Attention-getting aerodynamics and combative engagement – these seem to be two of the major themes that recur during the Eagle-oriented trecena . . . . which may be why eagles have been seen historically as warriors in Mesoamerican mythology.

Indeed, the very first day of the trecena is often marked by some significant event that ties 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 energy influence, precisely sixteen cycles later during the summer of 2014.

Precisely five cycles after that 2003 declaration of war an event occurred that might be seen as a definitive blending of those two themes, in the form of North Korea’s first nuclear test. And now, as this trecena opens, we find significant sable-rattling taking place between North and South Korea as tensions along that border escalate in the wake of North Korea’s fourth nuclear test conducted just a few days ago. As it happens, it was during this trecena in 2006 that the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 1718 that imposed a series of economic and commerical sanctions on North Korea in the aftermath of that test, so it is likely that even stricter measures in that regard will be taken by the UN during this current time frame.

With regard to the first theme (high-flying aerodynamics), a number of comets have chosen to make their  appearance under this Eagle-oriented influence. We saw Comet PanSTARRS flying near the crescent moon during this trecena early in 2013, with the attention-grabbing Comet ISON doing a close flypass of the sun later that year, resulting in its spectacular disintegration. At this present time it’s Comet Catalina that is drawing attention, with its closest point to Earth being Jan. 17th.

Perhaps it is not surprising that people are often compelled to look skyward during this time frame as the Maya saw the namesake for this trecena (Eagle) as an avatar of the sun, representative of great strength, forcefulness, vision, and even supremacy.

But during this period emphasis is often placed on the “warrior” aspect of this energy as people are often called upon to put on their “armour” and commit themselves to particular causes, with Nepal being a major focal point during the last appearance of this trecena, as a devastating 7.8 earthquake, centred less than 50 miles from Kathmandu, toppled homes, temples, and historic buildings, killing over 8100 people and injuring more than 21,000. The related humanitarian crisis directly affected some eight million people.

Baltimore was also a major focal point for this type of action last year, as a number of protest demonstrations against police brutality took place under this influence, often involving riots. Two cycles ago (summer of 2014) this trecena saw an unarmed teen shot to death by police in a suburban neighborhood in Ferguson, Missouri, which also spawned massive protests.

As we have seen, One Men brought forth the U.S. declaration of war against Iraq in 2003, which erupted at the same time as intense anti-war demonstrations were unfolding worldwide. In 2011 this energy saw major street riots in Tunisia that initiated the downfall of that country’s government, the first major denouncement of authoritarian rule and demand for democracy in the Arab world, a situation that instigated a wave of revolutionary events throughout that region. Three cycles ago this trecena brought the initiation of the Euromaidan, the wave of anti-government protest demonstrations in Ukraine after the government declined to sign association and free-trade agreements with the EU.

This also seems to be a time for commemorations, as people often join together to remember important events, with many significant gatherings taking place during the last Men trecena as ceremonies were held to mark such things as the centenary of the Allied attack on Gallipoli during World War I, liberation anniversaries associated with World War II, and the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war.

The end of the trecena can be particularly eventful, as 13 Manik’ is a powerful “carrier” of the sun and is sometimes associated with sacrifice. This significant force can often compel people to unify and forge ahead towards a common goal, as seen on the day of “Global Revolution” in 2011 when the “Occupy Wall Street” movement against social and economic equality spread to hundreds of cities in 82 countries.

This is the energy that was in place at the time of the UK elections last May. It was also in place when Mexico’s presidential election was won by Enrique Peña Nieto under this influence in 2012, and when the new Israeli government was sworn in under this influence in 2013.

So how do we navigate such a time frame? Perhaps the best way would be to 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. Fortunately the eagle (sun) lends its strength at this time, and to boot we find a lovely “holy phase of transition” event marking the return of the sun coming in on 6 Ajaw (“enlightenment everywhere”). Here are the energies in play at this time:

1 Men (Jan. 10th) – the “initiation” of the Eagle’s lofty vision; a “posturing for supremacy” type of force, this time in conjunction with the New Moon, at the time when the Mississippi River is expected to crest in Louisiana. The 45th anniversary of the premier of PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre.

2 Kib’ (Jan. 11th) – a “dynamic” type of energy that can “shake things up” but is ultimately aligned with the transmutation force that can lead towards the restoration of order.

3 Kab’an (Jan. 12th) – the “activation” of “movement” or “earth movement”; two cycles since the onslaught of Typhoon Halong in 2014 that slammed into Japan. On this day President Obama will deliver his eighth and final State of the Union address to the U.S. Congress.

4 Etz’nab’ (Jan. 13th) – a “defining” type of energy aligned with Etz’nab’s sparkling, “knife-edged” dazzle; could be dazzling indeed for whoever may win the Powerball jackpot of over $1 billion US on that day

5 Kawak (Jan. 14th) – the “blessing” of compassion; a precision kind of energy that can stir compassion or start a storm, clearing the path towards enlightenment, coinciding at this time with Mercury’s inferior conjunction with the sun. Maya birth energy of Malala Yousafzai, the extraordinary teenaged advocate of education for girls in Pakistan who survived a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012.

6 Ajaw (Jan. 15th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with full sun/the power of enlightenment, this time in conjunction with India’s Makar Sankranti festival, a Hindu astrological “holy phase of transition” event that marks the return of the sun – and light – and wisdom.

7 Imix (Jan. 16th) – “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’ (Jan. 17th) – the “resurrection” of wind/ breath/spirit; symbolic of the sun working together with the wind/breath/ spirit aspect of Quetzalcóatl; this time coinciding with Betty White’s 94th birthday and the flyby of Comet Catalina at its closest point to Earth. One cycle since the birth of Princess Charlotte last May and four 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.

The last appearance of 8 Ik’ (last May) marked the New Fire anniversary of pioneering astronaut Gordon Cooper’s flight at the end of NASA’s Mercury program in 1963.

9 Ak’b’al (Jan. 18th) – an “outwardly-projecting” type of force often aligned with the “temple” or “house”, and deep esoteric mysteries, this time in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

10 K’an (Jan. 19th) – “foundational germination”, as in the coming into effect of the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S in 1863; 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 (Jan. 20th) – 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 situation  in 2001 when the Patriot Act was passed by Congress, giving U.S. 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. The following winter this same energy brought forth the Euromaidan riots, a response to a violent police crackdown on earlier peaceful protests. At this present time this energy comes into place at the time of a rare planetary alignment as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn appear together in the predawn sky. This also marks the 55th anniversary of the day when President John F. Kennedy took the oath of office.

12 Kimi (Jan. 21st) – a “gathering together” type of energy associated with “absolute foundations”; a “regrouping type of energy” that could help to lay the foundations for some sort of new ideas or ventures, this time coinciding with International Hug Day

13 Manik’ (Jan. 22nd) – “transformational sun-carrying deer”, at the time of the 7th cycle anniversary of the day when small anti-government protests broke out in Syria in Jan. 2011, at the same time as a “Day of Rage” erupted in Cairo and many other cities in Egypt in an historic “meltdown” as tens of thousands of anti-government protestors took to the streets. A good day to exercise caution as this can be an intense energy, as will be felt on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard with the onslaught of a severe winter storm.

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

[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.]