It has been eight days since the start of the new Maya year, with several “world shifting” events, such as the triggering of Brexit and the U.S. missile strikes on Syria, occurring during that period. And now we find the Ok trecena, the first full trecena of the 6 Ik’ year, coming into play. Generally associated with Love, Loyalty, Warmth, and Guidance this is a trecena that can sometimes shed light on new directions.

Traditionally the first day of this energy period was celebrated as an ancient Feast Day of Renewal, oriented around the idea of guidance, justice, and the restoration of life. Thought of as being under the influence of Xipe Tótec, the Lord of Renewal, and Quetzalcóatl, Lord of Life, this is a time when a new sense of direction in conjunction with the energies of renewal come into play. This 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. While this was seen, traditionally, as a symbol of comfort and direction, there is often a great deal of warmth – and even fire – associated with this energy. Indeed, on its last appearance a weather phenomenon called a “heat dome” hovered over some 26 U.S. states, bringing a stretch of hot, humid weather that sat over a large area for an extended period of time. Blistering triple digit temperatures reflected the sweltering heat in many regions, including parts of Canada, making the “fire” aspect particularly prominent at that time. Notably this heat added to the challenges presented as the Soberanes Fire in California took hold (from an illegal campfire) during this energy frame, beginning a terrifying rampage that took 82 days to quench.

 The last time this trecena was in place many people in the U.S. were desperately trying to find some light in the context of the darkness and viciousness of the presidential race, given that Donald Trump had just accepted the nomination at the RNC. By the middle of the trecena the Democratic National Convention was in gear, during which time Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first female to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate.

The timing for this was significant as her nomination came on Four B’en, precisely 1313 days after the end of the 13th B’aktun, on a Maya Calendar day that was the same as that which was in place in 1963 at the time of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This is the same energy that was in place in 2008 at the time of the massive bank failure in the U.S. Given the occurrence of these kinds of previous events under this influence, and the fact that this was so close to the energy in place at the time of that world-stopping assassination (precisely one Calendar Round + one 260-day cycle earlier) one might ask if somehow a destiny-influencing “energy echo” might have somehow played a role in what ultimately followed in this regard.

But even though there have been major upsets in the past during this time frame, this is a trecena that, in the past, has also provided a great deal of hope for many. Indeed, in 1896 that same Four B’en energy coincided with the opening of the first international Olympics of the modern era, in Athens. In 1976 this Ok trecena saw the roll-out of the space shuttle Enterprise, the first test shuttle of the space shuttle series, which significantly opened the door to new explorations in space.

In 2000 the energy of Four B’en found Pope John Paul II asking forgiveness for the sins of Catholics throughout the ages, in a large public Mass of Pardon where he declared that in the past “Christians…have violated the rights of ethnic groups and peoples, and shown contempt for their cultures and religious traditions…”, a monumental declaration. Indeed, in terms of speeches, one of the most memorable in the U.S. came on the eighth day of this trecena in 1961 at the time of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration as president, when he delivered his famous “Ask not what your country can do …..” address.

And we can never forget the monumental “miracle of deliverance” that unfolded in May of 1940, from the fifth to the thirteenth day within this time frame. During that nine day period over 800 boats of all shapes and sizes embarked on Operation Dynamo, the extraordinary rescue of nearly 340,000 allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France when they were trapped by the German army. 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.

And now, as this trecena opens, we come to the the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War I. This was a turning point for the Allies and a “defining moment” for Canada.  It is intriguing that the opening events for the commemoration of this important anniverary are now coinciding with the opening of this trecena, which traditionally was a Maya Feast Day of Renewal.

Energetically this is an interesting time, as not only is this the start of a trecena aligned with guidance and justice, but for the first 6 days of this trecena Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn will all be retrograde at the same time. Astrologer Gary Caton reports that this is a rare conglomeration that he estimates hasn’t happened for more than 100 years – a situation that can trigger non-conformity, which can involve looking at things differently. He notes that Zelda Fitzgerald, the unconventional “first American flapper” of the 1920’s Jazz Age was born under this kind of influence, so perhaps we can take a cue from this and see if we can find some unconventional ways to break some problematic molds. By “coincidence” (or not) Zelda was also born on the final day of this Ok trecena, an intense transformational energy associated with “wind, breath, and spirit”.

This provides an intriguing metaphor as, indeed, we seem to be in a time of unconventionality, with boundaries being pushed on so many levels. People are becoming creative in the ways that issues are being addressed, as in the “Chicken Trump” Tax March that will coincide with the mid-point of the trecena.

Perhaps the group retrograde period leading up to this march will help people to come up with even more ways and means to shine light on problematic political issues, in the interest of finding solutions.

This is a time when torches need to be lit, leaders need to step forward, and viable new steps need to be taken if stability is to be regained, particularly since the person at the centre of the storm in Washington was unilaterally responsible (without Congressional approval) for the launch against Syria of 59 tomahawk missiles just two days ago, on the 100th anniversary of the day when the U.S. entered into World War I.

