Category Archives: Chol Q’ij – The Energies of the Days

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 No’j 0 Nabe Mam – The Seating of the New Mam 12 No’j

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The seating of the new Mam 12 No’j is a significant moment in the 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 and drinking. 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 12 No’j, which carries the energy of the day as well as the energy of the new year. The properties and benefits brought by the Nawal 12 No’j are discussed in my post for the day of 12 No’j, here. The energy of this day represents the energy that we will experience throughout the year. It is a year that is likely to be focused on thought, knowledge, and how to consolidate what we already know. This could be a great year to write a book!

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 2 No’j (June 18, 2024).

No’j Years

The last time we experienced a No’j year was 2020, which was the year 8 No’j. That year could have been seen as drawing on our knowledge of both the dark and the light to solve problems. It lasted from 20th February 2020 through to 18th February 2021. I think it would be said by many that was a year we will never forget. We faced something we had not faced in living history. As a result we drew on the wholeness of our knowledge to find solutions. This came at all levels as we reworked our daily lives.

Today we welcome Mam No’j in again and we understand we will need to find solutions. This year calls us to review all we have learned. We have already been given all the answers, it is just up to us now to put them into practice. Draw deeply on what you have learned and apply your knowledge.

As the philosopher George Santayana “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (The Life of Reason, 1905) It is therefore up to us to record our now, our information, our thoughts and our knowledge. This act of consolidation our knowledge gives us the opportunity to pass it on to future generations.

The cycle of the year bearers repeats every 52 years. Although we don’t relive the same experiences, we may notice similarities with the last time this Mam was in office. Mam 12 No’j took office on March 3, 1972. This gives us a chance to learn from the past and avoid repeating past mistakes. If you are interested in major events that occurred in 1972, please click here.

The Seating of the New Mam 12 No'j

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 No’j (19th February 2024)

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12 N'ojIntellect without experience does not always solve problems. Today brings an energy which collects past experiences and pairs them with intellect, possibly bringing new relevance to old ideas.

No’j, is the nawal of the brain, the problem solver is a bringer of inspiration and solutions. Every day we learn something new in general our level of experience rises as we travel our life path. Some of this is of immediate use and some of it seems irrelevant at the time, but it all seems to get filed away somewhere. Sometimes those concepts or ideas become relevant with the perspective we gain as we move further along our life path.

As we come towards the end of our journey through the Kame trecena, the time of our spiritual transformation, we might ask ourselves what we choose to transform into. What is our grand plan and how can we make it happen?

The combination of the energy of the nawal No’j with the energy of the number 12 gathers our past thoughts and ideas together, as our life experience joins them into one unified plan. The intellect and problem solving abilities No’j bestows could give the opportunity to put together parts of our personal jigsaw that we couldn’t recognise as relevant before.

The Nawal No’j

A depiction of the Earth Lord, the patron of the day Caban (N'oj). <yoastmark class=

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 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 Ajmak 4 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Final Closing Day

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The Final Closing DayThe final closing day completes these days of introspection and retreat. Whilst this is the day when we can see the dawn of the new year coming, it may also be the most difficult day. It is the day when we start the process of emergence from the chrysalis.

The energy of the day 11 Ajmak brings an essence of forgiveness and acceptance. This is not a simple or straightforward forgiveness, this is coming at us from all directions. It asks us to look at the past, present and future from the point of view of forgiveness. Ajmak also encourages us to redeem ourselves, to accept ourselves and others for exactly who we are.

The final closing day crystallises the process we have been through. Here we understand that it is about what we wish to carry into the new year. It gives us an opportunity to release any burdens of guilt, blame or shame before the new year arrives.

What do you want to leave with the casing of your previous year? Are you ready to forgive and transform? What a wonderful way to bid farewell to the Mam 11 E’ and welcome the Mam 12 No’j.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

11 Ajmak (18th February 2024)

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11 AjmakAre you ready to forgive and transform? Today, we may find ourselves facing things from our past that we may have wanted to forget rather than forgive. If we want to move on to our future, we have to be at peace with our past.

