A Blood Moon lunar eclipse in the wake of a rare planentary parade and a rare Saturn-Neptune conjunction at 0° Aries, as we move into a “Full Sun” period in the Maya calendar that has the potential to shed considerable light on things that previously have been hidden. One thing is certain as we go through this period – things are going to be hot.

Unlike the “hair on fire” situation that is currently unfolding in the Middle East, with thousands of people evacuating from cities in a variety of countries as Israeli-US forces exchange fire with Iran, this Ajaw trecena was traditionally welcomed in as a time for celebration. Indeed, in the realm of the Classic Maya, the very first day, One Ajaw, was observed as a highly festive “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. As this trecena begins this time, this is a good time to recall, rally, and recharge those forces in order to “hold the line” against the darkness that is causing such havoc.

Traditionally, 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”.

Unfortunately, with Israel and Iran again hurling missiles at one another, with the US acting as a prominent protagonist in this regard, and with multiple countries in the Middle East being targeted with attacks, the situation is highly, highly volatile. But, the Maya Calendar reveals that some very strong echoes from the past are coming through at this time, as Israel and Iran were exchanging missile fire two cycles ago, in the fall of 2024, and then again when these same energies were in place last June. At that time, as now, thousands of people were fleeing from Tehran and other areas, and air travel was upended across the region.

Note that back in the summer of 2020 this was the trecena when Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cabinet attempted a land grab of up to 30% of the West Bank, covering Israeli settlements and the rich agricultural lands of the Jordan Valley (a plan backed by the dumpster during his 1.0 term). At that time there was severe backlash as this would be “a serious violation of international law”, and something that would “mortally wound the Palestinians”. Jordan’s King Abdullah described annexation as “unacceptable” and threatened to slash diplomatic ties. Hamas militants in Gaza called the plan a “declaration of war”, and that was exactly what followed. Global protests have continued ever since, as seen in January of 2024 when this trecena opened with a global day of action to protest the Gaza war.

But despite the horrific wars that have dragged on in recent years, the arts often break through during this period, as seen in 2021 with the grand ceremonial reopening of the 3,000 year old Avenue of Sphinxes in the city of Luxor, as Egypt set out to revive an ancient tradition. Then in 2023 this trecena began with lead-up events and preparations relating to the lavish coronation of King Charles in England, with the coronation taking place on the ninth day. As always, this was a resplendent pageant, complete with a 260-year old fairy tale gold coach, gorgeous Windsor Greys bedecked in glamorous red and gold trappings, and thousands of regally attired guards, troops, and horsemen. Two cycles ago, this trecena brought the celebrational swearing in of Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, as Mexico’s first woman president, with songs and dances adding to the colourful pageantry in Mexico City’s Zocalo.

Currently this trecena will be opening with the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival, on the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year festivities. That day is also the full day of Purim, traditionally a Jewish celebration of deliverance. This will be followed by India’s Holi festival, when people toss vibrant colours to welcome in Spring, and effigies are burned to emphasize the victory of good over evil, all in the interest of fun, healing, fertility, and renewal.

In addition to providing pomp and ceremony, this trecena has been known to bring solutions to pressing global problems as well. Indeed, when this trecena was in place in March of 2021, not long after President Biden took office, millions of Americans were “dancing for joy” as Biden signed his Covid relief bill into law and people learned that they would be receiving Covid-19 stimulus relief cheques from the federal government, along with other benefits. During that period the US reached Biden’s 100 million vaccinations goal and millions of others worldwide were celebrating as they received their first immunizations against the coronavirus.

Four cycles ago (in August of 2022) President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark legislation designed to curb inflation, reduce healthcare costs, cut energy costs, and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. It was a time for great celebration as this was the signature legislation of his first term in office.

With regard to the horrors on the “other” front, this trecena has had a way of shedding considerable light on the multiply-indicted monster who is currently in raging fury mode, as his support in the US drops to new lows, and the multiple layers of his abnormalities become more and more exposed. It has now been four cycles since a number of overlapping legal proceedings were underway with regard to his various criminal actions, including the civil trial brought by E. Jean Carroll against him for sexual abuse and defamation that concluded with the finding that he was liable on nine charges, and fined $5 million. One cycle later, after he defamed her again, this same trecena brought forth another defamation trial against him, which was again won by Ms. Carroll, as he was fined over $83 million. The plaintiff was celebrating again, one cycle later, after an appeals court refused to hear his case.

Keep in mind that in the past this Ajaw trecena has ushered in many events of great significance. These have included 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; Napoléon Bonaparte’s defeat at the monumental 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.

