Spring is on the horizon and after a long, bleak, winter of confinement, light is definitely shining through. And now we have the Ajaw (Sun) trecena to help this along.

In the realm of the Classic Maya, this trecena was welcomed traditionally as a time for celebration. The very first day, One Ajaw, was observed as a celebrational “day of flowers”, during which dancers, singers, song-writers, drummers, storytellers, artists, orators, feast makers, gift-givers, banner-bearers, and flower-bedecked revelers would have been fully engaged in welcoming in the auspicious and joyful One Ajaw (or “One Flower”), representative of the initiation of “Full Sun” or “Full Enlightenment”. It was seen as a day to extol the virtues of creativity in all its diverse forms.

The patron, or overseer, of this trecena was known as Old Coyote, the God of Dance, who was integrally connected to the arts, particularly music and dance. Although referred to as an “old, old” deity, he was often depicted as an exuberant partygoer, but was also revered for his worldly wisdom, astuteness, benevolence, and even shapeshifting abilities. He provides a good reminder that often much can be accomplished through a little “fancy dancing”.   Click here for the Podcast to accompany this trecena.

Indeed, as this trecena unfolds millions of Americans will be doing a “dance of joy” as they receive their Covid-19 stimulus relief cheques from the federal government during this period, along with other benefits. And million of others worldwide will be celebrating as they receive immunizations against the coronavirus.

Another cause for celebration in the US is the passage by the US House of the HR-1 “For the People Act” (just a few days ago). This is a major voting rights and campaign finance reform package which includes a slew of measures to expand voting opportunities and provide tighter security procedures. It also aims to crack down on foreign financial influence in US elections, outlines requirements for greater disclosure of political donations, and includes a variety of administration reforms. The bill also directs Congress to push towards passing a renewed version of the Voting Rights Act. Although the bill still needs to be passed by the Senate, this is a significant beginning.

In conjunction with this President Biden issued a new executive order that directs federal agencies to take a series of steps to promote voting access, part of this joint effort to stop the GOP wave of voter suppression that has been underway over the past few weeks. The timing for this is interesting since this trecena marks the 56th Gregorian anniversary of the civil rights initiatives in Alabama in 1965 that brought forth the historic long march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to petition for an expansion to voting rights.

As it happens this trecena marks 3 Calendar Rounds (3 x 52 years) since the series of events in Washington DC following the death of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865, and the start of his three-week funeral train journey back to Springfield, Illinois. Two years earlier he had delivered his Gettysburg Address during this time frame.

In the past this Ajaw trecena has ushered in many events of great significance, including the establishment of a camp at Veracruz by Hernán Cortés and his men in 1519 as they were embarking on their conquest of the Aztec Empire; the adoption of the U.S. constitution in 1787; the defeat of Napoléon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815; the discovery of gold in the Klondike, in 1896; the opening of Sun Records, that gave birth to Rock ‘n’ Roll, in 1950; the putting into operation of the first computer produced for commercial use, in 1951; the averting of the outbreak of WWIII during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962; and the massive March on the Pentagon demonstration in 1967 to protest the US involvement in the Vietnam war.

Four cycles ago, in May of 2018, this trecena opened with the report that California would become the first state to mandate the use of solar energy in every new home. It currently ranks as the highest solar power generating state in the U.S.

It was this solar-oriented trecena that touched off “the greatest show in astronomy” during the summer of 2017, an event that signalled “a new era in astronomy”, when the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (Ligo) system detected simultaneously for the first time both light and the ripple of gravitational waves, thought to be from the collision of two neutron stars, as hundreds of astronomers on all seven continents began focusing their instruments on data collection about this distant event (in both space and time). This was seen as “a new Rosetta Stone for Astronomy”.

Currently there are a number of special international days coming up during this period, as well as a number of cultural “New Year” events, coinciding with the arrival of Spring during this time period. This includes the Balinese New Year, the Blue Dragon Festival (aka the Zhonghe or Longtaitou Festival), and Nowruz, the Persian New Year. St. Patrick’s Day is also coming up at this time.

