The Imix trecena, aligned with birth, opens a whole new Imix-to-Ajaw (birth to enlightenment) cycle within the 260-day Count of Days. Traditionally seen as a “generative nucleus”, this initiatory 13-day period represents the “realm of all potential” that sets the stage for new ideas or advancements. At the moment this is the last full trecena that will be in place prior to the U.S. presidential election, and millions are anxiously waiting to see what kind of “new world” will emerge after the campaign chaos finally, mercifully, clears.

True to form, the just completed Lamat trecena presented some very clear markers that have been heralding a resounding victory for the Democrats, as reflected by the New York Times poll tracker that shows Hillary Clinton as having a 92% chance to win and the large numbers of notable newspapers that have endorsed her.

Ten years ago during the Imix trecena, in place in early November that year, there was a major Democratic sweep in U.S. midterm elections, as the Democrats took control of both houses of Congress. At that time Nancy Pelosi was elected as House Democratic leader, becoming the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives in American history.

During this trecena there is often a focus on the cosmos, with many pioneering events often occurring at this time, as when the first human ascent into the stratosphere took place during this timeframe, in 1931. Also under the auspices of this trecena test pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier, in 1947, and then in 1957 the launch of Sputnik I kicked off the space race.

Other important “firsts” brough forth during this “birthing” time frame include the landing of NASA’s Spirit Rover on Mars (in 2004), and the first flight powered entirely by solar energy by the experimental Solar Impulse 1 (in 2010). Also during this trecena in 2010 six volunteers began a 520 day experiment isolated in a 550-cubic-meter simulator to collect data on the physiological, social, and psychological effects of long term close-quarters isolation, as would be experienced on a journey to Mars. They emerged precisely two Tzolk’in cycles later, at the mid point of this trecena, in November 2011.

This trecena seems often to open portals to the cosmos itself – as happened in 1925, when the astronomer Edwin Hubble chose this trecena to announce the existence of galaxies other than the Milky Way, which greatly expanded our awareness of the great cosmic expanse. In 2013 this was the trecena that saw the launch of the European Space Agency’s Gaia probe on a 5.5 year observational campaign to map the Milky Way. Such events certainly open new realms of thought, prompting inquiry into unexplored frontiers.

During this opening of “the realm of all potential”, new tactics or “new beginnings” often come into play on many fronts, as happened when the internet became active under the influence of One Imix in 1969, signalling a dramatic, quantum shift in the nature of world communications. Then just one cycle ago, in early February of this year, came the historic announcement about the discovery of gravitational waves that cause distortions in spacetime, as anticipated by Albert Einstein decades ago. This new discovery was called “transformational”, as this opens the door to the detection of completely different kinds of information, and is seen as the beginning of gravitational wave astronomy.

Six cycles ago, during the summer of 2012, a series of powerful coronal mass ejections narrowly missed hitting Earth during this trecena, which was indeed fortunate as the effect would have been highly problematic.

At the present time this is the trecena during which the orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft, carrying more than 5100 pounds of cargo, is due to dock with the ISS. Launched on 9 Kib’ (Oct. 17th) the cargo being delivered includes equipment that will enable astronauts to carry out dozens of new scientific investigations including studies on fire in space, the effect of lighting on sleep and daily rhythms, and health related explorations.

On a more down-to-earth note, this is the last full daylight-savings time trecena of the year. Almost as if “warming up” to the need to bring light into the darkness at this time of year we find a number of festive events happening during this time frame, including Hallowe’en, Nepal’s Tihar (aka Deepawali), Diwali (the Hindu Festival of Lights), Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, and All Saints’ Day.

As with birth itself, this period has the potential to be quite chaotic, but this is also a trecena that can prompt people to think “beyond the box”, embark on new adventures, and possibly even find solutions to long simmering problems. These are the energies that will come into play:

1 Imix (Oct. 22nd) – the initiation of the “realm of all potential”; the energy under which the first host-to-host connection was made between computers in 1969.

2 Ik’ (Oct. 23rd) – a dynamic energy associated with “wind, breath, and spirit”, as when Solar Impulse I made its first flight powered entirely by solar energy (in 2010), charging its batteries in flight. On this current 2 Ik’ day the orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft, carrying more than 5100 pounds of cargo, is due to dock with the ISS

3 Ak’b’al (Oct. 24th) – the activation of darkness, associated with deep mysteries and sometimes the unexpected, this time coinciding with United Nations Day, World Development Information Day, and the 70th anniversary of the first ever photo of Earth from space (taken from a German rocket). Four cycles since the launch of the European Space Agency’s Gaia probe on a 5.5 year observational campaign to map the Milky Way. This current 3 Ak’b’al coincides with the opening in Vancouver of a global summit on affordable housing.

