Tag Archives: Chol Q’ij

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

7 Kej (27th August 2024)

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7 KejThis could be a perfect day to choose how to apply your strength. Today, a walk in nature may show you your options and guide your decisions.

The strong physical energy of the nawal Kej combines with the energy of the number 7, bringing balance to determination.

The nawal Kej can be seen as representing the physical world, in particular nature and the wilderness. It differs a little from Ix, Ix represents the spirit of the Earth, from where the natural world extends. We see this in the pattern of the nawales within the calendar. The last time we encountered the number 7, it was 7 Ix. Now we see that has transformed to 7 Kej, as if we have moved from the plant to its flower, moving from Ix to Kej. Ix might also represent the more spiritual, etheric manifestation of the energy. Kej is somewhat like the distillation of the energy of the natural world into physical form.

Today the majestic deer stands on top of the mountain, or at least the summit of the pyramid of numbers. It is a day when you might be able to see the power of nature all around you and draw your strength from this view. You might find that you have a great deal of energy, and you are not sure quite which direction to put it into.

If you choose to engage with that energy, be gentle on those around you. Don’t allow your enthusiasm for your choices to trample others in order to make your ideas happen. Instead use the energy you receive to inspire them, and step into the true nature of Kej, the benevolent, energetic leader.

The Nawal Kej

Xbalamkiej, patron of the day Kej one of the hero twins from the Popol Vuh. From the Dresden Codex
Xbalamkiej, patron of the day Kej one of the hero twins from the Popol Vuh. From the Dresden Codex

Kej is possibly the strongest of the nawales, it is powerful, but in a different way to Kan. Kej is energetic, lively and determined. It is the nawal of nature, of the wilderness and it is this power that it draws on. The animal totem of Kej is the deer, but if you have fragile, new-born Bambi in mind, think again. This is the majestic stag, standing on the mountain surveying his domain. Whilst most nawales are not necessarily engendered, Kej is most definitely masculine. Both men and women that carry Kej as their nawal have great strength, although the men tend to hide their strength more. Kej women are particularly driven, resourceful and brave, sometimes to the point of being rather dominant. All radiate an aura of nobility, people tend to look to them to lead.

Kej is the nawal of the Mayan “religion”, a day of spiritual leaders, of shaman and of priests. It is these leaders who understand how to read the messages from the natural world, who help to keep our existence in balance with nature. It is a day to connect with the wilderness and draw the power of the natural world into you, to harmonise and replenish.

 

The Number 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.

Number Sequence.jpg

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

6 Kame (26th August 2024)

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6 KameThe nawal Kame may make us face the things that frighten us, to evolve our souls. Its combination with the energy of the number 6 today suggests empowerment to face physical challenges comes from the hearts of the Sky and Earth.

Whilst the energy of the nawal Kame may bring forth our challenges, it also gives us the strength to face them. These challenges may take many forms, but the energy of today would suggest that they are physical and possibly connected with family.

It is a day to bring stability to any transformations you may wish to go through. It is a day when you may wish to call upon your ancestors, embrace their wisdom, and allow their spirit to support your change. Whilst the challenge you face may be great, today is a very positive day to tackle that challenge. You have the support of your family in both this world and the spirit world, should you ask for it.

Nawal Kame

Kame relates to death, which often makes people nervous. However, this nawal is seen as an extremely positive day. Birth is the gateway into the mortal life, and death is the gateway into the eternal. In many shamanistic traditions, the initiate goes through several death experiences during training. This can be through the use of particular herbs, or sometimes through accident or illness. In these experiences, the density of the mortal realm falls away and the greater understanding emerges. It can often be described as a spiritual transformation. In the Popul Vuh, the Mayan book of creation, the Hero Twins descend to the underworld, Xibalba, to confront the Lords of Death. They pass the many challenges set for them, but eventually end up being tricked by the Lord of Death. Instead of giving in, the Hero Twins choose to sacrifice themselves.

