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Aztec and Maya Calendar

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In the tonalpohualli, the sacred Aztec calendar, Thursday September 29, 2022 is:

Tonalli: − +

day

Mahtlactli-once Atl

11 - Atl (water)

Trecena: − +

13-day period

Ce Quiahuitl

Quiahuitl (rain)

Xihuitl: − +

solar year

Mahtlactli Tochtli

10 - Tochtli (rabbit)


Yoaltecuhtli:

Lord of the Night

Tepeyollotl

Long Count:

Mayan calendar

13.0.9.16.9

Xiuhpohualli:

365-day calendar

1 - Nemontemi (-)

(Correlation: Alfonso Caso [adjust])

The significance of this day

Aztec facts

The conqueror Hernán Cortés arrived on the eastern shores of the Aztec empire in the year 1-Acatl (1519). It had been predicted that on such a year Quetzalcoatl would return from the east to retake his rightful share of the throne. This belief probably weakend the defense of the Aztecs.

This is the first of the five unlucky days (nemontemi) at the end of a year (xihuitl). It is better not to carry out any activity during these unfortunate and useless days. These nemontemi are extra dangerous because they are at the end of a calendar round of 52 years (xiuhmolpilli or bundle). All fires are to be extinguished. No public events are organized. After the nemontemi, there are seven days to prepare for the New Fire ceremony, held before the start of the day 1-Cipactli, the first day of the new bundle of years.

Day Atl (Water) is governed by Xiuhtecuhtli, God of Fire, as its provider of tonalli (Shadow Soul) life energy. Atl is a day for purification by subjecting oneself to the ordeal of conflict. It is a good day for battle, a bad day for rest. Water brings out the scorpion, who must sting its enemies or else sting itself. Atl is the day of the holy war, which is always a battle with one's own enemies within.

The thirteen day period (trecena) that starts with day 1-Quiahuitl (Rain) is ruled by Tlaloc, He Who Makes Things Sprout, god of rain, lightning and thunder. This trecena represents a time of alternating drought and flood. There is either not enough or too much. It is a time of hardship and suffering. The rainmaker stands alone atop the mountain, holding firesticks and a medicine bundle: help will be offered but may not be accepted. Some will have prepared for this time but not enough to care for everyone in need. These are good days to pursue solitude and learning; bad days to count on others.

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