Tag Archives: Tz’apin Q’ij

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

13 Kame 4 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Final Closing Day (17th February 2026)

Leave a comment

The fifth and final closing day completes these days of introspection and retreat. Whilst this is the day when we can see the dawn of the new year coming, it may also be the most difficult day. It is the day when we start the process of emergence from the chrysalis.

The energy of the day 13 Kame may bring great challenges and possibly great revelations. Kame as the nawal of death and the ancestors puts us in touch with them. This is exacerbated by the powerful number 13, representing the 13 major joints of the body, symbolising the body lightning that connects us with the ancestors. It turns everything up to the maximum, the positive aspects and the challenges. It is a day to hold our nerve and seek the guidance of the ancestors to overcome our fears and challenges. However, Kame is also the transformer. I like to call it “the soul alchemist”. One way or another it will transform us and take us to the next level.

The final closing day crystallises the process we have been through. Here we understand that it is about what we wish to carry into the new year. It gives us an opportunity to face our greatest fears. Once we have identified them, we can overcome them and transform into a higher state to move into the new solar year.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 Kan 3 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Fourth Closing Day (16th February 2026)

Leave a comment

The fourth closing day during the period of Tz’apin Q’ij is associated with definition. In this solar cycle, it is combined with the energy of a day which has some very profound meanings.

We have passed through the three previous days and identified where we are. This time has you helped to identify your strengths and your weaknesses, and asked you to accept this as a part of what you carry with you?  Now with the experience, wisdom and understanding of yourself, it is time to start charting your course for the coming year of 1 Kej.

The energy of 12 Kan brings with it a review of your experiences and the wisdom you both draw and share from them. Holding back our life experience can provoke missed opportunities to empower others. Ignoring our life experience is not a wise thing to do and may lead to our own illusions and greater challenges.

Today we combine that with the energy of the fourth closing day, that of definition. It is time to define our life experience so that we can really tap into the life experience it brings. In our time of introspection and retreat we have space to do this.

 

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

11 K’at 2 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Third Closing Day (15th February 2026)

Leave a comment

The third closing day focuses on acceptance. If you are using these 5 days to close the solar year, it is a good day to understand what you choose to accept from the previous solar year. It is also a day which might highlight what you cannot accept. What will you hold on to and what will you release?

This might be a perfect combination with the nawal 11 K’at. K’at invites us to examine what we carry in our net, using our intuition to keep or discard what is no longer relevant. This particular combination with the number 11 brings an intuitive approach to what needs to be released and what can go forward into the next year. The intuitive approach may not be logical.

On this day of acceptance it may be necessary to accept that some things which it might be logical to take forward my have to be intuitively released. The reverse may also be true. It may seem logical to release something you picked up in the past 360 days, but intuitively you may need to accept it into your bundle for the coming days too.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

10 Aq’ab’al 1 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Second Closing Day

Leave a comment

The second closing day of the period is said to represent recognition of yourself, during your introspective period. On this day of Aq’ab’al, this could help us to recognise what is dawning within.

Aq’ab’al can be seen as bringing things to light, to reveal what has been hiding in the darkness. Of course, if something is hiding within us, it is easy to ignore it, to pretend it isn’t there. Just don’t go looking for it and you won’t find it. But then along comes Aq’ab’al and illuminates the darkest corners, sending the rats scurrying. Of course, it is not just negative issues. Some of the concepts we might be holding within may be exceptionally positive. Perhaps we might even feel they are too grand. we hide them away in the darkness because if they were to see the light of day things would never be the same again.

If we they bring these understandings together with this day of introspection we find some interesting reflections. As we finish up this solar year, this day of introspection may ask us to recognise the potential within ourselves, and what we might need to reveal. With the brightest light of the dawn Aq’ab’al reveals the new concepts within, and here those concepts are related to society. What concepts do you hold within you that you’re trying to keep away from the light of society? Perhaps there are some pent-up emotions, related to the events of the past 360 days, which have been held down deep inside for fear of how society might judge.

Today is a day to release them. It’s time to illuminate them for what they are. That’s the only way to change societies values.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 Iq’ 0 Tz’apin Q’ij – The First day of Tz’apin Q’ij

Leave a comment

Tz’apin Q’ij is seen as a time of introspection. We are allowed to take stock of what has happened over the previous year. In some communities, it is seen as a time when public ceremony is avoided. Some people do not wash or comb their hair, many do not leave the house. It is a time when the energies of the days are unsupported and misfortune may occur.

