As Charles Dickens once wrote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”, and thus it seemed to be at the end of the last trecena as, for many in British Columbia, the “best of times” came when they had a chance to see (and perhaps meet) the visiting Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. On the other side of the world, specifically Syria, it was the worst of times as the beleaguered residents of the once thriving city of Aleppo became the targets, once again, of brutal government-led air strikes. With the situation being so desperate that close to two million people no longer have access to clean water, two million people under severe attack by bombs that bring down whole buildings, the UN Security Council is now desperately seeking ways to bring an end to this unthinkable situation that has gone on for far too long.

Now, as this Men trecena comes into place, we enter a zone that has been oriented, traditionally, around power, military strength, and transformative action, as symbolized by the eagle.  It is a “call to action” type of force, calling for high vision and courage, a zone where people are often pushed into positions where they have no choice but to “become warriors” for a cause.

As it happens, 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. Exactly five cycles after that 2003 declaration of war North Korea conducted its first nuclear test, in 2006. An echo of this could be seen during the last appearance of this trecena (last January) after North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test just before this trecena opened. And now, with their fifth test having taken place just over two weeks ago, the UN Security Council is frantically seeking to find ways to curtail this through a new raft of sanctions.

In 2011 this trecena brought forth major street riots in Tunisia that 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.

On this continent this trecena has called people to action for other reasons, as happened three cycles ago during the summer of 2014 when an unarmed teen was shot to death by police in a suburban neighborhood in Ferguson, Missouri, which spawned massive protests. Last year Baltimore became a major focal point for this type of action, as a number of protest demonstrations against police brutality took place during this trecena, often involving riots. And now the same situation seems to be repeating itself in Charlotte, NC.

So there are currently many critical battlefronts that are drawing attention, with one of them being the ongoing battle to win the U.S. presidency in the context of all of this. The situation is unbelievably scarey, as the field has been so clouded with distortions and absurdities that it is hard to believe that it has come to this, but nevertheless here it is. The first presidential debate between the two candidates takes place, remarkably, on the first day of this trecena, fitting perfectly into the “posturing for power” aspects of this time frame. A vice presidential debate will take place on the ninth day.

It is often the early events of this trecena that set the stage for the remainder of the trecena, events that often compel people to unify and forge ahead towards a common goal, as seen in 2011 when the “Occupy Wall Street” movement against social and economic equality spread to hundreds of cities in 82 countries.

On the last appearance of this trecena it wasn’t a particular social cause that moved people, but rather a series of blows that came in the form of the passing of a number of iconic figures. First it was the totally unexpected death of the legendary David Bowie on the first day of this trecena, followed four days later by the passing of the beloved actor Alan Rickman, followed four days later by the death of Glenn Fry, a founding member of the Eagles rock band. Because of these departures people banded together in many different ways to pay tribute to these performers who had deeply touched our lives. Many looked skyward during this Eagle-oriented timeframe, in honour of David Bowie as their “Starman”.

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.

Indeed high vision will be the principal focus at the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico during this time frame as astronomers explore a number of intriguing developments, including signals from deep space.

In Moscow high artistic vision is currently unfolding in the form of a dazzling Circle of Light Festival with Russian and international artists from 143 countries projecting huge light displays onto large buildings.

Many fortunate British Columbians will be blessed during the early part of this trecena with opportunities to see the charming Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they continue with their tour of this region. Their gentility and grace serve as welcome counterpoints to the insanities that are unfolding elsewhere. Somehow they remind us to “keep the faith” and “keep the vision high”. During this critical period these are the energies that come into play:

1 Men (Sept. 26th) – the “initiation” of the Eagle’s lofty vision, the kind of “posturing for supremacy” type of force that was in place ten years ago when North Korea conducted its first nuclear test (the fifth such test was conducted earlier this month). And if that isn’t scarey enough we also see this energy in place at the time of the first presidential debate in this current election. “Posturing for supremacy” to be sure!

As this energy comes into place at this time the planet Jupiter is at solar conjunction, at a time when NASA is scheduled to announce new findings about Europa (one of Jupiter’s 67 moons), possibly relating to Europa’s subsurface ocean that may harbour life. Certainly an exciting and “lofty” announcement if they are able to confirm that Europa is a host to life. Also an exciting day for the residents of the small coastal Heiltsuk community of Bella Bella that will host William and Kate as guests at a traditional welcome and cultural sharing ceremony after their aerial tour of the Great Bear Rain Forest.

