“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” –  that may be the theme during this current B’en (“personal authority”) trecena, as millions at this time are going to have to call upon fierce self determination to deal with the challenges currently being  presented. In the U.S., the catastrophic flooding in Texas has become the focus for much attention as that area continues to be hammered by the torrential rains brought by Hurricane Harvey.

Moreover, there is a strong possibility that this hurricane could circle around and hit landfall for a second time, east of Houston, just as this B’en trecena is coming into place. Regardless of whether or not this second landfall takes place, the swollen rivers in East Texas are expected to crest in the early days of this trecena, with tens of thousands of people and animals seeking shelter. Hundreds of thousands will require disaster assistance in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Marking the start of the second 52-day period within the 260 day Tzolk’in cycle (ie. a Shift-Point), the energy of One B’en often makes its presence known in powerful ways. And this is certainly no exception. Represented by robust growing corn, symbolic of strong self determination, this is the energy that was in place when John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy and initiated his campaign in early January of 1960. Significantly, this was also the energy in place in 2011 when President Obama announced that he would be running for a second term as U.S. president.

Historically One B’en has been a force often associated with huge shifts in the balance of power, as when Hernán Cortés and eleven Spanish galleons arrived on the east coast of Mexico in the early 16th century and kicked off the devastating events that so dramatically changed the whole of Mesoamerica. Several centuries later this same trecena brought forth the start of the Mexican revolution when the revolutionary Francisco Madero led strikes to denounce the dictator Porfirio Diaz.

This was the same energy under which Nancy Pelosi made history (in 2007) by becoming the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the highest ranking female lawmaker in American politics, and third in line to the Presidency. In 2014 this was also the trecena in place at the time of the midterm elections in the U.S. that brought forth a major shift in power in favour of the Republicans. In 2016 the opening of this trecena brought approval by the Brazilian Senate for a controversial austerity-related amendment to their constitution, capping public spending for the next 20 years in that country. A few days later, at the midpoint of this trecena, the electoral college in the U.S. cast its vote for Donald Trump, even though he lost the popular vote and there was much speculation about Russian interference in the election.

During the B’en trecena three cycles ago (in 2015) the Three Men Burner Day got our attention with the close flyby of Pluto by the New Horizons space probe after its nine-year journey to that planet. A few days later, on 9 Imix, NASA released the first image of Earth from its Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite, showing Earth from one million miles away. That was also the launch day for the Breakthorough Initiatives endeavour, the $100 Million 10-year search project designed to accelerate the search for life beyond Earth by harnessing the world’s largest telescopes to mine galactic data.

Currently, as this trecena gets underway, the world at large is being reminded of the tragic death of a woman whose presence and “personal authority” touched the hearts of millions, as the second day of the trecena marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. At this time flowers, candles, and tributes to the life of the late princess are once again appearing at the Golden Gates of Kensington Palace in London, providing yet another reminder of how deeply she was loved and how greatly she is missed.

In the Middle East it is Mecca that is once again drawing the attention of millions as the annual Hajj gets underway, calling Muslim pilgrims to prayer. Across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal a situation similar to what is going on in Texas is affecting some 41 million people, due to the devastating monsoons that have already destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. And in Japan (and elsewhere) prayers and much more are needed to put a stop to the missile tests and threats that continue to emanate from North Korea.

The Classical Maya patrons of this trecena are highly oriented around the idea of cleansing and “purification”, and the shifting of energies to clear out stagnation. Given the historical trends for this energy period, and these “patron” energies, it is highly likely that many more world shifting adjustments will be made during this time frame.

As so many things are underway at this time that are no less than life-changing, in so many places, many will be required (whether they like it or not) to re-examine priorities and options. But even if one is not in the midst of a crisis imposed by Mother Nature this is still a good time to examine one’s values, endeavors, and desires in the interest of making adjustments that might better lead towards the attainment of personal goals. To assist in this endeavor these are the energies that will come into play:

1 B’en (Aug. 30th) – the “initiation” of  personal authority, an important 52-day Shift-point within the 260-day cycle, at the time when a catastrophic flood is inundating Texas, at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.  Maya Calendar anniversary of the historic day in 1962 when Col. John Glenn was launched into space aboard Friendship 7, to become the first American to orbit Earth.

At this time this energy marks the beginning of the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, at which time millions of Muslims travel to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia for annual prayers. (The prayer site has received a safety overhaul after the dreadful accident in 2015 where over hundreds were killed and injured when a huge crane collapsed into the Grand Mosque.) A good day to make important personal decisions.

2 Ix  (Aug. 31st) – a dynamic type of energy aligned with “jaguar” earth mysteries and transformation, this time in conjunction with International Overdose Awareness Day, and the  20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. The Maya birth energy of António Guterres who became the 9th Secretary-General of the U.N. at the start of this year.