They give instructions to a pair of seers to convince the Lords of Death to grind the Twins’ bones to dust and throw the dust in the river. Everything went according to plan and five days later the twins appeared as catfish in the river, then transformed into vagabond “magicians”. In this way, we see a literal transformation from the crusader (Tijax) through death (Kame) to the higher self (Ix). This is the potential of the Kame day, to face one’s fears and attain a higher perspective, to advance the journey of your soul. This is also a day to remember your ancestors and friends who have passed into the other realm, to remember what they taught you, and to thank them for their wisdom that helped you to grow.

The Number 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. Six days are frequently used for ceremonies 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 masculine and feminine principles. If the number four represents the physical world and the number 6 represents the physical world animated by the life force energy.

It also represents family, relating to the six qualities which hold families together – health, understanding, property, employment, friendship and actions.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

5 Kan (25th August 2024)

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5 KanThe day 5 Kan may bring empowerment through hard work. However, it may take some use of power, or the challenges that come from it, to bring out the true wisdom.

As we continue to move through the trecena of Imox, we now see the first sign of life. Kan, representing the lightning in the blood, brings this life force to the new embryo. Thus it can be thought of as a spark of life being received by the vessel. Now implanted in the womb, it is fully ready to be empowered. This process happens many times throughout our lives, empowering us, enlivening us and bringing us wisdom.

Today, the combination with the number 5 suggests that capturing that spark of life may require a little work. Perhaps this work can be thought of as the effort put into spinning a dynamo. The energy of the number 5 often focuses our attention on those around us more than ourselves. As such, its combination with the energy of Kan may be rather a blessing.

This could be seen as using your power to work for the good of all around you. This is one of the ultimate benevolent faces of Kan empowering others through sharing wisdom. However, it may be important to remember to keep some of this life force energy for yourself as 5’s can burn out. Perhaps, setting the boundaries on how much of your energy you can safely give away to others is part of the wisdom brought by the energy of this day. Allow the energy to flow through you, rather than from you, by connecting to the Heart of the Sky, Junrakan, at the beginning of the day.

The Nawal Kan

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

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

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

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

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”.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

4 K’at (24th August 2024)

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4 K'atGather your physical abundance today. It is a day of collection, but also a day to release physical burdens and attachments.

K’at can be seen as the planting of the seed. It is possibly the planting aspect that differentiates the energy of K’at from the ripening seed energy of Q’anil. Here, with the physical energy of the number 4, we could see a good planting day. Once the crops are planted, they will need tending, which is perhaps the burden that is implied. However, there can be no multiplication, no harvest, no abundance, without this physical preparation and attachment.

If we see Aq’ab’al as the conception point, perhaps we can see K’at as the point of implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine wall. The beginning of the development of a new life, the physical planting of a new human being. K’at can also represent the womb, the first carrying bag.

After the possible confusion of recent days, today things start to settle down. In fact, things may come together very well today. The dreams, potential and energy start to be held together by a binding force, that of the nawal K’at. The brief images and ideas that may have appeared to you are gathered together within the net and grounded into reality. Yesterday I suggested waiting for a more conducive day to start a project. Today the pieces start to fit together to form a coherent picture.

K’at days can be great days to declutter, and today focuses on the physical. What are you prepared to release to bring your new concept to life? Carefully select the physical attributes you wish to gather. Ensure that what you carry with you physically will assist you rather than bind you. Now that you have things straight, you can proceed.

The Nawal K’at

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

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

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

The Nawal K’at and Ix K’ik

The nawal K’at is associated with Ixk’ik, Blood Moon, who was magically impregnated in Xibalba (the underworld) by the spirit of Jun Junajpu.  Jun Junajpu and his brother Wucub Junajpu were summoned by the Lords of Death to Xibalba to face the challenges after they disturbed the Lords by playing the ball game too noisily. Unfortunately this first pair of heroes went unprepared and were tricked and sacrificed by the Lords of Death. After their deaths, the head of Jun Junajpu was hung in a calabash tree, where it eventually blended in with the wizened fruit on the tree. However, it was known to speak and the news of this dis-incarnate voice in the tree reached Blood Moon.

