Tag Archives: Work

5 Kan (25th August 2024)

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

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

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

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

The Nawal Kan

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

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

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

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

The Number Five

The Sacred Mayan calendar is said to be a calendar of human life. It can be seen as a microcosm of the human body. The number five is one of these parts. It is representative of the hand with its five digits. It is with our hands that we work, and with what we earn we pay our debts. Five is also a number that relates to the sacred fire where we pay our debts with offerings and prayers. Five might be so busy working that it fails to remember what it is working for. It can also signify that what it is attached to becomes work, or is “hard work”.

5 E’ (12th August 2024) – Solar Zenith (15N)

This should be a good day to put your energy into your life path. It could be particularly good if a journey is aligned with your work.

 

I tend to think of E’ days as rather beneficial days. They can represent exploration in its many guises; physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. Sometimes they may also represent a combination of a physical journey that may bring knowledge or a spiritual experience. However, every journey requires an input of energy and today this is highlighted. How much do you want to go on that journey? How much energy are you prepared to invest? These questions may come up today.

As the number 5 can also represent rushing into things, there may be an element of frustration with the journey taking longer than expected. This day we might feel that we wish we could just teleport to the destination! It may also come up against some unforeseen obstacles. To overcome these obstacles will once again require our energetic input. The reward will be a great advancement on your path.

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Solar Zenith

Here in Guatemala, at 15 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 (whether that’s in June in the Northern hemisphere or December in the Southern Hemisphere.)

Here at 15 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, and we will experience what seems to be no shadow! Why is this so interesting? Well, between 13th August and 30th April is 260 days, and  between 30th April and 13th August is 105 days.  Some people have theorised the the sacred calendar may have been developed at this latitude due to this phenomenon. Interestingly August 12/13 is also often the peak night of the Perseid meteor shower.

Many 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 and by mid November, we are often fully into dry season. The corn takes 105 days to grow, mature and harvest, and 105 days from 13th August would be around the 26th November. Therefore, it would make a lot of sense to plant the last crop of corn before the second solar zenith transit. Maybe this is why it was deemed so important.

This year, the date of the solar zenith falls on 12th August, partly because of the leap day in February. This means that the first zenith transit of 2025 will actually fall on April 29th, once again on the day 5 E’.

The Nawal E’

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. 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 Five

The Sacred Mayan calendar is said to be a calendar of human life and 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”.

5 Kawok (30th July 2024)

5 KawokSometimes we just have to work through the storm. The number 5 always suggests that hard work will be rewarded. This is a day to work on your renovation. The effort you invest clears your path to the new, whatever the storm brings.

Kawok energy is known for its softness and compassion, even in its storm aspect. Kawok energy can be seen as “tough love” caring yet determined. It is the guiding hand, keeping the boat steady as the storm rages all around it. It brings an energy of helping each other through the storms of life. Whilst Kawok has a connection to Chak, the rain god, it also has a connection to Ixchel, she of the rainbows. She is grandmother, and it is this caring energy of a grandmother which is manifested through Kawok. She is the goddess of medicine, and a midwife goddess, fulfilling the other aspects associated with Kawok.

Kawok helps us navigate through our problems by washing away the things we no longer need in our lives. Nothing can resist the strength of her current as it clears our path of debris. This can seem destructive, but it is purely to allow the new growth, the new birth to emerge.

The day 5 Kawok is a day to focus your energies on bringing new growth into your world. Whether it truly is bringing a new life into the world, or a project you have been working on, the energy of today is conducive with working to clear the way to allow its smooth passage from the darkness into the light. That is not to say that this process will be entirely free of resistance, some work may be required to ensure a safe arrival, but the results should be worth the effort.

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 Five

The Sacred Mayan calendar is said to be a calendar of human life and 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”.

5 Kame (17th July 2024)

5 KameThis could be an excellent day to engage with, or carry on, the work of the ancestors. The nawal of transformation blends with the number of work. This can give a good impression of the sort of things today may hold in store.

Kame days can be days on which we face challenges, with an opportunity to overcome them and grow. These may be the things that we fear the most, the things that really frighten us. Kame brings us the strength to overcome our greatest fears should we choose to.  However, for this to happen, they have to present themselves to us. When they do, we are faced with a decision – do we tackle the issue or turn away from it? If we turn away, we just stay where we are, waiting for the next opportunity to grow. After all, the number 5 bringing the energy of hard work may mean that the next occurrence of Kame may be a more conducive day for it.

