This is the perfect day for a forgiveness ceremony. Energetically wipe the slate clean, and move forward without guilt or resentment. Embrace the beautiful humanity of yourself and others.
Ajmak days are not always easy to negotiate. The energy may bring up our “failings” or those of others. They remind us of what it is to be human, both through the ways of compassionate forgiveness, and through actions which give rise to the need to forgive. These are how we learn, but we do not need to keep running the same program once we have learned from it. For example, an action gives rise to a desirable or undesirable reaction. We may wish to repeat the desirable one and not repeat the undesirable one.
However, holding on to guilt about the action which gave the undesirable reaction rarely serves any purpose. In the Maya cross of Ajmak, the future sign is K’at, the net. Thus, the future of Ajmak can be abundance, one aspect of K’at, or it can lead to ensnarement. This ensnarement may be a result of guilt, the inability to move on from an action which produced undesirable consequences.
Of course, this is highly simplified, but we often do choose to carry our guilt for longer than necessary. It becomes a burden, stifling our creativity and preventing us from achieving our full potential. It can stop us from living the lives we are able to live, filling us with regret. Choosing to cleanse ourselves from the burden of guilt over past actions can have a dramatic effect on our lives, as can releasing grudges we hold towards people who we perceive have wronged us. Holding grudges takes a huge amount of our creative energy away, again preventing us from being all we can truly be.
How Can A Forgiveness Ceremony Be Made?
Ajmak days give us an opportunity to resolve this in one way or another, and 8 Ajmak points us in a direction of ceremony. So how might we make a forgiveness ceremony? Unless we are in the Maya lands, we may be unable to make a Maya ceremony, so here are two other ideas of forgiveness ceremonies. I realise they are not insights into Maya ceremonies, and hope that you will forgive me this.
The opportunity to free ourselves from what we no longer need to carry seems like too good an opportunity to allow it to pass without comment. Firstly, we might make a ceremonial fire. It doesn’t have to be a large and ostentatious affair, your intention is the important ingredient. Write down what you want to forgive, or be forgiven for, on pieces of paper. Light your fire and connect yourself with your true essence, connect with the Earth and the Sky. Say some words which have meaning to you, prayers if you like, then lovingly and respectfully put your papers into the fire. You might like to read them out loud first, contemplating each one as you burn it away. When you have finished, say thank you in whichever way seems most appropriate.
Another way may be to use the four sentences of Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian art of forgiveness. Bring the person or situation to mind and use the following four phrases.
I am sorry
Please forgive me
I love you
Thank you
Both of these methods have the ability to release you from your burden through 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 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.
This may be a day where you receive the final vision. This may be the final part of the puzzle which leads to prosperity for you, your family, your community and the environment.
The day 7 Tz’ikin can encompass both focus and the ability to see the bigger picture. As the bird sits atop the pyramid it has an enormous breadth of vision which may bring prosperity. However, this may also lead to indecision if not focused.
The nawal Tz’ikin has a naturally restless energy. It is a natural communicator. We see the birds hop from one branch to another, gathering and exchanging information. It receives different points of view which can lead it to prosperity when correctly put together. However, sometimes it spends too much time observing and communicating to bring these things together.
If this can be controlled, then Tz’ikin may bring focus with 7 representing the goal, the final aim. It may lead to the vision of how to finalise an idea. It can see how to thrive in all choices, and prosperity may come, as long as distractions can be avoided. This may be a day where you receive the final vision. This may be the final part of the puzzle which leads to prosperity for you, your family, your community and the environment.
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 Seven
If we imagine the numbers 1 through 13 as a pyramid, the number seven would be at the top. Seven is the number of balance, it gives the ability to weigh up situations and see all points of view. While this may be very noble, it may lead to indecision.
However, it is also known as a number of death and endings, which would seem strange as it is only half way through. It is another representation of the change of state of the soul, showing half of the journey (1-6) in the mortal world and half (8-13) in the otherworld. As such it can be a great number on which to finalise or end something.
The sequence of numbers as they appear with each appearance of a nawal. Here we see that the sequence begins with 1 and ends with 7, giving 7 as a number of finality.
On the day 6 Ix give thanks for the wealth or abundance which nurtures your family. Stabilise your connection with the Earth. Ask her for what you need and what she needs from you.
The nawal representing the spirit of Mother Earth combines with the number which draws on the energy of the sky and Earth to manifest into the physical plane. Accordingly, it is a day to stabilise your connection with Mother Earth.
