Happiness, hit her like a train on a track Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back She hid around corners and she hid under beds She killed it with kisses and from it she fled With every bubble she sank with a drink And washed it away down the kitchen sink
The dog days are over The dog days are done The horses are coming so you better run
Run fast for your mother run fast for your father Run for your children for your sisters and brothers Leave all your love and your longing behind you Can’t carry it with you if you want to survive
The dog days are over The dog days are done Can’t you hear the horses? ‘Cause here they come!
And I never wanted anything from you Except everything you had And what was left after that too, oh.
Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back Struck from a great height By someone who should know better than that
The Tzolkin’s Story
It is said in Mayan mythology that the faithful Dog (Oc/Tzi) carries a torch in its mouth and leads the way into the darkness of the underworld.
Isn’t it interesting, then, that the Dog trecena is followed by the Night/darkness trecena? And the trecena that comes after this one is Ajman/Cib, symbolizing the Wisdom of the ancestors according to some traditions.
So traversing the darkness leads to wisdom. Then comes Toj. How does that figure into the story?
Maybe the trecena sequence has a complete story to tell from Imox to Q’anil?
Here are some interesting facts I found about this trecena: 1-Caban.
World War II broke out on 9-Chicchan, when the Nazis invaded Poland on September 1st 1939. Another notable, although less known world event that took place on 9-Chicchan was the launch of Apollo 13 (11 April 1970 at 13:13).
That was the mission NASA called “A successful failure”. The same mission which Hollywood and Ron Howard (13-Ahau) turned into the movie by the same name.
Another famous NASA antic also took place in this trecena: the first successful Apollo landing on the moon (Apollo 11) took place on 4-Ahau
Likewise, in this very trecena we can also find the beginning of WWII on 9-Chicchan, and VE-Day on 4-Ahau.
Now what’s the connection between WWII and NASA? You might have heard about operation Paperclip, when US intelligence were smuggling German rockets scientists to the states. These scientists were the core staff that began NASA, headed by the first director of the Marshal space center: Wernher von Braun (9-Ik).
1-Caban: One thought
“The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid.” – J. D. Salinger (1-Caban), De Daumier-Smith’s Blue Period (1952)
Born on this day: Ira Gershwin, J. D. Salinger, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jay Leno, Noel Gallagher (Oasis), Seal, Lil’ Kim, Oscar Schindler, Jackie Gleason, Cecil Rhodes, Emilíana Torrini, Ronaldinho, , Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Dolly Parton, Cecil Rhodes
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The question of solidity vs. liquidity is at the heart of the period which began last
Saturday, 24 October 2015 (1-Caban). In the above quote J.D. Salinger says that happiness is a solid and joy is a liquid. Now, what on earth could that mean?
Solids can decay, they are eroded by liquids and gasses. They can fall down and fracture. Some solids freeze and defy time. Some solids are the stuff I purchased in the market; the seat of my vehicle, my keyboard’s armrest. Solids are also the hills and valleys surrounding my neighborhood, my front door handle, the pavement that leads to the recycle bin.
In other words, as far as consciousness is concerned – solids become background at some point. Like a wardrobe or a used car, they can be a source of what’s called boredom. Solids require either replacement or personal maintenance to hold my attention.
Does all this apply to happiness?
Liquids seep into solids and flow. Liquids must be properly contained to be used as a stable resource, like a gas tank or a coke bottle. On the other hand, contained liquids also tend to fester, so liquid must be circulated in order to remain fresh and potent. Only on rare occasions contained liquids get better over time – like good wine and deep-colored honey.
When unconstrained, liquids evaporate and precipitate. They cycle back and forth, and retain their atomic mass. According to the common arrangement of matter, liquids are the interim state between solids and gasses. Symbolically, this means that an interim or go-between state is dynamic by definition. Unlike the solid, it doesn’t break nor lose itself to fire – it transforms; it communicates without losing anything in the process.
Does all this apply to joy?
Caban as our common heartbeat
From further inquiry into the symbolism tied into this sun-sign, it is evident that Caban has a lot to do with the planet itself, as a living and evolving organism with its own heartbeat.
