Category Archives: Mayan Calendar (Cholq’ij)

NOTE: SAQ’ BE’ IS NOT CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTING CHOLQ’IJ CALENDARS. THIS IS HERE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

As many of you know, every year Saq’ Be’ travels to the community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala to pick up the traditional Mayan Cholq’ij calendars they produce. We return with them and make them available for sale, returning the profits to the community to support their continued efforts to keep the traditional ways alive. Unfortunately, we do not know when we will be able to return this year and are thus uncertain as to when the 2005 calendars will become available. As a way of compensating for our lack of hard copy calendars, we are making available the same Cholq’ij/ Gregorian overlay on our website, which can be viewed on the front page. We have also made available information on the meaning of the Nawales (glyphs) and numbers presented. Click “read more” to view additional infromation on this calendar. We ask you to please consider supporting Saq’ Be’, a nonprofit organization, by making a tax-exempt donation to assist with our continued efforts for the rescue, preservation and appropriate sharing of these living ancient peoples, traditions and cultures.

5 Ajpu- Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal AjpuNumber 5 symbolizes elevation to creation; it is the energy of action. Ajpu, represented by the blowgun hunter, is the Spiritual Warrior who brings certainty and acuity; it is the force that helps us overcome the negative. Today number five brings opportunities and luck, and Ajpu gives you the ability to overcome any obstacles you may find in the way. Walk your path with courage; don’t be afraid of the challenges that may rise, you have the strength to face them and to obtain what you are aiming for.

3 Tijax- Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal TijaxTijax, represented by the double-edged obsidian knife, has the energy of healing, harmonizing and cutting; it gives us the power of opening new pathways. Number 3 represents rhythm; it is communication, creativity and optimism. The confluence of these two energies allows us to connect to the vibration and movement of everything that surrounds us, flow with the continuous dance of life, use the knife of Tijax to cut off the fears and the negative energy that are holding you back.

1 Ajmaq -Today’s Ch’umil & Trecena Prayer

Nawal AjmaqAjmaq is the day of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation with the Great Father and today it converges with number 1, which symbolizes the beginning. Use the energy of 1 Ajmaq to practice understanding and acceptance; remember that when we love we should not keep track, we should learn to let things go and accept the imperfections of the people we love. This is the first day of the Ajmaq trecena (thirteen days); during these days focus in being forgiving and understanding.

Trecena Prayer from Don Pedro Ixchop

In this sacred day I thank you, Ajaw, for all the richness (I don’t know if wealth works better?) that I have in my life, I thank you for being the richness of my path and my heart. I thank you for the richness in my destiny, in my hands, in my ears, and in my intelligence; for the richness in my existence and in my spirit. I am grateful because if I have any richness it is because of you presences, because you live inside me Ajaw B’itol Tz’aqol; only you can bring joy to my home, to my family. I pray that my work will become green in your work, that it will become spiritual gold that will flourish inside me. I pray that the green gold and silver will be abundant in your presence through all the good things, Ajaw B’itol Tz’aqol, because it is your charity, your favor, what I am grateful for Uk’u’x Kaj Uk’u’x Ulew. (I didn’t quite understand this part in Spanish, but I hope the translation makes some sense) I thank you for your infinitude, for everything I have, for the abundance. I ask you that there is no sadness or bitterness in my life, that the happiness and joy will always be abundant in my heart, Ajaw. I am your son, I am your flower here in Earth and I ask you to help me with my needs, Ajaw. I don’t want to live in poverty and I thank you for helping me prosper in all the activities I undertake, I thank you for your divine miracle, Ajaw. I know that I receive your blessings because I trust in you, because you gave me the qualities I need, you gave me the gifts I have, and these will bring me richness, and for this I thank you and I honor you by offering these candles in your name, Ajaw of the Sky and the Earth. Maltiox, Maltiox, Maltiox, and four times Maltiox.Maya Elder Pedro Ixchop

Ajaw Great Father or Supreme Being
Tz’aqol and B’itol Creator and Maker
Uk’u’x Kaj Uk’u’x Ulew Heart of the Sky and Heart of the Earth
Maltiox Thank you

13 Tz’ikin- Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal Tz'ikinNumber 13 symbolizes magic and realization, it is the energy that allows you to change and create. Tz’ikin, represented by the bird, symbolizes liberty, luck, love, and fortune. The convergence of these energies gives you the possibility of connecting to the energy of joy, love and abundance; elevate your prayers to the Creator and Maker and ask 13 Tz’ikin to create the ideal conditions for love, abundance, and happiness to come into your life. This is the last day of the Aq’ab’al trecena (thirteen days), light a candle to thank Aq’ab’al for the light it has brought and which has illuminated you during these days.

12 I’x- Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal I'xI’x is the strength of Mother Earth; it symbolizes the power of the jungle and the protective spirit of the hills, mountains, and plains. Number 12 brings the energy to help others and to practice sharing; it represents the consciousness of being. This is a good day to ask for the life of the animals, both domestic and wild; to ask for the spirit of Mother Earth.

11 Aj- Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal AjAj brings with it the energy of renewal and resurgence; it is the victory over any evil, the symbol of resurrection. Number 11 represents spiritual tests and payments; it is a day to learn thorough experience and to transmute these experiences into knowledge. Face any challenges that may rise today with the strength given to you by Aj, have the certainty that every challenge that life brings you provides you with the perfect teaching; remember that there is a blessing in every experience and every outcome.

10 E -Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal ENumber 10 symbolizes self-exploration; it is a number of energetic highs and lows. E is the path of destiny; it is the guide and the means that help us travel the road of life. This is a good day to leave behind those things that no longer belong to you, to focus on your purpose and aim in life, setting aside the fears and allowing new and different paths to open before you.

9 B’atz’- Today’s Ch’umil

Nawal B'atz'B’atz’ symbolizes life and love; it is movement, dance, and the energy that represents the artist. Number 9 represents the emotional and the intuitive; it is love, compassion, and spirituality. The confluence of these two energies connects you to the energy of love, creativity, compassion and spirituality; don’t do anything half-heartedly, put the energy of 9 B’atz’ in everything you do today.