“The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.” ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
The instinctual, or wild woman, lives inside each of us. She is not as some would think, a vicious or animalistic character. She is strong though, and can growl when she needs to; strong in her beliefs, and protective of her young.
She is the voice inside each of us that has the ability to follow a path, when all around shake their heads, because she knows it is true.
She is the voice that guides us away from danger, and helps us heal our wounds. She let’s life in, and out, at the right time; guiding the natural cycles of life. She is the higher knowing, and wise instinctual nature in each of us.
Most women in today’s society are not connected to their instinctual self, and this leads to many women feeling depressed, listless, and uninspired; easily controlled by society or their male counterparts.
These women need to connect to the freedom of their wild woman, in order to live as their full and natural self. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the wild woman, grab on, and run with her.
Here’s how you can unleash the instinctual wild woman within ~
Listen
Listen to the instinctual woman inside of you. Does she feel trapped? Unhappy? Delighted by beauty? Aching to run and dance? Listen out for the voice inside of you that is saying, “This might not be a good idea,” or “I might want to try this for a change.” Even if you do not like what she says, chances are she may say some frightening things.
A trapped instinctual woman may be nagging at the back of your head saying, “The way I’ve been living cannot continue.” And this is a terrifying thought. But just listen without reaction; give her a chance to speak out. Perhaps to write down these thoughts may make it easier to hear her out.
Feed her
The next step is feeding the instinctual woman. This woman is fed by being listened to. When she says, “Go this way,” and you do as she suggests, this gives her strength to speak up the next time you need her help.
Shutting her down weakens her, and pushes her back into the dark crevices of your mind, so listen to her voice and follow her impulses.
Stay away from false images
The instinctual woman is not as you see the women in magazines and industry products. The instinctual woman is strong, natural, and pure. So try to stay away from investing too much in the false images of women.
Another way to connect to the instinctual nature of the woman is to lessen the amount of false images in the way we hold ourselves.
Try to wear less make up for a day, or even none. Notice the natural beauty in your face, your eyes, and expressions. Wear colours that you connect to, instead of the colours that are being handed to you by what’s in style at the moment.
You can also try holding yourself as you’d imagine your instinctual woman would. When you feel an urge to cower, stand strong as if the instinctual woman were holding your body up for you.
Connect with nature and natural cycles
Another reason why we become separated from our natural self is because we do not appreciate the natural as we used to. The instinctual woman is deeply connected to nature, and suffers greatly when she cannot connect to the sacredness of the world.
Honouring the natural cycles are another way to honour the sacred woman. Taking the time to meditate on the many natural cycles, especially the unique cycle of women, brings the instinctual closer.
Find wild women role models
Look outside in the world for wild women who emulate the free instinctual woman. Learn from them, or just take courage from their freedom. In a world with so many false role models we must look up to those people who emulate the values we are working towards.
Join wild woman rituals and activities
Search for the rituals or activities that speak to your wild woman. A lot of women are naturally artistic, and feel the need to create.
Other women need to move their bodies to dance, sing, or run. Follow the voice of your wild woman, and meet like-minded people. Follow whatever that will make you and your wild woman feel most alive.
The “wild woman” is not separate from us. She is us, and dwells inside of us; whether quietly or fiercely. She is the guide to becoming our whole and instinctual selves, so listen to her, and ask for the help to find her.
We were all born to become our fullest selves, and a woman has a very unique self to reach; a fierce, strong, wise, life-giving energy.
I recently started a dog-sitting job that made me come face-to-face with a very sad fact: I don’t spend enough time in nature. I took her for a walk this morning and was struck with how beautiful the park was at that time of day.
On the other hand, I was also so rushed to get to class, that I felt I couldn’t linger as long as we wanted. I wanted to release her from her leash and let her run around and explore for hours. I wanted to release myself as well. I wanted to sit under a tree with a book, watch birds peck around in the grass, climb a tree, find an animal’s home; and watch the miracle of their natural habitat in action.
