As with everything else in 2020, it was hard slogging to work our way through the last trecena, particularly since the darkness of that Ak’b’al oriented time frame coincided this time with the dreariness of mid-November. As anticipated, issues associated with morality and ethics were “front and centre”, particularly with the Dumpster refusing to concede the election as he and his administration continued to spew forth misinformation and baseless claims of fraud. Fortunately, lawsuit after lawsuit was thrown out, with Judge Matthew Brann summing up the Pennsylvania claim as being “like Frankenstein’s Monster” – something that had been “haphazardly stitched together”. It was not long after his statement, near the end of the trecena, when he emphasized that the court has been presented with “strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations”, that the flicker of light that is sometimes “buried deep” within that trecena began to emerge. Twenty days after the election – and sixteen long days after it became evident that Joe Biden was the winner – the U.S. General Services Administration finally gave the go-ahead for the process of transition to begin.

Click here for the podcast to accompany this trecena

And while this “attempt to overturn the results of the election” sideshow continues, many have been wondering what other nefarious actions have been transpiring “under the radar”. We now know that one of those actions was the withdrawal of the US from the Treaty on Open Skies, which has helped to bolster European security over the past 3 decades by promoting openness and transparency relating to military activities. Another was the Dumpster’s installation of three highly dubious “Star Wars bar scene characters” (as Rachel Maddow described them) into senior positions at the Pentagon.

While all that was going on the global number of coronavirus cases rose dramatically during this period, with the daily number of new cases in the US reaching record-setting one-day highs for several days in a row, at the same time as information was being withheld from the Biden team to stall their preparations to deal with one of the world’s most severe outbreaks.

But now, with the election over and votes being certified, with the introduction of Joe Biden’s experienced team that is now working hard to get ready to “hit the ground running” in January, and with breakthroughs being announced in terms of the development of coronavirus vaccines, a sense of relief is beginning . . . ever so slowly . . . to be felt. With the trial of France’s ex-president Sarkozy underway at this time we are even being given a flicker of hope that, indeed, politicians can be tried for corruption and that perhaps justice is still possible – eventually. Thanksgiving in the US may also give people an opportunity to see what they might salvage from a year that has been unspeakably brutal on so many levels.

We begin this trecena with One Kib’, a day representive of the “initiation of the restoration of order”. This marks the beginning of a time frame often oriented around the idea of “getting down to business” in order to resolve problems.

Kib’ is often symbolized by a vulture that is tasked with “cleaning things up” after some kind of carnage. The emphasis during this period tends to be on fomenting “new thought” and shifting towards “new kinds of action” in order to find solutions. As always, this Kib’ trecena has its work cut out for it, but traditionally there has been a strong emphasis on ingenuity, industriousness, practicality, and learning to “think differently” during this period, which is exactly what is needed, particularly with so many “life and death” issues needing to be addressed. This can be a time when important transmutations take place, often triggered by dramatic events that demand change.

During this energy sequence there is often an emphasis on duality, sometimes involving paired events or paired ideas struggling to maintain equilibrium or overcome obstacles. Often there is a kind of “teetering” between two polarities, reflective of the “sun close to the earth” or “fire in the earth” kinds of forces associated with the patron energies of this period, energies that have been known to foment havoc for the purpose of transmutation, often as part of a push towards the birthing of a new type of order. In the past one of the most vivid manifestations of this duality in action was the destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Center in 2001 when hit by two planes. That world-shifting event brought massive changes in terms of national and international security practices.

One of the areas that is greatly in need of attention (in addition to the pandemic, of course) is the whole climate change imperative – and this trecena has been highly instrumental in that regard. In 2015 this was the trecena in place when intense negotiations took place in Paris in mid December as 196 nations worked to develop and approve an historic global accord to fight climate change, signalling an end to the fossil fuel era. This was seen as a decisive point in time as they committed, for the first time, to a universal agreement that has the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and limiting temperature rises. But when the UN climate change talks resumed again in 2017, with a focus on how to implement the Paris Agreement, it was during the Dumpster era, and – surprise, surprise – the US involvement in climate change action was greatly reduced, with its formal withdrawal taking place on election day just a few weeks ago.

However, now that John Kerry has been chosen as President-elect Joe Biden’s “climate tsar”, the US will be resuming their commitment in that regard. And since the first day of this trecena at this time marks precisely three cycles since the 2018 release of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel’s “final call” Climate Change report, when the most extensive warning yet was published on the risks of global warming, this return to “climate responsibility” on the part of the US comes in not a moment too soon!

Indeed One Kib’ itself often signals the need to get down to business in terms of “restoring order”, as could be seen in 1987 when President Reagan challenged President Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, and again in 2009 when President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mutually agreed to reduce nuclear arsenals, which set the course to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. And, of course, in 2010 when the first day of this time frame brought the signing into law of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by President Obama.

