The trees were rattling, the wind was howling, and great white swirls of snow were flying past in all directions, bringing in the first day of 2022 in British Columbia. In the US Midwest severe weather brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, flash flooding, and tornadoes, prompting Kentucky’s governor to declare a state of emergency. All of this, and much more, signalled the imminent arrival of this Kawak (Storm) trecena. It’s as if parts of Prince Philip’s funeral that took place on One Kawak exactly one cycle ago had suddenly come to life – specifically the passage from Ecclesiasticus 43: 13-18

By his command he sends the driving snow
and speeds the lightnings of his judgement.
Therefore the storehouses are opened,
and the clouds fly out like birds.
In his majesty he gives the clouds their strength,
and the hailstones are broken in pieces.
The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth;
when he appears, the mountains shake.
At his will the south wind blows;
so do the storm from the north and the whirlwind.
He scatters the snow like birds flying down,
and its descent is like locusts alighting.
The eye is dazzled by the beauty of its whiteness,
and the mind is amazed as it falls.

It was interesting to hear those words being spoken at that time, since that was the opening day of the Storm trecena, and it was also a Maya Calendar anniversary of the birth of Diana, who became the much-loved Princess of Wales. At the same time as millions were watching this end-of-an-era event at Windsor Castle in the UK, on the other side of the world Super Typhoon Surigae was reaching maximum intensity with winds gusting up to 305 km/h as it headed towards the Philippines at Cat. 5 strength. This provides the reminder that the kind of “Storm” that can be brought by Kawak can manifest in a variety of ways, including quite literally weather-related storms, as well as emotional storms, and even “compassion-related” storms.

And now, as much as winter storms are raging at this time, we are again seeing echoes of those other types of tempests as well, as the Omicron gale rampages on, and as we commemorate so many losses, one of whom was the legendary Betty White, who departed from this world just before her 100th birthday, as did Prince Philip last year just before his 100th birthday.

As this trecena gets underway at this time, as we brace for more winter storms, we can keep in mind that this was seen, traditionally, as a strong water-oriented time frame, a period thought of in ancient lore as being under the auspices of Tláloc, the Aztec god of rain (known as Chac to the Maya). Chac was seen as a deity who often announces his presence in dramatic, sometimes highly tempestuous ways. This often manifests as a highly catalytic energy traditionally associated with clouds, lightning, thunder, and heavy rainfall that has the potential to create either a “water blessing” that can purify and transform, or set off some sort of complete disaster as it did last year when Super Typhoon Surigae hit the Philippines.

In March of 2014 the first day of this trecena saw a dramatic storm cloud roll in over Sydney, Australia, in a huge “wave” that dumped 30mm of rain in just 30 min., causing buildings to shake. When this trecena returned later that year it brought “the worst snowstorm in recorded history” to the New York area, with snow so deep and heavy that many roofs collapsed under the weight. One cycle later, in 2015, Supertyphoon Soudelor slammed into Taiwan under this One Kawak influence just as the raging storm Hilda was turning into a hurricane and quickly building into Cat. 4 strength before heading towards Hawaii. And then there was Hurricane Katrina and the inundation of New Orleans in 2005 during the last three days of this time frame.

But as much as there have been many intense storms during this energy frame, the catalyzation process triggered by Chac can take many forms. In 1944, for example, it brought forth the greatest amphibious invasion in history, on a day now referred to as D-Day, as allied forces landed in Normandy on the life-oriented mid-point of this trecena, marking the beginning of European liberation. In 2017 President Obama delivered his poignant farewell address as president on the third day of this period. During this trecena the following year the dumpster’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort was arraigned and sent to jail over witness tampering and other charges, including obstruction of justice. In 2019 hearings related to the dumpster’s first impeachment took place during this period, with Michael Cohen’s seven hours of detailed testimony unfolding on the first day of this time frame. That was seen as a “pivotal moment”, a key inflection point in that investigative process.