She decided to go an visit the tree where she was asked to hold out her hand. The head spat into her hand and she became impregnated with the Hero Twins, Junajpu and Xbalamque. She was banished from Xibalba and went to meet the mother of Jun Junajpu and Wucub Junajpu, Ixmucane. At first Ixmucane did not accept that Blood Moon was carrying her grandchildren, and set a task to fill a net with corn from the garden. When Blood Moon arrived, there was only one stalk, but by pulling the corn silk, the plant magically produced an abundant harvest and Blood Moon was accepted as telling the truth.

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, 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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

New Calendar Page – September 2024

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This quick link takes you to the September 2024 calendar page. As usual, you can see the days of the Chol Q’ij plotted onto the Gregorian month and the major astronomical events of the month! Click here to navigate to the page.September 2024www.thefourpillars.net

Calendars

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/

If you are in the USA and would like a physical copy of the 2024 /12 No’j Calendar, you can also find them for sale with Soul Lift Cacao. Follow this link https://soulliftcacao.com/products/mayan-calendar-english-2024

If you are the more technically minded I have created a plugin for Google Calendar which will enable you to track the days of the sacred calendar on your smartphone. It will also give a summary of the energy of the day. This way you can ensure that your activities are aligned to the most conducive energies! It is available for purchase here https://thefourpillars.net/google-calendar-plugin/

If you would like to dive deeper into the sacred calendar, I will be running a workshop via Zoom from 11 am – 3pm (Guatemala Time, UTC -6) from 2nd – 6th September 2024. For more information, please go to https://thefourpillars.net/?page_id=1120 

Are you ready for an adventure? Check out https://fourpillarsretreats.com/

Rebirth of Adventure

 

 

 

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

3 Aq’ab’al (23rd August 2024)

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3 Aq'ab'alLook for the new light, the new concept within. This is, after all, what could be considered to be the dawn of creation.

 

When a newborn enters the world, the first few days must be rather confusing. As I have mentioned, it could be said that we have just entered a new cycle of the Chol Q’ij.

Whether we take this to be the full new 260-day count, or the new trecena is unimportant. The outcome is more or less the same.
With 1 Imox, we had the seed of the new dream. It was pure potential without direction. Then 2 Iq’ breathed life into the potential, the first moment of creation through the word. In 3 Aq’ab’al, we see the results of the energies of the previous two days. This could be a new concept. However, there are too many uncertainties to be sure of the outcome. In these early moments, things are still hidden in the darkness.

A possible phrase to associate with this day could be “false dawn”. You may think you can see the first light of the sun, but it may turn out to be the light of Venus. (I have seen the light of Venus bright enough to cast a shadow!) This is a day when things might not quite be what they seem. If you are waiting to start something, it is not quite the time. You might be ready to go, only to be confronted by an unexpected challenge. Proceed with caution, or wait for a more conducive day.

On a more positive note, the 3 could represent the home. In order to direct your energy in the most constructive way. Planning a new project around your home may be a beneficial way to spend the day.

The Nawal Aq’ab’al

The word aq’ab is translated as dark. The suffix -al changes the meaning slightly, alluding transtition and the dawning of the day. It is the time between darkness and light, night and day. Probably our best way to translate it would be as twilight. Birth is the beginning of the mortal journey. Aq’ab’al is just the beginning of the day and of things which are not yet fully formed.

In Santiago Atitlan one day, a friend explained to me the different parts of a weaving on a backstrap loom. Aq’ab’al is the warp (the vertical threads), B’atz is the weft (the horizontal threads) which creates the whole cloth. The newly woven cloth is Kawok. In order for the weaver to create, first she has an idea in her head or a dream. She sets out the dream on her loom by setting up the warp. The design has passed from being just an idea, to the beginnings of a woven reality. Thus, concept requires creative input before it becomes whole. Aq’ab’al can also represent conception. The fertilised egg is far from ready to be born, but has passed from the dream or spirit world into the physical.

