Tag Archives: Ajpu

4 Ajpu (20th October 2020)

19th October 2020 Mark Elmy 2 Comments

The world may have been turning for many millions of years, but our cycles of creation and destruction happen repeatedly during this time. Yesterday one era was swept away, today a new era is stabilised.

The Maya calendars work in cycles which range from short to very long. The short cycles may be 13 days or 20 days. The longer ones 260 days, 52 years, 260 years, or even much longer. Each small cycle is a fractal of the larger ones, over the 20 days of the sacred calendar we can see the whole of story creation and the evolution of human consciousness. One of the longer cycles is the 13 Baktun era. The start of one of these is recorded at Quirigua on Stella C, as 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ajpu 8 Cumku, which is generally thought to equate to August 11th 3114 BCE. This is said to be a creation day for the era in which we live and each 4 Ajpu day marks a day when we re-create. If we took the 4 as representing the Sun and Ajpu translated as Lord, this is the day of the Solar Lord, Kinich Ajaw.

Whilst the world may be physically present, Ajpu brings the divine aspect into it, it brings the colours to the planet. The day 4 Ajpu is when that soul is anchored into the physical, it brings divinity to our surroundings. As the number 4 is particularly connected with the Sun, it can also be seen as bringing the light back into the world again.

Today is a day when leadership may be stabilised into the physical world, after a period of destruction or loss. It is what was conceived through the ancestors on the day 13 Aq’ab’al. It is a time when we may start to see the new light returning to the world, the beginning of a new era, particularly for the next 260 days. It gives us the opportunity to explore this new aspect of creation, to see it with new eyes and look for the holiness we might be able to find within it. It has been stabilised into the physical world, and when we are able to see it around us, we become able to see it within us.

Kinich Ahau, the solar deity, lord of space and time. From the Dresden Codex.

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 in turn variously translated into English as lord, hunter, blow gunner, flower and sun. Each one of the translations has it’s 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 Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This wisdom enriched both the ruling dynasty and their people, as they would be working in harmony with the gods. Thus the ruler of the city was also the physical embodiment of the divine, and it is to this that Ajpu is so closely related. 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 that moment when you look closely at a flower to see the beautiful detail, the moment when you see the magnificence of the landscape you live within, the beauty in your child’s eyes. It is the random act of kindness that restores our faith in humanity. It is the search for the underlying meaning in all situations, 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. Our every action, and every action of others gives us the opportunity to explore ourselves and our reaction, whether we are attracted or repelled by the action of others. However, sometimes 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 Heart of the Earth as we reach to the Heart of the Sky.

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, 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 solar number. Even though it is still low, it is thought of as a beneficial number.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

10 Ajpu (30th September 2020)

29th September 2020 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The nawal Ajpu encourages us to search for the holy and the number 10 represents society. Whilst we may see problems within our communities, the energy of Ajpu helps us look for the good side today.

Isolation may have its beneficial moments, for reflection and introspection, but for humans to flourish, being part of a bigger community usually benefits all within it. It often not a perfect solution for all within the community, nothing is one size fits all, and so there will always be a certain amount of discontent. It is easy to focus on problems, they tend to be the things which cause the immediate discomfort and so attract the most attention. They sometimes draw our focus so much that we lose sight of the original reasons for joining a community, the original dreams of being at peace with our neighbours, acting in unity and creating a more prosperous environment for our future generations.

The nawal Ajpu does represent the search for divinity, the highest form of good, however this search can begin just by remembering to see the everyday good in what is around us. With the number 10 bringing this focus onto community, today is a day which strongly suggests that we look at the positive elements of the community to which we belong. By extending our love and friendship into our communities, we have the possibility to create something greater than the sum of its parts and more divine than we can create alone.

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

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 people acting in harmony with each other.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

3 Ajpu (10th September 2020)

9th September 2020 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The outer world can sometimes be a harsh place. Sometimes we are gifted, and other times, we wonder where it all went wrong. The energy of 3 Ajpu would suggest that the focus for the day should be on the search for the divinity within.

Learning to find the holiness in all things is a truly noble ideal, which may also sometimes be rather unrealistic. It is probably more true about that which occurs in nature rather than that which is created by humans, but even so the natural world can be problematic with regards to human existence. Hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes all are relatively commonplace in the Maya territories. It is difficult to see the divinity in that which wipes out your family or generations of work. On the smaller scale, trying to find the divinity within human interactions can be a challenging task. It is not impossible, we understand the drives and motivations behind actions we may strongly disagree with, but how can those actions really be part of the one?

