Tag Archives: Sacrifice

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

7 Toj (18th November 2020)

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7 TojThe energy of the nawal of payment combined with the number of endings can leave little doubt of flavour for this day. It is a day to finalise any debts, both physical and energetic.

Life proceeds through energetic interactions. We consume energy in one form or another and then we return it, often in a different form. Even when it comes down to the air we breathe or the water we drink, there is some form of exchange going on. To come to a state of harmony within the world that we live, balance must be achieved. In this modern world, sometimes we defer these debts, whether they are financial or not. We take something, often with the intention of resolving the imbalance as soon as we can, but then end up forgetting these debts, especially the small. Individually this is not always too much of a problem,we can proceed with a small imbalance, but many small items eventually cause us to fall out of harmony. This in turn may lead to a state of disease and an illness may occur.

Toj days remind us to keep our promises, to make our payments in whatever form they might take. They might be physical or financial, or they might be words of gratitude, whether to our physical providers or to our environment. These simple acts help to keep us healthy, it is in our own interests to make these exchanges, to return what we have used.

With the number 7 highlighting finality, this is the day to make the final payment of any outstanding debts, whether they are in this world or another. If there is something which has been dragging on in your life for sometime, today is a beneficial day to resolve it. It could even be a day to comb through your affairs and search for anything you may have forgotten. Payments made today may give rise to a greater benefit than you realise.

Main photo credit: Jay Rasmussen

The nawal Toj represents offerings and payment. It is part of the name Tojil, a Mayan god who gave fire to the people, although this was not a free gift. Tojil asked in return for 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, and it is to the fire that we make offerings in order to burn away what would commonly be known as karmic debts. In this way we restore balance, we bring our accounts back to zero.

Toj carries with it a form of divine protection, which is enhanced through selfless acts. These acts might involve a sacrifice of our time or energy in order to strengthen our community. We can choose to act or we can choose to ignore, but be aware – ignoring an opportunity to make a payment on a Toj day might bring a ill fortune, the removal of the protection. Payment should be made with an open heart, 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.

Number Sequence.jpg
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.

The number seven is the mid-point of the range of numbers. It is 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.

The numbers of the days set out as a pyramid.
The numbers of the days as they appear through the trecena. Here they can also be set out as a pyramid, reaching the peak is also the end of a journey.

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

6 Toj (9th October 2020)

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6 TojAs the nawal Toj represents offerings , it also represents debts. Here we see the two coming into balance. This is a day to bring stability by ensuring payments are made.

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 and cause disharmony in the home.

Today is a day to focus on familiar debts in particular, to bring harmony to the family by paying off anything which is outstanding. Additionally this is a potent day to make some forward payment, to get yourself in credit in preparation for future events. Whilst this is all phrased in a financial way, it is of course just 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.

This is the biggest boulder which came crashing down the mountain, destroying homes and lives. Picture credit: Nehemias Sancoy

I would like to put in a word about the tragedy which has happened in our community of San Marcos la Laguna. On the evening of 3 Kame (6th October 2020) a huge boulder fell from the top of one of the mountains and destroyed approximately 12 homes, leaving 4 people dead and several injured. On this day of Toj, making an offering to help care for those who have lost their homes and those who have been evacuated in case of a further landslide, which is highly likely if we get heavy rain. Being as this is traditionally the wettest part of rainy season, this also seems highly likely. Having just come out of the presidential restrictions due to the pandemic, it feels like the town is being hit again, this time with a very physically present tragedy. If you would like to make a donation, Utz Familia was set up to help with food distribution during the pandemic. They already have their infrastructure in place and a making sure that every donation makes a difference to the local community here. You can find their gofundme page here if you wish to donate. 

 

The nawal Toj represents offerings and payment. It is part of the name Tojil, a Mayan god who gave fire to the people, although this was not a free gift. Tojil asked in return for 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, and it is to the fire that we make offerings in order to burn away what would commonly be known as karmic debts. In this way we restore balance, we bring our accounts back to zero.

Toj carries with it a form of divine protection, which is enhanced through selfless acts. These acts might involve a sacrifice of our time or energy in order to strengthen our community. We can choose to act or we can choose to ignore, but be aware – ignoring an opportunity to make a payment on a Toj day might bring a ill fortune, the removal of the protection. Payment should be made with an open heart, 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 is said to be the number of ultimate stability. It is the first of the three middle numbers of the cycle, the balance point neither too strong nor too weak. It is a day frequently used for ceremony thanks to its conducive energy. It represents the four directions with the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. It also represents family, relating to the six qualities that nourish and hold families together – health, understanding, property, employment, friendship and actions.

