Tag Archives: Chol Q’ij

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

8 Aq’ab’al (13th August 2026) – Perseid Meteor Shower

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8 Aq'ab'alThis is a day to make ceremony to celebrate every new dawn, new life coming to the world. Old and new concepts combine to strengthen each other and bring their fullest expression.

The day Aq’ab’al is a day to celebrate our ability to conceive our dreams into reality. It is a day on which we can embrace novelty for everything it brings to us.

Today it is associated with the energy of the number 8, representing totality. It represents the new birth of the 1 and the finality of the 7 in one place, together. We can see it as representing the very new and the very old, the first hint of the new day, and the fully risen sun together.

Our new concepts and ideas are what keep the new life coming into our world. We are here to progress, to advance, and to evolve. However, in order to truly do this, we advance ancient concepts by revitalising them rather than forgetting them. We can incorporate old concepts into our brand new ideas, bringing out the best of both worlds.

This is a day to really flesh out our ideas, to see them in totality so that we can understand how to further nourish them in order to bring them into this world. We might find that nourishment in ancient concepts.

The Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseid meteor shower is one of the prolific in the calendar and this year it has the potential to be rather spectacular. As the Earth crosses the debris trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle, tiny pieces of the comet fall to Earth, glowing brightly as they do. This year the Perseid meteor shower happens just hours after the new moon, meaning that the skies will be at their darkest and even the feintest meteors may be visible. The peak of the shower will be just before dawn, local time where you are. Personally I will be out sky watching from 03:00, as the peak comes around 04:30 here, with a possibility of up to 68 meteors per hour.

I find it interesting that the meteor shower aligns with the creation day of the fourth sun. According to the Popol Vuh, Jun Junajpu (newborn sun) spat seeds into the hand of Ix K’ik to magically impregnate her with the hero twins, Junajpu and Ixbalamque. This happened while his head was in a calabash tree by the road.

Could it be that the road is the ecliptic, and the tree is referring to the zenith position of the sun. Perhaps those seeds are the Perseid meteors, and those are what differentiate form the April solar zenith? Is the Popol Vuh using astronomical observations as a language to pinpoint a date? Ix K’ik can be translated as “she of blood”, but is also often translated as “Blood Moon”, so it could be viewed that the creation date was when the Sun was at zenith, the moon was eclipsed and there was a meteor shower. Perhaps the alignment of those three occurrences gives a very accurate way to find a particular date.

Clear skies everyone!

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 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.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

Observation of the Solar Zenith in Highland Guatemala

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Solar Zenith

It may be the latitude of my country of birth that gives me such an interest in the skies of Guatemala. How different the skies can look in the tropics is almost inconceivable. I am originally from 52o North. Having been a sky watcher since I was young, I was used to seeing Orion standing proudly in the winter sky. Now, having lived in Guatemala for 16 years, I am accustomed to seeing him reclining as if in a hammock. It was in Guatemala that I was able to see Mercury clearly for the first time, with the inclination of the ecliptic giving sufficient altitude above the horizon to evade the Sun’s glare.

However, the solar zenith transit is a more unique experience, one that is alien to my birth country. This transit is, of course, what defines the latitude of the tropics. The sun reaches a zenith angle of 90o at solar noon. Solar noon could be defined as the point where the sun is at 90o on the ecliptic, the path that it follows through the sky each day. Whilst this would be thought to be 12:00 pm, the exact location and time of year within a time zone will change this slightly. For instance, in my case, solar noon in San Pablo la Laguna can vary between 12:02 pm and 12:19 pm.

On the equator, the solar zenith angle reaches 90o on the equinoxes, therefore twice per year. On the Tropic of Cancer, the Sun will reach 90o on only one occasion, the June solstice, and on the Tropic of Capricorn on the December solstice. As we travel from the equator to the Tropic of Cancer, the solar zenith dates change, becoming closer together from the equinox dates towards the June solstice.

