The year end holiday season, winter weather (and earth oriented) challenges, and major changes in power in Washington D.C. and elsewhere – these are some of the elements that will be in play during the Ix (Jaguar) trecena that is bringing an end to 2018 and taking us into 2019.

Here on the Northwest Coast a great deal of effort is currently being put towards clean-up from the fierce windstorm that battered Washington state, Vancouver Island, and other parts of British Columbia over the past few days. With widespread damage from toppled power lines, damaged transformers, unrooted trees, and flying debris, hundreds of thousands have been affected by power outages and wind related challenges.

On the other side of the Pacific, in Indonesia, it was a devastating tsunami that wreaked havoc two days ago, killing some 300 people and destroying hundreds of buildings. As cleanup gets underway in that region the Anak Krakatau volcano, which triggered the tsunami, continues to erupt, presenting the possibility of yet another threat.

So as this Jaguar trecena comes into being this trecena’s emphasis on transformation will definitely apply as people work to restore order. Indeed, during this energy frame it is not unusual for people to become “jaguar warriors” as they are “called to battle” for particular reasons. At this time, in these areas, the battle to regain some stability will be fought by many as they struggle to clear roads, restore power grids, and help each other to navigate through the end-of-year stresses that are now compounded by these events.

As always, this is a time frame that generally places emphasis on transformation – often significant. The change that is generated at this time can be quite personal, but can also be wide ranging. Indeed, during this period there is often an emphasis on high magic and even mastery over things of an unseen nature, often tied in with authority, rulership and things of the earth.

Often the very first day of this trecena can be a turning point that can be pivotal even in terms of the fate of nations, as seen during the French Revolution in the 18th century when some of the most significant events of that era took place under that “initiation of transformation” influence. This is a trecena during which many great shifts have occurred, as in the start of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the start of the London Blitz in 1940, the massive Tibetan uprising against Chinese aggression in Llasa that began under this influence in 1959, and the mass exodus from the city of Aleppo, Syria in July of 2012 when fierce fighting drove thousands of people to seek new lives elsewhere.

In 2014 this trecena saw the start of the coalition air strikes against terrorist groups in Syria, major climate change rallies and summit, and the historic Scottish referendum vote that resulted in Scotland remaining as part of the UK. In 2016 it was the disastrous U.S. election, with this trecena coinciding with the 4 day lead-up to that election, the election itself, and the many days of massive anti-Trump protest demonstrations that followed. The crucial day during that time frame was 5 Etz’nab’, a “knife edge” type of force that holds the potential to bring things to a definitive conclusion, as in the official surrender of Japan at the end of World War II in 1945.

Indeed, in the past many significant events “fateful” to nations have occurred under this 5 Etz’nab’ influence, including the massive “Mobilization Peace” demonstrations in Washington, D.C in 1969 where hundreds of thousands protested against the Vietnam War, the attempted assassination of President Nixon in 1974, and the assassination of Lebanese cabinet minister (Minister of Industry) Pierre Gemayel in 2006.

In the U.S. at this time a great many things are in flux at the national level, so once again this will be a highly consequential time frame, particularly when seen from the perspective of what has just been happening. Indeed, over the past few days things have gone downhill swiftly for Trump as his former personal lawyer (Cohen) was sentenced to prison for lying to Congress, for campaign finance violations, and for tax evasion; his former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s sentencing was postponed (for further deliberation) because of the seriousness of his crimes (to which he plead guilty); and a former Russian spy plead guilty to attempting to influence American officials and policy towards Moscow.

On the New York front, the Trump Foundation was forcibly closed and the order was given to dissolve it under court supervision after investigators found “a shocking pattern of illegality” in the way it was run. As if to divert attention he then ordered (without consultation with defence officials or Congress or US allies) a pullout of U.S. troops from Syria, which shocked the U.S. foreign policy establishment, alarmed allies, and triggered the resignation of Defense Secretary Mattis. And as if all that wasn’t enough several departments of the U.S. government were forced to shut down due to his infantile demand for funds to build “the wall”, with even the incoming White House Chief of Staff being quoted as saying that Trump’s views on the border wall are “pablum . . . absurd and almost childish”. In the midst of all this the Dow dropped 470 points to a 14-month low and the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s asylum ban, which (hopefully) would be good news for those seeking asylum in the U.S. And now, of course, during this current Ix trecena, the Democrats will be taking over the U.S. House of Representatives.

