Here we are at the last full trecena of 2023, returning to a time frame that has a tendency to be highly consequential in terms of shaping world events. This is the Jaguar trecena, aligned with the Maya mythological idea of the “Night Sun” and “terrestrial fire”, which often brings with it a considerable amount of “fire and fury”.

And, in many ways, it seems like “fire and fury” is the essence of the state of affairs in too many parts of the world at the present time. Hard to get into holiday celebrational mode when there are so many unthinkable wars, with so much global suffering. Even Bethlehem is dark this year – yes, Christmas is cancelled in Bethlehem!

With regard to this Ix trecena – the Jaguar metaphor, and its association with power, mystery, stealth, adaptability, high magic, and even mastery over things of an unseen nature, reminds us that this is a time frame associated with fearsome authority, unpredictability, and sudden transformation. It is not unusual to see a lot of “political maneuvering” going on during this period, reflective of the Jaguar’s significance as a major symbol of dominance in Maya mythology. Sudden change in political power often manifests during this period, and issues associated with political leadership often become particularly prominent. From that mythological perspective, the fate of the world ties in with the whims of the Jaguar. And as we have seen in the past, this period often brings forth events that have significant implications in terms of “the fate of the world”.

Indeed, the very first day of this trecena has often been a pivotal turning point in terms of the fate of nations, as seen during the French Revolution in the 18th century when some of the most significant events of that era took place under that “initiation of transformation” influence of One Ix. In 1973 that same energy brought the news about President Richard Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal, and a year later there was an attempted assassination of Nixon of the fifth day of this period.

Two cycles ago, in July of 2022, the Jan. 6th investigative committee relating to the attack on the US Capitol was highlighting what was referred to as the dumpster’s “Nero burning Rome” moment, emphasizing various ways in which he “poured gasoline on the fire” as he ignored pleas to stop the riot, and chose to do nothing. In this regard, evidence was brought forward that underscored both his dereliction of duty and “criminal intent” (through refusal to act). Vice Chair Liz Cheney commented at the time that “the dam has begun to break” as a long list of crimes (including seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and insurrection) were identified. It took one more cycle before formal actions were taken, but then last spring, two days before this trecena began, a Manhattan Grand Jury voted to indict Trump, for his role in the hush money payment scheme, the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges. Then five days later, on the fifth day of this time frame, he was formally arraigned in New York, charged with 34 felony counts of “falsifying business records in the first degree”, and concealing crimes in violation of election laws. And now, currently, the justice system is involved in multi-pronged investigations relating to his dark deeds, and there are multiple trials pending.

The plot really thickens at this point in time as this was the trecena in place during the four-day lead-up to the 2016 election, the election itself, and the many days of massive anti-Trump protest demonstrations that followed. The fifth day of this period (5 Etz’nab’) is often particularly consequential, as this is a “knife edge” type of force that holds the potential to bring things to a definitive conclusion, or to foment earth-shaking transformations. Many significant events “fateful” to nations have occurred under this 5 Etz’nab’ influence, including the official surrender of Japan at the end of World War II in 1945, the massive “Mobilization Peace” demonstrations in Washington, D.C in 1969 where hundreds of thousands protested against the Vietnam War, and the “complete meltdown” that unfolded at the start of a “summer of anarchy” in 2020, as people called for justice after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. The announcement of the formation of the Jan. 6th commission to investigate the attack on the Capitol came one cycle later, in 2021.

The trecena as a whole has brought forth the start of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the start of the London Blitz in 1940, the massive Tibetan uprising against Chinese aggression in Llasa that began under this influence in 1959, the start of coalition air strikes against terrorist groups in Syria, major climate change rallies and conferences, and Pope Francis’s visit to Canada (last year) in association with reconciliation for Indigenous nations. Events associated with both of the dumpster’s impeachment trials have unfolded during this same time frame, as well as the “circus” relating to his arraignments in New York last March. As he was driving to one of the depositions, people lined the streets with “New York Hates You” chants and signs, with no supporters in sight.

Keep in mind that during this period the “unseen” often plays an important role, and like the jaguar that can “sneak up” and dispatch its prey with one deadly pounce, unforeseen events can sometimes sneak up and change trajectories in highly significant ways.