So now, here we are again, with “new possibilities” on the horizon and the Kib’ trecena back in place to help with the transitions. Keep in mind that even though considerable effort will certainly be required to deal with the very, very pressing issues at hand, this trecena offers a strong potential for illumination, pathfinding, and for the development of practical approaches towards finding solutions to even the most challenging problems. Several important “special days” for both commemorations and social action are coming into place during this period. Here are the associated energies:

1 Kib’ (Nov. 25th) – the “initiation” of the transmutation force that leads towards the restoration of order, coinciding with the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Saint Catherine feast day, with Saint Catherine being seen as the patron saint of students, philosophers, and unmarried women. This was the energy in place in the spring of 2010 when The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law by President Obama.

It has now been four cycles since the massive MARCH ON demonstrations across the US and around the globe in January of 2018, to stand up for human rights and women’s rights and to protest against the Dumpster administration’s policies in multiple areas. It has been three cycles since the release of the UN’s “final call” Climate Change report that gave that extensive warning on the need to limit global warming to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, which would require “rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society”. This, of course, is exactly what has happened with the on-slaught of Covid-19, but those were certainly not the kinds of changes being called for.

As of this day it has been one cycle exactly since the “turning point” day last March when Joe Biden won several state primaries as it became clear that he would become the Democrat’s presidential nominee.

2 Kab’an (Nov. 26th) – a “dynamic” type of energy related to the earth, or “earth movement”, coinciding with Thanksgiving Day in the US, and marking one cycle exactly since the WHO declared a global pandemic last March and called for governments to take “urgent action” against the coronavirus.

It has been one Calendar Round (52 years less 13 days) since Douglas C. Engelbart’s 90-minute demonstration at the Fall Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco that included the world’s first mouse and word processor – key to our huge transition into the widespread use of computers.

3 Etz’nab’ (Nov. 27th) – the “activation” of a sparkling, “knife-edged” type of energy that can dazzle, shock, and/or begin a separation process, coinciding at this time with Black Friday which will look different this year. While this used to be the biggest shopping day of the year, with many huge “in store” deals, most of this will be done on-line instead, to conform with social distancing protocols. Increasingly, this has become known as Buy Nothing Day, an international day of protest against consumerism.

4 Kawak (Nov. 28th) – a “defining” type of energy aligned with “storm”, representative of the sun working together with the energy of intense rain, which can sometimes manifest as a “storm of compassion”. This was the energy in place when the UN climate change talks resumed in 2017, with a focus on how to implement the Paris Agreement, but with a much-reduced US presence. Now that John Kerry has been chosen as President-elect Joe Biden’s “climate tsar”, the US will soon be able to resume their commitment to that global agreement. This is one of the five key energies at the centre of the Aztec Sun Stone.

5 Ajaw (Nov. 29th) – the “blessing of enlightenment”, coinciding at this time with UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People,

In ancient Mesoamerican mythology this is the energy associated with Xochipilli – a deity associated with the arts and beauty and games. This energy, aligned with the sun, often manifests as “enlightenment breaking through” in some way, as in 1972 when North and South Korea signed a Joint Statement that established principles of working towards peaceful reunification, and in 2017 when Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to protect the Paris Climate Change agreement.

It has been five cycles since the firing of FBI director James Comey in 2017, which has been the cause of so much controversy – empasizing more of the “game playing” nature of this 5 Ajaw energy that can “sometimes” manifest. In his book titled Where Law Ends, published in Sept. 2020, prosecutor Andrew Weissmann described the Dumpster’s draft statement “justifying his firing of Comey” as “excruciatingly juvenile, disorganized and brimming with spite, incoherent and narcissistic” – basically “a stream of consciousness tirade against Comey, his investigation into Russian interference in the election” and many other things that “could be used to show Trump’s criminal mental state”. And that firing was 3½ excruciatingly difficult years ago!

6 Imix (Nov. 30th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with “birth”, which can often bring chaos as some new order of being is manifested. At this time this energy coincides with the Full Beaver Moon, a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, Cyber Monday, and the end of the devastating 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

At this point it has been 27 Tzolk’in cycles exactly since the terrorist attack on, and demolition of, the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. It has been three cycles since the beginning of the migrant caravans from Honduras during which thousands of people walked for days to reach the Mexican, and then U.S., borders. Sorting out the mess created by the tyrant’s “family separation policy” and “zero tolerance” approach in this regard is yet another task that the Biden administration will have to address – although the deep traumas suffered by the children and their families that were separated will likely never be undone.

At this point it has been four cycles since, in January of 2018, due to nuclear threats, climate change, and related issues associated with the Dumpster’s administration, scientists moved the “Doomsday Clock” forward to 2 min. to midnight, the closest it had been to catastrophe since 1953 when the US and the Soviet Union detonated their first thermonuclear bombs. But that was long before the start of the coronavirus pandemic and before all the other grenades launched from the White House since then. Currently that clock is running at “100 seconds to midnight”.  With a new, but highly experienced, administration about to take the reins in Washington DC, hopefully there is still a chance to start moving that backwards again.

