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Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

3 Ajpu (18th December 2024)

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3 AjpuToday may be a day to retreat to your “holy of holies”, and find the flower words, the creation within your own heart. The energy of today suggests that the focus should be on the search for the divinity within.

The outer world can sometimes be a harsh place. Sometimes we are gifted, and other times, we wonder where it all went wrong.  Learning to find 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 humans create. Even so, the natural world can be problematic with regard to human existence. Hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes all are relatively commonplace in the Maya territories. It isn’t easy to see the divinity in that which wipes out your family or generations of work. On a 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. It may be more productive to look for signs of divinity within yourself and your home.

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 Three

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

3 Tz’ikin (14th October 2024)

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3 Tz'ikinYou may need to rely on your inner vision today. The usual clarity of sight of Tz’ikin may be clouded by external circumstances and distractions.

 

Sometimes days which carry a usually fortunate nawal are modified by a number to create a less conducive energy.  Tz’ikin days are usually enjoyable. They are social, visionary and prosperous. However, today it is possible that all of those qualities are obstructed by the influence of the number three. The energy of the number three may bring doubts, instability and challenges. Its combination with the highly positive energy of the nawal Tz’ikin may cause its effect to be softened. That said, it is possible that this Tz’ikin day may not be as beneficial as other Tz’ikin days.

It could be implied that this is a challenging day on which to do business. Moreover, true prosperity may be blocked by a lack of vision or an inability to focus. Also, a bigger problem could be believing that you have a true and clear vision, only to find that it has been distorted. This could lead to make potentially costly mistakes. Consequently, it would be better to leave any important business dealings for another day.

The most positive aspect of the 3 relates to the home, and perhaps this will be a more fortunate place to focus Tz’ikin‘s visionary aspects today. This is a day to work on your inner vision for the future, possibly to meditate on what your options are to bring prosperity to your home. In fact, it is a perfect day for quietly working on your inner vision.

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 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

3 E’ (24th May 2024)

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3 E'This is perhaps one of the least ideal days on which to make a physical journey. The possibility of obstruction and delays may be high. However, this could be a perfect day for looking inwards, to focus on understanding yourself through your inner journey.

The nawal E’ governs exploration and discovery, and this happens on the journey, on the road it represents. However, today, the number 3 may bring challenges to physical journeys.

The nawal E’ gives a restlessness which is cured through taking voyages of discovery. E’ drives us to understand how our world, different people and different societies work. This usually happens through travel as we enrich both our knowledge and experience of the world around us. However, E’ also governs our own life journey, our internal process that we move through as we travel through our life. It is as much about our life path as it is the physical journeys we undertake.

The Nawal E’

Footprints on the road
Footprints mark the road, from the Dresden Codex

Nawal E’ represents the journey of discovery, the life path in both its physical and spiritual aspects. E’ is the explorer, it craves novelty. It inspires travel to understand different cultures and ways of life, it is a seeker of experience. It can be a thrill seeker, and sometimes will take risks to understand what it is examining. Whilst it gains experience and understanding through physical travel, E’ also drives us to explore our inner world, helping us to understand our own minds and hearts, and those of others. E’ sometimes creates a restlessness. A desire to find new things within the world means that E’ finds it difficult to sit still.

E’ can sometimes cause us to explore simply for the sake of exploration. We seek the new experience because it is there. This can give rise to a lack of direction, aimless wandering. However, even in its wanderings E’ is discovering. It may not know exactly where it is going, but it will when it gets there. In it’s best aspect, E’ seeks out knowledge and experience in order to form an understanding which brings wisdom. E’ enjoys sharing the wisdom gained with its peers, for the enrichment of the community.

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

3 Ajpu (2nd April 2024)

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3 AjpuToday may be a day to retreat to your own “holy of holies”, and find the flower words, the creation within your own heart. The energy of today suggests that the focus should be on the search for the divinity within.

The outer world can sometimes be a harsh place. Sometimes we are gifted, and other times, we wonder where it all went wrong.  Learning to find 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 humans create. Even so, the natural world can be problematic with regard to human existence. Hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes all are relatively commonplace in the Maya territories. It isn’t easy to see the divinity in that which wipes out your family or generations of work. On a 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. It may be more productive to look for signs of divinity within yourself and your home.

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 Three

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

3 Tz’ikin (28th January 2024)

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3 Tz'ikinThe usual clarity of sight of Tz’ikin may be clouded by external circumstances, today you may need to rely on your inner vision.

