Late November and the light continues to dwindle in these northern regions, echoing what seems to be a fading light in the world at large. At this time of year many are steeling themselves for the onslaught of winter, knowing that over the next few months there will be many “hunkering down” days necessitated by freezing rains, icy winds, and blowing snows. Some will outfox winter by escaping to the sun, but most will have to deal with it, and many will be looking for ways to bring in light, warmth, and comfort to chase away the darkness. So how can the K’an trecena help with this?

Fortunately, with the energy of K’an, there are many possibilities. Within the Maya Tzolk’in this is the trecena aligned with the general idea of Germination. With the metaphor for this period being the creative young corn god who brings forth bounties of the earth, this is an energetic sequence that holds much potential as it provides the groundwork for the evolutionary push that comes through the trecena that will follow.

Still part of the traditional creation sequence that began 13 days ago, this K’an initiated time period tends to encompass some vigorous energies associated with the inception of new ideas or the forging of new directions.  Suggestive of  “anything is possible”, this is a period that can often become a time of “testing”, as new possibilities begin to take shape and the process of nurturing new endeavors begins. A metaphor would be a new plant just beginning to sprout. It needs light and air and nutrients, and room to grow.

In February and early March of this year, there were many actions (such as attempted travel bans and false accusations of wiretapping) taken by the newcomers to the White House as they began “testing the waters” to see what they could get away with. However, by the time this trecena came in, in later March, people were already working to push back on such actions. During this trecena two different judges blocked the travel bans, no evidence was found to support Trump’s wiretap claim, and his proposed tax plan drew resistance from both Republicans and Democrats. By the end of the trecena there was major chaos in Washington, and ultimately a victory for the Democrats as the Republicans made the decision to withdraw the revised Health Care bill due to lack of support. During this period it was learned that Paul Manafort, the chief strategist behind the Trump campaign – who was inducted on 12 counts, including conspiracy against the U.S, just a few weeks ago – secretly worked (with a $10 million annual contract) for a Russian billionaire (a close Putin ally) with a plan to “greatly benefit the Putin government” in countries around the world.

With all this going on it seemed that the blindfolded sacrificial deity who was seen by the ancients as an important patron energy associated with this time frame was running amuck. No one seemed to know what was going on, and yet the fate of the nation and the world was at stake – all of which seemed in line with the second patron energy of this time frame, associated with fate. All of which can make this a time of unpredictability – as in “anything is possible”.

Indeed, even though these energies do have the potential to bring surprises, with vigilance and care anything “planted” at this time could easily “sprout” into something strong and robust. Certainly this happened last march within the context of this trecena as people organized themselves to take stands on various issues. By the end of the trecena there were huge anti-Brexit marches in the UK, and similar marches in Madrid & Rome, with the final day of the trecena bringing massive anti-corruption protests across Russia (reportedly in 99 cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostock, Tomsk) as protestors carried “Down with Putin” signs and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The first few days of this K’an trecena are an extension of the creation sequence that began on One Chuwen (on Nov. 16th). Based on past events that have taken place on One K’an, there is the suggestion that during this time a number of influential energies that are embryonic to major world developments can come into play. This idea of attempting to “germinate” or set the foundations for new ideas can be seen in many key past events that have taken place during this trecena, as when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his prophetic speech about being a “drum major for peace” in 1968.

Other significant developments that have taken place during this trecena include the declaration of Napoléon Bonaparte as Emperor of France (in 1804) and Hitler’s assumption of dictatorial powers (in 1933). In 1978 it was this trecena that brought Cardinal Karol Wojtyla’s election as Pope John Paul II, and in 1985 this trecena saw Mikhail Gorbachev’s election as Secretary General of the Soviet Communist Party.

It was the first day of this trecena in 2008 when Barack Obama gave his historic acceptance speech at Mile High Stadium as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency. And three cycles ago it was this trecena that brought a stunning victory for Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party during the Canadian elections.

One of the most important days for the Maya comes in on Eight Chuwen (aka 8 Batz’), the most significant festival day for K’iche’ Maya daykeepers. This is the sacred day that is oriented around the renewal of calendar traditions and the initiation of new daykeepers. Eight Chuwen represents a kind of “resurrection” of the type of solar energy that can “weave together” past and future to help the “new entity” gain a foothold on the road of life, with that “road” being represented by the 9 Eb’ energies that come in the following day.

During this trecena there is often an emphasis on working with “the unseen” or the unknown. Because of this aspect there is always a strong need for prudence and alertness during this period, as the implications of both thought and action could be very, very profound.  Given what is going on in the U.S. at the moment with regard to White House efforts to shove forward a highly problematic tax bill, and many other things, there is a great deal at stake.

