Beautiful, powerful, mysterious, adaptable, symbolic of Maya kings and rulership – this is the Jaguar, representative of the thirteen days of the Ix trecena. Traditionally seen as a “warrior” type of force related to things of the earth, this jaguar-oriented energy is aligned with high magic and even mastery over things of an unseen nature.  It is not unusual to see a lot of “posturing for power” during this period, reflective of the Jaguar’s significance as a major symbol of authority.

During this time frame there is often an emphasis on significant transformation from one state of being to another, often pushed forward by individuals who, having “reached their limit” in one way or another are compelled to become “jaguar warriors” who must “go to battle” for particular causes. For this reason the transformations that can unfold at this time can be quite awesome.

Often the very first day of this trecena can be a turning point that can be pivotal even 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 One Ix (“initiation of transformation”) influence. This is a trecena during which many great shifts have occurred, as in 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, and the mass exodus from the city of Aleppo, Syria in July of 2012 when fierce fighting drove thousands of people to seek new lives elsewhere. Two cycles ago this trecena saw the start of the coalition air strikes against terrorist groups in Syria, major climate change rallies and summit, and the historic Scottish referendum vote that resulted in Scotland remaining as part of the UK. And now, with the announcement that a UN mediator will resume Syrian peace talks by Feb. 25th or sooner, perhaps this will be the trecena that will finally bring some sense of direction in terms of addressing the Syrian travesty.

 

And, of course, several US presidential primaries are currently in the works, with the largest one – “Super Tuesday” – coinciding with the final day of this trecena. The fact that Hillary Clinton’s Maya birthday comes in just four days prior to that may be a factor in this regard.

Four Kab’an, the fourth day of the trecena is noteworthy as this is a “defining” energy associated with the sun, Earth, and evolutionary movement. This is the energy seen right in the center of the Aztec Sun Stone, the image that millions mistake for “the Mayan Calendar”. It was under this influence that the massive Live Aid rock concert, called the “greatest live concert ever staged” (watched by 1.5 billion people), earned $80 million U.S. for famine relief in Africa, in 1985. This year this energy coincides with International Mother Language Day, which gives a further boost to what happened in Chiapas a few days ago when Pope Francis issued a decree authorizing the use of indigenous languages in liturgy, one of the significant gestures he made in support of indigenous rights. Some 100,000 people attended his mass that included the use of three Maya languages (Tzotzil, Tzeltal, and Ch’ol).

Three days later, at the mid point of the trecena, Seven Ajaw (“self generating” full sun), will make its appearance, on the day of the Brit Awards, at which time there will be another tribute to the life and achievements of David Bowie. What is truly intriguing here is that traditionally Seven Ajaw was a great Aztec feast day devoted to Xochipilli, the god of flowers, games, art, song, dance, writing, and painting. What perfect timing for a celebration of contributions of this extraordinary artist.

Known as the “Flower Prince”, Xochipilli was strongly connected with flowers. With the sun frequently symbolized as a four-petalled flower there is a strong solar aspect to this in conjunction with fertility and maize, which provides yet another echo of the solar energy that appears in several places in Bowie’s Long Count birth energy. So Lady Gaga’s impressive tribute to David Bowie at the Grammys on Feb. 15th coincided with a Chuwen day, the same “play” oriented energy as was in place at the time of his birth, and now the timing for the Brit Awards is coinciding with the solar aspects of his birth.

The Maya day known as 9 Ik’ that comes in on Feb. 26th is the “birth” daysign of Quetzalcóatl, the great Feathered Serpent that traditionally symbolizes Higher Knowledge and represents the portal between Earth and the Heavens. Sometimes portrayed as a “sky cord”, this is the energy that coincided with the return from the ISS last June of Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, European astronaut Samantha Christoforreti, and US astronaut Terry Virts. This time this energy will find US astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko preparing for their return to Earth, which will occur this time on 13 Kimi, the final day of this trecena.

