A few weeks ago it did not seem like “joining hands” and gathering together in large forces around the world would be anything that we would see again anytime soon, but as this Manik’ trecena returns this is exactly what we are seeing, despite the global pandemic.

[Click here for the Podcast for this trecena]

This is happening because the need to do so has become greater than the need for self-preservation with regard to the coronavirus, particularly since racism itself is extremely hazardous to health, well being, and life itself. The “greater good” is now something that millions of people are risking their lives to achieve as a poll conducted a few days ago revealed that 80% of voters believe that things are “out of control in the United States”, with people lacking confidence in the destructor-in-chief’s ability to unite the nation. And it is clear that the United States is not the only country where people are willing to take similar risks to achieve justice and equality as massive demonstrations in solidarity with the US protests are now unfolding in many other places.

With all this taking place the Maya concept of a “hand holding the sun” as representive of Manik’ still seems like a perfect symbol for what is going on at the moment, with so many people taking a stand and calling for change, as they emphasize the need for cooperation and for the negotiation of solutions to the massive issues that have led to this moment in time. Indeed, a clenched fist is one of the key symbols of defiance in the context of the massive demonstrations that are currently taking place.

Within this 13-day time frame emphasis is often centered around interactions between differing “forces” that can often involve a struggle between opposing ideas or even ideologies that have to work together to find ways to reach agreement over courses of action.

The theme generally involves Sacrifice and Reconcilation, with some capitulation being required in order to make progress. The idea of a “life or death” encounter between deer and hunter is part of this metaphor, with the deer or stag often used in various Mesoamerican cultures to represent this day. Will the deer surrender its life for some greater good? Will it escape? Will the hunter take unfair advantage? Will the hunter honour the deer’s life and hunt only with a camera rather than a gun? What will be the nature of the negotiation? Will there be sacrifice and reconciliation or just one or the other?

As in the metaphor of the deer and hunter, the nature of the “encounter” that requires resolution during this period is often of a “high stakes” nature, as it was last September when millions of hearts and hands and voices banded together in the call for action under this trecena’s influence to address the global warming crisis.

Eight cycles ago, in 2014, this trecena began with the Umbrella Revolution, the massive pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong. By the ninth day at that time student leaders and government officials agreed to a framework for formal talks, opening the door to a negotiated settlement. Unfortunately it did not last and the protests continued on. Indeed, during the last appearance of this trecena, last September, tens of thousands of people demonstrating across Hong Kong were involved in violent clashes with security forces involving water cannons and teargas. Since then the crisis has even deepened, as China is now in the process of trying to enforce sweeping national security laws in an effort to stamp out protests.

Five cycles ago, in late November of 2016, this was the trecena in place when people were frantically attempting to sort out how to move forward after the “shocking” U.S. election, with large numbers of high level firings and resignations taking place during that time. Four cycles after that (bringing us to last September), Nancy Pelosi made the historic announcement that the House was beginning a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump.

Four cycles ago, in the summer of 2017, this trecena saw major “head butting” between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, involving a blustery “nuclear brinksmanship” exchange of threats. And if that wasn’t enough, horrific racist/anti-racist clashes broke out in Charlottesville, VA that precipitated a state of emergency before order could be regained in that area. At that same time a grand jury in Washington D.C. was just beginning to review the evidence being brought forward by Robert Mueller’s investigative team relating to Russia’s meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

Among other critical standoffs that have taken place during this period can be found the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. At that time the final day of this trecena brought the highest level of warning regarding the nuclear threat from the Soviets, as Soviet submarines in the mid-Atlantic were making their way to Cuba. It was a “game-changing” moment for President John F. Kennedy as this crisis was averted. Other crisis dissolutions that have taken place during this time frame include the dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

As this trecena curently comes into place there are many, many “high stakes” issues in play, with the Covid-19 pandemic still being very high on the list. As this trecena begins over seven million cases have been identified worldwide, including over 2 million in the US, where the death toll has climbed to over 110,000. As this trecena opens it has been 100 days since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in New York and just over 140 days since the first case in the US was confirmed. The implications of the massive demonstrations in the US and worldwide have yet to be revealed, as there is a high possibility that these could have been “seeding” events or “superspreader” events that have yet to take their toll. Already many states are showing substantial increases in the number of cases since people started ignoring social distancing during the Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately efforts are already underway to make more testing sites available to protesters who might be concerned about the risks they are taking.