Events related to the sun or “the bringing forth of light” often show up during this period, and have included a wide variety of solar flares and auroras. In 2017 this solar-oriented trecena not only brought forth a particularly strong flare, but also touched off “the greatest show in astronomy” during that summer. It was 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”. The last time this was in place the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile published its first fabulous images of the Milky Way and the deeper universe, opening a portal for astonishing new discoveries.

As this trecena opens, the darker forces will be doing all they can to drag the world into a quagmire of hate and destruction, and things will be very very firey in many places. But keep in mind that this is not at all sustainable, and accountability IS taking place on multiple levels in multiple places. The firey vampire is losing his grip and his supporters, and more and more is being brought to light that will unequivocably lead to his downfall.

So let’s light some Chinese New Year lanterns, toss around some Holi colours, marvel at the lunar eclipse, celebrate the Day of Flowers that brings forth these solar forces, support the many events that will accompany International Women’s Day on Mar. 8th, dance away the darkness, let in the sun, and start preparing creatively for one of the biggest protest events the world has even seen that will be coming up later this month. Here are the energies that are coming into play:

1 Ajaw (March 3rd) – the “initiation of Full Sun/Enlightenment”, the traditional Maya “Day of  Flowers”, at which time dances and celebrational processionals would have been held. Currently the early morning will bring a Total Lunar Eclipse, with this Blood Moon coinciding with the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival, the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year festivities. This is the first full moon of the new Chinese year – the Full Worm Moon. This is when special sweet dumplings (called yuanxiao) resembling the shape of the full moon are eaten, and lanterns are lit to facilitate the return of light. In Thailand this is Makha Bucha Day, commemorating Buddha’s deliverance of his fundamental teachings to his disciples, at which time candlelit processions are often held around temples.

Often aligned with the position of Venus, One Ajaw is an important “marker” day in the Classical Maya Long Count calendar, and at this time Venus is appearing low near the Western horizon, with Saturn and Mercury close by, all part of the rare “parade” of six planets that were in alignment just before the start of this trecena.

This is the UN’s World Wildlife Day, devoted to celebrating and raising awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. This year’s theme is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage, and Livelihoods”. In Japan this is Hinamatsuri, aka Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, a day devoted to celebrating female children and to pray for their health and happiness.

This is also the full day of Purim, traditionally a Jewish celebration of deliverance, and one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish Calendar. Given that this is also the middle of Ramadan, at a time when Israel and the US are engaged in intense hostilites with Iran, it will be difficult for many to find joy. However, given the One Ajaw alignment, perhaps the emphasis at this time could best be placed on prayers for deliverance from the tyranny, war mongering, darkness, and outright insanity that has had a foothold for much, much too long. Keep in mind that this was also the energy in place in 1815 when Napoléon Bonaparte was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, which marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Given what is currently unfolding in the Middle East, this is once again a good time to remember that brutal dictators DO get defeated, eventually.

Given the alignment of this period with the arts, it may be helpful to remember that one cycle ago The Guardian had just published an article that described how, in May of 1925, in Italy, a group of Italian scientists, philosophers, writers, and artists “took a stand in support of the essential tenets of a free society: the rule of law, personal liberty and independent thinking, culture, art and science. Their open defiance against the brutal imposition of the fascist ideology – at great personal risk – proved that opposition was not only possible, but necessary.” Over this past cycle a tremendous amount of creativity has been harnessed to push back against tyranny. The return of this trecena can again fuel that resolve, and provide the reminder that the arts can provide powerful tools in the overall effort to “denounce and resist” the forces that have been trying to suppress life.

In the US this is the day of the Texas Primary elections, which will likely shed some light on what is to come in that area.

2 Imix (March 4th) – a dynamic “balancing” type of energy often aligned with “world-making”, on “March Forth” or “Do Something” day, on the opening day for the 2-day 13th Annual World Ocean Summit & Expo, in Montreal. This is a crucial summit when recent treaties and agreements will be translated into action plans relating to oceans economies.

This day will also bring the opening of the three-day 10th International Conference on Information Systems Security and Privacy (ICISSP), in Marbella, Spain, which will focus on key issues in today’s cyber world.

The evening marks the beginning of India’s highly revered Holi festival, the “Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring”. This is a time when people get together to play with vibrant colours in the interest of fun, healing, fertility, and renewal, as they forget about resentments and bad feelings from the past and symbolically celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

During this evening large bonfires will be lit across India to drive away evil spirits. Great idea – perhaps those bonfires should be lit all over the world!!

