2017 - A "1" Year of New Opportunities

This upcoming year, 2017, resonates to the energy of the “1” (2+0+1+7=10/1). This is a welcomed change for many of us as 2016, which resonated to the energy of the 9 (2+0+1+6=9), brought with it the challenges that come from the harder aspects of this number - those things being endings, departures, and release. 

In 2016, we witnessed the passing of some amazingly talented individuals. We might have also lost people - although not famous - they were very near and dear to us. Some of us left relationships behind. Others of us left old ways of thinking and behaving behind. Some saw a major shift in our career and/or home life. What ever it is that we released - as painful as it was - these changes have opened new doors of possibilities that wouldn't have been an option to us if things had stayed the same. And that's where the energy of the "1" year comes in. 

The “1” year is all about new, healthy and natural beginnings. It’s also got a ‘take charge’ sense to it. We will definitely have the urge to start new things, improve our connection with others, and feel a deeper purpose to our lives. To quote Dr. Phil, these urgings will compel us to “put some verbs in our sentences.”

This will be a year of motivation for most people. There will be a desire to make things happen and a deeper appreciation for the gift of this life. We will not be content to stand on the sidelines for long. We will be tired of waiting for the perfect moment, and will choose to act in a productive manner to make things happen.

This means we may decide to start that new business we have been thinking about for a while. We may expand our social networks and connect with new friends and associates. We might feel the itch to travel and check off some of those items on our bucket list. We may begin a new career path or work to really showcase a special talent we have. We may decide to take a chance on love or become more committed to that someone special in our lives. 

Where ever we choose to make our fresh starts, know that the Universe naturally conspires to help us achieve these desires as long as they are aligned with our higher good and cause no intentional harm to another.

Tarot Associations

Magician – (Major Arcana 1) The Magician encourages us to be creative, individualistic, confident, and self-empowered. His message for the year tells us to take control of the resources around us and make the most of the opportunities presented to us. The Magician works his magic to manifest the things he desires. He does not just expect them to appear. That said, he warns us not to become too arrogant, selfish or deceptive in our practices as those energies are repellent to others, and ultimately plant bad seeds for a tainted future crop.

Wheel of Fortune – (Major Arcana 10) – The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that our destiny is a fine combination of our concerted efforts toward a goal and the fickle hand of fate. Some times the wheel turns in our favor. Other times it doesn’t. The energy of the Wheel of Fortunes tells us not to worry about the hand of fate as there is little we can do to control it. Instead, it’s best if we pursue our path according to what feels right for us, and trust that things will fall into place as they should. This card tells us not to worry ourselves with things over which we have no control and to trust in the process of life.

Ace of Cups, Pentacles, Wands, Swords – (The Four Elements) This year, we can expect to have new opportunities in the areas governed by the four elements – water/love, earth/finance, air/ideas, fire/passions and opportunities. The Aces of each suit suggest new chances, opportunities or “gifts” from the Universe. What we choose to do with them will be the deciding factor with how they develop.

For instance, the element of water tells us there may be a chance to improve/grow an existing relationship, the opportunity to begin a new one or the potential for a baby to be born.

The element of earth suggests we will have new opportunities that makes life on the earth plane better – an investment will pay off, a raise will come, a new job will be offered, an engagement may occur, or a big problem will be solved.

The element of air suggests a fresher mindset and more mental acuity. Burdens, anguish, disappointment and frustrations will be released. More productive and healthier ways of thinking will manifest. Attention will shift away from problems and our focus will be on solutions and brighter futures.

The element of fire indicates we will feel motivated to make our deepest desires come to life. We will feel passion in our bellies and there will be confidence in our action. We will also feel more motivation and energy in our daily life. Those opportunities that are seized and appreciated will produce great success.

In closing, it’s important to note that that while this New Year will present many amazing opportunities, it is up to us to take advantage of them. Without purposeful action nothing will manifest productively. So with that in mind, commit right now to make 2017 a year for which your future self will thank you!

December Energy Brings Triumphs and Truths

December 2016 resonates to the energy of the number 3. As a “3” month, we can expect December to bring with it feelings of fun, socialization and creativity. This will be a holiday season where we welcome that festive connection with others, and embrace opportunities to come together and celebrate our many blessings.

Be aware however, that with this more positive “3”energy-attitude, there is the risk of over-indulgence in all areas of our lives. Because of this, we want to make sure we aren’t spending extravagantly, socializing irresponsibly or eating and drinking excessively.

Basically, the “3” energy says, “Go out and have fun! Just don’t do anything, buy any item or indulge in any way you are going to regret.”

