Expect the unexpected – that is often the thought when this trecena comes into view. And this time, there is even more reason for that alert. If you happen to live in or near Denver this will be right on schedule as forecasters are saying that Colorado can expect “three seasons in three days” just as this trecena is coming in. Temperatures have been very high over the final days of the last trecena but now a dramatic change is coming where 100-degree temperatures could quickly crash into the 30s or lower, even bringing snow. This is coinciding with the point of transition from the last trecena into this current Etz’nab’ trecena. The prediction is that this could be a rare situation when a record high could quickly morph into a record low. Weather news in Denver used the term “Fire and Snow” to describe the situation, which is absolutely in keeping with the patrons of this new trecena, with one oriented around “the heat of the sun” and the other oriented around cold and darkness.

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While this is amazing enough on its own, the timing for this is particularly remarkable as Etz’nab’ is sometimes depicted as a knife, and is often associated with the idea of “knife-edged” duality or even “sudden separation”. There is often a “shock and awe” aspect to it, as things can manifest quickly and dramatically under this influence.

And, as it happens, the beginning of this trecena at this time is coinciding with a very rare numerical alignment. This is the first day of a nine day sequence where there will be a very rare tripling of the numerical forces associated with the daysigns, the Maya month, and an additional layer of energy called the Night Lords.

In each case, at each level of energy, the numbers will be identical, with the first day being  1 Etz’nab’ 1 Ch’en G1 (Ch’en is the month and the G signifies the Night Lords), the second day being 2 Kawak 2 Ch’en G2, and so on, for the first 9 days. After that the “G” cycle returns to 1, but the day and month cycles carry on with a doubling of the numerical powers. Once in a while there is a numerical pairing with the day and month, but it is rare to see a tripling of these forces, as will be in place at this time. It should make for some particularly “electrifying” events, in keeping with the nature of this trecena.

The last time this Etz’nab’ trecena was in place was the end of last year, bridging into the New Year. And we know what kind of year this trecena ushered in. Of particular note is that when we reach the 9th day (on Sept. 16th) it will be one cycle exactly since China alerted the World Health Organization about several pneumonia cases that were, in fact, Covid-19 cases. That was the first official announcement about the coronavirus. So when we reach that day (9 Kimi) we will be revisiting the energy sequence that began at that time with regard to the pandemic. We will be embarking on a second cycle of living in this alternative reality.

In addition to all of this, this trecena is the last trecena before a new “creation sequence” begins in the trecena that will follow, so from this perspective this might be seen as a time frame that brings some things to a “definitive conclusion” prior to the opening up of new directions.

And in that regard – expect “fireworks” as Etz’nab is often associated with such things as such as flint, sparks, lightning, and various kinds of “flash and dazzle”. Traditionally aligned with the theme of “sacrifice and separation”, this is a trecena during which duality can often come into play, with Etz’nab’ (Flint) serving as the “knife-edge” between two opposing forces. This can play out in many different ways, even (as happened last time) to the point of “severing” realities, thereby triggering massive change.

As this plays out in world events it is not unusual to see such things as military coups (as happened in Sudan two cycles ago, early last year) and even assassinations (as when Mahatma Ghandi was killed on the first day of this trecena in 1948). Indeed, this was the trecena that was in place at the time of the horrific terrorist attack on journalists and cartoonists at the headquarters of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015, and the last time this trecena was in place General Qasem Soleimani, Iran’s top military commander, was assassinated by a US drone strike ordered by Trump, which seriously escalated the long-simmering confrontation between those two countries. In 2015 this trecena was in place when over 2000 pilgrims were killed in a stampede in Mina, on the outskirts of Mecca, in the worst disaster at the Hajj in decades.

Other things of a “shocking” nature that have taken place during this trecena in years past have included the devastating 7.0 earthquake that flattened Haiti in 2010, Superstorm Sandy on the east coast of the US that caused $70 billion in damage in 2012, and the horrific fire last year that consumed the roof and spire of the famed Notre Dame de Paris cathedral.

