“House”, “Temple”, “Darkness” – these are words often used as a translation for Ak’b’al. But this is also an energy associated with the earth and its mysteries, so this is certainly in synch with the events that will take place during this trecena, starting with the Earth Day activities that correlate with the opening day of this time frame.

With its emphasis on the protection of Planet Earth, this special day draws attention to environmental issues and calls on people to become personally involved in the stewardship of this precious planet. With 50,000 partners involved in nearly 195 countries, it is estimated that over 1 billion people will take part on this day, the largest civic observance in the world.

With its theme of “Environmental and Climate Literacy”, this Earth Day has the strong educational aim of empowering people to become involved so that actions and policies that have been put in place in the past will not be lost due to ignorance or political manipulation. With cities and communities around the global participating in Marches for Science on this day, including a huge rally in the National Mall in Washington D.C., the emphasis will be placed strongly on the raising of awareness about the vital role of science in this regard.

But, as big as this day will be, in terms of participation, this will not be the only time during this trecena that attention will be drawn to important issues, as this time frame will also bring (among other things) International Workers’ Day (and another march on Washington), World Press Freedom Day, the People’s Climate March, lead-ups to the French presidential election, and candidate debates across BC leading up to the provincial election.

From the perspective of the Maya Calendar the overseer of this period is Itzpapálotl, the Obsidian Butterfly, who sometimes appears as a seductress but more often is shown with a skeletal visage and knife tipped wings, representative of her role as a fearsome warrior on the search for truth. Emblematic of the struggles of the soul as it strives to overcome the trials and tribulations of life, this deity was often associated with the subconscious, with moral and ethical issues, and with the sacrifices that often must be made to navigate through the earthly realm. Given the fact that there are “those in power” who try to deny the Earth-oriented issues that are blatantly obvious to everyone else, the assistance of Itzpapálotl would be greatly welcomed at this time.

Looking to the past, it seems quite significant that both the American and French revolutions began on the ninth day during this energy sequence. In the spring of 1775 Paul Revere made his midnight ride under that 9 Chuwen influence and “the shot heard ‘round the world” kicked off the American Revolution. One cycle later one third of New York burned to the ground during this energy frame. Precisely 20 cycles after the first battle of the American Revolution the people of Paris said “enough” on that same ninth day and stormed the Bastille.

Indeed, this is an energy sequence that has brought a number of “hidden secrets” into the open, as in the exposing of the Watergate scandal during the early 1970’s that led to President Nixon’s impeachment, and the exposing (by WikiLeaks in 2010) of a cache of more than 250,000 diplomatic cables and classified documents pertaining to correspondence between U.S. diplomats and their allies and partners around the world.

In May of 2012 this trecena saw tens of thousands of Occupy Wall Street activists clash with police in protest demonstrations across the U.S. and around the world as people vented their frustrations concerning austerity measures, tax hikes, and high unemployment.

In 2013 issues associated with morality and ethics became so acute within U.S. Congressional chambers during this time frame that the U.S. government was actually shut down during this trecena. By the end of the time frame the Senate Chaplain felt it necessary to scold lawmakers for their “shameful” behaviour.

And then, of course, there was the Ak’b’al trecena of last August, with the Olympics in Rio falling completely within the parameters of this trecena. At that time many issues related to that location were brought into the spotlight, with drug problems (such as the Russian doping scandal), crime problems, widespread poverty, water contamination problems and security issues being of principal concern, not only as such things related to the area at large, but also with regard to their impact on visiting athletes and the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area. On the last day of this trecena the President of the European Olympic Committee was arrested in Rio in a ticket scalping scandal.

Meanwhile, the world at large was reeling in disbelief as this trecena came into place just after the nomination of Trump as the Republican candidate for president. As Republicans themselves were having a hard time trying to come to terms with the implications of this development, fifty of the most senior Republican national security officials signed an open letter declaring that Trump “lacks the character, values, and experience” to be president and would put the national security and well-being of the U.S. at risk. They warned that not only would he be “the most reckless president in American history” but that he would weaken the moral authority of the country. In the letter they also questioned his knowledge of and belief in the Constitution and emphasized that he has “demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding” of the nation’s “vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances and the democratic values” on which American policy should be based. And yet – despite all the warnings – he was elected three months later.

