It is mid May and in many places wildfire season has already begun. Just a few days ago the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii reported that carbon dioxide levels have reached 415 parts per million, the highest level ever recorded since it began analyzing atmospheric greenhouse gases in 1958, with this new reading reflecting levels that are nearly 40% higher than ever before in human history. With plastics being found recently in even the deepest parts of the ocean it seems that there is nowhere on Earth that has not been affected by humankind’s inability to live in a sustainable manner on this planet.

So here we are with the return of the Kab’an trecena – the Earth oriented trecena that often serves as a kind of check-point with regard to global evolution. Indeed, within the 260-day cycle as a whole the beginning of this trecena is one of the most important “trigger points” that seem to bring key issues into focus as it sets the stage for critically important actions that can have significant implications for large numbers of people. Aligned not only with Earth, but with “evolutionary movement”, the Kab’an trecena as a whole often coincides with radical shifts in world order.

In the past this trecena saw the departure of Christopher Columbus from Spain in 1492 en route to the “discovery” of the “New World”. This is the trecena that has brought the beginning and ending of World War II, beginnings and endings of important space exploration events, the “powering up” and the shutting down of the atom-smashing Large Hadron Collider, and the failure of major investment companies in the U.S. which precipitated chaos in world financial markets. It is also the trecena that brought forth the change in power in the U.K. as Theresa May became Britain’s second female Prime Minister four cycles ago. Towards the end of the trecena at that time the earth-shattering RNC convention was held in the U.S., which brought the nomination and acceptance of Trump as the Republican candidate for president [on a 10 Kimi (“foundational death”) day]. On that same day, the Turkish government initiated the sudden detainment or dismissal of some 50,000 people in a far-reaching backlash after a failed military coup.

When this trecena came into place during that fateful summer of 2016 the first day of the trecena (One Kab’an) marked the 1300 day point (5th cycle completion) since the end of the 13th B’aktun on Dec. 21st, 2012. This seemed significant due to the fact that the number 13 is the energy of transition in the Maya Calendar, and sure enough, this particular lineup of 13s delivered a punch that is still reverberating! By the end of the trecena (1313 days after the end of the 13th Bak’tun) people were feeling stunned and horrified by all the political upsets and rapid transitions that were taking place. And now, four cycles later, this all-important Kab’an trecena is again coming into being at the same time as those in the White House are engaging in a trade war with China, stonewalling Congress by refusing requests and subpoenas, and bumbling their way towards reckless actions in the Middle East. The fact that a US aircraft carrier and bomber taskforce have been deployed to that region, and that there are conversations about sending thousands of troops to that region is definitely troubling.

But as much as political machinations will continue to play out during this period, considerable emphasis during this period will be placed on issues associated with the planet itself. As it happens this is the trecena during which the Second Global Climate Strike for Future to demand concrete action from governments regarding climate change will take place, with sixteen year old activist Greta Thunberg (whose Maya birth energy is the fourth day of this period) leading the charge.

Other important Earth-oriented touchpoints within this trecena include Endangered Species Day on May 17th, and Biodiversity Day on May 22nd.

Within this calendrical system as a whole this Kab’an trecena is not only associated with the opening and closing of major eras, but it is also aligned with re-birth or emergence which can sometimes manifest as world-shaping endings and the emergence of new beginnings. Sometime this involves dealing with issues that can be “earth-shaking”, as happened in 2012 when legions of people were convinced that the world was going to end on Dec. 21st, due to media hype that provoked the notion that this would happen because the Maya Calendar was “ending”. Any Mayanist who tried to point out that this was NOT a world ending point, but rather a significant point of renewal (into a new era) in terms of calendrical cycles, was simply not heard at that time.

However, as highlighted below in the notations of the 13 days, there is often a great deal of “movement” at this time, with the emphasis being on both completion and renewal, often driven by an intensified push towards greater truth, accountability, and justice that can precipitate world-shaping change. One focal point for such change will relate to technology, as many world leaders and heads of global technology companies have now pledged to tackle online terrorism and extremism, based on the “roadmap to action” that they jointly created at the Christchurch Call to Action summit in Paris that just took place. Both forgiveness and fertility are often involved in such world-shaping endeavors, representative of the patron dieties of this time frame, which tie in with the overall idea of dynamic forward motion.

As always this would be an auspicious time to review one’s personal journey in order to set the course and intent for the next 260 days. What will be your next “evolutionary leap” and how will you facilitate it? During this critical time frame these are the energies that will come into play:

1 Kab’an (May 16th) – the “initiation of evolutionary movement”, the start of the trecena that begins the tenth Tzolk’in cycle of the new era (since December 2012). As a key 52-day “shift-point” within the 260 day cycle, this is a point that often initiates dramatic and/or consequential movement with planetary consequences. Eighty years ago this was the energy in place as German troops were assembling in preparation for the invasion of Poland eight days later; in 1940 this was the energy in place at the time of Germany’s invasion of Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, the first stage in the Battle of France. In 1943 this energy brought the beginning of the largest convoy battle of the Atlantic during WWII. Fortunately this energy also brought the surrender of the Germans in 1945.