Days carrying the number 6 often feel very well-balanced. This is as expected, being as the are in the middle of the range between 1 to 13. However, there is a little more to them than just that. The 6 acts as a focal point for what it is attached to. It empowers the nawal with the essences of the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. In turn, this allows its energy to project or manifest into the physical world. It is much like the number 4, but with the embellishment of the divine masculine and divine feminine principals.
The energy of the nawal Ix strongly associates with our ability to commune with the spirit of mother Earth. This ability allows us to bring what we need into this world. It can be seen as our “magic”, but really it is just a more aware state of being. Here we understand the dynamic which exists between us an our environment.
We ask, we receive, we thank. Understand how to use your own abilities to manifest, to stabilise your magic.
Nawal Ix
A dancing shaman transforms himself into a jaguar. From a late classic era vase found at Altar de Sacrificios. Source http://shortstreet.net/Maya/mayapaintedvases.htm
Ix is considered to be the most feminine of the nawales because it embodies the spirit of the Heart of the Earth. It can be seen as a representation of Mother Earth or the Maya version of Gaia. Ix is known for its nurturing energy, as it takes care of all things. However, this nurturing should not be mistaken for weakness, as Ix also embodies the power and stealth of the jaguar, which is its animal totem. The jaguar is a powerful jungle cat that moves stealthily through the darkness of the night with spots on its back representing the milky way. Ix carries the sun on its nightly journey through the underworld.
In industrialized societies, the Earth is often seen as an inanimate source of material wealth. However, non-industrialized societies view her as a living entity that we can interact with, and she carries the nawal Ix. Therefore, on Ix days, people offer prayers at her shrines and altars to ask for what they need in the world. To keep Ix healthy, it is important to approach her with a spirit of gratitude and humility. Ix is deeply connected with the natural world, where it finds its wisdom, power, and wealth. Therefore, it is a day to give thanks, remember gratitude, and engage with your magic.
The Number 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.
The day 5 Aj is a great day to be doing some form of work on behalf of your community. Your work and your input will bring great nourishment to those around you.
Putting energy into the sustenance of our home or community benefits ourselves and those around us. The day 5 Aj brings together these aspects to give a day where this type of work flourishes.
The nawal Aj is related to the spinal column. It holds us upright, brings us the strength and courage to do the right thing. It holds everything in its rightful place. However, it may not have always been like that. It gains strength as it is used, the wisdom it holds comes through experience. Whilst Aj is very much a leadership nawal, it is almost reluctant in stepping forward, preferring to guide gently rather than exercise the authority it also carries. These qualities of Aj are a blessing for all and are achieved through the experience of the work of life.
It is a day for selfless work, a day within the Toj trecena, where we have the opportunity to pay back the support our families, friends and communities show to us. However, it may also be a day when efforts to guide or lead may be rather more challenging than expected, especially if you feel yourself rushing into things.
The Nawal Aj
The Temple of the Foliated Cross. This small temple houses one of the most remarkable and beautiful friezes, the Foliated Cross. Together with those of the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Cross, this forms an architectural version of a codex. It shows both mythic and historical accounts of the ruling dynasty. The three temples together form the cross group, the sacred heart of Palenque. Picture by Mark Elmy
The nawal Aj is related to many things which generally revolve around leadership on an earthly level. It is also known as the cornstalk, sometimes the staff of life. It represents the spinal column within the body, which allows us to stand tall, proud and brave. As the cornstalk, it has its roots in the Earth, and its head in the sky.
If we wish to lead in a just manner, we should cultivate our connection with the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. Above all, Aj is an authority, it is gentle, yet noble. It works quietly for the community it leads. It does not seek the limelight. This is a day that seeks sustenance for its people, that keeps everything in its rightful place. It is a day when we ask for the courage and bravery to stand up straight and tall, to do the right thing.
The Number 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”.
This is a day which highlights the physical journey. The energy of the journey of discovery comes down to Earth as the nawal E’ combines with the number 4.
E’ days always have an auspicious energy about them when it comes to travelling. On E’ days our life path makes its presence known. Sometimes this is not what we were planning at that point with our conscious minds. Synchronicity steps in and puts us back on track. Maybe we meet someone on the road who fulfils that role and takes us in a different direction. If there is a journey to be made, today is certainly a good day for it.
Today, the combination with the number 4 brings that concept very much into the physical realm. It is a day of physical journeys and pay attention to the physical markers on your path. E’ is the essence of the discoverer, not just of the way or the path. It gives us an impulse of exploration, which includes the understanding of how things work. As such today is a great day to get really grounded with your understanding of where you are going and why. It may be a day on which your physical destination helps to ground the discoveries you have made so far along your journey. Pay attention to the way that you walk your physical path and the impact that has on others.