In 2014 the Ukrainian government began mobilizing its military for “large scale anti-terrorist operations” during this period after a day of violence in eastern Ukraine when government buildings in several cities were seized by heavily armed, masked pro-Russian activists. And then, 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.

That “echo” effect that has been mentioned before with regard to the return of energies as cycles end and then reboot, can be seen in the context of another drama that has tremendous implications for investigative journalism, depending on what happens during this period. That drama is centred around Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, which played a key part of the Russia scandal in the US, as the Wikileaks release of a huge stash of confidential information factored strongly into the 2016 US election. Julian was arrested in London during the last appearance of this trecena, after being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy there for seven years. And now, as this trecena begins, Julian’s extradition hearings are getting underway at the Old Bailey, as the US is trying to extradict him to the US for prosecution.

Just over 200 years ago this was the trecena in place at the time of Napoléon Bonaparte’s downfall in 1814. After he and his army had been driven back to France the Etz’nab’ trecena became a key time frame for his abdication and exile, beginning with One Etz’nab, with the French Senate passing a resolution to depose him. Towards the end of the trecena Napoléon was required to sign The Treaty of Fontainebleau that ended his rule as Emperor of France.

In the US this particular trecena has brought forth many massive anti-Trump strikes and protest demonstrations, starting in early 2017, with themes such as the “National Day of Action to Push Back Against Assaults on Democratic Principles”; the nationwide “Not My President’s Day” protest marches; and the huge “Day Without Latinos, Immigrants, and Refugees” demonstrations. Later that year this trecena brought the Refuse Fascism protests to cities across the U.S., as part of an agenda to “unleash a process of continuous protest” towards the unseating of the Trump administration. Why that outcome has not yet been achieved is a mystery to many . . . however, the election is coming soon! And as that approaches this idea of a stark contrast in “realities” will be in full view as the implications of differing perspectives on the nature of “truth” and morality, and even justice, will play out intensely during this period.

At least three volatile books are being released at this time, including Michael Cohen’s Disloyal, a Memoir. CNN tells us that, in this book, Cohen describes Trump as “a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man” and a “master manipulator” with the mentality of a “mob boss”, who is only interested in using the presidency for his own financial gain – a perspective that Cohen gleaned from working with Trump for years. So as these books come out – expect fireworks!

And while all that is going on, California is dealing with extreme heat, extraordinary triple-digit temperatures, hazardous air quality, and raging wildfires at a time when the pandemic is severely out of control in that state, with over 730,000 cases, the highest in the country. This seems to be echoing what was happening in Australia at the end of last year as that was when New South Wales and other parts of Australia were under states of emergency due to the extreme fires blazing there at that time.

All of this sounds rather ominous, but keep in mind that as much as Flint, the essence of Etz’nab’, was used to make weapons and other objects that can cut, spark, and astonish with their brilliance, there is also a protective aspect to this energy as well. Flint may have been associated with lightning and “sparks”, but lightning storms can also bring life-giving rain, and ritual objects made from materials such as chert or obsidian (both associated with flint) were often used to protect sacred spaces. In addition, the Maya month in place at this time is Ch’en, which was seen as a watery, “portal” kind of energy sometimes associated with cleansing and “purification”.

So this is an energy zone that can bring into sharp focus things that may be pressing for attention, including issues that may require quick decisions to be made. It can often draw attention to the need to separate “right” from “wrong”, “good” from “bad”, and “sick” from “healthy”. Overall this is an opportune time to cut away whatever no longer “works” or make adjustments that could lead to new forms of thought or action. It is a great time to “clean house” (both physically and metaphorically) in preparation for the “creation” energies that will flow through the trecena that will follow.

So this is a “be prepared for anything” kind of time frame that is often highly consequential. It is likely that some intense “shifting” will take place during this period, in preparation for the creation sequence that will begin later this month. Here are the energies that will be in play:

1 Etz’nab’ 1 Ch’en G1 (Sept. 8th) – the “initiation” of Flint, a sparkling, attention-getting “shock and awe” type of energy that can dazzle and/or divide and separate, coinciding at this time with the first day of school in many areas (for many this will be staggered, with staff returning at this time, and students returning later in the week, or later in the month). This is Senator Bernie Sanders’ 79th Gregorian birthday – note that his Maya birth energy comes in on Sept. 13th.

