This is the perfect day for a forgiveness ceremony. Energetically wipe the slate clean, and move forward without guilt or resentment. Embrace the beautiful humanity of yourself and others.
Ajmak days are not always easy to negotiate. The energy may bring up our “failings” or those of others. They remind us of what it is to be human, both through the ways of compassionate forgiveness, and through actions which give rise to the need to forgive. These are how we learn, but we do not need to keep running the same program once we have learned from it. For example, an action gives rise to a desirable or undesirable reaction. We may wish to repeat the desirable one and not repeat the undesirable one.
However, holding on to guilt about the action which gave the undesirable reaction rarely serves any purpose. In the Maya cross of Ajmak, the future sign is K’at, the net. Thus, the future of Ajmak can be abundance, one aspect of K’at, or it can lead to ensnarement. This ensnarement may be a result of guilt, the inability to move on from an action which produced undesirable consequences.
Of course, this is highly simplified, but we often do choose to carry our guilt for longer than necessary. It becomes a burden, stifling our creativity and preventing us from achieving our full potential. It can stop us from living the lives we are able to live, filling us with regret. Choosing to cleanse ourselves from the burden of guilt over past actions can have a dramatic effect on our lives, as can releasing grudges we hold towards people who we perceive have wronged us. Holding grudges takes a huge amount of our creative energy away, again preventing us from being all we can truly be.
How Can A Forgiveness Ceremony Be Made?
Ajmak days give us an opportunity to resolve this in one way or another, and 8 Ajmak points us in a direction of ceremony. So how might we make a forgiveness ceremony? Unless we are in the Maya lands, we may be unable to make a Maya ceremony, so here are two other ideas of forgiveness ceremonies. I realise they are not insights into Maya ceremonies, and hope that you will forgive me this.
The opportunity to free ourselves from what we no longer need to carry seems like too good an opportunity to allow it to pass without comment. Firstly, we might make a ceremonial fire. It doesn’t have to be a large and ostentatious affair, your intention is the important ingredient. Write down what you want to forgive, or be forgiven for, on pieces of paper. Light your fire and connect yourself with your true essence, connect with the Earth and the Sky. Say some words which have meaning to you, prayers if you like, then lovingly and respectfully put your papers into the fire. You might like to read them out loud first, contemplating each one as you burn it away. When you have finished, say thank you in whichever way seems most appropriate.
Another way may be to use the four sentences of Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian art of forgiveness. Bring the person or situation to mind and use the following four phrases.
I am sorry
Please forgive me
I love you
Thank you
Both of these methods have the ability to release you from your burden through forgiveness.
Nawal Ajmak
Raw honey, fresh from San Juan la Laguna by Mark Elmy
Ajmak is the nawal of pardon and forgiveness, the nawal of redemption. It is the energy of being human, of falling and getting back up again and giving those chances to others. When the creators fashioned the four first men, the Bacab’ob, they created them as equals. These four first humans had superhuman abilities, including the ability to see through space and time. As equals were not desired, the gods smoked the mirror of perception, giving us our human set of senses. When we lost the ability to see through time, we lost the ability to see the true consequences of our actions and thus we needed to start asking for forgiveness.
Sometimes even well-meaning actions can cause problems at a later date. Ajmak represents this ability to forgive others, the ability to forgive ourselves and the ability to accept forgiveness. Ajmak is a sensual energy, which creates some of the reasons for its needing to be forgiven. It is kind and very lovable, but irresponsible. It can be a very talented energy, with great ideas. However, it can also be very easily distracted, especially by anything that makes it feel nice. This often leads Ajmak to fail to fulfil its true potential, although due to its lovable nature it is easy to forgive. One of the lessons with regard to the Ajmak energy is learning to forgive oneself.