Kelly and Kornienko were both aboard the Soyuz-TMA16M that was launched on 11 Kimi last March en route to the ISS. This has been a year-long mission for these two space travellers, the longest stint since crews began living on the ISS in 2000 (prior to that, aboard the Mir, the longest flight was 438 days). This ISS trial run has been part of a study of the impact of long-duration spaceflight on the human body, part of the lead-up for longer missions to the moon, Mars, and other destinations.

At the conclusion of the trecena 13 Kimi will be an attention-getter as usual, as this will be not only an important day for the ISS astronauts, but also for the millions who will be glued to their media devices to learn the results of the votes cast in the Super Tuesday primaries. Many are hoping that this day could convince former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to make a run for the White House. Overall, it should be an interesting 13 days that will build to a crescendo by the end of the time frame.

Here are the energies that will be providing influence:

1 Ix (Feb. 18th) – the initiation of the Jaguar’s power of transformation

2 Men (Feb. 19th) – the “generation” of the Eagle’s “higher vision”

3 Kib’ (Feb. 20th) – an activation energy often associated with the “restoration of order”; the day of the South Carolina Primary (R)

4 Kab’an (Feb. 21st) – a “defining” energy associated with evolutionary movement, this time in conjunction with International Mother Language Day, and the day that would have been Alan Rickman’s 70th birthday

5 Etz’nab’ (Feb. 22nd) – the “blessing” of “flint” – a “knife edge” type of force that can be quite dazzling and attention-getting, an energy that also contains the potential to bring things to a definitive conclusion, as in the official surrender of Japan at the end of world War II in 1945. At this time this energy coincides with the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year, the day of the Chinese New Year lantern festival. The US presidential election will take place under this influence exactly one cycle from now.

6 Kawak (Feb. 23rd) – a “storm everywhere” force; an energy that often has more to do with the triggering of a “storm of compassion” than a weather related event; Maya anniversary of the death of Louis Riel

7 Ajaw (Feb. 24th) – “self generating” full sun; traditionally a great Aztec feast day devoted to “Seven Flower”, the god of flowers, games, music, and dance; the day of the Brit Awards which will include a tribute to David Bowie. At this time this energy coincides with Pink Shirt Day, oriented around bringing an end to bullying.

8 Imix (Feb. 25th) – the “resurrection” of birth; Maya birth energy of French satirical cartoonist Rénald Luzier (aka Luz) who narrowly escaped the massacre at the Charlie Bebdo offices just over a year ago, the cartoonist who drew the “Je Suis Charlie” cover following the attack.

9 Ik’ (Feb. 26th) – the “outward projection” of wind, breath, spirit, the calendrical daysign of Quetzalcóatl, as noted above; an energy that can “blow” in any direction and bring change, as in tornadoes that have often manifested under this influence. On its last appearance this energy accompanied the return to Earth from the ISS of Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, ESA astronaut Samantha Christoforreti, and US astronaut Terry Virts (see also 13 Kimi, below). On this day G20 economic policy makers begin a two-day meeting in Shanghai. Hillary Clinton’s Maya birthday.

10 Ak’b’al (Feb. 27th) – a combination of the foundational energy of “Source” (the number 10) in conjunction with “darkness”, as in the Temple associated with deep esoteric mysteries; the Jaguar energy that runs through this trecena is very much a part of this energy – an excellent day for meditating or “dreaming”; the day of the South Carolina Primary (D)

11 K’an (Feb. 28th) – an “inspirational” type of energy associated with youthful vitality, on the day of the 88th Academy Awards

12 Chikchan (Feb. 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, as will be the situation this time as millions in the U.S. get ready for the Super Tuesday primaries the following day

13 Kimi (March 1st) – “transformational death” (or “transformational foundations”) – a powerful “return to Source” type of force that can often pack a huge punch, as seen in the intense weather systems and even volcanoes have occurred in the past under this influence. At this time this energy coincides with the Super Tuesday presidential race primaries in the U.S. It is also the due date for the return to Earth of astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, as noted above.

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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.]