As we push on towards the end of the current One Imix-to-Thirteen Ajaw cycle, with just two trecenas remaining, this Men (Eagle) trecena tends to be a kind of “head’s-up”, “call-to-action” type of period, a time frame associated with valour and the push towards supremacy.

This is a zone that has been oriented, traditionally, around power, military strength, and transformative action, as symbolized by the eagle. The “call to action” aspect often involves a call for courage and high vision, with many finding themselves in positions where they have no choice but to “become warriors” for a cause.

In recent years this trecena has presented a number of extreme conditions that have compelled even the most reserved to take action, whether it be to take an ideological position, to push back against injustices, or to deal with life-and-death issues that have been forced upon them. Some such issues have even been weather related, such as the extreme storm situations (fires, typhoons, hurricanes) brought by the Men trecena in late September-early October 2016, the extreme heat wave during this trecena in June of 2017, and the severe cold in Europe and other areas that is currently coinciding with this same trecena.

Often it is social and/or economic inequalities that provide the call to action, or issues associated with major injustices, such as business or governmental corruption. Whatever it may be this is often a trecena wherein battle lines are drawn and highly committed “warriors” emerge.

Historically the very first day of this trecena has often been marked by significant events that tie in with these ideas, as when the U.S. declared war on Iraq in 2003 and began their invasion of that country, with its launch of airstrikes against ISIS groups in that country also taking place under this influence, precisely sixteen cycles later during the summer of 2014.

In 2011 the “Occupy Wall Street” movement against social and economic equality spread to hundreds of cities in 82 countries during this trecena, at the same time as major street riots in Tunisia initiated the downfall of that country’s government – the first major denouncement of authoritarian rule accompanied by a demand for democracy in the Arab world, a situation that instigated a wave of revolutionary events throughout that region.

Two cycles ago, throughout this trecena, the crumbling city of Aleppo in Syria suffered through significant bombardment, with close to two million beleaguered residents under severe seige without access to clean water or assistance.

Not only is there often a “call to arms” during this time frame, but there also tends to be a great deal of political “maneuvering”, as in “jockeying” (or downright pushing) for power. Last year this trecena brought a clear majority to Emmanuel Macron as his new Republic on the Move! party swept the French parliamentary elections. This time Italy’s general election will take place on the fifth day of this trecena, and is being regarded as “the most important in Europe this year”.

Near the end of the trecena the day known as 12 Kimi has had the tendency to bring forth events of a particularly consequential nature. Most certainly this was the case two cycles ago, on the day that Rachel Maddow referred to as one of the “most insane and consequential news days in the history of the US”. On that 12 Kimi day, towards the end of the Men trecena in October 2016, the  Obama White House warned that there was evidence that Russia was trying to actively interfere with the U.S. election (a situation that has since been proven to be true). That same afternoon the Washington Post released a story about Trump’s revolting 2005 hot-mic conversation with Billy Bush (the “grabbing” tape), which was followed by predictions that Trump’s campaign was “over”, deteriorating from critical to terminal. But then – just 30 min. later – a cache of stolen Clinton campaign e-mails was released by Wikileaks, which triggered a new round of speculations, and suddenly no one knew who to trust – and so the stage was set for forthcoming “election from hell”.

Fast forward one cycle, to the Men trecena of last June, at which time special prosecutor Robert Mueller, having been given the task of overseeing the Justice Department’s inquiry into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, was in the process of assembling an elite team of prosecutors (including Dep. Solicitor General Michael Dreeben, referred to as the “most brilliant and most knowledgeable federal criminal lawyer in America”). It has taken just one 260-day cycle for this phenomenal team to conduct the investigations that have brought about the indictments of several key figures associated with Trump, including Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign manager, and Rick Gates, the deputy- campaign manager, both of whom have been indicted recently on many counts of financial fraud, and 13 Russians who were involved in significant election interference. Indeed, it is expected that the first day of this “Eagle” trecena (on Feb. 28th) will bring forth the arraignment of Manafort in Washington DC on dozens of felony charges, and then two days later, in Virginia, on even more charges. As James Clapper, the ex-US Director of National Intelligence, emphasized one cycle ago, “Watergate pales” in comparison with what they have been dealing with, with regard to the last election and its consequences.

So what can we draw upon as we navigate through these 13 days? As always, we can take a cue from Xochiquetzal, the Aztec goddess who serves as a patron of this period. Aligned with artistry and creativity, she reminds us to be resourceful and to act wisely when engaging in cause-oriented actions. The eagle, avatar of the sun, lends its strength at this time, and works with the rest of the days, reminding us of the need for courage, strength, and high vision at this critical time. Perhaps the eagle can also remind us of the importance of “rising high – towards the sun and light” in order to gain perspective when dealing with challenges. During this critical period these are the energies that come into play:

1 Men (Feb. 28th) – the “initiation” of the Eagle’s lofty vision, a  kind of “pushing for supremacy” type of force that has manifested in the past in the form of major protest demonstrations, the beginning of major battles (such as Bull Run at the beginning of the U.S. Civil War), and even the push of natural forces such as the six significant volcanic eruptions in 6 countries on One Men in 2013, the devastating 7.8 earthquake in Nepal on One Men in 2015, and now the “beast from the east” that is bringing severe conditions to countries across Europe.

Three cycles ago this energy shocked the world with the announcement of the unexpected death of rock icon David Bowie, two days after his 69th birthday, which provides the reminder that this is the Maya birth energy of the indominable singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks, seen by many as “The Queen of Rock and Roll”, who will celebrate her 70th Gregorian birthday in May.

At this time this energy coincides with Pink T-Shirt Day, oriented around fundraising to support anti-bullying programs.