2 Kib’ (Sept. 27th) – 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. The opening day for the 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, where they will be discussing such engimas as the mysterious signal spikes emitting from HD164595, a 6.3 billion- year-old star in the constellation Hercules (95 light years from Earth) that were heard by SETI investigators last year, and the Tabby’s star enigma (the “Wow!” signal that was detected in 1977).

The final day of Moscow’s 2016 Circle of Light Festival.  On this day William and Kate will visit Kelowna en route to Whitehorse.

3 Kab’an (Sept. 28th) – the “activation” of “movement” or “earth movement”, this time in conjunction with celebrations of Confucius’ birthday (would have been Sept. 27th in some areas) – sometimes called “Teacher’s Day” as Confucius is known as China’s “First Teacher”. Opening day for the One Young World Summit in Ottawa. William and Kate spend the day in the Yukon, attending cultural events in both Whitehorse and Carcross.

4 Etz’nab’ (Sept. 29th) – a “defining” type of energy aligned with Etz’nab’s sparkling, “knife-edged” dazzle, as early voting in the U.S. continues (this time in Iowa). This day coincides with Michelmas, the Feast of St. Michael and all the angels, and with World Heart Day.

5 Kawak (Sept. 30th) – 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 the final day of the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. Will they have any conclusions or announcements to share with the world?

This is also the day that marks the end of the ESA’s Rosetta Mission, when it crash-lands the Rosetta spacecraft on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, an event that will likely trigger strong emotions for many who have worked so hard on this unique project. On this day William and Kate will visit Haida Gwaii.

6 Ajaw (Oct. 1st) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with full sun and the power of enlightenment, coming in this time in conjunction with the New Moon. This day marks “National Day”, the beginning of China’s “golden week”, a national seven day holiday that can often bring massive traffic jams.  It is also the beginning of Islamic New Year (in the evening), the beginning of the new U.S. fiscal year, the closing day for the  One Young World Summit in Ottawa, and the conclusion of William and Kate’s visit to B.C., with events in Victoria followed by their departure from Victoria.

7 Imix (Oct. 2nd) – “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.

At this time this energy coincides with the first full day of the Islamic New Year (from the day before) and the beginning of the Jewish New Year known as Rosh Hashanah (meaning “head of the year”), thought to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. Also known as the Feast of Trumpets, this is a Jewish High Holy Day that runs from the evening of Oct. 2 to the evening of Oct. 4.  On this day many Blessing of the Animals events will take place in honour of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (see Oct. 4th) 

8 Ik’ (Oct. 3rd) – the “resurrection” of wind/breath/spirit; symbolic of the sun working together with the wind/breath/spirit aspect of Quetzalcóatl. Two cycles since the birth of Princess Charlotte in May last year and five 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. At this time it seems that the “Wind” aspect is kicking in significantly as Cat. 4 Hurricane Matthew is expected to hit Jamaica and Haiti on this day. Maya birth energy of the legendary entertainer Josephine Baker (born in 1906).

9 Ak’b’al (Oct. 4th) – an “outwardly-projecting” type of force often aligned with the “temple” or “house”, and deep esoteric mysteries, this time in conjunction with World Animal Day and the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, a time for many Blessing of the Animals events. Note: World Animal Day was initiated in 1931 at a convention of ecologists to highlight the plight of endangered species, and since then has been observed annually as a tribute day for all animals. Also the day of the Vice Presidential debate.

10 K’an (Oct. 5th) – “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). World Teachers’ Day.

11 Chikchan (Oct. 6th) – 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 (Oct. 7th) – 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

13 Manik’ (Oct. 8th) – “transformational deer”, exactly eight 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 in Cairo and many other cities in Egypt in an intense historic “meltdown” as tens thousands of anti-government protestors took to the streets. A good day to exercise caution as this can be an intense energy, as happened on its last appearance when a “monster storm” lashed the Eastern Seaboard (a state of emergency was declared in several states). This energy coincides at this time with Astronomy Day and with the start of the Burning Japan Festival, a Japanese offshoot of Nevada’s sensational Burning Man festival.

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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.]