As always, many are celebrating the arrival of the new Gregorian year – looking forward to a new administration in Washington, and making plans for how to move forward with a “fresh start”. That is one way of looking at it, but from the perspective of the Maya calendar things are a little different, as the Maya calendar is telling us that there are two more trecenas to go before the energies of the “new” begin to click in.

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The first of these is the current Men (or Eagle) trecena, which is a kind of “call to action” type of period that tends to be oriented around the idea of “taking a stance” or standing up for particular convictions. It is a zone that has been oriented, traditionally, around power, military strength, and transformative action, as symbolized by the eagle. Often there is a call for high vision and courage, and people can find themselves in positions where they have no choice but to “become warriors” for a cause. The idea of “battling”, “pushing for supremacy”, and even “sabre-rattling” often goes hand-in-and with this time frame. And indeed, we will likely see much of this during this period, on multiple levels.

The most pervasive battles at this time, of course, will relate to the on-going war against the coronavirus. With well over two million cases in California, and hospitals “pushed to the brink of catastrophe”, that state is in particularly dire straits, and case numbers in many regions and many countries continue to climb at a rapid pace. The good news, of course, is that vaccination programs are now underway and a new federal administration in the US is preparing to ramp these up significantly.

But during this period there will be other skirmishes, with the first being the matter of the US Congress ascertaining the election results and confirming Joe Biden as the incoming president. And just before that happens all eyes will be on the Georgia run-off elections that will decide which party controls the US Senate. These events, that coincide with the 3rd and 4th days of this trecena, will be preceded by the swearing in of the 117th US Congress on the very first day of this Eagle-oriented zone. And that particular day happens to be the first Gregorian anniversary of the assassination by a US drone strike, ordered by the aggressor-in-chief, of General Qasem Soleimani, the top Iranian commander, arguably the most important military commander in the Middle East and the second most powerful figure in Iran, behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This attack, that took place last year on Jan. 3rd, seriously escalated the long-simmering confrontation between the US and Iran and created the dumpster administration’s “biggest foreign policy crisis yet”.

The situation is tense at the moment since Tehran has ramped up threats of revenge for this action, which is particularly worrisome given that (1) the transition to the new administration is still underway and that the final steps to confirm the election results are being taken this week, and that (2) this is a “push for power” type of time zone from the perspective of this calendar.

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 on One Men in 2003 and began their invasion of that country. Then, precisely sixteen cycles later, during the summer of 2014, the US launched airstrikes against ISIS groups in that country.

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. Sometimes that push can be downright dangerous, as could be seen in August of 2019 when, on the very first day of this trecena, the US formally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) that was signed by Reagan and Gorbachev in 1987, claiming that Russia had violated the pact. On that day Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that the INF treaty was “formally dead”, thereby raising fears of a new arms race. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called this “serious” as the INF treaty has been a cornerstone in arms control for decades – “an invaluable brake on nuclear war’.

While that was going on things were extremely tense in Washington DC as the whistleblower issue came to light that eventually led to the impeachment proceedings early last year.

The last time this trecena was in place, last April, both the US and Russia were blocking efforts to win binding UN security council backing for a global ceasefire to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, which had claimed more than 160,000 lives worldwide by that time (less than 1/10th of the current total). Analysts were saying at that time that the dumpster and his advisers were wanting to retain the freedom to launch attacks on pro-Iranian militia in Iraq, or carry out other attacks on Iran’s military leaders, as they had done a few months earlier.

At the same time absolutely bonkers ideas for how to fight the pandemic were being put forward by the White House, such as the championing of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug, as a therapy for Covid-19. Then came the suggestion from the destroyer-in-chief that people could receive injections of disinfectant as a cure. Walter Shaub, the former director of the Office of Government Ethics, commented that: “It is incomprehensible to me that a moron like this holds the highest office in the land and that there exist people stupid enough to think this is OK. I can’t believe that in 2020 I have to caution anyone listening to the president that injecting disinfectant could kill you.” While this was going on a number of reports were coming out about how the rapidly the reputation of the US had been deteriorating from the perspective of the rest of the world. In the US itself many were abandoning all hope of getting federal help and were becoming their own warriors, bravely finding ways to carry on regardless.

