1 No’j (24th January 2025)

23rd January 2025 Mark Elmy 1 Comment

New worlds need new solutions. This is very much the essence of both today and the thirteen-day period (trecena) that we move into today. It is a time of inspiration, which may come from sudden events.

Today we are starting a new trecena. However, we are still within the influential period of the Maya cross of 8 B’atz. In two days, we move into its future sign of 3 Kawok, and the next day of 4 Ajpu can represent the beginning of a new world. It was seen as the creation day, noted on Stela C at Quirigua. This re-creation brings great opportunity for reinvention and resetting, it can also bring challenges to our accepted worldview. Sometimes this may be precipitated by an event, and here No’j acts in both its aspects.

No’j is sometimes associated with earthquakes, also sometimes with lightning. Both of these are energetic events which arrive without warning. They are sudden and sometimes decisive. They might call for quick action, a swift resolution to the effects of the event. This also comes through No’j, the nawal of the brain and the problem solver, bringing us the inspiration to solve problems and think on our feet.

We see it here connected with the number 1, representing birth, the seed of something new. The energy of this combination may bring the new solutions to the issues we face in the world. It may also bring about a whole new way of thinking. A new and sudden revelation may bring clarity to begin seeing a situation from a different perspective. This is just the first formation of an idea. Although it is possibly more than a concept, it will need time and careful nurturing to develop. We begin to see a clear solution to the problem through new inspiration.

Veintena Uchum

In February 2024 we started the Mayan solar year on the day 12 No’j. It has been 340 days since the start of the year 12 No’j. We are entering the eighteenth, and final, full 20 day period of the solar year, or Macewal Q’ij, on the day 1 No’j. Today is the first day of Uchum known as the season of second sowing. The seeds which are planted receive the final blessings of the old Mam 12 No’j in his last breath before his final appearance as 8 No’j, the herald of the Tz’ipin Q’ij, the five directionless days at the end of the solar year.

The Nawal No’j

The nawal No’j is the nawal of thought, of intelligence and intellect. Within the count of days, there are two geniuses. B’atz is the creative genius, and No’j is the intellectual one. No’j is an energy of masculine, logical thought. As the problem solver, it gives ideas and solutions which work in the real world. No’j gives a different way of understanding situations, and through this ability comes innovation. It is thought, but also understanding and, indeed, knowing. As such, No’j is also a day associated with divination.

This energy is not necessarily social, it can lead to becoming absorbed into one’s work, lost in one’s thoughts. The influence of No’j can create ideas which may be very much ahead of their time. Do not be surprised if ideas you have on this day take a little time to catch on. The people you express the ideas to may need a little time to process, to see the genius within the idea. No’j is also one of the classic year-bearers or year lords. As a year bearer, it is thought to be one of the more beneficial and benign energies.

The Number One

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 needs the correct nutrients and conditions to germinate and develop its potential. We also may need encouragement to develop our ideas.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

13 Ajmak (23rd January 2025)

22nd January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

This is a very powerful day of ancestral redemption. Not only can this relate to the living ancestors, but also to those in the spirit world.

Sometimes the burdens we carry are not only our own. They are those of our society. Energies persist through generations, patterns are passed through families long after the initial event. Something was created that we are so far removed from, we may not even realise we are carrying it. The day 13 Ajmak gives us an opportunity for absolution, not only for ourselves but for our ancestral past.

As the nawal of “being human”, sometimes the energy of Ajmak teaches us how to get back up on our feet after we have “fallen.” However, to learn this we have to make a mistake. The energy of today may bring some strong lessons in this regard. This day has the potential for some of the greatest acts of forgiveness, but it also has the potential for some almighty mistakes to be made. It is certainly a day to exercise caution in your decision making process.

Ajmak brings us the opportunity to “bring the sweetness into life” and we do this through true forgiveness. This is the day to make peace, particularly with those who are now in the other world. If there is an unresolved issue, a broken promise or apology to make, today is a day to resolve it, even if that is at a graveside. It is a day to exonerate guilt, blame, shame and remorse, and to release the associated burden so that we can move freely into the creation of the new world.

I’m sorry

Please forgive me

Thank you

I love you

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 Thirteen

The number 13 is the final number. It represents the spirit world. It is said that on Samhain, 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. Both the positive and negative aspects of the day come through strongly. It is a very good day for activities such as divinations. Ceremonies on 13 days are best left to experienced Aj Q’ijab who understand how to work with that energy.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 Tz’ikin (22nd January 2025)

21st January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

This can be a day when your life vision comes together. The nawal Tz’ikin is said to aspire towards perfection. Today it is combined with the number which gathers all of life’s experience.

