Leaves are sprouting, flowers are popping, and gardens are being given their spring cleanup as the business of cyclical renewal gets underway. Paint brushes are busy at this time of year as “sprucing up” gets into full swing, but the city of Bristol in the UK takes this to a whole new level, with its Upfest festival that began on May 17th, and continues throughout this trecena. This is Europe’s largest street art festival, involving over 400 artists from 70 countries.

As it happens, the first day of this time frame (One Ok) was celebrated traditionally as a Feast Day of Renewal, oriented around the idea of guidance, justice, and the restoration of life. Thought of as being under the patronage of Xipe Tótec, the Lord of Renewal, and Quetzalcóatl, Lord of Life, this trecena was seen, traditionally, as a time when a new sense of direction in conjunction with the energies of renewal come into play.

The Aztec deity known as 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, symbolized this idea. This is also a metaphor for the “skin” of a bud falling away as a leaf or flower emerges and opens. 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, which is exactly what has happened during this period, many times in the past. The Feathered Serpent shown in the trecena image below echoes the idea of “cyclical regeneration” and renewal.

As noted before, one of the things that the Maya Calendar offers is an opportunity to look at the evolution of life from the perspective of energy cycles, as “themes” related to events have a way of returning and evolving in a cyclical manner. Indeed, past events reveal that one of the themes that tends to be highlighted during this time frame is that of justice and accountability. And as this trecena gets underway it becomes evident that a whole new cycle is gearing up in that regard.

The beginning of this trecena marks two cycles exactly since the Jan. 6th committee in Washington DC met for the final time (in December of 2022), making public the criminal referrals that resulted from their investigations. Three days later (on 4 B’en), they released their final report and recommendations for prosecution.

In 2019 it had been the first day of this trecena when Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation concluded its probe into Russian interference with the 2016 election, at which time he insisted that he did not exonerate Trump. He reported that his investigation had found that Russian intelligence officers had used sophisticated cyber techniques to hack into computers and networks used by the Clinton campaign.

Back in the early 1960’s this was the trecena in place when President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was not only inaugurated as the 35th US president, but also assassinated and interred. During the following decade this was the time frame that brought an end to the whole Nixon era, culminating with the Watergate scandal. Indeed, it was the first day of this trecena in 1974 when the US Supreme Court ruled that Richard Nixon had to turn over the recordings that included “The Smoking Gun Tape” which contained evidence of his obstruction of justice. Three days later the first of three articles of impeachment against him were passed, and Nixon resigned shortly thereafter. During the summer of 2016 this was the time frame within which Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first female to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate by a major US political party. We all know what happened after that.

And now, as these energies return, one cycle after the start of “trial season” in the U.S. last September, as it pertained to prosecutions relating to Jan. 6th, much attention will be given to the theme of justice and accountability as the criminal hush money trial in New York goes through its final stages. At the same time, with the International Criminal Court seeking arrest warrants for Hamas and Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity, this theme is playing out on many fronts.

One of the elements to watch for as we go through this period is that of heat – and fire, as the dog in Mesoamerican mythology is often shown holding a torch, or being closely connected with fire. As this trecena opens we see that Mexico is suffering under an extreme heat wave, with the forecast predicting temperatures above 45C in some parts of the country. It was just reported that, horrifically, howler monkeys have been “falling out of trees like apples”, so this is a brutal situation. And this is only May!

But we can also see many examples of people “holding high” the torch, to light the way forward, during this period. Indeed, during his inauguration speech on the eighth day of this time period in 1961 John F. Kennedy said that “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility –I welcome it. . . . . The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it–and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”

The need for people to step up and defend freedom “in its hour of maximum danger” seems more pertinent now than perhaps ever before, as those dangers loom on many different levels – moral, political, judicial, and environmental. Not only has the need to defend freedom become blazingly apparent in the context of the current political situation in the US, and the associated trials and prosecutions associated with both the coup attempt and high-level corruption in general, but it is also evident from the perspective of the devastating wars that are still being waged. Given that millions died in the two world wars that were fought, and thousands continue to be killed in many war-ravaged countries, one would think that people would come to the realization that throwing bombs at one another is not the answer. But as the D-Day Festival in Normandy begins towards the end of this trecena, marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6th, 1944, those who still remember will be doing all they can to remind people of the sacrifices that have been made (and continue to be made) in the cause of freedom.

