Hang onto your hats, as Quetzalcóatl is on the move, which means that somewhere – or everywhere – there could be an enormous energy surge, as happened on the last appearance of this trecena when the migrant crisis in Europe increased to “biblical proportions”, major flash flooding occurred in several regions, and thousands were forced to flee from horrific wildfires in central California.  As if those events were not enough, there were many speculations flying about that anticipated catastrophes such as end-of-the world scenarios that coincided with the end of the Jewish year, and even an anticipated second coming of the Messiah. What WAS particularly intriguing was the report of the unusual light fluctuations of a star located in the constellation Cygnus, approx. 1481 light years from Earth, which spawned much discussion about what could have caused it – with comets, asteroids, and even alien civilizations being proposed as the reason.

Accompanying this was the arrival of a space-time ripple, a distortion that disturbed the detectors in the Ligo observatory, enabling astrophysicists to observe the warping of space-time generated by the collision of two black holes more than a billion light-years from Earth. As mind-boggling as this discovery was, it seems even more amazing to see that this type of ripple looks VERY MUCH like the great feathered serpent itself.

In many ways it is not surprising that things of an unusual nature can manifest during this trecena, as the beginning of this time frame marks the start of the third 52-day period within the 260-day Maya Calendar cycle – a key position within the overall count. Generally a sense of great passion and intensity comes into play at this time, in keeping with Chikchan’s resurgence of “Lifeforce” energy. This is a highly transformative force that tends to place emphasis on things such as justice, freedom, higher knowledge, cyclical renewal, and even the triumph of lifeforce over death.

This is the trecena governed by strong Quetzalcóatl-related forces that place the emphasis on “Emergence and Liberation”, forces that in the past have had a tendency to trigger many strong and invigorating energy shifts. This is the energy of the great Plumed Serpent at work – an energy so vibrant and inspirational that it was the focal point for all that was sacred in Mesoamerica prior to the 16th century Spanish intrusion.

Often there can be a strong power-push during this time frame, the sort of push that can release blockages or even bring forth inspirational energy surges. Although this frequently manifests in volcanic and earthquake activity, on the human scale the emphasis is often on emergence, or on shifts from one state of being into another, which likely added significantly to the epic nature of the migrant push last September. On the very first day of the trecena at that time the push was felt so strongly in Budapest that  railway travel had to be suspended under the weight of people trying to board trains bound for Austria.

In 1776 that push towards a new state of being was significantly in evidence when the U.S. Declaration of Independence was adopted on the ninth day of this trecena, and again in 1960 when John F. Kennedy delivered his acceptance speech after narrowly winning the presidential election. In that speech an echo of this energy push could be heard in Kennedy’s pledge to devote himself “to the cause of freedom around the world”.

That same One Chikchan energy had been in place at the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York in 1886 – with the reopening of that statue (after renovations) taking place on the second day of this time frame in 2012. That same year this was the trecena that not only brought Superstorm Sandy to the U.S. east coast, effectively shutting down New York City, but it also brought a resounding victory for President Obama during the presidential elections.

This idea of freedom and the opening up of new possibilities seems to be a common theme during this sequence. Often infusing people with a strong sense of “mission”, this energy sequence has often fomented world-shifting actions, as when Hernan Cortés and his conquistadores accepted the surrender of the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan on the first day of this trecena in 1521, after defeating them in a fierce battle. Just over 100 years ago it was this trecena that kicked off the German invasion of Belgium and Britain’s declaration of war against Germany at the beginning of WWI. And then four years later this energy also brought that war to an end, precisely six Tzolk’in cycles after it began.

Two cycles ago the beginning of this trecena coincided with the release of the 2610 page report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the perils of climate change and the dire need to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The report emphasized the risks to the planet on multiple levels from destruction of the ecosystem to species extinction to the threats to food production – which led to the development of the historic Climate Change Accord which was signed by 196 nations just four weeks ago.

Throughout much of this trecena at this time a significant amount of energy will be in play in the Mediterranean Sea as representatives from several Mediterranean countries as well as NATO, the International Organization for Migration, and the EU border management agency Frontex are taking part in the International Phoenix Express 2016 naval exercises, in the interest of improving regional cooperation regarding such things as migration issues, the movement of weapons, and search and rescue situations.

At the present time we also have Mars drawing our attention and adding its influence as Earth passes between it and the Sun.

