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 B’atz’ – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Nawal)

Nawal B'atz'B’atz’ represents the thread of time that unfolds before us and weaves our histories, according to the Maya our history is woven from time, just as clothing is made from woven threads. Number 5 symbolizes magnetism and luck. On this day B’atz’ places the threads at your disposal, it is up to you to choose those that benefit you and help you weave the story of your life with happy colors.

4 Tz’i’ – Today’s Maya Sign (Nawal)

Nawal Tz'i'Tz’i’ is the guardian of both the spiritual law and the law of man, it represents justice; number 4 projects balance, stability and security. Today these energies are influenced by Nawal Kej, the Nawal of this trecena (thirteen days) and the Eqanel (carrier) of this year, which gives more strength and stability to 4 Tz’i’. This is the ideal day in which to resolve complicated issues that need to be handled with transparency, and to settle any problem that involves justice and the law.

3 Toj – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Nawal)

Nawal TojNawal Toj symbolizes Grandfather Sun and his representative on earth, Tojil (The Sacred Ceremonial Fire); it is the law of cause and effect. Number 3 stands for the results of your efforts and actions. This is a day of gratitude and balance, a day to be grateful for all the opportunities you have received throughout your life. Light a candle as a sign of payment; ask the Creator and Maker that both you and the people around you continue to receive the blessings of the Ajaw (God).

2 Q’anil – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Nawal)

Nawal Q'anilNumber 2 represents duality, the couple, and union; it is a good energy to improve relationships. Q’anil symbolizes the seed, life and creation, it is said that everything that starts on this day will grow. This is a good day to prepare the ground in which the seeds of love will germinate; plant honesty, patience, happiness, love, forgiveness, support, respect, and understanding, along with every feeling you need to improve your relationships.

1 Kej – Today’s Nawal w/ Special Prayer from Elder

Nawal KiejEnjoy the stability granted by the cycle of the deer; during this trecena (thirteen days) connect to the energy of Kej and ask for his protection to advance without encountering difficulties. Kej symbolizes the deer, who is the guardian of the forests and nature, called to maintain balance between humans and Mother Earth; it also projects the energy of balance, it has one foot in each of the four cardinal points, and therefore the basic elements.

Prayer to Kej

I thank you for this sacred day Ajaw, I ask you to strengthen my feet and my hands. I also ask you to strengthen my thoughts at every moment of my life, to prevent me from falling into the temptation of the adversary, of the enemy of the Sacred Spirituality. This will be the strength of my eyes, so that they will maintain the prosperity in your presence Ajaw, Heart of the Sky; Heart of Mother Earth. I ask you that my eyes won’t fall into the temptation of the adversaries, and in this way I can continue my spiritual offerings. That the mission that was given to me in this life will help me Ajaw, and that it will help Mother Earth. I ask that my mission of Chuchqajaw will be the strength of all the people that follow me in Maya Spirituality, and that I won’t feel any tiredness while being at your service Ajaw.  Maltiox, Maltiox, Maltiox, and four times Maltiox Ajaw.

Ajaw  Great Father or Supreme Being
Chuchqajaw  The name used to refer to the Father and Mother of the Universe. It is also the Name used to refer to the earthly guides or authorities. *In Maya culture what happens in the spirit world is replicated on earth.
Maltiox  Thank you

Pedro Ixchop Soc is a Maya Elder, Ajq’ij and Calendarist, he is founding member of the Association of Mayan Ajq’ijab’ of Guatemala and of the National Council of Restoration of Maya Spirituality of Guatemala.

13 Kame – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Nawal)

Nawal KemeKame is birth and death; it symbolizes the cycles that manifest during this period. Death in the Maya world is a beneficial energy, it represents the dimension where our ancestors dwell, and it means the change in spiritual state. Number 13 is the magic of being able to change and create. This is a good day to make changes and to end with negative cycles, Kame helps you dissipate any adverse situations.

12 Kan – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Nawal)

Nawal KanKan is the serpentine fire that activates the sexual energy; it is the force of life, human evolution and spiritual development. On this day you can light a red candle to connect with your inner power. Number 12 can be the fire that ignites the power of Kukulkan ―The Plumed Serpent―, and connects you to his spirit to help you balance your sexual energy, develop your inner fire and work on your evolution.

11 K’at – Today’s Maya Day Sign (Nawal)

Nawal K'atK’at represents the net; it is both the problems that entrap us and the net with which we can bring together the elements, people and knowledge that can be used to achieve self-realization. Number 11 symbolizes learning through experience. Use the energy of this day to disentangle the knots that stop you from reaching your goals, remember that the web that tangles you is mostly of your own making and nothing prevents you from freeing yourself from it.

10 Aq’ab’al

Nawal Aq'ab'alAq’ab’al is the renewing force, it represents the cycles of our life that transform our destiny. Number 10 brings with it the energy of flowing. The gift of renewal granted by Aq’ab’al allows you to be the creator of your own destiny, of making the choices that lead you toward your right path. Ask the energies of this day to be the light that guides you.