general

For the past 15 years I have danced around Mayan Calendar information, and it wasn't until THIS book came out that I found the 'home' I was looking for in the Mayan 'Tzolkin' Calendar!

This is a MUST READ for our present times . . . as turbulent and chaotic as they are, the information researched and presented by Carl Johan Calleman in a NEW FRAMEWORK gives us more understanding and HOPE!

Calleman introduces us to the Classical Tzolkin Count which has been followed for the past 2500 years in the highlands of Guatamala. The Tzolkin Calendar (Count of 260 days) repeats a specific sequence of 20 glyphs thirteen times.

His information helps us better understand that the Tzolkin can be (my note: and really should be) studied at multiple degrees of complexity as each day is not just an Energy Tone of that single day, but has multiple layers of information available to us based on Trecenas (13 day sequences), Uinals (20 day sequences), Day and Night sequences (daily as well as in the longer cycles), and in relation to the Nine Underworlds.

In writing of the World Tree, he helps us better understand the differences (which are much more apparent in these times) between East and West thinking and cultures. The chapter entitled 'The War of the West Against Iraq' is an example of this.

As we begin to understand the longer cycles and how the Underworlds have created a 'duality' in the consciousness of the peoples of that time, we can better understand how THAT 'thinking' has carried over to our current time. In 1999, we entered the Galactic Underworld, which is carrying us on the journey forward to a 'whole mind'. . . IF we are willing to step into the Rhythm of that journey.

For me, any book or seminar or tool is only as good as I allow it to be. From this newer framework of information, I have designed for myself a Tzolkin-style of Day Counting (sort of a squared off spiral!) that I spend time with every day. Through it I can better see and then put to use in my everyday life the Daily Energy Tone as it relates to the current position it holds in the greater cycles . . . and for me, that alone was well worth the price of the book and time spent within in!

This is one of the best books I have read and I would recommend reading this book prior to reading "Maya Cosmogenesis 2012" by John Major Jenkins. Calleman does an excellent job comparing the current dualist/materialist mind and the unitary/evolved mind that is destined to occur by the end of the Universal Underworld (2012 AD). According to Calleman, the Mayan calendar ends at the end of the Universal Underworld and does not start over which is contrary to J.M. Jenkins' theory in Mayacosmogenesis 2012 (13.0.0.0.0 --> 0.0.0.0.0). Calleman does not cover Galactic Alignment and apparently believes that is not the purpose of the Mayan Calendar. Its purpose is greater than that, it charts the evolution of consciousness via the cosmic plan through the nine Underworlds that build on top of each other.

He explains that during this transition phase to higher consciousness, we are going to experience higher levels of stress and career burnout. Our need for spiritual awakening will battle with our dualist/materialist mind and wreak psychological and physical havoc. With the levels of novelty accelerating (see Terence McKenna's "The Invisible Landscape") e.g., more changes and technological/scientific breakthroughs appearing, stress levels will keep increasing.

The venus transit, acceleration of time concept that we all have been feeling but nobody talks about, and sun spot cycles are discussed as well as an Indian Avatar named Kalki who is supposed to be communicator/leader of the spiritual awakening of the Golden Age. Calleman does a pretty decent job of tying in various religions' prophecies (e.g. Book of Revelations) and how they are backed up by the Mayan calendar. The graphics/tables were very well illustrated and easy to read and helpful.

Reason I gave a 4 out of 5:
I was dismayed that the evolution of plants and animals were not discussed and crop circles were not included as well. Also how is the state of the environment going to be by 2012 AD? There was no discussion on that either.