In response to the race-related, justice system crisis that has erupted in such an encompassing way, House and Senate Democrats have just unveiled a sweeping new Police Reform Bill (termed the “Justice in Policing Act”) that seeks to ban chokeholds, limit “qualified immunity” for police officers, create a national misconduct registry, end the use of no-knock warrants in drug cases and make lynching a federal crime, among other dramatic changes. This proposal is the most dramatic effort to rewrite federal laws on policing in decades, and will be the focus of much discussion as this trecena unfolds.

With Joe Biden having surpassed the number of delegates needed to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination, and being supported by generals such as Colin Powell and other Republicans, he is now cleared to concentrate on winning the forthcoming election and putting plans in place to address the huge number of issues that have been left in the wake of the horror that has attempted to trash the entire US democratic system over the past 3 ½ years.

So yes, the stakes continue to be very high at this time. Differing ideologies will still be highly visible, but it seems that the push to find solutions is now stronger than ever, so it is possible that many important agreements will be made during this time, that could, at the very least, mark key turning points in continuing battles.

Often Three Muluk, the third day, can be particularly consequential, this being the energy that was in place at the time of the death of Princess Diana in 1997, and also at the first inauguration of President Obama in 2009. In 2011 this “Activation of Water” force brought forth the horrendous earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Currently there are several important Calendar Round returns happening on this day, so this could be a day to pay close attention.

The following day is an important 4 Ok Maya “Burner” day. Then Santo Mundo comes in on 8 Ix (June 16th), traditionally seen as a very special Maya day for honouring Mother Earth. Towards the end of the trecena Summer Solstice comes in on 12 Etz’nab’, which is often quite attention getting. And this is followed by the intense 13 Kawak, at the end of this period, that coincides with a New Moon and an annular solar eclipse.

As always, it is never possible to predict the exact nature of the “Sacrifice and Reconcilation” that may unfold during these 13 days. Most certainly the process of finding ways to address the considerable concerns of the people must take high priority at this time, but there is so much to be done that whatever happens will really only amount to a beginning. Considerable give-and-take will be required before any sense of equilibrium will be established. And there are still the issues associated with the pandemic that have to be managed in the midst of everything else. Nevertheless, these is still the possiblity that some unexpectedly positive outcomes could result from respectful cooperation. As this plays out, these are the energies that will come into play:

1 Manik’ (June 9th) – the “initiation of reciprocity”, symbolized by the Moon Goddess working with the Deer/Stag, the “carrier” of the sun on Earth, this time coinciding with the funeral and burial for George Floyd in Houston (the day after the public memorial, also in Houston). A video message by Joe Biden (who met with the family the day before) will be part of the service. This is also World Pet Memorial Day, a special day to remember all the wonderful animal companions that have graced our lives – and all those “out there” who would desperately love to find “furever” homes and people to take care of them.

It has been one cycle since the first ever UN High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on Universal Health Coverage – a landmark summit where world leaders made an “historic commitment” to improve global health through the most “comprehensive international health agreement in history”, and the opening of the UN’s 2019 Climate Action Summit last September.

It has been seven long, gruelling Tzolk’in cycles since Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 election under this influence (see June 16th for the Gregorian anniversary), which (at that time) brought out more of a “head-butting stag” (or hand-wringing) aspect as people reacted in disbelief. Fast forward six cycles to the last time this energy was in place – that was when GOP presidential challenger Bill Weld accused Trump of treason, and stated that death is “the only penalty” for that crime.

It’s been a tough 260 days since then but the tide is turning much more rapidly now as Joe Biden has now officially clinched the nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate even before the West Virginia and Georgia primaries that are taking place at this time. Many other prominent Republicans, such as General Colin Powell, and the group associated with the Lincoln Project have now declared their support for Biden.

2 Lamat (June 10th) – a “dynamic heralding” (or leadership) type of energy, in place as Venus (Lamat) is rising as the Morning Star. In ancient Maya mythology it was thought that this heliacal rise of Venus could be a somewhat menacing time as Chak Ek’, the Maya deity associated with this point in the cycle could selectively throw darts and “cause chaos in the social order”. A delightful little animation related to the Maya myth of the Morning Star can be found in this Ted Talk. Might be a good idea to be cautious in the early morning hours over the next few days.