As we forge ahead through this period we will be working under the auspices of Quetzalcóatl, the life-force (and justice-oriented) “twin” to the Jaguar, who serves as the patron energy for these thirteen days. As seen in the past, this is an energy combination that can bring forth high drama and head-spinning change, often related to issues associated with JUSTICE, at very high levels.

And at this time, even in the midst of winter holiday season, there are several due dates pending with regard to dumpster-related court cases, both in Georgia and in federal cases – in addition to the fact that judgment in the New York civil fraud case is pending for early January. So much is in the works.

Globally at this time, the world is in a frightful state, with the catastophe in Gaza still unfolding, and still no end in sight with regard to the Russia-Ukraine war, or the war in Sudan. Huge changes are also taking place in countries such as Chile and Agentina, so once again there is a great deal at stake at this time, with much on the agenda. As the battle for justice unfurls, the need for people to be “jaguar warriors” is stronger than ever. But as we go through this period keep in mind that the Jaguar (the metaphor for the forces in play at this time) was seen as a master of navigation, a creature of great strength and agility that had dominion over the “tangle” of the underworld. A great deal of stealthy maneuvering will take place during this period, so this is a good time to keep your wits about you and your guard up.

In keeping with the metaphor of the Jaguar – keep in mind that as much as the Jaguar is both powerful and deadly, this creature also represents great beauty, strength, resourcefulness, majesty, and magic. So this is a good time to draw on those qualities. With Winter Solstice coming in on the fourth day of this period we can also celebrate the start of the return of light to the Northern Hemisphere. Above all, remember to “breathe”, “keep calm”, and “stay cool” – and try to have some semblance of a happy Christmas before we forge ahead into what will be a highly eventful new year. Here are the energies that will be in play:

One Ix (Dec. 18th) – the initiation of the Jaguar’s power of transformation, the first day of a time frame during which many pivotal events in the dumpster saga have taken place over the past few years. Ten cycles ago (2600 days) this energy was in place just prior to the disastrous 2016 election. Seven cycles later this was in place at the time of Trump’s second impeachment trail, in 2021. On that same day the DA in Fulton County, Georgia opened a criminal inquiry into the dumpster’s call to try to overturn the results of the election. Two cycles ago (in 2022) the Jan. 6th committee was in full gear and more and more testimonies were revealing the various crimes associated with the insurrection. And the last time this was in place (earlier this year) the New York justice system was closing in, in two directions, with the dumpster having just been indicted for hush money payments, and about to be charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Fifty years ago this same One Ix energy had been in place when The Washington Post published the blockbuster story about Richard Nixon having prior knowledge of the Watergate conspiracy, revealing that he was deeply involved in the coverup, including having knowledge of payments used to buy the silence of the Watergate conspirators.

It has now been ten cycles exactly since Nov. 4th, 2016 when the Paris Climate Change Agreement officially became international law.

Currently this is legendary rock star Keith Richards’ 80th Gregorian birthday. After saying he is in no rush to stop touring, Keith and the rest of the Rolling Stones are now preparing for their 2024 tour. Go get ‘em Keith!

This is the 31st Gregorian anniversary of the UN’s Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. It is also the UN’s International Migrants Day.

2 Men (Dec. 19th) the “generation” of the Eagle’s “higher vision”, often providing insight into what is to follow. This is the 50th anniversary of the overwhelming approval by Congress of the Endangered Species Act, in 1973. It was signed into law by President Nixon on Dec. 28th, 1973.

3 Kib’ (Dec. 20th) – an activation energy often associated with the “restoration of order”, one cycle since Finland formally joined NATO, on the same day as Trump was formally arraigned in New York, charged with 34 felony counts of “falsifying business records in the first degree”, and concealing crimes in violation of election laws. That trial is slated to begin on March 25th.

It has now been six cycles exactly since the fall of 2019 when the House Judiciary Committee in the US held its first formal hearing on whether to recommend a formal impeachment inquiry with regard to the dumpster’s abuse of power and obstruction of Congress with regard to the Ukraine scandal, and four cycles since his highly controversial acquittal by Republicans (on a technicality) during the unprecedented second impeachment trial in Feb. of 2021 – even though Senator McConnell said that he believed that the dumpster was practically and morally responsible for inciting the horrific attack on the US Capitol, calling his actions “a disgraceful dereliction of duty”. Two cycles ago, dumpster-associate Steve Bannon’s contempt of congress trial began under this influence. He is now appealing conviction that sentenced him to four months in prison.