The Deluge
During the course of my reading and research I come across various interesting snippets of information. I just came across this one which I find very interesting. The page below is from the Dresden Codex. I was just investigating the reappearance of Venus as an evening star next week, when I stumbed across this. You may recognise the depiction of Chak Chel (or Ixchel) from my previous posts about Kawok.
Chak Chel (Ixchel) and the sky crocodile rain down water and bring the flood
However, my attention was drawn to some detail I had never noticed. On the water flowing from Ixchel’s jar there is a number and a glyph. The number is 5.1.0 and the glyph is Eb (E’). Apparently, 5.1.0 would be equal to 1820. This would be using the numbers as a date format in the long count (5 Tun, 1 Uinal and 0 Kin (5 x 360) + (1 x 20) + 0). 1820 days is equal to 7 revolutions of the 260 day calendar, so repeating 1820 days would always come back to the day of 4 E’. The next pages in the Dresden Codex give the repeating number 65, and move through 4 No’j, 4 Iq’ and then 4 Kej before returning to 4 E’.
Interestingly, in the sky band on the cosmic caiman’s body, the glyph for Venus is shown. Below it are two solar eclipse glyphs. Apparently 4 E’ (Eb) is seen as the day of the deluge which brings fertility to the world.
The Nawal E’
Footprints mark the road, from the Dresden Codex
Nawal E’ represents the journey of discovery, the life path in both its physical and spiritual aspects. E’ is the explorer, it craves novelty. It inspires travel to understand different cultures and ways of life, it is a seeker of experience. It can be a thrill seeker, and sometimes will take risks to understand what it is examining. Whilst it gains experience and understanding through physical travel, E’ also drives us to explore our inner world, helping us to understand our own minds and hearts, and those of others. E’ sometimes creates a restlessness. A desire to find new things within the world means that E’ finds it difficult to sit still.
E’ can sometimes cause us to explore simply for the sake of exploration. We seek the new experience because it is there. This can give rise to a lack of direction, aimless wandering. However, even in its wanderings E’ is discovering. It may not know exactly where it is going, but it will when it gets there. In it’s best aspect, E’ seeks out knowledge and experience in order to form an understanding which brings wisdom. E’ enjoys sharing the wisdom gained with its peers, for the enrichment of the community.
The Number 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.
Inner creativity would be the best focus today. The energy of B’atz usually brings extroverted creative brilliance. However, the outgoing nature of this creativity may be subdued by the energy of the number 3.
This might be considered to be a rather unusual day of B’atz, and possibly the only one. B’atz is usually thought of as bringing and outgoing, fun-loving and talented energy. However, it could be that today things seem a bit flat. The jokes don’t quite work, the audience doesn’t respond as expected, and the fingers don’t stretch to make the chord happen like they normally do. It’s not to say don’t try. It’s just that external expressions of creativity may be more challenging than normal.
However, there is a focus which may prove beneficial – in the home and on inner creativity. It is more of a planning day, than an action day. Allow your inner creativity to weave ideas within you to manifest to the external world on a more conducive day. This may prove to be an excellent day for creation within the home environment, beautifying your inner world. It could be a great day for applying creative skills to matters of the home such as interior design. It could also be a great day for getting creative in the kitchen!
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 Three
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.
The day 2 Tz’i can be seen as a day which is very strongly linked to trust, fidelity and loyalty within relationships. Issues around these themes may become apparent today. However, it may also bring out their best sides.
There are many aspects highlighted today by both the energy of the nawal Tz’i and the number 2. Some of these are positive, but there is also scope for a great deal of betrayal. This can be an issue with both the Tz’i aspects of infidelity and the indecisive nature of the number 2. It may lead to some confusion between loyalty and instinct, throwing out some possibly difficult choices. Similarly, the same could be said regarding the law. Today, more than others, the laws of society may seem a little more open to interpretation than usual. The issue is not just the potentially fickle nature of the energy, it is the unpredictable application.
However, there are some really positive aspects to Tz’i days and the energy of the number 2 highlights relationships. This may be a day where you experience a higher than usual demonstration of faith and loyalty from your partner. It is a day to look to them for guidance, and have faith in where they lead you. It is a day to sacrifice the needs of the self, a day to embrace the other with unconditional love.
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 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.
The day 1 Toj is a day to begin to restore the balance in life. If there is a debt which has been weighing heavily for some time, start to resolve it today.
Following on from the possibility of receiving the great bounty on 13 Q’anil we move into the trecena of Toj. Sometimes the trecena may have a theme such as creativity (B’atz) or unconditional love (Tz’i). Sometimes it will be a little tougher, such as forgiveness (Ajmak) or payment (Toj.) It is not that these things are bad, they are just a little less inviting. They are the “work” aspect of life, but necessary work it is.