However, hard work does bring benefits, and putting work into stepping up to your challenges should bring results. The energy of the number 5 is also connected to rushing into things. This is possibly because in the Maya cross configuration for the number 5, we see 13 in the future, drawing it strongly forward. It gives an energy that is so focused on the future that it doesn’t always see what is around it. In the case of today it may lead you into your challenges not quite fully prepared. Take a breath rather than rushing headlong into things. Some changes are more beneficial when they are clearly thought through.

Nawal Kame

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

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

The Number 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”.

5 Aj (4th July 2024)

5 AjThe day 5 Aj is a great day to be doing some form of work on behalf of your community. Your work and your input will bring great nourishment to those around you.

 

Putting energy into the sustenance of our home or community benefits ourselves and those around us. The day 5 Aj brings together these aspects to give a day where this type of work flourishes.

The nawal Aj is related to the spinal column. It holds us upright, brings us the strength and courage to do the right thing. It holds everything in its rightful place. However, it may not have always been like that. It gains strength as it is used, the wisdom it holds comes through experience. Whilst Aj is very much a leadership nawal, it is almost reluctant in stepping forward, preferring to guide gently rather than exercise the authority it also carries. These qualities of Aj are a blessing for all and are achieved through the experience of the work of life.

It is a day for selfless work, a day within the Toj trecena, where we have the opportunity to pay back the support our families, friends and communities show to us. However, it may also be a day when efforts to guide or lead may be rather more challenging than expected, especially if you feel yourself rushing into things.

The Nawal Aj

The Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque
The Temple of the Foliated Cross. This small temple houses one of the most remarkable and beautiful friezes, the Foliated Cross. Together with those of the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Cross, this forms an architectural version of a codex. It shows both mythic and historical accounts of the ruling dynasty. The three temples together form the cross group, the sacred heart of Palenque. Picture by Mark Elmy

The nawal Aj is related to many things which generally revolve around leadership on an earthly level. It is also known as the cornstalk, sometimes the staff of life. It represents the spinal column within the body, which allows us to stand tall, proud and brave. As the cornstalk, it has its roots in the Earth, and its head in the sky.

If we wish to lead in a just manner, we should cultivate our connection with the Heart of the Sky and the Heart of the Earth. Above all, Aj is an authority, it is gentle, yet noble. It works quietly for the community it leads. It does not seek the limelight. This is a day that seeks sustenance for its people, that keeps everything in its rightful place. It is a day when we ask for the courage and bravery to stand up straight and tall, to do the right thing.

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”.

5 Ajpu (21st June 2024)

5 AjpuFinding a higher meaning in your 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 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”.

5 Kej (8th June 2024)

5 KejThis is a great day to get the hard work done. You have the strength and determination of Kej attached to that which you work for. However, make sure you remember to make time to recharge with a connection to nature.

The nawal Kej brings strength and vitality which helps us to draw from the wilderness. It brings out our leadership from within us, helping to assure us of our decisions. Kej acts as a spiritual leader charging forward on behalf of its people. It is determined to bring out the best of the world for them, whether real or perceived. Kej represents the priest, with concern for more than just the physical well-being of the people it leads. It does what it does with a divine conviction, which can lead it to be a little overbearing.

Here we see it connected with the number 5 which is representative of work. As a consequence, this can be an exceptionally empowered work day as Kej comes through to bring you determination in whatever your chosen work is. However, this determination can lead to trampling over others in the drive to achieve a goal, which should be avoided. It may require a little reigning in of the pushy energy in order to avoid possible confrontation.

One way to balance the strength is through connection to the wilderness. This is a great day for working in the natural environment, the work will be blessed by Kej, helping you to tune in to what you are doing. It is likely that environmental work may take some effort to get going, but once it does you may be well rewarded. This may take some form of insight as the essence of the spiritual leader within is empowered through the natural world.

The Nawal Kej

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

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

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

The Number 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”.

5 Q’anil (30th April 2024) – Solar Zenith Transit (15° N)

5 Q'anilQ’anil represents the bright shining light within the world. This is something often demonstrated by the people who carry this nawal. The day 5 Q’anil suggests that it may be a little challenging to be the light in the darkness today. It is a day to work on brightening the world around you. Whilst your effort may not be immediately rewarded, it will be multiplied as time progresses.