In Mesoamerican mythology this is the birth energy of an Aztec deity known as Ometochtli (Two Rabbit), associated with pulque, the fermented sap of the maguey plant. Through these connections this day was sometimes seen as being aligned with intoxication. It is also the Maya birth energy of Elvis Aaron Presley.  On this day Prince Philip, the longest-serving royal consort in history, will celebrate his 99th birthday. He was born on an 8 Lamat day in 1921.

3 Muluk (June 11th) – the “activation of water”, often a powerful “shape-shifting” type of force, as was in place at the start of the Cuban missile crisis (in late October, 1962), and also in place at the time of the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997. Maya birth energy of both Mick Jagger and Prince Louis, Diana’s grandson, who was born precisely 29 Tzolk’in cycles after the death of Diana. For Harry Potter fans, this would be his Maya birth energy.

At this time this day marks several important Calendar Round returns as the exact energies that were in place 52 years (less 13 days) ago come back into alignment. Events that took place under this influence, in late June of 1968, include (1) the closure of the human rights-oriented Resurrection City encampment in Washington DC by police, that has been set up (with permission) by Ralph Abernathy and his Southern Christian Leadership Corps as part of a human rights rally in aid of the poor; (2) the St-Jean-Baptiste Day Riots, blamed on Quebecois separatists, that broke out in Montreal during Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s visit; and (3) U.S. President Lyndon Johnson’s request from Congress for a bill requiring the registration of every gun in the United States and the licensing of every individual entrusted to use one.

4 Ok (June 12th) – a “defining” Burner Day representative of fire (or heart-fire), an energy that can often stir the emotions as this is a “double-fire” type of force, coinciding at this time with Russia Day, celebrated annually on June 12th. Russia began lifting some of Moscow’s coronavirus restrictions at the beginning of this month, even though the numbers are still rapidly increasing as the case load in that country approaches 500,000.

This is the day when the institution known as JC Penney kicks off its closing sales to begin the process of closing its 154 stores this summer. And as this is a dog day (Ok), this day is marked as Hairless Peruvian Dog Day.

5 Chuwen (June 13th) – a “precision” oriented energy in combination with play or even mischief (symbolized by a monkey) – and once again the destroyer-in-chief is monkeying around with people’s lives as he insists on giving a graduation speech at West Point Military Academy even though this was criticized as a political move that was too risky during a pandemic. It is also being criticized as being morally reprehensible, as seen in a Letter to the Editor of the Sentinel, in which Robert L. Beard of Carlisle Area Religious Council wrote that the long standing Code of Conduct at West Point is that “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those that do.” Indicating that he has “several friends who are graduates of West Point and they are the embodiment of this code – fine Americans and honorable men. It is tragic that a man who holds none of these values, and is in fact the antithesis of them, is privileged to launch the careers of these wonderful people.” This was posted just as this trecena was coming in.

Since that disgusting announcement in April more than 15 members of West Point’s graduating class tested positive when 1000 cadets were required to return to campus to undergo “detailed testing and quarantine” procedures and to make preparations for something that they had not planned on. US Senator and retired Army helicopter pilot Tammy Duckworth called Trump’s insistence on giving this speech a “reckless decision” that puts future military leaders at risk “all to stroke his own ego”.

This is taking place precisely three Calendar Rounds since the start of the dreadful Battle of Atlanta in 1864.

Normally this would be the day for the historic Trooping the Colours ceremony in London when over 1400 officers and men of Queen Elizabeth’s personal guards would go on parade with some 200 horses, at the time of the official celebration of the Sovereign’s birthday. However, due to the pandemic, this will not be held in its usual form this year.

This is also St. Anthony’s Feast Day, a popular Catholic celebration of a saint sometimes known as the Wonder-worker, the patron saint for the recovery of lost things. Also known as the marriage saint, he has been recognized in legends as facilitating reconciliations. Celebrations in his honour will be held in many places worldwide at this time – perhaps to seek his help in the global effort to recovery health, and peace and stability and humanity.

