Daily Archives: 18th February 2021

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 Iq’ 0 Nabe Mam – The Seating of The New Mam

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The Seating of the New Mam is the moment that the Wayeb has ended, when the period of retreat has finished and we can emerge from our “cave” back into the real world. In some communities, this would be celebrated with feasting and drinking, welcoming in the new grandfather who will guide us through the next revolution of the sun.

This year is governed by the Mam 9 Iq’. In addition to 9 Iq’ carrying the energy of the day, it is also carrying the energy of this new year. The properties and benefits brought by the nawal 9 Iq’ are discussed in my post for the day of 9 Iq’ here. The energy of this day is a representative of the energy which we will be living with for the whole year. The general feeling of this year should be about the life changes and the voices of women.

The new Mam may take a little while to settle in. This is usually the first 20 days. Whilst it is obvious that the “administration” has changed, it takes a little time for all the promises made in the campaign to be adhered to. Nothing in nature moves in a square wave, it is always a gentle transition more akin to a sine wave. This is the first light of dawn, the day is just beginning, but we are still experiencing a little of the cold of the night. It will not be until midday, the height of the cycle that we will experience the fullest expression of the energy of this year lord. We can expect that in around 140 days or so, 12 Iq’ (19th June 2021).

The last time we experienced an Iq’ year was 2017, which was the year 5 Iq’. Iq’ years are known to be turbulent, as the spirit of the wind blows change into the world. This change is what brings life, but of course may also bring in controversy, upset, resistance and challenges, particularly through words. It is a time when we might expect some outspoken behaviour, which may be as inspiring as it is challenging. It is particularly interesting to note that this year we have 9 Iq, the 9 representing life and the feminine. It could certainly lead to the voices of women being powerfully influential in this year. It is also a time to remember the breath of life. Iq’ days are days to give thanks for our ability to breathe, and after the previous year, it is interesting to note that 9 Iq’ should be a year of embracing the life breath, and giving thanks for the health of our lungs and the quality of our air.

On a grander scheme of things, the cycle of the year bearers repeats every 52 years. Of course, we do not relive exactly the same experiences, but we may see similarities with the last time this year bearer was in office. That was the year 1969, when Mam would have taken his seat on the Gregorian day 4th March. This gives us the opportunity to understand how to engage with the benefits of, and avoid the errors committed during, the previous incarnation of the Mam 9 Iq’.  For some ideas on major events of 1969 (and there were some very interesting ones – the Moon landing and Woodstock to name just two), please click here.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 Iq’ (19th February 2021)

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9 Iq'The breath of life combines with the number of life on this auspicious day. However, this may not necessarily make it the easiest of days to navigate. It has the possibility for big life changes.

With Iq’ representing communication, in particular the inspiring, divine word, or flower word, we can always expect the spoken word to be highlighted on an Iq’ day. Today we see those qualities in association with the number that represents life and the divine feminine. This is a day to ask for the counsel of women, to listen to what the women in your life have to say and to draw inspiration from their words.

Changes in the wind are what bring the change from dry to wet, and wet to dry season, here in Guatemala. The change in the wind brings life and here we see this doubled. When life becomes stagnant, decay sets in. Change is what enlivens us, although many of us may try to resist it. Today is a day to breathe the sacred breath and allow the life change to happen. The wind is bringing novelty into your life, are you ready to embrace the adventure that comes with new discovery?

Wind God 1
The wind god, patron of the nawal Iq’, from the Dresden Codex.

Nawal Iq’ is another strong nawal. It represents communication and particularly divine inspiration. It is the wind, the breath of life, that which brings the change in seasons.

The communication brought by Iq’ can be enlightening and inspiring. It is the breath of the divine which flows through us all, in fact the word for soul is Saq Iq’ – white breath. When our breath stops, our divine essence leaves our physical body. When we engage ourselves with the divine breath we are able to create, to manifest with our words, to inspire those around us. However, Iq’ also has a destructive side. It has the ability to blow like a hurricane and may level everything before it. It is the angry words which cut down everything in their path.

Hurricane is one of the few English words which is actually derived from a Mayan word- Junrakan, meaning “one footed”. Junrakan is another name for the Heart of the Sky, one of the creator deities. Once again it seems that certain patterns follow through the sequence of the nawales which are interrelated. Imox, the female creative principle, or egg, is fertilised be Iq’, the male principle. Their combination results in Aq’ab’al, the conception and a change in the state, bringing the dream into reality.

Iq’ is a day of communication, a day of inspiration. It can be a great day to express yourself through written or particularly verbal means. It is also a day on which changes happen. You can either embrace those changes or resist them, but be aware that the wind blows forcefully and resistance of change requires a great deal of energy. Embracing change helps you to learn to dance like a leaf in the wind.

Iq’ is the fourth of the classic Year Bearers, or Year Lords. It gives rise to unpredictable, strong years. The last year to carry Iq’ as a year lord was the year 5 Iq’ in 2017, the next will be the year 9 Iq’ in 2021.

The number nine is very special indeed. It is the number of lunations in the human gestation period and in the sacred calendar. The sacred calendar is known as a calendar of life, and it is women that give life. As such the number nine is seen as the number of life and the number of the divine feminine. It gives all that it is attached to a strong feminine presence and is a day on which women may wish to give thanks for their gifts.