So here we are again with another opportunity for some strong questioning, some intense soul-searching; another opportunity to look carefully and deeply at the oppressive darkness to see it for what it is so that truth can prevail. Just within the past few days many have felt that the world has been brought to the brink of nuclear war due to reckless comments by those in power. Over the course of the past cycle (the past 260 days) many have been thrown off-kilter by the onslaught of unprecedented events; many have felt too insecure to stand up to the situation. But over the past few months there has been more and more opposition, and now we have a trecena that will bring many vigorous calls for change.

As more of the darkness is exposed during this time period new alliances will be formed and new avenues for action will appear. As before, what is needed at this time is courage, resolve, and considerable soul-searching in order to work through the darkness and stand up to the dangers so that truth and justice can work their way out of the mud and once again triumph.

Let us recall that Ak’b’al is often associated with “dreaming”, and with the exploration of deep mysteries. Again this would be a great time for reflection, for deep thought and good old-fashioned questioning, and for the unburdening and cleansing of “old issues” to make room for new possibilities. The third day of the trecena (3 Chikchan) marks the beginning of an important new “burner” period, this time aligned with “Lifeforce” so this may also signal new directions.

Please note that during this particular period the numbers associated with the daysigns will be mirrored by the numbers related to the month, with the first day being 1 Ak’b’al 1 Wo, the second day being 2 K’an 2 Wo; the third day being 3 Chikchan 3 Wo, and so on. This suggests that the nature of these numbers (ie. the energy force connected with the numbers) would also be doubled during this time. During this period these are the energies that will come into play:

1 Ak’b’al 1 Wo (April 22nd) – the “initiation” of “darkness” (or “contemplation”), in association with deep mysteries – the energy that was in place on that early morning in 1972 when the Watergate burglars were arrested, which ultimately led to the impeachment of President Nixon. At the present time this energy is coming in at the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower, correlating at this time with Earth Day and the March for Science in Washington D.C. and other U.S. cities, and in some 500 locations around the world. In British Columbia, the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey, one of the largest outside India (attended by over 350,000 people last year) takes place on this day, honouring the birth of the Sikh faith.

2 K’an 2 Wo (April 23rd) – a dynamic type of energy often aligned with new possibilities, correlating at this time with UNESCO’s World Book and Copyright Day and the First Round of the French presidential election. Maya birth energy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who put forth passionate calls for freedom, justice, and brotherhood during the 1960’s, and legendary actor Kirk Douglas, who celebrated his 100th Gregorian birthday last Dec. 9th.  The day of the Vancouver Sun Run, the largest 10K road race in Canada and the third largest in the world. Over 40,000 people are expected to participate in the event.

3 Chikchan 3 Wo (April 24th) – “the activation of lifeforce”; an important Burner Day oriented around the idea of “announcing the fire”, the type of energy that can sometimes “charge” people to take action, particularly if pressing issues suggest the need for consciousness raising. At this time this energy coincides with the opening of the 16th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, marking the 10th anniversary of the UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (to May 5th). Also the Maya birth energy of actor, author, and “Star Wars” icon Carrie Fisher, who died unexpectedly last December.

4 Kimi 4 Wo (April 25th) – a “defining” force associated with “absolute foundations” representative of the sun in combination with “death” or the point at which “all is revealed” so that regeneration can begin, this time in conjunction the second anniversary of the devastating 7.8 earthquake in Nepal in 2015, and with Anzac Day, in remembrance of all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service.

The last time this energy was in place was the day when senior Republican officials signed that open letter declaring that Trump would put the national security and well-being of the U.S. at risk.  Currently this is the day when North Korea marks the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People’s Army, and the day when top U.S., South Korean and Japanese envoys will meet “to maximize pressure on the North, and to ensure China’s constructive role”.