Tz’ikin is the nawal related to prosperity. It brings this through both giving the vision to create opportunity and its vocal manifestation abilities. Tz’ikin days are generally seen as fortunate, as long as they don’t become too distracting.

The energy of the nawal Tz’ikin should always be seen from the understanding of long-term perspective. The further we can see the more we can understand how to bring true prosperity. Tz’ikin gives us that ability. The energy of Tz’ikin is not about short-term gain at the expense of the future. It is more about a vision of a sustainable future for our families, our children and the environment we all exist in. It helps us to understand how we can all thrive together.

The number 12 gathers together previous experiences, it bundles them together into one collective. When combined with the nawal Tz’ikin, we can see many positive possibilities for this day.

The energy of this day brings into focus past prosperity, and suggests that it can be collected and brought into the now. This could bring an unexpected windfall from a forgotten bank account, or savings box. This is a day where a look through the attic may prove to be a highly profitable experience, although this is also where distractions may arise as objects bring back vivid memories.

It also suggests that previous visions may be combined into a new and highly prosperous idea. This is a day to collect together entrepreneurial flashes into a bundle to see how they might be able to help our family, our community and our environment thrive.

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 12

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 Ix (21st January 2025)

20th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

“Be careful what you wish for” on this day. Ix, the energy of manifestation from the Earth, meets the strong and directionless number 11.

As I have been considering what to write today, one strong image has come into my head repeatedly. It is the scene from the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, where the apprentice uses his abilities to animate the brushes, mops and sponges, then loses control. This image sums up one possibility of the energy today, unintentional manifestation.

It is important today to stay focused, and have clarity about what you are creating. The power of the number 11 is strong, and if harnessed can be very useful. However, truly working with it will require discipline and attention to detail. The Earth is listening, ready to provide us with what we ask of her, and today what we ask for may come a little quicker than expected. This is also a day to remember to thank her for all that she has provided to us, the things which seem disconnected from each other.

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 11

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

10 Aj (20th January 2025)

19th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

This is a day to bring harmony into your community through cooperation and making agreements. The strong and social energy of the number 10 combines with Aj, the nawal of authority and social leadership.

The nawal Aj is seen as a beneficial nawal. Whilst it is a leader, it has passed the stages of control and manipulation. Aj is wise and noble, it is gentle and respected, primarily for the benefits it brings to the community. It represents the harmony within the home. This comes through Aj’s connections with the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. It brings integrity, and the courage to do the right thing. Accordingly, is for the good of all, even when that may be a difficult decision.

Today we see the energy of nawal Aj combined with the energy of the number 10, representing society and community. It can be seen as the fingers of two sets of hands joining together. This can be seen in many ways. These include the shaking of hands representing agreement and friendship and one hand guiding and helping the other forward. It could also be seen as one hand extending to help the bearer of the other up. It shows the benefit gained by all through co-operation and friendliness.

The day 10 Aj is a day to remember that your actions shape the community that you live within. Today is about actively being a member of the community you wish to create, to offer your hand or your assistance where it is required. As a result, this will bring benefits all around, to everyone involved. It brings harmony into your home and community. However, it is also a great day to petition for help from those around you.

The Nawal Aj

The Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque — 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 Ten

The number 10 is another number which demonstrates the connection between the sacred calendar and the human body. As five represents one hand, ten represents two hands coming together. This can be seen as the shaking of hands creating agreement between people. Ten is seen as a good number, a number of community and the laws of society, of acting in harmony.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 E’ (19th January 2025)

18th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The nawal E’ represents the journey of discovery in all senses. Whilst these are generally good days for physical journeys, today may have more emphasis on your life path.

The sacred calendar is used in many ways to integrate our actions with the energies of our world and solar system. It assists us with understanding how to employ natural timing in our everyday lives. It makes our lives easier by using favourable energies to propel our journey. The calendar is circular, it is cyclic. There is no end and there is no beginning. However, there are cycles which use the calendar for their timing. These may be personal cycles, such as a cycle of gestation of your child, or they may be more societal.

