“We’re not going back! We’re not going back!”, the new tagline for the Harris-Walz campaign, is picking up steam on a daily basis, and is signalling the enormous burst of enthusiasm for this campaign as it now moves into its first full trecena. Basically it’s saying “Game On!

The timing for the ratcheting up of this campaign is interesting as this is the last trecena in the current 260 day cycle, the trecena that tends to herald change prior to the beginning of a new cycle, often with an emphasis on “leadership”. And a world that is bone-weary of the vile rhetoric, endless deception, and relentless anger that has clogged the U.S. airwaves over the past few years is now primed to push back on all that, and ready to fight for the kinds of human rights and freedoms that will enable hope and joy to return. People want to turn the page on one of the darkest episodes in U.S. political history so that they can get on with the work that needs to be done to effect positive change on many other levels. They also want to laugh and sing and dance again, and with this campaign now gaining traction and the Democratic National Convention straddling the end of this period and the beginning of the next, this trecena will help to open up the pathways that can enable that to happen.

Historically, this trecena was seen as ritualistically significant, with the first day, One Rabbit (the Aztec variant of the first day of this period), thought to have been the date in the distant mythic past when the cosmos was created by the gods. Its importance is reflected by the inclusion of a One Rabbit glyph on a number of monuments and markers, such as the back of the Aztec Coronation Stone.

This energy (known as One Lamat, aka “Star”, to the Maya) was also associated with New Fire ceremonies. Aztec priests conducting New Fire ceremonies (every 52 years) would climb the Cerro de la Estrella (Star Mountain) to conduct New Fire ceremonies in conjunction with the rise of the Pleiades. And although such ceremonies are no longer conducted, it is intriguing to see how so many events associated with renewal have just “naturally” coincided with this energy, at the beginning of this final trecena within the 260-day Tzolk’in cycle.

One Lamat, associated with Venus, was seen as the great celestial “signaller”, an energy that often heralds the need for alertness – as things are in the process of change. One of the major patrons of this trecena was known to the Aztec as Xipe Tótec, the ancient Lord of Renewal and Liberation. The other was Xiuhtecuhtli, the Lord of Fire and Time – a deity connected with time-related change, as in cycle endings. Both of these entities are oriented around the idea of setting the stage for new beginnings. Sudden and dramatic change is not unusual during this period, particularly with regard to conflicts, and with regard to individuals in leadership positions.

The fifth day of this period wil mark five cycles since Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the U.S., in January of 2021, after four years of “spiritual decay and moral decrepitude” fomented by his predecessor (as former Harvard professor Cornel West put it). Indeed, way back in 2016 this trecena sent out all sorts of warnings to the world to “get ready” for the monumental changes that were about to unfold, particularly with regard to the then-forthcoming U.S. presidential election. Even then conflicts within the Republican party were emerging as Trump “declared war” on the GOP establishment, which cowered. Just one cycle after the 2016 presidential election, in 2017, this trecena brought forth massive protest demonstrations in dozens of U.S. cities, in a huge call for the dumpster’s impeachment, with marchers’ signs signalling sentiments such as “Illegitimate, Corrupt Puppet”, and “Worst President Ever”.

In the deeper past this is the trecena that was in place in 1918 when Russia’s Czar Nicholas and his family were executed by Bolshevik troops, at the beginning of this time period, after being removed from Imperial power and held in captivity for several months. Thirty-five years later this energy brought forth the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, on the first day of the same trecena that saw the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I in 1559 (the two coronations were only five Maya calendar days apart). Seven years after Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation that same One Lamat energy saw John F. Kennedy give his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention (1960) after winning the Democratic nomination for president. In 2013 the inauguration of Pope Francis I coincided with One Lamat, with a large open air mass in St. Peter’s Square, and two cycles ago China’s president Xi Jinping was sworn in for an unprecedented third term as the leader of China.