But it seems that time and time again, I am pulled back from these impulses by my everyday responsibilities. So every once in a while I need to be reminded about how much I need nature in my life, and how much good it does for my well-being.
Nature is a medicine that works for all mental and emotional ailments. Though we need to do the legwork to become our healthiest and highest self, nature is up there on the list of remedies.
Whether it be a lonely heart, a tired mind, depression, ADHD, stress, or anxiety (etc.), nature finds a way to help. We are all deeply rooted in nature, whether we feel it or not; and getting back to our source gives our spirit a good cleanse.
It’s not just the open green spaces that heals; it is specifically the vibrational properties of trees and plants. The trees provide us with not only oxygen, shade, and wood; but they also give off healing energy to the beings that interact with them.
In Blinded by Science, author Matthew Silverstone said he has proven that the vibrational energy of trees and plants gives us health benefits. Trees give off a grounding energy, with their roots embedded in the ground, and a safe and secure feeling to those who depend on them. They emulate a strong figure, that is firmly in the earth, but always reaching upward; using their strength to grow higher and extend goodness toward others.
Scientists are now starting to realize that the tree-hugging hippies may have seen something that they haven’t. We know that everything around us has a specific vibration. A tree, when touched (or hugged), has a unique vibration that affects our well-being in many wondrous ways.
By coming in contact with the trees we pick up these vibrations and are grounded by the trees natural life-giving energy. It also gives us a chance to slow down and get in touch with the natural part of us, and the world around us.
How can we reconnect to nature, and practice tree hugging?
Just like with human relationships, there are many ways that we can have a relationship with nature. Nature can be like the cousins we drive out to see every once in a while, the parents we see once a week, or a close friend we talk to every day. You can also have a relationship with nature as an intimate lover.
To strengthen this relationship, choose a tree near your house, or in the park, and work on your relationship just with that tree alone. When you feel that you’ve created a bond, visit other trees, plants, or walk in the forest; and get to know them too. Here are some way to get to know your tree:
Hug the tree. Imagine it receiving all your worries and recycling it through the earth. Imagine receiving all the strength and stability that the tree embodies.
Trees have a way of standing as wise old pioneers; so imagine that this is so, and talk to the tree as if it is a mentor to you. You can also use your tree as a role model; when you are feeling insecure or unconfident in a situation, practice standing firm and confident like your tree.
Thank a tree (mentally or verbally) for nourishing the earth, and helping you ground yourself.
Send positive energy to the tree. This will also be beneficial to you, as giving out good energy affects the giver as well as the receiver.
Plant a tree to continue the positive cycle. This is also a way that humans can give back to nature all the nourishment it provides us.
You can also:
Bring plants into your home and workplace.
Plant a garden in your backyard, or even in a pot. This is a very intimate way to have a relationship with nature.
Now, we understand that nature can have many benefits; but how do we make time for some good ol’ tree hugging in our hectic days?
1) Make designated activities “outdoor activities.”
If you have other rituals that you do daily, take them outside. This way you become used to going outdoors with a habit that you’ve already got down pat. So if you write in your journal every day, or call your mother, or read the newspaper, or study; find a nice park to walk through, a big tree to rest under, or a nearby beach. Soon, nature will be a part of your daily routine along with your old habits.
Nature Fact: Researchers at Tokyo’s Nippon Medical School found that women who spent six hours in the woods over the course of two days had an increase in virus-and-tumor-fighting white blood cells, and the boost lasted at least seven days afterwards.
2) Exercise
The same goes for exercise. If you have a daily workout at the gym or in your home, move it outdoors and see how it can drastically improve your mood and stress levels. Biking is a great workout for your legs, and makes getting from place-to-place, or just going around town, a more enjoyable and healthier experience.
Nature Fact: A 2011 study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that people who walked on an outdoor track moved at a faster pace, perceived less exertion, and experienced more positive emotions than those who walked on an indoor treadmill.