Today may bring external demonstrations of the lack of a “higher purpose” to the fore, even more so than usual. The energy of 3 Ajpu would suggest that it is time to look for signs of divinity within yourself and your home. Today may be a day to retreat to your own “holy of holies”, find the flower words, the creation within your own heart.

Ajpu represents the holiness in life, the divinity in the physical world, and our search for it. It is that moment when you look closely at a flower to see the beautiful detail, the moment when you see the magnificence of the landscape you live within, the beauty in your child’s eyes or your partner. It is the random act of kindness that restores our faith in humanity. It is the search for the underlying meaning in all situations, 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. Our every action, and every action of others gives us the opportunity to explore ourselves and our reaction, whether we are attracted or repelled by the action of others. However, sometimes 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 Heart of the Earth as we reach to the Heart of the Sky.

The Orion Nebula, M42. Picture by Mark Elmy

There are various myths about the creation which link with the number 3. One is that at the time of creation, three stone 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)

A (slightly crude) montage showing a proposed correlation between the constellation of Orion and the triadic structure of Maya pyramids. This one is "El Tigre" at the El Mirador site. Photo and montage by Mark Elmy — A (slightly crude) montage showing a proposed correlation between the constellation of Orion and the triadic structure of Maya pyramids. This one is “El Tigre” at the El Mirador site. Photo and montage 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 is possibly the most troublesome of the numbers to deal with, it lacks stability and represents challenges and obstructions. The number three brings up internal/external dilemma. 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 of yourself.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 Ajpu (21st August 2020)

20th August 2020 Mark Elmy 3 Comments

Seeing the holiness in the everyday world is a key ability, and objective, for the nawal Ajpu. Today that is compounded further by its combination with the number 9, the number of life and the divine feminine.

The last time that the number 9 occurred, it was combined with the nawal Kej, representing in particular the feminine aspect of spiritual leadership. Here we see the progression from Kej to Ajpu. This is another way of seeing the trecena cycle within the calendar, where a story of evolution of the soul can be seen. Here the feminine representation of the spiritual leader progresses to radiate her divine self.

Whilst that might sound rather high and mighty for the energy of the day, it is the aspiration. No one is perfect, we are human after all, but we all carry elements of perfection within us, elements of the divine. This could be seen as the progression from the work we did on ourselves on 5 Ajmak, relaxing and releasing in order to step into our true nature.

The energy of the nawal Ajpu may have an effect on us of seeing life through “rose tinted glasses.” Some things are illusions, they are not all that they seem, and it is equally important not to be blind to them. However, in general, society could benefit from remembering that we are all part of one source, we all carry part of the divine with us. When we choose to engage with that part within us, it comes out in others. While all Ajpu days carry the energy to inspire us to seek out divinity, the energy of 9 Ajpu particularly highlights the holiness of life, and the divinity of women, the givers of life.

In this trecena of E’, we are on the new path, still newly born from the preceding trecena of Kawok. The energy of 9 Ajpu creates a day when we see the wonders that life’s journey can bring to us. It is the excitement of seeing all that is good about a new place, or your journey, or seeing the old place with new eyes. It is a day to find the joy in everyday life and allowing that enthusiasm to radiate from you, engaging your highest state and inspiring others to do the same.

The goddess and the yellows. Here she sits with the glyphs representing (from top to bottom) E’, K’at, Ajmak, Q’anil and Ajpu. This is the progression in which they appear when arranged in the “Maya Cross” form of divination. From the Dresden Codex

Ajpu represents the holiness in life, the divinity in the physical world, and our search for it. It is that moment when you look closely at a flower to see the beautiful detail, the moment when you see the magnificence of the landscape you live within, the beauty in your child’s eyes or in your partner. It is the random act of kindness that restores our faith in humanity. It is the search for the underlying meaning in all situations, 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. Our every action, and every action of others gives us the opportunity to explore ourselves and our reaction, whether we are attracted or repelled by the action of others. However, sometimes 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 Heart of the Earth as we reach to the Heart of the Sky.

The number nine is very special indeed. It 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 and is a day on which women may wish to give thanks for their gifts.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

2 Ajpu (1st August 2020)

31st July 2020 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The energy of the number two is said to represent relationships and lovers, and Ajpu represents the search for divinity, so there is a rather obvious area highlighted by the energy of this day. However, there is another aspect.