Today is the day to start this process of rebalancing. It is a day to begin the repayment of outstanding debts. This may be financial, it may be through work, or it may be through charitable means.
Much can be achieved with a selfless act, a random act of kindness towards no one in particular. Today an act such as this may begin to bring harmony, possibly even where you never expected it.
Worthwhile Recipients of Your Donations
When I mention programs within my videos, it is because I personally know the people involved. I feel that your donations will truly go towards helping the people for which they are intended.
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.”
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 make a donation 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 are specialising in medical and educational services. 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
Popol Jay
Popol Jay is an ancient name to define the House of the Council of Elders, among the Maya of Guatemala. These were places of wisdom where sacred knowledge about medicine, the calendars, music, spiritual practice and more was kept and passed to future generations. They were all burnt down during the Conquest and subsequent Colonization periods. Today, the Q’eqchi’ Maya Council of Elders Releb’aal Saq’e has joined forces with many supporters to rebuild the Popol Jay of the North, in the lowlands of the Petén region, heart of the Maya culture of the Classic Period. The Elders have worked hard to acquire land and co-design this Center of Knowledge to share ancient wisdom with the World. To donate to the Elders of Peten to fund the Popol Jay, please use this link https://www.popoljay.org.gt/donaciones
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 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.
The trecena of Toj is a time to make our payments, to balance out and give back for all that we have received, a time to resolve our debts.
12 No’j / 2024 Calendar
My whole 2024 / 12 No’j calendar is also available as a pdf. The calendar shows the days of the Chol Q’ij, formatted onto the Gregorian calendar for the entire year through to February 2025. It also includes astronomical events and my brief interpretation of the energy of each day. 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/2024-calendar-is-now-available/
Printed versions, in English, have been available in Guatemala but are now running low. However, you may be able to still find a copy in Lava Love Cacao in San Marcos.
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 here https://thefourpillars.net/google-calendar-plugin/
Worthwhile Recipients of Your Donations
When I mention programs within my videos, it is because I personally know the people involved and can vouch that your donations will actually go towards helping the people for which they are intended.
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.”
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 make a donation 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 are specialising in medical and educational services. 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
Popol Jay
Popol Jay is an ancient name to define the House of the Council of Elders, among the Maya of Guatemala. These were places of wisdom where sacred knowledge about medicine, the calendars, music, spiritual practice and more was kept and passed to future generations. They were all burnt down during the Conquest and subsequent Colonization periods. Today, the Q’eqchi’ Maya Council of Elders Releb’aal Saq’e has joined forces with many supporters to rebuild the Popol Jay of the North, in the lowlands of the Petén region, heart of the Maya culture of the Classic Period. The Elders have worked hard to acquire land and co-design this Center of Knowledge to share ancient wisdom with the World. To donate to the Elders of Peten to fund the Popol Jay, please use this link https://www.popoljay.org.gt/donaciones
Calendar Workshop
If you would like to dive deeper into the sacred calendar, I will be running a workshop via Zoom from Monday 15th – Friday 19th July 2024, 2pm – 6pm CEST. There is currently one space available. For more information, please go to https://thefourpillars.net/?page_id=1120
This could be seen as a good day to ask for guidance from the spirit world to bring a project to its full ripeness. It is a day to celebrate ancestral abundance.
Q’anil days are connected with the plant kingdom. They are often great days to be sowing something which you wish to bring to its full ripeness. On this particular occasion, you could find your hands and senses guided by spirit to assist you in this task. For many, our ancestors were more in touch with growing their food. Today is a day to tap into that spirit.
If the trecena of Ajmak is about redemption, 13 Q’anil could be seen as the outcome of our efforts. If we ask Ajmak to bring the sweetness to life, Q’anil can easily be seen as this. Here we see a hand of the ancestors, or the other world assisting, the ripening process. Possibly, something you are trying to bring to maturity receives help from the unseen world. It could be an unexpected push. Maybe it is a surprising gift which seems to drop at your feet, just at the most appropriate time. Perhaps, it could be a flash of inspiration of how to finish a project, particularly relating to plant world. However, its arrival may be dependant on you having cleared through forgiveness.
Q’anil days, with their abundance and prosperity are often seen as joyful days. These are days on which to celebrate and here we could also see the connection to our ancestors. It is an excellent day to celebrate the abundance passed on to us by our ancestors. Indeed it would also be appropriate to include them in such celebrations.
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 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.
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This is the perfect day for a forgiveness ceremony. Energetically wipe the slate clean, and move forward without guilt or resentment. Embrace the beautiful humanity of yourself and others.
