TZOLKIN: COUNT OF DAYS
Tzolkin Trecena Notes – 1 Monkey (Chuen)
Day
131 of the 260 Day Tzolkin
Trecenas are thirteen-day
periods in the Tzolkin. Each Trecena starts with the Number 1, but with a
different Day Glyph. As a wave of the Thirteen Heavens, the underlying energy
is governed by the First Day Glyph of the Trecena and influences all thirteen
successive Day Glyphs. Being aware of the predominant energy of the First Day
of the Trecena, we can align our intentions with that energy and allow our
goals to manifest.
This Trecena starts with 1 Chuen (Monkey) – master
artisan, master craftsman, imaginative, mischievous, gaining wisdom through
curiosity.
According to legend as recorded in the Popol Vuh, twin sons were born to One Hunahpu: One Batz and One Chuen (the word Batz meaning “monkey” in Quiche dialect and the word Chuen meaning “artisan or craftsman” in Yucatec dialect). Thus, this day sign symbolizes the monkey as the master artisan and master craftsman of all fine arts and innate knowledge. It is also considered to be one of the most fortunate and lucky day signs.
 © 2006 Judith Ann Griffith |
Artistic excellence was honored and held sacred by
the Ancient Maya as evidenced by the inscriptions left on stone monuments, cave
walls and pottery. Kenneth Johnson in Jaguar
Wisdom writes: “The funerary inscriptions on ancient Mayan ceramics make it
clear that the Classic Mayan scribes were painters as well as literary artists
and keepers of sacred lore. These members of the Mayan royal houses who
specialized in knowledge recognized the Monkey God as their patron deity. Given
such an intimate connection between sacred knowledge and creative artistry, we
should not be surprised to learn that Monkey is still regarded as the day of
the ‘masters of all the arts’ as well as being one of the days dedicated to the
Calendar keepers and their lore. Monkey is the day of the craftsman, the
wisdom-keeper and the artist. It exemplifies both the spiritual and creative
power as well as the over-reaching egotism of the artistic temperament.”
There is controversy surrounding the issue of the
beginning day glyph of the Tzolkin. Some Mayan Daykeepers and scholars believe
that the Tzolkin begins with Chuen instead of Imix. Imix seems the best place to start the
Tzolkin since Crocodile is depicted as primal, earth mother and beginning. But Chuen is also a likely candidate as
Monkey is the Master Craftsman and Master Artist and as stated above, a day
dedicated to the Daykeepers. Since the origin of the Tzolkin is also shrouded
in mystery (Olmec? Altantis? Unknown?), so also is the beginning. Does it
really matter? What is important to remember is that the Tzolkin is a count of
260 days - an endlessly repeating cycle - each day carrying its own unique
energy. The Tzolkin is a galactic constant – the heartbeat of the Galaxy – an
endlessly repeating cycle. It may not be necessary to know the beginning day
glyph. As long as you are following the True Count of the Tzolkin, you will feel
the energy and flow with the synchronicity of the galactic heartbeat.
Another representation of the Trecena is that of a
creative wave beginning at 1 and ending at 13, with the numbers 6, 7 and 8
representing the crest of the wave. The crest could be interpreted as a strong
influential energy, although the underlying influence on the Trecena would
still rest in the beginning. In this Trecena, the crest falls on 6 Cib
(Vulture/Owl), 7 Caban (Earth), and 8 Etznab (
As we journey through each day of this Trecena:
1 Chuen (Monkey)
2 Eb (Road) January
18
3 Ben (Reed) January
19
4 Ix (Jaguar) January
20
5 Men (Eagle) January
21
6 Cib (Vulture/Owl) January
22
7 Caban (Earth) January
23
8 Etznab (
9 Cauac (Storm) January
25
10 Ahau (Sun) January
26
11 Imix (Crocodile) January
27
12 Ik (Wind) January
28
13 Akbal (Night) January
29
Utilize the energy of Monkey to manifest and create something new and positive in your life.
In Lak’ech,
William and Viola
©2010 William and Viola Welsch