The number 2 also represents duality. We judge what is around us, we discern between what we consider to be “right” and what we consider to be “wrong”. However, all of creation came from unity, came from oneness. Sometimes it is very difficult to see the divine plan in all things. The energy of the combination 2 Ajpu helps us to understand the bigger plan, to see that behind our judgement a longer term plan is in motion. For example, certain situations can be so “wrong” in many peoples’ eyes, that they cause people to make a choice. Before that situation occurred, the people could not be bothered to make a choice, they sat idly around complaining. The situation pushed the boundaries and reached the limit of peoples’ tolerance so that they stood up and learned something about themselves. In this way duality helps to evolve our higher aspect, by bringing out the hero within us to confront the shadow.

This can also be seen as a day to find the divine within your relationship, to remember what it is in your partner that you love about them. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life we forget to look for this, we lose sight of who we really are, our own divine side, and as a consequence, that of our partner. The energy of the nawal Ajpu sends us on a quest for the divine in the physical world, it helps us to see the love put into the world. Here in the second aspect, it gazes back at us.

The trecena of Kawok is birthing us into our new world, and 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 number two can also represent self sacrifice, putting the needs of your companion ahead of your own. Today, willingly sacrificing your time or needs on behalf of your partner may bring you especially close, it may bring a new radiance into your relationship. Whilst relationships are highlighted, freely giving your time or energy to someone today may help you to embrace your higher aspect.

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 Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This wisdom enriched both the ruling dynasty and their people, as they would be working in harmony with the gods. Thus the ruler of the city was also the physical embodiment of the divine, and it is to this that Ajpu is so closely related. 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 that moment when you look closely at a flower to see the beautiful detail, the moment when you see the magnificence of the landscape you live within, the beauty in your child’s eyes or in those of your partner. It is the random act of kindness that restores our faith in humanity. It is the search for the underlying meaning in all situations, 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. Our every action, and every action of others gives us the opportunity to explore ourselves and our reaction, whether we are attracted or repelled by the action of others. However, sometimes 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 Heart of the Earth as we reach to the Heart of the Sky.

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

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

8 Ajpu (12th July 2020)

11th July 2020 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The nawal Ajpu helps us to recognise the divinity in all that surrounds us, it sends us on our quest to understand the holiness of life. Today it shows us that we have to look in wholeness, in every aspect.

The nawal Ajpu is representative the heroes of the Popol Vuh, Junajpu, Jun Junajpu and Wucub Junajpu. They were the ones who descended to the underworld to Xibalbans, the lords of the place of fright. Jun Junajpu and Wucub Junajpu failed in their task and were killed, but Jun Junajpu’s severed head magically impregnated the maiden Blood Moon with his twin sons, Junajpu and Xbalamque. Where the father and uncle failed, the second generation were victorious and the Xibalbans were defeated, bringing peace to those who dwell in the earthly realm.

With Ajpu representing the sun we can see this interplay as representing the victory of light over darkness. The days numbered 8 are commonly used for ceremony, and today this ceremony could celebrate and honour the heroes that bring the light into our lives, and the divinity that surrounds us in the world. However, without their opponents, heroes would not exist and neither would the legendary stories we celebrate whatever our tradition. The challenges we confront are what bring out the divinity within us, without them there would be no quests, no progress. It is a day to celebrate our failures as well as our victories, all the things which have brought out our the hero from within us.

It is easy to see the beauty in what we have been taught is divine, but can you see it within the mundane, or even in what is considered to be ugly? Can you find the divinity in what you judge to be a negative situation? It is a day to see that all has come from oneness, everything is part of the divine.

Itzamna emerges from the mouth of the serpent, from the Dresden Codex

We have decided to set an intention, to relaunch our retreat which will begin in 240 days time on 1 Ajpu, March 9th 2021. We understand there is great uncertainty in the world right now, but the hero has to have an objective! The retreat is based around the hero’s journey to discover the higher aspect of ourselves, to understand our potential. You can find out more about it here.

