With snow and ice everywhere, blustery weather, power outages, and severe wind chills in many regions, these are the kinds of conditions that often cut things right back to the basics, fitting right in with Kimi’s call to “pause and regroup”. And certainly when the snow is a foot or more deep outside and/or you are digging for lanterns and blankets, dealing with basics such as heat and light becomes the priority.

But these kinds of challenges can pale in comparison with what was happening two cycles ago when the southeastern U.S. and several Caribbean islands were attempting to cope with the devastating effects of three strong hurricanes, at the same time as Mexico was dealing with the aftermath of both Hurricane Katia and an 8.1 earthquake. One cycle before that, in December of 2016, the survivors of Super Typhoon Nock-ten (the most intense tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines in 56 years) began this trecena by surveying the ruins of homes, villages, and livelihoods as they struggled to assess their losses. Indeed, some of history’s largest storms have taken place during this trecena, including the humungous Carrington solar superstorm event of 1859 that impacted Earth, and Superstorm Nuri that slammed into Alaska’s Aleutian Islands in 2014. This Superstorm not only changed the course of the jet stream but also created a massive polar vortex that brought freezing temperatures to Canada and the lower 48 states throughout the trecena, in the first big chill of that winter.

And it isn’t just weather systems that have shifted foundations during this period. During the last appearance of this trecena (last May) the earth literally shifted on the Big Island of Hawaii as molten lava from the eruption of Kilauea displaced thousands of people whose homes had to be abandoned due to the volcano’s outflows. Although this eruption lasted for three months, inundating over 35 square kilometers of land, it was particularly intense during the Kimi trecena.

While it doesn’t look like there are any hurricanes on the horizon, millions of people certainly will have severe winter weather to contend with during this period as other storms are on their way. But even though there may be little choice but to hunker down at this time, there are many places when the emphasis will actually be on “getting down to the basics of having a good time”, as this trecena is bringing in the start of carnival seaon in many locations including Nice, Venice, and New Orleans. So, with a bit of digging out, and perhaps flying out, those are places where respite could be found if all that snow gets to be too much!

It might also be helpful to remember that in the context of the challenges that are having to be faced, whether one wants to or not, these are the kinds of things that can force people to “step back” and regroup, possibly even triggering the creation of new foundations for action, setting the framework for the process of restoration and renewal. Most certainly the energies of this “foundational” trecena were in play during the summer of 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles between Germany and the Allies was signed, after the conclusion of World War I. And a little over two years ago there was tremendous hope generated at the end of this Kimi trecena through the signing, by 175 nations, of the historic climate change accord. At that time UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called it “a moment in history . . . . a new covenant with the future”.

As this trecena comes into being just on the cusp of the day when yet another government shutdown is looming in the US, and at a time when quite a number of people are declaring their intent to become contenders in the 2020 presidential race, it seems that there are new developments in the works on many fronts, so there will likely be quite a bit of “shifting of gears” taking place during this period. Keeping in mind that the intense forces within this trecena can often trigger significant changes in state or mark the ignition of whole new ways of thinking, it will be interesting to see what develops.

Keep in mind that Kimi represents a key genesis point for regeneration, and along these lines this trecena begins and ends with important “spirit-oriented” energies that can call for attention. At this time, in addition to the situation noted above, the first day of this trecena at this time coincides with Valentine’s Day, which, in itself, can be a “game changer”, or “world shifter”, or genesis point. And if there isn’t enough sparkle at that time there will be by the end of the trecena as 13 Etz’nab’ can often bring the kind of flash and dazzle that can push forward important transformational forces. Again, this is a time frame that can bring things “back to basics” so that restoration and renewal can begin.

As always, this is an excellent time to review one’s overall “state”, to clean out whatever is not wanted or needed, to give concerted thought to what IS wanted, and to set up new foundations for what you want to rejuvenate or bring into your life. During this time these are the energies that will come into play:

1 Kimi (Feb. 14th) – the “initiation” of “death/return to Source” foundations, coinciding at this time with the 28th Women’s Memorial March which will be held in Vancouver, in memory of missing and murdered indigenous women, a march that also draws attention to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual issues that many vulnerable women still face today.