The Earth’s heartbeat is ancient, deep, and very low in frequency. What’s so special about Caban is that no matter where I am on Earth, above the atmosphere, deep underwater, downtown in the city or by the shore – I am constantly connected to this all-encompassing deep frequency.
Another interpretation of Caban is incense, which is related to thought in the Mayan tradition. Thoughts go up to the heavens like burnt incense, like evaporating liquid. Thoughts eventually precipitate down and manifest, when they complete their cycles of development and attainment.
Invisible essentials
To meet the inner child, here’s a scene from the feature The Little Prince (1974), based on the classic novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1-Caban). Here, Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman, 11-Eb) plays the fox, tamed by the little prince, on the occasion of their final farewell:
“It’s only with the heart that one can see clearly. What’s essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1-Caban)
2-Edznab: A true question
“Our children will live, Mr. Beale, to see that perfect world in which there’s no war or famine, oppression or brutality – one vast and ecumenical holding company, for whom all men will work to serve a common profit, in which all men will hold a share of stock – all necessities provided, all anxieties tranquilized, all boredom amused.” – Ned Beatty (2-Edznab) as Arthur Jensen in Network (1976)
Born on this day: Mark Knopfler, Paul Simon, Barry Bonds, Leon Trotsky, Barry Pepper, David Lynch, James Dean, James Gandolfini, Ned Beatty, William Holden
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The second step of the world tour the Maya called 1-Caban is the mirror of reality and truth. It is essential to think true thoughts, so that they eventually materialize as true realities. But true to what?
That is the question, as they say, and I have my own answer. Yours is different, naturally, but it must nevertheless be true to you, when you turn your attention to it. I think true thoughts look just like harmless thoughts, but can be insightful and maybe subversive nonetheless. True thoughts leave me empowered, emancipated, and on the move. These are thoughts that should also be reflective and somewhat humble so to remain within rebuke.
True thoughts lead to true abundance for myself and my community, as displayed in the previous uinal (7-kan, then 7-caban). They are beyond envy and over competition. They lead to lasting solutions and to the eventual replacement of whatever no longer serves thoughts, nor inspires realities.
Symbology
Stage 2 goes well with the sun-sign Edznab (much like 7-Edznab); Edznab is the Mirror of Reality, and 2-Edznab is like looking in the rear-view mirror of the taxi right after leaving home on a world tour.
2-Edznab means that I face Reality the way I face a mirror of truth. It shows me what’s there and what’s only an illusion. Also, using another meaning of the word Edznab, a razor-sharp knife can be used to give life as well as to take it away. Both of these interpretations are consistent with the duality inherent to Edznab, stage 2, stage 7, and other stages as well.
sacrifices of the Heart
There’s a tender kind of sacrifice and camaraderie in the thought that I might give my life for my country, or for my family, or for some truth bigger than myself. That idea used to make much more sense to me back in the 80’s and early 90’s. It’s different now on the inside.
It’s becoming different on the outside, too.
Trivia
Ned Beatty played alongside William Holden (both born 2-Edznab) in the 1976 feature “Network”. Curiously, there isn’t a single scene of them together. Holden plays Howard Beale’s old boss, while Beatty plays the Bilderburg-style overlord and puppet-master.
3-Cauac: Activating storm
“Dissent is a legitimate and essential right in any democracy and modern politicians must accept this fact with tolerance. A sense of proportion – and a sense of humour – is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness.” – Sting (3-Cauac)
Born on this day: Sting, John Lennon’s assassination, Imelda Staunton, William Baldwin, Manly Palmer Hall, Yael Dekelbaum
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After thought goes through a true mirror (2-Edznab) it must now elevate itself from a true thought to a purifying thought. Many thoughts are true, but many also reflect things as they are, rather than as they should be. Things as they are belong to the realm of experience, not thought. So, thoughts can be true but at the same time not covering any new ground – stating the obvious in different words; taking about the weather inside the head.
(Reflecting back on the description of 1-Caban above:) a purifying thought is true AND new/refreshing/inspiring. It has the same essence as joy (liquid), rather than the essence of happiness (solid).
Cauac is closer to the joy of learning than to the happiness of knowing.
It is closer to taking a shower than to regurgitate what I read yesterday just to impress someone.
Symbology
A Rainstorm cannot be contained or controlled. It has total freedom to march wherever Purification is needed. This resonates with the activating and unhindered expression of Stage 3.
