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

7 B’atz (26th August 2025)

7 B'atzWhether you are creating art, or applying the idea of weaving as a metaphor for life, today is a day to put the finishing touches to your creation.

The finality represented by the number 7 is combined with the nawal representing creativity and gestation. The energy of the nawal B’atz bestows an abundance of creative energy. This can sometimes make it difficult to decide where to begin. It brings the ability to weave concepts together. When combined with the number 7 these concepts could be from many different sources. It is as if the whole spectrum of colourful threads is at your disposal and you can see the beauty of each colour.

The question will be which colour to choose. With B’atz representing the master artisan, it is unlikely that you would make the wrong choice. B’atz will help you to bring out the exquisite in your work, so it is time to choose which of these colours or concepts you will use to finish your creation. The day 7 B’atz is a great day to complete creative projects.

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 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.

7 the final step

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.

 

6 Tz’i (25th August 2025)

6 Tz'i Sometimes our faith or trust in our instinct is shaken. Today may help you recall the  unconditional love, faith and loyalty that brings true stability, especially with our family.

As the nawal of unconditional love, Tz’i has the potential to be one of the most altruistic. It is a friendly and helpful energy, which guides and accompanies us on our journeys. Tz’i is instinctual, which is why it sometimes gets into trouble. However, it is those instincts which can also bring out its best aspects. These instincts also bring loyalty through the ability to see past the current surface issue and remain faithful.

Today brings the balanced and stable number 6 together with these qualities. Sometimes life brings moments when we wonder why we are putting our energy into a situation. Why do we continue to support particular people or ideas. Today can be a day when a wavering doubt becomes stabilised, when your ability to trust your instincts is confirmed. It is a day when your faith in life receives input from the physical properties of the four directions, and the divine properties of the Heart of the Sky and Heart of the Earth.

This is also a favourable day for matters of justice and the law. The 6 brings a solid and dependable balance, suggesting  that legal matters may be resolved in to a stable outcome. The bridging of Heaven and Earth seen within the properties of the number 6 could result in the Earthly laws being stabilised with divine justice.

The number 6 also represents the family, and 6 Tz’i helps you to remember the qualities of  loyalty and unconditional love within your family.

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 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.

5 Toj (24th August 2025)

5 TojMaking your work an act of service will go a long way to resolving any debts which need clearing today. This will also stand you in good stead for your future, helping to keep you healthy and in balance.

The 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.

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

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 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”.

September 2025

Here are the days of the Chol Q’ij mapped onto the Gregorian month of September 2025.

Astronomically, there are two interesting events this month, especially for those in New Zealand and Australia. First, a partial lunar eclipse will occur on 6 Aq’ab’al (7th September) at 15:28 UTC. This is a total eclipse with the moon showing the red colour of the Earth’s shadow. It will be visible worldwide apart from the Americas (With the exception of a small part of eastern Brasil)

Two weeks later, on the day 7 No’j (21st September) at 17:29 UTC, a partial solar eclipse will be visible over Antarctica, but will also be visible from southern New Zealand and the far south east of Australia.

The equinox will then fall the next day on 8 Tijax (22nd September) at 12:19 Guatemala time (18:19 UTC).

Calendar Workshop

If you would like to dive deeper into the sacred calendar, I will be running a workshop via Zoom from 10 am to 2 pm (Guatemala time, UTC -6) from Monday 1st – Friday 5th September 2025. There are currently spaces available. For more information, please go to https://thefourpillars.net/?page_id=1120. 

Readings

If you would like to know what your nawal brings to your lifepath, please follow this link to get a reading with me https://thefourpillars.net/maya-lifepath-reading/

The Trek to El Mirador and the Junajpu Journey

I recently completed my sixth trek around the El Mirador basin.  While there is a tough, physical element to this, I also consider it a deeply spiritual journey. It is a pilgrimage, and a deeply transformative journey. If you would like to see what it’s like, I made a series of videos about our experiences on each day of the trek. My highlights were days 1, 3 and 5, but day 4 was incredible too! You can find the videos here https://thefourpillars.net/the-trek-to-el-mirador/

If watching the videos inspires you, maybe you would like to join me for the Junajpu Journey in March 2026 when I will make the El Mirador trek again. This time I am creating a truly intentional journey, weaving in ceremony and spiritual practice. You can find out more here: https://thefourpillars.net/the-junajpu-journey/

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/

Please click the calendar for a larger version to print out if you would like to. Below the calendar are clickable links to my interpretation of the energy of each of the days. Please be aware that although they might refer to Gregorian dates in the past. The energy of the day according to the sacred calendar will be the same.