In terms of this trecena as a whole, this is a time period that has precipitated a number of important “world shifting” events in the past, including the discovery of gold in California in 1848; the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, followed by the unconditional surrender of Japan at the end of World War II; the passage of the Civil Rights Act in the U.S. in 1957; the completion of the deconstruction of the Berlin Wall in 1990; the storming of Baghdad by U.S. forces in 2003; and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Three cycles ago this trecena not only brought forth the “bombshell” overturning of “Roe vs. Wade” by the US Supreme Court, which traumatized millions, but also brought forth some of the most “eye-opening” testimonies in the Jan. 6th Committee’s public hearings, which vividly provided insight into the inner workings of the insurrection scheme. Two cycles ago this trecena saw several major bank failures in the US, and significant evidence was released relating to the billion-dollar defamation lawsuit against Fox News, revealing the chaos inside that organization pertaining to the 2020 election.

The last time this was in place, last November, progress was being made in terms of the release of hostages in Gaza, as releases took place on both sides over several days during this time period, as a ceasefire was in place. At that time the focus of world attention was on the humanitarian crisis that was unfolding in Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll surpassing 14,000 people (including over 5,800 children), with another 33,000 wounded, after Israel’s pummeling of Gaza. Tragically, however, the ceasefire did not last and even now there are at least 110 hostages still unaccounted for. Current tallies reveal that by now some 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza, more than 10,000 are missing, and over 91,000 have been wounded. Hundreds of thousands of malnourished people are still being shuffled from place to place, with nowhere safe to go, as Israel continues its attack. The world is being reminded at this time that, at the very least, there needs to be a return to the kind of ceasefire that was in place one cycle ago, as a starting point for putting an end to this horrific situation. It remains to be seen as to whether the leadership needed to accomplish this challenging task will make itself known during this period. It also remains to be seen how Iran and Lebanon respond to recent Israeli attacks, as there have been vows of retaliation that could open up new fronts in the Israeli wars.

With many powerful energies in play during this important transitional period, this is a timeframe that tends to signal what lies ahead, setting the stage for the new directions and new beginnings that will come more fully into force during the following trecena. Significant Asian festivals such as Obon, The Hungry Ghost Festival, and Vietnam’s Vu Lan festival are all taking place during this period, with an emphasis on communicating with ancestors, and appeasing them or providing guidance or assistance to them in order to symbolically guide lost souls in the afterlife.

This is also a particularly good time to set the stage for personal new beginnings, an excellent time to work with this trecena’s energies to “signal” your intentions as you work to make whatever adjustments might be needed to address shifting new realities. This is a great time to work with those “deities of renewal” who oversee this trecena – the Lord of Renewal and Liberation and the Lord of Fire and Time – who will be helping to set the foundations for the changes that will come. Here are the energies that will be in place at this time:

1 Lamat (Aug. 8th) – the “initiation of leadership”, a heralding type of energy that can point towards change or new directions, coming in less than two days after Vice-president Kamala Harris announced that Governor Tim Walz is her pick for a running mate for the US presidential elections.  In the distant past this was the energy (known to the Mexica as One Rabbit) that often coincided with New Fire ceremonies, associated with renewal. But even in contemporary times many important events associated with regeneration have taken place on One Lamat, as seen in 2018  when US House Democrats voted overwhelmingly to nominate Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Five cycles ago preparations were underway for Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th president of the US, which took place on the fifth day of this period, and now Democrats are forging full-steam ahead with the Harris-Walz campaign.

Indeed, this energy has often been an important marker point in terms of leadership in world history. George Washington was selected to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army under this influence in 1775, and Queen Elizabeth II’s elaborate coronation took place under this influence in 1953 – echoing the fact that the Aztec version of this energy (known as One Rabbit) was carved into the Aztec Coronation Stone.

In 1960 this was in place at the time of John F. Kennedy’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention after winning the Democratic nomination for president. In 2013, One Lamat coincided with the inauguration of Pope Francis I. Back in the year 1800 it was a One Lamat day when then-General Napoleon began leading his army across the Alps in his Second Italian campaign.