Calendar Connection

Of course, what intrigued me, living here in the Maya lands, are the dates of the solar zenith transits here at 14°44’N / 91°17’W. The solar zenith tends to fall on April 29th and August 12th. If one is earlier, so is the other, preserving 105 days between the dates where the sun is in the north at midday (something which makes garden planning quite a challenge!) This period will also mean that on the opposite side of the year, for example, from August 12th 2026, to April 29th 2027, will sum to 260 days. Both the dates of August 12th and the 260-day period are of interest as they reflect very closely the 260-day Chol Q’ij, and the date is a very close approximation to the GMT calculation of the beginning of the fourth era, 11th August 3114 BCE.

The April zenith transit occurs 40 days after the spring equinox, therefore carrying the same day name within the sacred calendar. In 2026, this was No’j (Caban) – 5 No’j on the equinox and 6 No’j on the zenith day. The June solstice occurred 53 days later (2 cycles of 20 days and one trecena or 4 trecenas plus 1 day) on the day 7 Tz’i. The second solar zenith occurs 52 days (4 trecenas) after the June solstice, which will be the day 7 Iq’

Observation of the Solar Zenith

Zenith tubes have been found at Xochicalco and Monte Alban, indicating that Mesoamerican peoples were certainly aware of the solar zenith.

Experimentation

Part of my philosophy of life is “How can we expect to understand something if we don’t experience it ourselves?” I feel that we must sit under the skies as the ancients once did. So, I decided to make my investigation of the solar zenith by setting up a solar zenith tube in my garden to observe the zenith passage of the Sun myself. These stills are taken from a video I made of my solar zenith observation, which can be seen here https://youtu.be/HxlmSN9rwdo

For the experiment, I used a photographic tripod which has a long centre column with a hole running through it. The centre column is around 300mm in length and the hole is around 5mm in diameter. This is the sort of ratio required to ensure that the direct light of the sun will only be projected when the sun is truly at its zenith. To ensure this, I used a digital level to position the centre column exactly vertical, 90o on the east-west axis (ecliptic) and 90o on the north-south axis (meridian).

As the point of zenith approached, a little dot of light began to appear under the tripod. However, at 12:08 pm, I observed a brilliant point of light emerging on the ground, signifying that the Sun was directly overhead. There was a very obvious difference in the quality of light when the Sun was directly at its zenith.

What Does it Mean?

Perhaps one of the questions which could be asked is why the zenith observation would be so important.

Perhaps it could be seen in a way of the energy of the Heart of the Sky entering the Heart of the Earth, bringing fertility? This leads me to the second part of my experiment. Testing the idea of the corn growing season.

For many years, I had heard that the 260 days of the sacred calendar refer to the planting and harvest of corn. I understand from some of my friends here that there are some cultivars which would be planted around the 12th of February to be harvested around the 29th of October. These are rather similar to the dates of the solar nadir and also give the dates of the sunrise azimuth of 104o.

However, many agronomists question this length of corn growth, as it seems far removed from the general length of time from planting to harvest of the corn. Once again, I decided to make my experiment to confirm. In this initial investigation, I used corn from the market. My corn was ripe 100 days after planting. It struck me that the way corn is used in this area is not like that which I would see in my birth country, corn on the cob, but more to be doubled, and dried on the stem. If the solar zenith dates are used as a guideline for planting, they align rather well with the usual weather patterns in highland Guatemala.

The first solar zenith transit date of 29th April coincides with the onset of the rainy season. Usually, May and June are very warm, wet months, ideal for corn growth. This continues through to around 23rd July, 85 days after the solar zenith when another astronomical phenomenon occurs. The heliacal rise of Sirius.

Canicular

While I have not directly heard of the observation of Sirius in Maya astronomy, it does indirectly leave its mark in Guatemalan culture as the basis for the Canicular. Canicular is the dry period in the middle of the rainy season. As it is during the hotter part of the year, it is certainly noticeable. If the corn was ripe at 85 days after a zenith planting, this would be an ideal time to double the stems over and allow the corn to dry for 2 weeks before harvest. That would then take us to 99 days after the first solar zenith, giving us 6 days to prepare the field for the second planting of corn before the second zenith. Once again, the Heart of the Sky impregnates the Heart of the Earth on the second Zenith.