As always this trecena holds the potential to bring forth many opportunities that could shed light on important issues, as it makes available its expansive solar powers and invites people to become even more inventive and productive in tackling the issues at hand. There are now over ten times as many Covid-19 cases reported globally than there were the last time this trecena was in place (last June), bringing the current total to over 117 million, with over 2,600,000 deaths as of the beginning of this time frame, so there is still much to be done.

In the US several important confirmations for Joe Biden’s cabinet are scheduled to take place during this time frame, including that of Judge Merrick Garland as the US Attorney-General. At the same time many important investigations are underway, including extensive inquiries into the Jan.6 insurrection, the trial related to the death of George Floyd, and inquiries into a multitude of potential felonies associated with the previous administration and its leader.

During this time frame the emphasis is on light, enlightenment, the increasing of awareness and creativity, and even the application of “heat and warmth” where needed in order to foment change – and healing. These are the energies that are coming into play:

One Ajaw (March 9th) – the “initiation of Full Sun/Enlightenment”, the traditional Maya celebrational “day of flowers”; through this association with Venus as the Morning Star, One Ajaw was referred to as the Sacred Day of Venus, an important “marker” day in the Classical Long Count calendar.

One cycle ago, (last June) the cover of the New Yorker magazine featured a stunning image of George Floyd embodying the history of violence inflicted upon black people in the U.S. The image, created by award-winning artist Kadir Nelson, was titled “Say Their Names”. This cover came out on the 28th straight day of anti-racism protests across the US and worldwide.

Currently, as this trecena opens, jury selection is taking place for the trial of the police officer who was kneeling on George during the final moments of his life. Just six days before this, the US House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the most ambitious police reform effort in decades.

2 Imix (March 10th) – a dynamic type of energy often aligned with “world-making”, in place on the day when the US House of Representatives votes on the revised Covid-19 relief bill, prior to it being signed by President Biden.

3 Ik’ (March 11th) – the “activation of Wind/Breath/Spirit”, in place on the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic over the coronavirus as it called for governments to take “urgent action”.

In the U.S. this is the day when President Biden signs the “America Rescue Plan” Covid-19 relief bill and delivers a Primetime Address. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that at that time President Biden will “discuss the many sacrifices the American people have made over the past year, and the grave loss communities and families across the country have suffered.” She noted that he will also speak to how the country can move forward, and how the American people can assist in that effort.

In Canada this will be a National Day of Observance in honour of the more than 22,000 individuals who have died from this illness in Canada. Likely many other countries will be doing something similar.

Sixty years ago this was the Maya energy in place when President John F. Kennedy presented, before a special joint session of Congress, his call to achieve a moon landing (the 60th Gregorian anniversary of this event will be in May).

Currently this is World Kidney Day, which emphasizes communication on how to prolong longevity and live well through effective management of the disease.

This day marks 3 Calendar Rounds (3 x 52 years) precisely since the return of the day + month energies that were in place on the public viewing day when President Abraham Lincoln lay in state in the East Room of the White House on April 18, 1865 prior to his funeral service the following day.

This is also the 10th Gregorian anniversary of the day in 2011 when a 9.0 earthquake struck Japan off the coast of Sendai, NE of Tokyo, triggering a devastating tsunami.

4 Ak’b’al (March 12th) – a “defining” day associated with night, darkness, dreaming, and the subconscious. Sometimes referred to as “house”, this is also associated with earth-oriented mystery, secrecy, abundance, and even sorcery.

This day marks 3 Calendar Rounds (3 x 52 years) since the funeral service for Abraham Lincoln at the White House, followed by the transportation of the coffin, in a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, to the Capitol Rotunda, where a ceremonial burial service was held. Large crowds attended the funeral procession.

It has been four cycles since the heartless announcement that the dumpster’s administration would separate undocumented parents and children who cross into the U.S. at the southern border, which triggered the separation of some 2800 children from their families. That was the day when Vladimir Putin took the oath of office for his 4th term as Russia’s president. In 1962 this was the energy in place when World War III was averted by the quick thinking of Vasili Arkhipov, the Commander of the Russian submarine flotilla during the Cuban missile crisis.