Meanwhile, in some other countries such as New Zealand, people became so creative – and such dedicated warriors, using non-pharmaceutical interventions – that they actually defeated this horrific enemy. As could be seen on New Year’s Eve, New Zealand has dealt with this so effectively (bringing their Covid-19 incidences to zero) that they were able to celebrate the incoming new year “as usual”, without restrictions. They are also able to return to workplaces, schools, and packed sports stadiums.

Now, as we begin this year with this Eagle-oriented energy zone as the first trecena of 2021, the highly problematic dumpster administration in the US in its last throws. So it is likely that a number of potentially outrageous political “power plays” will be enacted, as will be seen when a group of GOP Senators attempt to challenge the Electoral College decision, despite the fact that all other efforts to overturn election results have been overturned. But regardless of these time-wasting antics, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be confirmed by the Senate, and things will move forward. So there will be high tension as all of this unfolds, with the “wild card” of the Iranian situation simmering in the background. And with over 85 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide, and over 20 million cases in the US, that particular war continues to wage globally, which means that everyone, everywhere must continue to don their armour and be en garde at all times.

As always during this time frame it is the Aztec goddess Xochiquetzal (Flower Feather) who serves as a key patron of this period. She is aligned with artistry, creativity, household arts, fertility, and female sexual power. She was also a protector of young mothers and a patroness of childbirth. While this may seem a little curious, given the “eagle warrior” theme of this trecena, there is a connection to “women as warriors”, particularly those who died in childbirth who were esteemed for their bravery. In addition it was thought that a fearsome deity called Tezcatlipoca, who was strongly connected with fire, strength, “supremacy”, and transformation, was a second overseer of this time frame, so this gives a kind of double layer of influence involving those qualities as they tie in with creativity.

As always, these patrons seem to emphasize the enormous need to continue to be as resourceful and creative as possible. Most assuredly, people have been rising to the challenge of doing what must be done in the context of these battles, whether they relate to the need to stay healthy, the need to care for those who are ill or in need, the battle to help our planet to refresh and restore itself, or the battle to defeat the dark forces. Like the eagle, we must continue our efforts to “rise high” and push towards the sun and the light – and the ultimate clearing and healing. During this critical period these are the energies that come into play:

1 Men (Jan. 3rd) – the “initiation” of the high-flying (Eagle oriented) solar energy, a kind of “pushing for supremacy” type of force that has manifested in the past in the form of declarations of war, major battles, anti-government demonstrations and significant calls for reform, and even aggressive actions that have served to advance select interests.

This is the first anniversary of the assassination by a US drone strike of General Soleimani, in Baghdad, the top Iranian commander – an attack that seriously escalated the long-simmering confrontation between the US and Iran and created the Trump administration’s “biggest foreign policy crisis”. Since Iran has warned of retaliation, tensions in the region are high at this time.

This is also the day for the swearing in of the 117th US Congress. It is also environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s 18th Gregorian birthday. Greta, who is internationally known for challenging world leaders to take climate change action, began the year by calling for 2021 to be a year of “awakening and bold change”.

Three cycles since approval was given (in 2018) by the Federal Communications commission for SpaceX to launch within the following 9 years 7,518 satellites into low-Earth orbit, which (along with 4,425 previously approved satellites) would “serve as the backbone for the company’s proposed Starlink broadband network”.

Last April this was the energy in place when a large lineup of entertainers took part in a six-hour live stream “One World: Together at Home” benefit concert organized by the World Health Organization and Global Citizen to raise funds for the UN’s Covid-19 Response Fund (some referred to it as a “socially-distanced Live Aid” concert). As of this day it has been seven cycles since the unexpected death of rock icon David Bowie, whose Gregorian birthday is in 5 days. This is the Maya birth energy of rock ’n’ roll legend Stevie Nicks, who was named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. This “rock ‘n’ roll warrior” is the only woman to have been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – a true high flying trail-blazer and visionary.