Once we pass the second zenith, the rains begin to come back, with September and October being the wettest months of the year. If we are to look at the timing from the perspective of the solar zenith, we would find that 105 days after August 12th is November 25th. This is usually the time of year when the rains cease and the dry season begins. It again would be an ideal time to be doubling over the corn ready for harvest 2 weeks later.

As the August zenith is 260 days before the April zenith, whatever day of the sacred calendar the second zenith occurred on would be repeated in the following April. For example, in 2026, August 12th will fall on 7 Iq’ (Ik), as will April 29th 2027.

By following the rhythm of the sacred calendar and the timing of the solar zenith transits, 2 crops of corn can be grown in one season. This maximises the efficiency of the land and enables the people to thrive. It nourishes human hearts through the connection between the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth.

Here’s the video I made of the observation of the solar zenith transit on April 29th 2025. If the skies are clear on 12th August 2026, I will make another one
https://youtu.be/S-012ZJfMjY

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

7 Iq’ (12th August 2026) – Solar Zenith Transit at 14.8N

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7 Iq This may be an excellent day to wrap up any ongoing conversations, discussions or negotiations you may have been having. However, be aware of the words you choose. Their finality may lead to the burning of some bridges you may later have to rebuild. It is difficult not to use the phrase “the final word” in relation to the energy of this day.

Once again the nawal Iq’ brings a strong energy of change and communication to the day. However, today its combination with the number of balance may lead to some indecision.

The day 7 Iq’ is a day when you find yourself easily able to communicate at many different levels. It is a balanced day that might not find the full inspiring force of Iq’, but is unlikely to find great anger either. Today should bring balanced, firm, but fair communication. It could be a good day to finalise changes that you may have been considering.

The energy of nawal Iq’ brings changes, often unexpected, sometimes dramatic. One of the great challenges with the energy of Iq’ is its unpredictable nature. Today this nature is embellished by the indecisive nature of the number 7. It may present many opportunities for powerful changes. Your challenge will be to decide as to which one to embrace.

We can also look at this day from the perspective of the trecena of Ajmak. This could be an excellent day for having conversations around forgiveness. It enables us to have a final conversation about something and move on by giving an opportunity to choose the correct words to make this happen.

Solar Zenith

Here in Guatemala, at 14.8 degrees north of the equator, we experience this phenomenon two time per year. The Solar Zenith is when the Sun crosses the hypothetical North – South line (the Meridian) at 90 degrees. If you live outside of the tropics, you will be accustomed to the Sun being at its greatest height in the sky on the solstice. That will be June in the Northern hemisphere or December in the Southern Hemisphere.

Here at 14.8 degrees North, we can add the Zenith into the mix. Between August 11th – 13th and April 29th – May 1st, the Sun will be directly overhead at solar noon. We will experience what seems to be no shadow! Why is this so interesting? Between 12th August and 29th April is 260 days, and between 29th April and 12th August is 105 days.  Some people have theorised the the sacred calendar may have been developed at this latitude due to this phenomenon. This was possibly at the site of Izapa, near modern-day city of Tapachula in southwest Mexico. This video theorises how the the 260-day calendar may have been distributed along ancient trade routes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iGCxZOSV5o 

Several Maya sites have structures that mark the zenith transit, often zenith tubes. One possible reason that the zenith transit was so important was because of the planting of maize. Here in Guatemala, the rain becomes sporadic by the beginning of November. By mid November, we are often fully into dry season. The corn takes around 105 days to grow, mature and harvest, and 105 days from 12th August would be around the 25th November. Therefore, it is important to plant the last crop of corn before the second solar zenith transit. I go into the solar zenith transit in more depth here: https://thefourpillars.net/observation-of-the-solar-zenith/

August is usually canicular, the dry part in the middle of rainy season. It is not really possible to know whether we will have clear skies or cloud, but if we have clear skies I will set up a Facebook live video of my observation of the Solar Zenith Transit using levels and tubes to mark the moment.