A rainstorm IS activating and expresses itself freely and according to its own rhythm. Therefore, stage 3 goes well with the essence of Cauac.
Trust in Ja
Here’s Yael Deckelbaum (3-Cauac, right in pic), leading off the song “YA”, along with her sisters of the coven: Karolina (13-Manik, center) and Dana Adini (3-Ix, left):
Spent most of my life doubting my belief, believing my doubts.My mind was so complex so it remained un-flexible.So why not try to simplify?Believe your beliefs, doubt your doubts
4-Ahau: D-Day? B-Day!
“He left a widow and three children. Who will she provide for now?” – Dan Ben-Amoz (4-Ahau), writing his own eulogy, circa 1958
Born on this day: Rabindranath Tagore, Dan Ben-Amoz, Zvika Pick
World events: Apollo 11 Lunar Landing, VE-Day
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Alright, here we are. Again.
Another end-date to wrestle with, or maybe one to hug this time.
4-Ahau is not a day to be considered lightly, it has been the one day when (very-very) long-term cycles begin another lap around the galaxy.
At the same time, 4-Ahau is also a relatively “weak” day, since there are 9 days to go in the 13-day trecena. It is a very stable, albeit rudimentary level of attainment.
Considering a Tzolkin beginning 1-Imix, 4-Ahau is almost 3/4 of the way around.
I’m going to discuss two major events in 20th century history that took place on 4-Ahau.
Extra-vehicular activity
Two significant dates in 20th century history took place on 4-Ahau: the allied victory over Nazi Germany (VE-Day, May 7th) in 1945, and the Apollo 11 landing on the moon (1969). The Tzolkin has gone around approximately 94 times since 1945, and 60 times since 1969. But who’s counting?
Both events have inspired generations of scientists, engineers, politicians, and soldiers. They were finest hours, celebrated around the world. They shaped the destiny of countless souls, who sought to secure an exterior destiny for themselves, adding value and meaning to their respective lives.
What is still called ‘value’ and ‘moral’ today is actually based on outdated guidelines, set emphatically by world events like the two mentioned above. Political and military values still draw substance and legitimacy from that one victory over absolute evil in Berlin. Scientific, technical and industrial values do the same with respects to NASA’s great achievement in the middle of the Sea of Tranquility.
To illustrate the old mindset, here’s a CBS documentary about the Apollo 11 landing (on 4-Ahau), with coverage by Walter Cronkite (6-MULUC, previous trecena), and presented by Dan Rather (7-Akbal, this trecena)” (part 1):
Sorry for the poor mono soundtrack…
Click here to see part 3, where the landing actually takes place. Cronkite with his rare and famous removal of glasses.
Later, there’s an interview with Armstrong (10-Chuen) and his wife Janet, done many years later. The young Mike Wallace (11-Ahau) and Bob Simon (8-Imix) are there, too. Their careers were fixed forever following that weekend broadcast.
Armstrong died quite recently, and was buried at sea in due ceremony on 16 September 2012 (10-Ik).
Personally, I identify the old mindset in this documentary in the way the astronauts are treated and respected. They are the “selected few”, the “cream of the crop”, and they possess the “right stuff”.
Since July 20th 1969 (4-Ahau) every boy wanted to be an astronaut, or at least a pilot. And every girl wanted to marry an astronaut, or maybe an engineer. Those who would do neither, maybe just wanted a Green Card, since the US has officially become the one country where you can fulfill your dreams.
How does that sound to you today?
SYMBOLOGY
Even more than other Ahau days, 4-Ahau is considered to be a pivotal day in the Tzolkin. 4-Ahau means that various limits to my abilities, resources, and measure of intention focus are illuminated and clearly visible. It means that my expectations from myself and others are grounded (by 1-Caban) and pragmatic.
4-Ahau is a good day to contemplate a possibility that the most sought-after state of mind – enlightenment – is only the 4th stage out of 13. So, the ripe flower Ahau serves as the basis and stabilizing factor (4) of evolution’s unfolding on the global scale (Caban), and is developed further by 9 other rudimentary sun-signs.
Here are some more words of wisdom from Rabindranath Tagore (4-Ahau):
“The human soul is on its journey from the law to love, from discipline to liberation, from the moral plane to the spiritual.”