In another recent study done in Scotland, subjects who walked through a rural area viewed their to-do list as more manageable than those who walked on city streets.
3) Take a friend
This may sound weird, but using someone else may motivate you to get some quality nature time. Like walking a dog, you are getting where you need to go through someone else’s needs.
So, walk your neighbour’s dog (if you don’t already have your own furry friend), take your kids out for a much needed run around, meet a friend in the park, etc. Anything to get you and your loved ones outside.
Nature Fact:Studies show that when children can see trees or shrubs from their classroom windows, they have better concentration, enhances cognitive abilities, improves academic performance, and have an easier time thinking creatively and problem solving.
Imagine the impact when these children actually spend time in nature. Just a 15-20 minute walk through nature can help both children and adults concentrate better, whether they are counteracting ADHD or not.
4) Join an outdoor activity
Join the yoga class in the park, the book club in the garden, the survival 101 in the forest, the surfing lesson at the beach, even gardening in your own backyard, etc. Once again, this is to motivate you and get you in the habit of making nature a regular part of your everyday life.
Nature Fact: Norwegian researchers discovered that subjects with moderate-severe depression who participated in a horticultural program, experienced reduced symptoms after 12 weeks.
“Humans are innately engaged in nature,” says study author Marianne Thorsen Gonzalez, PhD, making gardening an ideal distraction from the rumination that fuels depression.
5) Little things
If all else fails, and you really cannot find time in your schedule to get out, there are some small helpful things you can do to bring the nature to you. Hang up scenic pictures in your work space, place plants throughout your house, eat a healthy green salad, or even wear jewelry or clothing made from natural materials.
You can also make quick stops during your day, such as picking a beautiful flower on your way to or from work; or stopping to to look at a striking tree or cloud in the sky. These little moments will help rejuvenate you throughout your day, and bring a little more greenery into your life.
Nature Fact: Not only does nature help us, but even pictures of nature can be extremely beneficial. According to a study in the Korean Journal of Radiology, people who were shown pictures of scenic, natural landscapes had heightened activity in areas of the brain associated with recall of happy memories compared to people shown urban landscapes. So hang some landscapes up by your desk and watch as your day gets a little brighter.
“Of all writings I love only that which is written with blood. Write with blood: and you will discover that blood is spirit.” ~ Nietzsche
Writing like a genius is no walk in the park. It requires artistic ruthlessness. It requires creative courage. It requires nerves of imaginative steel. It requires the flexibility to innovatively adapt and overcome.
It requires you to get up from your Couch of Procrastination and turn your inner-muse into a passionate daemonic genius going mach-three with its hair on fire through the fog and dust of “what being creative is supposed to mean.”
It requires facing squarely the fact that you will never get the poem/novel/article exactly the way you want it, while refusing to talk yourself out of writing it. To be a genius writer is to fall in love with fallibility and then create art (perhaps even beautiful art) out of it.
The first rule of Write Club is, there is no such thing as writer’s block
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” ~ Mark Twain
If you focus too much on writing that one perfect poem, article, or essay, your creativity will be stifled by thoughts of perfection. By focusing, instead, on writing all the time; by grinding through the gears of your inner-muse’s capacity toward creativity, you will learn and grow from your mistakes.
You will learn new ways of writing things. You will learn less about perfection and more about craft. In short, you will slowly, systematically, fluidly, and courageously become a genius of your own.
Speaking of courage, when you sit down to write are you trying to be perfect? Are you so afraid of putting pen to paper, finger to key, that your inner-muse shrivels up and dies inside of you like a worthless organ? If so, it is time to stop trying to be perfect.
It is time to stop being afraid. It is time to write. Write badly if need be. Writing badly is the foundation for writing exceptionally. Bad writing is the compost, i.e. shit, for the garden of good writing. So let the shit flow. Just make sure you plant seeds along the way.
