Walking The White Road © 2025 by Diana C. Paez
About the
Cholq'ij
who's it for?
“Our first Grandfathers aquired this knowledge in the mythical Tulán–the Mayan’s mother civilization–and spoke of reality as a manifestation on three levels: the underworld, the world, and the overworld.
All of these, in turn, are manifest in Najt, or space-time. The ancient Maya sent emissaries into the world to share this knowledge–the key to development as both individuals and a community–in order to shape the new being.
All Maya, as well as
all those with a true desire to grow and evolve in harmony, are the rightful heirs to such knowledge.”
–Carlos Barrios, Mayan Elder
Understanding the
maya cosmovision
The Olmecs originated the Mesoamerican calendrical system, advanced by the Maya and adopted by the Aztecs.
Central to their cosmovision, which envisioned the Universe as an interconnected system of "gears"—forces and energies—was this calendrical knowledge.
At its core, the broader Mesoamerican cosmovision teaches its jewel of wisdom: nothing exists in isolation.
Communication is key—every living being, object, action, and element has its own language and deserves reverence and respect.
cholq'ij
Cholq’ij translates to “Count of Days” or “Count of Suns” (Chol = count, Q’ij = day/sun).
Regarded as the most important calendar in Mayan heritage, the Cholq’ij guides human experience and evolution through space and time, based on scientific, mathematical, and geometric principles.
Although it is often called "Mayan Astrology" for simplicity and marketing, it is not astrology—the Cholq’ij is dimensional in nature.
Animated video guide I created for my newsletter subscribers, visually explaining the basics of the Cholq'ij system and its function.
Like any calendar, the Cholq’ij is a way of understanding time. But for the Mayans, this spiritual calendar is more than a system for organizing time—it is both a science and a philosophy, a way of life.
Different names for different lineages:
K'iche, Mam, and Kaqchikel Sacred Calendar Name: Cholq'ij
Aztec / Mexíca Sacred Calendar Name: Tonalpohualli
Yucatec Mayan Sacred Calendar Name: Tzolk'in
260-day calendar
13:20 Pattern
The Cholq’ij is structured around the Mayan vigesimal (base-20) system, combining numbers 1 through 13 and 20 nawales (day signs) to create 260 unique combinations.
This pattern reflects a natural cosmic rhythm–an interplay between the Sun, Moon, Earth and human being. Mars and Venus also influence and resonate with its rhythms.
The Cholq’ij also encodes the qualities and life purpose of a person—shaped by their Awach Q'ij, or day of birth—offering profound insights into their energetic structures, strengths, weaknesses, vocational path, destiny, and the arc of their spiritual growth.
The Cholq'ij and
human anatomy
The Cholq’ij beautifully integrates mathematics with human anatomy, revealing profound connections:
20 Nawales
20 Finger & Toes
The 20 nawales (day signs) correspond to the 20 fingers and toes of a person—10 fingers on the hands and 10 toes on the feet—symbolizing the Jun Winaq, or “complete man.”
13 numbers
13 Main Joints of the Body
The 13 tonales reflect the 13 main joints of the human body:
2 ankles • 2 knees • 2 hips • 2 wrists • 2 elbows • 2 shoulders • 1 neck
13 x 20 = 260
These 260 energies travel the human body, fusing our consciousness and rhythms with time and natural law.
Beyond these, the calendar’s numerical patterns also connect to other aspects of the human body—such as the face, spinal column, organs, umbilical cord, and circadian rhythms—further integrating its system with the human body.
codify your days
with the Cholq'ij
For years, I’ve “coded” my days, weeks, and life with the Cholq’ij—like a programmer writing software.
Each action taken with the Cholq’ij aligns us to natural law and the evolutionary human rhythm, often reflected archetypally as the “Arc of the Hero’s Journey,” a concept popularized by Joseph Campbell.
Through the Cholq’ij, this arc becomes a path to ignite our inner sun and reach our highest potential.
Each day’s themes serve as energetic ingredients we intentionally select to craft a deliciously fulfilling life.
This allows us to align with energies that resonate with our unique essence and circumstances, while shedding layers of social conditioning so our true self and potential can flourish.
Receive the Cholq’ij’s Daily Guidance in Your Inbox:
the popul vuh
Mayan Sacred Book
The Popol Vuh, the sacred creation mythos of the Maya, shares the dawn of this human civilization, foundational archetypes, and cosmological themes that resonate deeply with the Cholq’ij.
The Popol Vuh is one version of the Maya’s sacred book describing the creation of the world, the magical adventures of the Hero Twins, and the genealogy of the people.
The Popol Vuh, recounts that about 13,000 years ago—following a great Universal Flood shared by many cultures—the Earth became muddy and shrouded in mist as the Sun’s rays no longer warmed its surface.