Maya birth energy of photographer James Balog, whose extraordinary images of disintegrating glaciers have provided some of the most dramatic evidence of world climate change.

5 Manik’ 5 Wo (April 26th) – a “blessing” or “precision” type of energy associated with reciprocity, correlating at this time with the New Moon, at the time when great precision will be required as NASA’s Cassini spacecraft dives between Saturn’s rings, still taking pictures on the final maneuvers of its very long journey. Also on this day the entire US Senate will meet for a briefing on North Korea.

6 Lamat 6 Wo (April 27th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with the heralding of new ideas; one “World Age” since the exact Day/Month/Night Lord energies were in place as at the time when England declared war against France in 1549

7 Muluk 7 Wo (April 28th) – a “self-generating”, pivotal, shape-shifting type of energy associated with water, as was in place in 1968 when Senator Robert F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Currently this is the day of the “Honoring Our Sacred Water – Water Ceremony” by various Riverkeepers, in conjunction with the Peoples Climate March “Truth to Justice” Week of Action. Deadline for the passing by both US Houses of Congress of the spending bill (which includes an estimated $22bn for a Mexican border wall); if not passed by midnight the government will shut down.

8 Ok 8 Wo (April 29th) – a “double sun” type of force, symbolic of the “resurrection of love, guidance, and loyalty”, this time in conjunction with International Astronomy Day, Independent Bookstore Day, and the day of the People’s Climate March.

This is also a Maya calendar anniversary of the energy in place 50 years ago when Canada’s Chief Dan George gave his memorable “Lament for Confederation” speech in which he gave a scathing indictment of the appropriation of native lands by white colonists.

It is also the day of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (Trump will not attend), and the Maya birth energy of the greatly missed Alan Rickman, and Anthony Daniels who played the iconic 3CPO in the Star Wars franchise.

9 Chuwen 9 Wo (April 30th) “outwardly projecting creativity” – the energy in place in 1775 at the start of the American Revolution and in 1789 when the Bastille was stormed in Paris, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. In January 2013 this energy was in place when U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden were sworn-in for the second time. At this present time this energy coincided with the the Beltane Fire Festival in the UK.

10 Eb’ 10 Wo (May 1st) – “foundational animating vitality”, correlating at this time with the May Day March in Washington D.C. in conjunction with the International Workers’ Day of Action, being promoted as a global day of strikes – a far cry from the ancient spring festival known as “May Day”.

This was the energy in place when the sizzling 25 ton Aztec Calendar Stone was found by workmen repairing Mexico City’s Central Plaza (the Zócalo) in 1790.

11 B’en 11 Wo (May 2nd) – “inspirational personal authority”, as was in place in 2011 when the 30 ft. tall memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was unveiled in Washington D.C. In 2015 hundreds of thousands of people marched under this influence in more than 2500 demonstrations worldwide in one of the largest ever days of protest to call for action to deal with climate change, on the eve of the UN Climate Change conference. At the present time this energy correlates with National Teacher Appreciation Day.

Maya Calendar birth energy of “The Godfather of Soul”, James Brown. It was under this same 11 B’en influence in 1977 that Elvis sang Unchained Melody on his final tour, two months before his death. (A heart-wrenching reminder of his extraordinary talent)

12 Ix 12 Wo (May 3rd) – a “gathering together” type of energy oriented around earth forces and deep mysteries, this time correlating with World Press Freedom Day and yet another march on the White House. Also the day when the British parliament will be dissolved prior to the snap election in June.

13 Men 13 Wo (May 4th) – transformational high vision; a high-energy type of force that can be world- shaping, as was in place in Dec. 2015 at the time of the largest ever gathering of world leaders. This time it correlates with “Star Wars Day” (“May the Fourth be With You”). This is the day when the U.S. Senate votes on the passage of a $1.17 trillion spending bill to fund the government through to September.

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[Please note that the brief descriptions of the days provided above are only “thumbnail sketches”. Much greater detail can be found in Manual for the Soul: A Guide to the Energies of Life.]