This marks the 165th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration as president of the U.S., and the 161st anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration, just 41 days before his assassination in 1865. On that second inauguration day Lincoln addressed the causes of the US civil war, which was winding down, and quoted a biblical passage that said:

 

3 Ik’ (March 5th) the “activation” of Wind/Breath/Spirit, coinciding with Jingzhe, the Feast of Excited Insects, in China, that announces the arrival of Spring. This is the day when “the dragon raises his head”, summoning the insects back to life, after hibernating all winter. This is the beginning of a two week period, when rituals are performed and fields are prepared, to begin the process of restoring life and fertility to the earth.

This is also the opening day for the 4-day Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC), an annual comic book convention, in Seattle, and, in the UK, this is the start day for the 4-day Crufts Dog Show, called “the world’s greatest dog show”.

This energy is marking two cycles exactly since the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City, as Mexico’s first woman president (“La Presidenta”). That was the day in, in 2024, when Israel began a ground invasion into Lebanon, which was followed, in the evening, by Iran’s launch of 180 missiles in an attack on Israel in answer to Israel’s bombing of several sites in Iran a few days earlier. Sound familiar? Something similar was taking place one cycle ago, last June, as thousands of people were fleeing from Iran after Israel began bombing that country again, a few days earlier. Currently this is the day when Congress in the US votes on bipartisan war powers resolutions in an effort to curb the dumpster’s use of military power against Iran.

4 Ak’b’al (March 6th) – 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. It has now been two cycles precisely since Special Counsel Jack Smith’s 165-page redacted presidential immunity motion relating to the Jan. 6th, 2021 election subversion case was unsealed in court, which included a great deal of direct evidence (including transcripts of witness interviews and grand jury testimony) regarding the Jan. 6th events, revealing the orange felon’s state of mind at the time, and identifying a “plethora of crimes” outside of official duties. That was then – and now, not only is there a long trail of horrendous crimes and coverups – and deaths – that have taken place since then, but the monster has helped to launch yet another horrific war, without even consulting Congress.

In 1865 this was the energy in place at the time of President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral at the White House. Currently this is the day when a People’s Celebration for the revered Rev. Jesse Jackson will take place at the House of Hope in Chicago, prior to his final Celebration of Life event the following day. It is also a World Day of Prayer, a global ecumenical movement that began in the 19th century. In Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, this is the opening day for the Paralympic Games.

5 K’an (March 7th) – a “blessing” type of energy associated with youthful vitality and prosperity, with Venus and Saturn very closely paired just above the Western horizon, and Mercury at Inferior Conjunction. This is the day when private funeral services – a Homegoing Celebration – will be held for legendary civil rights (and voting rights) activist Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. As it happens this is the 61st anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, when then 25 year old activist John Lewis led over 600 protesters across the Pettus bridge, in what was intended to be a peaceful demonstration in support of voting rights. However, the violent assault on demonstrators by state troopers made this a key turning point in the civil rights movement in the U.S.

As this is an energy that has the potential to vere towards “recklessness”, note that the last time this was in place hundreds of journalists for Voice of America (VOA) were fired by the Trump administration, essentially shutting down the US-funded news outlet. Steve Herman, VOA’s chief national correspondent, called the dismantling of the outlet, which was set up during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, a “historic act of self-sabotage”, which, according to several journalists, essentially spelled the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upheld US ideals of democracy and freedom around the world. This was also the energy in place 11 cycles ago, in 2018, when the Dumpster 1.0 administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (ie. the Iran nuclear deal) that had been adopted and implemented during the Obama administration.

Note, as well, that it has now been four cycles since Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, widely seen as the godfather of artificial intelligence (AI) quit his job, warning about the growing dangers from developments in the field. Eight days later (on 13 Eb’, the last day of this trecena) an article published in the journal BMJ Global Health said that doctors and public health professionals from the UK, US, Australia, Costa Rica and Malaysia were warning that AI could harm the health of millions and pose an existential threat to humanity. They called for a halt to the development of artificial general intelligence until it is regulated. Did anyone even listen? Is anyone even noticing that very often AI statements are full of MISinformation? (Note – AI is definitely NOT involved in the creation of this blog!)

Back in 1815 this was the energy in place when Napoléon Bonaparte abdicated for the second time, before being shipped off into his final exile a few months later.

6 Chikchan (March 8th) – “Lifeforce Everywhere” – a structuring type of energy associated with Lifeforce, the Arts, and Higher Knowledge, now marking the beginning of Daylight Savings Time. This energy is coinciding with International Women’s Day, a global day of action celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, with this year’s theme being “Give to Gain”.

Without doubt women will be planning for their involvement in the humungus No Kings day of protest in the US and elsewhere that is scheduled to take place 20 days from now (on 13 Chikchan).