The Number Eight
The number 8 is considered to be several wholeness. It can be seen as birth (1) and death (7) combined to represent the whole cycle of the soul. Also, it can be seen as the point where the four first men who raised the sky from the sea were joined by their wives and the world became whole. The eighth day of the trecena is the most common day for ceremonies to be made. Therefore, it is still in the balanced range of numbers and is an even number, which is also considered fortunate. This wholeness represents every aspect of the energy of the day with which it is coupled. It is the wholeness of the nawal that is addressed in the ceremony.
This may be a day where you receive the final vision. This may be the final part of the puzzle which leads to prosperity for you, your family, your community and the environment.
The day 7 Tz’ikin can encompass both focus and the ability to see the bigger picture. As the bird sits atop the pyramid it has an enormous breadth of vision which may bring prosperity. However, this may also lead to indecision if not focused.
The nawal Tz’ikin has a naturally restless energy. It is a natural communicator. We see the birds hop from one branch to another, gathering and exchanging information. It receives different points of view which can lead it to prosperity when correctly put together. However, sometimes it spends too much time observing and communicating to bring these things together.
If this can be controlled, then Tz’ikin may bring focus with 7 representing the goal, the final aim. It may lead to the vision of how to finalise an idea. It can see how to thrive in all choices, and prosperity may come, as long as distractions can be avoided. This may be a day where you receive the final vision. This may be the final part of the puzzle which leads to prosperity for you, your family, your community and the environment.
Nawal Tz’ikin
Bat Falcon sitting on top of Temple 216 at Yaxha. Photo by Mark Elmy
Nawal Tz’ikin is the nawal of prosperity, which sometimes seems odd to people seeking “higher knowledge”. However, this is not the same as the greed of capitalist consumerism. If your family is starving, you are more likely to fall off the road, perhaps into dishonesty or criminal activity. By asking nawal Tz’ikin for prosperity in your life, you are more likely to be able to help others. You can be more constructive within your community. That is not to say that your own input will not be necessary, just that your hard work will pay off.
Tz’ikin has the ability to give visions, it helps people to see the bigger picture within life. It also helps people to focus on details. It has grand aspirations and helps people to rise to the top of their abilities.
Similarly, just as Tz’ikin can focus, its broad vision can occasionally cause distraction. Sometimes, just when it is heading towards its goal it can be distracted by something “shiny.” Thus, this energy gives an ability to create great social networks, but sometimes spends too much time trying to maintain them.
The Number Seven
If we imagine the numbers 1 through 13 as a pyramid, the number seven would be at the top. Seven is the number of balance, it gives the ability to weigh up situations and see all points of view. While this may be very noble, it may lead to indecision.
However, it is also known as a number of death and endings, which would seem strange as it is only half way through. It is another representation of the change of state of the soul, showing half of the journey (1-6) in the mortal world and half (8-13) in the otherworld. As such it can be a great number on which to finalise or end something.
The sequence of numbers as they appear with each appearance of a nawal. Here we see that the sequence begins with 1 and ends with 7, giving 7 as a number of finality.
On the day 6 Ix give thanks for the wealth or abundance which nurtures your family. Stabilise your connection with the Earth. Ask her for what you need and what she needs from you.
The nawal representing the spirit of Mother Earth combines with the number which draws on the energy of the sky and Earth to manifest into the physical plane. Accordingly, it is a day to stabilise your connection with Mother Earth.
Days carrying the number 6 often feel very well-balanced. This is as expected, being as the are in the middle of the range between 1 to 13. However, there is a little more to them than just that. The 6 acts as a focal point for what it is attached to. It empowers the nawal with the essences of the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. In turn, this allows its energy to project or manifest into the physical world. It is much like the number 4, but with the embellishment of the divine masculine and divine feminine principals.
The energy of the nawal Ix strongly associates with our ability to commune with the spirit of mother Earth. This ability allows us to bring what we need into this world. It can be seen as our “magic”, but really it is just a more aware state of being. Here we understand the dynamic which exists between us an our environment.