So, as we work our way through this often highly eventful trecena once again it might be helpful to keep in mind that it is not unusual for major shifts from one state of being to another to occur during this time frame. Given the fact that “echoes” of earlier events can often resonate or reappear whenever a given trecena returns, it would not be unusual to see some “follow up” shifts (offshoots of earlier events) manifesting again during this period.

On a personal level this season can be a time of high stress, high expectations, and high magic. As the season unfolds the Jaguar could well add an extra layer of enchantment. And through this influence there is a high possibility that many events that take place could be personally transformative or even world shifting. During this volatile, Jaguar-governed, time frame which will encompass both Christmas and New Year’s, here are the energies that will be in play:

1 Ix (Dec. 24th) – the initiation of the Jaguar’s power of transformation, this time coinciding with Christmas Eve and the start of the trial runs for the spectacular Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival that will officially open on the last day of this trecena.  This is also the 50th anniversary of the “Earthrise” photo taken from Apollo 8 as it orbited the moon in 1968. This was the first photo of Earth from the moon and one of the most famous photos ever taken.

According to Al Gore, the modern environmental movement began within 18 months of the 1968 photo. Currently this energy also marks precisely three cycles since the 2016 Paris Climate Change Agreement officially became international law, and eight cycles since Justin Trudeau won the leadership of Canada’s Federal Liberal party with 80% support. Justin’s 47th Gregorian birthday is tomorrow.

2 Men (Dec. 25th) – the “generation” of the Eagle’s “higher vision”, coinciding at this time with Christmas Day.

On the last appearance of this energy the FBI raided the home, office and hotel room of Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who subsequently became the first member of Trump’s inner circle to be jailed (for lying to Congress, campaign finance violations, and tax evasion). After he pleaded guilty to his crimes he was given a three year prison sentence 13 days ago.

Two cycles ago this was the energy in place when some 200,000 protestors took to the streets of Seoul, South Korea to demand the resignation of President Park Geun-hye over corruption within her government. She went to trial and was found guilty of bribery and abuse of power, and then sentenced to 24 years in jail.

3 Kib’ (Dec. 26th) – an activation energy often associated with the “restoration of order”, as was in place two days before the U.S. election in 2016 when James Comey reported that there was nothing new or incriminating about Hillary Clinton’s emails (but by this time it was too late for damage control).

One cycle ago Mark Zuckerberg appeared before the U.S. Senate judiciary and commerce committees that were questioning the harvesting of personal information from more than 87 million unsuspecting Facebook users by Cambridge Analytical, the data collection agency that worked for Trump’s 2016 election campaign.

4 Kab’an (Dec. 27th) – a “defining” energy associated with evolutionary movement, the powerful energy carved into the centre of the Aztec Sun Stone, currently in place for Constitution Day in North Korea (a day commemorating the new socialist constitution of 1972).

Two cycles since Ram Nath Kovind took the oath of office as the 14th President of India after easily winning the election. One cycle since Republican Speaker Paul Ryan announced he won’t be running for re-election. He gives up his Speaker’s gavel to Nancy Pelosi and leaves Congress near the end of this trecena when Democrats take control of the House. An overview of Ryan’s problematic career in politics can be seen in Ryan Cooper’s article titled “Paul Ryan the Pretender”

5 Etz’nab’ (Dec. 28th) – a “pin pointing” type of energy symbolized by “flint”. This is a “knife edge” type of force that can be quite dazzling and attention-getting, an energy that also contains the potential to bring things to a definitive conclusion, as in the official surrender of Japan at the end of World War II in 1945. Eight cycles ago the city of Boston was completely shut down under this influence to allow for a massive manhunt for the Boston marathon bombers.

Three cycles ago this was the “shock and awe” energy in place when Trump “won” the U.S. presidential election. By now, of course, the mile high evidence has revealed that “stole” would be a more accurate word for what happened at that time, with that evidence revealing considerable Russian interference and “dirty dealings” on the part of many involved in the campaign. Right on schedule, it was precisely two cycles ago when a large scale raid took place on Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s home in yet another “shock and awe” moment, exactly in keeping with the nature of this energy. After pleading guilty to witness tampering and conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and agreeing to forfeit millions in a plea deal, Manafort will be sentenced this coming March. His Maya birth energy is on the 12th day of this current trecena.

