3 Kej: Foundation, Action & Resilience
Energy of the Day for August 22, 2025
The power of today lies in the internal process, within the home, both of your body and soul. It is a day to connect with your inner wilderness, your inner nature, to find your strength and determination there. –Mark Elmy
Day 3 of 13 in the Kan Trecena: Power to Evolve
3 (Oxib’): Results • Effects • Motives • Consequence • Parents • Children • Home • Uterus • Fruits • Emotions • Fear • Risk • Doubt • Obstacles • Insecurity
Pronunciation: “Osheeb”
Kej : Power • Firmness • Solidity • Equilibrium • Stability • 4 Cardinal Directions • 4 Bodily Planes • 4 Elements • Nature • Discipline • Tenacity • Movement • Determination
Pronunciation: “Kegh” or “Kiegh”
Direction: East
Sacred Animal: Deer, Stag, Horse
Energy Places: Forests, Mountains
Colors: Beige, Yellow, Red, Black, White
Body Parts: Arms, Feet
Yucatec: : Manik’
Mexica: Mazatl
Kej Glyph: The glyph represents a closed hand creating a circuit of energy that charges the four cardinal points, as represented by the four fingers, boosted by the thumb. –Carlos Barrios
Kej: Embodying stability and balance, Kej is the nawal of the four cardinal points of the Earth and represents the four primary elements of earth, water, fire, and air. It also carries the four states of the human experience and the four colors of humanity: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual, and the colors of yellow, white, red, and black.
On Kej days, the Maya pray for harmony throughout the natural world and among all human beings–these are propitious days to ask for strength to avoid betrayal and handle the difficulties in our lives. –Brigitte Rasine
Diana’s Observations:
Kej, nawal of the mighty stag, firmness, and determination, moves with the result-driven and creative influence of Power 3. Kej instills leadership, strength, structure, and discipline, while 3 heightens motives and drive to create meaningful outcomes. 3 Kej is an auspicious day to reinforce both inner and outer foundations to produce positive and lasting results.
As the Kan Trecena’s dynamic, evolutionary theme offers its transmutative powers, 3 Kej invites us to cultivate inner peace and fortitude, meeting life’s complexities with self-leadership—be it in body, business, relationships, or home. It calls for building stability, beginning with our inner landscapes of self-esteem in relating and confidence in overcoming obstacles.
In its shadow aspect, this day carries the potential for stubbornness and imbalances born of unconscious actions—domineering attitudes or the urge to force change. Visualizing the four-legged stag guardian of this day, paired with the instability inherent in the number 3, suggests that any wobbles of doubt, risk, or uncertainty today may stem from imbalance within one of our four planes of existence: mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual.
As the Kan Trecena encourages cultivating physical strength and vitality, and Kej resonates with our innate, raw power, today invites us to move our bodies in conscious exercise. Any resistance we meet in physical movement mirrors the mental challenges we face in life—each rep, each breath, a reminder that overcoming obstacles within prepares us to meet the fluxing changes of our outer world with greater resilience and grace. By revitalizing our inner flow, we nurture both body and spirit, evolving effort into resilience and obstacles into growth.
Practical Applications & Programming of the Day:
Auspicious for: Physical stabilization and grounding; earthing practices; inner work and analysis of results; sharing progress with others; men’s healing work; healing work around authority; cultivating spiritual leadership and strength; seeking or offering mentorship; learning from elders; dignity, respect, and boundary-setting; building physical strength and mental agility; men’s fertility protocols; recharging in nature; adhering to responsibilities; prayers and gratitude for Mother Earth; applying spiritual guidance; working with the four elements; harmonizing the four bodies (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual
📅 View the Auspicious Applications for All Days of the Kan Trecena
Stag Spirit Animal:
The stag, a creature of grace and strength, is a powerful spirit animal symbolizing gentleness, leadership, and the cyclical nature of life. In Central American indigenous beliefs, particularly among the Maya and Aztecs, the deer was a sacred animal linked to fertility, the sun, and the gods of the hunt.
Its impressive antlers, which are shed and regrown annually, represent the cycles of death and rebirth, as well as a connection to the sun's illuminating power. For these reasons, the stag spirit is often invoked for those seeking to navigate challenges with poise, to find their inner strength, or to lead others with grace and compassion.
Across various South American cultures, the deer is revered as a spiritual guide and a guardian of the natural world. In shamanic traditions, its swiftness and ability to move silently through the forest symbolize a mastery of both the physical and spiritual realms, allowing it to act as a messenger between worlds. The deer's presence in sacred hunting rituals reinforces its role as a life-giver and a provider, teaching lessons of gratitude and the sacred balance of give and take.
Observations by Mayan Spiritual Guides:
3 Kej
The strength and determination of Kej can give rise to situations where Kej may try to use force to make things happen. Even if the door is marked pull, Kej will keep pushing if it believes that is the way it should happen.This is an example of where determination might get you nowhere today, it is important to look around and read the signs before applying the action in the physical.
The number three brings up internal/external dilemma. The lack of stability in the physical, external world that it brings suggests that the more appropriate action is to look to the internal world, both of the home and of yourself.
It is a day to bring that essence into your home, through connection with the spiritual leader, the teacher, inside of you. –Mark Elmy
3 Kej
Our thoughts and good intentions gain strength only when they are accompanied by our actions.Oxib’ teaches us to be mindful of what we do, reminding us that every action generates a reaction, and that through our deeds, thoughts, feelings, and intentions, we shape our lives. The convergence of this energy with Kej, one of the guardian forces of nature, makes us aware that Mother Earth needs our help.
Oxib’ Kej reminds us that we are not the only beings with the right to exist; plants, animals, and all living things share that right. That good thoughts and good intentions alone may no longer be enough.
To spark change, we must act, taking responsibility for what we consume and how we live. Now, more than ever, we must bring consciousness and heart to everything we do.
Today I want to remember the wise words of my father, Tat Carlos Barrios, who always said that the spirituality of these times has a name, and that name is action. –Denise Barrios
✍🏼 Journal Prompts of the Day:
Where do I meet resistance in my life, and how can I approach these challenges with greater steadiness and discipline?
How can I harmonize mind, body, and spirit today—through movement, reflection, or heightened intention?
In what ways can I nurture self-esteem and confidence today?
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Your 2th journal prompt! Not me praying over my food during lunch 😄 my spine has been hurting since this 🐍 trecena! I think my body is getting readjusted somehow with all the integration this summer. I’m literally crawling out of my cocoon 😆🦋✨