8 EB (Road) Yellow/South

Keywords: tooth, wisdom, higher mind, inspiration, destiny, path, journey, road, history, humanity, channel, spiritual.

New Moon Eclipse 30 degrees Aries (Sabian Symbol: "A duck pond and its brood; the realization of natural boundaries.")

Sun/Moon in Taurus.

Today we have for the second time in one month (very rare), a new moon in Aries, and this one is an eclipse. Eclipses are always big astrological news as this energy is in effect for three months prior and three months after the eclipse actually happens. There are always two (sometimes three) within the same season. Eclipses occur, on the average every 173.33 days. This is called the eclipse "half-year." Three of these cycles is equal to two Mayan Tzolkin cycles (260 days x 2 = 520). This means that every other eclipse will fall in the same sequence of days in the Mayan Tzolkin calendar. This series of eclipses even gets down to a sequence of certain dates in the Tzolkin and particular (13 day) time-pulses. I mention this fact, to illustrate how the Mayans were able to calculate eclipses based on this 260 day cycle. It is important to understand that the Mayan calendar is not just about non-ordinary reality. This cycle is a calculator for many other planetary cycles and retrograde periods. In this way, the calendar can act as a liaison between the known world and that which is just beyond our senses. The fact that the eclipses are happening during this particular part of the calendar is extremely significant. The current cycle that we are moving through and the days before and after the central column of the calendar, the "core" days (April 28 - May 17) are always filled with an intensity, just like eclipses. It is almost as if the calendar carries the energy of the eclipse cycles or vice versa. This energy is carried on from one cycle to the next even if we are not having the immediate experience of the eclipse.

A solar eclipse means the Sun is hidden, i.e., our identity, personality and some core quality about ourselves and an essential aspect of who we think we are will begin to fall away. We may still be holding onto it as it hits the singularity point of this journey, but things will happen amazingly fast and by the time we get to the other side there may only be a few scattered pieces of paper that remind us, "oh yeah, that's who I was back then." Take notes, you'll see what I mean. The eclipse being in Aries also means that this will be a collective identify shift. Let's all do lunch afterwards and catch up.

Having two New Moons in Aries as well as a Mercury retrograde moving through the sign has felt like a building of energies. This is some kind of re-birthing process. It feels like all our new beginnings for the spring will continue to be tested, re-evaluated and put under scrutiny until the end of the month. All that time-out for self care will come in handy as the next few months roll along. This has been a time period that has asked for some heavy duty spring cleaning, so be sure to take one last look under the rugs and clear out all those nasty dust bunnies. You'll be glad you did. Starting today our focus on self care, protection and initiation will soften as the Sun and Moon move into Taurus. The eclipse will highlight our desire to change, to move forward and let go of some identity that has ceased to be a part of us. Despite Mercury we are going to feel a whole lot better about our ability to make these things happen. There will be a positive and practical method that begins to unfold as the luminaries move through Taurus.

The Aries eclipse will illuminate the qualities of today's Mayan daysign, Eb, as the essence of the hero's journey. We will feel that we are on a new path. This glyph means road and is also the face of the human being who is receiving and opening to new information. Eb is about our destiny. In the series of twenty, Eb is the evolutionary aspect of humankind's entrance into higher consciousness. This is the inspiration and wisdom that leads us to awareness. We should feel energized and positive even as the day asks us to make a few adjustments. The eighth day is about integrity, spiritual energy and, in the cycle of 13, relates to the highest vibration of the male (nine is the highest vibration of the female). Aries is the archetypal pioneer and Eb emulates this journey into new lands. The quest for the grail or the golden fleece is very much related to how the energy of Eb will play out in our lives. We have taken on a new challenge in the cycle and this day of new beginnings and endings will help us to tune into the clarity, value and appreciation needed to serve ourselves and our companions on the road ahead.

TUESDAY APRIL 20

9 Ben (Reed) Red/East

Keywords: reed, cane, power, staff, authority, crusader, leader, fire-starter, personal space, abundance, multiplication.

Moon in Taurus.

The ninth day in the cycle is a day of actualization. This is a female vibration and holds the energy of gestation. The Moon will be void for most of the day and tomorrow so whatever power this day is gestating will take some time to become visible. Ben is the daysign that has us feeling we are standing at the gates of heaven and on this day we will only sense the opening. This 13 day cycle is about the power of the serpent and the wisdom of the body and beyond. The Moon in Taurus will bring us deeply into our bodies and there will be a sensuousness about today's energies. On this day we are ready to birth our new self image based on the understanding of what we have learned in the cycle. We will want to touch, feel and be active in our earthly experience. This day is about rooting fully into our process. Early in the morning the Moon passes the North node and the energies of yesterday's eclipse are still quite potent. The essence of Ben is about making our ideas known and this day will bring forth some qualities within ourselves that help to build and create a new power and presence. Opportunities may arise to use this authority and we may feel self assured and a little cocky. This would not be the right timing to act on these energies, but a perfect time to see just what is coming to us. Sit tight and contemplate what you have learned these past several days. Make plans. Seek guidance. Be patient, this will all be here tomorrow. Find comfort with someone you love, even if that someone is just you. Celebrating and honoring your personal space is another excellent way to honor today's energies.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 21

10 IX (Jaguar) White/North

Keywords: jaguar, feminine energy, magician, shaman, inter-dimensional, time traveler, freedom, earth spirit, supernatural.

Moon in Gemini.

