The Trecena of 1 Ix / I'x
1 Ix / I'x — The Trecena of Source
Mystical, magical, and close to Mother Earth, Ix, or I’x in K’iche’ Maya, embodies the very soul of Nature and the spirit, energy, force, and vitality of life and all living things. The nagual of Nature and Mayan altars, it symbolizes the sacred energy pulsing through running water such as streams and brooks, and the protective energy of places like plains, hills, and mountains. Feline and feminine in nature, Ix represents innate intuition, curiosity, and the creative forces of the universe; in fact, this is the day sign that grants the spiritual and psychological strength to reach the highest levels of consciousness, which underpins mysticism and divination. It also rules the seven human sins—from the Maya point of view: pride, ambition, envy, lies, crime, ingratitude, and ignorance through laziness. The animal totem of Ix is the jaguar. In the Classical Maya tradition, it is associated with the cardinal direction North and the color white.
Ix days are days of high magic and divination. The Maya set aside a household altar or a special space in the home for prayer and meditation, with incense, candles and other suitable items. This is the day to spend in meditation and introspection so that we may contemplate our lifepath and redirect it as needed or desired. Ix days help attain mental and physical fortitude. Given its feminine nature, on an Ix day we should also honor the work of women.
The Jaguar is one of the most enigmatic and mystical animals on earth. In Maya lore, Ix is an Ajpop, a higher deity, of the American jungles. Called mano de lana in South America (“the woolen hand”) for its soundless, soft step that you don’t hear until it’s too late, the Jaguar embodies the very source of Mother Earth. Its deep, feminine energy heals as well as culls, bearing a profound intuition about the essence of all things. It fuses power with strategic insight, patiently retracing the footsteps of time until that critical split-second of decisive action. Endowed with extraordinary strength and resilience, Ix carries intelligence often paired with clairvoyance—no surprise, as this powerful day sign is free of the debilitating effects of ego, ambition, judgment, fear, and control.
When you connect to your source, remember that this too is your own soul—this primal, unspoken, ancient energy that underpins our individual and collective consciousness. Here, no ego, no judgment, no self-doubt or fear exist, for these mindsets are far too close to the surface of our human emotions to have any impact on the ancient archetypes, the elemental currents underlying life itself. Just as the deep ocean breathes unperturbed by the commotions at the water’s surface high above, so the ancient energies of Ix cycle deep and strong through generation after generation regardless of the petty skirmishes that take up so much of our time.
Industrialized society keeps us all at the thin surface of our potential. The communication and messages carried by the media, in the workplace, at home, at social events, almost wherever you go today, continually pull you out to the external world, telling you that you should look a certain way, have a certain status, live a certain type of lifestyle. It keeps you entertained so you don’t think, overfed so you don’t move, scared so you don’t risk. The non stop stream of media and commerce gushing at you from an ever-increasing number of channels and platforms, wants your attention 24x7. Today, you have to work at it if you want a bit of time and room for silence, for thoughtful reflection and meditation.
Ix brings you back in, into the depths of your soul, the vast ocean of personal power and potential beneath that thin surface where reality is much richer and more rewarding than anything the external world can give you. This doesn’t mean you should leave the world you live in, or shun society—it simply opens the path to your deeper self. You can live and enjoy your full and complete soul and being right in the midst of the modern world—all you need is Ix’s guidance.
Whether or not this is your birthsign, take the time to spend time with Ix this trecena, and all Ix days. Liberate yourself from the shackles of societal imprints, and walk the path of the Jaguar—alone, in tune with your own natural power.
Excerpt from The Serpent and the Jaguar: Living in Sacred Time by Birgitte Rasine, pp.134-135. This book is also available in eBook format for the Kindle/Kindle Fire, Nook/Nook Color, and iPad/iPhone.
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