September 2025

Gregorian dateDay Name (Clickable)Keywords, ideas, concepts
September
113 No'jIdeas and solutions from the spirit world, ancestral knowledge
21 TijaxThe beginning of the healing
32 KawokNew life in relationships, self sacrifice brings rebirth
43 AjpuFinding the divinity within, challenged to see it in the world
54 ImoxStabilising the dream to the physical plane
65 Iq'Working  on communication and change
76 Aq'ab'alStabilising the new dawn or new concept
87 K'atEnd of the harvest, end of the burden
98 KanCelebration of empowerment and wisdom
109 KameTransformation through the feminine principle
1110 KejStrength through cooperation and community
1211 Q'anilMany ways to ripeness, abundance all around
1312 TojPaying back life debts
1413 Tz'iFaith in the spirit world, justice from and for the ancestors
151 B'atzCreating the new fabric, the new weaving
162 E'Exploring partnership, self-sacrifice for your path
173 AjInner balance brings harmony in the home
184 IxPhysically stabilising the magic
195 Tz'ikinWorking on your vision to thrive
206 AjmakForgiveness from or for the family
217 No'jFinishing the ideas, choosing between the plans
228 TijaxHealing ceremony day
239 KawokCelebration of midwives and female healers
2410 AjpuFinding the divine in community
2511 ImoxStrong, but directionless dreams
2612 Iq'The voice of experience speaks
2713 Aq'ab'alConception from the spirit world
281 K'atBeginning to gather the harvest
292 KanSelf-sacrifice brings wisdom, power in relationships
303 KameLook inside for spiritual transformation

 

4 Q’anil (23rd August 2025)

4 Q'anilA combination of elements today leads to an auspicious day to materialise the fruits of your labour. The ripening energy of Q’anil augmented by the number 4, brings stability to what you plant or have planted.

Q’anil days are always good days to be working with the plant kingdom. Different numbers will give rise to different aspects of how to work. Some days might be better for harvesting, some for planting. Whatever you “plant” today is infused with the energy to come to a stable fruition. It should ripen beautifully into a stable source of abundance.

This day could be seen as a day of material wealth, of material abundance. Of course, this would mean that something is missing. The stability of the four creates a good, solid foundation. If we look at the glyph for Q’anil, we can see that the number four is represented within it. But there is another aspect to Q’anil which would suggest waiting a little before full maturity. Perhaps what we harvest today might be enough to bring stability, but not the full potential that could be achieved.

The position of the number four within the cycle of the trecena shows that the energy is still growing. As we journey through the Kan trecena, the day 4 Q’anil shines its light on developing wisdom, on knowing through experience when to wait in order to reap a more abundant harvest. This could be seen as a good day to plan the future harvest. Create a framework within which the abundance can be gathered, and possibly have a trial run.

If the needs really cannot wait, harvest what will sustain you for now. However, waiting a little longer will bring a greater abundance from a more mature 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 Four

The number 4 is very important within Mayan mythology. Four represents the cardinal points, the four colours of maize, the four carriers of the year, the two equinoxes and two solstices, as well as midnight, sunrise, midday and sunset. The number four is representative of the four first men. It was said to be they who raised the sky from the sea to create the world we live on. In Mayan myth it is four pillars that support the sky from the Earth. As you can imagine, four is a number which represents stability, a good, down-to-Earth number.

3 Kej (22nd August 2025)

3 KejToday is a day to connect with your inner nature to find your determination there. The power lies in the connection between the wilderness and the internal process, within the home, both of your body and soul.

