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

2 Ajpu (26th July 2025)

2 AjpuToday may bring stark contrasts between the light and the dark sides of our path. The hero may have to draw on both sides to overcome the challenges.

The number 2 represents duality. As humans, we judge what is around us and discern between what we consider to be “right” and “wrong”. However, all of creation came from unity and oneness. Sometimes it can be difficult to see the divine plan in all things. The energy of the combination 2 Ajpu helps us to understand the bigger plan. In turn, we see that behind our judgments, there is a longer-term plan in motion.

For instance, certain situations may seem “wrong” in many people’s eyes. However, this can push people to make a choice when they wouldn’t have otherwise. In this way, duality helps to evolve our higher aspect by bringing out our inner hero to confront the shadow.

It’s also a day to find the divine within your relationship and remember what you love about your partner. The energy of the nawal Ajpu sends us on a quest for the divine in the physical world and helps us see the love put into the world.

The trecena of Kawok is birthing us into our new world. Here we see with the wonder of a newborn, marvelling at the beauty of the world around us. This beauty may be enhanced by the choice of another soul to share that journey with us. We are choosing to see the divinity in duality, to embrace and celebrate our differences as part of the one.

The Nawal Ajpu

journey to your highest potential

Nawal Ajpu is once again a nawal with a multitude of meanings and translations. In the Yucatec language it is known as Ahau, in Kiche is is also known as Junajpu. These are variously translated as lord, hunter, blow gunner, flower and sun. Each one of the translations has its merits, and represents an aspect of this auspicious nawal.

Within the ancient Mayan society, the royals were not just political leaders of their particular city-states, they were priest-kings and priest-queens. They served as the conduit to the divine, deriving their wisdom for guiding their people through their connection with the Hearts of the Earth and the Sky. This wisdom enriched both the ruling dynasty and their people, as they would be working in harmony with the gods. The ruler of the city was also the physical embodiment of the divine, and Ajpu is closely related to this. Likewise it represents our potential, the state of divinity to which we may aspire.

Ajpu represents the holiness in life, the divinity in the physical world, and our search for it. It is the search for underlying meaning, understanding that each person is a part of the whole. Whether we like it or not, and however we judge it, we are all a part of creation.

Every action of ourselves and others gives an opportunity to explore ourselves and our reaction. Sometimes we are attracted, sometimes repelled by the action of others. Occasionally Ajpu can lead us to become immersed in the other world, to lose sight of reality. It is important to remember to stay in touch with the Earth as we reach to the Sky.

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.

New Video – The Trecena Kawok (25th July – 6th August 2025)

The trecena Kawok brings the opportunity to birth something new or to be reborn ourselves.

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 Kawok trecena video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/6pCpfKeTIQE

[https://youtu.be/6pCpfKeTIQE]

1 Kawok (25th July 2025)

1 KawokToday, that which died is reborn, life starts again. Kame has transformed us, with Tijax finally cutting away all that was holding us back. Now, Kawok is here to soothe us and wash away any debris.

Chak sends the fire serpent (lightning) from the sky, from the Dresden Codex
Chak sends the fire serpent (lightning) from the sky, from the Dresden Codex

We have gone through the inner alchemy and transformation of the Kame trecena and are now emerging as fresh and new-born. The trecena of Kawok acts as a midwife, assisting us in our birth into a new phase of life.

The energy of the nawal Kawok gently guides us through our rebirth process and into the world. This healing feminine energy brings compassion to our experience of rebirth, creating a graceful and beautiful transition.

Both Kawok and the number 1 have strong connections with birth and new life. As a representation of potential, the number 1 may require some assistance in realizing our opportunities. Kawok is there for us, ready to hold our hand and guide us firmly as we take our first steps into our new world. She represents the healing woman and the wisdom of the grandmothers.

Today, we may seek out the women who support us through our process of rebirth or reinvention. The compassion and wisdom shown to us by the women around us help us move forward into new areas. This day marks the very beginning of a new life or a new direction, with all the potential to be whatever we choose it to be.

The Nawal Kawok

Ixchel empties the water jar, washing away the old world in order to bring in the new. From the Dresden Codex
Ixchel empties the water jar, washing away the old world in order to bring in the new. From the Dresden Codex

While most healing roles do not seem to be gender specific, one is. Both women and men may be healers, prayer makers, herbalists and diviners, only women will become midwives. Kawok is the energy of the midwife. It helps to clear the obstructions from the birth process, in some ways it actually represents the birth process. Kawok brings the new into the world. In the Mayan cross, Kawok, the birth process finishes the sequence which starts with Aq’ab’al (conception) and moves through B’atz (gestation.) In the sequence of the calendar, Kawok precedes Ajpu. Ajpu represents the resurrection of the maize lord, also the creation of the world. Kawok creates the conditions for that to happen, the rain which brings forth the sprouting of the maize.

In its storm aspect, Kawok can be destructive, although it is a destruction which allows a new creation to happen. Kawok energy can give rise to some tempestuous situations, it can be a day which can give people a rough ride, although this may be for the eventual good. It is a day to ask for the gentle rain to bless your crops, and for the harsh rain to stop. It is a day which washes away the old and outworn in life, so that the new growth, life and divinity may emerge.

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.

13 Tijax (24th July 2025)

Today is a favourable day to receive healing from spirit. If you have the opportunity to schedule an appointment for any form of healing, you may find it especially effective today.

The ancestors are guiding your hands as you wield the obsidian blade. Trust in them, but be cautious with your cuts. The energy of the day is strong and may cut deeper than you intended.

Tijax aims to resolve duality, and it is relentless in its pursuit. Whether in healing or warfare, Tijax won’t give up until it has achieved its goals. When combined with the strength of the number 13, it becomes a potent combination. Tijax can be argumentative, and today tempers may flare. It is essential to be mindful of your words. Today they may carry more power than you realise and can inflict deep wounds, even if that is not your intention. While you may be speaking the truth, there are ways to convey your message. Causing confrontation may negate your message.

Alternatively, people may not have complete control over themselves today. Listen for the truth, but do not take things too seriously. Act calmly and think carefully before reacting. On this final day of the Kame trecena, the obsidian blade of Tijax is connected to the spirit world. It frees us from dense energy and transforms us into our higher selves, preparing us for the rebirth of the Kawok trecena.

Today is an opportunity to call upon your ancestors, to give you the strength and determination to remove anything that may hinder you on your life path. However, please be mindful that taking such action may lead to decisive action, not just burning bridges but vaporizing them.

The Nawal Tijax

Sacrificial Death God 1

The nawal Tijax represents an obsidian (or flint) blade. How the blade is used depends on the intention of the person wielding it, a warrior or a surgeon. These would seem like opposite ends of the spectrum. However, where Tijax is concerned the aim is the same – healing and purification.

Tijax is the nawal of the holy warrior. In the Mayan book of creation , the Popol Vuh, the first act of the hero twins was a mission given to them by the Heart of the Sky to rid the world of the false gods Seven Macaw, Zipacna and Earthquake. By destroying the false gods, the twins brought balance to the world, and helped mankind, they brought healing to the world. They cut out that which caused disease, exactly as a surgeon would do.

Tijax is celebrated as a day of healers, particularly what could be seen as the masculine aspect of healing. It is a day of crusading, of standing up for what is right, the healer who refuses to give up on finding a cure. Tijax gives powers of discernment and refinement. Just as the surgeons scalpel cuts away disease and the warriors blade dispatches the evil, the sculptors chisel creates beauty by remodelling the base material. This is a day of alchemy, both internal and external, turning the ordinary into the divine.

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.

 

New Calendar Page – August 2025

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

August will be rather an interesting month astronomically. Here in this part of Guatemala, the solar zenith passage happens around the 11th – 13th of August. This is also the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. This year the solar zenith will be closer to 12th August, on the day 6 No’j. The timing of the solar zenith is very important as it signifies a time to plant the second crop of corn. The rains come back soon after, and there will be enough of the rainy season remaining to ensure its full development. Corn planted after the solar zenith may not come to its full potential.

The Perseid meteor shower can be one of the most impressive meteor showers of the year. Unfortunately, this year the moon will rise just after 9pm, illuminating the sky and washing out all but the brightest of meteors. The peak will be around 3.30 am on 13th August but with the moon one would be fortunate to see 10 meteors per hour. They radiate from the constellation of Perseus, which you can find in the northeast sky.

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

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.

August 2025.

Gregorian dateDay Name (Clickable)Keywords, ideas, concepts
August
18 KameMarriage day, Ceremony for the ancestors
29 KejEmpowerment of female spiritual leaders, the high priestess
310 Q'anilGarden day, co-operation brings abundance
411 TojSettling many debts
512 Tz'iFaith in life comes through experience, as does justice
613 B'atzSpirit empowers creativity, Weaving ancestral patterns
71 E'The new path begins
82 AjHarmony in the home and relationship
93 IxChallenges to external magic, look inside yourself to find it
104 Tz'ikinStabilises the vision into the physical, brings physical prosperity
115 AjmakWorking towards forgiveness brings sweetness
126 No'jPhysical plans, divinely inspired
137 TijaxThe final cut, completion of the healing
148 KawokCeremony for the newborn and their mothers, rain ceremony
159 AjpuThe divine feminine, seeing the divinity in life
1610 ImoxThe collective dream, community consciousness
1711 Iq'Communication from many directions, unpredictable changes
1812 Aq'ab'alDrawing on life experiences for new concepts
1913 K'atThe harvest empowered by spirit, releasing ancestral burdens
201 KanThe beginnings of wisdom, new empowerment
212 KameSpiritual transformation through self sacrifice
223 KejLook for strength and spiritual leadership within
234 Q'anilBringing the light to the physical, planting day
245 TojWork to repay debts, day of social work
256 Tz'iStability through faith, divine justice in the physical
267 B'atzFinishing the weaving, the final touches
278 E'Celebration of both life path and journeys
289 AjHarmony in the home through the divine feminine
2910 IxCommunal action for Mother Earth
3011 Tz'ikinMany visions may bring prosperity
3112 AjmakForgiveness through experience of human nature

12 No’j (23rd July 2025)

12 N'ojLife experience combines with knowledge today to solve problems. This in turn may bring new relevance to old information.

 

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.

11 Ajmak (22nd July 2025)

11 AjmakAre you ready to face your fears and forgive? 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.

10 Tz’ikin (21st July 2025)

10 Tz'ikinWhen we create a shared vision we can bring prosperity to our community. Today is the day to do just that, 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.

9 Ix (20 July 2025)

9 Ix9 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.

This most feminine day of all can be seen as a day to honour our mothers and the Earth. 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. The most feminine nawal, Ix, is paired with the number 9 representing the divine feminine.

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.

 

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.

8 Aj (19th July 2025)

8 AjA ceremony for harmony within our community, home and family 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.