We ask, we receive, we thank. Understand how to use your own abilities to manifest, to stabilise your magic.
Nawal Ix
A dancing shaman transforms himself into a jaguar. From a late classic era vase found at Altar de Sacrificios. Source http://shortstreet.net/Maya/mayapaintedvases.htm
Ix is considered to be the most feminine of the nawales because it embodies the spirit of the Heart of the Earth. It can be seen as a representation of Mother Earth or the Maya version of Gaia. Ix is known for its nurturing energy, as it takes care of all things. However, this nurturing should not be mistaken for weakness, as Ix also embodies the power and stealth of the jaguar, which is its animal totem. The jaguar is a powerful jungle cat that moves stealthily through the darkness of the night with spots on its back representing the milky way. Ix carries the sun on its nightly journey through the underworld.
In industrialized societies, the Earth is often seen as an inanimate source of material wealth. However, non-industrialized societies view her as a living entity that we can interact with, and she carries the nawal Ix. Therefore, on Ix days, people offer prayers at her shrines and altars to ask for what they need in the world. To keep Ix healthy, it is important to approach her with a spirit of gratitude and humility. Ix is deeply connected with the natural world, where it finds its wisdom, power, and wealth. Therefore, it is a day to give thanks, remember gratitude, and engage with your magic.
The Number Six
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. Thus, ceremonies are often made on six days thanks to their conducive energy.
The number 6 carries the qualities of the number 4, but has an extra axis. If we think of the number four representing the cardinal points, the number six adds a vertical axis to these. It brings in the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. The number six has the stability of the number four embellished by the masculine and feminine principals. If the number four represents the physical world and the number 6 represents the physical world animated by the life force energy.
Thus, it also represents family, relating to the six qualities which hold families together – health, understanding, property, employment, friendship and actions.
The day 5 Aj is a great day to be doing some form of work on behalf of your community. Your work and your input will bring great nourishment to those around you.
Putting energy into the sustenance of our home or community benefits ourselves and those around us. The day 5 Aj brings together these aspects to give a day where this type of work flourishes.
The nawal Aj is related to the spinal column. It holds us upright, brings us the strength and courage to do the right thing. It holds everything in its rightful place. However, it may not have always been like that. It gains strength as it is used, the wisdom it holds comes through experience. Whilst Aj is very much a leadership nawal, it is almost reluctant in stepping forward, preferring to guide gently rather than exercise the authority it also carries. These qualities of Aj are a blessing for all and are achieved through the experience of the work of life.
It is a day for selfless work, a day within the Toj trecena, where we have the opportunity to pay back the support our families, friends and communities show to us. However, it may also be a day when efforts to guide or lead may be rather more challenging than expected, especially if you feel yourself rushing into things.
The Nawal Aj
The Temple of the Foliated Cross. This small temple houses one of the most remarkable and beautiful friezes, the Foliated Cross. Together with those of the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Cross, this forms an architectural version of a codex. It shows both mythic and historical accounts of the ruling dynasty. The three temples together form the cross group, the sacred heart of Palenque. Picture by Mark Elmy
The nawal Aj is related to many things which generally revolve around leadership on an earthly level. It is also known as the cornstalk, sometimes the staff of life. It represents the spinal column within the body, which allows us to stand tall, proud and brave. As the cornstalk, it has its roots in the Earth, and its head in the sky.
If we wish to lead in a just manner, we should cultivate our connection with the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. Above all, Aj is an authority, it is gentle, yet noble. It works quietly for the community it leads. It does not seek the limelight. This is a day that seeks sustenance for its people, that keeps everything in its rightful place. It is a day when we ask for the courage and bravery to stand up straight and tall, to do the right thing.
The Number Five
The Sacred Mayan calendar is said to be a calendar of human life. 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 its five digits. It is with our hands that we work, and with what we earn 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”.
This is a day which highlights the physical journey. The energy of the journey of discovery comes down to Earth as the nawal E’ combines with the number 4.
