I'am glad you developed this topics.
On the usage of words I'am on full agreement.
The funny part is I never liked or used a lot this birthday custom, but I never thought about the why.
I find your point very convincing.
The miss-usage is more obvious with the English word birthday. (which obviously happen only once) Because in French (native language) it's called anniversaire (with latin origin anniversarius) meaning annual, there is more emphasis on the cycle aspect.
(But as you said, it is just the renewal of the servitude.)
On the end of consent to control mechanisms, I had this thought about 4 years ago about time zones (don't know on your side but here in France half of the year we have to live with 2 hours offset from the sun hour)
I tried, and still try to get out this madness but it's hard to not think with their unnatural hours when everyone around you obey to the absurd rule.
It makes me think you can’t be half-in half-out of this. One day or another we got too choose…
PS: the man talking is stability (4) SERPENT (CHICCHAN) in your calendar.
RE: expounding on the power of [s]words & “why use the Mayan Calendars?”