We are here on Earth to embrace and enjoy our humanity, all aspects of life. Of course, we aspire to great things and to be “good” people. However, even when we try to do the right thing, sometimes it ends up causing problems for ourselves or others. Sometimes we also do sneaky things. They are not in our best interests or those of the people around us. We hope that we won’t get found out. We get seduced by the sensual and fall off our path.

This is all a part of our humanity. It is our greatest strength and our greatest weakness. If we make the journey without ever making a mistake, we miss out on the experiences for which we started the journey. These experiences help us to grow, but we also need to know when the experience is done. We need to understand how to keep the lesson and release the emotional attachment to the experience. Guilt, shame, and blame can act as signposts, reminding us of the consequences of our actions. They were markers along the way, pointing out the direction of our journey and how we move towards our destination. The signpost is a useful guide, but if we choose to carry it on our back, it will burden us and slow us down.

As we move through this trecena of Kame, this period of spiritual transformation, we have to rid ourselves of the excess baggage of guilt or blame. We can do this through the practice of 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 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 Tz’ikin (17th February 2024)

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10 Tz'ikinToday is a day to share your vision with your community and ask for help to make it a reality.

 

A community prospers when each member is strong and healthy, and when they support each other during times of need. Every member brings their own wisdom and energy to the community, and they are valued for their contribution. When support is freely given and accepted, it benefits everyone in the community.

Change can be difficult. However, during this trecena of Kame, we may need some help to achieve our vision of transformation. Tz’ikin is the day of visions, and these visions can bring prosperity to yourself and your community. Prosperity can come in many forms, such as financial gain, greater wisdom, or understanding. Sometimes, our visions may be grand and require skills or knowledge that we don’t possess.

Your community may be looking for your advice to help them see things from a different perspective. Perhaps to help identify what they are missing in their plan. The willingness to share your vision and support each other can bring prosperity to both you and your community.

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 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

10 Tz’ikin 3 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Fourth Closing Day

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The Fourth Closing DayThe fourth closing day during the period of Tz’apin Q’ij is associated with definition. In this solar cycle, it is combined with the energy of a day which has some very profound meanings.

We have passed through the three previous days and identified where we are. This time has you helped to identify your strengths and your weaknesses, and asked you to accept this as a part of your connection to the Earth?  Now with the experience, knowledge and understanding of yourself, it is time to start charting your course for the coming year of 12 No’j.

The energy of the day 10 Tz’ikin brings a spirit of community vision. The nawal Tz’ikin helps us to see the way forward. It brings us the visions which help us to thrive. Today this is combined with the number 10, which focuses on community and cooperation. Bringing these together we can understand just why it might be such an interesting day. It brings the essence of a shared community vision, one of prosperity for all. Within the energy, there is a sense of cooperation and bonding, if one thrives all thrive.

Today we combine that with the energy of the fourth closing day, that of definition. It brings a drive not to just have a vision as some kind of fantasy, but asks us to define it. In our time of introspection and retreat we have space to do this.

This is, therefore, a day to really define our vision for our community for the coming year of 12 No’j.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 Ix (16th February 2024)

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9 IxThis alignment can be seen as a day to honour our mothers and the Earth. The most feminine nawal, Ix, is paired with the number 9 which represents the divine feminine.

Ix has a motherly energy to her, nurturing and caring for all of her offspring. She is the spirit of Mother Earth, the source of all the matter in our world. She is the beauty of nature, but can also be fierce when needed to keep her children safe.

We ask our mother for what we need, through our words and prayers, making offerings at natural shrines and altars such as caves and springs. She always listens and provides, but sometimes we forget to say thank you for what she has given us.

During the Kame trecena, as we approach transformation, we give thanks for all the things our mother has given us. We thank Mother Earth for our connection to her and for the feminine spirit of love and compassion which assist our transformation.