Three cycles ago this was in place at the time of the dissolution of Israel’s coalition government, when a new election was called, setting the stage for the return to power of former prime minister Netanyahu several months later. Even then this was highly problematic as this move was soon followed by intense protests against him, as could be seen two cycles ago (in March of 2023) with demonstrators often calling him the “Crime Minister”, referring to his indictments for breach of trust, accepting bribery, and fraud, as well as his plans to overhaul Israel’s judiciary. Since then he has been responsible for horrific war crimes, including horrendous crimes again humanity, relating to Gaza and other atrocities, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for him.

Currently this is the 50th Gregorian anniversary of the day when President Nixon announced his resignation, in a nationally-televised speech to the nation, shortly after the “smoking gun” tapes were released. He gave his letter of resignation to the Secretary of State the following morning.

Note that at this time there may be a risk of tornadoes, which tend to go hand-in-hand with the energy of Lamat. And indeed, tornado warnings have been issued for some areas that are due to experience the continuing impact of Tropical Storm Debby that is heading north through the U.S. east coast.

The last time this was in place it was announced that a deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas to exchange some 50 Israeli hostages for some 150 Palestinian women and children that had been held by Israel, along with a brief ceasefire. But now, one full cycle later, more than 100 hostages still have not been released.

2 Muluk (Aug. 9th) – the “dynamic shape-shifting” energy of water, coinciding at this time with the 50th anniversary of the day when President Nixon submitted a signed letter of resignation, becoming the only U.S. president to resign from office. He did so because he faced “almost certain impeachment” and removal from office, over the Watergate scandal.

Three cycles ago this was in place when the Jan. 6th Committee held its fourth public hearing, which focused on the dumpster’s alleged efforts to unduly influence state legislators and election officials. Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger and one of his top aides were called in to testify. In March of 2018 this was also in place when thousands of students participated in the National School Walkout Day protests across the US, to spur action on gun control. And now the Harris-Walz team has vowed to make this a priority during their administration.

Currently this is National Peacekeepers’ Day in Canada, in honour of more than 125,000 Canadian peacekeepers who have served in dozens of international efforts over more than six decades. In addition, this is the UN’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, with this year’s theme being: “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge”.

This is also the release date for an acclaimed new documentary, called Sugarcane, described as an “epic cinematic portrait of a community during a moment of international reckoning”, about the groundbreaking investigations into the devastating abuses that took place over decades in Indian residential schools run by the Catholic church in Canada.

In India this is Naga Panchami – a Hindu festival when snakes are given milk and rice, and worshipped with flowers and sweets, to ward off evil.

3 Ok (Aug. 10th) – a Burner Day representative of the “activation of fire” (or heart-fire), marking one cycle since the first release of hostages in Gaza. Unforunately there are still at least 110 hostages still unaccounted for, including two small children.

This is the day of China’s Double Seventh Festival (aka the Qixi or Qiqiao festival), also seen as Chinese “Valentine’s Day”, or “Young Girls’ Festival”, associated with romance. It is also World Lion Day, a day to raise awareness about lions and to garner support for their conservation.

This was Nelson Mandela’s Maya birth energy, and the Maya birth energy of Argentinian surgeon Rene Favaloro, the doctor who performed the first bypass surgery, changing heart treatment forever.

4 Chuwen (Aug. 11th) – a “defining” day associated with creativity (and sometimes mischief); a “time-weaver” type of energy that can be quite eventful, coinciding at this time with the final day of the Summer Olympics. A closing ceremony will be held at the Stade de France, the country’s national stadium, which will be transformed into a concert hall for this event, which will feature hundreds of performers, acrobats, dancers, and circus artists. French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre will be one of the performers. Apparently Tom Cruise will be skydiving into the Stadium, where he will be joined by other Hollywood celebrities and sports champions.