Currently this is civil rights activist Andrew Young’s 89th Gregorian birthday. He was one of Martin Luther King Jr’s close confidants.

5 K’an (March 13th) – a “blessing” type of energy associated with youthful vitality and prosperity, but can also involve “recklessness”. In Bali this coincides with a ceremony involving the cleansing and purification of sacred objects prior to the start of the traditional new year. Normally this would be a brash, noisy festival day when “evil spirits” (represented by effigies called “Ogoh Ogoh”) are caught, paraded, and then ceremoniously burnt, followed by dancing and feasting in conjunction with the New Moon, prior to Nyepi that follows the next day. These kinds of activities have been cancelled this year, however, due to the pandemic, but people may find their own ways to participate in these traditional rituals.

One cycle exactly since a US federal judge ordered the release of children held with their parents in US immigration jails and denounced the previous administration’s prolonged detention of families during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the one-year Gregorian anniversary of the day when Canada and several other countries went into lockdown.

6 Chikchan (Mar. 14th) – “Lifeforce Everywhere” – a structuring type of energy associated with Lifeforce, the Arts, and Higher Knowledge, coinciding at this time with the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. Broadcast date for the 2021 Grammy Awards.

Tying in well with the “Feathered Serpent” nature of this day, this is currently the day of China’s Blue Dragon Festival (aka the Zhonghe or Longtaitou Festival, or “Dragon Raising its Head” Day), a traditional holiday related to welcoming in the first warming signs of Spring, but it is likely that this will be scaled down again due to the epidemic.

The dragon was seen as the deity in charge of rain, with this rain festival involving ceremonies that invoke dragons to dispense “just the right quantity” of rain for spring planting. Traditionally this was the day to “wake up” the Dragon King after his long winter sleep. It is thought that cutting your hair on the Blue Dragon festival will get rid of bad luck and align you with the dragon’s dignity and power.

In Bali this is Nyepi, the Balinese “Day of Silence”, the Gregorian day traditionally celebrated as the Balinese Hindu Saka New Year, which includes fasting, meditation, and self-reflection. At this time shops are closed and there is no lighting of fires, no working, no entertainment, no traveling, and, for some, no speaking. Lights are kept low and Bali’s streets will be empty.

This day marks 3 Calendar Rounds (3 x 52 years) since Apr. 21st, 1865, the day when Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train made its departure from Washington. The day began with an early morning prayer service for Lincoln’s cabinet officials before his coffin was taken to the train depot to begin a three-week series of events (funeral train) culminating in his interment on May 4th. Some 10,000 people witnessed the train’s departure.

7 Kimi (March 15th) – “self-generating death” or “self-generating foundations”, a “return to Source” type of force that can draw attention to “absolute foundations”, currently marking the “Ides of March”, on what would have been Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 88th Gregorian birthday.

This is also the 24th International Day against Police Brutality, and the opening day for the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN (CSW65), with this year’s theme being “Women in Public Life: Equal Participation in Decision-making”.

This is the 56th Gregorian anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s historic “We Shall Overcome” speech to a joint session of Congress, that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act . . . . Something to keep in mind since 43 states have been attempting to suppress voting rights, at the same time as the US House of Representatives have been working to pass a comprehensive Voting Rights bill. In his 1965 speech President Johnson stated that:

At times, history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man’s unending search for freedom . . . . These are the enemies: poverty, disease, and ignorance . . . . we shall overcome.       (Johnson on Mar. 15th, 1965)

Since the House has just passed the H.R. 1 bill, which is seen as one of the largest expansions of voting rights in the US since the 1965 Voting Rights Act, let’s pray that it makes it through the Senate.

In Bali this day is known as Ngembak Geni, a day to perform religious rituals and to ask forgiveness for past wrongdoings, to start the new year with a clean slate.