Ix is a day to remember the magic within ourselves and to celebrate the feminine essence of life itself. Women are the birth givers, the ones who create new life, which is the greatest magic of all.

Thus, 9 Ix is a day to express gratitude to our mothers and all women in our lives for everything they provide for us. It is a perfect day to show our appreciation to the Earth by giving flowers, both physical and verbal, at natural shrines and altars. In return, she will bring her magic into our lives.

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
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 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

9 Ix 2 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Third Closing Day

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The Third Closing DayThe third closing day focuses on acceptance. If you are using these 5 days to close the solar year, it is a good day to understand what you choose to accept from the previous solar year. It is also a day which might highlight what you cannot accept.

Here we see this third closing day combined with both the nawal and the number of the feminine. Ix is strongly connected with the Earth and our ability to manifest with her. Yet we also see disrespect towards her daily. We see how certain elements of society are destroying the only home we know, the only known habitable planet for humans.

It might ask us to question what we have accepted and what we can no longer accept. As we move out of this year of exploration, discovery and learning, 11 E’, how can we use what we have found? As we move into the year 12 No’j can we come up with a solution which will benefit the Earth?

She is our source of life, but she also brings out our magic. Sometimes this might be difficult to accept too. What has reminded you of the magic of your connection to the Earth in the past year? Are you ready to accept a profound connection to the Earth, and to your own abilities?

Sometimes we also have to accept that we did what we could. Maybe we might have done more, maybe we will achieve tha in teh next solar cycle.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

8 Aj (15th February 2024)

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8 AjA ceremony for harmony within our home, family and community would be appropriate today. A solid foundation gives us the strength to stand tall and a harmonious home and loving family give this foundation. We sustain them and they sustain us.

The energy of the nawal Aj is about doing the right thing. It is fair and just, which is why it represents the true leader. The true leader might not even be recognised at first. They do not need to prove their authority to anyone. However, they are the ones that are sought when problems arise, for their wise counsel. The true leader has compassion and love perfectly balanced with authority and strength.

Today we can draw on both the masculine and feminine aspects of the qualities of the four directions – vitality, wisdom, spirit and healing. This creates a balance of energy and brings it into our homes and communities. Additionally, the nawal Aj has a connection to the Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. Allow the wise counsel of the wholeness of the nawal Aj to arbitrate in disputes and seek resolution. This in turn will bring strength and harmony to all who are involved.

A true leader also has experience, and here we see the 8 incorporating the 1 and the 7, the birth and the death, the highs and the lows of life. We draw our wisdom and strength from both aspects so that we can sustain others through their dark times. It is also a day on which we may ask Aj to bring this strength to us should we need it at the moment.

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. 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 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

8 Aj 1 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Second Closing Day

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The second day of the Tz’apin Q’ij (Wayeb) is said to represent recognition of yourself, during your introspective period. On this day of Aj, this could help us to recognise the leader within.

It is once again a fascinating combination for this day of the solar year. 8 Aj is a day of celebration of leadership, of standing up for what is right. Ceremonies can be made on 8 Aj to ask for leaders to draw on wholeness. It should help us understand that to embody the wholeness of the leader we need both authority and compassion. A compassionate leader without authority will be ineffective. An authoritative leader without compassion will be a tyrant. An effective leader can balance all aspects.

If we they bring these understandings together with this day of introspection we find some interesting reflections. As we finish up this solar year, this day of introspection may ask us to recognise the leader within ourselves. In particular, how do you act when faced with opportunities to lead? Aj is related to the spinal column and the spinal column is related to our strength and courage. It gives Aj the ability to stand up for what is just and right. Do you recognise this in yourself? In the past 360 days have there been times when you could have spoken out but didn’t? Has your action or inaction brought greater or lesser harmony in your community or family?

By analysing these things on this day of recognition we have the opportunity to strengthen ourselves. We can move into the next solar cycle with our spines straightened and strengthened. We can be ready to take on the mantle of leadership when it is asked of us.