Fifty years ago One Kab’an saw millions of people rivetted to their television sets as they tracked the historic flight of Apollo 11 during its full day in space en route to the moon.

Currently this is the day when power sharing begins in Sudan after leaders agreed to work through a three-year transition process to bring about a civilian administration for that country. This is the first day after the Call to Action pledges given by world leaders and tech companies in Paris yesterday so the work to curtail online extremism will be beginning at this time. Also tech related – this is the day when Chelsea Manning is due to testify before a grand jury in the US with regard to leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents to Wikileaks. However, as it looks like once again she is refusing this request she may end up back in jail. See 13 Muluk below (May 28th) re the release of those documents on the last day of this trecena in 2016.

2 Etz’nab’ (May 17th) – a dynamic “knife-edged” type of energy that can dazzle and/or divide and separate, on the day when the IRS was scheduled to turn over Trump’s tax documents from the past six years to the House Ways and Means committee. The courts are now deciding how to deal with this. This day marks two years since Special Counsel Robert Mueller assumed office to oversee the Russia investigation.

This is also the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities, with this year’s global focus being Justice and Protection for All. In the interest of protection, click here for a good guide to online safety.

In addition this is Endangered Species Day, the opening day for The Great Jaguar Rises exhibition at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, and the Maya birth energy of Nic Balthazar, the Belgium film director and TV/radio personality who co-wrote Sing for the Climate (Do it Now!)

One cycle since the marquees of all Broadway theatres in New York dimmed their lights last summer after the demise of Neil Simon, the playwright who has had more shows in production simultaneously on Broadway than any other writer.

3 Kawak (May 18th) – “activating storm” that can manifest as a true weather storm or a “storm” of compassion or emotion, coinciding at this time with Australia’s federal election, and a Full Flower Blue Moon, which will reach its full phase in the late afternoon. Maya birth energy of the legendary Tim Conway, the comic genius best known as a regular on the long running Carol Burnett Show, who died just two days before this trecena began. One cycle since Aretha Franklin’s star-studded funeral in Detroit last summer.

This is the energy that was in place in 2008 when it was announced that the Lehman Bros. investment bank had run out of cash, triggering a massive financial meltdown over the next few days, generally referred to as “the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression”. Currently this is Armed Forces Day in the U.S.

4 Ajaw (May 19th) – a “defining” energy associated with the full light of the sun, symbolic of renewal and enlightenment, the same “defining” Burner Day energy that coincided with Long Count 13.0.0.0.0, the end of the 13th B’aktun on Dec. 21st, 2012, the day in which a whole new Great Cycle of Time was “seated”. Currently this day marks the completion of the ninth Tzolk’in cycle since Dec. 21, 2012, and the beginning of the tenth cycle since the end of the 13th B’aktun.

Four Ajaw was the energy that brought forth the signing of the unconditional documents of surrender by German forces in 1945. Fifty years ago this was the energy in place when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module on the moon and made their historic moon walk. On the last appearance of Four Ajaw, last summer, a full dress memorial service was held for Sen. John McCain at the Washington National Cathedral, with Presidents Obama and George W. Bush delivering eulogies.

At this present time this energy brings the final day of India’s general election, coinciding with Vesak Day (Buddha Day) in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia – a major Buddhist festival oriented around the celebration of the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death of Buddha.

Not surprisingly, this “defining of enlightenment” force is the Maya birth energy of climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who, at the young age of 16, has become a significant force in drawing attention to the need for climate change action at governmental levels.

5 Imix (May 20th) – the “blessing of birth”, representative of both “the realm of all potential” and chaos; symbolic of the primordial realm, which contains “all possibilities”. This also marks a return of the energy that was in place on VE day in 1945, when the world jubilantly celebrated the end of World War II in Europe and the beginning of peace. Four cycles ago this was British PM Theresa May’s first full day in office after she was confirmed as Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth the day before.

Currently this is Victoria Day in Canada, World Bee Day; and “5.20: I Love You” day in China, based on the Mandarin pronunciation of “five-two-zero” which sounds like “I Love You”. This is also Cher’s 73rd Gregorian birthday.

6 Ik’ (May 21st) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with wind, breath, and spirit, as was in place when World War II officially ended in 1945, after the unconditional surrender on 4 Ajaw. In 2004 this was the energy in place when Venus made its transition across the face of the sun – an event watched by millions.

Currently this is the day when over 400 nation-wide reproductive rights protest demonstrations will take place across the US (organized by Planned Parenthood and over 50 other organizations) in reponse to extreme anti-abortion laws that several states have recently passed. This is also the day scheduled for former WH Counsel Don McGahn to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee, one cycle plus 5 days after he was fired from the White House. Reportedly he had been one of the people who had attempted to prevent Trump from carrying out some of his most destructive notions. The question is: will he show up to testify or won’t he?

