Severe thunderstorm and flood warnings, more intense heat, entertainment industry strikes, high level trials, and the possibility of further high level indictments – all this, and much more, appears to be on the agenda for this Etz’nab’ trecena, as we head into mid July. Given that this tends to be a time frame when “sparks can fly”, it is likely that, as in the past, some high level drama will unfold during this period.

The last time this was in place, last November, the midterm elections in the U.S. brought forth a change in the balance of power in the US House of Representatives, not long after a change in leadership came about in Brazil, in the early days of this time frame. This time this trecena will bring the first hearing in the DoJ’s classified documents case against the dumpster, at the same time as a Georgia grand jury is considering potential indictments against him over his attempted interference in Georgia in the 2020 election. And in the midst of this, Michael Cohen’s lawsuit trial against the Trump Organization over legal fees owed to him will be taking place in Manhattan.

In addition to all that, meteorologists are issuing alerts for even higher temperatures at the beginning of this time frame, as heat records are already being broken in Europe and the southern U.S. Warnings have also been issued about the potential for more severe downpours and life-threatening flooding in the U.S. northeast. Triple-digit temperatures and heightened fire dangers are predicted for California, and hundreds of wildfires are still out of control in Canada. And in the midst of all this the war in Ukraine continues to rage, with US cluster bombs now part of the arsenal that will be used as part of their counteroffensive against Russia.

So here we are again, teetering on the thin edge of this “knife” related trecena, still looking for a solution that will end that horrific war, still waiting for justice to prevail in the U.S., and still praying for the return of sanity. As we journey through this time frame we are, once again, working with energies that can highlight sharp contrasts, with Etz’nab’ (Flint) serving as the “knife-edge” between two opposing forces. This can play out in many different ways, even to the point of “severing” realities, as it did one cycle ago during the US elections. (As one writer put it on the final day of the trecena, those elections revealed that “Polarization is total”.)

While things can get quite extreme during this time frame, as it did last fall with those elections, it is not necessarily all bad, as events that unfold during this period can result in the cutting away of whatever no longer “works” in order to foment change, and even promote healing. There is often a sense of dualities being brought into stark contrast so that whatever is no longer needed can be easily identified and neutralized. This is even reflected in the nature of the patron energies of this time period, with one representing the warmth of the sun and the other representing the coldness of the Underworld.

During this period it is not unusual for events of a “shocking” nature to take place, as opposing forces vie for dominance. It is also possible that events can become so compelling, or issues so urgent, that they can provide the “spark” that can initiate new forms of thought or action.

Two cycles ago (February of 2022) it seemed as though we were reaching a tipping point, with the madness of right-wing conspiracy theorists creating such havoc in the US. At that time there was a trucker crisis in Ottawa, and Russia was poised to invade Ukraine. One cycle ago (last November) came the acknowledgement, at the UN climate change conference (COP27), that the climate crisis had reached a “really bleak moment”, with the need for global collective action becoming acute. That was the period during which a new president was elected in Brazil, bringing much needed new leadership to that country.

Such events tie in with historical trends within this trecena that pertain to the fate of nations, as seen in 1814 when Napoléon Bonaparte was knocked off his self-styled lofty perch and exiled in disgrace to a small island during this time frame, bringing the grandiose Napoléonic era to an ignominious end. And it well may be that, with the imminent trials and indictments associated with the dumpster all starting to congeal within this period, that this trecena could play a key role in sending the disgraced, indicted, would-be dictator in the U.S., who is still weaponizing disinformation in his efforts to foment anarchy and procure power, towards a similar shameful end.

Among the events of a “shocking” nature that have taken place during this trecena, some of particular note include both assassinations, and assassination attempts, such as the attack on the Prime Minister of Libya in 2022, and the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, both last year on the first day of this trecena, one cycle apart. In 1933 this was the trecena that was in place when Herr Hitler and other Nazis stepped in to consolidate their authoritarian power after the Reichstag fire in Berlin, a pivotal event in the establishment of the Nazi regime. In 1948 Mahatma Ghandi was killed on the first day of this trecena, and in 2019 General Qasem Soleimani, Iran’s top military commander, was assassinated by a US drone strike. This was the trecena that was in place at the time of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that flattened Haiti in 2010, at the time of Superstorm Sandy on the east coast of the US in 2012, at the time of the terrifying attack on Charlie Hebdo journalists and cartoonists in Paris in 2015, and at the time of the horrific fire that consumed the roof and spire of the famed Notre Dame de Paris cathedral in 2019.