So that is really great! However, the number 3 also carries a secondary energy – this is one that is more about personal truths. This energy tells us that we will be doing some serious evaluation of ourselves, of our associates, and of our lives  - all before the close of the month. The purpose of this evaluation is to reassess our personal direction.

The “3” energy tells us we can expect to take a long hard look on where we have been this year. It suggests our focus will be more on our accomplishments rather than our disappointments. The 3-energy of December suggests we will be content with our progress in 2016. If we could, we’d be patting ourselves on our backs.

However, it’s important to remember that the overall energy of 2016 is a 9 – which is about release, detachment and forgiveness. With that in mind, we are finishing up a year where we have been releasing things that need to go, and are now at the precipice of a bright, new tomorrow.

And, being that December is a “3” personal truths month, it suggests we may find that there are still some lingering issues or remaining clutter that must be released before we begin 2017.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will already know what these issues are, because they are things we’ve been working on during this 9-year. This is like cleaning a house where you do a final sweep to collect those last little dust-bunnies hiding in the dark corners or tucked under the beds.

So, what might that clutter be? It can be anything that holds us back from what we desire most.

These things might be:

Out-dated ways of thinking. This is about being afraid to try. It’s about being afraid to be vulnerable and it’s about being afraid to leave our comfort zones. This is a big one, and is probably the most important shift that needs to be made before 2016 ends.

So what do we do? First, we shift your thoughts from “I can’t” to “I will”. We start believing in our own personal power, and become willing to try new things – things that previously frightened us. It’s about embracing new opportunities and expanding our interests with a sense of excitement and adventure. It’s making the decision to take a chance because we have finally realized the truth behind, “If not now, then when?”

Unproductive ways of living. This includes passively living our lives waiting for things to get better. It includes tolerating mediocrity or even unhappiness because we feel powerless to change an undesirable situation. It is the willingness to accept a scenario because it seems too hard to shift it in another direction. It is about hiding in pipedreams and promises of false tomorrows to get us through the frustrations of today.

So what do we do? We become a doer instead of a dreamer. We identify a plan to create the life we want and have the courage to take the first step. After that, we have the courage to take the next step and so-on and so-on.

Counter-productive habits around eating, entertaining, socializing or recreating. This one is for everyone who wants to take better care of that temple which houses our beautiful soul. Our bodies are an amazing gift from the Universe. Our body is meant to help us manifest our soul’s desire. It is meant to help us experience the wonderful pleasures and opportunities only available on this earth plane. But, our bodies are meant to be respected, and certainly not meant to be abused.

So what do we do? We need to show our bodies some love. We must treat them with the consideration they deserve. Let’s show our bodies we respect them by eating better to give our bodies the fuel it needs to thrive. We should cut back on the processed foods and sugar-laden products. We ought to get out and move – take a walk, stretch every day, find a physical activity we enjoy doing. We must let our bodies play. In addition, it’s important to give our bodies plenty of rest and cut back on abusive habits like drinking, smoking, over-eating and reckless hobbies.

Unhealthy peripheral relationships. Let’s be real. There are people around us everyday we feel we have to tolerate because somehow they have managed to become ingrained in our everyday life. We know who these people are. They are boundary-challenged friends who get in our business because they say they “care about us.” The truth is they get in our business because… well…. they don’t have boundaries or are trying to distract themselves from their own issues. Other times, these people are are the loud-mouth know-it-alls/top-it-alls who constantly have an answer for everything or a story that trumps every other one at social gatherings.  These people are particularly tough to deal with because all we really want to do is call them on their BS and tell them to shut up. But we can’t – for a variety of reasons – so we just sit quietly as they dominate the gathering with their delusional verbal reverie. Some times these people come dressed as takers, energy vampires and the drama-laden screw ups who always need your attention, assistance or advice. They are exhausting – not because they are bad people – but because the energy they unintentionally siphon from us on a regular basis interferes with our ability to do other things. However they appear, these people often come disguised as friends, relatives and colleagues.

So what do we do? A good course of action is to erect subtle, yet powerful barriers of our own. We can still maintain the Golden Rule when interacting with the individuals, but we  an also begin to distance ourselves. For instance, we can make ourselves unavailable to chat on a regular basis. We can have a ready excuse that gets us out of their request. We can politely decline invitations because of previous commitments. You get the point. Now, I am not saying to cut these people completely from our lives. Rather, I am suggesting we give ourselves permission to create some space, and protect our energy so you can devote our attention to manifesting OUR plans, dreams and desires.  

The upcoming year, 2017, promises fresh starts and new beginnings because it is a “1” year. In order to make the most of it, we must clear all the clutter with a proverbial spring-cleaning of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual house. And don’t feel bad about doing this. It’s a necessary course of action because only when the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical clutter is removed, can we welcome the exciting and powerful energy of the New Year.