A royal wedding, the dismantling of a nuclear test site, widespread flooding, a pipeline conflict, a volcano threatening a massive eruption, Manhattanhenge, and a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East – all these, and much more, are on the table as the B’en (“Personal Authority”) trecena gets underway.

During the last opening of this trecena (end of August, 2017) it was Texas that was initially the focus of much attention as that region was dealing with the catastrophic flooding brought by Hurricane Harvey, at the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. This was quickly followed by the devastating rampage of Cat. 5 Hurricane Irma through the southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean through the rest of the trecena, with many areas being hit so severely that millions are still dealing with the aftermath. Moreover, it was not just these hurricanes but two others that were also threatening the region.

On the West Coast the massive La Tuna wildfire in Los Angeles was ignited on the third day of this time frame, which required the evacuation of over 300 homes. A few days later the Oaxaca area of Mexico was hit by an 8.1 earthquake that was felt by half the country. With all this going on a large number of people had to summon up a great deal of fierce self determination to deal with the challenges that were being presented.

As we could see by these events last year the B’en trecena can make its presence known in powerful ways. Perhaps it was “ticked off” by the way things had been going during the previous cycle and needed to “vent”. In any case, it is not unusual for this trecena to get people’s attention and propel them into action.

Indeed, right from the beginning the energy of One B’en, which kicks off the second 52-day period within the 260 day Tzolk’in, often presents itself in bold ways. Represented by robust growing corn, symbolic of strong self determination, this is the energy that was in place when John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy and initiated his campaign for president in early January of 1960. It was also the energy in place in 2011 when President Obama announced that he would be running for a second term as U.S. president.

Historically the B’en trecena has been a force often associated with huge shifts in the balance of power, as when Hernán Cortés and eleven Spanish galleons organized themselves on the east coast of Mexico in the early 16th century and kicked off the devastating events that so dramatically changed the whole of Mesoamerica. Several centuries later this same trecena brought forth the start of the Mexican revolution when the revolutionary Francisco Madero led strikes to denounce the dictator Porfirio Diaz. This was the same energy under which Nancy Pelosi made history (in 2007) by becoming the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the highest ranking female lawmaker in American politics. And now, at this present time, the first day of this trecena coincides with the beginning of the second year of Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

Also in the U.S. the new Poor People’s Campaign, called The Poor People’s Campaign, a National Call for Moral Revival, which kicked off 40 days of direct action three days ago, will be gaining strength during this time as hundreds of low income workers, faith leaders, civil rights organizers, and liberal activists focus their energies on raising awareness during the first part of their planned six weeks of civil rights action.

During the last appearance of this trecena the world at large was reminded of the tragic death of a woman whose presence and “personal authority” touched the hearts of millions, as this trecena marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.

But isn’t it intriguing to see that just one cycle plus one day later the world’s attention is again focusing on the British royal family, this time to celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, with many “remembrances of Diana” being built into the ceremonies.

During the last appearance of this trecena the annual Hajj was underway in the Middle East, drawing worshippers to Mecca. And although prayers are badly needed in the Middle East at the moment the situation in Gaza is such that many are being required to re-evaluate their positions with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With the recent slaughter of dozens of Palestinians by Israeli forces, and the volatile situation created by moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, tensions are extremely high and in danger of erupting further – as is Mount Kilauea in Hawaii.

During the last appearance of this trecena a situation similar to what was going on in Texas was affecting some 41 million people across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, due to the devastating monsoons that destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. At the present time many regions in British Columbia and elsewhere are currently in danger of record-breaking flooding due to the rapid melting of snow packs, with much of that flooding getting well underway during the last trecena. To boot, this province is being threatened with yet more hikes in gasoline prices as Alberta ups the stakes as a major deadline looms with regard to the pipeline conflict. Again, a great deal of personal fortitude will be required to deal with all this.

Traditionally the Classical Maya patrons of this trecena were highly oriented around the idea of cleansing and “purification”, and the shifting of energies to clear out stagnation. As we have seen, that shifting can often be enormous as it has the potential to turn lives upside down and sideways. Given the current conditions and the high profile events scheduled for this time frame it is highly likely that much more “shifting” will unfold at this time, much of which could have life-changing consequences. Undoubtedly a great deal of strength, courage, and fortitude may be needed in order to work through the challenges. And as always, many will be required (whether they like it or not) to re-examine priorities and options. Many will have no choice but to “buckle up and deal with it”.

As always, even if one is not in the midst of a crisis imposed by Mother Nature or by political conflict this is still a good time to closely examine one’s values, endeavors, and desires in the interest of making adjustments that might better lead towards the attainment of personal goals. To assist in this endeavor these are the energies that will come into play:

1 B’en (May 17th) – the “initiation” of personal authority, an important 52-day Shift-point within the 260-day cycle, at the beginning of the second year of Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. This is also the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities, with the theme for 2018 being “Alliances for Solidarity”.

This was the energy in place when John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy and initiated his campaign for the presidency in early January of 1960, and also the energy in place in 2011 when President Obama announced that he would be running for a second term as U.S. president. Maya Calendar anniversary of the historic day in 1962 when Col. John Glenn was launched into space aboard Friendship 7, to become the first American to orbit Earth. A good day to make important personal decisions. Conjunction of the Moon and Venus.