 

Sometimes days which carry a usually fortunate nawal are modified by a number to create a less conducive energy.  Tz’ikin days are usually enjoyable. They are social, visionary and prosperous. However, today it is possible that all of those qualities are obstructed by the influence of the number three. The energy of the number three may bring doubts, instability and challenges. Its combination with the highly positive energy of the nawal Tz’ikin may cause its effect to be softened. That said, it is possible that this Tz’ikin day may not be as beneficial as other Tz’ikin days.

It could be implied that this is a challenging day on which to do business. Moreover, true prosperity may be blocked by a lack of vision or an inability to focus. Also, a bigger problem could be believing that you have a true and clear vision, only to find that it has been distorted. This could lead to make potentially costly mistakes. Consequently, it would be better to leave any important business dealings for another day.

The most positive aspect of the 3 relates to the home, and perhaps this will be a more fortunate place to focus Tz’ikin‘s visionary aspects today. This is a day to work on your inner vision for the future, possibly to meditate on what your options are to bring prosperity to your home. In fact, it is a perfect day for quietly working on your inner vision.

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 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

3 E’ (7th September 2023)

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3 E'The nawal E’ governs exploration and discovery, and this happens on the journey, on the road it represents. However, today, the number 3 may bring challenges to physical journeys.

The nawal E’ gives a restlessness which is cured through taking voyages of discovery. E’ drives us to understand how our world, different people and different societies work. This usually happens through travel as we enrich both our knowledge and experience of the world around us. However, E’ also governs our own life journey, our internal process that we move through as we travel through our life. It is as much about our life path as it is the physical journeys we undertake.

Today we see it combined with the number 3, a number which can be seen to bring instability and challenge to what it is attached to, especially in the external world. This is perhaps one of the least ideal days on which to make a physical journey, the possibility obstruction and delays may be high. This is a day to be looking inwards, to focus on understanding yourself through your inner journey. It may prove more fruitful than a journey on the road today.

Footprints
Footprints mark the road, from the Dresden Codex

Nawal E’ represents the journey of discovery, the life path in both its physical and spiritual aspects. E’ is the explorer, it craves novelty. It inspires travel to understand different cultures and ways of life, it is a seeker of experience. It can be a thrill seeker, and sometimes will take risks to understand what it is examining. Whilst it gains experience and understanding through physical travel, E’ also drives us to explore our inner world, helping us to understand our own minds and hearts, and those of others. E’ sometimes creates a restlessness, the desire to find new things within the world means that E’ finds it difficult to sit still.

E’ can sometimes cause us to explore simply for the sake of exploration, we seek the new experience because it is there. This can give rise to a lack of direction, aimless wandering. However, even in its wanderings E’ is discovering. It may not know exactly where it is going, but it will when it gets there. In it’s best aspect, E’ seeks out knowledge and experience in order to form an understanding which brings wisdom. E’ enjoys sharing the wisdom gained with its peers, for the enrichment of the community.

E’ is another of the classic  carriers of the year, or year lords. It is said that E’ years tend to be some of the more gentle and favourable years. E’  is seen as a good natured nawal. E’ days are considered to be good days on which to travel and explore, whether that be externally or internally. It is a day to find or remember your path, a day to ask for your path to be cleared of obstructions, and a day to ask for guidance and protection on your path.

The Orion Nebula (M42). Photo 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

3 Tz’ikin (13th May 2023)

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3 Tz'ikinSometimes a day which carries a usually fortunate nawal can be modified by a number to create a less conducive energy. The usual clarity of vision of Tz’ikin may be clouded by external circumstances, today you may need to rely on your inner vision.

Tz’ikin days are usually enjoyable. They are social, visionary and prosperous, but today it is possible that all of those qualities are obstructed as the influence of the number 3 comes into play. The energy of the number may 3 bring doubts, instability and challenges. Whilst its combination with the highly positive energy of the nawal Tz’ikin may be cause its effect to be softened, it is possible that this Tz’ikin day may not be as beneficial as other Tz’ikin days. It is implied that this could be a challenging day on which to do business, true prosperity being blocked by a lack of vision or an inability to focus. An even bigger problem could be believing that you have a true and clear vision, only to find that it has been distorted, leading you to make potentially costly mistakes. It would be better to leave any important business deals for another day.

The most positive aspect of the 3 relates to the home, and perhaps this will be a more fortunate place to focus Tz’ikin‘s visionary aspects today. This is a day to work on your inner vision for the future, possibly to meditate on what your options to bring prosperity to your home. It is a day for quietly working on your inner vision.