2 Kib’ (Jan. 4th) – a “dynamic” type of energy that can “shake things up” but ultimately tends towards being a transmutation force that can lead towards the restoration of order, coinciding at this time with World Braille Day which has been celebrated since 2019 and is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for the blind and visually impaired.

3 Kab’an (Jan. 5th) – the “activation” of “movement” or “earth movement”, in place at the time of the hotly contested Georgia run-off elections that will decide which party controls the US Senate. If Democrats win both seats in that election the Senate will be an exact 50-50 split, meaning that soon-to-be Vice President Kamala Harris will have the tie-breaking vote. Election officials in that state have had to endure weeks of harrassment and outright threats from the tormenter-in-chief who has placed considerable pressure on the state governor to overturn the election even though three recounts have confirmed Joe Biden’s win. Close to 3 million votes have already been cast in this run-off. One of the GOP candidates is currently in quarantine after a Covid “close contact”.

This is the Maya birth energy of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the US Congress – and a true “visionary warrior”.

This is also the opening day for China’s 37th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, with this year’s theme being “Magical Harbin, Ice Snow Charming China”.

4 Etz’nab’ (Jan. 6th) – a “defining” type of energy aligned with Etz’nab’s sparkling, “knife-edged” dazzle – an energy that can bring sudden change. At this time this coincides with the Joint Session of Congress where the Electoral Votes are ascertained and counted and the election results are formally declared. There will likely be some “last gasp” dueling at this time by those who have been trying to deny the election results.

This energy is also coinciding with Twelfth Night, traditionally a day of “feasting and merriment” as Christmas trees are taken down. In the Christian tradition this is Three Kings Day, or Epiphany, a concept that pertains to the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality, or a sudden revelation, as in the appearance of Christ to the Magi.

5 Kawak (Jan. 7th) – the “blessing” of “stormy” compassion; a precision kind of energy that can stir emotions and trigger important events, coinciding at this time with the sixth Gregorian anniversary of the dreadful attack on Charlie Hebdo journalists and cartoonists in Paris (called “the darkest day in the history of the French press”). But this year there will be some relief in this regard following the verdict of “guilty” that was pronounced three weeks ago in a Paris court for 14 accomplices in that attack.

At this time this is Coptic Christmas Day in Egypt, and Orthodox Christmas (“Old Christmas Day”), a public holiday in many eastern European traditions at the beginning of a festive week.  The Coptic Church recognizes Jan. 7th as the day when Jesus was born.

6 Ajaw (Jan. 8th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with full sun and the power of enlightenment, on what would have been Elvis Presley’s 86th Gregorian birthday and David Bowie’s 74th Gregorian birthday.

As the Maya associated this 6 Ajaw 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). Six cycles ago this was the energy in place when Emmanuel Macron and his party won the French presidential election.

This is the Maya birth energy of Bernard Lyot, the French astronomer who invented the coronagraph to study the sun’s corona and its prominences without having to wait for a solar eclipse.

7 Imix (Jan. 9th) – “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, marking the beginning of a “titanic” struggle for power that involved the Spanish siege of Tenochtitlan and its ultimate defeat two years later.

Currently this is legendary folk singer Joan Baez’s 80th Gregorian birthday, and the 38th Gregorian birthday for Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. This is the day of Vancouver’s 6th Annual Bowie Ball, celebrating the life and legacy of David Bowie, a fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation, which will be virtual this year.

8 Ik’ (Jan. 10th) – the “resurrection” of wind/breath/spirit; symbolic of the Corn God working together with the wind/breath/spirit aspect of Quetzalcóatl, marking 11 cycles since the March 2013 election of Pope Francis.