This is an energy frame that is often fueled by passion and compassion, often oriented around significant causes, as seen in the summer of 1963 when it triggered the first national integrated civil rights march in U.S. history. Last year the focus was on the Black Lives Matter movement, with the trial and conviction related to the death of George Floyd coming to its conclusion on the fourth day of this time frame.

And then there is the pandemic, now going into its third year. Just to provide a little perspective we can see that one year ago the global number of cases was about 85.5 million, with over 21 million in the U.S., 10.3 million in India, and just over 2.6 million in both the U.K. and France. By the time this trecena came into place in April the daily case numbers had climbed significantly, with the global number at over 141 million by then, with over 32 million in the U.S. At that time India was reporting record high numbers of daily new cases, which Prime Minister Modi referred to as a “storm of infections” as India set new global records for several days in a row for the most new infections in a single day, reaching 386,880 new infections on the final day of this period. By then they had registered close to 19 million new cases overall.

Now, as this Kawak trecena begins, we find the global total reaching 290 million cases, with the US total close to 56 million, India close to 35 million, the U.K. over 13 million, both France and Russia over 10 million each, and even a research station in the Antarctic hit by a Covid outbreak. Close to 5.5 million people have died from it over the past two years. Astronomically high daily numbers of new cases have been posted over the past few days, with almost 566,000 new cases registered in the U.S. three days before this current trecena began. France has posted over 200,000 new cases for several days in a row. The forecast is that a “tsunami” of Omicron cases is coming (already hitting Europe). So it seems that this is the kind of storm that will be predominant this time through this Kawak time frame.

Nevertheless, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, chief of the World Health Organization, has expressed optimism that the coronavirus pandemic will be defeated in 2022, IF countries work together to contain its spread. “If we end inequity, we end the pandemic,” he said. The WHO has set a goal of vaccinating 70% of the population of all countries by July of this year to bring an end to the pandemic. We have the means, he points out, but the question remains – will people have the will? Everything is still in flex and as the world’s population heads towards eight billion people, it remains to be seen how we will work our way through all this. Although more and more people are realizing that everyone needs to do their part, in order to bring this pandemic to an end, many more still need to step up to the plate to assume greater responsibility for the care and welfare of the whole. There is no doubt that this trecena will bring more tears and more storms, but hopefully it will also trigger compassion – the kind of deep compassion that can lead to the kind of catalytic action required to bring about the changes that are so greatly needed. Here are the energies that are coming into place:

One Kawak (Jan. 2nd, 2022) – the “initiation” of a “catalytic storm”, in conjunction with the New Moon (the first of two new moons this month), on the 119th Gregorian birthday of Japanese supercentenarian Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest verified living person.

As Queen Elizabeth begins her Platinum Jubilee year, this day marks one cycle since the funeral last April for Prince Philip at Windsor Castle, with limited attendance, due to the pandemic. This is also a Maya Calendar anniversary of the birth of Diana, Princess of Wales, 85 Tzolk’in cycles ago, and a Maya Calendar anniversary of the energy in place when King Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon in 1509. One Kawak was also in place at the time of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to three children in the parish of Fatima in Portugal, the first of six such appearances over a five month period in 1917.

2 Ajaw (Jan. 3rd) – a dynamic type of energy aligned with the full sun, full power, and the idea of “enlightenment”, coinciding at this time with the peak of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower, apparently one of the strongest meteor showers of the year. On this day Comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard), discovered a year ago as of this date, will make its closest approach to the Sun. This is environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s 19th Gregorian birthday.

Two cycles since masks become mandatory in all enclosed public spaces in France.

3 Imix (Jan. 4th) – the “activation” of “birth” or the realm of all potential, coinciding with the deadline date for employer vaccine requirements in the US (a mandate announced last September).    This is World Braille Day which has been celebrated since 2019 and is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for the blind and visually impaired.

4 Ik’ (Jan. 5th) the “defining” of wind/breath/spirit; an important energy associated with the connection between the sun and the wind oriented deity known as Quetzalcoatl/ Feathered Serpent.  This is one of the five energies at the centre of the Aztec Sun Stone.