This day is like the birth. Whatever you have been incubating or waiting for is about to happen. The tenth day in the cycle is one of manifestation. We will feel that sense of completion. We will feel that finally we have made it through something. Those gates are about to open. The past few days have been a bit like a fog. It will get clear today but what we feel will be under the essence of Ix, the glyph that relates to magic and shamanism. The Gemini Moon and aspects of Neptune will also make things seem just a bit too good to be true. Just enjoy this time. No expectations. Relationship situations will be romantic, but not long lasting. Ix holds the energies of multiple dimensions and time travel. That will make us feel like we are moving in many directions and not quite sure of where this is all leading. Best not to fall too far, or too deep. If we've felt limited access for a while, this will be a day to make some headway. The fog has lifted but now we have all this other stuff popping in and out of our reality. See how this day makes things happen but understand that there are many more things going on than meet the eye.

THURSDAY APRIL 22

11 MEN (Eagle) Black/West

Keywords: eagle, thunderbird, clarity, insight, visionary, daring, achievement, bridges heaven and earth.

The eleventh day is the dissolution, the separation and the connection. We will be influenced by the energies of Men, the eagle, and begin to see things with clarity and an expanded vision. This day will allow us many opportunities to stand back and take a long view of that big picture. Take this time and consider what we can do to make some changes. Eagle is the planetary visionary who oversees the care taking of the planet. This is a perfect timing for Earth Day and the birthday of animal lover and environmentalist, St. Francis of Assisi. In the Cherokee calendar eagles were the protectors of the Nation. This is the mighty thunderbird who keeps watch over the skies. Men is the daysign which has the ability to envision far reaching possibilities and see beyond the self. This will be a day when those possibilities will be seen from many sides.

Take some notice as the Moon passes over Venus, then Mars over the next couple of days. Right in the middle, acting as a go between to our male and female natures, is the lunar apogee point called the Black Moon Lilith. The Black Moon represents the Dark Goddess energies and is currently very near the point where Venus will have her rare occultation with the Sun in June. These three have been closely linked during the last several days. Today and tomorrow the Moon in Gemini will be illuminating these three planets, in what I sense as a gathering of the male, female and Black Madonna who represents the resolution and integration of the opposites. Today is an opening for the possibility for a great new understanding. This day will highlight our deepest needs as human beings, as a planetary society and as men and women working in harmony. Together we are stewards of the Earth. This is the last day of the ten day portal period. Last week on 2 CIMI when this gateway opened and the veils began to thin, Venus entered her pre-retrograde shadow period at around ten degrees Gemini. Significant changes in relationships between men and women have already begun. We are being asked to pay attention to an aspect of the goddess energy that surpasses any previous conceived understanding of what it means to be male or female. Venus is a big player this year, and her rare occultation in Gemini only further exemplifies this ability we have for unification.

FRIDAY APRIL 23

12 CIB (Vulture) Yellow/South

Keywords: the word, aura, forgiveness, life test, sin, detached, private, lone, owl, vulture, independent.

Cib is the daysign that holds the essence of the way-shower. Cib is similar to the hermit card in tarot who sheds light and brings us through the darkness of the soul's journey. The twelfth day is one of understanding and community. In the cycle of 13 this is the day of gathering and connection. It is a time that completes man's understanding of the world's order and on this day we will have a sense that some major steps have been taken in this regard. In groups or alone this is a good day for contemplation. A time to prepare for what the future may hold. Tomorrow is the thirteenth day and this is always a wild card.

SATURDAY APRIL 24

13 CABAN (Earthquake) Red/East

Keywords: synchronicity, intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, great potential, understanding, evolution, incense, navigation.

Moon in Cancer.
Mars opposition Pluto.

What a difference a day makes! If we have been following the energies of the 13 day cycle and of the Earth, tuning into the frequencies of this day could connect us to the heart of the planet. Our emotional quotient will be up for review. Caban is the daysign of the Earth or earthquake and just as we are living, feeling, emotional beings, our planet's essence is one of a living, breathing organism. The Earth's outer shell has a series of 20 plates, called tectonic plates, these 20 plates relate to the 20 glyphs of the Mayan calendar. The 20 glyphs and 13 numbers of the calendar also relate to the turtle, as some species have that number of markings on their shell. In their calendar system, the Cherokee turtle corresponds to IMIX, the primal mother energy and first glyph in the Mayan series of twenty. In essence, as planetary citizens we are dancers on the back of the turtle, of Imix, who is the mother and creatrix of all that is physical. The glyph and daysign of Caban is representative of that dancer. Thirteen is the number of the goddess. Today, on the thirteenth day of movement and motion we will feel that dancer within and learn how to navigate and synchronize with her or we will find ourselves dealing with a surge of unleashed emotional energies. On this day we can learn to break that charge. It isn't surprising that the Mars/Pluto opposition happens on this day, remember that just over a year ago, when Mars/Pluto met and the energy was seeded, we had worldwide peace protests. There are always other planetary aspects that can tame these energies and how we use them and learn to focus our emotions will be important. Caban is a master in learning to be on both sides of this fence. Tune into that knowledge and wisdom and learn a new way to respond to what the day's events may bring.

SUNDAY APRIL 25

1 ETZNAB (Sword) White/North

Keywords: two edged sword, knife, blade, noble, yin/yang, miracles, suffering, mirror, sacrifice, shatter, destruction.

This day brings us into a new pulse. This is Etznab, the sword of truth and wisdom. The essence here can be related to the sword of Excalibur and King Arthur. It is about learning to express the nobility and truth within. This is about wielding power, but learning how to do so in integrity and in service to the greater good. This balance is a fine line and not so often mastered. Power is addictive and once tasted not so easily given away. There is a sacrifice that must be made, and that is ego. This two sided mirror can be of service or destruction. We decide how we want to play the game. As we meditate on how we choose to work with the new energies in the pulse that is ahead of us, our intentions are set and the pulse begins its forward motion.

Copyright © 2004 by C. McCloud Burkhart, all rights reserved.
Mayan Glyphs copyright Carol.