Do you have a sense that “something” is shifting – that something “big” is waiting in the wings, about to make its appearance? If you do you may be already tapping into the special combination of forces that will be present during the thirteen days of this time frame, the last 13 day period in the current 260-day Imix to Ajaw cycle. This is the Lamat trecena, associated with Venus, the great celestial “signaller”. And, as it happens, Venus is currently shining brightly as the morning star and will continue to do so throughout this important trecena.

Looking back to what happened the last time these energies were in place we can see the very strong influence of Lamat at work, particularly with regard to world leadership. During that time (last spring), there was a flurry of firings and resignations associated with the White House, including the firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and three of his close associates; the firing of national security advisor H.R. McMaster who had concurred with Tillerson that Russia was responsible for such things as the attacks on spies in the UK; the firing of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe; and the resignation of John Dowd, the head of Trump’s legal team.

During this same period Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah survived an assassination attack in Gaza, Peru’s President Kuczynski resigned on the eve of an impeachment vote, after secretly-recorded evidence came to light relating to a huge corruption scandal, and Vladimir Putin won Russia’s presidential election by a wide margin, giving him Russian leadership for another 6 years.

There were also a number of huge demonstrations, such as National School Walkout Day, a nationwide protest that saw students, teachers, school administrators, parents, and others take part in walkouts, sit-ins, and other related actions on school campuses across the U.S. for 17 min. – one minute for each life lost in the Florida school shootings – as they called for tougher gun control laws.

As suggested by these kinds of events, this final trecena of the 260 day cycle has often signalled or brought forth dramatic changes in leadership, with the very first day of this time frame often heralding the direction of the changes that are beginning to take place. This could be seen vividly in the elaborate inauguration of Pope Francis I in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on One Lamat in 2013. It was most certainly evident on the One Lamat day in 1953 when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, and again on the One Lamat day in 2015 when David Cameron’s party won the majority in the U.K. elections. In 1918 it was One Lamat that saw the horrific assassination of Czar Nicholas and his family in Russia, bringing an end to the three-century old Romanov era.

Three cycles ago, in October of 2016, this trecena seemed to be working hard to warn the world to “get ready” for the monumental changes that were about to unfold with the forthcoming U.S. presidential election. Two cycles ago this trecena began with worldwide polls that revealed that the world as a whole distrusted Trump even more than Putin, as Trump’s approval rating in Britain was at just 22% , and down to a low of a mere 5% in Mexico. The global medium rate was just 22%. By the mid point of the trecena at that time huge protest demonstrations in dozens of cities across the U.S. were calling for Trump’s impeachment, with marchers’ signs signalling sentiments such as “Illegitimate, Corrupt Puppet”, and “Worst President Ever”. And now, as this trecena comes into being once again, we have a sense that, as before, huge shifts are in the works. With the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigations soon to be revealed, with the Democrats about to take control of the US House of Representatives (which includes 102 newly-elected women), with significant lawsuits against Trump cleared to proceed (as in the one against the Trump Foundation in New York), and with the recent overturning of a number of White House directives (such as the immigrant asylum ban), the net is tightening and Lamat is getting ready to signal change.

As always this will be a time period that will require close attention, as changes can happen quickly under its influences. “World shifting” events in the past that have coincided with this energy zone include 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 first major Greenpeace event, in 1975; the completion of the deconstruction of the Berlin Wall in 1990; the storming of Baghdad by U.S. forces in 2003; the approval of the sweeping Wall St. reform bill in the U.S. in 2010; and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Three cycles ago (in October 2016) the final day of this trecena – the last day of the cycle – coincided with a massive internet cyber attack that involved the “weaponization” of internet-connected everyday devices, which knocked out access to many of the top internet sites such as Amazon, Twitter, Paypal, and Netflix.

So as we go through this energy zone, marking the completion of this current cycle, it might be important to remember that “sudden change” could happen at any time and could take many forms.

In keeping with its penchant for creating hurricanes and other strong weather systems, this Lamat oriented time frame will likely bring severe weather to a number of areas. But we will likely see some strong leadership as well. After all, this is the time frame that brought the birth of the likes of Wilbur Wright, a pivotal aviation pioneer; Nelson Mandela, a significant anti-apartheid revolutionary; Gloria Steinem, a highly influential social and political activist; and a number of music and entertainment legends such as David Bowie, Prince, Johnny Halliday, and Gord Downie, all of whom were ground-breakers.

Certainly we can already see where strong leadership is needed at this time. Some of that will be in evidence as important international conferences get underway, as in the G20 summit that will take place in Buenos Aires, the first such summit to be hosted in South America, and in the UN’s 24th Climate Change Conference, taking place this time in Katowice, Poland. And then there is the pressing (literally) situation currently at the US/Mexico border with thousands of refugee migrants caught in a dreadful political maelstrom that is going to require a great deal of creative attention to sort out.

As we venture forth through this Lamat trecena it might be a good idea to keep in mind that 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.

