We have cleared the trecena of Kawok, and emerged as our new selves, fresh and vital, ready for the next journey. Here is the start, the beginning of the road which leads us forward

The last time we experienced E’, it was as a finishing point, 7 E’, the end of the road. Of course we never stop walking, we keep moving forward and today brings the beginning of our new adventure. We might think of it as sleeping and waking. This is what the trecenas of Kame and Kawok have brought to us. Now we have awoken, revitalised and ready to start our new journey.

This is a day of new beginnings, in some ways more so than other days carrying the 1 energy. It is the day of new experiences, new direction. We might imagine ourselves just opening our eyes for the first time and being inspired to explore this world  that we have been reborn into.

The energy of this day certainly lends itself to taking the first step in a new journey or adventure, trying something new or exploring a new direction in life. The day itself might not actually have much movement involved, these are the first teetering steps of the new born, you may need some encouragement to move forward. It is the day to initiate your travel, perhaps buying tickets for a journey you have been planning.

Solar Zenith

Here in Guatemala, at 15 degrees north of the equator, we experience this phenomenon two time per year. The Solar Zenith is when the Sun crosses the hypothetical North – South line (the Meridian) at 90 degrees. If you live outside of the tropics, you will be accustomed to the Sun being at its greatest height in the sky on the solstice (whether that’s in June in the Northern hemisphere or December in the Southern Hemisphere.) Here at 15 degrees North, we can add the Zenith into the mix. On April 30th and August 13th, the Sun will be directly overhead at solar noon, and we will experience what seems to be no shadow! Why is this so exciting? Well, between 30th April and 13th August is 105 days, and between 13th August and 30th April is 260 days! Yes, the last time we experienced the solar zenith on 13th August 2020, was the day 1 E’. Some people have theorised the the sacred calendar may have been developed at this latitude due to this phenomenon. Many Maya sites have structures that mark the zenith transit, often zenith tubes. Here we could see why it might be so important as the April 30th zenith transit marks the beginning of the rains, so it it would be the time to plant the corn. If the corn is planted on the solar zenith, it should have enough time to grow and ripen before being harvested in the first week of August. The ground can then be prepared for a second crop which must be planted before the second zenith transit if it is to ripen before the end of rainy season.

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 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.