Significantly, this trecena was in place in 2014 when the Ukrainian government began mobilizing its military for “large scale anti-terrorist operations” after a day of violence in eastern Ukraine when government buildings in several cities were seized by heavily armed, masked pro-Russian activists. Five years later, as 2019 drew to a close, a “full and comprehensive” ceasefire between Russia and eastern Ukraine came into effect, echoing other instances in world history where particular trecenas have seen the beginnings and endings of specific conflicts. Two cycles ago it was frighteningly evident that a massive buildup of Russian forces was taking place on Ukraine’s border once again, and by the end of the trecena it was clear that Putin had issued a “go” order in his attempt to seize control of Ukraine. But this time this trecena is coming into place immediately after NATO allies have fully pledged their support to help Ukraine maintain its security and sovereignty, so the direction of these energies will be quite different this time through.

In the US, the very stark contracts between the two political arenas will be dramatically illuminated once again during this time period, as trials begin and as more indictments loom as a result of intense probes into the various wrongdoings associated with the 2020 election and its aftermath. Sparks will fly again for sure, and issues associated with “justice vs. injustice, “sanity vs. insanity”, and “order vs. anarchy” will be starkly contrasted once again. And on another note – with the Screen Actors Guild going on strike just prior to the start of this trecena, tensions will be high in that regard as well, as “Hollywood goes dark”, and productions shut down, leaving a huge question mark over the future of thousands of people.

Keep in mind that this is a trecena that often brings an end to specific forms of “reality”, prior to the creation of something new, so, as before, it will be interesting to see how all of this plays out by the end of this time period.

As always, this is an opportune time for personal reassessment, a great time to cut away whatever no longer “works” in order to make adjustments that could lead to new forms of thought or action.
It is a favorable time to “clean house” (both physically and metaphorically) in preparation for the “creation” energies that will follow in the next trecena. This is a good time to be particularly alert, and to proceed with caution, as this tends to be one of the most intense and consequential 13-day periods in the entire 260-day cycle – definitely a time to “tread carefully”. Here are the energies that will be in play:

1 Etz’nab’ (July 15th) – the “initiation” of Flint, a sparkling, attention-getting “shock and awe” type of energy that can dazzle and/or divide and separate, as Earth emerges from a geomagnetic storm, or wave of solar charged participles, sparked by a coronal mass ejection a few days before. With an excessive heat warning in the US, in Europe, and elsewhere still in effect, it is expected that temperatures will become even hotter (in more ways than one) over this day and the next.

This energy is coming into place just two days after the launch of Elon Musk’s new AI company, called XAI, with a goal of “understanding the true nature of the universe”. Sparks could be soon flying in this regard.

In the UK this is St. Swithin’s Day, a day which, in British folklore, is a marker for predicting the weather for the subsequent 40 days.

This marks exactly two cycles (520 days) since Russia and Belarus undertook joint military exercises, reportedly one of the largest joint military exercises ever held, just two weeks before Russia attacked Ukraine. That was the day when it was reported that the National Archives in the U.S. asked the justice department to investigate the dumpster’s handling of official government papers, as 15 boxes of papers that should have turned over to the NA were illegally taken to his home in Florida. FBI investigations in this regard focused not only on the fact that he removed those records and tried to conceal them, but also on his possible violations of the Espionage Act. The first hearings related to prosecution of this case are due to be held in three days, on 4 Imix (July 18th).

In 1814 this was the energy in place when France’s Senate passed a resolution to depose Napoléon Bonaparte (or “cast him down from the throne”, as noted in their decree).

It has now been four cycles since the 2020 publication of Michael Cohen’s book titled Disloyal, a Memoir, the story of someone who witnessed firsthand what went on in the dumpster’s world for over a decade. (Last year Cohen also published a book called Revenge.)

2 Kawak (July 16th) – “dynamic storm, catalyzation”, often manifested as the “generation of a storm, or a storm of compassion” – a highly cause-oriented energy often fueled by strong emotion or great passion, as was in place ten cycles ago, in June of 2016, when Hillary Clinton emphatically warned that electing the “dangerously incoherent” dumpster would be an historic mistake, as she highlighted what that might trigger. Precisely one cycle later, on 2 Kawak in February of 2017, people were already acknowledging the truth of her warning through a nationwide General Strike/National Day of Action in the U.S. at the same time as The Washington Post unveiled their new slogan: “Democracy Dies in Darkness”.

This is National Ice Cream Day, which may be needed by the millions of people still trying to cope cope with extreme heat.

3 Ajaw (July 17th) – the “Activation of Enlightenment” – an important Burner Day traditionally oriented around the idea of “announcing the fire”, this time in place at the time of the New Moon. This is the first of four Ajaw-related “Burner Days” that run from here until Sept. 15th- so whatever is “in the works” would be “announced” around this time. Traditionally this is a point where clarity can suddenly break through on important issues, with Ajaw’s “full sun” illuminating things that previously may have been hidden. (There are 20 days between each of these Burner “stations” – the next one will be in the next trecena.)