The posts that I write every day concern the Chol Q’ij. This is the Maya sacred calendar, which consists of 260 days. However, this is not the only calendar used by the Maya people. One of the other calendars is known as the Macewal Q’ij. This has been called a civil or agricultural calendar, it is the solar calendar. There are ceremonies associated with certain days of the Macewal Q’ij, particularly the arrival of the new Mam or Year Bearer. This is the first day of the new Solar year. Kenneth Johnson wrote an excellent first-hand account of his experience in Momostenango of the arrival of the new Mam here

However, the new year is not here just yet. We first pass through the Tz’apin Q’ij, the closing days. These are the five days at the end of the 365-day count. They are thought of as an unpredictable time when the energy is directionless. The final five days of the solar year are overseen by the previous Mam of the same nawal. 9 Iq’ was the Mam for 2021. If we imagine time as a ship and the Mam as the captain, it is as if the captain has died and been replaced by the ghost of the previous captain. Maybe this is why this period of time is thought of as being so unpredictable.

The First Day of Tz’apin Q’ij

The introspection of the  first day of Tz’apin Q’ij is used to review the previous year. Its combination here with the day 9 Iq’ suggests a review of the words and changes during the previous 360 days. This is during the period of the current year, 13 Iq’, which began on 18th February 2025.

9 Iq’ can be seen as the breath of life. It can also be seen as the strong, feminine word. Iq’ can be highly inspiring when channelled correctly, and highly destructive when it isn’t. It gives the opportunity to breath life into what we wish to grow. We can use our words to bring things to life. What have you brought to life through your words in this past cycle?

first day of Tz'apin Q'ij 
Pawahtuun, also known as Mam and god N. Known as the god of the Wayeb and the number five. An old man that carries a conch shell, who was both a beloved creator and a trickster. From the Dresden Codex
Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

12 Imox 4 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Fifth Closing Day

Leave a comment

The fifth closing day completes these days of introspection and retreat. Whilst this is the day when we can see the dawn of the new year coming, it may also be the most difficult day. It is the day when we start the process of emergence from the chrysalis.

The energy of the day 12 Imox brings an essence individuality. Imox can help us identify where we have become entangled in the sentiments and dreams of others. This can happen naturally, but with the influence of the modern media it is very easy to get mixed up. Are we really working on our own dreams, or are they someone else’s? Do the feeling we have match up to our life experience? On a base level, maybe we think we need something but it is just clever advertising that convinces us. Our life experience may show us the contrary. Now expand that idea out to our perception of the world and our needs and ask again “Is this really my dream or have I just gone with the herd?”

The final closing day crystallises the process we have been through. Here we understand that it is about what we wish to carry into the new year. It gives us an opportunity to use our experience to embrace our individuality. Once we have identified them, we can bring together our dreams into a bundle to take forward into the new solar year.

What do you want to leave with the casing of your previous year? Are you ready to bring your life experiences together to manifest your dream? What a wonderful way to bid farewell to the Mam 12 No’j and welcome the Mam 13 Iq’.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

11 Ajpu 3 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Fourth Closing Day

Leave a comment

The fourth closing day during the period of Tz’apin Q’ij is associated with definition. In this solar cycle, it is combined with the energy of a day which has some very profound meanings.

We have passed through the three previous days and identified where we are. This time has you helped to identify your strengths and your weaknesses, and asked you to accept this as a part of your rebirthing process?  Now with the experience, knowledge and understanding of yourself, it is time to start charting your course for the coming year of 13 Iq’.

The energy of the day 11 Ajpu brings an understanding that our quest for a higher purpose in life means exploring some unusual ideas or places. We are not going to find the answers following a logical path. Instead we may have to rely on our intuition to guide us. It might take us places which may seem unconnected to our life path. Yet, if our intuition suggests them, we should follow it. This may take us out of our comfort zone, but isn’t that where the most growth occurs? The energy of Ajpu can represent the hero and maybe we need to call on the strength of that inner hero to explore the road less travelled.

Today we combine that with the energy of the fourth closing day, that of definition. It is time to define our journey forward to our highest purpose, calling on our intuition to guide us. In our time of introspection and retreat we have space to do this.

This is, therefore, a day to really define our spiritual path, however unlikely it might be, for the coming year of 13 Iq’.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

10 Kawok 2 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Third Closing Day

Leave a comment

The third closing day focuses on acceptance. If you are using these 5 days to close the solar year, it is a good day to understand what you choose to accept from the previous solar year. It is also a day which might highlight what you cannot accept.

Here we see this third closing day combined with a powerful feminine nawal, that of Kawok. She represents the energy of rainstorm, of the birth of the new and the midwives. Kawok is dedicated to bringing new life, but also has a tough love. She will make sure we get through the process, but also she will ensure that we go through the process.

Today we might ask the question “what we have accepted and what we can no longer accept?” As we move out of this year of consolidation of knowledge, 12 No’j,  how can we use it to come up with solutions? As we move into the year 13 Iq’ can we come up with a solution which will deal with the changes ahead?

Sometimes we also have to accept that to birth new ideas into our world may take us through a painful process.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

9 Tijax 1 Tz’apin Q’ij – The Second Closing Day

Leave a comment

The second closing day of the period is said to represent recognition of yourself, during your introspective period. On this day of Tijax, this could help us to recognise the healer within.