Currently this is the UN’s International Human Solidarity Day and a National Day of Mourning in Panama to commemorate the hundreds of Panamanians who died during the 1989 U.S. invasion of that country.

4 Kab’an (Dec. 21st) – a “defining” energy associated with evolutionary movement – the powerful energy carved into the centre of the Aztec Sun Stone, an energy that often brings forth highly dramatic events. Currently this is coinciding with Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year for sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere, with the lowest noonday sun, at the start of the winter season.

This is the 11th Gregorian anniversary of the highly auspicious Maya Calendar Period Ending and
the start of whole new “great cycle” era in December, 2012 (remember when so many people were
mistakenly thinking that the world was going to end since they really didn’t understand the cyclical
nature of the calendar?). This also marks four Gregorian years since the first cluster of patients with
“pneumonia of an unknown cause” was first identified (later labelled as COVID-19).

In 1940 this was the energy in place on the night of “Black Saturday” (and into the early morning of the following day) when 348 German bombers dropped 337 tons of bombs on London, in the first mass air raid night of the “The Blitz”, when 430 civilians were killed and hundreds badly injured. This was followed by 57 consecutive nights of further bombing and several more months of attacks. After that ghastly war who would have believed that this could happen again . . . but even now this is happening in Gaza, and the Russia-Ukraine war rages on.

Currently this is Jane Fonda’s 86th birthday. Happy Birthday Jane!

5 Etz’nab’ (Dec. 22nd) – a “pin pointing”, knife-edged type of force symbolized by “flint”, at the peak of the Ursid meteor shower. This dazzling, and often attention-getting, energy has a tendency to bring forth highly consequential events that can bring things to a definitive conclusion, as it did in 1945 with the official surrender of Japan at the end of World War II.

Definitive change often takes place under this influence, as seen in the events that unfolded ten cycles ago, in 2016, when this “shock and awe” force fomented the “death of America” as journalist/historian Neal Gabler put it, at the time of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, often referred to as “the groan heard ‘round the world”, as people reacted with horror and disbelief and global stock markets went into a tailspin. As Gabler wrote in his article titled Farewell, America, published two days after that election, “America died [on that day] not with a bang or whimper, but at its own hand via electoral suicide. We the people chose a man who has shredded our values, our morals, our compassion, our tolerance, our decency, our sense of common purpose, our very identity – all things that, however tenuously, made a nation out of a country”. And that was THEN, well before the Covid fiasco, and well before the coup attempt or the attempted theft and concealment of hundreds of federal classified documents, and on and on . . .

Precisely four cycles after that election, in September of 2019, Guardian columnist Robert Reich published an article titled “Trump is seriously, frighteningly, dangerously nuts – and the world is in danger” – an observation clearly in evidence over the following cycle that brought us to 5 Etz’nab’ in May of 2020, when there was a state of chaos from coast to coast (“complete meltdown” as some put it), up to and including Lafayette Square in Washington DC, as protesters took to the streets to call for an end to racism. But after an even further downhill slide . . . . that resulted in the insurrection, the following 5 Etz’nab (Feb. of 2021) indicated a change in direction. That was when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that a commission would be established to investigate the January 6th attack on the Capitol. And indeed, in the summer of 2022, 8 cycles after that shocking 2016 election, the January 6th committee has amassed mountains of evidence to show the
dumpster’s culpability, the highlights of which were detailed in hearings the following day.

6 Kawak (Dec. 23rd) – a “storm everywhere” type of force, coinciding at this time with Kisan Diwas, National Farmer’s Day in India, in celebration of the birth of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the “Champion of Indian Peasants” who became the fifth prime minister of India, the establisher of farmer-friendly policies and welfare programs.

Note that this energy often has more to do with the triggering of a “storm of compassion or emotion” than a weather related event, as has been seen often during the past few cycles. In early June of 2020 this was the energy in place on that “flashpoint” day of outrage when military police used teargas, rubber bullets, and flash grenades to clear a path through  peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters so that the dumpster could stage a particularly sick and revulsive photo op in front of St. John’s Lafayette church in Washington DC. As political commentator Richard Wolffe wrote in The Guardian, this stunt marked the dumpster’s mad emperor stage and it was “terrifying to behold.” It was seen as a major “breaking point” in terms of democracy in the U.S., basically foreshadowing the Jan. 6th insurrection. That was five cycles (1300 days) ago.