Please note that at this particular time there will be a doubling of the numerical forces as the numbers associated with the daysigns are mirrored by the numbers related to the month, with the first day being 1 Lamat 1 Mak, the second day being 2 Muluk 2 Mak, the third day being 3 Ok 3 Mak, and so on. What is happening here is that the numerical forces relating to the Maya month of Mak are exactly parallelling the Tzolk’in days.

The fact that we have this interconnection with the month Mak at this time adds yet another layer of interest, as Mak is often referred to as meaning “to close”. Its patron energy is a deity associated with the winds and rains, as well as communication. So here we have the final trecena in this current Imix-Ajaw cycle, exactly paired (in terms of the numerical forces) with a month associated with “closure”, with all this working in conjunction with Renewal, Liberation, and energies associated with cycle endings. It’s certainly a remarkable – and very rare – line-up of energies that will, no doubt, precipitate some heavy duty events leading up to the “grand finale” on 13 Ajaw. The recommendation would be “head’s up” throughout this “heralding” time frame as there are sure to be many events that will “set the stage” for the new cycle that will follow.

From a personal perspective this would be an exceptionally good time to set the stage for personal new beginnings, an excellent time to work with the trecena’s energies to “signal” your intentions as you work to create the changes that may better serve you – a great time to work with the “deities of renewal” who will be laying the foundations for the changes that will come. Here are the energies that will be in place at this time:

1 Lamat 1 Mak (Nov. 28th) – the “initiation of leadership”, a heralding type of energy that can point towards change or new directions. Intriguingly, this is a time when Venus can be seen in the morning sky in great brilliancy.

One Lamat was the energy in place 100 years ago (as of this past July) when Russia’s Czar Nicholas and his family were executed by Bolshevik troops (on 1 Lamat 1 Sek, very similar in nature to 1 Lamat 1 Mak) 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. Seven years after that this same energy saw John F. Kennedy give his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention after winning the Democratic nomination for president. Fast forward to 2013 and we find the inauguration of Pope Francis I on One Lamat, in an open air mass under blue skies in St. Peter’s Square with heads of state and religious leaders from 132 international governments or organizations, and some 200,000 people in attendance.

Currently this day marks fifteen cycles since the collapse of a huge section of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 2008 that augmented discussion and action concerning global warming. The UN’s 24th Climate Change Conference convenes four days from now.

2 Muluk 2 Mak (Nov. 29th) – the dynamic “shape-shifting” energy of water, as was in place earlier this year at the time of the passing of famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking, four days after his Maya birthday.

Three cycles since U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that he would
no longer defend Trump and would focus on maintaining the Republican congressional majority, at which time Trump “declared war” on Ryan and the GOP establishment.

Gord Downie’s Maya birthday and the energy in place at the time of the death of Elvis Presley in 1977. This day also marks the completion of two Calendar Rounds (2 x 52 years) since the unofficial one day truce during World War I for Christmas, on 2 Muluk 2 Mak G2 (Dec. 25, 1914).

3 Ok 3 Mak (Nov. 30th) – a Burner Day representative of the “activation of fire” (or heart-fire), correlating at this time with Venus at her greatest brilliancy as she heads towards her western elongation. This day marks the end of the Atlantic hurricane season and is the opening day of the G20 summit of world leaders in Buenos Aires, the first to be hosted in South America. However, given Trump’s trade wars with several nations, including China, there are fears that this summit could be much more problematic than originally expected. In Buenos Aires this day has been designated a one-time public holiday, for security reasons, and 22,000 police along with 700 special security agents will be on hand to guard the event.

This marks nine cycles since the announcement that CERN had discovered the Higgs-Boson particle (aka the “God particle”), one of the fundamental forces in the building blocks of matter. Nelson Mandela’s Maya birthday.

4 Chuwen 4 Mak (Dec. 1st) – a “defining” day associated with play (and sometimes mischief); a “time-weaver” type of energy that can be quite eventful, correlating at this time with the UN’s World AIDS Day, with this year’s theme being “Know Your Status”.

Second and last day of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. David Bowie’s Maya birthday (see 13 Ajaw on Dec. 10th re the statue honouring him).

5 Eb’ 5 Mak (Dec. 2nd) – the “blessing” of restorative vitality, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, and the opening of the UN’s 24th Climate Change Conference, this time in Katowice, Poland.

This evening brings the start of Hanukkah, the Jewish “festival of lights” that features the lighting of menorahs over eight consecutive nights.

6 B’en 6 Mak (Dec. 3rd) – representative of “personal authority everywhere”, one cycle since Putin won the Russian presidential election, for his fourth term. At that time most of Putin’s opponents had to battle hard to even qualify as candidates. Two cycles ago Hong Kong’s new leader was sworn in under this influence, at which time Chinese President Xi issued a stark warning that Beijing would not tolerate any challenge to its central authority.

Three cycles ago this energy brought the beginning of Buddhist funeral ceremonies for the long serving King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who died the day before, with thousands gathering to see the procession and participate in late night vigils. Currently this is the day when the body of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush will arrive in Washington to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol prior to his funeral on Dec. 5th at the Washington National Cathedral.