Total Solar Eclipse

The maximum point of eclipse will occur at 17:46 UTC. The path of totality will travel from the artic through Greenland and Iceland, northern Portugal, and central Spain.  A partial solar eclipse will be visible over northwest Europe, northwest Africa, Canada and the northeast USA .

Eclipses were very significant to the Maya. The picture below is from the eclipse tables of the Dresden codex, where calculations show when eclipses (both lunar and solar) will take place. In general, most references to eclipses, either lunar or solar, tend to be rather negative in nature. They are seen as a war in the heavens. There is some evidence that wars between different classic era city states occurred directly after solar eclipses.

During solar eclipses, the moon is so angry with the sun that she bites him. It is also seen as  either an ant or a jaguar who is said to have bitten the eclipsed celestial object. This can be particularly apparent with partial eclipses, the bite mark on the sun being very much how leaf-cutter ants make circular holes on leaves. The people sometimes make a great deal of noise (usually by banging on pots and pans) to drive away the animals attacking the sun or moon.

Of course, the covering of the face of the sun, darkness occurring in the middle of the day is a hugely dramatic experience both then and now. The cutting off of the energy source for our planet would have very serious consequences if it went on for longer.

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 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.

7 the final step

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 Imox (11th August 2026)

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6 ImoxOur existence relies on water, particularly the oceans and lakes. Today is an excellent day to stabilise the waters that support our families and bring stability. It’s a great day for acting on issues of water, such as cleaning beaches.

The empathic energy of Imox can sometimes unsettle us as we feel what is going on in the collective. We can get lost in the feelings of others, losing sight of our own. It may be a day which helps you to stabilise your individuality within your family.

The pairing with the number six today brings a healthy balance to this and highlights the family connection. As an even number in the middle of the thirteen days, it should provide an equilibrium to what we feel.

Imox can also be seen as a connection to the world of dreams and visions. Some interpretations refer to Imox as “the left hand” which could also infer the right brain. Imox days can be highly creative if we allow ourselves to dip into the dream world. Sometimes this may lead us astray, taking us into some ungrounded reality. However, with the presence of the number six stability can be established. This stability can help us determine dreams from reality and understand what is achievable. Embrace the possibilities of your creativity and firmly ground your dreams into your world today.

As we pass through the trecena of Ajmak we are shown today how empathy can bring forgiveness. When we are able to put ourselves in the position of another we can better understand their actions. Through that understanding comes acceptance and forgiveness.  This might especially be focussed on family matters today.

Bringing Water stability to Families

As I write about water bringing stability to families, it reminds me to mention another worth local project, Water4Life Global. Founders  Jenna MacEwan and Nikki Appleton and their team have been making a difference to peoples’ lives since 2018. They provide water filters to local families throughout Guatemala, giving direct access to clean drinking water. Additionally they are involved in action which helps to clean up the local sources of water. This is achieved through grey water treatment projects, reforestation and education. To learn more or donate, please visit: https://water4lifeglobal.org/

The 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 Six

The number six is said to be the number of ultimate stability. It is the first of the three middle numbers of the cycle, the balance point. Thus, ceremonies are often made on six days thanks to their conducive energy.

The number 6 carries the qualities of the number 4, but has an extra axis. If we think of the number four representing the cardinal points, the number six adds a vertical axis to these. It brings in the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. The number six has the stability of the number four embellished by the masculine and feminine principals. If the number four represents the physical world and the number 6 represents the physical world animated by the life force energy.

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

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

5 Ajpu (10th August 2026)

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5 AjpuFinding higher meaning in our work or everyday tasks may be important today. It may require more energy than usual to see a higher purpose, but the effort will be rewarded.

The energy of the nawal Ajpu often drives us to try to find a higher meaning in things around us. It fuels our quest for the divine in the everyday. Of course, everything is part of the oneness from where it all came, but over time some things have become very separated from that source. We may have many judgements about the world in which we live, many of which will be correct. However, sometimes we become overwhelmed by these as the media bombards us with images of inhumanity and disrespect for the Earth. Sometimes this can lead us to lose sight of the beauty in our world.