This energy is coming in just hours after the House Judiciary Committee in the U.S. passed the first major gun violence prevention legislation since 1993. Further, this is the day when the U.S. Senate votes on the controversial William Barr nomination for Attorney-General, and the day when Congress will vote on the bipartisan bill to avert yet another U.S. government shutdown..

As this is also Valentine’s Day, when love is in the air, this is a good time to send deep source-centred love to the above-mentioned women and to ALL who are in need of warmth and kindness – including the four leggeds and winged ones who are facing difficult challenges in severe winter weather.

2 Manik’ (Feb. 15th) – a dynamic type of energy aligned with the idea of reciprocity, on the opening day of the 10-day Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg, Western Canada’s largest winter festival, which includes an international snow sculpture symposium where huge art works are created from blocks of snow.

This is one of two Parinirvana or Nirvana Days, celebrating the day when Buddha was said to have achieved Nirvana or full enlightenment (the other date celebrated by some Buddhists, was Feb. 8th).

Maya birth energy of celebrity chef/ television personality Anthony Bourdain, considered to be “one of the most influential chefs in the world”, whose departure from this world took place on the tenth day of this trecena last June.

3 Lamat (Feb. 16th) – the “activation” of the “bright star” heralding energy, often aligned with leadership, coinciding at this time with the public holiday in North Korea called The Day of the Shining Star, an anniversary of the birthday of Kim Jong-il, the father of Kim Jong-un. This is also the opening day of the Nice Carnival, one of the largest in the world, and the start of the spectacular Carnevale Di Venezia (Venice), one of the most famous in the world. This is also the day of the Take Back the Vote March on the National Mall in Washington DC.

4 Muluk (Feb. 17th) – a “defining” day associated with the shape-shifting energy of water, one of the five energies at the centre of the Aztec Sun Stone, on the final day of the Quebec Winter Carnival.

5 Ok (Feb. 18th) – the “blessing of love”, also associated with fire, protection, guidance, and justice brought in, in the early dawn, by a Venus-Saturn conjunction. At this time this energy coincides with Family Day in several Canadian provinces (B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan) and Louis Riel Day in Manitoba; also President’s Day in the U.S.

Four cycles ago under this influence the Canadian Supreme Court unanimously declared that the federal government has constitutional responsibility for Métis and non-status Indians, thereby giving recognition to their rights (a landmark ruling that constitutionally protects the rights of Métis and non-status Indians).

Maya birth energy of Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jaques, who is currently on his
first space mission aboard the ISS, conducting experiments and demonstrations in space and providing information for schools and other organizations before returning to Earth in June.

6 Chuwen (Feb. 19th) – a “six directions” type of energy aligned with creativity and play, but sometimes associated with the unexpected, this time in conjunction with the Full Snow Moon (aka the Storm Moon), the second of three Supermoons in 2019. This full moon coincides with the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, on the 15th and final day of Chinese New Year. This is the time when special sweet dumplings (called yuanxiao) resembling the shape of the full moon are eaten, and lanterns are lit to facilitate the return of light. Taiwan celebrates its Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival at this time.

This was the energy in place in 2014 when the European Space Agency successfully landed Philae on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in the first-ever controlled landing on a comet nucleus. Currently this is the day of the release of former FBI deputy-director Andrew McCabe’s new book called “The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump“, in which he portrays Trump as a “mob boss”.

7 Eb’ (Feb. 20th) – a “self-generating stream-of-consciousness” type of energy; a revitalizing force located in the fertile “mid-point” in this trecena; sometimes a turning point towards the opening up of new possibilities. Maya birth energy of Robert F. Kennedy. Sir Sidney Poitier’s 92nd Gregorian birthday. Two cycles since Hurricane Maria reached Cat. 5 strength before bearing down on Puerto Rico in 2017.

