Daily Archives: 17th February 2026

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

New Video – The New Mam and The Kej Trecena (18th February – 2nd March 2026)

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The Kej Trecena gives us the opportunity to reconnect with the the natural world and the cycles of nature, nourishing the leader within each one of us.

You’ll find the YouTube link at the bottom of this page. However, I am now making these recordings available as a podcast! You can find it on Spotify, Amazon Music, Castbox and iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts and Deezer too!

For those of you who prefer a short format daily video, you can also find the trecena video divided into 13 shorter versions on TikTok. You can find me here https://www.tiktok.com/@mark.elmy or as @mark.elmy on the app.

Calendar Workshop

If you would like to dive deeper into the sacred calendar, I will be running a workshop via Zoom from 11 am to 3 pm (Guatemala time, UTC -6) from 23rd – 27th  February 2026. There are currently spaces available. For more information, please go to https://thefourpillars.net/maya-calendar-workshop/

Readings and Divinations

For many years I have made readings of people’s nawal to help them understand their lifepath, talents and challenges. I also make readings for partnerships and Tz’ite divinations on questions. If this is of interest to you, please click this link to book a reading or divination

The Jun E’ Journey

Are you feeling ready for a new adventure? Perhaps some time trekking intentionally in the jungle of northern Guatemala would satisfy your need for a disconnection from the modern world. The JunAjpu journey has filled up, but I was approached to see if it would be possible to make another journey in spring of 2026. I checked the calendar and found another auspicious trecena, the trecena of E’, would fall within the trekking period. The Jun E’ journey will take place between April 23rd and May 4th 2026. For more information, please visit https://thefourpillars.net/the-jun-e-journey/

1 Kej / 2026 Calendar

My 2026 calendar is now available. The calendar shows the days of the Chol Q’ij, formatted onto the Gregorian calendar. Currently it is available electronically as a PDF in both English and Spanish. See this link ‎for details on how to get your pdf  https://thefourpillars.net/2026-calendar/

Printed versions, in English, are available locally in Guatemala in San Marcos La Laguna at Lava Love Cacao and Palo Santo and in San Juan la Laguna at the candle shop of Nana Maria Feliciana, opposite Banrural, across from the flete parking. . They will also soon be available in the USA through Soul Lift Cacao through this link https://soulliftcacao.com/

Google Calendar Plugin

For the more technically minded I have also created a plugin for Google Calendar. This enables you to track the days of the sacred calendar on your smartphone. In this way you can ensure that your activities are aligned to the most conducive energies! I have also added a description to every day, just click on the day name. It is available for purchase https://thefourpillars.net/google-calendar-plugin/

Great Programs to Support!

When I mention programs within my videos, 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.

Water4Life Global – 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

Here’s the link for the Kej trecena video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/j_kmu7XynCk

[https://youtu.be/j_kmu7XynCk]

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

1 Kej 0 Nabe Mam – The New Solar Cycle Begins

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The seating of the new Mam 1 Kej is a significant moment in the highland Maya solar calendar. It marks the end of the Tz’apin Q’ij, or closing days, and the end of the period of retreat. It signals a time to leave our “caves” and re-enter the real world. In some communities, this occasion is celebrated with feasting. The new Mam, who will guide us through the next revolution of the sun, is welcomed into the world.

This year is governed by the Mam 1 Kej, which carries the energy of the day as well as the energy of the new year. The properties and benefits brought by the Nawal 1 Kej are discussed in my post for the day of 1 Kej, here. The energy of this day represents the energy that we will experience throughout the year. While Kej years have a reputation for being strong and possibly “bullish” years, I feel the combination with the number 1 will tame the deer energy a little.

The new Mam may take some time to settle in, usually over the first 20 days. Even though the “administration” has changed, it takes time for all the promises made during the campaign to be fulfilled. Nothing in nature moves in a square wave; it’s always a gentle transition, more like a sine wave. This is the first light of dawn, and we are still experiencing a little of the cold of the night. It will not be until midday, the height of the cycle. We will then experience the fullest expression of the energy of this year lord. We can expect this to occur in around 140 days, on 4 Kej (June 18, 2026).

The Year 1 Kej

The last time we experienced a Kej year was 2022, which was the year 10 Kej. Kej years are known to be powerful, sometimes headstrong, as the deer or the horse show their strength and leadership. Kej is also associated with spiritual leadership and sometimes Kej will push us into situations where we have to take on that role. In order to do so, we ourselves need to be strong and connected with nature and Kej will make sure this happens. It is a year about connecting with the wilderness, the natural world.

Our focus may have shifted as we have been distracted by political theatre and modern technology. As successive scandals emerge, each one seemingly more obscene than its predecessor, we cannot help but pay attention. AI has become more accessible in all its forms. Chat bots take the place of human interaction in an increasingly divided and lonely society. Artists and creatives increasingly find themselves replaced by AI, as society creates “perfect” images of itself, each mask becoming more lifelike than the last. The illusion becomes more and more pervasive until the line between true and false becomes so blurred we can no longer discern it. To do this, data centres equal the energy consumption of small countries and take the natural resources away from the local people. As you may have guessed, I do not use AI in my work!

A Reconnection with Nature

With Kej’s strong emphasis on the natural world, and the number 1 may representing novelty, perhaps a renaissance is due. Only after consuming the artificial for so long can the pendulum swing, and humanity reach a turning point. Our connection with nature, our study of natural cycles and patterns, truly connects us with our world. We have to start this reboot somewhere and 1 Kej would be a prime example of when that might happen. Humanity looks up from their screens to true beauty and power of nature. In doing so we remember how to live on our planet, and the importance of caring for it.

The 52-Year Cycle

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 1974, when Mam 1 Kej would have taken his seat on the Gregorian day 3rd 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 1 Kej.

There were some very interesting events in the last the 1 Kej year – the resignations of many world leaders including the US president Richard Nixon (over the Watergate scandal), the UK Prime Minister Edward Heath, the Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, the Portuguese Prime Minister Marcello Caetano and West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. Perhaps this is a year of renewal of leadership?

 

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

1 Kej (18th February 2026)

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1 KejA reconnection with nature could be a good theme for this day and the entire thirteen day period it begins. It is a time to be guided and inspired by the power of the natural world.

With the potential represented by the number 1 and the power of the natural world represented by Kej, this should prove to be a very interesting day. Nature does not have polarities, it just is. Our judgement creates these polarities. We may judge nature as harsh and unforgiving, or inspiring and beautiful. Much will depend on our experience and the depth of our connection with nature. The wilderness can tell us many things, but we have to connect with it to understand them.

Here we have the potential to draw strength from the natural world should we choose to. If you have the opportunity, take a walk in the wild woods, embrace the elements and feel the power of nature. Always remember this is a two way street. Just as the wilderness can empower you, it needs your love and protection too. 1 Kej may be an excellent day to start a conservation or protection program for your local environment. Look after her and she will look after you.

It is a day where encouragement from others can bring great strength and determination. This applies to your actions too, it is a great day to share a few words to empower others.

The Nawal Kej

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.

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.