This is the publication date for Michael Cohen’s book titled Disloyal, a Memoir, the story of someone who witnessed firsthand what went on in the Trump world for over a decade. It is also the publication date for Proof of Corruption: Bribery, Impeachment, and Pandemic in the Age of Trump by New York Times best selling author Seth Abramson. Without doubt both books will be “shocking”, and will “initiate” a great deal of discussion.

In 1814 this was the energy in place when the French Senate passed a resolution to depose Napoléon Bonaparte. In 1948 the was the energy in place when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.

In early 2017 (five cycles ago) this energy coincided with the massive “Day Without Immigrants” strike by foreign-born residents of the U.S., at which time hundreds of businesses and services were shut down as protestors took to the streets in a widespread strike that highlighted the contributions of immigrants. On that same day Trump held a press conference that was seen by many as an unhinged “marathon rant” – something that became commonplace during his presidency.

2 Kawak 2 Ch’en G2 (Sept. 9th) – “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. Given the release of those two books the day before, undoubtedly there will be very strong emotion generated on this day as people review the contents of those volatile books.

As it happens it was six cycles ago, exactly (in June of 2016), when Hillary Clinton launched a scathing attack on Trump, saying that electing him would be an historic mistake as “he cannot do the job”. Referring to his bizarre rants and outright lies, she called him “dangerously incoherent’ and warned against what he might trigger. Precisely one cycle after that warning, on 2 Kawak in February of 2017, a nationwide General Strike/National Day of Action was held in the U.S. at the same time as The Washington Post unveiled their new slogan: “Democracy Dies in Darkness”, a phrase often used by Washington Post editor Bob Woodward, after Trump called mainstream media outlets the “enemies of the people”.

Four cycles ago (in November of 2017) the Refuse Fascism activist group promoted a number of anti-Trump events in cities across the U.S., as part of their “continuous protest” agenda, aimed at unseating the Trump administration. Three cycles ago this energy brought a warning from the head of the IMF to G20 leaders meeting in South America that the tariffs that Trump was imposing on various countries would harm the global economy.

For those who have had enough of the political horror show in the US, this is the opening day for the 29th annual International UFO Congress, which will be livestreamed this year. The 8th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development also opens at this  time, in the form of an online conference. This is the 72nd Gregorian anniversary of the founding of North Korea.

3 Ajaw 3 Ch’en G3 (Sept. 10th) – the “Activation of Enlightenment” – an important Burner Day oriented around the idea of “announcing the fire”. This is the first of four Ajaw related “Burner Days” that run from here until November 9th, so whatever is “in the works” would be “announced” around this time, with this particular Burner sequence finishing six days after the election. 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.)

Three cycles ago (in 2018) this was in place when Trump sent a tweet to Iran’s president, threatening war, on the same day as a wall of women dressed in scarlett cloaks, with oversized white bonnets (handmaidens garb – a fast rising symbol of protest) turned out to protest Mike Pence’s visit to Philadelphia. In 1814 this was the energy in place when Napoléon abdicated the throne. In 1944 an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler under this influence.

Currently this is Teachers’s Day, an official holiday in China. This is also the day when many children will return to school. Addtionally, this is the opening day for Vancouver’s famed Fringe Festival, which has been an annual celebration of theatre with more than 700 performances offered by over 90 artists. This year the festival will not end on Sept. 20th, as originally planned. The festival will be held in fewer venues and will be staggered over several months, extending into December.

4 Imix 4 Ch’en G4 (Sept. 11th) – 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”), coinciding at this time with Patriot’s Day in the U.S., on the 19th anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy. This day marks the beginning of “11 Days of Global Unity”, a campaign for change that highlights “11 Ways to Transform Your World”, around 11 campaign topics: Unity, Interdependence, Environment, Economic Justice, Health & Wellness, Children & Youth, Women, Human Rights, Freedom, Disarmament, and Peace.