Aq’ab’al days are great days for the start of new things, particularly new relationships – Aq’ab’al has a strong affinity with marriage. Also it is a perfect day for starting new projects. It is the time to bring them into the world of light from the world of dreams and ideas.

The Number Three

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

The Orion Nebula
The Orion Nebula by Mark Elmy

The number 3 is still in the low end of the range of numbers. It does not have much energy yet, and it is also an odd number. It can represent the home, relating to the three hearthstones laid by the creators, and this is probably a good focus for a 3 day. However, it 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

2 Iq’ (22nd August 2024)

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2 Iq'How will you choose to use your words? Are your words encouraging, do they create or do they destroy? You have the power of both aspects in your voice today.

In the Popol Vuh, the act of creation happens when Sovereign Plumed Serpent and Hunrakan, the Heart of the Sky, joined their words and thoughts. This suggests that once they had spoken, the dawn of life was conceived. Once again, we see a story of creation starting with the ocean (1 Imox) and here being developed by the words (2 Iq’)

The day 2 Iq’ could give rise to some unexpectedly powerful communication. The number 2 brings polarities and Iq’ is an unpredictable nawal, this has both light and dark potentials.
In its lightest aspect, Iq’ can represent the breath of life itself, the divine inspiration which flows through you, creating beautiful words. It may represent the charming words with which you empower your lover, another interpretation of the number 2. It could represent the words of strength that come at the right moment to inspire selfless acts of kindness amongst those around you.

The other side of Iq’ can be dark and vengeful, destroying and cutting down those in its path with barbed words. Whilst the number 2 is relatively gentle, and may take the sting out of some of these words, it is still possible that unintentional damage may be caused. Today it may be especially necessary to take a breath, step back from a situation and think before you speak.

This could be seen as a day of diplomacy, where the energy of the number 2 combined with the nawal Iq’ brings the words to bridge the differences between opposing views. What will you create with your words?

The Nawal Iq’

Wind God 1

Nawal Iq’ is another strong nawal. It represents communication and particularly divine inspiration. It is the wind, the breath of life, that which brings the change in seasons.

The communication brought by Iq’ can be enlightening and inspiring. It is the breath of the divine which flows through us all, in fact the word for soul is Saq Iq’ – white breath. When our breath stops, our divine essence leaves our physical body. When we engage ourselves with the divine breath we are able to create, to manifest with our words, to inspire those around us. However, Iq’ also has a destructive side. It has the ability to blow like a hurricane and may level everything before it. It is the angry words which cut down everything in their path.

Hurricane is one of the few English words which is actually derived from a Mayan word- Junrakan, meaning “one footed”. Junrakan is another name for the Heart of the Sky, one of the creator deities. Once again it seems that certain patterns follow through the sequence of the nawales which are interrelated. Imox, the female creative principle, or egg, is fertilised be Iq’, the male principle. Their combination results in Aq’ab’al, the conception and a change in the state, bringing the dream into reality.

Iq’ is a day of communication, a day of inspiration. It can be a great day to express yourself through written or particularly verbal means. It is also a day on which changes happen. You can either embrace those changes or resist them. However, be aware that the wind blows forcefully and resistance of change requires a great deal of energy. Embracing change helps you to learn to dance like a leaf in the wind.

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

1 Imox (21st August 2024)

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1 ImoxThis is a day to begin a new dream. It brings new inspiration to develop over the coming 260 days. Today we begin a new a new trecena, and some would say a whole new cycle of the calendar.

For me, the day 1 Imox has the words “in the beginning” very firmly attached to it. The Popol Vuh tells how before the creation event “only the sea alone pooled under the sky; there is nothing whatever gathered together. It is at rest. Not a single thing stirs”. As Imox represents the great ocean, 1 Imox could very well be seen as this moment before creation.

Imox is pure potential, limitless and directionless. Likewise, the number 1 also represents potential. Today is a day to dream, and dream big. It may be confusing, the initial images might not make sense to begin with, as so often with dreams. Now might not be the best time to attempt to fit them together. Just allow the ideas to come and grasp their energy for use later on.