Writer’s block, insofar that it does exist, is nothing more than the fear of being imperfect. Get over it. You are not perfect and you never will be. You will always be fallible. You will always be prone to make mistakes.
You are only human, after all. And that’s okay. You might as well have fun with the absurdity of it all. As the composer Shostakovich said to a student who complained that he couldn’t find a theme for his second movement, “Never mind the theme! Just write the movement!”
There will be enough time to devote to correcting mistakes later. In the meantime it is your duty, it is your absolute responsibility as a genius, to write and write and write. Write until there is nothing left to write, and then write some more.
If you stop to correct yourself, to “notice” the imperfectness of your art, to cringe at the incorrectness of your grammar, you will kill your flow. Flow is a Genius’s lifeblood. You might as well just stab your inner-genius in the heart than to stop and slobber over your mistakes.
Don’t do it. Write! That’s it. That’s all. Just remember Mark Twain’s wisdom: “I pity the writer who writes more than he reads.” So yeah, write a lot, after having read a lot more.
The second rule of Write Club is, there is no such thing as writer’s block!
“I learned to produce whether I wanted to or not. It would be easy to say oh, I have writer’s block, oh, I have to wait for my muse. I don’t. Chain that muse to your desk and get the job done.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver
Repeated for dramatic affect.
The third rule of Write Club is, writing is about quantity not quality
“Surrender to a logic more powerful than reason.” ~ J.G. Ballard
Writing isn’t about quality, it’s about quantity. Really, this is what all art is about; from writing to painting to photography to music. If you write a thousand poems you are more likely to write a stellar piece than if you had only written ten, and definitely if you had only written one. Trial and error is key.
As Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
That’s it. If you are persistent enough, and willing to improve your craft as you go along, then finding those 10,000 ways that didn’t work is more likely to lead you to the discovery of the one genius way in which it will work.
In writing, as in all art, comfort is to predictability as perfection is to paralysis. Just as practice begets precision, quantity begets quality. Art is less about what you have not done and more about what you have done. So get out there and do it. No fear!
Have you ever heard the phrase practice makes perfect? Well, forget it. It isn’t true. Practice will never make you perfect. But, it will help you realize that your full potential lies in the realm of being absolutely imperfect.
It will break down comfort zones and crack mental paradigms that have you stuck in a rut. It will fine-tune you into the best possible version of yourself. You see, it isn’t so much about talent as it is about perseverance.
It isn’t so much about ability as it is about being steadfast and devoted to your art. Talent will come. Ability will manifest itself. Just focus on the art. Focus on producing the best art you can. The quality will come from the quantity.
As Natalie Goldberg said, “After you have finished a piece of work, the work is then none of your business. Go on and do something else.”
Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers, quotes neurologist Daniel Levitin as follows:
“In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice-skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, this number comes up again and again. Ten thousand hours is equivalent to roughly three hours a day, or 20 hours a week, of practice over 10 years… No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time. It seems that it takes the brain this long to assimilate all that it needs to know to achieve true mastery.”
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get those ten thousand hours under your belt. No fear. No excuses. Your inner genius is waiting for you to show up, again and again, so that it can finally reveal itself as you.
The fourth rule of Write Club is, you write therefore you exist
“You must stay drunk on writing so reality doesn’t destroy you.” ~ Ray Bradbury
Everyone says they want to be the best writer they can be, right up until they realize that being the best writer they can be will rob them of their deepest held beliefs, hopes, and dreams.
It is precisely our ego’s attachment to those beliefs, hopes, and dreams that we need to let go of. That is to say, in order to even attempt to achieve those beliefs, hopes, and dreams, we must first get out of our own way. It is only when we’re out of our own way that our art can flow through us without toxic, egoic obstruction.
