As anticipated, a number of significant shifts took place during the last trecena. Although opportunities were presented to head towards the light, the shifts that took place were more in the nature of falling off a cliff than finding footholds for climbing out of an abyss. Now, with the US Congress essentially crippled by Trump’s acquittal, and the 2020 election still months away, the question of “what amount of harm will he do between now and then?” looms large. And if that isn’t terrifying enough the rapid spread of the coronavirus (now named Covid-19) epidemic throughout the past few days has the world scrambling to find ways to contain and control it.

In Canada major protests have been taking place across the country as people stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en in northern BC, whose hereditary chiefs oppose the construction of a gas pipeline through their territories. This is a definite downturn from the One Ok events of 2013 that saw representatives from more than 150 First Nations participate in a massive All Nations Canoe Gathering, a key part of the “healing” that was the goal of the Truth and Reconciliation events that took place in Vancouver at that time.

So here we have a bit of a conumdrum with regard to the Tzolk’in, as traditionally the first day of this new energy period was celebrated as an ancient Feast Day of Renewal, oriented around the idea of guidance, justice, and the restoration of life. And many times in the past this is exactly what has happened. Thought of as being under the influence of Xipe Tótec, the Lord of Renewal, and Quetzalcóatl, Lord of Life, this trecena was seen as a time when a new sense of direction in conjunction with the energies of renewal come into play. It was symbolized specifically by Xipe Tótec who was generally depicted wearing a flayed skin, symbolic of the “sloughing off” of the old and the bursting forth of the new. One of the key symbols associated with this time frame is a dog holding a torch, bringing light into the darkness and showing the way.

This time, however, it seems that the Tzolk’in is calling for individuals to pick up their own torches and join in the search for the light. The darkness is heavy at this time and light (and sanity) is greatly needed. Fortunately, this is a fire-oriented time frame that can often trigger intense engagement and action, particularly with regard to injustices. Indeed, this was the trecena in place in 1973 when the US War Powers Resolution was passed to check the president’s power to commit the US to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress. In terms of politics, one of the most hopeful touchpoints came during this trecena in 1961 at the time of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration as the new US president, when he delivered his famous “Ask not what your country can do …..” address. But just four cycles after that this same trecena precipitated Kennedy’s assassination.

Fast forward to the early 1970’s and the darkness surrounding the Nixon era, which culminated in the Watergate scandal. It took two years to work through the mess, but ultimately during the summer of 1974 the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that President Nixon had to turn over the tape recordings of 64 White House conversations. It was the Ok trecena that accompanied the review of those tapes, including the discovery of “The Smoking Gun Tape” that contained evidence of obstruction of justice. Articles of impeachment were then approved by the House Judiciary Committee, which brought forth Nixon’s resignation at the beginning of the trecena that followed.

And then came the summer of 2016 when Hillary Clinton made history during this time period by becoming the first female to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate by a major US political party. Three cycles ago, in early 2017, this same Ok trecena brought a huge alert from British, European and even Australian spy agencies to their counterparts in Washington about contacts between members of Trump’s campaign team and Russian intelligence operatives. Evidence that incriminated Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort began to surface at that time.

So overall this seems to be a trecena that has been known to bring very high points as well as very low points in terms of the US presidency.

Of particular note is the fifth day which not only coincides President’s Day in the U.S. at this time but also marks the point where one cycle exactly remains until the Nov. 3rd US presidential election. So this will be the 260-day point, marking the start of the cycle that will take us to that very, very critical day. There is no doubt that this will be an intense cycle where everyone will have to stand up and be counted in the US as the primaries and nominating conventions battle their way to November’s “high voltage” finish line.

At this time it might be helpful to keep in mind something extraordinary that took place eighty years ago during this trecena at a very, very dark point in world history. After Germany’s invasion of Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg during the first stage in the Battle of France British and allied forces were knocked back to the beaches of Dunkirk where they became trapped by the German army. For some “still debated” reason the Germans halted their advance on Dunkirk for several days near the beginning of the trecena, which allowed the Allies to organize an evacuation. As the call for assistance went out over 700 vessels, both large and small, raced to the rescue of over 338,000 Allied troops. It was a seemingly impossible situation that was turned around by the unselfish involvement of ordinary citizens who leapt into the breach to save the lives of all those men who were cornered in a hellish situation. The bravery and force of intent that went into this operation of rescuing those troops from the Dunkirk beaches became known as the “Dunkirk Spirit”.