In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln delivered The Gettysburg Address under this 7 Kimi influence, with this speech being given at the dedication of a cemetary for the more than 7500 men who died in the Battle of Gettysburg. That battle is now seen as a critical civil war turning point as that was when southern forces began their retreat. This particular address was seen as a point of resolve, that those who died “shall not have died in vain”, that there would be “a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”. It was a point of light in the midst of a great darkness, and yet the battle to preserve that freedom still rages on. This also provides a reminder of what this trecena is about – a chance to “return to light”, to “enlighten”.

8 Manik’ (March 16th) – the Day of the Lord Deer in Maya tradition, a “resurrection” type of energy aligned with sacrifice and reciprocity, coinciding with National Panda Day.

While this could be seen as a “doubly harmonious” type of influence, representative of a doubling of solar energy, there is a strong “fire/heat” aspect to it. This ties in with the mythological link to the ancestral lineage of the Quiché Maya, as this day in the Tzolk’in was seen as the day when one of the ancestral forefathers left the people a “bundle of flames” as a reminder of his continuing presence.

The last time this was in place, last June, the Cheyenne River Sioux issuing a statement that called for the removal of the carvings of the 4 American presidents from the sacred Black Hills in South Dakota.

9 Lamat (March 17th) – an “outwardly projecting” type of energy associated with Venus and the idea of leadership, coinciding at this time with St. Patrick’s Day. However, it is looking like most parades will be cancelled again this year, due to the pandemic.

This is the 56th Gregorian anniversary of the day in 1965 when Judge Johnson ruled to allow the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march, which then took place four days later.

This was the energy in place at the start of the H3N2 flu pandemic in 1968 that killed an over a million people globally. It had first been detected in the summer of that year but spread globally over the following few months.

10 Muluk (March 18th) – “foundational water”, often a powerful “shape-shifting” force, marking one cycle exactly since the UN Security Council, in its first resolution on the new coronavirus, demanded an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in key conflict areas including Syria, Yemen, Libya, South Sudan and Congo in order to tackle Covid-19. The Security Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution after the United States and China resolved a dispute over mentioning the World Health Organization

It has now been six cycles (1560 days) since the CIA revealed their conclusion that Russia had intervened to help the dumpster win the 2016 election.

11 Ok (March 19th) – “inspirational love (or guidance)” – an “extinguishing” Burner Day representative of heart, love, fire, and passion. Maya birth energy of Terry Fox, the young Canadian who sparked a movement to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Currently this energy coincides with the World Sleep Day and Red Nose Day in the UK, a major fund raising day through comic relief, at which time people wear red noses, give special performances, and raise funds for charity.

12 Chuwen (March 20th) – “dedicated” play; a “timeweaver” type of energy than can have a kind of “anything is possible” aspect to it, coinciding at this time with the Spring Equinox, and with Nowruz (meaning “new day”), the Persian New Year, a festival celebrated by Iranian peoples and many others worldwide to mark the first day of the first month in the Iranian calendar.

In addition this is UN’s International Day of Happiness, the UN’s French Language Day, and World Storytelling Day, when live storytelling events take place worldwide in a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling, this year around the theme of “New beginnings”.

This is also the 13th annual National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness day, dedicated to increasing awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on First Nations populations.

As of this day it has been three cycles (780 days) since the mass mobilization in the streets of Venezuela, with large numbers of people protesting the desperate state of affairs and calling for Maduro to step down (and yet he is still there).

13 Eb’ (March 21st) – “transformational vitality”; a powerful stream-of-consciousness type of energy reflective of the intense vitality at the end of this “sun-oriented” time frame, a vitality that can sometimes “let loose”, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with this year’s theme being “Youth standing up against racism”.

This is also UNESCO’s World Poetry Day and the UN’s International Day of Forests,
with this year’s theme being “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”.

In addition this is the 56th Gregorian anniversary of the day in 1965 when civil rights activists began their long march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to call for voting rights. The marchers were protected by hundreds of members of the Alabama National Guard under federal command, as well as by FBI agents and federal marshals. The marchers averaged 10 miles (16 km) a day along U.S. Route 80, arriving in Montgomery on March 24th, and going on the next day to the Alabama State Capitol. Thousands joined the campaign along the way. The campaign eventually led to the establishment of the federal Voting Rights Act several months later.

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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.]