2 Ix (May 18th) – a dynamic type of energy aligned with “jaguar” earth mysteries and transformation, in place at this time as Pakistan observes this day as “Palestine Solidarity Day”, as that country expresses complete solidarity with the people of Palestine during this time of severe conflict with Israelis along the Gaza border. This is also Endangered Species Day and the start of the 8th Extreme Energy Extraction Summit, related to environmental action. The opening of the “Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs” exhibit at the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria. Maya birth energy of António Guterres, the current Secretary-General of the U.N.

3 Men (May 19th) – the “activation of Higher Vision”; a Burner Day oriented around “announcing the fire” at the beginning of the “Eagle” burner sequence, an energy that sometimes heralds the nature of some forthcoming event or challenge, in place as millions of people around the world tune in to watch the resplendent wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor. This is also Armed Forces Day in the U.S., and the day of the 7th March Against Monsanto.  Maya birth energy of the founding of San Antonio, Texas (the 300th Gregorian anniversary was on May 1st).

One cycle ago since the start of the huge La Tuna wildfire in Los Angeles, the largest in that city in 50 years. Two cycles since US intelligence agencies announced that they have overwhelming evidence that Russian operatives linked to the Kremlin were behind the hacking of the U.S. presidential election. Three cycles since the opening of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington D.C. that was attended by world leaders from more than fifty countries and four international organizations (but boycotted by Putin). That was the fourth and final nuclear summit initiated by President Obama.

4 Kib’ (May 20th) – a “defining” day associated with the restoration of order; often a “getting down to business” type of force, on World Bee Day. Under this energy influence in 1947 the UN passed a resolution to divide Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem as an internationalized city; in 1979 this was the influence in place when the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed after intense negotiations the year before (the 1978 Camp David Accords). Given the extreme volativity in the Middle East at the moment, it will be interesting to see if any effort will be made in that region to regain balance in any way at this time. And on a completely different note – this is Cher’s 72nd Gregorian birthday.

5 Kab’an (May 21st) – a “blessing” type of energy associated with evolutionary movement, coinciding at this time with Victoria Day in Canada

6 Etz’nab’ (May 22nd) – a “six directions” type of energy that can often be quite attention-getting.  This energy would work well with the Hindu Masik Durgashtami that is observed on this day, devoted to the dazzling 10-armed Goddess Durga, who works to destroy evil and enforce peace.

The Maya Calendar anniversary of the funeral of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Ten years ago this was the energy in place on the historic day when Barack Obama surpassed the number of pledged
delegates needed to become the Democratic nominee for President.
Two cycles ago Senators from both parties in the U.S. called for a special bipartisan panel to investigate cyber attacks.

This is an energy, bridging through to 7 Kawak, that is is often accompanied by severe weather events or other events of a “dazzling” nature. A good time to pay
attention.

7 Kawak (May 23rd) – “self-generating storm”, which can often bring a continuation of the weather pattern from the day before (if severe) or could manifest as a “storm of compassion” or a “storm of passion” oriented around a cause. This was the energy in place last year when the electoral college in the U.S. cast its vote for the new president, despite the “Stop Trump” movement that was afoot at the time. Currently this is scheduled to be the first day of the 3-day ceremonial dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear test site, which journalists from several countries have been invited to witness.

8 Ajaw (May 24th) – “resurrection” of the sun and “enlightenment”, at the start of the auspicious Ganga Dussehra festival in India, at which time it is said that one can get salvation from sins or achieve Moksha (liberation) by taking a dip in the Ganga River, which is seen as the incarnation of the Goddess Ganga. And on a different note, this is Red Nose Day in the U.S., with its focus on fund-raising to end child poverty “one nose at a time”.

9 Imix (May 25th) – “immortal” birth/the realm of all potential – a force that could have a far reaching influence, as was illustrated in 2015 when, under this influence, NASA released the first image of Earth from its Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite, showing Earth from one million miles away.

10 Ik’ (May 26th) – “foundational wind/breath/spirit” – an energy highly aligned with Source and with things pertaining to the air, to communication, and to things of a spiritual nature. Stevie Nicks’ 70th Gregorian birthday.

Maya Calendar anniversary of the energy in place in 1962 when New York honoured Col. John Glenn with a huge ticker-tape parade after his historic first space flight aboard Friendship 7.  Five cycles ago (in 2014) this was the energy in place at the time of the “opening for business” of One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western hemisphere, at 104 stories and 1776 ft.  Maya birth energy of George Lucas.

11 Ak’b’al (May 27th) – “inspirational night” or “inspirational temple of mysteries”; this is a
force often aligned with deep thought – or even “blackness” (as when Brazil was plunged into
darkness under this influence in 2010), but also a good day to enjoy the sanctuary of home or
temple and to gaze at the conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.

A good day to take a stroll through a park and contemplate the trees and natural world, and to be grateful for the work of naturalist John Muir (born under this 11 Ak’b’al influence in 1838), the environmentalist writer and philosopher who was so instrumental in the estalishment of national parks in the U.S.

12 K’an (May 28th) – a “dedicated” type of energy often associated with youthful vitality and the joyful celebration of life’s bounties, coinciding at this time with the first of two days of Manhattanhenge in New York at 8:20 p.m. EDT, when the setting sun aligns with Manhattan’s street grid.

13 Chikchan (May 29th) – “transformational lifeforce”; an intense and often impassioned energy, coinciding at this time with the Full Moon (known traditionally as the Full Flower Moon or the Full Corn Planting Moon) and Vesak Day in Malaysia, Indonesia, and elsewhere, a major Buddhist festival oriented around the celebration of the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and death of Buddha.

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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.]