During this trecena of forgiveness, perhaps today’s energy signifies that we may need to look a little deeper. The redeeming features we seek are not necessarily on the surface, we have to put our energy into finding them.

Today this may be particularly hard, however, the energy of nawal Ajpu encourages us to try. This may be a day when finding that goodness, or divinity, in the world around you may help to remind you of the true beauty which can be perceived. You will just need to actively go and seek it rather than expect it to come to you.

The El Mirador Trek 2027

On this day of community journeys I have decided to release the details of my El Mirador trek next year. As many of you know, I have made the El Mirador Trek 8 times now, taking a small group with me each time. In 2026 I made two journeys which were very much retreat type journeys. In 2027 my focus will be more on exploration and adventure as I extend the time trekking in the jungle from 6 days to 10 days, and the distance to 150km. Of course, there will always be ceremony involved, but next year’s trek will take us deeper into the jungle to the remote sites of La Muralla and Naachtun.

If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, please check out the details here!

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 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 Kawok (9th August 2026)

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4 KawokThis is a perfect day to deliver something in to the physical world. If there is something that you have been gestating or working on it is a great day for its physical birthing process. Ask for the nourishing rains to come.

The energy of 4 Kawok helps to stabilise the newborn into the world. This is a very practical day on which to get things moving, perhaps even with some tough love.

The energy of Kawok certainly has power to it, as the hard rain or the wild storm. However, sometimes this energy is needed to break through tough obstacles. Kawok energy helps us to do just that. It brings forth the energy of the flood, washing away the things that impede our progress. Of course, the degree to which we engage with the energy will determine its destructive power. It is certainly not something for a high-numbered day. This could lead to undesired and avoidable situations where the power of the storm is more destructive than healing.

However, today is different. The number 4 brings stability to this stormy energy, directing it towards the Earthly realm. This is a day to breakthrough physical obstructions in order to bring new growth into your life. This can be achieved with compassion, coming from the energy of the female healer, bringing stability to your new ideas, projects or direction.

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 Four

The number 4 is very important within Mayan mythology. Four represents the cardinal points, the four colours of maize, the four carriers of the year, the two equinoxes and two solstices, as well as midnight, sunrise, midday and sunset. The number four is representative of the four first men. It was said to be they who raised the sky from the sea to create the world we live on. In Mayan myth it is four pillars that support the sky from the Earth. As you can imagine, four is a number which represents stability, a good, down-to-Earth number.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

3 Tijax (8th August 2026)

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3 TijaxOn some days it is better to concentrate on creating beauty, peace and healing within your home, and this is one of them. This is the day to polish your inner diamond.

In some respects, the day 3 Tijax can represent blockages and obstructions in the crusade. Trying to push forward towards external goals may be more trouble than it is worth today.

It is a day where finding resolution or healing may be fraught with difficulties, possibly leading to confrontation. Tijax brings an energy of discernment. As such it can result in truly seeing the place to cut away that which is out of balance. However, today discernment may be clouded, and if the sharp, cutting energy of Tijax is employed, an error may occur. This is not the day for snap judgments regarding the outer world.

As we move through this trecena of Ajmak, working on forgiveness, we can see how this day might fit. It is very difficult to forgive and accept others if we can’t do that for ourselves. I sometimes think of Tijax days as days of surgery. In fact they are usually good days to choose for procedures. When combined with the inner focussed number 3 it suggests that we direct that finely honed discernment within.

It is a day where we might use our discernment to find where we don’t match up to our own high standards, otherwise we might become hypocritical. This is the day for inner healing, resolving internal conflicts and concentrating on what needs attention within you too. You must bring yourself into balance before working on others. Perhaps working on inner peace would be a more conducive focus. Once self acceptance is achieved, the acceptance of others will follow.