A noble bird representative of Tz’ikin, an American Bald Eagle. Picture by Mark Elmy

The nawal Tz’ikin is a nawal of good fortune, almost literally. Tz’ikin is another manifestation and abundance day, a day of prosperity which comes through vision. The word Tz’ikin means bird, although many like to relate it to the Quetzal bird or Eagle. Where the nawal Ix is connected with the Heart of the Earth, Tz’ikin is connected with the Heart of the Sky. In the foliated cross representation of Aj, we saw the bird deity sitting atop the cross representing the Heart of the Sky. Whilst all is one in the general overview, we could see Ix as representing the female principle (Earth energy / yin) and Tz’ikin as representing the male principle (Sky energy / yang).

A nawal of prosperity, sometimes seems odd to people seeking “higher knowledge”. It is not quite seen the same here. If your family is starving, you are more likely to fall off the good road, perhaps into dishonesty or criminal activity. By asking nawal Tz’ikin for prosperity in your life, you are more likely to be relaxed, to be able to help others and to be more constructive within your community. That is not to say that your own input of hard work will not be necessary, just that it is hard work that 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, which of course brings them prosperity.

Just as Tz’ikin can focus, it’s broad vision can occasionally cause distraction. Sometimes, just when it is heading towards it’s goal it can be distracted by something “shiny.” This energy gives an ability to create great social networks, but sometimes spends too much time trying to maintain them.

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

3 E’ (21st December 2022) – Solstice

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3 E'The nawal E’ governs exploration and discovery, and this happens on the journey, on the road it represents. However, today, the number 3 may bring challenges to physical journeys.

The nawal E’ gives a restlessness which is cured through taking voyages of discovery. E’ drives us to understand how our world, different people and different societies work. This usually happens through travel as we enrich both our knowledge and experience of the world around us. However, E’ also governs our own life journey, our internal process that we move through as we travel through our life. It is as much about our life path as it is the physical journeys we undertake.

Today we see it combined with the number 3, a number which can be seen to bring instability and challenge to what it is attached to, especially in the external world. This is perhaps one of the least ideal days on which to make a physical journey, the possibility obstruction and delays may be high. This is a day to be looking inwards, to focus on understanding yourself through your inner journey. It may prove more fruitful than a journey on the road today.

The solstices are very important points of the year energetically and it is always my pleasure to make ceremonies on these days. What we call Winter solstice here in the northern hemisphere is perhaps my favourite, with the midwinter sun rising over the lake. It is a beautiful event, and reminds us of the return of the light to the world as our days begin to get longer.

This year, the solstice falls on the day 3 E’ within the Chol Q’ij. E’ days are days of exploration and journey, representing our path. In combination with the number 3, this highlights the inner path and on this day, representing the return of the light, could be an excellent day to ask for the illumination of our inner path.

This year I have felt a desire to share this ceremony, to include those friends from around the world who have participated in ceremony here in my garden in San Pablo. Those who are here at the lake are welcome to attend in person. I will do what I can to make this happen, but please be patient as internet connections here are not always as reliable as you may be accustomed to. I will do my best to position the camera and microphone so that you can fully connect with the sounds and sights of the ceremony and the fire. Perhaps you can even make your own fire at home and make your offerings to your fire as we journey through the nawales. There is no fee for this, all are welcome, although if you wish to make a donation towards the costs of the materials, please feel free to do so. You can make a donation through this link: https://paypal.me/MarkElmy

The ceremony will start at 6am and will take around 2-3 hours, as I call in the directions, my teachers, ceremonial sites and the essences of the 20 nawales. I will petition each of the nawales for assistance in this time. If you would like to attend, you can find the Zoom details below, or come along in person if you are here at the lake.

Meeting ID: 880 7431 8268
Passcode: 237265

 

Footprints
Footprints mark the road, from the Dresden Codex

Nawal E’ represents the journey of discovery, the life path in both its physical and spiritual aspects. E’ is the explorer, it craves novelty. It inspires travel to understand different cultures and ways of life, it is a seeker of experience. It can be a thrill seeker, and sometimes will take risks to understand what it is examining. Whilst it gains experience and understanding through physical travel, E’ also drives us to explore our inner world, helping us to understand our own minds and hearts, and those of others. E’ sometimes creates a restlessness, the desire to find new things within the world means that E’ finds it difficult to sit still.

E’ can sometimes cause us to explore simply for the sake of exploration, we seek the new experience because it is there. This can give rise to a lack of direction, aimless wandering. However, even in its wanderings E’ is discovering. It may not know exactly where it is going, but it will when it gets there. In it’s best aspect, E’ seeks out knowledge and experience in order to form an understanding which brings wisdom. E’ enjoys sharing the wisdom gained with its peers, for the enrichment of the community.