So as we connect once again with the K’an trecena energy sequence, again we will be germinating (or “planting the seeds”) for what is to follow. It is a time when some sacrifices may be required to make room for new growth and new life – which might take the form of an abandonment of old ideas in favour of something new, fresh, and life-enhancing. These are the energies that will come into play:

1 K’an (Nov. 29th) – an “initiating” energy associated with germination (or even the creation of new abundance), as was in place one hundred years ago (on One K’an in July of 1917) at the time of the royal proclamation of the House of Windsor, when King George V changed the name of his family from the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor.  This was also the energy in place in 2008 when Barack Obama delivered his historic acceptance speech at Mile High Stadium – a time of great hope and anticipation for millions.

2 Chikchan (Nov. 30th) – “dynamic lifeforce”, coinciding at this time with the end of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. The day the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting takes effect in B.C., in addition to the complete ban on grizzly bear hunting in the Great Bear Rainforest. In the evening, the beginning of Mawlid al-Nabi, the observance of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad in the Muslim calendar.

3 Kimi (Dec. 1st) – the “activation of absolute foundations”, this time in conjunction with World AIDS Day and the full day (until sunset) of Mawlid al-Nabi. Possible day for voting on the proposed U.S. tax reform bill.

4 Manik’ (Dec. 2nd) – a “defining” energy associated with reciprocity and the energy of deer – a kind of harmonizing energy connected with the natural world; in combination with the solar energy of the number four this is a “double sun” type of force. Maya birth energy of Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who is now leading the investigation into Russia connections with the White House.

5 Lamat (Dec. 3rd) – a “blessing” type of energy associated with Venus, which can serve as a beacon or herald, this time coinciding with a Supermoon, aka the Oak Moon, Cold Moon, Snow Moon, or Long Night Moon – the brightest of the year, and an eclipse of Aldebaran by the moon.  Also the UN’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

6 Muluk (Dec. 4th) – the energy of the six directions in conjunction with the purifying or shape-shifting energy of water, the type of energy that brought severe flooding to Peru on its last appearance.

7 Ok (Dec. 5th) – translating as “self-generating” love, guidance, and/or loyalty, on the day that would have been the 90th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who was the world’s longest-serving contemporary head of state, having celebrated his 70th year of reign (his platinum jubilee) on June 9th last year. His elaborate funeral took place 40 days ago, beginning on 6 Ok. One cycle since the dramatic hearing before the House Intelligence Committee where former FBI Director James Comey told that committee for the first time that the FBI is investigating the possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow – the first time a seated president has been under FBI investigation. At that time Comey indicated that US intelligence agencies are in agreement that Putin had a clear aim to aid Trump and harm both Clinton and U.S. democracy.

8 Chuwen, aka 8 Batz’ (Dec. 6th) a highly auspicious day for the Maya, as this is the time when Quiché Maya daykeepers celebrate the renewal of their sacred calendar traditions and initiate new daykeepers. Maya birth energy of Kenny Baker, the English actor who played R2D2 in Star Wars.

9 Eb’ (Dec. 7th) – “outward projecting stream of consciousness”, or “outward projecting road”, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Day, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and the opening of Lyon’s spectacular Festival of Lights

10 B’en (Dec. 8th) – “foundational personal authority”; symbolic of the full authority of maize, this is the strong “pillar” energy representative of strength, inner power, and self determination, on a day that commemorates Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment. The Maya birth energy of Nostradamus, the 16th century seer whose predictions helped to fuel speculations about the “end times”.

11 Ix (Dec. 9th) – “inspirational magic” in conjunction with the jaguar and the mysteries of the earth, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Anti-Corruption Day

12 Men (Dec. 10th) – a “gathering together” type of energy associated with the high vision of the Eagle, this time in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of International Human Rights Day.   Maya birth energy of Elsie May Wheeler, the developer of Sabian symbols.

13 Kib’ (Dec. 11th) – a transformation-oriented energy aligned with the ability to “fly high”, survey, and ultimately restore order. As Kib’ is an energy that can often force people to think differently, this 13 Kib’ energy can often push particularly hard, often compelling people to take some kind of direct action, as happened with the Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the U.S. two cycles ago, and in the massive anti-corruption protests across Russia, one cycle ago.  In 2010 NASA’s extraordinary Solar Dynamics Observatory was launched under this influence, and in 1963 Mount Agung in Bali began the rumbling that led to a massive volcanic eruption.  At the moment yet another eruption of this kind appears imminent.

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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.]