One cycle ago the highly consequential run-off election in Brazil was held under this influence, which was won by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, bringing forth a monumental change in power in that country.

Currently this is the opening day for the Women Deliver conference in Rwanda, and online, that will convene “thousands of decision-makers from diverse fields, including civil society, government, the private sector, and international agencies, alongside women’s rights organizations and movements, youth-led and LGBTQIA+ organizations, and advocates representing the intersectional identities of girls, women, and underrepresented populations in order to identify solutions, bolster accountability, and drive change”.

In 1814 this was the energy in place when Napoléon Bonaparte abdicated the throne, and in 1944 this was one of the days when an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler. In 1983 this was the energy in place when the Soviets shot down a Korean airline, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war.

This is the day when the jury selection begins in the trial associated with Michael Cohen’s lawsuit against the Trump Organization over legal fees ($2.3m) owed to him for his role as personal lawyer to the dumpster during numerous investigations, including making hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels. Note that the following day marks seven cycles since the night in 2018 when Michael Cohen “went to war with Trump” in that CNN interview.

4 Imix (July 18th) – representative of the sun working with the waters of creation to bring something new into being, this is a “defining” type of energy associated with “birth” (ie. a “whole new world” or a “whole new way of thinking”). If the current heat wave continues in Arizona, a new record could be set on this day for consecutive days of 110F or above., with the record of 18 days in a row set in 1974.

This is the day when the first hearing in the dumpster’s classified documents case will be held, with the focus, at this time, being on the Classified Information Procedures Act, relating to the handling of classified information. This is taking place exactly one cycle after the opening statements were given (last October) in the criminal tax fraud trial associated with the Trump Organization, which was the culmination of the Manhattan district attorney’s three-year investigation. This was the trial that culminated in Dump’s CFO Allen Weisselberg being sentenced to prison for grand larceny tax fraud and falsifying business records.

It has now been seven cycles since the night in 2018 when Michael Cohen “went to war with Trump” when Cohen’s secret recording of a 2016 conversation between him and the dumpster was aired on CNN. Since then Michael Cohen has been a major ally for those pursuing criminal investigations associated with the dumpster’s business dealings. Cohen once described his job as a lawyer in that organization as “lying for Mr. Trump”. The trial that started the day before is tied in with that.

Currently this is Nelson Mandela International Day, on what would have been his 105th birthday. One of his many comments that needs to be remembered is this one: “It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”

This evening also marks the start of Islamic New Year celebrations, aka the Hijri New Year, at the time of the first sighting of the waxing crescent moon.

5 Ik’ (July 19th) – the “blessing” of wind/breath, and spirit – an energy that could enhance communication and perhaps even assist with bringing clarity or the idea of “hope” with regard to critical issues or events, coinciding at this time with the full day of the Islamic New Year, also known as the Arabic New Year, the beginning of the first month in the Islamic calendar which is used to calculate significant Islamic events for the year.

This is the Maya birth energy of Angela Álvarez who, at age 95, was crowned best new artist at the Latin Grammys last Nov.

6 Ak’b’al (July 20th) – a “structuring” type of energy sometimes associated with “home and/or sanctuary”, but also “the darkness before dawn”, one cycle exactly since Ethiopia’s warring sides formally agreed to a permanent cessation of hostilities, bringing an end to a two-year war that displaced millions and threatened to destabilise a swath of the continent. The agreement was for an “orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament.

Currently this is the day when a key Senate committee will vote on the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, in an effort to bring more standards and greater accountability for the actions of members of the US Supreme Court.

7 K’an (July 21st) – “self-generating germination”, situated at the pivotal middle point in this “knife edged” trecena, marking ten cycles since Hillary Clinton became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in 2016, on a day seen as an historic milestone for women. Had she not been thwarted by reckless accusations the last few years would have been completely different.

This was the energy in place in 1814 when the Treaty of Ghent was signed, bringing an end to the War of 1812 between Britain and the U.S.

8 Chikchan (July 22nd) – the “resurrection of Lifeforce”, often associated with “strong energy” events such as hurricanes. This can be a kind of “rallying” energy as well, as seen two years ago when this energy brought forth a coaltion agreement in Israel, that paved the way to unseat Netanyahu. Unfortunately things later turned around again, and, once again, he resumed his role as prime minister. But as things are once again very tense in Israel, this might be a time to watch for some kind of echoing from three cycles ago.

In 1945, near the end of World War II, this was the Maya energy in place at the beginning of the push by Canadian Forces to liberate the Western Netherlands.

9 Kimi (July 23rd) – the “outward projection of death/new foundations”, on the opening day for the AIS 2023 Conference, the world’s “most influential conference on HIV science”, which will feature many of the world’s leaders and top professionals on HIV research, and will be hosted in person in Brisbane, Australia and virtually (to July 26th).