Today may be for delving deep into the collective consciousness, to see what dreams are possible. It is the seed hidden deep in the dark moistness, with the ability to become whatever you wish it to. It is yours to grow, yours to guide, but today a little encouragement from others, to start to grow this dream seed, may prove very helpful. They may also help you to pull yourself out of the depths and come up for air once in a while.

Nawal Imox

Nawal Imox represents the collective consciousness, the great ocean. It is the moment before the “big bang”, when all that existed was the dream of the creator. It is everything and nothing in one place, the ovum from which reality was conceived. Imox is still very much in the other world, requiring another component to physically manifest the dream into reality.

Imox is considered to be a feminine nawal. Sometimes called water lily, sometimes crocodile, it is an embodiment of the primordial. It was from the great ocean that the four first men raised sky to create the world which we inhabit. Imox can also be seen as the Darwinian swamp from which all life emerged. It is fertile and creative, the mother that gave birth to our entire reality.

Imox is our common origin, and as such links us all together. It is the place of dreams, the collective conscious we delve into on our nightly voyages. It may also relate to the place that certain plant medicines take us to in order to bring us wisdom. However, as the font of all of creation, Imox harbours the dark as well as the light.

Imox is a day to celebrate the spirit of the times, to understand the collective mind. It is a day to dream your creations, your art, your music. Imox helps us all feel connected, when the psychic field between us may be particularly strong. Discernment may be called for, to understand when to dissociate from the collective. It is important to remember your individuality.

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

13 Ajpu (20th August 2024)

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13 AjpuThe connection to the ancestor spirit should be powerful today. Guidance in matters such as your spiritual path, and your hero’s quest, should be obvious. Be prepared for the answers to appear right in front of you.

13 Ajpu is a day when we see ourselves and the true selves of those around us. Today allows us to embody who we truly are. We may judge those around us based on our values, but what we see in them is their truth. 13 Ajpu may also bring reflections of our behaviour. We should be careful not to judge too quickly, we might be seeing our faults.

This can be seen as what we have been waiting for, nine months of gestation leading to this day. It is the resurrection of the Maize Lord and his ascension to the spirit world all in one. It can be seen as the move to the next level, where the power of the ancestors is revealed.

Today the feeling of divinity in the world is intoxicating when you notice the extraordinary around you. It is therefore essential to stay well-grounded as Ajpu has a penchant for spiritual intrigue. Ajpu can draw people towards the overly mystical. They may become lost in its charms or bewitched by its words. With the otherworld power of the 13 attached, this may result in an intense experience.

Make your art today, bring the essence of the divine into the physical world.  If you look for inspiration in the natural world, spirit will guide you to create exceptional beauty. It is, of course, a great day to make an offering to the ancestors for their guidance.

The Nawal Ajpu

Kinich Ahau, the solar deity, lord of space and time. From the Dresden Codex.
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 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 13

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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 Kawok (19th August 2024)

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12 KawokYou have the life experience to heal anything standing between you and your rebirth today. The energy is conducive to clearing the obstructions and inducing your new growth. It can be easy if we allow it to be, or painful if we resist.

The number of life experience, combined with Kawok, gives the opportunity to finally wash away “stubborn stains” from the past. Should you allow the process to happen it can lead to rebirth.

I have an image of the nawal Kawok as a wise and loving, but firm, midwife. She has seen many new children brought into this world and knows what she is talking about. She is here to assist with the birth process. At this point there is no going back, there is only one way and that is to move past the pain to allow the new life to emerge. She is here to comfort and encourage, and occasionally to push you forwards when the process feels too hard. The flow that she brings cannot be stopped, if resistance is encountered the storm intensifies until her waters wash away the obstruction. It is, therefore, better to heed her advice, grit your teeth, and move through the process before the full power of the storm is unleashed.

This is the penultimate day of the trecena of ripening, and some would say the penultimate day of a cycle of 260 days. As 13 Ajpu is such an important day that is being birthed, it is the most experienced of midwives which is called upon in 12 Kawok. Here the analogy is that of bringing together all of your life experience in order to birth into being your own true ripeness.

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 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.