This requires a kind of self-resolve that is equal-parts “I don’t give a damn what people think about my writing!” and “Let’s write as clearly, concisely, and passionately as possible.” This is art done for art’s sake, a sacred devotion to creativity that nothing can stop: neither devil’s advocates, editors, nor critics –not even inner-editors or inner-critics.
You write therefore you exist is a declaration of creative independence despite a world otherwise devoid of your particular flavor of art.
It’s the determination to, as Robert Bresson articulated, “make visible what, without you might perhaps never have been seen.” And then making certain that your soul-signature is there, trailblazing its way through the meaning of creativity itself.
The fifth rule of Write Club is, you write because this is what is between you and death
“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” ~ Natalie Goldberg
If the writer has gone through the motions of being Writing, having forsaken ego-attachment to a particular result, while drifting through the trial-and-error of producing quantities of art despite the sought-after holy grail of quality, then that is all well and good. Now let us set our soul’s teeth resolutely. Let us open our hearts and keep our eyes fast to the horizon.
We fly straight over our own mortality. We creatively smear out the fixed state of black & white thinking into the freed state of an imaginative middle gray. We destroy perhaps what remains of our own mortality by daring to make our own art a prism that diffracts the outdated idea of what art “should be.”
We existentially transcend our own mortality through the potential immortality of our own art. We write because it is the only thing between us and death.
As John Baldassari said, “Art is about bloodymindedness.”
It’s the soul’s rebellion against the mortal coil. It’s the heart’s insurgent battering against the imperfect body that houses it. It’s the mind’s revolt against being “only me” in an otherwise interdependent and infinite cosmos.
As Diane Di Prima said, “The only war that matters is the war against imagination. All other wars are subsumed by it.”
So write fiercely. Write love-notes to your suffering. Write death-notes to your health. Write as if your words will only be read posthumously, if need be. For example, my articles are written as death warrants to myself in the hope that others –more courageous, intelligent, and compassionate than I am– will take over and do it better.
Breathe through your writing. Cry out in your writing. Sing in your writing. Die a glorious death in your writing. And your genius will not be denied.
As poet William Logan quipped, “Don’t think you’re the only bastard who ever suffered –just write as if you were.”
“”Look up here,” David Bowie sings, “I’m in heaven.” Can you imagine, to be making art like this (fearless art that both comforts and challenges) right up to the moment of your death? How do you do that? How do you BE that? To work with your death so imaginatively, in order to perfectly time out the last beats of your life? What a magnificent creature of creation, right to the end. From the beginning, this was a man who showed us how to do life differently than anyone had ever done it before, and now look how he has done death. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
In the world as we know it today, that certain time of the month sends convulsing shocks of pain to women worldwide, both physically and emotionally, and sends men running for the hills. It’s hard to imagine a time when menstruation wasn’t such a taboo. Yet, our ancestors saw it as a powerful natural process.
Most words meaning menstruation were synonymous with sacredness, the supernatural, incomprehensible and worshipped. The ancient Indian tribes, Dogons of Africa and Native and South American tribes (Apache, Mayans) are rooted in the belief that there is no greater time for a woman to embody her divine femininity than during her menses. Special care and preparation was taken to ensure optimal comfort.
Apache Indian girls participate in a 4-day long ceremony where they are sprinkled with pollen from the stamen of flowers, representing their blossoming fertility
The Culture of Moon Lodges
It is in these cultures that we find the common custom of ‘moon lodges’ or menstrual huts. They were named moon lodges as usually women’s cycles would synchronize according to moon phases.
They believed that menstruating women had the power to peek into the future and needed time away from the tribe to hone their supernatural power. For this reason, women were given the option of spending their first few days in the comfortable seclusion of the lodge.
Why menstruating women aren’t allowed into temples
Ancient Vedic oracles describe Prana as the source of all life, giving everything vitality and direction. Prana consists of three doshas one of which is called Vata.
It is believed that the Apana Vata energy (downward flowing) that is predominant in menstruating women make them very susceptible to absorbing energy from the outside environment. This is why menstrual huts are common to many Indian villages even today.
