Tzolk'in Calendar

Ben, or Aj in K’iche’ Maya, symbolizes the guiding light of family and home, and the tenderness and innocence of small children. It represents sugar cane, corn and the growth, health and abundance of offspring, seeds and crops in general; renewal and restoration; stability, strength and solidity; and resoluteness of character. It watches over professions, vocations and trades, and symbolizes the staff of authority and power. It symbolizes clairvoyance and telepathy, sacred sp

Nagual of the sun, Ahau, or Ajpu in K’iche’ Maya, epitomizes heroism in all of its forms - whether it’s the legendary Hero Twins of the Mayan creation myths, physical victory, in a battle or athletics competition, triumph over a mental or psychological challenge or issue, or conquering emotional struggle or pain. In line with these concepts, Ahau represents the blowgun hunter, the activity of hunting, death, and struggle; in fact, the glyph itself displays the face of the hun

Manik’, or Kej in K’iche’ Maya, represents power, authority, respect, force, and hierarchy. This is the day of the ajq’ijab - the Mayan priests - and represents the power inherent in religion. In fact, it’s the nagual of the Mayan religion, as well as the rainforest, cacao beans, and all four-footed animals. Embodying stability and balance, Manik’ is the nagual of the four cardinal points of the Earth and represents the four primary elements of earth, water, fire, and air. It

Mystical, magical, and deeply connected to Mother Earth, Ix, or I’x in K’iche’ Maya, embodies the very soul of Nature and the spirit, energy, force, and vitality of life and all living things. The nagual of Nature and Mayan altars, it symbolizes the sacred energy pulsing through running water, such as streams and brooks, and the protective energy of places like plains, hills, and mountains. Feline and feminine in nature, Ix represents innate intuition, curiosity, and the crea

Integrity & Impeccability Since the death of Sky God, the god-like being who had come from the stars and led the Maya to prosperity and a golden era of spiritual understanding, his teachings of love, integrity, impeccability, and the power of a compassionate heart had been perverted. The distortion of his Jaguar teachings had degenerated to where the priests were sacrificing human beings, foolishly cutting out the victims' hearts to reclaim the power of the golden days of the

Associated with powerful psychic forces, Imix, or Imox in K’iche’ Maya, represents what is often called the “left side of reality” - those other dimensions, worlds, levels of existence that are unusual, eccentric, or in general deemed outside of what is “normal”. Accordingly, Imix symbolizes not only the receptivity to communication with or messages from these other realities and the ability to see into other worlds, but also madness, insanity, mental disorder, nervousness, u

A lush and fertile sign, Lamat, or Q’anil in K’iche’ Maya, brims with the energy of positive growth and abundance. Lamat carries the codes for all life, nourishes perpetual regeneration, and represents the seed, corn, pride, harvest, and food. A harmonious and cyclical day, it also symbolizes love, understanding, and realization, and embodies ancestral knowledge, universal memory and genetic wisdom. Lamat is the nagual of all kinds of animal and plant seeds, and the day sign

Fear A long time ago - no one really knows how long ago it was - Rabbit was a brave and fearless warrior. Rabbit was befriended by Eye Walker, a witch. The witch and Rabbit spent much time together sharing and talking. The two were very close. One day Eye Walker and Rabbit were walking along and they sat down on the trail to rest. Rabbit said, "I'm thirsty." Eye Walker picked up a leaf, blew on it, and then handed Rabbit a gourd of water. Rabbit drank the water but didn't sa

Men, or Tz’ikin in K’iche’ Maya, is the far-seeing Eagle, the great bird that soars far above the highest peaks of mountains and pyramids, high above the din of mankind, where only sacred silence and the breath of winds reign.Sweeping across vast stretches of sky on broad powerful wings, Men enters the dreams of men and women to impart important messages and revelations. Made of legend, his breadth and acuity of vision surpasses that of any other living thing, and that is why

The following is an excerpt from "The Serpent and the Jaguar" by Birgitte Rasine. For those of us used to living with the no-nonsense, business-like Gregorian calendar, it can be a bit of a stretch to integrate not only a completely different timekeeping system (260 instead of 365 days, 13-day weeks, and no specific beginning or end), but also a vastly different conception of time - the concept of sacred time. The ancient Maya lived - and their descendants continue to do so