One cycle after that, in February of 2021, Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee who became the chair of the Jan. 6th committee, became the first member of Congress to file a lawsuit against him for inciting the deadly insurrection. Two cycles ago (in 2022) the Jan. 6th committee held its 8th public hearing, which focused specifically on that 187 minutes on Jan. 6th when the dumpster did nothing to stop the mob that was storming the U.S. Capitol, highlighting his culpability and direct involvement in formenting the events of that grotesque and horrifying day. Senator Jamie Raskin, a member of the Jan. 6th committee, referred to this as “a profound moment of reckoning”, as they highlighted the various crimes that revealed both dereliction of duty and “criminal intent”. The various crimes that were identified included attempted obstruction of an official proceeding (the certification of an election), conspiracy to defraud the U.S., seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding,
and insurrection. These are the crimes that will be highlighted in 2024 during the various trials that will be underway.

7 Ajaw (Dec. 24th) – “self generating” full sun, coinciding at this time with Christmas Eve. Seven Ajaw was traditionally a great Aztec feast day devoted to Xochipilli, the “Flower Prince”, the god of flowers, games, music, and dance. With the sun frequently symbolized as a four-petalled flower there is a strong solar aspect to this in conjunction with fertility and maize. Indeed, two cycles ago when this was in place our planet was hit by a powerful coronal mass ejection, and given that the sun is currently still quite active, it seems possible that this could happen again around this time. In Maya mythology this energy is associated with a special purification/soul retrieval type of ceremony associated with the resurrection of the Maize God.

Perhaps this is something we need to think about on this Christmas Eve, as an enormous number of souls seem to have been lost (or “gone astray”) this year in both combat wars and political wars. This would be a good time to actively work on making adjustments. In Italy this is the day known as La Viglia, the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

It has now been three cycles exactly since the dumpster attempted to block the Jan. 6th committee from obtaining a treasure trove of notes from his top advisers related to his insistence that the election was stolen (an attempt that was denied later during this same trecena), in a hearing that was seen as a pivotal moment in an historic legal fight concerning the authority of a former president, the House’s investigative power, and the reach of executive privilege. This was also the energy in place, in November 2021, when the Manhattan DA convened a new grand jury in the Trump Organization probe.

8 Imix (Dec. 25th) – the “resurrection” of birth, the type of energy that can help to open up new possibilities, coinciding at this time with Christmas Day , including in Ukraine, after it moved its offical Christmas Day state holiday from Jan. 7th to Dec. 25th. Christmas celebrations will not take place in Jerusalem or Bethlehem this year, however, as they were cancelled in early November due to the Gaza-Israeli war.

This was the energy in place three cycles ago when House Democrats passed a $1tn bill to help rebuild the ageing infrastructure in the U.S., after months of delay, delivering Joe Biden a long-awaited legislative victory. Two cycles ago Earth was struck by a “full-halo CME” at the same time time as temperatures in China began spiking above 40C, with some cities given high alert warnings for possible dam failures.

This is the second anniversary of the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which has been providing stunning images of deep space.

9 Ik’ (Dec. 26th) – the “outward projection” of wind, breath, spirit – the calendrical daysign of Ehécatl/ Quetzalcóatl, the “feathered serpent” deity traditionally seen in Mesoamerican cultures as being symbolic of spirit, breath, culture, the arts, justice, and things of a life-giving nature, coinciding at this time with the Full Cold Moon and with Boxing Day in many British Commonwealth countries.

This marks two cycles exactly since Pope Francis began his 5 day visit to Canada, “on a pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation.”

Nine Ik’ (aka Nine Wind) is a very important energy both mythologically and historically. Symbolic of far-reaching communication, 9 Ik’ is also representative of the winds that can “blow” in multiple directions to bring about change. Tornadoes have often manifested under this influence, as well as major protest rallies.

In 1961 this was the energy in place when U.S. astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. was carried into suborbital flight aboard Mercury Freedom 7, becoming the first U.S. astronaut to travel into space (in a 15 min. flight). When this energy was in place in 1996 Shannon Lucid became the first female astronaut to crew a space station.