Keep in mind, as well, that this was the trecena in place during World War II at the time when British and Allied forces were knocked back to the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 as 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 this trecena, which allowed the Allies to organize an evacuation. Over 800 vessels, both large and small, raced to the rescue of over 338,000 Allied troops as the call for assistance went out. It was a seemingly impossible situation that was turned around by the unselfish actions of people who leapt into the breach throughout this trecena to save the lives of all those men who were cornered in a hellish situation. The bravery and force of intent that went into that operation of rescuing those troops from the Dunkirk beaches became known as the “Dunkirk Spirit”.

One cycle ago it seemed that the same spirit was at work in Ukraine as Ukrainian forces broke through many of Russia’s defenses, as part of its counteroffensive against Russia’s aggression. But inadequate support eventually resulted in those forces being unable to sustain their efforts.

Let us not forget that back in 2018 Russia began its massive Vostok-2018 war games on the first day of this trecena, involving some 300,000 personnel, more than 1000 aircraft, two naval fleets, and some 36,000 tanks and other military vehicles. In order to counter all that, Ukraine needs sustained support if there is ever to be a resolution to this horrific situation. Hopefully, someone, somewhere, can find a torch bright enough to bring humanity to its senses, so that wars against one another are ended and we can all turn attention to fighting such things as climate change instead of each other.

Hopefully Xipe Tótec, the ancient Mesoamerican Lord of Renewal, and Quetzalcóatl, Lord of Life, Knowledge, and Culture, the patrons of this time frame, will muster their super powers to push back the darkness, to allow for new breakthroughs in accountability (and sanity) and the blossoming of new possibilities on multiple fronts. Here are the energies that will be in play:

1 Ok (May 22nd) “One Dog” – the “initiation of love, loyalty, warmth, guidance”, an energy associated with regeneration, sometimes depicted as a dog holding a torch, leading the way through the darkness. (Click here for Richard’s wonderful overview of the dog’s connection with the sun and the Evening Star. This canine deity’s influence will also return in June, in conjunction with the Kib’ trecena.)

Traditionally, this was an ancient Maya Feast Day of Renewal, the festive day associated with a
deity known to the Aztec as Xiuhtecuhtli, associated with the renewal of time and the creation of
life itself. He was sometimes depicted as Huehuetéotl – the Old, Old [Fire] God, whose image was
often shown on braziers. Associated with purification, transformation, the regeneration of natural cycles, and even the regeneration of the cosmos, Huehuetéotl-Xiuhtecuhtli presided over New Fire ceremonies (marking Calendar Round returns, every 52 years) and the lighting of the fires of renewal. It is not unusual to see Xiuhtecuhtli associated with Xipe Tótec, the Lord of Renewal, who oversees this time frame.

The ancient Florentine Codex tells us that, on this day, people “fed the fire” with offerings (including decorative paper arrays) and different forms of incense. Rulers were elected on this day, and a court of justice was held during which sentencing was pronounced on wrong-doers. Minor offenders were released and absolved of transgressions. The last time this was in place the former leader of the Proud Boys was sentenced to 22 years in prison, the longest sentence to date in the Jan. 6th prosecutions. Before his sentence was handed down he apologized for his actions and publically denounced his false claims that the election was “stolen”. He admitted that his candidate LOST, and said that “what happened on Jan. 6th was a national embarrassment”, vowing that his days of meddling in politics are over.