This however, also forms the basis for a practice that is now the cause of outrage. Hindu women aren’t allowed to enter temples during that time. It is perceived to be inauspicious and impure but this wasn’t always the case.
In fact, it was precisely that all-absorbing downward energy that was believed to cause discomfort in temples where the energetic flow was upward towards the ‘source’.
The four seasons of our cycle
According to tribal lore, a woman is a vast eco-system within herself. It is not just four days of emotionality, rather a cycle. Therefore she does not just change for four days, rather week to week. In pagan terms it can be broken up into four seasons.
Pre-ovulation is spring; a time of motivation for new beginnings. Ovulation is the summer and is a perfect time for creation, communication and relationships. It is also the most fertile time. Pre-menstruation is autumn, the time of harvest and withdrawal. This one is difficult for most women as the energies draw inward and introspection begins. Winter, the last season is menstruation. The woman begins to come to terms with her pain as she is faced head on by it. It is the most important phase to practice honoring her wishes, boundaries and feelings; to nurture and reclaim herself. Using this knowledge, we can make changes to our diet, goal plans and relationships so as to create balance in our lives.
Back when the divine feminine was respected and exalted, seclusion was a choice. The moment mankind starts to cling to ritualism for the sake of familiarity or ego, it loses its essence.
Intention sets the premise for all outcomes, all reactions. In the same light, there are many other stigmas against what was once (and should still be) revered as powerful and sacred.
Menstruation and Shame
It has become a joke among people to assume that an emotional woman must be on her period. In addition to that, the world of advertising uses embarrassment to sell products with promises to destroy nearly any sign of your menses. Just like pretending it never happened.
A large number of young girls from varied backgrounds even begin taking birth control as a means to put it off. The kind of message society receives from that is one of shame, suppression and non-compassion.
With all this pain surrounding womanhood it’s no wonder many healing practitioners believe it is the source for the supremely dreaded Pre-Menstrual Syndrome.
Why has PMS become synonymous with menstruation
P.M.S. causes abdominal pain, cramps, body ache (especially the back), acne, bloatedness, erratic mood swings and bursts of depression.
In an article by Lissa Rankin, a gynaecologist and healer she writes, “Some theorize that PMS/PMDD is nature’s way of making you slow down and take stock of your life.
You can’t be Superwoman all the time, and maybe your body is telling you it’s chick-flick night, and you need some personal, quiet time. In general, gynaecological issues stem from the second chakra. When our bodies struggle with second chakra issues, it’s an invitation to explore what might underlie the outward symptoms of PMS/PMDD.”
The energy in the second chakra enables us to leave from the tribe (as represented by the first chakra), develop a sense of personal identity, and establish boundaries. In our second chakra, we also deal with issues such as sex, money, power, relationships, and addictive substances. It’s also the center for creation. The energy of the second chakra gives us the power of choice. When we feel our choices are taken from us, we may manifest this in the form of gynaecological troubles.”
It seems that almost every woman goes through a minimum of three to four of these symptoms today. Perhaps this is a call from our bodies to really question the meanings we’ve assigned to womanhood.
Why we need to embrace our feminine power
This sensitivity is indeed a gift. It allows for immediate recognition of areas creating pain and resistance and propels us to understand the source of that pain. When it is properly felt out, the spirit becomes lighter and wiser than before. It’s no wonder the first shamans were women.
The aim now, is to let the wisdom of our ancestors inspire us. To see our women as power-houses bursting with pure potential. To respect the creative forces within us and use them to live fully, in a healthy manner.
“Mayan Astrology offers a perspective on human existence not found elsewhere.” ~ Bruce Scofield & Barry C. Orr
Like many indigenous tribes, the Mesoamerican or Maya civilization studied the movement of the sky, its influence on earth, and how planetary movements affected our moods, behavioral patterns, and personality traits.
