3 Kej (4th July 2023)

3 KejIf we see Kej as vitality and the number 3 as obstructions in the physical this could be seen as quite a challenging day. However, the 3 may be suggesting we look inside ourselves for support.

There are two leadership nawales, one is Aj and the other Kej. I tend to see Aj as the “mayor” in its non-political, original role of the head of the community making sure the community flourishes. Kej, on the other hand, functions more as the “priest,” attending to the spiritual needs of its community. Both have their strength about them, although Aj is more passive than Kej. Aj is a representative of the home and Kej the wilderness, both equally important opposites to create balance within society.

The strength and determination of Kej can give rise to situations where Kej may try to use force to make things happen. Even if the door is marked pull, Kej will keep pushing if it believes that is the way it should happen. This is an example of where determination might get you nowhere today, it is important to look around and read the signs before applying the action in the physical.

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 power of today lies in the internal process, within the home, both of your body and soul. It is a day to connect with your inner wilderness, your inner nature, to find your strength and determination there. It is a day to bring that essence into your home, through connection with the spiritual leader, the teacher, inside of you.

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.

M42, The Orion Nebula. Photographed by Mark Elmy

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.