As of this day it has been two cycles exactly since the Jan. 6th committee in Washington DC met for the final time (in December of 2022), after months of investigations, when criminal referrals were brought forward. That last meeting took place exactly five Tzolk’in cycles after Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced that he was formally closing his office and resigning from the DoJ to return to private life. At that time Mueller said that his investigation had shown that Russian intelligence officers, indeed, had used sophisticated cyber techniques to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and that he did not exonerate Trump from obstruction of justice in that regard. During that final public hearing in 2022, the Jan. 6th Committee voted unanimously for the justice department to prosecute Trump. (Note: This case is still “on hold” as the Supreme Court drags its feet on rulings regarding presidential “immunity”).

In 1974 this was the energy in place when the US Supreme Court ruled that Richard Nixon had to turn over the recordings that included “The Smoking Gun Tape” which contained evidence of his obstruction of justice. Three days later the first of three articles of impeachment against him were passed, and Nixon resigned shortly thereafter.

In 1991 this was the energy in place when the Act of Declaration of Independence (from the SSR) was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament, thereby establishing Ukraine as an independent state. It has now been two cycles since Viktor Orban and his right-wing government won a fourth term in the parliamentary elections in Hungary.

Currently this is Vesak Day in Thailand – aka Visakha Bucha, Thailand’s most revered festival, which is following several days of observing Buddhist Precepts, pilgrimages to temples, candlelit processions, and a United Nations celebration of “The Buddhist Way of Building Trust and Solidarity”.

It is also the UN’s International Day for Biological Diversity, with this year’s theme being “Be Part of the Plan”. Click here for an overview of some of this year’s events.

This is Day 6 of the Upfest Festival in the UK, that continues throughout this trecena.

Processions will be held in Iran on this day, along with a farewell ceremony, for President Raisi who was killed a few days earlier in a helicopter crash.

2 Chuwen (May 23rd) – a dynamic type of energy traditionally aligned with creativity, often involving some kind of “intense heat”, marking a highly significant point in the Maya Long Count calendar. This day marks 11 Calendar Rounds (52 year periods) since the 2 Chuwen day in 1452 that was Long Count date 11.11.11.11.11. Coincidentally(?), in Mainz, Germany that was the day when Gutenberg published the first section of the Bible.

Fittingly this is the day of the Full Flower Moon and is also Vesak Day (Buddha Day) in India, Tibet, Malaysia, Indonesia, and many other south and southeast Asian regions – a major Buddhist festival oriented around the celebration not only of the birth and death of Buddha, but also of his attainment of enlightenment (nirvana). In Iran this is the day of the funeral for President Raisi.

Metaphorically 2 Chuwen can be seen as a solar force within a fire-oriented time frame, so this energy can often trigger intense engagement and action, as it did on that dramatic day in 1970 when the Apollo 13 spacecraft successfully returned to Earth after its aborted mission to the moon. Three cycles (520 days) ago this energy was in place at the time when the UN released a critical report on climate change that highlighted the fact that harmful carbon emissions between 2010-2019 were the highest ever in human history – proof that the world is on a “fast track” to disaster.

At that time scientists were emphatically pointing out that it’s ‘now or never’ to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. But despite intense global summits on climate change and biodiversity preservation, not enough has been done to avert disasters, and the effects of climate change are now being felt everywhere. Southern Brazil, for instance, is still in the midst of catastrophic flooding, some three weeks after the intense rainfall and flooding began.

The last time this energy was in place, almost one cycle exactly after the release of the Jan. 6th committee’s final report, Trump and 18 other co-defendants were arraigned in Georgia on a wide range of charges (including racketeering) associated with election interference. On that same day a federal judge ruled that the dumpster was liable for defamatory comments he made in 2019 about writer E. Jean Carroll. He was ordered to pay her $5m as a part of that New York civil lawsuit, the first of two against him that she won. This time the hush money trial is nearing its conclusion, with only the summations and jury deliberations remaining.

This was the energy in place last September when Hackney Diamonds was released, the Rolling Stones’ first original album in 18 years. Currently these “rocktogenarians” are back on tour, strutting their stuff at this time in New Jersey, as part of their current tour.

3 Eb’ (May 24th) – the activation of “animating vitality”, a pathfinding/stream-of-consciousness type of force, coinciding with the opening of the three-day World Heart Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, as world leaders in cardiovascular health meet with the goal of strengthening the global response to cardiovascular disease to help people live longer, healthier lives.