As of this day it has been three cycles since “the night Cohen went to war with Trump” – the night in 2018 when Michael Cohen’s secret recording of a 2016 conversation between Cohen and Trump was aired on CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time”.

5 Ik’ 5 Ch’en G5 (Sept. 12th) – 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. This is the Maya birth energy of Captain Sir Thomas Moore, who was recently knighted for raising more than £23 million for the NHS Charities Together in the UK in the lead-up to his 100th birthday. By the end of the day on that momentous birthday the donations had increased to over £32 million.

It has been two cycles since the arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange last year by British police in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London after asylum was withdrawn, after he had taken refuge there for 7 years. He was charged with conspiracy to hack into a Pentagon computer with his arrest triggered by a US extradition request. This was seen as a “huge moment” in the Russia investigation as Assange was at the Nexus of much of the action related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Currently he is still incarcerated in the UK and is said to be in ill health. Extradition hearings related to this case began at the Old Bailey in London on Sept. 7th to determine whether or not he will be extradited to the US where he would have to face these charges, so this is a critical period for him. Many groups are calling for his freedom.

This marks five cycles (1300 days) since the nationwide “Not My President’s Day” protest marches across the U.S. in 2017 just after the inauguration.

6 Ak’b’al 6 Ch’en G6 (Sept. 13th) – a “structuring” type of energy sometimes associated with “home and/or sanctuary”, but also “the darkness before dawn”. This is Senator Bernie Sanders’ Maya birth energy, coming in at this time just 5 days after his 79th Gregorian birthday. This is also National Pet Memorial Day.

7 K’an 7 Ch’en G7 (Sept. 14th) – “self-generating germination”, situated at the pivotal middle point in this “knife edged” trecena. Six cycles since Hillary Clinton became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in 2016, a day referred to as an historic milestone for women. This is also Chelsea Manning’s Maya birth energy. Chelsea was a co-conspirator working with Julian Assage; she was charged and imprisoned for stealing government documents, but was released earlier this year. This is the day of the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. Sounds a little strange – but c’est la vie these days – this link will explain how that will work.
50 days remain until the US presidential election.

8 Chikchan 8 Ch’en G8 (Sept. 15th) – the “resurrection of Lifeforce” coinciding with the UN’s International Day of Democracy and the opening of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 75) and General Assembly week. Much of this will be done virtually.

This also coincides with Hispanic Heritage Day and the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month), on the eve of Mexico’s Independence Day, with the “Cry of Dolores” representing the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence celebrated at this time, as this “cry” or call to arms took place in the early hours of the morning in 1810. With regard to Sept. 15th, Mesoamerican archaeologist/mythologist Karl Taube has made reference to his experiences in the Yucatan where he was told by Maya locals that “on September 15th every year, giant feathered serpents, the noh kaan, emerge from the sacred lakes of Coba to create havoc where they fly”, a belief that he also heard about related to another district where it was said that the feathered serpent takes to the air on September 15th. So it seems that if one is in the Yucatan at this time this would be not only the eve of a great national festival but also a day to watch out for plumed serpents. As it happens, this 8 Chikchan day is a day completely aligned with the lifeforce related energy of the great mythical “feathered serpent”, and the number 8 is aligned with the idea of cyclical renewal. And, of note, there are three 8’s associated with this very special day – so if there was ever a day to watch out for the “return” of plumed serpents in the Yucatan this would be it!

Currently this is marking the anniversary of independence in five Hispanic countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras – all of whom declared their independence in 1821.

As it happens this is the 80th Gregorian anniversary of the huge air battle that took place during the Battle of Britain in 1940 when the Germans lost 61 aircraft and 93 men, seen as a turning point
during World War II as this was a major victory against the Germans at that time. This was also the Maya energy that was in place at the beginning of the push by the Canadian Forces to liberate the Western Netherlands in 1945.

Of note as well, this is the publication date for renowned journalist Bob Woodward’s RAGE book, within which he presents “a foundational account of the Trump presidency and its turmoil”. Woodward is the author of Fear: Trump in the White House and many other books about American presidents, including many on the Nixon years (such as All the President’s Men).

