Aztec and Maya Calendar
In the tonalpohualli, the sacred Aztec calendar, Saturday September 18, 1971 is:
Xihuitl:
solar year
11 - Acatl (reed)
Xiuhpohualli:
365-day calendar
17 - Atemoztli (XVI)
Long Count:
Mayan calendar
12.17.18.2.10
(Correlation: Alfonso Caso - Nicholson's veintena alignment [adjust])
The significance of this day
1-Itzcuintli is dedicated to the Tlalxictentica variant of Xiuhtecuhtli, Lord of the Year, the Fire God. This god is honored by offering precious gifts and burning them. This ceremony is called Nextlahualli (payment).
Day Itzcuintli (Dog, known as Oc in Maya) is governed by Mictlantecuhtli, God of Death, as its provider of tonalli (Shadow Soul) life energy. Itzcuintli is the guide for the dead, the spirit world's link with the living. Itzcuintli is a good day for funerals and wakes and remembering the dead. It is a good day for being trustworthy, a bad day for trusting others of questionable intent.
The thirteen day period (trecena) that starts with day 1-Itzcuintli (Dog) is ruled by Xipe Totec, Lord of Shedding, god of seedtime. These are 13 days of devotion, companionship, self-sacrifice and love. This trecena points to the eternal conflict that tears at every human being: suspended between two great communions, love and mysticism, each of us strives to survive being swallowed whole by either. On the one hand, the painful shedding of illusions, and on the other, the pleasurable creation of illusions. What ever your decision during this time, you will find favor and advancement. These are good days for commemorating the dead; bad days for clinging to the living.
Lance Armstrong was born on day 1-Itzcuintli.
Aztec facts
Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital was captured by Hernán Cortés on August 13, 1521 (day 1-Coatl). This date, as recorded by Fray Bernardino de Sahagún, provides an anchor for the correlation of the calendar.