Two cycles ago (in December of 2022) Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy met with President Biden in Washington, and addressed a joint session of Congress in a bid to secure help from the U.S. for his battle to protect his country from the Russian invaders. After considerable foot-dragging, that help is finally beginning to arrive in Ukraine, even though Ukraine sustained considerable losses while waiting for the US congress to approve the funds.

This is the legendary Bob Dylan’s 83rd Gregorian birthday, and the 94th Gregorian birthday of renowned naturalist/artist Robert Bateman who has devoted his life to raising awareness about the beauty and majesty of the natural world and the wonders of its inhabitants.

4 B’en (May 25th) – a “defining” energy associated with personal authority, traditionally seen as “the ruler’s day sign”, the day when new lords and rulers were installed and large amounts of tribute were paid to them. Traditionally, this was also a propitious day for the drilling of a New Fire (a renewal ritual) because naui acatl (Nahuatl for 4 B’en) meant “fire drills in all 4 directions”.

This 4 B’en energy has often been highly consequential in world and U.S. history, as this was in place when the first article of impeachment was approved against Richard Nixon in 1974, and in place when Hillary Clinton made history in 2016 by becoming the first female to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate. It was also in place at the time of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. As it happens, today is the 63rd anniversary of the day when President Kennedy presented, before a special joint session of Congress, his call to achieve a moon landing.

Two cycles ago the Jan. 6th committee released its final report under this influence. The report, spanning hundreds of pages, recommended criminal charges (for insurrection against the government, obstruction of an offical proceeding of Congress, and conspiracy to defraud the government) against Trump and others involved in plotting, or taking part in, the attack against the U.S. Capitol. At that time Rep. Liz Cheney also said that the dumpster’s refusal to stop the riot was a “clear dereliction of duty”. She emphasized that “No man who would behave that way at that moment in time can ever serve in any position of authority in our nation again. He is unfit for any office.” Then, exactly one cycle later (last September), the Georgia Special Grand Jury released its final report on the plot to overturn the election, and its recommendations for criminal charges.

This is currently marking four Gregorian years since the horrific death of George Floyd that triggered massive Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Minneapolis and elsewhere, as well as the push for police reforms and much greater accountability in law enforcement. On this day the George Floyd Global Memorial foundation will host their 4th Annual Rise & Remember celebration at various locations in Minneapolis, over three days, which will focus on education, empowerment, and healing associated with the pursuit of racial justice and equality. Events will include a conference, a candlelight vigil, a gala, and a festival.

Currently this is International Missing Children’s Day, to acknowledge the many children who go missing each year, and National Tap Dance Day, which celebrates the art of tap dancing.

5 Ix (May 26th) – a “precision” type of energy associated with mystery and transformation, and even rulership, as was in place in November of 2020, the day of the U.S. presidential election, when Joe Biden had to “battle for the soul of America”. Currently this is Kyiv Day, marking that city’s founding 1,542 years ago.

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 huge efforts to undertake evacuations from Dunkirk beaches during World War II.

This is Keith Richard’s Maya birth energy, fueling him on as he plays his East Rutherford, NJ gig on tour with the Rolling Stones.

6 Men (May 27th) – a “stabilizing” type of energy associated with the high vision of the eagle, coinciding with Memorial Day in the US, and the start of the UN’s 77th World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, with this year’s theme being “All for Health, Health for All”. This is held in Geneva, where member states look at public health issues of global importance, including making amendments to international health regulations.

This marks the start of National Reconciliation Week in Australia, which will emphasize the need for greater understanding and support for the shared histories, cultures, and achievements of the inhabitants of Australia, with this year’s theme being “Now More Than Ever”.

