The seating of the new Mam 12 No’j is a significant moment in the Maya solar calendar. It marks the end of the Tz’apin Q’ij, or closing days, and the end of the period of retreat. It signals a time to leave our “caves” and re-enter the real world. In some communities, this occasion is celebrated with feasting and drinking. The new Mam, who will guide us through the next revolution of the sun, is welcomed into the world.

This year is governed by the Mam 12 No’j, which carries the energy of the day as well as the energy of the new year. The properties and benefits brought by the Nawal 12 No’j are discussed in my post for the day of 12 No’j, here. The energy of this day represents the energy that we will experience throughout the year. It is a year that is likely to be focused on thought, knowledge, and how to consolidate what we already know. This could be a great year to write a book!

The new Mam may take some time to settle in, usually over the first 20 days. Even though the “administration” has changed, it takes time for all the promises made during the campaign to be fulfilled. Nothing in nature moves in a square wave; it’s always a gentle transition, more like a sine wave. This is the first light of dawn, and we are still experiencing a little of the cold of the night. It will not be until midday, the height of the cycle. We will then experience the fullest expression of the energy of this year lord. We can expect this to occur in around 140 days, on 2 No’j (June 18, 2024).

No’j Years

The last time we experienced a No’j year was 2020, which was the year 8 No’j. That year could have been seen as drawing on our knowledge of both the dark and the light to solve problems. It lasted from 20th February 2020 through to 18th February 2021. I think it would be said by many that was a year we will never forget. We faced something we had not faced in living history. As a result we drew on the wholeness of our knowledge to find solutions. This came at all levels as we reworked our daily lives.

Today we welcome Mam No’j in again and we understand we will need to find solutions. This year calls us to review all we have learned. We have already been given all the answers, it is just up to us now to put them into practice. Draw deeply on what you have learned and apply your knowledge.

As the philosopher George Santayana “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (The Life of Reason, 1905) It is therefore up to us to record our now, our information, our thoughts and our knowledge. This act of consolidation our knowledge gives us the opportunity to pass it on to future generations.

The cycle of the year bearers repeats every 52 years. Although we don’t relive the same experiences, we may notice similarities with the last time this Mam was in office. Mam 12 No’j took office on March 3, 1972. This gives us a chance to learn from the past and avoid repeating past mistakes. If you are interested in major events that occurred in 1972, please click here.