The energy of the day 5 Q’anil combines the number of work with the nawal of ripening and abundance. This combination gives an excellent day to put extra effort into your project, it will be rewarded.

There are some days where using additional energy results in exhaustion as the energy of the day is not conducive. It might feel like you are pushing against a brick wall. Maybe you feel you are wasting your time or energy on something of no benefit. Today has the exact opposite energy. Today the energy put into your work or your project will be magnified by the fruitful and productive nawal Q’anil. This brings the possibility of a great harvest in the future.

However, some reserve is required. Sometimes we become impatient with our process, impatient with our crops. This can lead us to take our harvest before it is ready. We might lose out on our future abundance for want of immediate gratification. Be aware that the effort you put in to your work may not bring immediate results. You are setting a larger ripening process in motion. This is a day to enjoy the process. Look to the future abundance and allow nature to take its course. After all, the next appearance of the nawal Q’anil will be 12 Q’anil suggesting the gathering of the ripened crop.

Solar Zenith

Here in Guatemala, at 15 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 15 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 13th August and 30th April is 260 days, and between 30th April and 13th 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 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 105 days to grow, mature and harvest, and 105 days from 13th August would be around the 26th November. Therefore, it is important to plant the last crop of corn before the second solar zenith transit.

The Nawal Q’anil

Nawal Q’anil represents the ripening of the seed, the crop coming to maturity. The K’iché word Q’an means yellow, and the -il suffix is rather like the English -ing. Q’anil represents the golden head of maize at its perfection of ripeness, ready to be picked. In the Mayan creation story, humans were fashioned from maize dough, we are Ixim Achi, the people of the corn. Q’anil also represents human beings coming to their greatest point of perfection, their ripeness.

It is in the fields and gardens that Q’anil’s light shines particularly brightly. It is the nawal of farmers, gardeners and herbalists. But just as it is at home around plants, Q’anil has the possibility to shine anywhere. Q’anil has talent, its beautiful golden light illuminates that which it comes into contact with. People carrying Q’anil energy can light up the room with their presence. Q’anil is about achieving full potential, and this relates to all of our activities. It does have an affinity to the arts, but in general is a day of bounty for all life projects.

However, when an energy is so fertile and prosperous, life can become too easy. Q’anil also appreciates the rewards of its talent – sometimes a little too much. Q’anil is prone to overindulge in the sensual, in particular with regards to intoxication.

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”.

5 Tz’ikin (17th April 2024)

5 Tz'ikinToday could be seen as an important day to focus your energy on your vision. Gather your enthusiasm and get to work on whatever this might be, it is likely to bring a prosperous outcome.

The nawal representing prosperity is combined with the number representing work. We could, therefore, imagine that your effort will be well rewarded today. However, you might have difficulty seeing it for what it is.

The nawal Tz’ikin brings the opportunity to prosper through the vision it brings. It endows both the ability to focus and the ability to see the big picture. Whilst these are both extremely important qualities. Their application at the appropriate time is also something that Tz’ikin helps us to learn. Whilst Tz’ikin is generally seen as a very positive nawal, its challenge is to avoid distraction. We must learn to truly focus when it is required of us.

When combined with the number five as it is today, the ability to focus may require a little more work than usual. Whilst the visionary aspect that it carries may still lead to a fortunate conclusion, removing yourself from a distracting environment may make this easier.

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 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”.

 

 

7 E’ 0 Tz’apin Q’ij – The First Day of Tz’apin Q’ij (Wayeb)

first day of Tz'apin Q'ij 

Tz’apin Q’ij (or Wayeb) 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, also known as Wayeb. 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. 7 E’ was the Mam for 2019. 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 7 E’ suggests a review of the the roads you travelled during the last 360 days. This is during the period of the current year, 11 E’, which began on 19th February 2023.

7 E’ can be seen as the end of the road. This is a highly interesting nawal for the first day of Tz’apin Q’ij. The meanderings and wanderings of the year 11 E’ may have revealed new destinations. These new experiences may have superceeded some old ones. Maybe paths which were once familiar now hold no interest. When we get to the end of the road with something it is time to choose our new path. It is with this energy that we begin this period of introspection. Today would be a good day to meditate on which paths have ended for you in the past solar year. Equally, which new paths have appearred to you. The day 7 E’ brings the energy to balance our path. Which paths are you ready to leave in the old year and which will you take forward?

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