6 Kawak (Dec. 29th) – a “storm everywhere” force; an energy that often has more to do with the triggering of a “storm of compassion or emotion” than a weather related event. This was the energy in place three cycles ago, just after the 2016 election when major anti-Trump rallies took place across the U.S. and in many other locations around the globe.

7 Ajaw (Dec. 30th) – “self generating” full sun, a traditional great Aztec feast day devoted to Xochipilli, the “Flower Prince”, the god of flowers, games, music, and dance. With the sun frequently symbolized as a four-petalled flower there is a strong solar aspect to this in conjunction with fertility and maize.

8 Imix (Dec. 31st) – the “resurrection” of birth, this time in conjunction with New Year’s Eve.

9 Ik’ (Jan. 1st) – the “outward projection” of wind, breath, spirit, coinciding at this time with New Year’s Day. As this is the calendrical daysign of Ehécatl/Quetzalcóatl, traditionally seen in Mesoamerican cultures as being symbolic of spirit, breath, far-reaching communication, and things of a life-giving nature, this seems like a prospitious beginning to 2019. On this day NASA will be broadcasting live a New Horizons flyby of Ultima Thule, a Kuiper belt object. (New Horizons is an interplanetary space probe that was launched in 2006).

Significantly, this is not only Hillary Clinton’s Maya birth energy, but also that of Larry Flynt, the publisher who took out a full page newspaper ad in October 2017 offering $10 million for information that would lead to the impeachment of Trump. Symbolic of far-reaching communication, 9 Ik’ is also representative of the winds that can “blow” in multiple directions to bring about change. On this first day of the year the new far-right president of Brazil takes office, likely amid wide-spread protests. This is also the 100th anniversary of the birth of J.D. Salinger, author of the best-selling “Catcher in the Rye”, an influential, albeit controversial, novel about adolescent rebellion.

10 Ak’b’al (Jan. 2nd) – a combination of the foundational energy of “Source” (the number 10) in conjunction with “darkness”, as in the Temple associated with deep esoteric mysteries. The Jaguar energy that runs through this trecena is very much connected with this force.

One cycle since former FBI Director James Comey released his A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership book, providing insight into the corruption in Washington. In it Comey compared Trump to a mob boss whose leadership style is “ego-driven”, “unethical”, and “untethered to truth and institutional values”. This followed the release of David Frum’s Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic last January, which was followed shortly thereafter with the release of Isikoff and Corn’s Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump that detailed Russia’s covert operation to influence the election (which became a #1 New York Times bestseller).

11 K’an (Jan. 3rd) – an “inspirational” type of energy associated with youthful vitality, this time correlating with the opening day of the 116th U.S. Congress and the departure of Paul Ryan and many other Republicans as Democrats take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The peak of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower bridges between this evening and the next.

12 Chikchan (Jan. 4th) – “dedicated” lifeforce – a powerful force that represents a doubling of the intensity of the lifeforce-oriented Quetzalcóatl energy – a type of influence that can significantly draw people into action for a common cause. There is no doubt that this will be happening in Washington!

In 1974 this 12 Chikchan energy was in place on the day when a federal grand jury indicted seven of President Nixon’s aides on charges of conspiracy related to Watergate, when Nixon was named as an unindicted co-conspirator, which led to his impeachment.

Parallelling all this, it seems significant that this is not only the Maya birth energy of Paul
Manafort who has been indicted recently for witness tampering and conspiracy (among other things) but it was also the energy in place on the day in 1776 when the first of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis pamphlets was released, with the opening lines being:

These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Another line from it reads:

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Indeed, it would seem that once this Trump related crisis is finally over the triumph WILL be glorious. Currently this is also World Braille Day.

13 Kimi (Jan. 5th) – “transformational death” (or “transformational foundations”) – a powerful “return to Source” type of force that can often pack a huge punch, as seen in the intense weather systems and even volcanoes that have occurred in the past under this influence. Official opening day for the spectacular Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival with its theme “20-year Grand Ceremony & Review”.

Precisely two cycles since a grand jury was impaneled to hear evidence in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign, evidence that has already lead to criminal indictments. This action was seen as the beginning of a whole new level of inquiry in this regard. It is anticipated that this investigation could wrap up sometime early this year.

One cycle ago this energy marked the 500th anniversary of the day in 1518 when a group of Spaniards set out from Cuba heading for the lands of the Maya, in pursuit of the gold that was reported by earlier adventurers. The confirmation of that report led to the organization of a much larger Spanish expedition, the consequences of which resulted in the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica.

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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.]