. The number four is representative of the four first men, who raised the sky from the sea to create the world we live on. In Mayan myth it is four pillars that support the sky from the Earth. As you can imagine, four is a number which represents stability, a solar number. Even though it is still low, it is thought of as a good number.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

3 Toj (26th February 2021)

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3 TojOccasionally a day will carry what could be thought of as a double “negative” energy and turn out positive, but then there are the exceptions. 3 Toj is possibly one of the exceptions, and could be very challenging.

In principle, making offerings to pay off our debts is a good thing. We give something back to the community that sustains us through the sacrifice of our time, our energy or our resources. The wheel turns, we give and take, and usually end up in balance. However, today is a day where the wheel may have become stuck. It may seem today that nothing is good enough. The sacrifices or payments made today may be challenged, blocked or obstructed. Ceremonies made today may have unintended consequences, or may just fail to give the desired result. It is just a day to do something else. Service to your community may be ineffective, you might find the work you do undone soon afterwards. It is a day to tread carefully, avoid making debts and leave the payment for another day.

Days which carry the number 3 highlight inner work, both within the home and within the self. This is a day to avoid the external transactions and focus on what you owe to yourself. Take some time to give yourself what you need, to replenish what has been spent and acknowledge what you owe to your own spirit.

The nawal Toj represents offerings and payment. It is part of the name Tojil, a Mayan god who gave fire to the people, although this was not a free gift. Tojil asked in return for sacrifice to be made. This is a day of payment and sacrifice, a day to resolve debts, both in the physical and spiritual realms. Toj is the nawal of the sacred fire, and it is to the fire that we make offerings in order to burn away what would commonly be known as karmic debts. In this way we restore balance, we bring our accounts back to zero.

Toj carries with it a form of divine protection, which is enhanced through selfless acts. These acts might involve a sacrifice of our time or energy in order to strengthen our community. We can choose to act or we can choose to ignore, but be aware – ignoring an opportunity to make a payment on a Toj day might bring a ill fortune, the removal of the protection. Payment should be made with an open heart, thanks might not be quickly forthcoming, and may not come at all. Your sacrifice could be  something as simple as picking up litter in your neighbourhood, it doesn’t have to be something elaborate.

M42 (and M43) The Orion Nebula

There are various myths about the creation which link with the number 3. One is that at the time of creation, three stone jumped out of the fireplace and formed the new world. These three stones are called the hearthstones, and are still seen in many Maya homes today, on the fire supporting the tortilla griddle. From an astronomical point of view, the stones are the stars Alnitak, Saiph and Rigel in the constellation we call Orion, and the Smoky Fireplace is the Great Orion Nebula (M42)

A (slightly crude) montage showing a proposed correlation between the constellation of Orion and the triadic structure of Maya pyramids. This one is "El Tigre" at the El Mirador site. Photo and montage by Mark Elmy
A (slightly crude) montage showing a proposed correlation between the constellation of Orion and the triadic structure of Maya pyramids. This one is “El Tigre” at the El Mirador site. Photo and montage by Mark Elmy

The number 3 is still in the low end of the range of numbers. It does not have much energy yet, and it is also an odd number. It can represent the home, relating to the three hearthstones laid by the creators, and this is probably a good focus for a 3 day. However, it is possibly the most troublesome of the numbers to deal with, it lacks stability and represents challenges and obstructions. The number three brings up internal/external dilemma. The lack of stability in the physical, external world that it brings suggests that the more appropriate action is to look to the internal world, both of the home and of yourself.

The number 3 is still in the low end of the range of numbers. It does not have much energy yet, and it is also an odd number. It is possibly the most troublesome of the numbers to deal with, it lacks stability. It can represent the home, relating to the three hearthstones laid by the creators, and this is probably a good focus for a 3 day.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

2 Q’anil (25th February 2021)

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2 Q'anilQ’anil days are generally known for their pleasant energy, and this should certainly be one of them. It is a day of abundance, a day of illumination and the associated number 2 highlights relationships.

Q’anil is also known for its love of intoxication. This is perhaps the only downside of the energy of today. This could be a day where sensuality can carry you away, you might get lost with your lover. Whilst this might not be a bad thing, it may be a distraction from a more pressing issue.

In general, today is a day when it is possible for you to gain  abundance through your self sacrifice. Spend some time tending your seeds, whether they are physical or metaphorical, and you will reap the benefits. Equally spending time and energy on your relationship may lead to you and your partner having the opportunity to bask in a beautiful golden light.