This is the UK’s 6th Covid-19 Day of Reflection, marking 6 years since the first UK Covid lockdown. Hundreds of groups and organizations will observe a minute of silence at noon in remembrance of all those in the UK who died due to the pandemic. On the first Day of Reflection (in 2021) landmarks were lit up and millions lit candles from their doorsteps and shone lights from torches and phones to create a “beacon of remembrance” across the region. Many commemorative events will be held at this time, with many English cathedrals involved. This is also the opening day for the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon (Mar. 8-15).

It has now been five cycles since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act under this influence, in 2022, as the signature legislation of his first term in office. That was the day when the US Dept of Education announced that it would cancel nearly $4 billion worth of federal student loans for 208,000 borrowers. How things have changed!

7 Kimi (March 9th) – “self-generating death” or “self-generating foundations”, a “return to Source” type of force that can draw attention to “absolute foundations”, currently marking one cycle precisely since Israel and the US launched strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, last June, without congressional approval. These attacks were widely condemned by the international community, as UN secretary general António Guterres warned of catastrophe in the Middle East, urging diplomacy as the only solution. The Guardian pointed out that the US was not only in breach of international law but, at the behest of a country (Israel) pursuing annihilation in Gaza, the US was delivering a resounding blow to the architecture of global affairs. And that was nine months ago!!

It also marks six cycles since the publication of David Cay Johnston’s meticulously researched The Big Cheat – which shed light on years of eye-popping financial misdeeds (aka “fleecing” and “lifelong grifting”, as the Pulitzer-Prize-winning author put it) by the dumpster and his family. Given that the White House has since become “grift-central”, it is clear that the presidency under this regime is being used primarily to push an autocratic agenda, while fleecing as many people as possible and causing horrific damage to both US internal structures and the international world order.

Elsewhere, this is Commonwealth Day, observed by the 56 diverse member countries in the Commonwealth of Nations who cooperate within a framework of common values and goals. This year’s theme is: “Unlocking opportunities together for a prosperous Commonwealth”, marking the 61st anniversary of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The 26th Commonwealth foreign affairs ministers’ meeting is being held in London at this time.

This is also the opening day for the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN CSW70), with the focus being on “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for all Women and Girls”. This 70th session runs through to March 20th.

This was the energy in place in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln delivered The Gettysburg Address 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 10th) – the Day of the Lord Deer in Maya tradition, a “resurrection” type of energy aligned with sacrifice and reciprocity, which 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 this energy, tying in with the mythological link to the ancestral lineage of the Quiché Maya. In that legend this was seen as the day in the Tzolk’in when one of the ancestral forefathers left the people a “bundle of flames” as a reminder of his continuing presence. Five cycles ago when this was in place the sun spewed forth twin coronal mass ejections, and the last time this was in place this coincided with First light for the Vera Rubin Observatory’s full survey operations in Chile, the day when the Vera Rubin Observatory published its first fabulous images of the Milky Way and the deeper universe.

When this was in place in May of 2023 the WHO declared that the public health emergency of international concern regarding Covid-19 was officially over, but they still warned that it continued to be a global health threat.

This is Bad Bunny’s 32nd birthday. Happy birthday Benito!

9 Lamat (March 11th) – an “outwardly projecting” type of energy associated with Venus and the idea of leadership, as was in place last June when 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic mayoral primary in New York after creating a progressive grass roots coalition, before going on to win the race, becoming New York’s 112th mayor.

Currently this energy is marking the sixth Gregorian anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global pandemic over the coronavirus, when it called for governments to take “urgent action”. This is also the 15th 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.

This is the Maya birth energy of Rob Reiner, the influential and highly acclaimed actor/producer/director who was also an avid political activist who campaigned for environmental protection, civil rights, education rights, and LGBTQ rights. Tragically, he was killed just before Christmas last December and the world lost one of its most popular and preeminent filmmakers. Just two cycles ago Rob was a guest on MSNBC’s Ari Melber’s show just prior to the 2024 election, when he said (with regard to the dumpster):

“It’s a firehose of lies. The man just NEVER stops lying . . . . I cannot BELIEVE we’re in the position that we’re in right now. It’s like being in an insane asylum. . . . . We’re in a position where we have one person who’s spent her life dedicated to public service, who’s worked hard, who has good values and is a good person, and on the other side you’ve got a convicted felon who’s been an ajudicated rapist, who tried to overthrow the government, and is a pathelogical liar. That’s the difference, and the fact that it’s a close race . . . it’s INSANITY! . . . . We’re in crazyville here.”

That was 520 days ago!!!!!