At this time, as when in 1940 all seemed lost, we should Remember Dunkirk!! At the beginning of this trecena in 1940 the situation seemed impossible, with thousands needing to be rescued, but everyone who had a boat got involved and by the end of the trecena thousands of lives had been saved! We are in a situation now that is calling for bravery and ingenuity, calling for light to be shone so that darkness can be dispursed. As the light and warmth of the Ok trecena work their way through this time frame these are the energies that will come into play:

1 Ok (April 9th) – the “initiation of love, warmth, guidance” – an energy that can be seen as having an ability to shine light on things previously unseen; an ancient Maya Feast Day of Renewal, this time coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War I. As this battle was a turning point for the Allies and a “defining moment” for Canada, important commemoration ceremonies will be held at Vimy on this day.

2 Chuwen (April 10th) – a dynamic type of energy traditionally aligned with creativity, and often involving some kind of “intense heat”, at a time when the Moon and Jupiter are conjunct. As this is a solar force within a fire-oriented time frame, this energy can trigger intense action. On this day Neil Gorsuch will be sworn in as a supreme court judge after an unprecedented partisan showdown in the U.S. Senate last week that ended with the Republicans changing the rules to enable him to be approved. Also on this day two Expedition 50 crew members will return to Earth after their stay aboard the ISS.

3 Eb’ (April 11th) – the activation of “animated vitality”, a pathfinding/stream-of-consciousness type of force, coinciding at this time with the Full Pink Moon, aka the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.

4 B’en (April 12th) – a “defining” energy associated with personal authority; a highly consequential force in world history, as this was the energy in place at the time of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. On its last appearance this energy marked the 1313th day after the end of the 13th B’aktun, on the 13th day of Theresa May’s tenure as the new British Prime Minister. It was the day when Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first female to be officially nominated as a presidential candidate. Currently this day marks the conclusion of the 100th anniversary ceremonies at Vimy Ridge.

5 Ix (April 13th) – a “blessing” or “precision” type of energy associated with mystery and transformation. This was the energy in place at the opening of the Paris Peace Conference for negotiation of treaty settlements after World War I. Maya Calendar anniversary of the energy in place when the Dunkirk evacuation began during World War II.

6 Men (April 14th) – an “everywhere” type of energy associated with the high vision of the eagle, this time coinciding with Good Friday. On its last appearance 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.

7 Kib’ (April 15th) – a self-generating type of energy, often associated with an effort to restore order. On this day that is exactly what will be happening as this will be Trump Tax March Day across the U.S. and in other cities around the world, with at least 135 marches scheduled for 40 states as well as DC. As many are calling this the “Chicken Trump” Tax march, many inflatable “chickens” – at least one of which is 33 feet tall – will be joining the march.  The public holiday in North Korea called The Day of the Sun, an anniversary of the founder and first leader of North Korea, will be celebrated with a large military parade; at this time there is concern that North Korea could conduct a sixth nuclear test on this day – which is highly problematic as US and Japanese war ships are entering the region.  Start of the Weifang International Kite Festival in China.

8 Kab’an (April 16th) – a “resurrection” type of energy associated with “evolutionary” movement, coinciding at this time with Easter Sunday and a significant referendum on a new constitution in Turkey that has the potential to grant President Erdogan sweeping new powers.  In 1961 this was the energy in place at the time of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

9 Etz’nab’ (April 17th) – representative of “outwardly-projecting” flint, a “spark-oriented” (and even knife-edged) type of energy that can be quite dramatic and consequential

10 Kawak (April 18th) – “foundational storm” – an energy associated with intense catalyzation that can manifest in  strong weather systems or major energy pushes. Publication date for Alan Lichtman’s “The Case for Impeachment” which illustrates the multiple layers of issues which can provide a strong foundation for Trump’s impeachment.  Launch date for the third Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo module (Orbital ATK CRS-7) atop an Atlas 5 rocket, on the seventh commercial resupply mission to the ISS. Maya birth energy of songwriter Leonard Cohen, who was such an inspiration to many. Also the Maya birth energy of Julia Ward Howe who wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic. (She was born on 10 Kawak 7 Pop; this is 10 Kawak 17 Pop).

11 Ajaw (April 19th) – an “inspirational sun” or “inspirational enlightenment” Burner Day, in place at the time of the Bloemencorso parade (bulbflower) in Holland.  In 2011 this was the energy in place when the price of gold rose to an unprecedented $1743/oz. on the same day as the sun emitted an Earth-directed X6.9 solar flare.

12 Imix (April 20th) – a “gathering together” type of force oriented around new beginnings (often “cosmic”), this time coinciding with the Soyuz Expedition 51-52 launch. A CAZIMI day (Mercury conjunction with the Sun)

13 Ik’ (April 21st) – transformational wind, breath, and spirit, this time coinciding with Queen Elizabeth II’s 91st birthday; one year since the death of Prince; 40 years since Elvis began his last concert tour. Maya birth energy of Zelda Fitzgerald, the unconventional “first American flapper” of the 1920’s Jazz Age, who was also born with 4 planets retrograde. Day of the scheduled rendezvous of the Orbital ATK CRS-7 with the ISS. This was the Maya anniversary of the energy in place during the final day of the enormous Dunkirk rescue operation during World War II.

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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.]