10 Ak’b’al (Dec. 27th) – a combination of the foundational energy of “Source” (the number 10) in conjunction with “darkness”, as in a Temple associated with deep esoteric mysteries. This was in place two cycles ago when Pope Francis visited Maskwacis, site of the former Ermineskin Residential School, one of the largest residential schools in Canada, where he met with indigenous residential school survivors from across the country and issued an apology for the abuses that they suffered when attending those institutions.

This is the Maya birth energy of Sir Nicholas Winton, the British humanitarian who has been credited with rescuing 669 children just before the outbreak of World War II. The British film titled “One Life”, released three months ago, tells the story of his life.

11 K’an (Dec. 28th) – an “inspirational” type of energy associated with youthful vitality, marking two cycles since Pope Francis celebrated an open-air Mass at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, and six cycles exactly since the start of the Global Week for Future climate action strike in 2019 when an estimated four million students, encompassing more than 150 countries, participated in a worldwide walkout, at the start of a week of climate change actions. One cycle before that, in early 2019, Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and more than 100 women were sworn in when Democrats took over control of the House.

Currently this is the 50th anniversary of the signing into law of the Endangered Species Act in the U.S. It is also Dame Maggie Smith’s 89th Gregorian birthday. Happy Birthday Dame Maggie!

12 Chikchan (Dec. 29th) – “dedicated” lifeforce – a powerful force that represents a doubling of the intensity of the lifeforce-oriented Quetzalcóatl energy – a type of influence that can significantly draw people into action for a common cause, particularly around issues relating to justice.

This marks four cycles since the Supreme Court rejected the dumpster’s bid to shield his financial records and tax returns, so that the New York state District Attorney and the NY Grand Jury could have access to them for their investigations into possible financial and corporate misconduct. In 1974 this was the energy in place when a federal grand jury indicted seven of President Nixon’s aides on charges of conspiracy related to Watergate, when Nixon was named as an unindicted co- conspirator, which led to his impeachment process.

This was also the energy in place in 1776 when the first of Thomas Paine’s American Crisis pamphlets was released, with the opening lines being: “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Another line from it reads:

“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

Something to keep in mind as the various trials relating to the dumpster and his cohorts continue to unfold during 2024.

13 Kimi (Dec. 30th) – “transformational death” (or “transformational foundations”) – a powerful, and sometimes even “explosive”, “return to Source” type of force that can often pack a huge punch, as seen in the intense weather systems and even volcanoes that have occurred in the past under this influence. One cycle ago civil war broke out in Sudan under this influence.

This marks 4 years since December of 2019 when Dr. Li Wenliang in Wuhan, China issued the first emergency warning to colleagues that there were 7 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the city (he later died after contacting it himself). It has now been four cycles since February of 2021 when lawmakers in the U.S., each holding candles as they stood on the steps of the Capitol, held a brief service while hymns were sung, and observed a moment of silence, in memory of the then-500,000 Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began almost a year earlier.

Three cycles before that, in January of 2019, The New York Times ran a scathing article by Pulitzer prize winning columnist David Leonhardt that was titled “The People vs. Donald  J. Trump”, subtitled “He is demonstrably unfit for office. What are we waiting for?”, which highlighted the pressing need to remove the dumpster from office. Whole categories of issues were identified as reasons for why he should be removed. The writer thought that waiting it out until 2020 would be way too dangerous. And now we find that not only was he allowed to remain, and “enabled” to spread the monstrous BIG LIE about “winning” the 2020 election, he is even being touted as the GOP nominee for the next presidential election, despite being embroiled in multiple lawsuits and court cases on charges relating to fraud, election interference, obstruction of justice, unlawfully removing and retaining top secret federal documents, and many other things. Logic no longer seems to apply as this is the stuff of nightmares.

This also marks nine cycles since a grand jury was impaneled, in 2017, to hear evidence in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with the dumpster’s campaign, evidence that led to several high-level criminal prosecutions. In retrospect that can now be seen as a huge missed opportunity to nip the impending doom in the bud. Nevertheless, the battle for justice and accountability rages on, and 2024 will be a pivotal year in this battle to restore sanity, with democracy itself being on the line. When this energy returns 260 days from now it will be mid-September, and much will have been decided within the court system. The presidential election will be just a few weeks away. Let’s hope sanity returns and justice prevails.

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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.]