Weaving Threads of Creativity: The B’atz Trecena

“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play, and it is play that stimulates creativity.” ~ Linda Naiman

The Maya view time as both linear and cyclical. Intricate mathematics are woven into their calendar systems that stretch into infinity. Time is both now and forever.

“Mayan weeks” are 13-day cycles called trecenas.

Basically, how the sacred Mayan calendar works is this: there are 20 day signs (nahuales),  which always cycle in the same order. Each day sign is paired with a number from one to 13, and each number has unique significance.

Every day of the Gregorian calendar corresponds to a Mayan calendar day with a sign and a number. The Mayan day sign and number from your birthday are your personal day sign and number. I am 6 Kej (Deer), for example. My partner is 2 Kan (Snake). Today is 13 Tz’i. (Dog). (Note: I use the terms and spellings in K’iche’ Maya. In classical/Mexican system, the words/spellings are different.)

The Mayan day 1 B’atz’ is tomorrow, Friday, July 28.

For the next 13 days, we’ll be moving through the trecena ruled by B’atz’: the thread of life. Its animal totem is the monkey. These days are superb for expressing our creativity with lighthearted glee. Dance. Sing. Paint. Write. Above all, play. 

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

According to The Serpent and the Jaguar by Birgitte Rasine, on B’atz’ days, the Maya “express their intention to freely receive all that they have requested from the universe, and to be able to unravel or resolve any matter of issue, especially family problems.” These days are “extremely auspicious for all artistic works and endeavors; in fact, it is a powerful day to begin any project.”

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Another aspect of B’atz’ has to do with looking at the cycles, habits and repeating patterns in our lives. The thread of life refers to time. Ancient Mayan artifacts depicted the Goddess Ixchel weaving the cosmos on her backstrap loom. In fact, the elements of the loom, weaving procedures, designs and the weaver herself are all part of the Maya vision of birthing and the Cosmos.

By paying attention to the patterns in our lives, we can eventually get to the root of things and uproot unwanted or harmful habit-patterns. This, in turn, creates space for our natural creativity to flow and flourish.

This trecena is also a great time to let go of inferiority and superiority. No need to compare—just be you.

“We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own and other’s people’s models, learn to be ourselves and allow our natural channel to open.” ~ Shakti Gawain

Here’s to embodying the delight, creativity and curiosity of the monkey and exploring the multitude of patterns we’ve woven into the colorful tapestry of our lives. Here’s a summary of the energies of the next 13 days:

1 B’atz: A day of creative spark, great time to start a new project

2 E: Focus on relationships and the spiritual and physical path

3 Aj: Meditate on home and family, do the inner work related to spiritual community and leadership

4 Ix: Bring the magic of mother nature into your earthly reality today

5 Tz’i’kin: Put forth some serious effort toward your big-picture vision, concentrate on abundance and prosperity

6 Ajmaq: Feel stability in your connection to ancestral wisdom, meditate on forgiveness of self and others

7 No’j: Consider all points of view and possibilities from an intellectual perspective, connect with your natural intelligence

8 Tijax: Ceremonial day to give thanks to doctors, healers. Edit. Let go of what no longer serves.

9 Kawoq: Day of the divine feminine, midwife and healers. Look back upon the storms in your life and how they have helped you evolve.

10 Ajpu: A day for the light-filled manifestation of your highest purpose

11 Imox: Creativity, dissonance and collective consciousness. Take some time to wander and/or create art by a body of water.

12 Iq: Hummingbird community love, strong day for clear communication

13 Aq’ab’al: Connect with Spirit and the ancestors, especially at dawn and dusk