E’ days always have an auspicious energy about them when it comes to travelling. On E’ days our life path makes its presence known. Sometimes this is not what we were planning at that point with our conscious minds. Synchronicity steps in and puts us back on track. Maybe we meet someone on the road who fulfils that role and takes us in a different direction. If there is a journey to be made, today is certainly a good day for it.
Today, the combination with the number 4 brings that concept very much into the physical realm. It is a day of physical journeys and pay attention to the physical markers on your path. E’ is the essence of the discoverer, not just of the way or the path. It gives us an impulse of exploration, which includes the understanding of how things work. As such today is a great day to get really grounded with your understanding of where you are going and why. It may be a day on which your physical destination helps to ground the discoveries you have made so far along your journey. Pay attention to the way that you walk your physical path and the impact that has on others.
The Deluge
During the course of my reading and research I come across various interesting snippets of information. I just came across this one which I find very interesting. The page below is from the Dresden Codex. I was just investigating the reappearance of Venus as an evening star next week, when I stumbed across this. You may recognise the depiction of Chak Chel (or Ixchel) from my previous posts about Kawok.
Chak Chel (Ixchel) and the sky crocodile rain down water and bring the flood
However, my attention was drawn to some detail I had never noticed. On the water flowing from Ixchel’s jar there is a number and a glyph. The number is 5.1.0 and the glyph is Eb (E’). Apparently, 5.1.0 would be equal to 1820. This would be using the numbers as a date format in the long count (5 Tun, 1 Uinal and 0 Kin (5 x 360) + (1 x 20) + 0). 1820 days is equal to 7 revolutions of the 260 day calendar, so repeating 1820 days would always come back to the day of 4 E’. The next pages in the Dresden Codex give the repeating number 65, and move through 4 No’j, 4 Iq’ and then 4 Kej before returning to 4 E’.
Interestingly, in the sky band on the cosmic caiman’s body, the glyph for Venus is shown. Below it are two solar eclipse glyphs. Apparently 4 E’ (Eb) is seen as the day of the deluge which brings fertility to the world.
The Nawal E’
Footprints mark the road, from the Dresden Codex
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. A 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.
The Number Four
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. It was said to be they 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 good, down-to-Earth number.
Inner creativity would be the best focus today. The energy of B’atz usually brings extroverted creative brilliance. However, the outgoing nature of this creativity may be subdued by the energy of the number 3.
This might be considered to be a rather unusual day of B’atz, and possibly the only one. B’atz is usually thought of as bringing and outgoing, fun-loving and talented energy. However, it could be that today things seem a bit flat. The jokes don’t quite work, the audience doesn’t respond as expected, and the fingers don’t stretch to make the chord happen like they normally do. It’s not to say don’t try. It’s just that external expressions of creativity may be more challenging than normal.
However, there is a focus which may prove beneficial – in the home and on inner creativity. It is more of a planning day, than an action day. Allow your inner creativity to weave ideas within you to manifest to the external world on a more conducive day. This may prove to be an excellent day for creation within the home environment, beautifying your inner world. It could be a great day for applying creative skills to matters of the home such as interior design. It could also be a great day for getting creative in the kitchen!
The Nawal B’atz
Images of weaving using a backstrap loom, from the Madrid Codex
There are two nawales which bestow genius talents, one of which is B’atz, the other being No’j. B’atz is the nawal of artisans and of weavers. This is not just creation and weaving on the Earthly level. It weaves the threads of time together to create reality. B’atz is the nawal of the sacred calendar. The calendar 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, 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.
B’atz 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.
The Number Three
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 lacks stability and can represent challenges and obstructions. The number three brings up internal/external dilemmas. 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 yourself.
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This is the perfect day for a forgiveness ceremony. Energetically wipe the slate clean, and move forward without guilt or resentment. Embrace the beautiful humanity of yourself and others.