5-Imix: alpha
“F**k it, Dude. Let’s go bowl.” – John Goodman (5-Imix) as Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski (1998)
Born on this day: Nik Kershaw, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, Enrico Macias, John Goodman, Milla Jovovich, Walt Disney, Werner Heisenberg, Leonard Horowitz
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The current trecena 1-Caban offers a special opportunity to tune into one of Nature’s most important, yet often forgotten lessons. The main message of the lesson is: “The moment of Enlightenment is closely followed by Step 1 on the Next Level.”
Right after a lion cub makes its first kill, even though it might feel elated and superior for 1 day – it has no guarantees whatsoever regarding what will happen in tomorrow’s hunt.
Hence the term “King for a Day”.
Tomorrow the cub might succeed, it might fail and go to sleep hungry, or it might parish in the attempt – same as always. This is the gift of opportunity and evolution that mother earth has equally bestowed on lions, hawks, grizzlies, daughters of Eve and sons of Adam.
Like all Imox days, 5-Imix begins a new uinal of the Tzolkin, and empowers the Caban process of evolution by reminding me that yesterday’s enlightenment (Ahau) can serve as very strong infra-structure (4) to begin a new process of bringing about global, as well as personal – consciousness (Caban) back to square one (Imix) of my next common phase.
Imix is the most rudimentary sun-sign in the 20-day uinal. It embodies the most raw forms of energy, and it includes ALL. Paradoxically, it is both the most physical and present aspects of creation, while being the element most associated with the dreamworld and the wispy unborn.
It is mother earth’s primordial-swamp-level glory, as depicted by the proverbial sunrise.
The Caban-oriented, heart-centered emphasis is on delicately balancing my focus (5) of consciousness between body/mind/spirit and practically everything else.
All that jazz, down to earth
Here’s Keith Jarrett (5-Imix) playing “When you wish upon a star”, with Gary Peacock (9-Eb) on bass and Jack DeJohnette (3-Edznab) on drums:
6-Ik: Traditional conversation
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! The Great Oz has spoken!” – L. Frank Baum (6-Ik), The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published 10-IX, 1900
Born on this day: Maxi Jazz, Sia Furler, Bob Geldof, L. Frank Baum, Dick Cheney, Billy Crystal, Anderson Cooper
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The message of the new day which dawned yesterday must be spread throughout the earth. This is done by the primal power of the wind (Ik). Wind is the power of dissemination which is established in the uinal 2 days before seeds (Kan) come into play – the seeds that are disseminated by the wind.
So the wind comes before the abundance that it is supposed to spread. It might wonder around aimlessly above mountaintops and over the seashore. Then it comes upon a vast, over-ripe sunflower field.
This resonates with what Ian Lungold (12-Ahau) used to say (and I’m paraphrasing): The tools required today were provided yesterday.
Airborne seeds in nature are the same as spoken ideas and comments in a network meeting. I listen, I comment, I joke around and talk around the lunch table. I am sowing seeds, using wind (or, more precisely: spirit).
6-Wind is a very gentle wind that never wishes to rock any boat. It negotiates and responds through the craft of speech. 6-Ik is someone needing someone else for whatever reason.
6-Ik is when the message of enlightenment as a basis for further evolution (4-Ahau) crawls from the swamp and goes global, on the wings of the wind.
Wind in the sails
Here’s Sia Furler (6-Ik) singing “Destiny” with Zero 7:
When I’m weak I draw strength from youAnd when you’re lost I know how to change your moodAnd when I’m down you breathe life over meEven though we’re miles apart we are each other’s destiny
7-Akbal: Unknown on purpose
“[My job is] a very high trapeze act, frequently with no net.” – Dan Rather (7-Akbal), The New Yorker, 2005
Born on this day: Joe Jackson (musician), Tom Lehrer, Dan Rather
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The midpoint of the Earth (Caban) trecena is 7-Akbal (Night), and it can be visualized as the Day/Night longitude line (the terminator), constantly dividing the Earth as it spins around its pole axis. There is always half of the Earth in light, while the other half is in night.