In Europe “the beast from the east” – from Siberia – is in the process of delivering below-normal temperatures to many regions, bringing some of the most extreme winter conditions since 2013.

In Washington D.C. Paul Manafort is due to be arraigned on this day, the same day as the body of famed evangelist Billy Graham will lie in state at the US Capitol prior to his funeral two days later.

2 Kib’ (March 1st) – a “dynamic” type of energy that can “shake things up” but is ultimately aligned with a transmutation force that can lead towards the restoration of order, this time in conjunction with the Full Crow Moon (aka Full Crust Moon) and Purim – one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar. On this evening large bonfires will be lit in India to drive away evil spirits on the eve of Holi.

3 Kab’an (March 2nd) – the “activation” of “movement” or “earth movement” coinciding at this time 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 and the colourful Holi festival takes place in India.

This is also the day of evangelist Billy Graham’s funeral, with 2300 people expected to attend, on the same day as Paul Manafort is due to be arraigned in Virginia.

4 Etz’nab’ (March 3rd) – a “defining” type of energy aligned with Etz’nab’s sparkling, “knife-edged” dazzle.

5 Kawak (March 4th) – the “blessing” of compassion; a precision kind of energy that can stir emotions and trigger important events, coinciding at this time with the 90th Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood and with Italy’s general election, regarded as “the most important in Europe this year”.

6 Ajaw (March 5th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with full sun and the power of enlightenment, marking the beginning of Women of Aviation Worldwide Week. One cycle since Emmanuel Macron and his party won the French presidential election.

As the Maya associated this energy with kingship,  it seems fitting that this is Helen Mirren’s Maya birthday. Helen has not
only played the roles of Queen Charlotte, both Queen Elizabeth I and II, and even “The Snow
Queen”, but has also received the Triple Crown of Acting (Academy, Emmy, and Tony awards).

7 Imix (March 6th) – “self-generating” birth, an energy often asssociated with the envisioning of a “new order of being”, as when Hernán Cortés and his Spanish conquistadores arrived at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) under this energy influence in 1519.

8 Ik’ (March 7th) – the “resurrection” of wind/breath/spirit; symbolic of the sun working together with the wind/breath/spirit aspect of Quetzalcóatl, coinciding at this time with the opening of the 3-day World Ocean Summit in Mexico (the fifth).

Seven cycles since the March 2013 election of Pope Francis I, on the same day as the command of the International Space Station was handed over to Chris Hadfield, the high-flyer who was the first Canadian to walk in space.

9 Ak’b’al (March 8th) – an “outwardly-projecting” type of force often aligned with the “temple” or “house”, deep esoteric mysteries, and even “darkness”, as was the case in Haiti two cycles ago when Cat. 4 Hurricane Matthew, the most powerful Atlantic storm since 2007, brought torrential rains and widespread destruction to the already impoverished Haiti, leaving 1.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid. As this was unfolding 40 million civilians, tens of thousands of emergency workers and troops, and more than 50,000 vehicles were starting a 4-day nuclear war drill in Russia, prompting many to wonder what that was about about. On its last appearance, 260 days ago, this was one of the hottest days of a severe heat wave both in the U.S. and the U.K.

Currently this is the New Fire anniversary of the day in 1966 when site clearing started for the 13 square blocks needed for construction of the World Trade Center in New York City, involving the demolition of older buildings in the WTC area. This energy is also currently coinciding with the opening of the Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, with World Kideney Day, and with International Women’s Day, with this year’s theme being its #Press for Progress, during which time many different types of events will be held worldwide. This is also the Maya birth energy of US Senator Dianne Feinstein, the former Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, who has bluntly stated that Trump’s actions have been in “blatant violation of the president’s oath of office”.

10 K’an (March 9th) – “foundational germination”, as was in place when the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S came into effect in 1863. This is a force that can be quite volatile, as in the generation of strong weather conditions or in the eruption of strong emotion-propelled action (as was in place at the beginning of the Egyptian and Syrian Revolutions in 2011).

11 Chikchan (March 10th) – inspirational Lifeforce, aligned with Liberation and Higher Consciousness; a Burner Day traditionally associated with “extinguishing the fire” – often signalling some kind of change in direction, as was the case in 2001 when the Patriot Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, giving federal agencies wide ranging powers in order “to intercept and obstruct terrorism”. In 2010 this energy also brought a major political change in the U.K. when David Cameron became the new Prime Minister of Britain, the youngest in two centuries.

12 Kimi (March 11th) – a “gathering together” type of energy associated with “absolute foundations”; a “regrouping type of energy” that could help to lay the foundations for new ideas or ventures, this time coinciding with the return of Daylight Savings Time. Given that this is exactly two cycles since one of the “most insane and consequential news days in the history of the US” (see above), it will be interesting to see what develops on this particular 12 Kimi.

13 Manik’ (Mar. 12th) – “transformational deer”, coinciding at this time with opening of the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN (CSW62).

Exactly ten cycles since the day in January 2011 when small anti-government protests began to erupt in Syria, at the same time as a “Day of Rage” erupted in Cairo and many other cities in Egypt in an intense historic “meltdown” as tens of thousands of anti-government protestors took to the streets. Nine cycles ago this energy brought a day of “Global Revolution” as the “Occupy Wall Street” movement against social and economic equality spread to cities around the world.

Just two cycles ago Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Charleston under this influence, before looping back towards the Caribbean, as states of emergency were declared on the Eastern seaboard. At that time, just before the US election, a growing number of Republicans were calling for Trump to step down and were withdrawing their endorsement of him, and polls were showing a “seismic shift” in favour of Clinton. But everyone now knows what happened regarding that election. Overall, this is a good day to exercise caution as this can be a highly intense energy.

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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.]