Yesterday, a new cycle began, a new ceremonial cycle. Today is the day when the energy of E’ helps us to see and understand our life path. If you are lost, stranded or just plain stuck, this is the day to ask of nawal E’ “show me where I am supposed to be going.” Being as the number 9 also represents the feminine, this may be the day to consult women for the answers to questions about your life path. E’ may answer, through conversations with others, through “little signs”. It is the day to see where life wants to take you.

The Nawal E’

Footprints on the road — 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 Nine

The number nine 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. It is a day on which women may wish to give thanks for their gifts.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

8 B’atz (18th January 2025)

17th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

Wajxakib B’atz

Today is one of the most important days in the sacred calendar. It is the beginning of the new ceremonial cycle. The nawal B’atz represents the thread of time. The sacred calendar is a representation of how that thread is woven to create reality. It is the nawal B’atz that brings the creativity to our world, re-creating and renewing all around us.

Both the number 8 and the nawal B’atz have a connection with gestation. It is said that the umbilical cord has 8 strands to it. This brings the nourishment to the new life being brought into being. Here, within the Maya cross, we see 8 B’atz sitting between 13 Aq’ab’al (the conception from the ancestors) and 3 Kawok (the day of the midwife/birth process). These precede the day 4 Ajpu (the first day of the new world). It is on 8 B’atz that the new world receives its nourishment within the womb of creation. This comes from the prayers and offerings made in the ceremonies.

We all have some talent to create, through words, music, food or images. We also have the ability to shape the world around us, our homes, our families, our communities. This is the day that we give thanks for our creative abilities, the day to gather inspiration from what you have created before and combine it with a new concept or method. Today we put all our love and energy into nurturing the new world soon to be birthed into being. It is the day where we embrace, and are empowered by, the wholeness of creation.

Initiation

This is the day of initiation of new Aj Q’ij’ab, where the baton is passed from the old to the new. It is the day of celebration of the Chol Q’ij, the sacred calendar. The calendar brings our ability to navigate through life using the cycles of time effectively. From the dawn of this day, the shrines and altars within the Maya lands will be packed with Aj Q’ij’ab making offerings and prayers on behalf of not just their communities, but the world as a whole. They are imparting the love and wisdom of the old world into the new world which is being woven. This is the day where the seam is created joining the previous weaving of creation, completed on 7 B’atz (40 days ago), with the new weaving started in 1 B’atz (20 days ago). Here, the past and the future are joined.

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 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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

7 Tz’i (17th January 2025)

16th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

Today we can see cycles of faith concluding. This is the last day before the beginning of a new ceremonial cycle. The nawal Tz’i has completed its task of lovingly guiding us through this time.

Today can be seen as a day to release one guide to allow another to come in. Here we see the nawal Tz’i on top of the pyramid, having accompanied us to our destination. This is the conclusion of our journey through the ceremonial cycle. The old guide now fades away. The new guide steps forward to accompany us through the next 260 days.

With the nawal Tz’i representing justice, this may be a day when legal matters come to a head. This may be related to social justice where the unethical are finally brought to task over their behaviour. Justice needs to be served to bring society into balance before the new ceremonies start. This is a day to petition the nawal Tz’i to help you finalise any outstanding legal matter. If you are in a drawn out legal process, today is the day to conclude matters.

This finality of justice will involve some ultimate judgement. However, it is important to remember that another property of the nawal Tz’i is unconditional love. Here we see this combined with the number that gives the ability to see all points of view. This enables us to make judgement with the ability to view the differences unconditionally, bringing a particular fairness to the outcome.

Consequently, we can look to bring ourselves into balance today, and with the energy of Tz’i guiding us, our focus may be on bringing balance to the natural world through upholding the natural laws. It is a day to petition the nawal Tz’i for guidance in doing so.

The Nawal Tz’i

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 acts on instinct, disregarding reason when hormonally driven. This aspect of Tz’i is particularly bad, and when it fails, it does so dramatically, 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. 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 we can understand both loyalty and instinct through their actions. Tz’i is also the guide and protector on life’s path, ensuring that it’s 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. However, be aware that your loyalty may be tested by temptation.

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

6 Toj (16th January 2025)

15th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

As the nawal Toj represents offerings , it also represents debts. Here we see the two coming into balance. This is a day to bring stability through service and payments.

The number 6 is seen as representing the six values of the family. At least three of those can be directly related to finances – property, employment and actions. Issues with any of those may lead to incurring debts which put the family out of balance. This in turn causes disharmony in the home.