This is often an important marker point within this trecena, as it was five cycles exactly (on New Year’s Eve in 2019) when China alerted the WHO about several pneumonia cases that were, in fact, Covid-19 cases. That was the first official announcement about the coronavirus.

This was the energy in place in 1918 when British and American forces crossed the border into Germany, in two different places, during WWI, beginning the allied forces’ occupation of the Rhineland. By this time the French had already occupied all of Alsace-Lorraine. It was also in place in April of 1940 when Germany invaded Denmark + Norway and began their occupation of those countries.

10 Manik’ (July 24th) – the “bare-bones”/foundational energy of “source” combined with that of the sun-carrying Deer, symbolic of reciprocity but also sacrifice, coinciding at this time with International Self-Care Day, which aims “to raise the profile of healthy self-care programs”. This is the 50th anniversary of the day in 1973 when the US Senate unanimously approved the Endangered Species Act.

In 1814 this was the energy in place at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Fontainebleau that stripped Napoléon Bonaparte of his powers as ruler of the French Empire.

11 Lamat (July 25th) – a “bright light” kind of energy that often heralds something new, or some significant change, now marking 11 cycles since the launch of the UN’s sustainable development agenda called “The 2030 Agenda” which was seen as “the new universal agenda for humanity” aimed at bringing an end to world poverty and biodiversity loss. But that was in 2015 and the clock is now ticking louder than ever!

Two cycles ago (in February of last year) this was the energy in place when Western allies concurred that Russian president Putin had issued a “go” order for his plans to seize control of Ukraine. At that time they were expecting a multi-pronged Russian assault to begin any day, possibly culminating in what they thought might be a “lightning war”. Russia attacked Ukraine four days later but the war has certainly not been a quick-flash “lightning war”.

Four cycles ago this energy was in place at the time of the death of the legendary US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the most admired, respected, and influential women in the US. This quickly turned into “the crisis of the Supreme Court” as politicians wrangled over who would replace her. Since then it has been one disastrous decision after another, along with scandal after scandal.

In 1933 this was the energy in place on that flashpoint day in Berlin when a fire broke out at the Reichstag (assembly location of the German government). That was when Herr Hitler and other Nazis stepped in to consolidate their authoritarian power – a “pivotal” event in the establishment of the Nazi regime.

12 Muluk (July 26th) – a “pulling together” or “grouping together” type of energy associated with water, a good time for people to find ways to be adaptable and to “put heads together” to search for new pathways or find new solutions to problems – – This is generally a very intense energy that can create situations where people have no choice but to work together to find solutions.

Significant events that have taken place in the past under this influence include:

• midterm election day in the U.S. last year (one cycle ago)
• Napoléon’s attempt to end his own life in 1814, after his abdication, rather than face a life in exile.
• The Reichstag Fire Decree in 1933 that enabled Hitler’s regime to arrest and incarcerate political opponents without specific charges, dissolve political organizations, and suppress publications.
• the start of Kristallnacht (“Night of Broken Glass”), in 1938, when Nazis destroyed 7500 businesses, burned 267 synagogues, killed at least 91 Jews, and arrested over 25,000 Jewish men
• the massive protest demonstrations in Moscow against election fraud, in 2012, the day after Russia’s presidential elections

 

Currently this is the day when the US House oversight committee will hold its first public hearing on the topic of UFOs and extraterrestrial life. It is also legendary rock musician Mick Jagger’s 80th Gregorian birthday. Happy Birthday Mick!

13 Ok (July 27th) associated with “transformational love”, “transformational guidance”, or “transformational fire”, this is an energy that holds the potential to be a real “scorcher”, marking 16 cycles since a massive solar flare erupted from the sun in 2012, one of the strongest ever recorded, and 13 cycles since the peak of a powerful X1.3-class solar flare in 2014 (that erupted the night before), which triggered temporary communications blackouts at the time of a Mercury Superior Conjunction. As solar activity has been ramping up recently (towards solar maximum in Solar Cycle 25), it is possible that there could be more strong solar activity at this time, or possibly even more heat-related records.

This energy can manifest as the final big push away from “sacrifice and separation” towards greater freedom, creativity, and integration, as seen in the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolution in 1783. In 1814 this was the energy in place when the Treaty of Fontainebleau was ratified, when Napoléon Bonaparte abdicated his powers unconditionally. The former Emperor of the French “renounced for himself, his successors and descendants, all rights of sovereignty and domination in France and in Europe” and agreed to retreat into exile on the island of Elba.

Currently this is 70^th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice, signed by 22 nations, which ended over three years of fighting on the Korean peninsula.

This is also Norman Lear’s 101st birthday. He is well known for creating and producing many popular 1970s sitcoms, including All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, and Good Times. He has produced, written, created, or developed over 100 shows, and has won multiple achievement awards over his long career.

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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.]