In the context of this trecena, 7-Akbal means that the purpose for the universal heartbeat is constructive. Every invisible pulse that reverberates around the globe is built on top of all previous pulses. This pertains to the sun-sign Akbal since it also means “house”, in the sense of a structure that is based on bricks built one on top of the other.
This trait is also evident in people born under the Akbal sun-sign. They are usually busy putting one brick on top of the other, so when you try suggesting something completely new, they sometimes find it hard to incorporate it into their elaborate structure.
In this sense, 7-Akbal is the midpoint of my global (Caban) journey. It is the furthest I can get away from my home before I start coming back. It’s like going on top of the mountain and saying “Hey! I can see my House from here.”
7-Akbal means the sky will begin clearing soon, and around the beginning of 1-Oc the Sun will begin its hours of glory.
There are no frontiers left on heaven or earth, no boundaries to maintain between us, nowhere left to run. Light is bound to dissolve all remaining doubts and second-guessing.
Here’s Dan Rather (7-Akbal) signing off on his last day on the job: 7-Cib (13 days away):
His parting message was “courage”. Courage is in high demand when facing the unknown. It is the message of Akbal.
8-Kan: There’s always potential
“The world becomes an apparently infinite, yet possibly finite, card game. Image combinations, permutations,comprise the world game.” – Jim Morrison (8-Kan), The Lords and the New Creatures: Poems (1969)
Born on this day: Jim Morrison, Pat Metheny, Buckminster Fuller, Harry Reasoner, Bill Cosby, Ashton Kutcher, Martin Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Jonathan Adams (RHPS narrator), Daniel Van Buyten
World events: Six day war began, Microsoft incorporated
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On this logical voyage through 1-Caban the sign of basic abundance (Kan) is multiplied to infinity by the 8th stage. To begin the second leg of the trecena trip, a global community – a network of souls – is gathered today by the net known as Kan (a.k.a. Kat).
On a different plane, on 8-Kan the seed balances the Earth (Caban). Seeds that fall to Earth make the first step in finding their destiny as a plant in the making. They form a new harmony with the earth and create a new equilibrium with it. The place where there are no seeds on the ground is known as the wilderness.
A piece of mother Earth laying in wait.
Here’s the Pat Metheny (8-Kan) group playing “Are you going with me?” live:
9-Chicchan: Intensely dramatic
“There’s so much plastic in this culture that vinyl leopard skin is becoming an endangered synthetic.” – Lily Tomlin (9-Chicchan) as Judith Beasley in The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
Born on this day: Paul Giamatti, Clint Eastwood, Lily Tomlin, Naomie Harris, Jim Corr (The Corrs), Jack Parsons (rocket engineer)
World events: WWII began, Apollo 13 mission launch
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In a sense, 9-Chicchan is like a near-death experience. It’s true that this sun-sign is always immediately followed by Cimi (death), but on 9-Chicchan this nearness is highlighted by the divine and intense 9th stage . Life is what drives the planet towards manifestation. It synthesizes whatever’s already manifested and produces a new drama every day.
On 9-Chicchan I utilize my vital resources to complete all cycles of action.
As mentioned above, World War II broke out on 9-Chicchan, when the Nazis invaded Poland on September 1st 1939. Another notable, although less known world event that took place on 9-Chicchan was the launch of Apollo 13 (11 April 1970 at 13:13).
That was the mission NASA called “A successful failure”. The same mission which Hollywood and Ron Howard (13-Ahau) turned into the movie by the same name.
So we have in one trecena the first successful Apollo landing on the moon (on 4-Ahau) and then one of the most famous mishaps of the same program (today, 9-Chicchan).
Likewise, in this very trecena we can also find the beginning of WWII today, and VE-Day on 4-Ahau.
I’m just saying…
10-Cimi: Again
“For all the things you’re losing you might as well resign yourself to try and make a change” – Adam Duritz (10-Cimi) pondering change in “I wish I was a girl”
Born on this day: Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Navarro
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On 10-Cimi the world is transformed (terra-formed). The change is apparent, and what made it appear is the accumulated result of all the undercurrents of past phases of Caban – the planet’s heart.
10-Cimi is the perfect time for me to complete the cycle of change that I’ve underwent while corresponding with You and move on to something “Same-Same, but Different”, to put it in India’s English.