The Queen of Spain, by Mark Elmy

Nawal Q’anil represents the ripening of the seed, the crop coming to maturity. The K’iché word Q’an means yellow, and the -il suffix is rather like the English -ing. Q’anil represents the golden head of maize at its perfection of ripeness, ready to be picked. In the Mayan creation story, humans were fashioned from maize dough, we are Ixim Achi, the people of the corn. The maize in this part of the world has a 260 day growth season between planting (conception) and harvest (birth.) This connects maize with both the sacred calendar and with the period of human gestation.

It is in the fields and gardens that Q’anil’s light shines particularly brightly, it is the nawal of farmers, gardeners and herbalists. But just as it is at home around plants, Q’anil has the possibility to shine anywhere. Q’anil has talent, its beautiful golden light illuminates that which it comes into contact with, Q’anil people light up the room with their presence. Q’anil is about achieving full potential, and this relates to all of our activities. It does have an affinity to the arts, but in general is a day of bounty for all life projects.

However, when an energy is so fertile and prosperous, life can become too easy. Q’anil also appreciates the rewards of its talent – sometimes a little too much. Q’anil is prone to overindulge in the sensual, in particular with regards to intoxication.

The number 2 is representative of duality, of polarity. Although it is a low number it has surprising strength as it is said to be able to call upon both aspects or polarities of what it is attached to. It is said to be the number of lovers, it signifies relationships and self-sacrifice. Whilst it can lend itself to mediation, seeing both sides of the story, it also can be indecisive.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

1 Kej (24th February 2021)

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1 KejThis day brings a new beginning, a new thirteen day cycle, one which is empowered through nature, one full of vitality. It is a time to be be guided and inspired by the power of the wilderness.

With the potential represented by the number 1 and the power of the natural world represented by Kej, this should prove to be a very interesting day. Nature does not have polarities, it just is. Our judgement creates these polarities. We may judge nature as harsh and unforgiving, or inspiring and beautiful. Much will depend on our experience and the depth of our connection with nature. The wilderness can tell us many things, but we have to connect with it to understand them. Here we have the potential to draw strength from the natural world should we choose to. If you have the opportunity, take a walk in the wild woods, embrace the elements and feel the power of nature. Always remember this is a two way street. Just as the wilderness can empower you, it needs your love and protection too. 1 Kej may be an excellent day to start a conservation or protection program for your local environment. Look after her and she will look after you.

Whilst Kej is known for its strength and vitality, the 1 suggests that we need to nurture this. It is a day where encouragement from others can bring great strength and determination. This applies to your actions too, it is a great day to share a few words to empower others.

Xbalamkiej, patron of the day Kej, one of the hero twins from the Popol Vuh. From the Dresden Codex
Xbalamkiej, patron of the day Kej, one of the hero twins from the Popol Vuh. From the Dresden Codex

Kej is possibly the strongest of the nawales, it is powerful, but in a different way to Kan. Kej is energetic, lively and determined. It is the nawal of nature, of the wilderness and it is this power that it draws on. The animal totem of Kej is the deer, but if you have fragile, new-born Bambi in mind, think again. This is the majestic stag, standing on the mountain surveying his domain. Whilst most nawales are not necessarily engendered, Kej is most definitely masculine. Both men and women that carry Kej as their nawal have great strength, although the men tend to hide their strength more. Kej women are particularly driven, resourceful and brave, sometimes to the point of being rather dominant. All radiate an aura of nobility, people tend to look to them to lead.

Kej is the nawal of the Mayan “religion”, a day of spiritual leaders, of shaman and of priests. It is these leaders who understand how to read the messages from the natural world, who help to keep our existence in balance with nature. It is a day to connect with the wilderness and draw the power of the natural world into you, to harmonise and replenish.

The number 1 is representative of the seed, of unity. It represents birth and beginnings. It is a low and odd number, which usually represents something challenging. However, the seed can grow into a mighty tree, it is full of potential. It just needs the correct nutrients and conditions to germinate and develop, just as sometimes we need encouragement to develop our ideas.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

New Video – The Kej Trecena (24th February – 8th March 2021)

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The Trecena of Kej gives us the opportunity to reconnect to the energy of the natural world, strengthening the spiritual leader within each one of us.

As mentioned in the video, I will be making a Mayan Astrology workshop over Zoom from 1st -5th March, 10am -2pm Guatemala time. For more information, please visit https://thefourpillars.net/?page_id=1120

Recorded live in the “Living the Sacred Calendar” event at Ascension in San Marcos La Laguna.