This event is coinciding at this time with the first full day of Hanukkah and with the UN’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This is also the day of the scheduled launch of 64 satellites by Space-X, the day when a new crew (including Canadian David Saint-Jacques) will be welcomed to the ISS, and the day when NASA’s OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to arrive at asteroid Bennu.

At that same time, as the eyes of the world are also on important world-shaping developments taking place in Katowice, Poland, at the UN’s 24th Climate Change Conference, this day marks three cycles since a monumental climate change deal was finalized by nearly 200 countries (in 2016).

7 Ix 7 Mak (Dec. 4th) – a “self generating transformation” type of energy – exactly two cycles since protestors across the U.S. in dozens of cities held huge impeachment rallies, calling for Trump’s impeachment. In 2013 this was the energy in place at the time of South Africa’s national memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

8 Men 8 Mak (Dec. 5th) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with the high vision of the Eagle, on the day of the funeral of former US president George H.W. Bush, on a national day of mourning. Five cycles since SETI investigators heard a mysterious deep space signal.

9 Kib’ 9 Mak (Dec. 6th) – an expansive, “restoration of order” type of energy, sometimes associated with making “adjustments”, often with long term implications, One cycle since the resignation of Peru’s President Kuczynski, on the eve of an impeachment vote, after secretly-recorded evidence came to light relating to a huge corruption scandal, on the same day that Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will be changing the way it shares data with third-party applications, to provide greater security.

This is the opening day for Lyon’s spectacular Festival of Lights and veteran actor Cisely Tyson’s Maya birthday (she will be 94 on Dec. 19th).

10 Kab’an 10 Mak (Dec. 7th) – a foundational type of energy associated with the earth and evolutionary movement, coinciding at this time with the New Moon and a Mars – Neptune conjunction, at the time when the US gov’t could be partially shut down for the third time this year if a funding bill is not passed. In Canada this is the day of the First Ministers’ Conference in Montreal, which is shaping up to be contentious, and in Germany the day when Chancellor Angela Merkel steps down as leader of her CDU party. This is also National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the UN’s International Civil Aviation Day.

11 Etz’nab’ 11 Mak (Dec. 8th) – an “inspirational flint” type of force that can be quite dazzling and attention-getting. In 1325 this energy was in place at the time of the founding of Tenochtitlan, the axis of the Aztec empire. In 1944 an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler under this influence (one of 3 such attempts that year); and in 1955 a young Elvis Presley gave his first professional performance under this influence in his hometown of Tupelo. During the summer of 2012 Venus achieved her greatest brilliance under this influence in conjunction with an “extreme” X1.4 solar eruption.

During the last appearance of this energy the controversial new U.S. steel tariffs went into effect, one day after the US announcement of $50b in tariffs on imports from China. And now, under this intense 11:11 influence, France is bracing for  country-wide protest demonstrations this weekend as people demand further change with regard to a variety of social issues.

12 Kawak 12 Mak (Dec. 9th) – the “gathering storm/catalyzation” type of energy that can provide a final big PUSH toward enlightenment, coinciding at this time with the UN’s International Anti-Corruption Day and the final day of the Lyon Festival of Lights. Veteran actor Kirk Douglas’s 102nd birthday.

One cycle since the huge “March for Our Lives” demonstrations in Washington and other major cities earlier this year, as France currently continues to deal with extreme social unrest. The Maya birth energy of both Gloria Steinem and rock superstar Prince.

13 Ajaw 13 Mak (Dec. 10th) – “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, coinciding at this time with the last day of Hanukkah. This is also the UN’s Human Rights Day, and the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.

This is a Tzolk’in anniversary of the end of the horrific Battle of Passchendale in 1917, and currently 103 cycles since VJ Day in 1945 when the end of World War II was celebrated after the unconditional surrender of Japan. It is also a Tzolk’in anniversary of the awarding of the contract for construction of the Space Shuttles Atlantis and Discovery in 1979. Eleven cycles exactly since the “moment of transition” in Egypt in 2011 when hundreds of thousands waited for the president to step down, and four cycles since more than $13b was raised at the Supporting Syria and the Region conference in London, to address the needs of Syrian refugees. The amount pledged at that time was the largest ever raised for a humanitarian cause.

On the last appearance of this energy Pope Francis called on the world’s youth to continue standing up against injustices, and hundreds of thousands of Agentinians in some 200 cities across the country (an estimated 3.5 million people) took part in the “Great Rally for Life” march to protest against legalized abortion. On that same day a statute called Earthly Messenger was unveiled in Aylesbury, UK, to honour David Bowie, the “Starman” born on a 4 Chuwen (play) day in this Lamat (Star) trecena. As we are currently under the influence of a “double 13” (13 Ajaw 13 Mak) it might be wise to keep in mind that this is a doubling of a highly transformational power, a very rare occurrence. It should be interesting to see what this will bring about.

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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.]