Four Chuwen tends to be an energy that can “weave events together” in often unusual ways, as will happen with that Olympics closing ceremony. Five cycles ago this was in place on the last day of what many refer to as “the worst presidency in history”, as factcheckers have reported that the dumpster told an average of some 4,000 lies per month during his time in office, with the biggest of all being the BIG one about the results of the 2020 election. That was the day when Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock were certified as the winners of the Georgia Senate elections, which gave the Democrats control of the Senate in Washington, making it evenly split, giving Vice-President Kamala Harris a tie-breaking vote, whenever needed. On that day then-President-elect Joe Biden held a lighting ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, just before he was sworn into office, in memory of the 400,000 people in the U.S. who had died from Covid by that point.

This is the Maya birth energy of both David Bowie and Tuna Turner.

5 Eb’ (Aug. 12th) – a “precision” type of energy associated with restorative vitality, at the peak of Perseids Meteor Shower, the most anticipated one of the year. This was the energy in place in January, 2021 at the time of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th US president, and Kamala Harris as the first female Vice-President, with rays of sunlight coming through to illuminate them. That was the 60th Gregorian anniversary of the day when Pres. John F. Kennedy took his oath of office in 1961 as the 35th president, when President Kennedy gave his famous “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” speech.

That day in 2021, when Joe Biden became the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, was a Maya Calendar anniversary of the energy that was in place in 1775 when George Washington formally received his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the army during the Revolutionary War (after being selected for this on One Lamat).

Three cycles ago (in June of 2022) major protests erupted in many parts of the US after the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in a 5-4 ruling, ending a 50-year constitutional right that allowed women to make their own decisions about their own bodies. It was seen as a “decision heard around the world”.

Currently this is the UN’s International Youth Day, with this year’s theme being: “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”

It is also World Elephant Day – a good time to remember these amazing beings that are in need of help in many places on this planet. The World Elephant Day website lists many ways in which people can help. A list of specific things that can be done are shown on their “How to Help Elephants” page.  The theme this year is “Personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance, and environmental importance.”

6 B’en (Aug. 13th) – representative of “personal authority everywhere”, marking five Tzolk’in cycles since President Biden unveiled a comprehensive Covid strategy, the day after he assumed office in 2021. On that day he also signed 10 more executive orders and invoked the Defense Production Act in order to increase the supply of vaccine-related materials and ramp up testing, after the discovery that the dumpster administration’s so-called “vaccine distribution plan” turned out to be non-existent. On that same day it was reported that many of the dumpster’s “followers” had become severely disillusioned – Qanon believers were in disarray, losing faith, and realizing that they had been “duped” and “sold out” by the dumpster, with Proud Boys calling the dumpster “a total failure”. Since then legions more have finally come to the same realization. Sidney Blumenthal’s latest article provides a good overview of the dumpster’s rise and fall.

Currently this is International Wolf Day, and the first of four days of Obon, the Japanese Buddhist Festival of Souls during which rituals and celebrations are performed to honour the spirits of ancestors. On this first day fires and lanterns are lit to guide spirits home and altars of fruit, incense, and flowers are set up. Ancestral tombs are cleaned and decorated, prayer services are held at temples, and special meals are prepared.

This day also marks 9 cycles since Vladimir Putin was re-elected in Russia, for his fourth term, in 2018. Since then many who have attempted to oppose him have either died mysteriously or have been subject to severe persecution – in addition to the thousands of civilians and tens of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives due to Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and the on-going war, now marking its 900th day.

At this point it has been 11 cycles since 2016 when a monumental climate change deal was finalized under this influence by nearly 200 countries at the UN’s 24th Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland. Unfortunately, not nearly enough has been done to ameliorate the global warming crisis which is posing such a risk to the planet as a whole.

7 Ix (Aug. 14th) – a “self generating transformation” type of energy, often aligned with “magic”, coinciding with the second day of Obon, referred to as Bon Odori, in Japan, a day dedicated to dance and performances related to the ancestors. This is also marking the 77th Gregorian anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.