This marks three years since the announcement of the discovery of the possible graves of at least 215 indigenous children at the former Kamloops Indian residential school. As of this day it has been seven cycles since the release, in 2019, of a 1200 page document titled “Reclaiming Power and Place”, complied by the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, based on 24 hearings across Canada that detailed the decades of violence experienced by Indigenous women across Canada. That report delivered 231 Calls for Justice in this regard. This also marks 15 cycles since at least 10,000 people braved the pouring rain on a late September day in 2013 to take part in a four-kilometre Reconciliation Walk through downtown Vancouver to bring attention to the legacy of the dreadful residential schools issue in Canada.

This high-flying “6 Eagle” energy was also in place in 1946 when the first ever photo of Earth from space was taken from a German V-2 rocket launched from New Mexico.

It has now been 11 Tzolk’in cycles exactly since Hillary Clinton delivered her acceptance speech as the Democratic nominee for President at the 2016 DNC, with every expectation that she would actually be elected president.

7 Kib’ (May 28th) – a self-generating type of energy, often associated with engendering the kind of thought that can lead towards taking practical actions and “restoring order”, coinciding with New York’s “Half Sun on the grid” Manhattanhenge.

This was the energy in place when the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 when over 20 million Americans poured into the streets to demand environmental justice, in one of the largest single day protests in human history. Currently this is the day for summations to begin in the Trump hush money trial in New York.

In 1963 this was in place at the time of President John F. Kennedy’s state funeral and burial, after he was assassinated several days earlier.

8 Kab’an (May 29th) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with “evolutionary” movement, coinciding with the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, and New York’s “Full Sun on the grid” Manhattanhenge. It is also National Senior Health and Fitness Day, in support of helping seniors to stay fit and healthy . . . although we might also look to the Rolling Stones for advice in that regard. Who would have guessed??

In 1961 this was the energy in place at the time of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, when he called for “high standards of strength and sacrifice”, and for “invoking the wonders of science”, as he called for unification to “undo the heavy burdens”. Near the end of his speech were the immortal words: “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. As it happens this is former President Jimmy Carter’s Maya birth energy. He will be celebrating his 100th birthday on October 1st.

Five cycles ago, when this energy was in place, the states that were still finishing up with vote counting all flipped in Joe Biden’s favour, as everyone awaited the final tally. That was when Washington Post columnist Peter Marks tweeted, with regard to the dumpster: “He will never have another good day. Loser label will haunt him. The law will pursue him. Mental illness will hobble him. His properties will bankrupt him.” Never was a tweet more prophetic, as that is exactly what has been happening!! Let’s hope that JFK’s “ask what you can do for your country” words will find their way into the minds of the jurors during this time frame, and light the way to a verdict that is in keeping with the nature of the crimes that have been clearly indefensible.

9 Etz’nab’ (May 30th) – representative of “outwardly-projecting” flint, a “spark-oriented” (and even knife-edged) type of energy that can be quite dramatic and consequential – sometimes bringing something to a definite conclusion. With the hush money case in the hands of the jury by this time, it is possible that a verdict could even be reached by this day.

In 1963, this energy was in place five days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, at which time President Johnson gave an address to the joint session of Congress when he strongly advocated for the earliest possible passage of JFK’s civil rights bill. Intriguingly, it was exactly one cycle ago when an ex-secret service agent revealed new information regarding the JFK assassination – the new information that refutes the “single bullet theory”.

When this energy was in place five cycles ago Joe Biden had received over 75,500,000 votes in the US election, the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket, and was declared the winner of the 2020 election. He then delivered a highly inspirational victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware, during which he pledged “to be a President who seeks not to divide but to unify”. Congratulations poured in from leaders around the world. Since then he has demonstrated tireless leadership in his efforts to bring in beneficial legislative reforms, and to help western nations remain united in their response to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia. Unfortunately, he has had to spend a great deal of time battling Republican resistance, and the Biden administration’s many significant accomplishments have often been overshadowed by bombastic messaging from the MAGA zone, and by the highly catastrophic situation in the Middle East.