6 Eb’ (June 14th) – generally a “stabilizing” type of energy aligned with “restorative vitality”, coinciding at this time with National Flag Day in the U.S., on the 243rd anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. flag and with the start of Honor America Days, the 21 days from Flag Day through to Independence day.

7 B’en (June 15th) – a “self generating personal authority” type of energy, coinciding at this time with the opening of the UN’s 44th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland (to July 3rd). The last time this energy was in place (at the end of last September) major battles were unfolding in some of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping districts as police used pepper spray, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons against protesters at the beginning of the 17th week of demonstrations in that city.

This was the energy in place in April of 1865 when General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate army to General Grant, precipitating the conclusion of the U.S. civil war.

8 Ix (June 16th) “Resurrecting Jaguar” – this is Santo Mundo, a special Maya day devoted to the Celebration of the Earth and its sacred mysteries, coinciding at this time with Armed Forces Day in Canada. This is the first Gregorian anniversary of the massive Hong Kong march on June 16th in 2019  when some two million people (over ¼ of the population) flooded the centre of Hong Kong in the largest mass protest against the controversial extradition bill, with many wearing black to honour a protester who fell from scaffolding the day before.

It has been five head-shaking Gregorian years since the Orange Destroyer announced his candidacy as he began his campaign to grind down democracy.

9 Men (June 17th) – the “outward projection” of vision (as in the high-flying vision of the Eagle – which sometimes manifests as a “warrior” type of energy); the date for the United Nations Security Council elections.. This was the energy in place in 1997 at the time of the funeral of Princess Diana, which was watched by millions.

It has been two cycles exactly since David Laufman, the former Chief of the DOJ’s Counterintelligence and Export Control section, said (in January, 2019) that Trump is a “clear and present danger” to the national security of the US. The evening before Laufman had Tweeted that “Now is the Time for all Good Men (and Women) to come to the aid of their country.” It was a call for (to demand) accountability – “a call to arms” for people to express what they think about what is going on at the highest levels. It has taken just over 500 days for that call to really register but it seems that it has finally taken hold.

One cycle ago this was the energy in place when tens of thousands took part in the clashes in Hong Kong that turned violent clashes when water cannons and teargas were brought out.

10 Kib’ (June 18th) – a “foundational restoration” type of energy which can fluctuate between the setting up of important foundations for a “restoration of order” (as in the setting up of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty in 1968) to the kind of massive “clean up” that was required in China in 2008 after the Szechuan earthquake. It has been two cycles since Theresa May’s government in the UK suffered a “catastrophic” defeat with regard to Brexit – a critical moment for the U.K. Currently this is Paul McCartney’s 78th Gregorian birthday.

 11 Kab’an (June 19th) –the energy of “change” combined with the force of evolutionary movement, in conjunction with Juneteenth, known as African American Emancipation Day, as the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the US was on June 19th in 1865. This could be a significant day within the context of the current anti-racism protest demonstrations.  On this day the Moon occults Venus.

12 Etz’nab’ (June 20th) – a robust “knife- edge” type of force that can bring forth powerful separation (or “sacrifice-related”) events, as was in place at the time of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and the naval quarantine of Cuba in 1962. Currently this is the U.N.’s World Refugee Day and American Eagle Day. It is also Summer Solstice.

It has been two cycles since House Republicans joined House Democrats in the US to oppose overwhelmingly the lifting of the sanctions against Russia, even though this (like almost everything else) was blocked by the Senate.

13 Kawak (June 21st) – “transformational storm”, coinciding at this time with an annular solar eclipse with a loose Jupiter–Saturn–Pluto conjunction, at the time of a New Moon. This is both Father’s Day and Prince William’s 38th Gregorian birthday. It is also the International Day of Yoga, with this year’s theme being “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”. Tentative date for the lifting of the Canada/US border restriction (but it could be extended once again).

This is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, and two cycles exactly since the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington D.C., to bring awareness (through speeches,
prayers, songs, and dances) to long term injustices against indigenous peoples in the US – injustices that can be added to the long list of grievances associated with long-term racism in many parts of the world.

This is a Maya calendar anniversary of the energy in place when Andrew Johnson took office as the US president in 1865, at a time when great many atrocities against indigenous peoples were taking place, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. Johnson was impeached three years later on charges of high crimes and misdemeanors.

******************************

[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.]