Three days
Here’s Dave Navarro (10-Cimi) live on stage, doing his famous “Three Days” solo:
True hunting’s overno herd to followWithout game men pray on each otherThe family weakens by the bites we swallowTrue leaders goneof land and peopleWe choose no kin but adopted strangersThe family weakens by the lengths we travelAll of us with wings
11-Manik: Resolve and Heal
“Devil, just come on back if you ever wanna try again. I already told you once, you son of a bitch, I’m the best that’s ever been.” – Charlie Daniels (11-Manik), The devil went down to Georgia (1979)
Born on this day: Charlie Daniels, Burt Reynolds, Yasmin Levi, Bob Woodward, John Kerry
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After the manifested change 10-Cimi, 11-Manik provides the tools and skills for perfecting the change; for integrating the newborn consciousness of the young with the older, established consciousness of past cycles of evolution.
11-Manik facilitates the change and smooths over rough edges with careful attention to details, and a firm intention to heal past wounds and forgive. This renders revenge and spite irrelevant. A new page is turned.
In addition, Manik has an inert driving force that propels it constantly onward – what’s next to learn? what new experience has this Earth in store for me?
Beauty and the beast: double feature
This following number never fails to lift my spirits. Whenever the devil comes down to sit on my shoulder I remember I’m the best that’s ever been. Manik does that to me. I forget about fear.
The devil went down to Georgia, played extra fast in Nashville:
And here’s Yasmin Levi (11-Manik) singing “Mano Suave” on Dutch TV:
She soothes me every time.
12-Lamat: Insights, multiplied
“Mujahideen of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades are treating me very well.” – the captive Gilad Shalit (12-LAMAT), in a video released to the public on 11-Kan (September 2009)
Born on this day: Jonathan Groff (Taking Woodstock), James Cameron, Keira Knightley, John de Lancie, Gilad Shalit, Raúl Ibañez, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Fuad),
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In order to understand the Earth out of which I came, I require a star’s perspective. From the depths of space the star’s light makes its cosmic way to cross the threshold of my eyelids. I see it among a multitude of stars.
I connect it to other stars in a particular way. I make up stories about that star, and about its neighbors.
However, from the star’s perspective there is a different story. The star has different neighbors than the ones I see. His story is about my Sun. He connects it with suns I might only visit for dinner in my deepest dreams.
13-Muluc: Keep serving
“It is a solemn responsibility to have to order even limited military action by forces whose overall strength is as vast and as awesome as those of the United States of America, but it is my considered conviction, shared throughout your Government, that firmness in the right is indispensable today for peace; that firmness will always be measured. Its mission is peace.” – LBJ (5-Edznab) measuring his firmness by initiating the Vietnam war, August 4, 1964 (13-Muluc)
Born on this day: Beyoncé Knowles, Christina Aguilera, Donnie Dacus, Mike Nichols, Avram Grant (Soccer), Mohammed Dahlan, Josef Mengele
World events: Gulf of Tonkin 1964 incident
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From the apparently slowest flowing Eastern sun-sign (Caban) we arrive today at the most dynamic of them (Muluc), and come full circle on the global tour of the planet.
From the solidity of happiness comes the fluidity of joy.
By a determined intention of sincere service to the other, and by an equally sincere offering of my own skill and talent – the planet constantly ascends to higher and higher levels of evolution.
This communal and reciprocal principle has been gaining a lot of ground in recent times across the world. It is the link to the next lesson in the tzolkin round – a lesson of love and loyalty: 1-Oc.
Born 8-Ba’atz: Johnny Marr, John Keats, Jesse Owens, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Bruce Bochy, Ian McDiarmid, Fred McGriff, Joc Pederson
“Nation state as a fundamental unit of man’s organized life has ceased to be the principal creative force: International banks and multinational corporations are acting and planning in terms that are far in advance of the political concepts of the nation-state.” – Zbigniew Brzezinski (8-Ba’atz), Between Two Ages: The Technetronic Era, 1971
“Left of center, wondering about you”
From Kenneth Johnson’s first book “Jaguar Wisdom” I learned that 8-Ba’atz was an important day in the Tzolkin round; considered even to be the round’s “new-year’s day”. Traditionally, it is the day on which new calendar shamans (daykeepers) are to this day initiated, in unique and due ceremony.