This seems to be a perfect metaphor for what is needed at this present time – for ordinary citizens to roll up their sleeves and do everything that they can think of to call for the restoration of justice and sanity, not only with regard to political challenges, but with regard to all challenges, including environmental, that are calling for “rescue” at this time.

Keep in mind that the energies in place at this time are vigorously oriented towards the unshackling of the old, so this is really a prime time to work with Xipe Tótec, the ancient Mesoamerican Lord of Renewal, and Quetzalcóatl, Lord of Life, Knowledge, and Culture who are the patrons of this time frame. These are the kinds of forces that can be called upon to push through the darkness towards new possibilities. With the energy of the first day of this time trame being specifically aligned with Love, Loyalty, Warmth, and Guidance, this would be a great time to light a torch and set the intent to become an active participant in whatever needs to be done to light the way through the darkness.

On a lighter note there ARE many places in the world where major festivals will be taking place at this time, since this is carnival season. This includes the 10-day Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg; the Nice Carnival, one of the largest in the world; Carnaval de Veracruz in Veracruz, Mexico; Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, known as “the biggest show on earth”; Mardi Gras in New Orleans; and the continuation of Carnival in Venice. Although many celebrations and large gatherings have been cancelled worldwide due to the epidemic, it remains to be seen whether or not any of these grand festival events will be affected in any significant way. As this trecena gets underway it seems that the colour, pagentry, and spectacle of these events all seem to be be aligned with this trecena’s orientation around the push to restore vitality and life – regardless of whatever else is going on. Here are the energies that will be in play:

1 Ok (Feb. 13th) “One Dog” – the “initiation of [love, warmth,] guidance” – an energy that was thought to be associated with the idea of shining light on things previously unseen; an ancient Maya Feast Day of Renewal. And with the announcement, just as this energy is coming in, that the fires that have been raging for weeks in Australia’s New South Wales are now all contained, this is a very good start.

In the US, it was exactly one cycle ago, at the end of May last year, when Special Counsel Robert Mueller broke his silence to say that he was formally closing the Special Counsel’s office and resigning from the DoJ to return to private life. As he wrapped up the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election, he confirmed that Russia did indeed launch a concerted attack to interfere with the election by hacking into computers and networks used by the Clinton campaign, stealing private information, and then releasing that information through fake online identities and through WikiLeaks. And although there were policies in place to prevent his department from charging a sitting president with a crime, he emphasized that his department did NOT exonerate Trump with regard to his connections to that attack.

As noted above, this is the energy that was in place during the summer of 1974 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Nixon had to turn over the recordings that included “The Smoking Gun Tape” which contained evidence of obstruction of justice. Three days later the first of three articles of impeachment against him were passed, and he resigned shortly thereafter.

In 2015 this was the energy in place when the Obama administration announced that, after a 7-yr. review process, his government was rejecting the building of the Keystone XL pipeline – an announcement that was greatly celebrated by The Indigenous Environmental Network. However, less than two years later this decision was overturned by the Trump administration. Since then there have been a number of pipeline leaks.

This is the Maya birth energy of Caroll Spinney, the artist, writer, actor and puppeteer who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street for over five decades. In keeping with this One Ok energy – and the idea of a dog holding a torch and being a guide through the darkness – Caroll Spinney was hidden (or cloaked) when he played these roles, and yet there was great warmth that exuded from him through these characters as he provided guidance for millions of children.

2 Chuwen (Feb. 14th) – a dynamic type of energy traditionally aligned with creativity, and often involving some kind of “intense heat”, correlating at this time with the 29th Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver, in memory of missing and murdered indigenous women, a march that also draws attention to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual issues that many vulnerable women still face today.

This is the opening day for Family Gras in New Orleans (Feb. 14-16) and the opening day of the 10-day Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg, Western Canada’s largest winter festival, which runs from Feb. 14-23, and includes an international snow sculpture symposium where huge art works are created from blocks of snow.

This is also presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg’s 78th birthday, as well as Valentine’s Day, when love is in the air. This is a good time to send deep source-centred love to the women taking part in the memorial march and to ALL who are in need of warmth and kindness – including the four leggeds and winged ones who are facing extreme challenges due to climate change.

3 Eb’ (Feb. 15th) – the activation of “animating vitality”, a pathfinding/stream-of-consciousness type of force, on the day of this second of two days associated with the Buddhist Parinirvana or Nirvana Day, celebrating the day when Buddha was said to have achieved Nirvana or full enlightenment (see also Feb. 8th). This is also National Flag Day in Canada and the opening day for the Nice  Carnival, one of the largest in the world.