7 Ak’b’al (May 22nd) – a “self-generating” type of energy, often referred to as a “temple” or “house”, but also darkness or “sanctuary”. In 1492 this was the energy in place when Christopher Columbus embarked on his first voyage into the unknown. Currently this is World Biodiversity Day, with this year’s theme being “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”, and the opening day for the International Conference on Climate Action in Heidelberg, Germany. This is also the day when Indonesia is expected to announce the location of its new capital city, away from Jakarta since Jakarta, home to over 10 million people, is sinking at one of the fastest rates in the world, and also has the world’s worst traffic congestion.

8 K’an (May 23rd) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with germination and even opulence; an “harmonious gift” type of influence, coinciding at this time with the start of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament, this time in Poland, and the first day of the European Parliament elections, which have implications with regard to Brexit. This is the day of vote counting from the general elections in India (900 million eligible voters) and declaration of the results.

This day marks 4 Calendar Rounds (4 x 52 years) since the birth of Sir George Gilbert Scott – a prolific 19th century English Gothic revival architect.

9 Chikchan (May 24th) – representative of “outwardly-projecting” lifeforce, a powerful force that can spawn major weather events such as typhoons, and even push forth “evolutionary” events that can significantly impact the world, as happened when the First Women’s Rights Convention convened in New York in 1848. This energy was also in place at the beginning of World War II when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, and again on the day in 1944 when Paris was liberated by the Allies. Three Calendar Rounds ago (3 x 52 years), in 1863, this was in place at the beginning of the horrific Battle of Gettysburg, seen as a turning point during the U.S. civil war, as the Confederate army was forced to retreat.

Four cycles ago this energy coincided with the beginning of the consequential Republican National Convention in the U.S. and the start of the huge government purge in Turkey after an attempted coup three days earlier. Two cycles ago the GOP shoved a massively unpopular tax bill through U.S. Congress, with no hearings, no Democratic support, no expert testimony, and no advance planning, in order to slash tax rates for corporations and provide huge benefits for the wealthy. It was a bill that provides the top 1% of Americans with 83% of the tax benefits and was projected to add $1.46 trillion to the U.S. debt over a decade.

Currently this is the day scheduled for the Second Global Climate Strike for Future to demand concrete action from governments regarding climate change. This is also Red Nose Day in the US, with its mission to end child poverty. And it is the legendary Bob Dylan’s 78th Gregorian birthday.

10 Kimi (May 25th) – a double “absolute foundations” type of energy that is represented by the death god in both the number and daysign positions; four cycles since Trump’s nomination as a GOP candidate for president, and exactly one cycle since the “historically unpopular” Kavanaugh hearing as Democrats attempted to expose the fact that Kavanagh blatantly lied, under sworn testimony, with regard to a host of issues in the past.

11 Manik’ (May 26th) – “inspirational deer”, a change-oriented day aligned with the idea of reciprocity and new possibilities, although there can be a sacrificial aspect to it. This is an energy that can be somewhat “fiery” since Manik’ is a “carrier” of the sun on Earth, with the number 11 also being highly Earth-aligned. Situated in a position of intensity near the end of this “earth-movement” trecena, this energy is representative of solar power in tandem with strong Earth-aligned forces, on the final day of the European Parliament elections. One cycle since the Peoples Climate Movement March, with their motto being “to change everything, we need everyone”, which was a worldwide grassroots Global Day of Action.

12 Lamat (May 27th) – a double Venus type of force; in combination with the “grouping together” influence of the number 12, creating a “heralding or signalling” type of energy, which sometimes “signals” war or some other critical development, coinciding at this time with Memorial Day in the US.

This was the energy in place during the summer of 2016 at the time of Trump’s acceptance speech as the Republican nominee and the closing of the Republican National Convention. Most assuredly it was attention-getting.  In 1947 this was the energy in place when a brilliant object plunged to the ground NW of Roswell, New Mexico, touching off great speculation about whether or not it was a UFO.

13 Muluk (May 28th) – “transformational water” – an energetic, often dramatic, type of energy that can trigger strong feelings and stir environmental forces which have, on occasion in the past, developed into floods, tornadoes, and even hurricanes as seen on its last appearance (early last September) when Hurricane Florence intensified to Cat. 4 as it headed towards the U.S. east coast. On that day California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a clean energy bill that aims to derive all its retail electricity from renewable sources by 2045, a move that sent a message to California, to Washington, and to the world that California is working to comply with the Paris agreement, thereby helping to make California a global leader on climate change.

Four cycles since the July 2016 Wikileaks release of documents stolen by Russian hackers from the DNC (and called for by Trump), intended to hurt Hillary Clinton, which triggered the torrent of speculation that ultimately resulted in Clinton’s loss in the November election – and all the political chaos that has happened ever since.

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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.]