There are two leadership nawales, one is Aj and the other is Kej. I tend to see Aj as the “mayor” in his role as the head of the community making sure the community flourishes. Kej, on the other hand, functions more as the “priest,” attending to the spiritual needs of its community. Both have their strengths, although Aj is more passive than Kej. Aj is a representative of the home and Kej the wilderness. Both are equally important opposites to create balance within society.

The strength and determination of Kej can give rise to situations where Kej may try to use force to make things happen. Even if the door is marked pull, Kej will keep pushing if it believes that is the way it should happen. This is an example of where determination might get you nowhere today. It is important to look around and read the signs before applying the action in the physical.

The number three brings up internal/external dilemmas. The lack of stability in the physical, external world that it brings suggests that the more appropriate action is to look to the internal world, both of the home and yourself. It is a day to bring that essence into your home, through connection with the spiritual leader, the teacher, inside of you.

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 Three

There are various myths about the creation which link with the number 3. One is that at the time of creation, three stones jumped out of the fireplace and formed the new world. These three stones are called the hearthstones and are still seen in many Maya homes today, on the fire supporting the tortilla griddle. From an astronomical point of view, the stones are the stars Alnitak, Saiph and Rigel in the constellation we call Orion, and the Smoky Fireplace is the Great Orion Nebula (M42)

The Orion Nebula
The Orion Nebula by Mark Elmy

The number 3 is still in the low end of the range of numbers. It does not have much energy yet, and it is also an odd number. It can represent the home, relating to the three hearthstones laid by the creators, and this is probably a good focus for a 3 day. However, it lacks stability and can represent challenges and obstructions. The number three brings up internal/external dilemmas. The lack of stability in the physical, external world that it brings suggests that the more appropriate action is to look to the internal world, both of the home and yourself.

2 Kame (21st August 2025)

2 KameToday’s energy may bring an evaluation of choices, a clear choice on facing a fear. As we are moving in the Kan trecena, embracing the change may result in the growth of both wisdom and power.

The combination of the nawal of death and the number which represents self-sacrifice sounds rather ominous. However, today could 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. Those transformations bring out our better selves. It relates to the moments when we go through an experience that helps us evolve. Sometimes this can be very strong. For example, a near-death experience makes us re-evaluate our place in the world and how we conduct ourselves.

It could be that a choice today is an opportunity to advance on your life path. This 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. 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.

This choice my seem rather binary in its nature. There is no maybe today, it is yes or no. Do it or do not. Will you face the challenge or avoid it (again?) This could be a very important day to grasp the nettle.

Nawal Kame

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. They 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 Two

The number 2 is representative of duality, of polarity. Although a low number, it has surprising strength. 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.

1 Kan (20th August 2025)

1 KanPotential wisdom and power may be revealed today. We may see what we can attain should we follow a particular direction in life. This includes the potential of wisdom to dispel illusions.

The energy of the nawal Kan has the power to enlighten, it also has the power to destroy. How we use its energy is our decision.

The cycle of the trecenas turns again and our life story unfolds before our eyes. Kawok trecena births us, we take our first steps in the E’ trecena and now wisdom begins to grow within us during the Kan trecena.

Perhaps today you will see something that shows you where the use or abuse of power might take you, a potential resonance in your life. You may be encouraged to use your power, a situation challenging you to choose between the light and the dark side. It is your choice of how to react, and how you react will lead to wisdom, even if it is of the “I’m never doing that again” variety. It may give you the first understanding of your true power.

Equally, you may get an idea of the wisdom you may attain. It may be that others see that in you more than you see it in yourself, and their encouragement helps you to develop further. This is a reciprocal arrangement and you may also find that your encouragement of others empowers them.  Today is the day to see the possibilities that arise when you engage with the lightning in your blood.

The Nawal Kan

Lady Xoc demonstrates the correct direction of energy
Lady Xoc pierces her tongue and receives wisdom for her people from her ancestor emerging from the mouth of the vision serpent. From http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/maya-lintels.htm

Kan is one of the more powerful nawales and it represents just that – power. It is connected to serpents, and serpent symbolism is very strong in Maya mythology. In the past, lightning was referred to as sky serpents, and what is seen in the outer world is reflected by the inner world. The power of Kan comes from something which is referred to as itz or coyopa, the lightning in the blood. This is the power which may also be known as Ki, Chi, Prana, kundalini or “the force”. It is life force energy. Kundalini is a sanskrit word actually meaning coiled, like a snake.