E’ is another of the classic  carriers of the year, or year lords. It is said that E’ years tend to be some of the more gentle and favourable years. E’  is seen as a good natured nawal. E’ days are considered to be good days on which to travel and explore, whether that be externally or internally. It is a day to find or remember your path, a day to ask for your path to be cleared of obstructions, and a day to ask for guidance and protection on your path.

The Orion Nebula (M42). Photo 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

3 Ajpu (30th October 2022)

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3 AjpuThe 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.

0.0.10.0.0 3 Ajpu 13 Sac

Today we complete the 10th tun cycle of 360 days since the change of the Baktun on 21st December 2012. We are halfway through the first Katun of the new Baktun.

The Long Count calendar is made up as follows:

1 kin = 1 day, and is denoted as 0.0.0.0.1

1 Uinal = 20 days (20 Kin) and is denoted as 0.0.0.1.0

1 Tun = 360 days (18 Uinal) and is denoted as 0.0.1.0.0

1 Katun = 7200 days (20 Tun) and is denoted as 0.1.0.0.0

1 Baktun = 144000 days (20 Katun) and is denoted as 1.0.0.0.0

This calendar was used to track much larger cycles of time as the calendar round combination of Tzolkin (Chol Q’ij) and Ha’ab would repeat every 52 cycles of 365 days. Therefore, the day 3 Ajpu 13 Sac that we observe today will repeat on 17th November 2074. This is an important cycle in life, and half of the Venus table in the Dresden Codex, but not so great for extrapolating forward or backwards to track things such as eclipses or much longer cycles of time. For this the long count was used and was much more of a mathematical calendar than a divinatory one.

It will take another 10 cycles of the Tun to complete the first Katun (0.1.0.0.0 2 Ajpu 3 Chen, 7th September 2032)

At this halfway point, this may be a good opportunity to ask what has changed in our divine path since the change of the Baktun?

 

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 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.

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

3 Tz’ikin (26th August 2022)

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3 Tz'ikinSometimes a day which carries a usually fortunate nawal can be modified by a number to create a less conducive energy. The usual clarity of vision of Tz’ikin may be clouded by external circumstances, today you may need to rely on your inner vision.

Tz’ikin days are usually enjoyable. They are social, visionary and prosperous, but today it is possible that all of those qualities are obstructed as the influence of the number 3 comes into play. The energy of the number may 3 bring doubts, instability and challenges. Whilst its combination with the highly positive energy of the nawal Tz’ikin may be cause its effect to be softened, it is possible that this Tz’ikin day may not be as beneficial as other Tz’ikin days. It is implied that this could be a challenging day on which to do business, true prosperity being blocked by a lack of vision or an inability to focus. An even bigger problem could be believing that you have a true and clear vision, only to find that it has been distorted, leading you to make potentially costly mistakes. It would be better to leave any important business deals for another day.

The most positive aspect of the 3 relates to the home, and perhaps this will be a more fortunate place to focus Tz’ikin‘s visionary aspects today. This is a day to work on your inner vision for the future, possibly to meditate on what your options to bring prosperity to your home. It is a day for quietly working on your inner vision.

A noble bird representative of Tz’ikin, an American Bald Eagle. Picture by Mark Elmy

The nawal Tz’ikin is a nawal of good fortune, almost literally. Tz’ikin is another manifestation and abundance day, a day of prosperity which comes through vision. The word Tz’ikin means bird, although many like to relate it to the Quetzal bird or Eagle. Where the nawal Ix is connected with the Heart of the Earth, Tz’ikin is connected with the Heart of the Sky. In the foliated cross representation of Aj, we saw the bird deity sitting atop the cross representing the Heart of the Sky. Whilst all is one in the general overview, we could see Ix as representing the female principle (Earth energy / yin) and Tz’ikin as representing the male principle (Sky energy / yang).

A nawal of prosperity, sometimes seems odd to people seeking “higher knowledge”. It is not quite seen the same here. If your family is starving, you are more likely to fall off the good road, perhaps into dishonesty or criminal activity. By asking nawal Tz’ikin for prosperity in your life, you are more likely to be relaxed, to be able to help others and to be more constructive within your community. That is not to say that your own input of hard work will not be necessary, just that it is hard work that 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, which of course brings them prosperity.

Just as Tz’ikin can focus, it’s broad vision can occasionally cause distraction. Sometimes, just when it is heading towards it’s goal it can be distracted by something “shiny.” This energy gives an ability to create great social networks, but sometimes spends too much time trying to maintain them.

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.