Giving in Gratitude: The Toj Trecena
When we give of ourselves, whether our energy, emotion, effort or resources, are we doing it with a sense of deep gratitude or grim duty?
We’ve arrived at the trecena of Toj today. Toj is the nahual of offerings and payments, and it is connected to the sacred elements of fire and water.
Toj reminds us that the ideal foundation for giving is gratefulness. When we recall the simple beauty of the moment, give thanks for both the ease and the challenges of our lives (both of which are blessings), and make offerings from the abundant bounty of our hearts, we are living in the spirit of Toj. This is the energy that guides the next 13 days.
Toj refers to the payment of monetary as well as spiritual debts. Toj is an offering. In Mayan fire ceremonies, we give offerings to each nahual as the spiritual guide leading the ritual counts the days of the sacred Mayan calendar. These offerings may include candles, chocolate, seeds, copal, corn kernels, flower water, herbs and flowers, among other items. It is a way to connect with the intangible yet ever-present realm of Spirit and the ancestors.
Here in Guatemala, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in peaceful protests since October 2. They’re taking a stand for their rights and denouncing the rampant corruption that has endlessly plagued this country. They are demanding certain government leaders to step down and allow the newly elected president to take power in January, an event that the corrupt in power will do anything they can to avoid.
They are embodying the energy of Toj, sacrificing their comfort and complacency, giving their time and energy to the causes of democracy, justice and freedom. Viva la Revolución! Power to the people!
If you’d like to delve into the sacred Mayan calendar and cosmovision in a deeper way, join me on retreat in Guatemala this December 9–15!
Here are the days of this trecena:
1 Toj – The seed of giving. Offer a ceremony to ask for balance and to cultivate gratitude anew.
2 T’zi – Ponder relationship and duality in the realm of unconditional love, truth and justice. Notice “us versus them” mentality—and let go of it.
3 B’atz – Connect with your inner artist. Make a weaving within. Stay home if possible and redecorate or rearrange your living space.
4 E – Ground your path in the earth plane. Move around, explore new places, travel and have new experiences. Enjoy the trip!
5 Aj – Put effort into establishing harmony in your home and community. Work toward greater stability through giving and service.
6 Ix – Connect with sacred spaces/altars, spend time with family, give love to Mother Earth through service projects and gratitude rituals
7 Tz’i’kin – Fine tune your long-term vision for life. Finalize which way you’re going to bring in prosperity for your family and community.
8 Ajmaq – Focus on forgiveness and acceptance of self and others. Give pardon. Show understanding.
9 No’j – Honor the yin/yang, balancing feminine intuition and masculine logic. Bring your gratitude to life.
10 Tijax – Community healing. How can we personally and collectively let go of beliefs and habits that no longer serve or benefit us?
11 Kawoq – Rebirth day. Be creative, wander in wonder, connect with Turtle spirit and the beauty of a rainstorm.
12 Ajpu – Assess your own hero’s journey, looking back at your life and the lessons it has taught you which serve as the foundation of your sense of gratitude.
13 Imox – Potent day to touch in with Spirit, collective consciousness, dreams and ancestral wisdom by connecting with natural water bodies. Trust your intuition. Protect your empathic sensitivity.