Training must be undertaken when working with any of these energies, in order to understand how to use them. In its most positive aspect, the energy of Kan brings great wisdom; in its negative aspect, great destruction. A lack of understanding or control of this power can lead to undesirable consequences. The dark side of Kan can seduce with its power, holding its prey in an almost hypnotic grip with its allure. therefore, it can become the ultimate ego trap.

However, it is also said that the feathered serpent Q’uq’umatz  brought wisdom, through the sciences of astronomy and agriculture, to the ancient Maya. Here we see the positive aspect of Kan, where the ability to work with the body lightning brings great wisdom. People born on a Kan day can become some of the greatest healers or psychics. However, they can also become the darkest sorcerers and manipulators.

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.

New Video – The Trecena of Kan (20th August – 1st September 2025)

The Trecena of Kan gives us new opportunities to learn, to discover new wisdom and to begin to empower ourselves and others.

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!

The Junajpu Journey

Are you feeling ready for a transformative journey? Ready to find your inner hero and overcome your fears? I am currently organising a transformative retreat for the Trecena of Ajpu in March 2026. You can find the information about the Junajpu journey here: https://thefourpillars.net/the-junajpu-journey/

Calendar Workshop

If you would like to dive deeper into the sacred calendar, I will be running a workshop via Zoom from 10 am to 2 pm (Guatemala time, UTC -6) from Monday 1st – Friday 5th September 2025. There are currently spaces available. For more information, please go to https://thefourpillars.net/?page_id=1120. 

Readings

If you would like to know what your nawal brings to your lifepath, please follow this link to get a reading with me https://thefourpillars.net/maya-lifepath-reading/

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/

Worthwhile Recipients of Your Donations

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.

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 Kan trecena video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/WfReTQs95Xg

[https://youtu.be/WfReTQs95Xg]

13 K’at (19th August 2025)

13 K'atToday is a day to embrace ancestral traditions and to remember to thank your ancestors for their blessings which bring your current abundance.

K’at is usually associated with physical abundance and quite rightly so. It represents the net into which the harvest is physically gathered. So, today is perfect to ask for the blessings of our ancestors on our future harvest.

However, there is another aspect to it. K’at also represents the burden, the net in which we become entangled. Today it is linked with the spirit world and suggests something otherworldly may slow down our progress. Our ancestors provided both our material and cultural foundations. We exist because of them and we are deeply grateful for both their wisdom and our worldly goods.

Many of our ancestral traditions also serve us well. For instance, our ancestors knew how to increase the yield of our harvest and keep us in abundant health.

However, sometimes patterns which they started are no longer relevant and sometimes we cling to those traditions too. For example, tribal rivalry may have been useful when we were hunter gatherers, but now it holds back our progress. The day 13 K’at could represent burdens passed on to us from our ancestors. Today is a day to recognise how we are held by those old patterns and break free of the ones which  no longer serve us.

The Nawal K’at

Blood Moon, mother of the Hero Twins being sent away from Xibalba after becoming pregnant. <yoastmark class=

K’at signifies a net and represents gathering together or bundling. In the Western Highlands of Guatemala, to this day many crops are harvested and carried in nets – oranges, lemons, avocados to name but a few. Through this we see one of the positive meanings of this nawal, that of abundance and harvest. K’at is a great day to draw things together. This could mean gathering your harvest, collecting ideas for your projects, or inviting people to a social event. It is a day of prosperity and the bounty which comes from the Earth, a day of gardeners and merchants.

However, K’at also has its more challenging side. An abundant crop will fill the net, but it will also slow you down. K’at is also the nawal of prisons and burdens, as the net which gathers, can also ensnare us. When candles are purchased for the fire ceremonies, they come in bundles held together by little strings. When the nawal K’at is addressed during the fire ceremony, these strings are put in to the fire,  with offerings, to ask K’at to help us release ourselves from our burdens, from the ties which bind us.  These ties can also be seen as excessive attachment to material things.

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.