Today is a day to focus on familiar debts. In particular, bring harmony to the family by paying off anything which is outstanding. Additionally, this is a potent day to make some forward payments. Get yourself in credit in preparation for future events. Whilst this is all phrased financially, it is an expression of what is happening on an energetic level.

When we make fire ceremonies, we do not offer money to the fire. We make offerings of flowers, incense and candles, but more importantly, we make offerings of our words and our time. These are the most valuable payments we can make, our life breath and our life energy. They are the most precious resources at your disposal to bring stability to your family. These resources can be used in a ceremonial way, or they can just be used within your family. This is the day to repay the goodwill shown within your family through your words and your deeds. This brings balance into your home, it keeps everything healthy on both the physical and energetic levels. After all, they will be empowered by the four directions, the Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky.

Worthwhile Recipients of Your Donations

When I mention programs, it is because I know the people involved and can vouch that your donations will go towards helping the people for which they are intended.

Bringing Water Stability to Families

A wonderful, highly active project to bring water stability to families is Water4Life Global. Jenna MacEwan and her team have been making a difference to peoples’ lives since 2018. They provide water filters to local families throughout Guatemala, thereby giving direct access to clean drinking water. Additionally, they are directly involved in action which helps to clean up the local sources of water. This is achieved through greywater treatment projects, reforestation and education. To learn more or donate, please visit: https://water4lifeglobal.org/donate/

The Midwife Project

In their words: “Our Mission is to offer safe, dignified and culturally appropriate health care to women in Guatemala by empowering indigenous midwives through education. We focus on revaluing the Mayan ancestral knowledge while integrating modern medical practices. With the creation of Holistic Clinic(s) & Birthing Center(s) as a meeting ground and model project. Our Vision is that every woman has access to humane, respected and safe birth care. The midwives and women are empowered to lead the creation of a thriving community where those who are most vulnerable have their needs met, and men support the women in creating this healthy and vibrant family and community structure.”

You can check out their site and donate here: https://www.midwifeproject.net/donate

Konojel

I mention the Konojel program and their work in San Marcos la Laguna. They have turned from a basic, “let’s make sure bellies are full” program to one of much more social development. You can check out their programs and donate here https://konojel.org/donate

ODIM

Within the village of San Pablo la Laguna, there is an organisation doing great work. They are called ODIM and specialise in medical and educational services. However, during the pandemic restrictions, they helped feed many people, but this is in addition to their regular, long-term work there. You can find out more about them through this link http://www.odimguatemala.org/donate

The Nawal Toj

The nawal Toj represents offerings and payment. It is part of the name Tojil, a Mayan god who gave fire to the people. However, this was not a gift. Tojil asked in return for a 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 where we make offerings to burn away karmic debts. In this way we restore balance, and we bring our accounts back to zero.

It is through selfless acts that we can access the divine protection that Toj carries. Naturally, these acts might involve a sacrifice of our time or energy to strengthen our community. We can choose to act or we can choose to ignore. However, ignoring an opportunity to make a payment on a Toj day might bring the removal of the protection. We should always make our payments with an open heart. However, 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.

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

5 Q’anil (15th January 2025)

14th January 2025 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The day 5 Q’anil is a day to work on ripening yourself and the world around you. Whilst your effort may not be immediately rewarded, it will be multiplied as time progresses.

Q’anil represents the bright shining light within the world. This is something often demonstrated by the people who carry this nawal. The combined energy of the number 5 suggests that it may be a little challenging to be the light in the darkness today.

There are some days where using additional energy results in exhaustion as the energy of the day is not conducive. It might feel like you are pushing against a brick wall. Maybe you feel you are wasting your time or energy on something of no benefit. Today has the exact opposite energy. Today the energy put into your work or your project will be magnified by the fruitful and productive nawal Q’anil. This brings the possibility of a great harvest in the future.

However, some reserve is required. Sometimes we become impatient with our process, impatient with our crops. This can lead us to take our harvest before it is ready. We might lose out on our future abundance for want of immediate gratification. Be aware that the effort you put in to your work may not bring immediate results. You are setting a larger ripening process in motion. This is a day to enjoy the process. Look to the future abundance and allow nature to take its course. After all, the next appearance of the nawal Q’anil will be 12 Q’anil suggesting the gathering of the ripened crop.

The Nawal Q’anil

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. Q’anil also represents human beings coming to their greatest point of perfection, their ripeness.

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. People carrying Q’anil energy can 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 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”.

The Four Pillars

Monthly Archives: January 2025