llumination, transmutation, dualities, ingenuity, practicality . . . . these are some of the threads that tie this trecena together. This is a multifaceted time frame, that often places emphasis on the unexpected, often involving some form of duality, sometimes involving paired events or paired ideas struggling to maintain equilibrium. At this point, of course, this is an enormous challenge for many, as hundreds of thousands of migrating people are in a monumental state of flux and millions of others are in states of high anxiety after the horrific events in Paris last month. But, as world leaders are currently gathered in Paris at this time to address some of the planet’s most pressing issues, there is also hope.

In the past a number of dramatic events have been representative of the push-pull forces that are often in place at this time, some of which have been completely world-shifting, as in the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 that drew attention to issues associated with the building of highly flammable structures on earthquake fault lines, and “9/11” in 2001 which precipitated massive transmutations in national and international security systems.

Sometimes these forces draw people together in dramatic ways around issues of monumental importance, as was seen in 2003 at the time of the world’s largest peace rally (involving millions of anti-war protestors). And now, of course, there is the Paris conference, with its objective being the achievement of a universal agreement on how to deal with climate change to stop the destabilization of our planet, with the agreement to be legally binding for all nations.

In the midst of all this we also have the lead-up to Christmas. For many this is a still a time of excitement and anticipation, as more and more holiday lights come on, and the darkness of early December is punctuated by glittering fantasies in shop windows. Unfortunately, however, this is a season not welcomed by all, as frosty nights and frigid days highlight stark realities that remind us that many are in dire need of food, warmth, and protection. And so the dualities of have and have not, want and want not present themselves in vivid contrast as this trecena brings forth energies that have been seen traditionally as being oriented around important transformations, pushing ultimately towards a changing of conditions so that order can be restored.

Within this energy sequence there are several points of particular importance which may help to provide balance, one of which is 5 Ajaw, coming in on Dec. 6th. Representative of the “blessing of enlightenment”, this is the day in ancient Mesoamerican mythology known as Xochipilli’s birthday, a day aligned with the arts, beauty, and the pleasures of life. This is also the day when the Long Count undertakes a Tun Shift, clicking over to 13.0.3.0.0 (or 0.0.3.0.0 in the new era).

As it happens this day also marks the beginning of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Intriguingly this festival represents the victory of ancient Israelites over the Syrian-Greek army and the restoration of the menorah to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, so in some ways it is very reflective of the bringing forth of illumination in the context of a struggle – much like the nature of this trecena. The menorah is also symbolic of the spreading of Divine light and good works throughout the world, so the timing for this is perfect at this time.

For Buddhists the energy that comes in two days later (on 7 Ik’ – “self-generating spirit”) will be particularly important as this will be Bodhi Day, a commemoration of the day when Buddha attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in 596 BC.

This 7 Ik’ day also marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of John McCrea’s In Flanders Fields, which provides such a poignant reminder of the futility of war.

As the energy of 10 Chikchan comes into place towards the end of the trecena this will coincide with both the final day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris and the New Moon. As this momentus conference winds down, undoubtedly with many important resolutions having been made, this life oriented Burner Day should provide a highly positive push at that time, as this is a force associated with Foundational Lifeforce, Liberation, and Higher Consciousness. Celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad begins in the evening of this day.

So, although there will be struggles during this time frame, and much work to be done, things are lining up to suggest that there will also be great progress. Hopefully, by the end of the trecena the Geminids meteor shower will lend its sparkle to the celebration of accomplishments aligned with the restoration (or even partial restoration) of order on several fronts.

With its emphasis on such things as illumination, ingenuity, vigilance, forgiveness, and even practicality, this Kib’ oriented time frame holds the potential to engender glimmers of light, or even great floods of light, as it provides important opportunities for the formulation of viable approaches to dealing with matters that are critical to this planet as a whole. During this current time frame these are the energies that will come into play:

1 Kib’ (Dec. 2nd) – the “initiation” of the transmutation force that leads towards the restoration of order

2 Kab’an (Dec. 3rd) – a “dynamic” type of energy related to the earth, or “earth movement”, at the time of the planned opening of the First Session of Canada’s 42nd Parliament

3 Etz’nab’ (Dec. 4th) – the “activation” of a sparkling, “knife-edged” type of energy that can dazzle and/or begin a separation process, the day of the speech from the throne after the opening of Canada’s new Parliament

4 Kawak (Dec. 5th) – a “defining” type of energy aligned with “storm”, representative of the sun working together with intense rain, this time in conjunction with Brad Pitt’s New Fire birthday, and the 88th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the world’s longest-serving current head of state. He has been a major unifying force in that country, but with his health now declining many are concerned about the future of the Thai monarchy. Also the opening day for the Lyon Festival of Lights.

5 Ajaw (Dec. 6th) – the “blessing of enlightenment”; 15 cycles since the death of Karol Jósef Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II). In ancient Mesoamerican mythology this was known as Xochipilli’s birthday. At this time Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins at sunset.

6 Imix (Dec. 7th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with “birth”, which can often bring chaos as some new order of being is manifested. The first full day of Hanukkah, at a time when the moon is in conjunction with Venus.

7 Ik’ (Dec. 8th) – “self-generating” wind/breath/spirit, this time in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the publication of  John McCrea’s In Flanders Fields  and Bodhi Day, a commemoration of the day when Buddha attained enlightenment. This particular 7 Ik’ marks the 35th Gregorian anniversary of the death of John Lennon.

8 Ak’b’al (Dec. 9th) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated the “temple” or “house”, and deep esoteric mysteries; the energy under which the first National Women’s Day was celebrated in the U.S. (in 1909).

9 K’an (Dec. 10th) – representative of “outwardly-projecting” longevity in association with germination, this time in conjunction with International Human Rights Day 2015 and the arrival of the first Syrian refugees to Canada. As Leonard Nimoy’s Maya birthday, this energy could also translate as “Live Long and Prosper”.

10 Chikchan (Dec. 11th) – a Burner Day associated with “Foundational Lifeforce, Liberation, and Higher Consciousness”, this time in conjunction with the New Moon, coinciding with the final day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris and the arrival of the second planeload of Syrian refugees to Canada. Mawlid, the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad begins in the evening.

11 Kimi (Dec. 12th) – “inspirational” new foundations, on what would have been Frank Sinatra’s 100th Gregorian birthday. Mexican festival day devoted to Tonantzin, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and end of the Mawlid celebration.

12 Manik’ (Dec. 13th) – a “gathering together” type of energy associated with reciprocity, at the start of the Geminids meteor shower (known as the “king of meteor showers”).

13 Lamat (Dec. 14th) – “transformational star”, an intense “heralding” type of force as the Geminids meteor shower continues to early dawn on this day; World Monkey Day, a day oriented around raising awareness about monkeys and animal rights

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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.]