The Mayan Zodiac Signs meticulously recorded the movement of Venus, Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Mars, etc., to form astronomical recordings used by shamans and elder ones for divination and astrological purposes.
Dating back to at least the 5th century BCE, Mayan Calendar or the Mayan zodiac signs consists of several cycles or counts of different lengths based on astronomical observations. Since the Mayans spoke multiple languages, their Calendar had many variations like the 260-day count known as Tzolkin, the 365-day calendar known as Haab’, the Calendar round for 52 Haab’ years or 18,980 days (the Calendar Round is still in use by many groups in the Guatemalan highlands), Long count was dated from September 6th 3114 BC to September 21st 2012.
Diving deeper into Mayan Zodiac signs – The Haab’
With 365-day calendar or the Haab’ being the closest to the Gregorian calendar, we will be taking up the Haab’ calendar as a base for our further discussion. The 365 day cycle of the Haab (also called the Mayan “Vague Year”) was common to many Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Aztecs who called it their “Xiuhpohualli”.
The Haab’ comprises 18 months of 20 days each, plus an additional period of five days (“nameless days”) at the end of the year known as Wayeb’ (or Uayeb in 16th-century orthography).
Based on solar observation, each day is represented by a number-glyph combination, so there are 18 signs each month and one extra for Wayeb’ or the nameless days.
Let’s take a look at the 19 Mayan zodiac signs and the characteristics of each one.
The Haab in the Mayan zodiac signs operates a lot like our own calendar, the first month is Pop and the first day of the year is “1 Pop” followed by “2 Pop”, and “3 Pop”, and so on until “19 Pop”. The following day is referred to as the “seating”, or “putting in place”, of the next month (Wo) and transcribed as “0 Wo”
1) Ch’en: 2nd January to 21st January
Traits: You are a creative soul with natural affinity for lunar energy. You experience peaks of productivity at night, where you might see a surge in creative ideas. You can strengthen your relationship with lunar energies by bathing in the moonlight or wearing blue, black and silver that suit your sign.
2) Yax: 22nd January to 10th February
Traits: You are gentle, peaceful and a helpful individual and blessed with the ability to bring harmony in your surroundings. You are valued for your reasoning abilities and friendly attitude.
3) Sak’: 11th February to 2nd March
Traits: You are confident by nature and open to facing life’s challenges with grace. Early morning is the time when you experience heightened energy, so it’s best to wake up early, meditate to draw in that energy and develop inner awareness. Frog is your power animal, symbolising your love for water and flexibility.
4) Keh: March 3rd to March 22nd
Traits: A nature lover and a calm person, you find solace in pastoral destinations. Your power animal is deer and you also possess some of their qualities like being gentle and noble. You have the energy of fire and red is a power color for you. You can further harness these powers by meditating in the woods or in a natural setting.
5) Mak: March 23rd to April 11th
Traits: Mak is one of the most puzzling signs in the Mayan Calendar since its meaning is not clearly defined. If you belong to this sign you might be secretive in nature and disclose less about your personal life, until you know someone well enough.
You love spending time around people but also feel the need to spend time alone to gather your thoughts and reflect on goals. Allow yourself this personal time away from others to develop your mystic powers and feel recharged.
6) K’ank’in: April 12th to May 1st
Traits: This sign represents the sun and the earth, so you could be a nature lover, a traveler and drawn towards solar energy. You feel a pull towards travel activities and desire to experience new places. Your power animal is a dog, so you possess qualities like loyalty and inner strength. Connect often with the energies of Earth as well as Sun either by sun bathing or Earthing.
7) Muwan’: May 2nd to May 21st
Traits: You have an affinity for fire & water. Thunderstorms are empowering times for you as both fire and water are present in the forms of rain and lightning. Embrace these elements. A confident, honest and a truthful person, you do not hesitate to make your own way & speak up when needed. Owl is your power animal, you’re likely to have the ability to see what’s usually hidden to most, beyond illusion and deceit.