Looking at this through my Western eyes (back in 2009), it was immediately odd to have a new cycle begin on the 8th rather than the 1st day. What’s the point of beginning to count from 8?
Ever since then, this question made me examine my concept of time from new angles, and gradually reach a point from which I can look at the Tzolkin (and at Time in general) in completely different ways.
If we take the solar Ha’ab count of days as another example, we’ll find that the ‘seating’ or 1st day of each month occurs on the 20th and last day of any given month. So their months begin with ‘seating’ (zero), then 1, 2, 3… 19, and back to seating again, of the following month.
8-Ba’atz is the round’s initiatory point because, according to this Mayan system of knowledge, it is best to initiate and have ceremony at a point of balance in the 13-day trecena count, rather than at its beginning (1) or end (13). Again, according to Johnson, most all Tzolkin-based Mayan ceremonies take place in days 6-9 of any given trecena – the most balanced days.
The entire Tzolkin round’s balancing point is not found at the absolute midpoint (which is 7, with 6 numbers evenly distributed before and after it), but rather off-center (8), rounded upwards and leaning forward in time, towards the upcoming, on-deck process/trecena.
By another Western count, Imox is considered to be the 1st sun-sign. Here again we find that the sun-sign selected to mark the round’s point of origin is Ba’atz – the 11th sun-sign counting from Imox. So it’s another point of balance that’s rounded up slightly upwards (the absolute midpoint being both Ok and Ba’atz).
The 1-Kat trecena takes place in the 8th uinal (or 20-day count, out of 13) – Another resonance.
According to Apabyan Tew, a Mayan pregnancy shaman, the number eight is known as the point of return, since it’s where you’ll find the sun-sign that ruled the previous trecena. Today’s 8-Ba’atz, and the previous trecena was 1-Ba’atz.
I realized that my fixation with determining first and last is deeply rooted and shared with most of my fellow history-oriented, Judaeo-Christian-Islamic folk.
“Being on deck is the best” – unknown
From 1-Kat 10-Aj
1-Kat is the best time to celebrate social networking and current social tools, the eternal Facebook included. It’s a time to celebrate each and every way of connecting with another person, regardless of the tools I use.
Naturally, not using any tool and just meeting face to face still seems the best choice. But even if we can’t physically meet, in our current age of connectivity abundance, there are many means of connecting and sharing.
The day of manifestation in this process is 10-Aj (25 August 2018). This is the day on which a clear line is drawn between what’s real and what’s just an opinion; between theory and reality.
Known in the east Indian Vedic tradition as the Web of Indra, the union (or ‘entanglement’) that abides between you and me (Kat) is not something that needs to be achieved or put together slowly over time. It has to be acknowledged as a constant and indestructible reality. No level of technology can finally alienate nor divide us.
And technology, however flawed, distracting, or dangerous, is here to stay. Might as well celebrate it.
Timothy Leary (11-Noj) said to UCLA students in 1968 (I’m paraphrasing) LSD is what evolution has introduced into our mouths at this time to counter the destructive ‘whiskey-drinking, crew-cut, grown-up’ mindset.
So in the same way, the 2012 world-wide Mayan calendar craze gave attention to the Tzolkin, which is still being observed by many people outside Guatemala for over 10 years now. Can’t it be one of Leary’s evolutionary tools, introduced at the right time to creatively rise above otherwise impossible limitations?
My place in Time
The ironies of the universal artistic mind (1-Ba’atz) led me out of the cave of the ego and back to real people and real challenges. These are the challenges that I face when I move from the abstract musings of the artist to the crafty handiwork of the artisan.
Manifestation’s promise of abundance begins to unfold today, 1-Kat, and continues for the next 12 days.
Culture shock
When I take the time to think about it, the Tzolkin can teach me something new every day. This applies to both profound and trivial insights. For example, while editing this post last year, I noticed something new: Star War’s dark side emperor is played by actor Ian McDiarmid (born 8-Ba’atz). His arch-rival, Luke Skywalker, is played by actor Mark Hamill (born the following day: 9-E’).
It makes watching the scenes with both of them all the more interesting.
That is, if you’re as far gone as I am into Star Wars and this ‘calendar’…