10 Kawak (May 31st) – “foundational storm” – an energy associated with intense catalyzation as often can be seen and felt in major energy pushes or strong weather systems, exactly six cycles since a dozen towns in northern Italy went into lockdown due to the coronavirus in February of 2020. Currently this is coinciding with the WHO’s World No Tobacco Day, and with National Smile Day. This is also legendary actor/director Clint Eastwood’s 94th Gregorian birthday. He has been a significant philanthropist over many years. Happy Birthday Clint!

11 Ajaw (June 1st) – an “inspirational sun” or “inspirational enlightenment” Burner Day, the last Burner Day in the Ajaw “Burner” sequence, seen by the Quiche Maya as “Ancestors’s Day”, a day to visit the sacred western mountain of the ancestors and ask for blessings.

This is Child Protection Day in Ukraine, and Children’s Day in China. It is also the beginning of National Indigenous History Month in Canada, the start of LGBT Pride Month, the official start of the Central North Pacific hurricane season, and the start of National Gun Violence Awareness (Wear Orange) month in the US.

This is marking four cycles exactly since the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol held its first hearing. During that investigation the committee conducted more than 1,000 closed-door interviews, investigated tens of thousands of documents, and held 10 public hearings. Over 1,265 people have been arrested and charged for taking part in that attack, and more than 460 have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

This day also marks five cycles since the announcement in November of 2020 that a preliminary analysis showed that the “first milestone” vaccine for Covid appeared to offer at least 90% protection. Pfizer and BioNTech described this as a “great day for science and humanity”.

This was the energy in place at the time of the Proclamation of Peace on Feb. 18, 1815, when the Treaty of Ghent came into effect, marking the offical conclusion to the War of 1812 between the US and Great Britain. This is also the Maya birth energy of Mikhail Gorbachev, the eighth and final President of the Soviet Union, who won a Nobel Peace prize in 1990 for helping to end the Cold War.

Currently this is the start of the 16-day D-Day Festival in Normandy, marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6th, 1944. Much of this festival will take place during the next trecena.

This is also coinciding with the final day of voting in India’s general election (which began on April 19th). This was the largest democratic exercise in the world, with more than 969 million voters, amounting to more than 10% of the world’s population. Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata is hoping to increase its parliamentary majority amid allegations that the country’s democracy has been undermined since it came to power 10 years ago. Modi and his BJP are widely expected to win a third term in power. Results will be declared on June 4th.

In addition, this is English rock musician Ronnie Wood’s 77th Gregorian birthday, one day before what would have been the 83nd birthday of drummer Charlie Watts, his Rolling Stones’ band-mate. Ronnie, of course, is now on tour with the rest of the Rolling Stones.

12 Imix (June 2nd) – a “gathering together” type of force oriented around new beginnings (often “cosmic”), coinciding with Mexico’s general elections. Since, by law, a Mexican president can only serve one six-year term, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s term will be completed this year, and so this election will determine his successor. This is also Canadian Armed Forces Day, and the final day of Upfest in Bristol.

Note, as well, that this is Maya Long Count date 13.0.11.11.1, echoing a bit of that “11” idea that was noted above with regard to 2 Chuwen. As it happens, this is coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the day when Pres. Calvin Coolidge signed into law The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 (aka the Snyder Act) – a bill that granted full citizenship to Native Americans, after their exclusion from the U.S. Bill of Rights for nearly 135 years.

13 Ik’ (June 3rd) – “transformational wind, breath, and spirit”, marking six Tzolk’in cycles since the CDC’s top official on respiratory diseases in the US warned people (in February 2020) to prepare for the inevitability of the community spread of Covid-19, indicating that the “disruption to everyday life might be severe”.

Note that this is the Maya calendar energy that was in place in 1940 during the final day of the enormous Dunkirk rescue operation during World War II.

This is the Maya birth energy of the renowned physicist Benjamin Abeles, the brilliant scientist who helped to develop alloys that were key components of the radioisotope generators that have powered US robot space probes on their interplanetary journeys, such as the Voyager probes that have explored the outer solar system and beyond. One of his generators currently provides electricity for the Perseverance robot rover that is busy at work on Mars. Last year the University of Southampton opened an archive of documents and photographs that tell Abeles’ life story.

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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.]