Overall, this is a good time to “tune in” to Chikchan’s Lifeforce energy, and the energy of the other 12 days that will work in conjunction with it at this time, and ride with it to see where it wants to take us. No doubt there will be much energy on the move and perhaps a number of significant breakthroughs. Here are the energies that will come into play:

1 Chikchan (May 19th) – the “initiation” of Lifeforce/Higher Wisdom at the start of the third 52- day period within the 260-day cycle, an intense and highly influential position within the overall cycle

2 Kimi (May 20th) – a dynamic type of energy aligned with “death” or the “return to source”; often manifests as a push-pull type of force that can shake things up and set new foundations for action, this time coinciding with Endangered Species Day

3 Manik’ (May 21st) – the “activation” of reciprocity, symbolized by a deer that “embodies” the sun on Earth, a kind of harmonizing, “hands-on” type of energy connected with the natural world, this time coinciding with the Full Moon, Armed Forces Day, and Vesak Day, a major Buddhist festival oriented around the celebration of the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death of Buddah

4 Lamat (May 22nd) – a “defining” energy associated with Venus (the sun and Venus working together), often serving as a beacon or herald, at the time of the Mars opposition (when Earth passes between Mars and the Sun)

5 Muluk (May 23rd) – a “precision” (or “blessing”) type of energy associated with the shape-shifting energy of water, this time in conjunction with the opening of the first World Humanitarian Summit (in Istanbul) to address the global crisis of 125 million people needing humanitarian help. Also Victoria Day (Canada), and the Maya birth energy of Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar (aka BKS Iyengar), one of the world’s foremost yoga teachers; credited with bringing yoga to the west. He was honoured with a Google Doodle last Dec. 14th on what would have been his 97th Gregorian birthday.

6 Ok (May 24th) – a “love everywhere” type of force, on the closing day of the first World Humanitarian Summit, which (hopefully) will highlight some of the avenues available for addressing global humanitarian needs

7 Chuwen (May 25th) –“self-generating play”, a highly creative “time weaving” type of energy that can sometimes conjure up things of an unusual nature; one cycle since the premiere of the Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert

8 Eb’ (May 26th) – the “resurrection” of the pathfinding energy of vitality, associated with the “dew of life”; a day which the Maya traditionally devoted to the Celebration of Personal Life, as was in place in 1994 when Nelson Mandela won the election to become the first democratically elected State President of South Africa. Opening of the 42nd G7 summit in Japan.

9 B’en (May 27th) – the “outward projection” of “personal authority”, this time coordinating with President Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima, the first visit to that city by a U.S. president since the bomb was dropped in 1945. Also Barack Obama’s Maya birthday (and the birth energy of the U.S.), on the closing day of the 42nd G7 summit. Final day of the International Phoenix Express 2016 naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, involving representation from several Mediterranean countries as well as NATO, the International Organization for Migration, and the EU border management agency Frontex. Completion of the fourth Tzolk’in cycle for little Prince George of England.

10 Ix (May 28th) – a “source” based energy associated with the jaguar and the mysteries of the earth. The second New Fire anniversary of the Maya birth energy of Alan Turing, the “father” of computer science whose 100th birthday was celebrated in June of 2012

11 Men (May 29th) – “inspirational Eagle” – a Burner Day that can bring change or a new form of Higher Vision; Maya anniversary of the formation of the International Quiddich Association. (The last time this energy was in place some were expecting the imminent arrival of the Messiah)

12 Kib’ (May 30th) – a “gathering together” type of energy, associated with the ability to “survey”, clean things up, and ultimately restore order, at the time when Mars is the closest to Earth, this time in conjunction with Memorial Day in the U.S. (in honour of those who died while serving in the armed forces). The Maya birth energy of Sir George Martin, the visionary music producer who “created” the Beatles and propelled them (among many others) into the world music stratosphere. (Sir George was another of the music world’s great losses this year – on March 8th). Also the Maya birth energy of English actor Benedict Cumberbatch who not only played the part of Alan Turing in 2014’s The Imitation Game, but also plays the lead in BBC’s Sherlock television series, a role perfectly suited to his birth energy.

13 Kab’an (May 31st) – transformational movement (or earth movement), a powerful force that can bring either heavy weather conditions, or significant “movement” of an evolutionary nature. One cycle since astrophysicists were able to detect and observe the warping of space-time.

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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.]