It has now been one year since a grand jury in Georgia handed up indictments in the Georgia election racketeering case, when the dumpster and 18 others were charges with 41 felony counts. It has also been ten cycles exactly since protesters across the U.S. in dozens of cities held massive rallies calling for the dumpster’s impeachment, in the summer of 2017. As it turned out, they finally got their wish – TWICE, but it took much too long to get there – and was not adequately supported by Republicans. Now, however, with the Harris-Walz campaign in gear, his ousting from the national stage seems imminent, at which time prosecution efforts will click back into gear.

8 Men (Aug. 15th) a “resurrection” type of energy associated with the high vision of the Eagle, coinciding with India’s 77th Independence Day (also referred to as the 78th Independence Day, factoring in the first day of independence in 1947). It is also the 79th Gregorian anniversary of VJ Day, the great celebration of Victory at the end of World War II after the unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan in 1945.

Currently this is the start day for the 43rd Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, which goes to Aug. 25th, which is billed as North America’s largest, longest-running Fringe Theatre Festival, featuring artists from around the world!  In Korea, this is National Liberation Day, the only Korean public holiday celebrated by both North and South Korea.

This marks six cycles since early 2020 when UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement where he said that the coronavirus pandemic has been unleashing “a tsunami of hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-mongering”, as he appealed for “an all-out effort to end hate speech globally.” At that time Guterres called on political leaders to show solidarity with all people, and on educational institutions to focus on digital literacy at a time when extremists were seeking to prey on captive and potentially despairing audiences. Although it has taken a long time, there is a sense now that the tide is finally turning in some places as people are growing weary of hate, bigotry, and terror tactics. Nevertheless, wars are still raging and the “high vision of the Eagle” is still greatly needed as people continue to work towards finding viaable solutions to Earth’s many critical problems.

This is a strong “solar oriented” type of energy which expressed itself quite forcefully one cycle ago when the sun ejected a powerful M9.8 solar flare, which followed several others emitted over the previous couple of days, to create a “Cannibal” CME that triggered large geomagnetic storms felt on Earth shortly thereafter.

9 Kib’ (Aug. 16th) – an expansive, “restoration of order” type of energy, sometimes associated with making “adjustments”, often with long term implications, coinciding with the final day of Japan’s Obon Festival, with the lighting of bonfires and the floating of lanterns to bid spirits farewell (although in some small areas this festival runs from this day to Aug. 18th). In the US this is National Airborne Day, celebrating the  accomplishments of American paratroopers.

This is the Maya birth energy of Maria Branyas Morera, who celebrated her 117th birthday on Mar. 4th. She was declared the world’s oldest person on Jan. 17th last year. It’s also the 46th Gregorian anniversary of the sudden death of Elvis Presley in 1977, which came as a great shock to a whole generation of his admirers. Currently this is the final day of Adele’s epic “Adele in Munich” concert residency, after which she will be taking “time off” to recupe and regroup.

The last time this was in place it coincided with the opening of the COP28 UN climate summit, in Dubai, UAE, at which time some 85,000 participants and more than 150 Heads of State and Government from some 196 countries met to assess progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. This was seen as the first “global stocktake” of the world’s efforts to address climate change, and resulted in a “escape plan” for “a world on fire”, to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels. Click here for further info. COP29 will take place in mid November.

It has now been three cycles since ex-White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson (aide to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows) gave a terrifying first hand account of the situation in the White House before and during the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol, which was extremely valuable to the Jan. 6th investigations. However, that trial is still pending.

10 Kab’an (Aug. 17th) – a foundational type of energy associated with the earth and evolutionary movement, as was in place in 1917 at the time of the October Revolution in Russia – when the Communists (Bolsheviks) came to power. This energy was also in place at the second inauguration of President Lincoln, in 1865, at which time he said: “With malice toward none; with charity for all…let us strive on to finish the work we are in…to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” Compare that to the 10 Kab’an day in 1973 when the first Watergate hearings took place as major insights into Republican chicanery during the Nixon era began to be revealed.