To donate to ODIM and help the people of San Pablo and San Juan la Laguna, please follow this link https://tinyurl.com/yb4l3rux

To help the people of San Marcos la Laguna, please follow this link https://tinyurl.com/yd8ax34q

My 2021 calendar is now available. The calendar shows the days of the Chol Q’ij, formatted onto the Gregorian calendar. This year it is available electronically as a pdf in both English and Spanish. Printed versions are now available locally here in Guatemala, from me and from Nectar, Palo Santo and Lava Love Cacao in San Marcos. See this link for more detail https://thefourpillars.net/?page_id=6093

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

13 Kame (23rd February 2021)

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13 KameWhilst the number 13 already has a representation of the spirit world, its combination with the nawal Kame brings the spirits of the ancestors extremely close. This is a day to commune with your ancestors.

Today could almost be seen as the equivalent of Halloween within the Chol Q’ij as both Kame days and days carrying the number 13 are when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. This is an extremely strong day for divination and particularly for mediumship, although this should be approached through trained practitioners.

With this closeness of the other world, it is also possible to draw upon the strengths and wisdom of our ancestors. Kame encourages us to face our fears, and today we have some extra force or guidance working with us to overcome them. As the number is so high these may be some of our deepest fears, they could also be fears passed on through generations.

This may be a day of extremely strong changes, possible revelations. The power of the spirit world is driving your transformations today. You might find that events of today have a massive impact on your own life path and development. Be careful not to judge them too quickly. You may need to be flexible as these changes have a great deal of power behind them, resistance is futile, and acceptance of the changes should lead you towards your higher aspect.

Kame relates to death, which often makes people nervous. However, this nawal is seen as an extremely positive day. Birth is the gateway into the mortal life, death the gateway into the eternal. In many shamanistic traditions, the initiate goes through several death experiences during training. This can be through the use of particular herbs, or sometimes through accident or illness. In these experiences the density of the mortal realm falls away and the greater understanding emerges. It can often be described as a spiritual transformation. In the Popul Vuh, the Mayan book of creation, the Hero Twins descend to the underworld, Xibalba, to confront the Lords of Death. They pass the many challenges set for them, but eventually end up being tricked by the Lord of Death. Instead of giving in, the Hero Twins choose to sacrifice themselves. They give instructions to a pair of seers to convince the Lords of Death to grind the Twins’ bones to dust and throw the dust in the river. Everything went according to plan and five days later the twins appeared as catfish in the river, then transformed into vagabond “magicians”. In this way we see a literal transformation from the crusader (Tijax) through death (Kame) to the higher self (Ix). This is the potential of the Kame day, to face ones fears and attain a higher perspective, to advance the journey of your soul. This is also a day to remember your ancestors and friends that have passed into the other realm, to remember what they taught you, and to thank them for their wisdom that helped you to grow.

The number 13 is the final number. It represents the spirit world. It is said that on Halloween, the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. However within the sacred calendar, this thinning happens every 13 days. This connection with the spirit world creates a powerful day, where both the positive and negative aspects of the nawal it is attached to come through strongly. It is a very good day for activities such as divinations, however, ceremonies on 13 days are generally only carried out by experienced Aj Q’ij who understand how to work with that strength of energy.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 Kan (22nd February 2021)

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12 KanThe energy of the day 12 Kan gives an opportunity to bring together all the wisdom you have accumulated through your life into one place.

The same could be said about the power you have accumulated. This could be an excellent day which brings out your true wisdom, something with which you can really help those around you to flourish. It is a day on which you may use the wisdom that you have developed through life to see through illusions.

One of the virtues of the nawal Kan is as a teacher and here we see the opportunity for the energy of this day to fulfil its highest aspect. This is the perfect day to empower others through your life experiences.

It is a strong, powerful day where you might feel the lightning you have cultured through your life moving through your body. It is very tempting to use this energy, just be aware of what you are putting your energy into. The strength of this day should mean that a little energy will go a long way, and an uncontrolled release of energy may cause harm. Be aware of the seductive power of the use of energy, ensure that you are the one in control, and use it wisely and for the empowerment of all.

An ancestor brings wisdom through the vision serpent. Feathered Serpent Diety, detail of Classic Maya lintel at Yaxchilan, from ''A Study of Maya Art'' by Herbert Spinden, 1913 {{PD-US}}
An ancestor brings wisdom through the vision serpent. Feathered Serpent Diety, detail of Classic Maya lintel at Yaxchilan, from ”A Study of Maya Art” by Herbert Spinden, 1913 {{PD-US}}

Kan is one of the more powerful nawales and it represents just that – power. It is connected to serpents, and serpent symbology is very strong in Maya mythology. In the past, lightning was referred to as sky serpents, and what is seen in the outer world is reflected by the inner world. The power of Kan comes from something which is referred to as itz or coyopa, the lightning in the blood. This is the power which may also be known as Ki, Chi, Prana, kundalini or “the force”. It is life force energy. Kundalini is a sanskrit word actually meaning coiled, like a snake. When working with any of these energies, training must be undertaken in order to understand how to use them. In its most positive aspect, the energy of Kan brings great wisdom; in its negative aspect, great destruction. A lack of understanding or control of this power can lead to undesirable consequences. The dark side of Kan can seduce with its power, and a very sexy power it is too, holding its prey in an almost hypnotic grip with its allure. It can become the ultimate ego trap.