3 Men (Sept. 1st) – the “activation of Higher Vision”; a Burner Day oriented around  “announcing the fire” at the beginning of the “Eagle” burner sequence, an energy that sometimes heralds the nature of some forthcoming event or challenge. Two cycles ago this energy coincided with the opening of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C., attended by world leaders from more than fifty countries and four 4 international organizations (but boycotted by Putin). That was the fourth and final nuclear summit initiated by President Obama. On the last appearance of this “Burner” energy US intelligence agencies announced that they have overwhelming evidence that Russian operatives linked to the Kremlin were behind the hacking of the U.S. presidential election, with Putin orchestrating it in an effort to help Trump.

At the present time this day marks the beginning of National Service/Guide Dog month.

4 Kib’ (Sept. 2nd) – a “defining” day associated with the restoration of order; often a “getting down to business” type of force, at the time of the 21st crossing of Saturn’s rings by NASA’s Cassini
spacecraft – the fourth of the “Final Five” dips into Saturn’s atmosphere during the Periapse phase

5 Kab’an (Sept. 3rd) – a “blessing” type of energy associated with evolutionary movement, on the Calendar Round anniversary of the day when a promising “newcomer” to the music business changed his name to David Bowie, a small but monumental “shift” that helped to launch a stellar career. By “coincidence” the memorial concert for Bowie at Radio City Music Hall last year was held on a 5 Kab’an day. Currently this energy coincides with the start of the fabulous Corso Zundert Flower Parade (Bloemencorso) in the Netherlands.

6 Etz’nab’ (Sept. 4th) – a “six directions” type of energy that can often be quite attention-getting, as the dazzling Corso Zundert continues for a second day, on the final day of the Hajj and last day of Burning Man in Nevada. This day also coincides with Labour Day and the start of the colourful 10-day Onam harvest festival in Kerala, India where the ground in front of homes is decorated with wonderful floral carpets called pookkalams, and people celebrate with feasting, new clothes, games, and snake boat races.

This energy, bridging through to 7 Kawak, is often accompanied by severe weather events  or other events of a “dazzling” nature. A good time to pay attention.

7 Kawak (Sept. 5th) – “self-generating storm”, which can often bring a continuation of the weather pattern from the day before (if severe) or could manifest as a “storm of compassion” or a
“storm of passion” oriented around a cause. This was the energy in place last year when the electoral college in the U.S. cast its vote for the new president, despite the “Stop Trump” movement that was afoot at the time.

Currently this energy coincides with the 40th anniversary of the launch of Voyageur 1, which is now on a far-reaching mission through interstellar space. This is also the day of the Chinese Hungry Ghost festival, and the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival (Ananta Chaturdasi) at which time Ganesh is immersed in a lake or ocean (the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is a popular Hindu festival in honour of Lord Ganesha, the Lord of New Beginnings, that spans 10 days – see Aug. 25th re the first day). Schools resume after the summer holidays.

8 Ajaw (Sept. 6th) – “resurrection” of the sun and “enlightenment”, this time in conjunction with the Full Moon, on the 20th anniverary of the extraordinary funeral of Princess Diana. This is the same energy that was in place on May 31st, 1929 at the time when an earlier flood was taking place in Houston.

9 Imix (Sept. 7th) – “immortal” birth/the realm of all potential – a force that could have a far reaching influence, coinciding at this time with the 195th anniversary of the  declaration of Brazil’s independence from Portugal.

Opening of another exhibit of new works by the extraordinary 98 year old artist Gordon Smith at the Equinox Gallery in Vancouver. His Maya birth energy is 13 Chikchan, four days from now.

10 Ik’ (Sept. 8th) – “foundational wind/breath/spirit” – an energy highly aligned with Source and with things pertaining to the air, to communication, and to things of a spiritual nature. Maya Calendar anniversary of the energy in place in 1962 when New York honoured Col. John Glenn with a huge ticker-tape parade after his historic first space flight aboard Friendship 7. Four cycles ago (in 2014) this was the energy in place at the time of the “opening for business” of One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western hemisphere, at 104 stories and 1776 ft.

11 Ak’b’al (Sept. 9th) – “inspirational night” or “inspirational temple of mysteries”; this is a force often aligned with deep thought – or even “blackness” (as when Brazil was plunged into darkness under this influence in 2010), but also a good day to enjoy the sanctuary of home or temple. This marks four Tzolk’in cycles since the midterm elections when Republicans took control of both houses in the U.S. This coincides at this time with the 22nd crossing of Saturn’s rings by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which will be the fifth and last of the “Final Five” dips into Saturn’s atmosphere during the Periapse phase. Two years since Queen Elizabeth surpassed Queen Victoria as the longest reigning British monarch.

12 K’an (Sept. 10th) – a “dedicated” type of energy often associated with youthful vitality and the joyful celebration of life’s bounties, coinciding at this time with the 21st anniversary of the adoption by the U.N. General Assembly of the  Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty.

13 Chikchan (Sept. 11th) –  “transformational lifeforce”; an intense and often impassioned energy, this time in place on the 16th anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy, on Patriot’s Day in the U.S., at the time of the opening of the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. One cycle since Super Typhoon (Cat. 5) Nock-Ten (aka Nina) made landfall in the Philippines on Christmas Day.

Gordon Smith’s Maya birth energy (see also 9 Imix, above).

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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.]