One cycle since the conclusion of the “powderkeg” trial in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd.

This is the opening day for the gigantic (and influential) Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, “The Global Stage for Innovation” in consumer technologies (that goes through to Jan. 7th), that will showcase over 2200 exhibitors. This will be open for fully vaccinated visitors, but also includes digital access.

This is also the opening day for China’s spectacular 38th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, the world’s largest of its kind.

5 Ak’b’al (Jan. 6th) – the “pinpointing” of deep esoteric mysteries, five cycles since the House Judiciary Committee formally began gathering proof of obstruction of justice, corruption, and abuses of power with regard to the dumpster’s administration.

On this current Jan. 6th day members of Congress will participate in a “solemn observance” day of reflection and remembrance to mark one year since the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol, which will include a sharing of reflections and a prayer vigil on the Capitol steps, at the same time as the dumpster, in Florida, continues to spew forth his vile rants and falsehoods. Ten days earlier Representative Cori Bush and 54 other Democrats called on the House Committee on Ethics to investigate, and issue a report on, “whether any and all actions taken by members of the 117th Congress who sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution . . . . should be removed”.

This energy is also coinciding with Twelfth Night, traditionally a day of “feasting and
merriment” as Christmas trees are taken down. In the Christian tradition this is Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, a concept that pertains to the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality, or a sudden revelation, as in the appearance of Christ to the Magi.

6 K’an (Jan. 7th) – a “six directions” type of energy aligned with “youthful vitality”, coinciding at this time with Coptic Christmas Day in Egypt, and Orthodox Christmas (“Old Christmas Day”), a public holiday in many eastern European traditions at the beginning of a festive week. The Coptic Church recognizes Jan. 7th as the day when Jesus was born.

This is the 7th Gregorian anniversary of the dreadful attack on Charlie Hebdo journalists and cartoonists in Paris (called “the darkest day in the history of the French press”).

This is the day when the dumpster may be required to sit for a deposition in the civil case brought against him by New York’s Attorney-General. This marks four cycles exactly since the 6 K’an day in 2019 when New York’s Department of Financial Services (that fined Deutsche Bank $425 million in early Jan. 2017) served the Trump organization’s longtime insurance company with an expansive subpoena, the first step in an extensive investigation of insurance policies and claims involving the dumpster’s family business. This also marks three cycles since the publication of A Warning which offered “an unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of the Trump presidency”, written by an anonymous senior administration official who wrote a scathing op-ed article for WAPO in September of 2019, titled “I am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration”. This was taking place at the same time as the impeachment hearings over the dumpster’s attempt to coerce the president of the Ukraine.

This day marks two years since France confirmed Europe’s first case of COVID-19. But now France is registering extremely high case numbers– over 232,000 on New Year’s Eve, and over 123,000 people had died in that country by then.

7 Chikchan (Jan. 8th) – a self-generating Liberation/Lifeforce type of energy, coinciding at this time with Venus at inferior conjunction as it transitions from Evening Star to Morning Star (Jan. 8-9). This energy was seen traditionally as the daysign of Chicomecóatl, the Aztec Goddess of agriculture (especially maize) which was representative of the more positive aspects of this time frame, with its potential for providing conditions that are favorable for bringing forth nourishment.

This would have been Elvis Presley’s 87th Gregorian birthday and David Bowie’s 75th Gregorian birthday. In Vancouver this is the day of the 7th annual Bowie Ball, celebrating the life and legacy of David Bowie, a fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation, which was virtual last year.

On this day there will be a memorial service in Nevada for Harry Reid, the former US Senate Majority leader, the third longest-serving Majority Leader in the history of the US Senate. One of his major achievements was shepherding the Affordable Care Act through Congress to get it passed. Barack Obama will deliver the eulogy.

In 1944 the greatest amphibious assault in history, known as D-Day, took place under this influence, marking the beginning of European liberation near the end of World War II.