4 B’en (Feb. 16th) – a “defining” energy associated with personal authority, a important public holiday in North Korea called The Day of the Shining Star, an anniversary of the birthday of Kim Jong-il, the father of Kim Jong-un. This 4 B’en energy has often been highly consequential in world history, as seen at the time of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This was the energy in place when the first article of impeachment was approved against Richard Nixon in 1974, and this was in place when Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first female to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate. Last year this was the energy in place when the Trump-imposed tariffs on China kicked in, affecting about 5000 US products.

5 Ix (Feb. 17th) – a “precision” type of energy associated with mystery and transformation, and even rulership, coinciding at this time with President’s Day in the U.S., marking the point where one cycle exactly remains until the Nov. 3rd US presidential election. In 1919 this was the energy in place at the opening of the Paris Peace Conference for negotiation of treaty settlements after World War I, and then again in 1939 when Canada declared war on Germany. One cycle after that, in May of 1940, this energy was in place at the start of the evacuations from Dunkirk beaches.

Currently this energy coincides with Louis Riel Day in Manitoba and with Family Day in several Canadian provinces (B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan). This is also the Maya birth energy of Tom Steyer, one of the US presidential candidates.

6 Men (Feb. 18th) – a “stabilizing” type of energy associated with the high vision of the eagle. Five cycles ago, during that fateful summer of 2016, this was the energy in place when Hillary Clinton delivered her acceptance speech as the Democratic nominee for President at the DNC, with every expectation that she would actually be elected president. At that time Senator Bernie Sanders went back to being an Independent.

7 Kib’ (Feb. 19th) – a self-generating type of energy, often associated with engendering the kind of thought that can lead towards the restoration of order, coinciding at this time with the Democratic debate in Las Vegas, with a strong possibility that Mike Bloomberg will participate for the first time. This is the 80th Gregorian birthday of the great Smokey Robinson, commonly referred to as “The Soul of Motown”.

8 Kab’an (Feb. 20th) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with “evolutionary” movement. In 1961 this was the energy in place at the time of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Currently this is Roger Stone’s sentencing date, and the 125th anniversary of the death of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

In Mexico this is the opening day for the Carnaval de Veracruz in Veracruz, Mexico, called “The World’s Most Cheerful” carnival, and the largest in Mexico. This is Sir Sidney Poitier’s 93rd Gregorian birthday.

9 Etz’nab’ (Feb. 21st) – representative of “outwardly-projecting” flint, a “spark-oriented” (and even knife-edged) type of energy that can be quite dramatic and consequential, coinciding at this time with the opening day for Carnival in Rio, known as “the biggest show on earth”.

This is also the UN’s International Mother Language Day, a worldwide observance to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity.

This is Congressman John Lewis’s 80th Gregorian birthday. Seen as a “modern hero in American history”, Rep. Lewis will receive the prestigious NAACP Chairman’s Award in recognition of his exemplary public service tomorrow.

Three cycles since the launch of the Time’s Up Movement to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and beyond.

10 Kawak (Feb. 22nd) – “foundational storm” – an energy associated with intense catalyzation as often can be seen and felt in major energy pushes or strong weather systems, coinciding at this time with the Nevada primaries in the US. On this day Congressman John Lewis receives the NAACP Award noted above.

11 Ajaw (Feb. 23rd) – an “inspirational sun” or “inspirational enlightenment” Burner Day, coinciding with the 60th Gregorian birthday of Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito. It is also Albert Einstein’s Maya birth energy. Last year the 100th anniverary of the confirmation of his theory of general relativity coincided with One Ok at the beginning of this trecena.

12 Imix (Feb. 24th) – a “gathering together” type of force oriented around new beginnings (often “cosmic”), coinciding with National Cupcake Day, a special fund-raising day for SPCAs and humane societies –a great time to bake, donate, and fund-raise in support of animals in need.

This was to be the opening day for the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic. This is also the day of the Blue Dragon Festival (aka the Zhonghe or Longtaitou Festival, or “Dragon Raising its Head” Day) in China, a traditional holiday related to welcoming in Spring, but it is likely that this will also be scaled down or cancelled due to the epidemic.

13 Ik’ (Feb. 25th) – transformational wind, breath, and spirit, this time coinciding with the Democrats  debate in Charleston. This is the final day of Carnival in Venice, as well as Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”, the last day of Carnival season) in New Orleans. The festival in Rio ends the next day. This is the Maya calendar energy that was in place during the final day (June 4, 1940) of the enormous Dunkirk rescue operation during World War II.

Note that this trecena will be in place twice this year – with the second appearance happening in early Nov., at the time of the U.S. presidential election.

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

[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.]