10 Muluk (March 12th) – “foundational water”, often a powerful “shape-shifting” force, coinciding at this time with the opening day for the 9-day SXSW (South by Southwest) conference and festivals in Austin, Texas – a diverse conglomerate of events dedicated to “helping creative people achieve their goals”, through a multi-track conference and festivals that “celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture” (through to March 18th). It is also World Kidney Day, which emphasizes communication on how to prolong longevity and live well through effective management of the disease, with this year’s theme being “Kidney Health for All – Caring for People, Protecting the Planet”.

This marks the sixth Gregorian anniversary of the day in 2020 when the United States and many other countries began shutting down due to Covid, and stocks began plunging. This also marks the completion of 13 cycles since the CIA revealed their conclusion that Russia had intervened to help the dumpster win the 2016 election.

This is the 94th birthday of long-time civil rights activist Andrew Young, who helped draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Happy Birthday, Andrew.

11 Ok (March 13th) – “inspirational love (or guidance)” – an “extinguishing” Burner Day representative of heart, love, fire, and passion, marking the 13th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis in a papal conclave in 2013. In 2015 this energy was in place when he “humbly” begged forgiveness for the “grave sins [that] were committed against the native peoples of America in the name of God”. This is also World Sleep Day.

12 Chuwen (March 14th) – “dedicated” play; a “timeweaver” type of energy than can have a kind of “anything is possible” aspect to it, as was in place late last June when the US Supreme Court issued a number of rulings, including limiting the ability of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions, thereby fundamentally shifting the legal landscape in the US.

Back in 2019 this was the energy in place when retired US Navy Adm. William McRaven, former head of Special Operations Command (the group that oversaw the 2011 raid in which Osama bin Laden was killed), delivered a fierce criticism of Trump in an opinion in the New York Times titled “Our Republic is Under Attack From the President”, in which he warned that the dumpster’s policies were a stain on the US and its values. In McRaven’s words: “A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.” Addressing Trump directly in the article, McRaven said: “Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage, and, worst of all, divided us as a nation.”

The fact that, precisely two cycles earlier, the orange felon was found guilty of sexual assault (in the first case brought to trial by E. Jean Carroll) clearly added to the overall argument made by Adm. McRaven. The defamation case against the dumpster, also brought to trial by Ms. Carroll, and won by her in the trial and then again in the appeals court last year, underscored this once again.

Currently this is Sir Michael Caine’s 93rd birthday. A British film icon, Michael Caine has made more than 160 films over his 8 decade career.

13 Eb’ (March 15th) – “transformational vitality”; a powerful stream-of-consciousness type of energy reflective of intense vibrancy at the end of this “sun-oriented” time frame, a vitality that can sometimes “let loose”, often with intense weather systems.

Currently this is coinciding with the closing of the Paralympic Games in Italy, with the 29th International Day against Police Brutality, and with World Consumer Rights Day, with this year’s theme being “Safe products, Confident Consumers”.

In Roman times this day (March 15th) was known as the Ides of March, and was seen as a day for settling debts. In 44 BC this was the Gregorian day when Roman general Julius Caesar was assassinated at a meeting of the Senate. It was said that as many as 60 conspirators were involved in the plot, with the assassination taking place not long after Caesar was declared “dictator in perpetuity” of the Roman Republic. Fears among the Senate that Caesar planned to claim the title of king, overthrow the Senate and rule as a tyrant, were thought to be the principal motives for his assassination. Seen as a skilled but ruthless military commander, he had greatly expanded the reach of the Roman Empire, but had many enemies.

This would have been Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 93rd Gregorian birthday. If she had lived longer it is a very high probability that the US Supreme Court would have functioned much more equitably and honorably than is seen today. As President Lincoln said, with regard to the Supreme court: “It is a duty from which they may not shrink to decide cases properly brought before them.” That was a duty to which Chief Justice Ginsburg dedicated her life and her career.

This is also the 61st anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s historic “We Shall Overcome” speech, when he addressed a joint session of Congress and presented a strong argument for the passage of a Voting Rights Act that would allow African Americans to vote. In that speech he officially recognized the Civil Rights movement and ruled that the Civil Rights march from Selma to Montgomery could legally take place.

It has now been four cycles since the journal BMJ Global Health published an article in which doctors and public health professionals from five different countries warned that AI could harm the health of millions and pose an existential threat to humanity, as they called for a halt to the development of artificial general intelligence until it is regulated.

This day is also marking the 15th Gregorian anniversary of the start of the Syrian Revolution as part of the greater Arab Spring movement. This revolution did not end until December 8th, 2024 when Syria was declared Free.

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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.]