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 Heart of the Earth and the Heart of the Sky. This wisdom enriched both the ruling dynasty and their people, as they would be working in harmony with the gods. Thus the ruler of the city was also the physical embodiment of the divine, and it is to this that Ajpu is so closely related. 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 that moment when you look closely at a flower to see the beautiful detail, the moment when you see the magnificence of the landscape you live within, the beauty in your child’s eyes or in the face of your partner. It is the random act of kindness that restores our faith in humanity. It is the search for the underlying meaning in all situations, 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. Our every action, and every action of others gives us the opportunity to explore ourselves and our reaction, whether we are attracted or repelled by the action of others. However, sometimes 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 Heart of the Earth as we reach to the Heart of the Sky.

The number 8 is considered to be a number of wholeness. It can be seen as birth (1) and death (7) combined to represent the whole cycle of the soul. It can also 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 become whole. It is the most common day for ceremonies to be made, it is still in the balanced range of numbers and is an even number, which is also considered fortunate. As 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 ceremony.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

The Junajpu (One Hero) Retreat

10th August 2019 Mark Elmy 1 Comment

We have finally done it! After many people have asked for it we created a retreat, an adventure on the physical and spiritual levels.

On 26th February 2020 (1 Aq’ab’al) we begin a 13 day journey in Peten, including the 6 day hike around El Mirador, Nakbe and La Florida, to find your inner hero. Using the hero’s journey as a template, and the nawales as guidance we will take you through various shamanic journeys to help you to find and recover the highest aspect and purpose within you.

All the details are here: https://fourpillarsretreats.com/

We look forward to welcoming you on to this journey!

Maya Calendar Information

The Inferior Conjunction of Venus – 12 Ajpu (31st October 2018)

30th October 2018 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

Since the day 9 Tz’i (23rd February 2018) Venus has appeared in the west, in the evening sky. From August onward it became a little lower each night until it became lost in the glare of the sunset. Today, according to the Dresden Codex, is the first day of the inferior conjunction of Venus. Venus is passing between the Earth and the Sun, and as such is not visible in our night sky.

Venus as the evening star can be seen to represent the obsidian mirror, the dark mirror within us showing us the parts of our ego we would rather hide from the world. There has been a particularly strong cycle this time around, one which takes place every 8 years. The dark mirror has been intensified by the power of the year lord, which reached its peak intensity around mid-summer, the light of the sun illuminating not only the things we wish to hide from the world, but possibly the things we wish to hide from ourselves. It has the power to illuminate the half truths that we occasionally tell ourselves, stripping away the false support which comes from them and in turn replacing them with truth. It is on this truth that we can then build when Venus returns as the morning star, and we can move into a time of advancement and enlightenment.

In this cycle within the codex, the first day of the inferior conjunction happens on 12 Ajpu. This can be seen as the day on which we use our life experience to make a judgement between what is divine and what is not.

The inferior conjunction of Venus has coincided with some societal upheavals including the downfall of leaders occurring during or soon after. According to Bruce Scofield in his book How to Practice Mayan Astrology:

“Newsworthy events occurring at, or just after, the inferior conjunction are often characterized by impulsive human errors the lead to a levelling or crash of some sort.”

Maya Calendar Information

Superior Conjunction of Venus Begins – 10 Ajpu (25th November 2017)

24th November 2017 Mark Elmy Leave a comment

The cycle of Venus was used by the ancient Maya to time many ritual practices, including war and sacrifice. The heliacal rising of Venus, when Venus is seen to rise with the Sun, was seen as a particularly destructive and unsettled time. Venus has been rising heliacally since 8 K’at (3rd April 2017). The period since the beginning of the heliacal rise of Venus seems to have been a great turmoil for many. It was at its peak brightness on April 29th 2017 (8 Tz’i) and reached its greatest height (western elongation) on June 3rd 2017 (4 Kan), which could be seen as the height of its influence.

It is said that the light of the morning star illuminates that which has been hidden, it is an exposer of cover-ups, particularly those of a sexual nature. Additionally it is said that when Venus rises heliacally on a K’at day, the Venus deities spear the old men, the rulers and kings. Has this morning star period seen older men in powerful positions falling from grace due to sex scandals?

On the day 10 Ajpu (25th November 2017), according to the Dresden codex, Venus will cease to be a feature in our morning sky. The morning star will disappear to the underworld, only to reappear as the evening star on 9 Tz’i Kame, 23rd February 2018.

This is a time that could be seen as a respite from the disturbing influence that Venus has. It can be a time to look at what went wrong and see how to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. It is a time to evaluate ourselves, and the leaders of our society, a time to address our values and the values of the society we live in, and a time to redress the balance.

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