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 Three

The number 3 is still in the low end of the range of numbers. It does not have much energy yet, and it is also an odd number. It can represent the home, relating to the three hearthstones laid by the creators, and this is probably a good focus for a 3 day. However, it lacks stability and can represent challenges and obstructions. The number three brings up internal/external dilemmas. The lack of stability in the physical, external world that it brings suggests that the more appropriate action is to look to the internal world, both of the home and yourself.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

2 No’j (7th August 2026)

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The energy of the nawal No’j often brings practical solutions to problems, and today the number 2 highlights polarities. If you are in two minds about something, today may show you the best choice.

How can we begin to resolve an issue if we only have information from one source? The number 2 can highlight duality. It is binary, a one or a zero. There is no fraction or space in between, it is one or the other. This can bring conflicting information, but how can an impasse be breached if both sources can be verified as true? Naturally, balance is always required for a true and long-lasting solution and today that information might come from polar opposites.

The second day of the trecena of forgiveness, the day 2 No’j, enables us to understand different points of view. No’j helps us to think things through. Its intellect and intelligence empowers our thought processes to come up with the most appropriate solution. However, if we approach problem solving from a unilateral standpoint, we may miss important issues. 2 No’j brings us the ability to encompass both. Days carrying the energy of the number 2 are always good for mediation. Here we see it particularly linked with intelligent solutions.

With the number 2 highlighting relationships, this could also be a day to resolve any friction within partnerships. One of the challenges for No’j is not to overthink situations. However, with the lower number 2 this is unlikely. If the thoughtfulness of No’j can be applied to relationships today it is likely to come up with a genius answer. This solution is likely to satisfy the needs of both parties.

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 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 Ajmak (6th August 2026)

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1 AjmakA period of forgiveness starts today, thirteen days of redemption and reconciliation. We can show our true humanity through forgiveness. It’s time to reconnect with the sweetness of life.

Ajmak is said to be the nawal of the human and as such it also represents human nature. Therein lies both the beauty and the problem. As humans, we don’t always see, or want to see, the consequences of our actions. We are often encouraged to “live in the moment” which can bring some of the best experiences as a human. However, the spontaneity to live in the moment is not always compatible with responsibility, at least in our modern world. We may be distracted from our responsibilities by the things that remind us how good it is to be human.

The day 1 Ajmak can represent a day of turning over a new leaf. It is a day to start a process of peace by making the first move in resolving any issues with others, particularly long-standing ones. However, this process may require some encouragement from others before it becomes realised.

With Ajmak accompanied by the number 1, we also see the internal process highlighted. We carry a seed within us, the first spark of pardon for both others and, perhaps more importantly, ourselves. Ajmak days give us the opportunity to resolve issues through forgiveness. Here there is also a suggestion to dig deep within yourself to see if there is anything you are holding onto which can now be released. It may be easier to forgive others once you have brought the sweetness into your life, by first forgiving yourself and your own actions. Today is an excellent day to start that process.

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 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 Tz’ikin (5th August 2026)

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13 Tz'ikinToday is a day to ask for a vision from the ancestors to bring prosperity to all. Keep your eyes open and be aware of visual pointers, signs and signals marking your most fortunate direction.

This is not a day to necessarily expect abundance to just drop out of thin air in front of you, although the strength of this day does not rule that out either. This type of assistance may be a gift, but may also not lead to a long-term solution. It is more a day to receive the vision of how to bring prosperity to you, your family and your community. Whilst it might be a better day than usual to buy a lottery ticket, a more sustainable plan may be to seek guidance regarding your future vision for prosperity. True prosperity is, of course, not financial.

The energy of the number 13 represents the spirit world, including our deceased ancestors. Today it brings an energy where the nawal of the visionary combines with the number representing the spirit world. On these days, it is easier to seek their counsel through some form of divination or mediumship. However, the nawal Tz’ikin may bring you directly a vision of how to prosper, acting as the messenger between the unseen world and you.

As the trecena of Aq’ab’al comes to an end, this is the day to ask for help, verbally, and particularly from your ancestors. Use your eyes to see what they show you with regards to how to develop your concepts into a vision. You may be surprised how easily the answers come to you when you look for them today.

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 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.