It is once again a fascinating combination for this day of the solar year. 9 Tijax is a day of healing, particularly through women. It can also be seen as a day of purification of life. Tijax cuts away anything which causes imbalance, it cuts through to the truth. It sees through to the perfection within.

If we they bring these understandings together with this day of introspection we find some interesting reflections. As we finish up this solar year, this day of introspection may ask us to recognise the potential within ourselves, and what we might need to cut away in order to bring it out. Tijax can bring the surgeon’s attention to detail and focus. Where might you use a fine eye for detail to discern what of the previous year needs to be cut out? Which matters might require greater focus to be surgically removed them and bring life into balance? How can this process initiate a healing in life?

By analysing these things on this day of recognition we have the opportunity to purify ourselves. We can move into the next solar cycle free of those things which have taken us out of balance.

Chol Q'ij - The Energies of the Days

New Video – Tz’apin Q’ij (The Closing Days)

4 Comments

Tz’apin Q’ij is seen as a time of introspection, to take stock of what has happened over the previous year. In some communities, it is seen as a time when public ceremony is avoided. It is a time when the energies of the days are unsupported and misfortune may occur.

The posts that I write every day concern the Chol Q’ij. This is the Maya sacred calendar, which consists of 260 days. However, this is not the only calendar used by the Maya people. One of the other calendars is known as the Macewal Q’ij. This has been called a civil or agricultural calendar, it is the solar calendar. There are ceremonies associated with certain days of the Macewal Q’ij, particularly the arrival of the new Mam or Year Bearer. This is the first day of the new Solar year.

However, the new year is not here just yet. We first pass through the Tz’apin Q’ij, the closing days. These are the five days at the end of the 365-day count. They are thought of as an unpredictable time when the energy is directionless. The final five days of the solar year are overseen by the previous Mam of the same nawal. 8 No’j was the Mam for 2020. If we imagine time as a ship and the Mam as the captain, it is as if the captain has died and been replaced by the ghost of the previous captain. Maybe this is why this period of time is thought of as being so unpredictable.

In this video I will suggest how we might get the best out of these closing days, our time of introspection.

Readings

If you would like to know what your nawal brings to your lifepath, please follow this link to get a reading with me https://thefourpillars.net/maya-lifepath-reading/

13 Iq’ / 2025 Calendar

My 2025 calendar is now available. The calendar shows the days of the Chol Q’ij, formatted onto the Gregorian calendar. Currently it is available electronically as a PDF in both English and Spanish. See this link ‎for details on how to get your pdf  https://thefourpillars.net/2025-calendar/

Printed versions, in English, are available locally in Guatemala in San Marcos at Lava Love Cacao and Palo Santo. They are also now available in the USA through Soul Lift Cacao through this link https://bit.ly/4etcGZl

Google Calendar Plugin

For the more technically minded I have also created a plugin for Google Calendar. This enables you to track the days of the sacred calendar on your smartphone. In this way you can ensure that your activities are aligned to the most conducive energies! I have also added a description to every day, just click on the day name. It is available for purchase https://thefourpillars.net/google-calendar-plugin/

Worthwhile Recipients of Your Donations

When I mention programs within my videos, it is because I know the people involved and can vouch that your donations will go towards helping the people for which they are intended.

Bringing Water Stability to Families

A wonderful, highly active project to bring water stability to families is Water4Life Global. Jenna MacEwan and her team have been making a difference to peoples’ lives since 2018. They provide water filters to local families throughout Guatemala, thereby giving direct access to clean drinking water. Additionally, they are directly involved in action which helps to clean up the local sources of water. This is achieved through greywater treatment projects, reforestation and education. To learn more or donate, please visit: https://water4lifeglobal.org/donate/

The Midwife Project

In their words: “Our Mission is to offer safe, dignified and culturally appropriate health care to women in Guatemala by empowering indigenous midwives through education. We focus on revaluing the Mayan ancestral knowledge while integrating modern medical practices. With the creation of Holistic Clinic(s) & Birthing Center(s) as a meeting ground and model project. Our Vision is that every woman has access to humane, respected and safe birth care. The midwives and women are empowered to lead the creation of a thriving community where those who are most vulnerable have their needs met, and men support the women in creating this healthy and vibrant family and community structure.”

You can check out their site and donate here: https://www.midwifeproject.net/donate 

Konojel

I mention the Konojel program and their work in San Marcos la Laguna. They have turned from a basic, “let’s make sure bellies are full” program to one of much more social development. You can check out their programs and donate here https://konojel.org/donate

Odim

Within the village of San Pablo la Laguna, there is an organisation doing great work. They are called ODIM and specialise in medical and educational services. However, during the pandemic restrictions, they helped feed many people, but this is in addition to their regular, long-term work there. You can find out more about them through this link http://www.odimguatemala.org/donate

You can see the Tz’apin Q’ij video here

https://youtu.be/rO2AKeR5VhE

[https://youtu.be/rO2AKeR5VhE]