This marks three cycles since Sweden and Finland were formally invited to join NATO. Finland was officially accepted as NATO’s 31st member last year, and Sweden became NATO’s 32nd member in March of this year. At this point 80 days remain until the US presidential election.

Currently this is International Homeless Animals Day (IHAD), a good time to transform a homeless animal’s life for the better by giving them a furever home.

11 Etz’nab’ (Aug. 18th) – an “inspirational flint” (knife-edge) type of force that can be quite decisive, dazzling and attention-getting, a kind of “wake up and pay attention” type of energy, now coinciding with the 104th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, giving women the right to vote. This is coming in on the eve of the start of the Democratic National Convention in the U.S.

This marks two cycles exactly since the International Criminal Court issued an indictment and arrest warrant for Putin for war crimes relating to the deportation of Ukrainian children.

The last time this was in place there were large auroras/geomagnetic storms over the Northern hemisphere, with auroras reported as far south as Greece and Turkey, caused by a powerful M9.8 solar flare, which followed several others emitted over the previous few days, to create a “Cannibal” CME. Even the skies over Mongolia turned deep, blood red – a very rare occurrence.

Currently, in China, this is the day of the Hungry Ghost festival, in the middle of Ghost month, when many people carry protective amulets as they pay tribute to ancestors. Similar festivals are held in other countries, as in Vietnam where a similar festival is seen as a time for pardoning condemned souls.

Known as the Vu Lan festival (from the Sanskrit term “Ullambana”, meaning “deliverance from suffering”), this is also known as the Amnesty of Unquiet Spirits, and people celebrate by participating in religious rituals and engaging in humanitarian activities. One of the rituals includes the releasing of lanterns or lotus flowers into bodies of water. Click here for further information.

12 Kawak (Aug. 19th) – an intense and “dedicated gathering storm/catalyzation” type of energy that can provide a final big PUSH toward enlightenment, coinciding at this time with the UN’s World Humanitarian Day and with the Super Sturgeon “Blue ” Full Moon, unconventionally called a Blue Moon because it is part of a season that contains four full moons instead of three.

This is the start day for the Democratic National Convention in the U.S., where people will be rallying around the Harris-Walz campaign and furthering their plans to win the presidential election in November. This is also National Aviation Day in the U.S. on Orville Wright’s Gregorian birthday, celebrating the development of aviation, at the start of National Aviation week (Aug. 19-25). This would have been Gene Roddenberry’s 103rd birthday.

This is now marking 9 cycles exactly since the massive “March for Our Lives” demonstrations in Washington D.C. and other major cities in the spring of 2018, when some two million people marched across the U.S. in the “largest student protest in American history”, with millions more estimated to have marched throughout the world in support of gun control legislation. Two cycles ago tens of thousands of Israelis were marching in nationwide protests against the Israeli government’s plan to undermine the judicial system. Unfortunately that did not work and Israel is now involved in a particularly vicious multi-front war.

13 Ajaw (Aug. 20th) – “transformational Full Sun”, a day often filled with high drama and great change – and sometimes even great light (enlightenment), at the conclusion of the Imix to Ajaw cycle, now marking 4260 days since the beginning of the current era in the Maya Calendar (from Dec. 21, 2012). The last time this was in place it was reported that a rare solar system with six planets moving in sync with one another was discovered in the Milky Way, estimated to be billions of years old, and 100 light-years away. In 1945 this was the energy in place at the time of the jubilant celebration of VJ Day at the end of World War II after the unconditional surrender of Japan.

Currently this is Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention. And on a ligher note, Taylor Swift wraps up her European Eras tour, at Wembley Stadium in London, at this time after doing 49 shows across Europe. Her tour will continue on after that, in North America, through to Dec. 8th.

This is the Maya birth energy of King Frederick X, of Denmark, who came to the throne at age 55 last Jan. 14th after the abdication of his 83 year-old mother Queen Margrethe. He is one of the youngest monarchs in the world.

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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.]