8 Kimi (Jan. 9th) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with “death” or “absolute spiritual foundations” coinciding at this time with legendary folk singer Joan Baez’s 81st Gregorian birthday, and the 40th Gregorian birthday for Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

9 Manik’ (Jan. 10th) – an “outwardly projecting” type of energy associated with reciprocity, a Maya calendar anniversary of the energy that was in place when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his memorable “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial during the first national integrated civil rights march in the U.S., the largest civil rights rally in U.S. history.

Currently this is the sixth Gregorian anniversary of the death of David Bowie, and the 102nd Gregorian anniversary of the founding of the League of Nations, the first worldwide governmental organization with a mission to maintain world peace.

In China this is currently the day of the Buddhist oriented Laba Festival, when memorial ceremonies are held to pray to ancestors and deities for good fortune.

10 Lamat (Jan. 11th) “foundational bright star” – a foundational “signalling” type of energy, now in place at the approx. heliacal rising of Venus. This day marks two years since China announced the first death from COVID-19. It also marks two Calendar Rounds (2 x 52 years) since the 1918 Representation of the People Act came into effect that extended the vote to 8.4 million women in the UK over the age of 30.

This day marks two cycles since the start of the Fairy Creek logging blockade just north of Sooke on Vancouver Island in 2020, an effort to protect one of the last stands of old growth forest from logging. More than 1,100 people have been arrested so far for this effort, during what has become the largest act of civil disobedience in Canada’s history.

It has been four cycles exactly since the US House of Representatives first passed a sweeping anti-corruption and government ethics package, known as For the People Act 2019 (H.R. 1, 2019) which was designed to expand voting rights, limit partisan gerrymandering, strengthen ethics rules, and fundamentally reshape how elections are run. It was reintroduced in 2021 and passed by the House last March. However, despite the popularity of this bill, it has yet to be passed by the Senate.

11 Muluk (Jan. 12th) – the “change” in conjunction with “water” energy that has brought forth many very intense water related events, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Six cycles ago this was the energy in place when the fast moving Hurricane Nate reached hurricane strength in the Gulf of Mexico, before making landfall near the Mississippi Delta two days later. Three cycles ago, in Nov. 2019, this 11 Muluk energy brought storms of “biblical proportions” that swept through France, Greece, and Italy, triggering landslides, flash floods, and black-outs. Two cycles ago there were widespread floods in Kerala, India, and one cycle ago (April of last year) Super Typhoon Surigae explosively intensified into a bomb cyclone under this influence, near the Aleutian Islands. Keep your galoshes handy for this one!

12 Ok (Jan. 13th) – a “grouping together” energy associated with love, warmth, and guidance – and sometimes even fire, one cycle since the Parker Solar Probe (launched in 2018) “touched the sun” when it entered the solar atmosphere by flying through the sun’s corona.

This day marks two years since the WHO reported a COVID-19 case in Thailand, the first outside China. This was also when a reliable test for the coronavirus was first made available (developed by scientists at the department of virology at Berlin’s Charité university hospital with help from experts in Rotterdam, London and Hong Kong).

13 Chuwen (Jan. 14th) – “transformational monkey” or “transformational play”, an intense and highly creative “time weaving” type of energy, sometimes referred to as “Thirteen Threads”; a powerfully innovative type of force traditionally aligned with play, creativity, “time-weaving”, and even (at times) intense “trickery”. This is the kind of energy that can sometimes prompt one into thinking differently or trying out new possibilities, as was in place, amusingly (or not), at the time of the swearing in of the so-called 45th US president seven tumultuous cycles ago.

Currently this the first day of India’s Makar Sankranti festival, a Hindu astrological “holy phase of transition” event that marks the end of winter solstice period and the return of the sun – and light – and wisdom. One of the main activities during this festival is kite flying by day to send prayers to the Lord Sun, and the flying of stunning sky lanterns by night, in order to send hopes and aspirations skyward.

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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.]