“A mind of light will replace the present confusion and trouble of this earthly ignorance … It is this possibility that we must look at and that would mean a new humanity uplifted into light, capable of a spiritualized being and action, open to the governance by some light of the truth-consciousness, capable even on the mental level and in its own order of something that might be called the beginning of the divinized life.” — Sri Aurobindo
José Argüelles’ “Law of Time” presents a unique critique of modern timekeeping and its impact on human consciousness. At its core, his theory contrasts what he calls natural time (the 13:20 frequency) with artificial time (the 12:60 frequency). According to Argüelles, natural time is based on the Maya Tzolkin calendar’s 13 numbers and 20 solar tribes or glyphs, which he believed aligned with biological rhythms, lunar cycles, and cosmic order. In contrast, artificial time, governed by mechanical clocks and the Gregorian calendar, creates what he termed a “time is money” mentality that disconnects humans from their natural rhythms.
Argüelles argued that modern timekeeping fundamentally shapes human consciousness in ways that create stress, anxiety, and environmental destruction. The mechanical clock and standardized calendar impose rigid schedules that force people to live in a linear rather than cyclical perception of time. This artificial structuring of time, he believed, leads to materialism and a disconnection from natural cycles, ultimately affecting everything from personal well-being to global environmental health.
In Argüelles’ framework, each day carries unique energy based on combinations of numbers and symbols, and he believed personal timing could be synchronized with these natural cycles. His solution involved returning to natural timing through awareness of daily energies, using his Dreamspell Calendar (his modern interpretation of Maya timekeeping), meditation on natural cycles, recognition of synchronicities, and living more in tune with sunrise, sunset, and lunar phases.
The impact of modern timekeeping on society, according to Argüelles, manifests in numerous ways: deadline-driven stress, work-life imbalance, environmental disregard, and constant rushing. This extends into how time management dominates professional life, how digital devices fragment attention, and how global commerce requires increasingly precise scheduling. He believed these patterns affect biological rhythms, disrupting sleep cycles, natural meal timing, and seasonal connections.
While Argüelles developed these ideas after studying traditional Maya calendrical systems, indigenous time concepts, modern physics, and consciousness studies, it’s important to note that his interpretations differ significantly from traditional Maya scholars’ understanding of ancient Maya time-keeping and academic archaeological research. However, his ideas have influenced various alternative spirituality movements and continue to resonate with those seeking different approaches to time awareness.
Despite the radical nature of Argüelles’ proposals, his critique raises valuable questions about how time structures shape consciousness and society’s relationship with nature. While complete rejection of mechanical time might be impractical in our globally connected world, his ideas suggest possibilities for better balancing natural and artificial time. This might include greater awareness of natural daylight patterns, regular nature connection, mindful scheduling with breaks, seasonal awareness, and moon phase observation.
The legacy of Argüelles’ work continues to influence discussions about work-life balance, environmental sustainability, cultural transitions, and consciousness evolution. Even for those who don’t fully embrace his framework, his critique of mechanical time’s effects offers interesting perspectives on modern life’s relationship with time and nature, suggesting ways to create more balanced and sustainable approaches to living in our fast-paced world.
Note: The 13-month calendar’s industrial application in early 20th century American factories reveals a powerful intersection between natural cycles and manufacturing efficiency. Under this system, each month contained exactly 28 days (four weeks), with an additional month called “Sol” between June and July. Every date fell on the same weekday every month, every year – the 15th always Sunday, the 20th always Friday.
George Eastman implemented this at Kodak from 1928 to 1989, revolutionizing production planning and payroll. The system’s predictability simplified wage calculations and performance metrics, as every month had identical working days. This standardization streamlined operations while surprisingly aligning more closely with natural lunar cycles than the Gregorian calendar.
Despite its operational success, the system faced challenges due to incompatibility with the global Gregorian calendar. Companies had to maintain dual systems for external communications, eventually leading most to abandon the practice. Yet this historical experiment demonstrates how alternative time-keeping can bridge natural rhythms and industrial needs, offering relevant insights for modern discussions about time management and organizational efficiency. The success of the 13-month calendar in manufacturing settings proves that innovative time structures can serve practical purposes while maintaining better alignment with natural cycles.
“The Earth, in her unified wholeness, does not seek vengeance. She operates by laws, however, that, if repeatedly violated, will produce their results, meting out their own forms of justice. In her unified simultaneity of living wholeness where saint and sinner, hypocrite and truth seeker alike all breathe the same air and move by the same blood flowing in their veins, the Earth is already living the life divine, a planet body capable of seemingly unending self-transformation, repeated resurrections and rebirths even in the midst of its own dying. She possesses a mind and a whole consciousness that accommodates all of her living and crystalline forms…” — José Argüelles
Light Being ॐ 
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