9 Kimi 9 Ch’en G9 (Sept. 16th) – the “outward projection of death/new foundations”, this time coinciding with Mexico’s 210th Independence Day, which ordinarily would be marked by parades, feasting, and fireworks. However, it would be highly problematic for this to take place in the usual way this year since Mexico now has over 630,000 cases of Covid-19, and has the world’s fourth highest death toll (after the US, Brazil, and India). Hopefully wide scale safety measures will be in place for celebrations this year.

This is a critical marker point as it has now been one cycle exactly since last New Year’s Eve, 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.

One cycle before that, in the spring of 2019, a horrifying fire broke out in Paris that destroyed the spire and much of the roof of the historic Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. It is now under reconstruction.

In addition to Mexico’s Independence Day this is also the UN’s International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer and the final day of Ghost month in China.

This is the Maya birth energy of Freddie Mercury, the rock group Queen’s iconic front man, whose remarkable story was told in the multiple award-winning movie Bohemian Rhapsody, released in 2018.

This is the day when the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) will set sail from Plymouth, UK, marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage to North America in 1620.

10 Manik’ 10 Ch’en (Sept. 17th) – 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 the New Moon. This was the Maya Calendar energy that was in place in January of 2015 at the time of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris on what was called “the darkest day in the history of the French press”. [The trial for those accused of aiding in those attacks began on Sept. 2.]

400 years ago, in 1620, this was the energy in place when the Mayflower set sail from Southampton to embark on its journey to North America, so this energy ties in with the embarkation of both the Mayflower and the MAS, noted above, which is just getting going.

In 1814 this was the day when officials from the Austrian Empire, Russia, and Prussia got together to sign The Treaty of Fontainebleau that stripped Napoléon of his powers as ruler of the French Empire.

11 Lamat 11 Ch’en (Sept. 18th) – a “bright light” kind of energy that often heralds something new, on the day when the UN holds its first annual ‘SDG Moment’, which will be delivered virtually by 20 Heads of State and Government. This is Independence Day in Chile, but Chile also has over 400,000 cases of Covid-19, so hopefully health precautions will be observed.

It has been four cycles since Trump Jr. was exposed for having secret contacts with Wikileaks during the 2016 presidential campaign, and three cycles since the start of the Paul Manafort trial in Virginia in 2018 on charges of tax fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy.

This day marks seven 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, given the massive climate related events that have taken place since then, a great many people are concerned that far too little has been done to address the issue of climate change.

This evening marks the start of Rosh Hashanah (meaning “head of the year”), thought to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Also known as the Feast of Trumpets, this is a Jewish High Holy period that runs from the evening of Sept. 18th to the evening Sept. 20th

12 Muluk 12 Ch’en (Sept. 19th) – 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; generally a very intense energy that can create situations where people have no choice but to work together to find solutions. This is coinciding at this time with a a full Rosh Hashanah day. It is also World Cleanup Day and the start of a three-day Peace Weekend, which will culminate in the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21st.

In 1814 Napoléon tried to end his own life under this influence, after his abdication.

13 Ok 13 Ch’en (Sept. 20th) – associated with “transformational love” or “transformational fire”, this is an energy that holds the potential to be a real “scorcher”. 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.

Currently this is a virtual Terry Fox Run day, referred to as Terry Fox Run: One Day. Your Way. We unite in spirit, not in person! , this is an invitation to run “wherever” for the cause – registration via the Terry Fox Foundation. As of mid-May some $750 million has been raised for cancer research through this foundation.

This is the third Gregorian anniversary of the 9 Ix day in 2017 when Puerto Rico was struck full force by “the storm of the century” as Cat. 4 Hurricane Maria delivered a devastating blow that killed over 3000 people, shattered homes and infrastructure, and completely destroyed the power grid. In the summer of 2018 Apple hit a record high under this influence, becoming the world’s first public company to be worth $1 trillion.

The evening marks the end of Rosh Hashanah.

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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.]