8 B’en (Feb. 21st) – the “resurrection” of personal authority, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Mother Language Day, a worldwide observance to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity. Opening of the four-day Sex Abuse Summit at the Vatican, where more than 100 senior Roman Catholic bishops from around the world will meet to discuss this crisis which a church historian has called the most serious crisis in the church since the Reformation. At the end of each of these four days the ECA Global Justice Project will respond after the daily briefings are released.

Maya birth energy of Giacomo Puccini, one of the most famous composers of Italian opera (as in the deeply poignant Madama Butterfly).

9 Ix (Feb. 22nd) – an “outwardly projecting” type of energy often associated with deep mysteries coinciding at this time with the opening of Family Gras in New Orleans. Two cycles precisely since Puerto Rico took the full force of Cat. 4 Hurricane Maria.

10 Men (Feb. 23rd) – “foundational higher vision” – a Burner Day aligned with “taking the fire” in conjunction with the “high vision” of the Eagle, coinciding at this time with the Global “March for Zero Tolerance” in Rome, in conjunction with the Summit at the Vatican. This is also general election day in Nigeria (postponed from last week) as well as being a big weekend of Mardi Gras parades in New Orlean.

Maya birth energy of Steve Schmidt, a co-founder of Words Matter. An outspoken anti-Trump strategist and pundit who is also an advisor to Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, who is considering a presidential bid as an independent, Schmidt is currently in a “hot seat” as many feel that such an independent bid would greatly complicate the 2020 presidential race. As 10 Men is a strong energy that has the potential to be quite explosive but can also open up far-reaching possibilities, this will be something to keep an eye on as this situation continues to unfold.

11 Kib’ (Feb. 24th) – an energy that can be either change-oriented or “inspirational” (or both), often aligned with Kib’s orientation around shedding a kind of “first light” on things, coinciding at this time with the final day of the four-day Sex Abuse Summit at the Vatican. The final press event for the ECA Global organization at this time is titled “What’s Next for Survivors, the Catholic Church as the Abuse Crisis.”

Also the day of the 91st Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood, which will go on without a host for the first time in 30 years. More parades in New Orleans on the last day of Family Gras (Mardi Gras will be celebrated in early March).

Maya birth energy of Sen. (and animal rights advocate) Cory
Booker who has recently announced his candidacy for the 2020 presidential race. Maya birth energy of the great singer/songwriter/record producer and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Smokey Robinson, commonly referred to as “The Soul of Motown”, whose 79th Gregorian birthday was just five days before this (on 6 Chuwen). Smokey was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in 2016 for his lifetime contributions to popular music.

12 Kab’an (Feb. 25th) – a “dedication” type of energy associated with movement. Aligned specifically with “Earth movement”, this is often a powerful energy associated with moving new ideas forward. Maya birth energy of Viola Desmond, the Black Nova Scotian businesswoman who challenged racial segregation in 1946, helping to start the modern civil rights movement in Canada. She is the first Canadian woman to be featured on a $10 Cdn bill.

Three cycles since U.S. intelligence agencies released their report that described Russia’s sophisticated cybercampaign that was directed towards discrediting Secretary Clinton and undermining the U.S. democratic process during the 2016 election campaign. It also made the case that Trump was the favored candidate of Putin. Four cycles since the death of super rock star Prince in the spring of 2016.

13 Etz’nab’ (Feb. 26th) – “transformational flint”, a “heavy-duty” (and often “dazzling”) force for change, coinciding currently with National Cupcake Day, a special fund-raising day for SPCAs and humane societies – a great time to bake, donate, and fund-raise in support of animals in need.

Four cycles since the signing of the historic global accord to fight climate change (the Paris Climate Change Agreement). Maya calendar anniversary of Brazil’s Declaration of Independence in 1822, and Maya calendar anniversary of the day in 1861 when Abraham Lincoln appointed General McClellan to lead the Union Army forces, at the start of the U.S. Civil War. Two cycles since Angela Merkel won her fourth term in Germany’s federal election.

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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.]