The Five Empty Days

The myth

The Mexica solar year, xiuhpohualli, had 18 months of 20 days, totaling 360. The remaining five days were the nemontemi, “empty” or “useless days,” with no name and no patron god. They were considered dangerous and unlucky: people avoided working, quarreling, leaving home or starting anything, and those born on them had an ill fate. According to Patrick Johansson, they were experienced as an abyss into which time might fall. The card turns that silence into a forced truce: no one dares to fight.

Why it has this power

An Uncommon spell that prevents your opponent from attacking for 2 turns. It is the truce of the five nameless days: no one fights, no one dares. One of the best defensive cards in the deck, ideal for buying time, setting up a ritual like the New Fire, or rebuilding your field after losing monsters.

Did you know

The Maya had an equivalent five-day period at the end of the year, called the uayeb.

Connections

• In Cuauhtli, Lake Hunter's deck
• In Citlali, Priestess of the Stars's deck
• In Tepin, Veteran of the Flower War's deck
• In Yolotl, Mistress of the Mirror's deck
• In Itzel, Guardian of the Fifth Sun's deck

Where to get it

• Daily Offering: 0.45% per pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
• Welcome Pack: 1.1% per pack (Uncommon 30% per card)
• Traveler's Pack: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
• Bronze Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
• Silver Reliquary: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
• Golden Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 35% per card)
• Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.98% of days · 400 gold
• Craft with card dust: 100 dust
• Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

1. Nemontemi, “días baldíos”. Abismos periódicos del tiempo indígena (Arqueología Mexicana) — Patrick Johansson K.
2. El tonalpohualli (Arqueología Mexicana) — Enrique Vela