However, it is also said that the feathered serpent Q’uq’umatz (also known as Kulkulkan or Quetzalcoatl) brought wisdom, through the sciences of astronomy and agriculture, to the ancient Maya. Here we see the positive aspect of Kan, where the ability to work with the body lightning brings great wisdom. People born on a Kan day can become some of the greatest healers or psychics, or they can become the darkest sorcerers and manipulators.

The number 12 is the penultimate number. In some ways it can be seen as the last Earthly number, the number 13 representing the spirit world. We travelled through the mortal world with 1 through 6, then the other world with 7 through 12. In this way 12 can be seen as a point of bringing all of the experiences into one bundle for presentation to the spirit world as we step into 13. As such, the number 12 brings a wealth of experience into one place, it is rather like writing an autobiography. It is totality, all that is, brought together.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

11 K’at (21st February 2021)

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11 K'atAs the energy of the number 11 has strength without direction, and the nawal K’at seeks to bind, this could prove to be a rather hectic day. You might even end up feeling like you have tied yourself up in a knot.

The animal associated with the nawal K’at is the spider, she who sits within her woven net. If caught in spider’s web, one must consider carefully the course of action. Erratic movement trying to escape the web may lead to becoming even more entangled, or attract the attention of the spider, even if it seems the correct move to make. This could be a representation of today, think carefully about your direction before making your moves, as there may be many possibilities in front of you. Think through the consequences of each possibility, and ensure that you do not become to bound to something which ultimately holds you back.

It may be difficult to work out what you need to carry with you on your journey, there are so many possibilities, and each one may have its own sense of importance. Maybe it is OK to carry these for a while, but make sure you understand when to lighten the load a little. A lack of sense of direction may lead to becoming overburdened, using a little discernment could see you lightening your load.

It is possible that today you can pull together many seemingly different ideas, and that these ideas will lead to an abundant master plan. Be prepared to do some editing at a later date, to cut away the excess before setting out on the journey.

Blood Moon, mother of the Hero Twins being sent away from Xibalba after becoming pregnant. She goes to see Ixmucane, Mother of Jun Junajpu and Wucub Junajpu and is set a challenge to fill a net with corn. which she achieves and is taken in as family. She is seen here holding the K'at glyph in her hands. From The Dresden Codex.
Blood Moon, mother of the Hero Twins being sent away from Xibalba after becoming pregnant. She goes to see Ixmucane, Mother of Jun Junajpu and Wucub Junajpu and is set a challenge to fill a net with corn. which she achieves and is taken in as family. She is seen here holding the K’at glyph in her hands. From The Dresden Codex.

K’at signifies a net and represents gathering together or bundling. Here, in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, to this day many crops are harvested and carried in nets – oranges, lemons, avocados to name but a few. Through this we see one of the positive meanings of this nawal, that of abundance and harvest. K’at is a great day to draw things together, whether this means gathering in your crops, collecting ideas and opinions for your projects, or inviting people to a social event. It is a day of prosperity and the bounty which comes from the Earth, a day of gardeners, but also of merchants.

However, K’at also has its more challenging side. An abundant crop will fill the net, but it will also slow you down. K’at is also the nawal of prisons and burdens, as the net which gathers, can also ensnare us. When candles are purchased for the fire ceremonies, they come in bundles held together by little strings. When the nawal K’at is addressed during the fire ceremony, these strings are put in to the fire,  with offerings, to ask K’at to help us release ourselves from our burdens, from the ties which bind us.  These ties can also be seen as excessive attachment to material things.

The number 11 is a high and odd number. This gives it some rather challenging properties, although it can come good in the end. Imagine you visit Ireland and are transfixed by the green of the hills, then you go to Morocco and are awed by the red of the buildings, then you go to the Caribbean and are moved by the turquoise sea. You return home and paint a beautiful picture using those colours. When you were in Ireland you didn’t know you were going to paint that masterpiece, you may not have even known why you were there.  This is how 11 works. You are sure you need to be doing something, but unsure why. You are collecting experience through many wanderings