2016 was the end of this cycle (2016 becomes 2+1+6=9) and saw many endings. There were a number of unusual deaths, celebrity and otherwise. Many people reached the culmination of projects, for instance, Barack Obama will end his presidency, and the era of progressivism that his presidency represented appears to also be over. The 9 year cycle brings you to a culmination. It's a time to tie up loose ends, and it helps you step into the next 9 years of your life.
A significant transformation typically happens during the 9th year. As a result, for many people, there were many challenges that took place in 2016. These were there to help us move forward and learn what we need to learn in order to grow and be ready for the next period of our lives. Alterations and improvements, even if you don't always see the benefit, are common during the 9th year. Sometimes, though, you may feel stagnant or like nothing is moving forward, but rather that things are ending.
While we may not be aware of it, and no matter how hard it is to let go, these endings represent important chapters coming to a close in preparation for what comes next. During the 9th year, necessary endings take place, and prepare you for all of the change about to happen as the cycle restarts.
An important note, though: in order to do this, we have to stop playing the victim card and take an honest look at the hardship we may have faced. Were these things that you were holding on to out of habit rather than because it's what you really wanted? Do they represent beliefs you need to let go of? We need to look back on the past 9 years, and release any pain, heal, and forgive. Hardship was the norm in 2016. It was that way because it was giving us the opportunity to grow and move past our limiting beliefs. Take care, though, if you do not look at the last 9 years, and take steps to process, release, and grow; the next 9 years may end up repeating those same lessons. But, the lessons will come in the form of hardships that continue to grow in absurdity. The illusions that create these problems result from your false beliefs that it is time to deal with and change. If you do not, then the problems will grow until they are so large that the change will happen regardless of what you may have wanted. For example, I have a friend who believes that the world is out to get her. People are untrustworthy, nothing goes right, and she can't catch a break according to her. She makes choices and decisions from that place all the time, and continuously creates hardship for herself as a result. She doesn't realize that the problems stem from her own actions and belief. Until she realizes that the belief is what is creating her issue, she will continue to subconsciously create the problems. She has to deal with the belief, figure out where she learned it, and accept that it's not true. Then, the problems won't be so frequent, big, or unmangeable.
2017, and indeed the next 9 years, will be much easier if you can release any stored emotions and make space. It's important to do healing work now and let go so that you can step into the new cycle fresh and ready for anything.
Now, we are on to a new era! 2017 is a 1 year. While 9 helped you see what you needed to change, 1 is the year where you can begin that process. This is a year of new goals, interests, and experiences. Where do you want to be? Since it is a 1 year, 2017 will be about focusing on the individual. It will be a time for you to consider the meaning of courage, learn about yourself, and develop self awareness. 2017 will be a time to adapt to the changes taking place inside and around you.
One years are about what makes 'me' happy. This year will be a year to develop self worth, and pursue your goals. This year will help you to set the course for the next 9 years, so now is the time to decide where you are going.
To begin, you need to develop awareness around who you are, accept it, and then decide who you want to be. This year will give you the opportunity to learn new things about yourself. Because the focus will be on the individual, certain problems can and may arise. If you are a person who doesn't focus on yourself willingly, or who uses others to distract yourself; you may struggle. Beliefs and attitudes you held dear will be challenged, and you may feel out of place with people you normally felt comfortable with. Your relationships may change, or your relationship with yourself may be challenged. It's all about attaining independence and confidence, whatever that means for you.
You may suddenly feel that those you counted on cannot be there for you anymore, or if you are used to doing things for others because you feel like you should, rather than because you want to; that behavior may likewise be challenged. If you're used to being alone, however, you may find you are asked to do the opposite this year and come out of your shell. Either way, this year will attempt to draw out the real independent and confident you. You'll begin to see that going against your personal needs actually just creates resentment, and eventually guilt.
Let go of guilt and do things from the right place. If there's things we do not want to do that don't make us happy, then we need to look at why we're doing them - if it's because of guilt, fear, or because we think it is the 'right' thing then we need to stop doing them and begin to do what feels right to us. We all need to let go of 'should' because it actually just creates more blame, resentment, and confusion.
Year 1 is always a year of change. It will herald a change for you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It's a time to look at your long term future and goals, and to make plans. Relationships are important, but this year will be a year where you learn to depend more on yourself for your happiness. You will learn that you are able to create happiness for yourself and then share it with others - which, is a better arrangement all around!
The emphasis here is on you. It's easy to feel guilty if spend time on ourselves (we've been programmed to feel that way) so go easy on yourself. Do what you need to do for you. This isn't about stroking your ego, either. Remain balanced, but do take care of yourself.
This year will be about generating your own personal freedom and letting go of fear of criticism.
Note: if you don't pursue and make changes, they will be made for you so become an active participant in this endeavour. *Be aware of your dependencies* because they will be challenged. If you rely on a person, place, or thing to make you feel comfortable or ok; be ready to deal with that belief and learn to stand on your own two feet. