The seating of the new Mam 1 Kej is a significant moment in the highland Maya solar calendar. It marks the end of the Tz’apin Q’ij, or closing days, and the end of the period of retreat. It signals a time to leave our “caves” and re-enter the real world. In some communities, this occasion is celebrated with feasting. The new Mam, who will guide us through the next revolution of the sun, is welcomed into the world.
This year is governed by the Mam 1 Kej, which carries the energy of the day as well as the energy of the new year. The properties and benefits brought by the Nawal 1 Kej are discussed in my post for the day of 1 Kej, here. The energy of this day represents the energy that we will experience throughout the year. While Kej years have a reputation for being strong and possibly “bullish” years, I feel the combination with the number 1 will tame the deer energy a little.
The new Mam may take some time to settle in, usually over the first 20 days. Even though the “administration” has changed, it takes time for all the promises made during the campaign to be fulfilled. Nothing in nature moves in a square wave; it’s always a gentle transition, more like a sine wave. This is the first light of dawn, and we are still experiencing a little of the cold of the night. It will not be until midday, the height of the cycle. We will then experience the fullest expression of the energy of this year lord. We can expect this to occur in around 140 days, on 4 Kej (June 18, 2026).
The Year 1 Kej
The last time we experienced a Kej year was 2022, which was the year 10 Kej. Kej years are known to be powerful, sometimes headstrong, as the deer or the horse show their strength and leadership. Kej is also associated with spiritual leadership and sometimes Kej will push us into situations where we have to take on that role. In order to do so, we ourselves need to be strong and connected with nature and Kej will make sure this happens. It is a year about connecting with the wilderness, the natural world.
Our focus may have shifted as we have been distracted by political theatre and modern technology. As successive scandals emerge, each one seemingly more obscene than its predecessor, we cannot help but pay attention. AI has become more accessible in all its forms. Chat bots take the place of human interaction in an increasingly divided and lonely society. Artists and creatives increasingly find themselves replaced by AI, as society creates “perfect” images of itself, each mask becoming more lifelike than the last. The illusion becomes more and more pervasive until the line between true and false becomes so blurred we can no longer discern it. To do this, data centres equal the energy consumption of small countries and take the natural resources away from the local people. As you may have guessed, I do not use AI in my work!
A Reconnection with Nature
With Kej’s strong emphasis on the natural world, and the number 1 may representing novelty, perhaps a renaissance is due. Only after consuming the artificial for so long can the pendulum swing, and humanity reach a turning point. Our connection with nature, our study of natural cycles and patterns, truly connects us with our world. We have to start this reboot somewhere and 1 Kej would be a prime example of when that might happen. Humanity looks up from their screens to true beauty and power of nature. In doing so we remember how to live on our planet, and the importance of caring for it.
The 52-Year Cycle
On a grander scheme of things, the cycle of the year bearers repeats every 52 years. Of course, we do not relive exactly the same experiences, but we may see similarities with the last time this year bearer was in office. That was the year 1974, when Mam 1 Kej would have taken his seat on the Gregorian day 3rd March. This gives us the opportunity to understand how to engage with the benefits of, and avoid the errors committed during, the previous incarnation of the Mam 1 Kej.
There were some very interesting events in the last the 1 Kej year – the resignations of many world leaders including the US president Richard Nixon (over the Watergate scandal), the UK Prime Minister Edward Heath, the Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, the Portuguese Prime Minister Marcello Caetano and West German Chancellor Willy Brandt. Perhaps this is a year of renewal of leadership?