7 Ik’ (Dec. 1st) – “self-generating” wind/breath/spirit, coinciding at this time with Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving that “unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world”.  This is also World AIDS Day, which provides “an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness”.

This marks one cycle exactly since governors in many states begged the Dumpster to unleash the full might of the US government on the critical problem of supply associated with Covid-19, including the dire need for PPE, hospital beds, and ventilators. His initial reply (last March) was: “try getting it yourselves”, but some guidelines were later released by the White House.

8 Ak’b’al (Dec. 2nd) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with “temple” or “house”, “darkness”, and deep esoteric mysteries, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, which (according to the UN’s website) is still a major worldwide issue, with over 40 million people worldwide still existing in slavery.

This is also the 50th Gregorian anniversary of the founding of the US Environmental Protection Agency. In 1909 this was the energy in place when the first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the U.S.

This marks exactly one cycle since Dr. Michael Osterholm (of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy Director, and author of Deadliest Enemy) said (last March) that this was the first day of a coronavirus winter – which, he said, could last for months. That was the day when Nevada’s governor ordered all nonessential businesses in that state to close for 30 days, including all 440 casinos and gaming operations. Although restrictions were later eased, they are now back in place with “no more than 25% occupancy” being the rule of thumb in many establishments.

9 K’an (Dec. 3rd) – representative of “outwardly-projecting” longevity in association with germination, as when the Hubble Space Telescope was deployed in 1990 after its launch the day before. This is Leonard Nimoy’s Maya birth energy – and he will always be remembered as Star Trek’s iconic “Mr. Spock”. Nine K’an could also translate as “Live Long and Prosper”, Spock’s famous Vulcan salute that has now become a meme.

Today is the UN’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities; the UN indicates that there are one billion people with disabilities worldwide, 80% of whom live in developing countries. It has been one cycle exactly since B.C. declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus.

10 Chikchan (Dec. 4th) – a Burner Day associated with “Foundational Lifeforce, Liberation, and Higher Consciousness” that is often quite intense, currently coinciding with the World Wildlife Fund’s Wildlife Conservation Day. The UN hosts a similar day in March.

This was the energy in place in 1980 when the World Health Organization announced that smallpox has been eradicated. Last March this energy was in place when, for the first time since the outbreak, China reported no new local coronavirus infections. At that time the first statewide mandatory restrictions were issued in the US to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, as California’s governor ordered the shut-down of all non-essential services. Given that well over a million cases of Covid have now been identified in that state, California is again under similar restrictions.

As this is a kind of “seesaw” force that represents a balancing between Death (10) and Life (Chikchan), the choices made at this time can be highly consequential. Indeed, the last time this was in place the Dumpster in the White House told journalist Bob Woodward that his first instinct regarding the coronavirus was to “always play it down” – which he did . . . . . which resulted in tens of thousands of deaths (over 260,000 in the US at this point, and counting).

11 Kimi (Dec. 5th) – “inspirational” new foundations, coinciding at this time with the
opening of Lyon’s spectacular Festival of Lights

It has now been three cycles since cannabis became legal in Canada and seven cycles since 196 nations voted (in December, 2015) to approve the historic global accord (the Paris Accord) to fight climate change, signalling an intention to end the fossil fuel era. One cycle exactly since all schools in the UK were shut for an indefinite period, as a precautionary measure.

12 Manik’ (Dec. 6th) – a “gathering together” type of energy associated with reciprocity, at a time when 1000 pairs of shoes will be placed on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery for the 18th year in a row in memory of murdered women, as part of Vancouver’s annual Shoe Memorial in association with the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and in remembrance of the 14 women who were killed at Montreal’s École Polytechnique in 1989.

This is the energy in place in the spring of 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his memorable “I’ve been to the mountain” speech the day before his assassination.

13 Lamat (Dec. 7th) – “transformational star”, an intense and often highly consequential “heralding” type of force, as was in place at the time of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Currently this is coinciding with National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and the UN’s International Civil Aviation Day  which celebrates the impact that civil aviation has had on the world.

In Turkey this day brings the opening of the Konya Whirling Dervishes Festival, an
11-day event in honour of Rumi, a beloved 13th century Persian poet and Sufi mystic.

This 13 Lamat force was also in place at the end of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, when the last remaining U.S. combat soldiers left Vietnam in 1973, as well as when Robert Mueller was appointed as Special Council to oversee the Russia investigation in 2017. Last spring this was the energy in place when Australia, New Zealand, and Italy announced a nationwide shutdown of all non-essential services and cities in India launched a 14 hr. curfew for more than 1.3 billion people to assess that country’s ability to fight the virus. At the current time that country has recorded over 9 million cases, and ranks second only to the US in terms of having the world’s highest number of cases.

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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.]