The cross at the top of the central hill, Paclom, in Momostenango. Paclom is known as "the six place" and the two armed cross represents the four directions combining with the Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This picture was taken on Wajxakib B'atz, February 2010.
The cross at the top of the central hill, Paclom, in Momostenango. Paclom is known as “the six place” and the two armed cross represents the four directions combining with the Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This picture was taken on Wajxakib B’atz, February 2010.
Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

5 Toj (30th August 2020)

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5 TojThe day 5 Toj is another day where the number and the nawal represent the same idea. Both are seen as representatives of the sacred fire and through the fire we make payments to keep our lives in balance.

The energy of 5 Toj would strongly suggest the payment of debts being achieved through work. Of course, this is the way that debts are resolved, either financially or through trade. It is a day of service, a day to ensure the goodwill of those around you through your work. However, today there is a special significance to this. Whilst the work may be hard, on 5 days in particular, the result is directly proportional to the effort involved. This would suggest that putting all your energy, your focus and your love into your service today will really go a long way to resolving any debts which need clearing. This will also stand you in good stead for your future, helping to keep you healthy and in balance.

If you have outstanding payments to be made, this is the day to make them.

Fire in the sky image by Marybel Iriondo

The Sacred Fire Where The Debts Are Paid – Patchanka by Jelena Ka

The nawal Toj represents offerings and payment. It is part of the name Tojil, a Mayan god who gave fire to the people, although this was not a free gift. Tojil asked in return for 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, and it is to the fire that we make offerings in order to burn away what would commonly be known as karmic debts. In this way we restore balance, we bring our accounts back to zero.

Toj carries with it a form of divine protection, which is enhanced through selfless acts. These acts might involve a sacrifice of our time or energy in order to strengthen our community. We can choose to act or we can choose to ignore, but be aware – ignoring an opportunity to make a payment on a Toj day might bring a ill fortune, the removal of the protection. Payment should be made with an open heart, 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 Sacred Mayan calendar is often said to be a calendar of human life, and parts of 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 it’s five digits. It is with our hands that we work, and with what we earn for that work that 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”.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

2 Kame (27th August 2020)

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2 KameThe combination of the nawal of death and the number which represents self sacrifice sounds rather ominous, but today could actually give rise to a fortuitous breakthrough.

The nawal Kame may mean death, but it pertains to the changes we go through, in our mortal bodies, that bring out our better self. It relates to the moments where we go through an experience that takes us to the next level. Sometimes this can be very strong, an event where we have a near death experience for example makes us re-evaluate our place in the world and how we conduct ourselves. This is an extreme, but obviously it is not always like this.

The number 2 represents duality and can be indecisive. This could represent that an opportunity to go through a great change, one that advances you on your life path, is in front of you. It may seem like something as fearsome as death, a great challenge to overcome. It is your choice as to whether to accept the challenge or not. The energy of 2 Kame may bring a day for evaluating a choice, possibly a decision on whether or not to face something you fear. As we are moving in the Kan trecena, it would suggest that the outcome of embracing the change would be growth in both wisdom and power. This is also a day to recognise the self-sacrifice made by our ancestors, and the wisdom which has come to us as a result.

With the number 2 also representing relationships, today can be seen as a day on which you may experience a profound change, something which feels like it reaches you at a soul level, as a result of an interaction with a partner. This can be an understanding of the self sacrifice that someone will make on your behalf, or the sacrifice of your time and energy that you make on behalf of someone dear to you. Either of these may give rise to you moving towards a higher expression of yourself, engaging with your inner hero.

Kame relates to death, which often makes people nervous. However, this nawal is seen as an extremely positive day. Birth is the gateway into the mortal life, death the gateway into the eternal. In many shamanistic traditions, the initiate goes through several death experiences during training. This can be through the use of particular herbs, or sometimes through accident or illness. In these experiences the density of the mortal realm falls away and the greater understanding emerges. It can often be described as a spiritual transformation. In the Popul Vuh, the Mayan book of creation, the Hero Twins descend to the underworld, Xibalba, to confront the Lords of Death. They pass the many challenges set for them, but eventually end up being tricked by the Lord of Death. Instead of giving in, the Hero Twins choose to sacrifice themselves. They give instructions to a pair of seers to convince the Lords of Death to grind the Twins’ bones to dust and throw the dust in the river. Everything went according to plan and five days later the twins appeared as catfish in the river, then transformed into vagabond “magicians”. In this way we see a literal transformation from the crusader (Tijax) through death (Kame) to the higher self (Ix). This is the potential of the Kame day, to face ones fears and attain a higher perspective, to advance the journey of your soul. This is also a day to remember your ancestors and friends that have passed into the other realm, to remember what they taught you, and to thank them for their wisdom that helped you to grow.

The number 2 is representative of duality, of polarity. Although it is a low number it has surprising strength as it is said to be able to call upon both aspects or polarities of what it is attached to. It is said to be the number of lovers, it signifies relationships and self-sacrifice. Whilst it can lend itself to mediation, seeing both sides of the story, it also can be indecisive.