In response, the four Balameb (Jaguar Men), the first Mayan civilizers, performed sacred fire ceremonies to call the Sun back, restoring warmth and balance to life.
the four directions
Mayan Creation Story
“We shall provide a clear idea of how the universe was created, what is still hidden and what we can see in our world, how the Maker and Creator put his essential qualities into action and his mere word enough to create everything.
Creation Story, Excerpts from the Popul Vuh:
Tz’aqol:
the divine will that manifests itself in nature, making it awake into action.
Alom:
the begetter; power of emanation in his presence, the seed of life, the word-action of the Great Father, the greatness or essence.
B’itol:
constitutes the formative power. Part of Tz’aqol acts in creation.
K’ajolom:
the conceiver, consisting of space, the Infinite Void, the matrix from which every Universe arose.
“...it told how Sky and Earth were created, quartered into equinoxes and solstices. Divided into four parts, the directions:
Red, the East;
Black, the West;
White, the North;
Yellow, the South.
Each star was set in its place and the path established for each. Boundaries were fixed, distances measured by means of a string that was stretched into Earth and Sky, establishing height and depth.”
mathematical gift
to humanity
The Mayan development of the number zero is a groundbreaking contribution to mathematics, closely linked to the evolution of human knowledge and technology.
For the Maya, zero symbolized the essence of beginnings and the Logos, representing the seed, origin, and the Milky Way, and it often appeared as a seed, flower, human head, or shell in Maya art and codices. This symbol served both philosophical and mathematical roles, embodying the start of life and cosmic order.
Their vigesimal (base-20) system uses just three symbols—a bar, a dot, and zero—which together enable a wide range of mathematical operations. It laid the foundation for early algorithmic thinking, influencing the creation of computer programming concepts.
“The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity and elegance. It is evident in the various Mayan counting methods developed by ancient sages—combining straightforward yet advanced mathematics applied to the intricate workings of a perfect 'cosmic-terrestrial-human clock'.”
–Juankaanpu, Ajq’ij (Priest)
Wajxaqib' (8) B'ATZ
Beginning ofTime & Head of the Cholq'ij
In the Pop’ Wuj (Mayan Sacred Book) it says: “In the beginning, the Creators and Formers, Tz’akol and B’itol; took the B’atz (thread) and threw it to the edge of the universe and the cosmos, they folded it and returned it.”
Mayan Sages have taught for generations that in Wajxaqib’ (8) B'atz, ri Uk'ux Kaj, Uk'ux Ulew (Heart of Heaven, Heart of the Earth) asks man saying:
"Accept me as King over you; let me be your head. And it is there where the sovereign, great Alom and K’ajolom (Begetter and Conceiver) was established as our king and government, and WAQJXAQIB' B'ATZ was born.”
3 dimensions
The Mayan sages highlight three dimensions in the relationship between the head and the body:
1. The brain governs the body's organs and functions.
2. The vital energy of all organs converge in the brain.
3. The brain is the seat for the power of thought, revered as the highest human faculty.
Day 8 B’atz is the head of the 260-day cycle, much like the brain governs the body. It serves as the command center of the Cholq’ij.
8 B'atz ceremonies in Guatemala honor Ajaw (God) as the "head," connecting the Creator to human essence and emphasizing that calendar energies flow through all people.
The nawales
The Cholq'ij consists of 20 nawales (day signs) across 13 weeks, arranged in this order:
B'atz' • E' • Aj • I'x • Tz'ikin • Ajmaq • No'j • Tijax • Kawoq • Ajpu • Imox • Iq' • Aq'ab'al • K'at • Kan • Kame • Kej • Q'anil • Toj • Tz'i'
Nawales represent the energy, spirit, or power of the beings and elements of nature. According to the Mayan Cosmovision, they are symbols that represent and connect each person to the ecosystem, thus creating balance.
You, I, and all beings alive are fused into this universal orchestra of energies, guiding us to fulfill the unique role for which we were created.
Thanks for taking the time to learn about the Cholq'ij.
I’ve curated resources and offerings to support you on your life journey with its extraordinary guidance:
Xicalcoliuhqui
"The Maya lived integrally worshipping that which is represented by the "G." This symbol is nothing less than our Galaxy. Yes, the Milky Way! When you see this symbol in the codices or on pyramids, remember that you are looking at the beginning–the symbol of your essence!" Hunbatz Men, Secrets of Mayan Science / Religion
Credits & Sources
• Carlos Barrios, Aj q'ij & Mayan Elder
• Juan Alejandro Velásquez, Aj q'ij (Priest)
• Denise Barrios, Aj q'ij (Priestess)
• Alonso López, Yucatec Ah Men (Priest)
• Hunbatz Men, Yucatec Ah Men (Priest)
• Mayatecum.com ( Mayan K'iche Organization)
• Popul Vuh, Sacred Mayan Origin, Counsel & Creation Book