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of days of the solar orbit. Authors Adrian Gilbert and Maurice Cottrell made the case for the importance of the number 26 and how it was selected in their book.! Now I suggest that this is one of the main variables, but not the only one, used to establish the root number 13, or half a solar orbit. They would have measured it using the transit of sunspots across the face of the solar disc. However, the number 13 cannot be fully derived and justified without taking the lunar and Venus cycles into account as well. I shall here add the following supporting evidence regarding the selection of the number 13: 1. The Sun's orbital lunar motion per mean rotation is 13.14° 2. The mean daily lunar motion is 13.17°. of days of the solar orbit. Authors Adrian Gilbert and Maurice ased upon 13 one month cycles that occurred in a 28-day series. Cottrell made the case for the importance of the number 26 and _That totalled a lunar/fertility year of 364 days, a number that has how it was selected in their book.' great significance in the calendar system. It is embedded in the Now I suggest that this is one of the main variables, but not the ase-13 series as the 28th number. only one, used to establish the root number 13, or half a solar The base-13 series and fertility calendar (called so because it orbit. coincides with the monthly cycle of menstruation) also included a They would have measured it using the transit of sunspots cross-reference to the 260-day Tzolkin cycle since subtracting 260 across the face of the solar disc. However, the number 13 cannot from 364 = 104. In other words when the Tzolkin cycle was com- be fully derived and justified without taking the lunar and Venus pleted, 104 days remained until the accounting and lunar years cycles into account as well. came full circle. This is a pivotal number in the series as it is the I shall here add the following supporting evidence regarding the synthesis of the solar, sacred and Venus calendars called the selection of the number 13: Venus Round, a period of 104 years, also the 8th number in the 1. The Sun's orbital lunar motion per mean rotation is 13.14° rogression. (Covered in detail in next section.) 2. The mean daily lunar motion is 13.17°. Now I find an extremely simple yet sophisticated use of these numbers to bring the solar and lunar years into alignment. The Any serious student of the Mayan calendar, including scholars, Pyramid of Kukulkan has four stairways leading up to the temple has had to acknowledge that the number 13 platform. Each has 91 steps = 364. The plays a key role. Independent researchers, final step or +1 gives us the days of the solar like Charles Johnson and Carl Munck have year; the sum of the steps equal the lunar/fer- pointed out this number's significance in tility cycle as well. I analysed this pyramid numerous analyses of the calendar (and grid) in some depth in a previous paper showing system, yet the underlying reasoning behind that the four sides of the base also equals 364 its selection has never been clearly identified or the total number of approximate days (91) or articulated. Thus 13 has been considered It is very clear from the in each season that comprise a year with the an unresolved mystery. Its importance has . . +1 step onto the solar platform. simply been acknowledged and accepted by archaeological evidence Thus it is found that the series is a synthe- me uni recent yeas). After mentioning i net be hehe relationships. Is clear thatthe Maya Were attention is usually shifted to the meaning (Mesoamerican) well aware that the +1 relationship of the "Mayan scholar JE. Thompson put ig Civilisation(s) gave ees iarand hnar calendars, ‘This brings this way, "every astronomical mecha- central importance to the up a central issue. Part of the beauty of Mayan life, had to be related tothe Wale 1S borin the table ar al adv values 260-day sacred almanac" (Thompson, based on starting with 13 and adding 1974). that quantity to each succeeding sum. The proposed base-13 series shifts That is an extraordinarily simple the focus and shows why this number operation, which produces profoundly was chosen. It is the one number that meaningful results. Next, it is found all subsequent numbers in the calendar that a second very basic concept was are related to. I would describe it as then used to make adjustments, + or -1. the prime astronomical number, or the To obtain the true value of the solar root synthetic number, upon which the year they added | to the accounting and composite calendar was constructed. lunar cycle(s) of 364. That is made In fact, I could not generate a meaning- clear in the Aztec sunstone and in the .- why? ful series of numbers that have a precise relationship to astronom- Pyramid of Kukulkan and certainly an inferred operation in the ical values with any other number. base-13 table. That the resultant numbers fall into place and give either accu- This is by no means the only example of this simple operation rate or close approximations of key solar, lunar, and planetary found in the table. It comes up with the numbers 104 and 105, the data will become self-evident in the following sections. latter being the number of years from one transit of Venus cycle to another. The next or 9th number in the series (117) has a -1 THE MOON AND LUNAR CALENDAR relationship to the number of days in a synodic period of Mercury, The Moon appears to move completely around the celestial 116. sphere once in about 27.3 days as observed from the Earth, a side- Returning to the central importance of the number 13, the fact real month. This period reflects the corresponding orbital period that with respect to the background constellations the Moon of 27.3 days. The Moon takes 29.5 days to return to the same moves about 13 degrees further east each day is significant. The point on the celestial sphere as referenced to the Sun because of | Quiché Maya still recognise 13 phases of the Moon from the new the motion of the Earth around the Sun; a synodic month. to full phases. The foregoing indicates that the number was cho- Lunar phases as observed from the Earth are correlated with the sen because it embodies an important ratio—between orbital synodic month. The mean period between the sidereal and synod- velocities, cycles and distances—found in the solar system. In ic month(s) is about 28 days. The Moon moves in a counter- effect, the number is the operator in mathematical terms, govern- clockwise fashion 13 degrees every night in relation to a fixed ref- ing the relationships of the terrestrial planets. erence star. The Maya had a lunar/fertility calendar that was However, I do not believe this number was chosen as the root .- why? THE MOON AND LUNAR CALENDAR The Moon appears to move completely around the celestial sphere once in about 27.3 days as observed from the Earth, a side- real month. This period reflects the corresponding orbital period of 27.3 days. The Moon takes 29.5 days to return to the same point on the celestial sphere as referenced to the Sun because of the motion of the Earth around the Sun; a synodic month. Lunar phases as observed from the Earth are correlated with the synodic month. The mean period between the sidereal and synod- ic month(s) is about 28 days. The Moon moves in a counter- clockwise fashion 13 degrees every night in relation to a fixed ref- erence star. The Maya had a lunar/fertility calendar that was JUNE — JULY 2005 NEXUS = 53 www.nexusmagazine.com