8)Pax: May 22nd to June 10th
Traits: With an innate ability to lead & inspire people around you, you are highly influenced by the Jaguar, an important animal in the Mayan culture. A great team leader, people come to you for advice & discussion about their issues. Use these leadership qualities to your advantage in both your professional and personal life.
9) K’ayab: June 11th to June 30th
Traits: An inquisitive soul, you are always seeking deeper spiritual meanings in events in your life. Turtle is your spirit animal, and have an affinity for the moon.
10) Kumk’u: July 1st to July 20th
Traits: You were born to survive in any situations, just like crocodiles, also your power animal, survived extinction in Mesozoic era when dinosaurs went extinct. Tap into this power of longevity & strength. You resist change, but when it occurs you take it in your stride and just get on with it.
11) Wayeb’: July 21st to July 25th
Traits: Lasting for merely five days, Wayeb’ days were considered to be unlucky because natural order was disharmonious & it was the time when other forces could access the earthly plane. Mayans did not do anything auspicious during this time. But being born in Wayeb’ is more of a blessing than a bane. It signifies you are a highly spiritual person & are connected to other realms with a power to transcend the earthly planes, if you want. Strengthen this connection by digging deep into your spiritual side.
12) Pop: July 26th to August 14th
Traits: Reflecting qualities of a jaguar, you are a born leader with a sensitive heart. You encourage people to accomplish their goals, guide them on the right path and still stay sensitive to how they feel in different situations. Since you are an Earth child, deepen your connection by doing grounding meditations.
13) Wo’: August 15th to September 3rd
Traits: A mystical soul, you are guided by your inner instincts especially in the night. The night empowers you just like those born in Ch’en sign.
You also share similar animal totem, frog like Sac sign. You are swift and can switch consciousness levels quite easily.
14) Sip: September 4th to September 23rd
Traits: Deriving grace from deer and dominance from stag, you love the forest and open-air places. You are a confident person, but in case of trouble or imbalances in life, your instinctive reaction is to escape from the situation and only come back when you feel calm. Deepen your awareness by spending time in nature.
15) Sotz’: September 24th to October 13th
Traits: The bat and the fish are two animal totems belonging to this sign, and both move freely through air and water respectively. Air and water are also your elements. You are blessed with deep intuitive power, sensitivity and ability to foresee trouble and go deeper into the subconscious.
16) Sek: October 14th to November 2nd
Traits: This sign is connected to the earth and the sky. So its likely that you are attracted to everything above you like the planets, stars, constellations, or other realms. You are a practical person who can handle murky situations well and find an effective action plan. Those born under Sek don’t have an animal totem.
17) Xul: November 3rd to November 22nd
Traits: People born in this sign have dog as their animal totem and exhibit qualities like loyal, dedicated, strong and loving. Mayans believed that dogs can guide people to the next life. Similarly, you too have the capacity to transcend the real and enter into your past lives and help those around to release fears of death.
18) Yaxk’in’: November 23rd to December 12th
Traits: You are connected to the Mayan Sun God, Ah Kin. You are a born healer who can heal others through words, activities & skill. Although you like to help others, you yourself can get morose in a negative situation with an inability to come out of it. Learn to trust your own decisions.
19) Mol: December 13th to January 1st
Traits: Mol sign is associated with the element of water, which makes rainfall a powerful time for you to draw the energy. As with the Pax and Pop signs, you share Jaguar as the power animal, who is considered as a symbol of strength, courage, and spiritual power. Just like the Jaguar, you have the ability and strength to emerge out of difficult situations and failures in life.
Understanding the Mayan Zodiac Signs, which one are you?
Join the yoga class in the park, the book club in the garden, the survival 101 in the forest, the surfing lesson at the beach, even gardening in your own backyard, etc. Once again, this is to motivate you and get you in the habit of making nature a regular part of your everyday life.