4 K’an (Oct. 25th) – a “defining” energy associated with the resurrection of youthful vitality. Maya birth energy of US astronaut Scott Kelly, commander of the ISS on three expeditions, veteran of a year long ISS mission from 2015-2016, and the holder of the record for the total accumulated number of days spent in space by a U.S. astronaut.

5 Chikchan (Oct. 26th) – associated with the “blessing of lifeforce”. Maya birth energy of the prolific virtuoso pianist and composer Franz Liszt, born 205 years ago as of Oct. 22nd. Hillary Clinton’s 69th Gregorian birthday.

6 Kimi (Oct. 27th) a “foundational” type of energy that can often manifest as a kind of “equalization everywhere” type of force, which can often bring a sense of “release”; sometimes oriented around the setting of foundations for restructuring or for “regeneration”. In 2006 David Bowie performed on stage for the last time under this influence, with his gorgeous rendition of “Wild is the Wind”

7 Manik’ (Oct. 28th) – a “self-generating” type of energy associated with the idea of reciprocity – a good energy for “generating sustenance”, for being involved in humanitarian activities, as well as for working through negotiations or joint ventures. On the day the “one and only Cher” will host an “Evening with Cher” event to raise money for the Clinton campaign. Jupiter close to the waning crescent moon. One cycle since the historic announcement regarding the discovery of gravitational waves that cause distortions in spacetime.

8 Lamat (Oct. 29th) – a “resurrection” of the Venus-oriented “heralding” energy aligned with leadership. Traditionally a Maya “Celebration of Abundance” day; in some ancient Mesoamerican regions this energy was known as “Rabbit”, and was seen as a symbol of abundance and proliferation, coinciding at this time with Kukur Tihar, the second day of Nepal’s Tihar, a festival day dedicated to the Worship of Dogs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Maya birthday, as this day marks his 360th day in office (he won the election 10 days earlier).

9 Muluk (Oct. 30th) – representative of “the outward projection of water”, this is a path-finding and often “shape-shifting” type of force, correlating at this time with the New Moon and the beginning of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights associated with the lifting of spiritual darkness. This is a time when festival lanterns and lights are set out to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness, prosperity, and good fortune into homes and other buildings.

10 Ok (Oct. 31st) – a Burner Day representative of “foundational” fire (or “heart fire”), often associated with love, protection, guidance, and justice, this time in conjunction with Hallowe’en and the 76th anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle of Britain.

Traditionally this would have been seen as an energy that “begins the fire”, as in the sense of setting something up for action. This energy can also provide a “course correction” if some significant adjustments are needed to a course of action.  On this day Nepal’s Newar community celebrates their New Year.

Ninety years since the death of Harry Houdini (click here for info regarding the  McCord Museum’s forthcoming exhibit of rare Houdini posters). 120 years since the birth of blues pioneer Ethel Waters.

11 Chuwen (Nov. 1st) – a “change” oriented, “timeweaver” type of energy – the energy that brought forth the first untethered space walk in 1984. This is an energy that can prompt us to have fun, but also remind us to “be on our toes”. At this time this energy correlates with All Saints’ Day, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, first day); and the Bunkyo Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan.

During the last appearance of this energy (last Feb.) Pope Francis was in Chiapas where he conducted a mass dedicated to indigenous people, at which time he issued a decree authorizing the use of indigenous languages in mass celebrations, one of the symbolic gestures he made in defence of indigenous rights; the mass included readings and songs in three different indigenous languages.

12 Eb’ (Nov. 2nd) – a “gathering together”, “stream-of-consciousness” type of energy, this force can be quite intense, often containing within it a “spark” or “essence of revitalization” that hints at refreshing new possibilities. Last day of the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico.

13 B’en (Nov. 3rd) – “transformational personal authority”, an energy under which many strongly transformative events have taken place in the past, as in the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, the inception of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the launch of Sputnik I by the USSR (signalling the beginning of the Space Age) in 1957, the inception of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, in 1979, and the election of Nancy Pelosi as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 (a position she assumed several weeks later). When this energy was in place last Feb. this was the last full day of Pope Francis’s visit to Mexico. At this time this correlates with the last day of Diwali.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Special note: This is the birth trecena of Linda de Beeld, an extraordinary Vancouver Island ceramic artist who, among other things, creates exquisite meditation bowls. She is currently expanding her collection to include bowls that reflect Maya Calendar energies. If you wish to contact her about ordering a bowl that represents a specific energy within the Maya Count of Days she can be reached through her Clayroots pottery website at clayroots.ca

*********************************

[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.]