Ben, Buluk, Akb’al

As the gears in the cosmic calendar turn and churn the fabric of time and space, we move into the Day sign Ben. As the universe’s mechanism causes our Sun 🌞 to rise we transition into the 11th day (Buluk) of this Akb'al Trecena (13 day cycle).

In Mayan cosmology, the Day known as Ben in Yucatec and Aj in K'iche' embodies home, family, and the innocence of children. It is a nurturing force, symbolized by crops thriving under the breeze, that encourages growth and sustains the bonds within families. Ben's presence is felt as warmth within the Mayan home, offering nourishment to both body and soul, much like a guardian spirit guiding parents in nurturing their children.

Ben's influence extends to the community, forming the foundation of strength and wisdom that supports societies. It is associated with the east and the color red. This sacred energy bridges the earthly and spiritual realms, offering clairvoyance and wisdom to those attuned to its frequency.

Totems such as the armadillo, symbolizing protection, and the bee, representing community, embody Ben's essence. As a force of renewal, Ben guides the cycle of life, reminding the Maya of their connection to nature's rhythm. Through Ben's teachings, they find a path to understanding the cosmic dance of growth, nourishment, and unity. Ben is associated with the cardinal direction East and the color Red.

Buluk/ Junlajuj

The Number Eleven

In Mayan cosmology, numbers carry deep meaning, and Eleven, known as Buluk in Yucatec or Junlajuj in K’iche’, is a potent force according to the Tzolk’in calendar. Eleven represents a neutral, raw energy that balances on the edge of creation and destruction. Its power is neither good nor bad, but it can bring either abundance or chaos depending on how it is directed.

Some Maya sages view Eleven as a cosmic bridge connecting past, present, and future, embodying the unfolding rhythm of time and evolution. It is linked to an Earth Goddess, symbolizing the nurturing and destructive forces of the natural world. The number's dual nature demands respect and caution, as it holds the potential for great change. Those born under Eleven are believed to have immense potential but must learn to channel their energy purposefully. If they succeed, they can unlock extraordinary creativity and success.

Guardian of the 11th Day

Yohualticitl governs the Eleventh Day of the Trecena. Known as the Aztec goddess of childbirth, she represents the enigmatic power of transition and creation. Though little has been recorded about her directly, her energy is often associated with illumination and growth, similar to a flower unfolding to reveal its inner beauty. Yohualticitl’s essence captures the transformative moment where potential becomes reality, offering a sense of clarity amidst the mystery of birth and the cycles of life itself.

The cosmic date is, Buluk (11), the day sign is Ben of this Akb’al Trecena, or in Gregorian terms, March 1st 2025.

Again I ask, what would the OG Daykeepers advise today as the energies of the Akb’al trecena intertwines with the energies of the Ben Day sign and the number Buluk (11) tone?

The Akb’al trecena opens doors to the unseen, guiding us through the mysteries of our own consciousness and the ancestral wisdom woven into our bloodlines. On a Ben day, with the force of Buluk pushing everything to its peak, the focus turns toward the foundations we stand upon—our homes, our families, and the values passed down through generations. This isn’t just about where we come from but how we carry that legacy forward. Our ancestors would remind us that everything set in motion has consequences beyond what we immediately see. They would urge us to move carefully, not out of fear but with the awareness that today’s choices ripple through time, shaping both the present and the path ahead.

This is a day when old wounds may resurface, when family matters demand attention, when the stability we take for granted feels tested. The elders would tell us to listen more than we speak, to observe the signs around us, to recognize that the turbulence of Buluk isn’t meant to break us but to reveal what needs strengthening. If tensions rise, they would caution against lashing out or making rash decisions, reminding us that stability is not found in control but in understanding. When the path feels uncertain, when emotions pull in opposite directions, they would tell us to return to our roots—to the lessons of those who walked before us, to the prayers and practices that anchor us in something greater than ourselves. The unknown does not have to be feared; it holds the keys to our growth. Honor the past, steady yourself in the present, and trust that even in uncertainty, the road forward is always unfolding.

Reflection of the Day

Following generational patterns can feel automatic, almost as if we’re running on an invisible script. But automatic isn’t always natural—it’s just familiar. In my case, alcoholism ran deep in my lineage, and without even realizing it, I carried that weight through my youth. My grandfather was a truck driver, my father followed the same path, and so did I. On the surface, it seemed like an honest and stable way to make a living, and it was—but in a system driven by greed, where exhaustion is rewarded and workers are treated as disposable, I became trapped in a cycle of overwork. From 16 until my injury at 35, I was pulling 15 to 18-hour days, wearing myself thin. Not only was I an alcoholic, but I had also become a workaholic, believing that relentless labor was the only way forward.

But Akb’al teaches us to look beneath the surface, to seek what is hidden, to unearth the deeper truths buried beneath the routines we mistake for destiny. As I began to question my path, I started connecting the dots. My lineage was more than the recent generations I had modeled myself after. My ancestors were scientists, mathematicians, architects, astronomers, agriculturalists, warriors, priests, and healers. Ben reminds us that home is not just where we are but where we come from, and Buluk intensifies this awareness, forcing us to see both the burdens and the blessings we carry from our ancestors.

My injury wasn’t an end—it was an opening, a rupture in the path I had blindly followed. It pushed me back toward my roots, where I found the guidance I had been missing. The Tzolk’in, which once shaped the lives of my ancestors, began to shape mine. The bridge that had always been there was revealed, and I finally saw that the circle could never be broken. Just like Ben’s journey, I wasn’t meant to stay where I was—I was meant to build upon the wisdom of those who came before me, to honor my lineage not by repeating patterns but by reclaiming the knowledge that was always mine to remember.

#mesoamerican #calander #tzolkin #daykeeper #maya #hopi #kaqchiquel #kiche #tzutujil #mexica #parrotclan #trippingonnature #natureisatrip #fireceremony #water #fire #earth #wind #armadillo #bee #spiritanimal #spirituality #cosmology