This is the fifth Gregorian anniversary of the death of David Bowie, and a Tzolk’in anniversary of the day in 2016 (one week after his death) when MUCH Music celebrated his life with a 24-hour musical tribute. His Maya Calendar birth energy comes into play next week.

As of this day it has been been two Calendar Rounds (2 x 52 years) since the Immigration Act of 1917 became law in the US – an act sought to restrict immigration by imposing literacy tests on immigrants. It has been two cycles exactly since US Congressman Jerry Nadler said that “formal impeachment proceedings” against the dumpster were underway in the US.

9 Ak’b’al (Jan. 11th) – an “outwardly-projecting” type of force often aligned with the “temple” or “house”, deep esoteric mysteries, and even “darkness, on the opening day for the influential Consumer Electronics Show (CES), “The Global Stage for Innovation” in consumer technologies, which normally takes place in Las Vegas. Due to the pandemic this will be entirely virtual this year.

This was the energy in place four cycles ago when Paul Manafort was arraigned on 18 felony counts in a federal court in Virginia before being sentenced in 2019. Just a few days ago, on Christmas eve, he was pardoned by the dumpster in a wave of highly controversial (seen by many as “abusive”) pardons.

10 K’an (Jan. 12th) – “foundational germination” – 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). This day marks four Calendar Rounds since James Madison (the “Father of the US Constitution”) was inaugurated for his second terms as US president on March 4, 1813, Maya Calendar date 10 K’an 7 Muwan (the same as this day).

11 Chikchan (Jan. 13th) – 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 (particularly of an energy sequence), in place at this time in alignment with the New Moon.

This was the energy in place 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”. It has been two cycles exactly since August of 2019 when an unidentified whistleblower  sent a credible complaint (“an urgent concern”) to the inspector general of the US  intelligence community, which (eventually) led to the dumpster’s impeachment trial in early 2020.

12 Kimi (Jan. 14th) – 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, coinciding at this time with the first day of India’s Makar Sankranti festival, a Hindu astrological “holy phase of transition” event that marks the end of winter solstice period and the return of the sun – and light – and wisdom. One of the main activities during this festival is kite flying by day and the flying of stunning sky lanterns by night.

This is the opening day for Igloofest, usually the coldest music festival in the world, which has been “reimagined” this year, in digital form.

This marks exactly six cycles since this energy brought one of the “most insane and consequential news days in the history of the US”, just before the 2016 election. It was the day when the dumpter’s campaign almost imploded but was somehow “revived” when the hacked Clinton campaign e-mails were suddenly released by Wikileaks, setting the stage for the forthcoming “election from hell”. Amazingly this was also the energy in place when John F. Kennedy was nominated by the Democratic Party as their candidate in 1960 and it was also in place at the time of the death of Ted Kennedy in 2009. Significantly, this is also Senator Kamala Harris’s Maya birth energy.

This is the 10th Gregorian anniversary of the collapse of the Tunisian dictatorship that resulted from the first massive people power uprising/revolution of the Arab world in 2011, seen as the beginning of a revolutionary wave that became known as the Arab Spring.

13 Manik’ (Jan. 15th) – “transformational deer”, coinciding at this time with the start of International Green Week 2021 in Berlin (to Jan. 24th) and the second day of India’s Makar Sankranti festival.

It has been exactly 14 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. 13 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.

In October of 2016 when this energy was in place a rapidly growing number of Republicans were calling for Trump to step down (just prior to the election) and were withdrawing their endorsement of him (or as some noted, were stampeding away from him, with some calling for “an engagement of the rules for emergency replacement”). Unfortunately that did not stick, and the world had to suffer through the past four mind-bogglingly disastrous years. Metaphorically this was not unlike what happened in 1883 when the Krakatoa volcano exploded under this influence with such a force that it blew the island apart, creating a 130 ft. tsunami and a humungus dust cloud that plunged Jakarta, 100 miles away, into complete darkness. Overall, this is a good day to exercise caution as this can be a highly intense energy.

* Note that this trecena will be in place twice this year – with the second appearance coming in around mid September.

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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.]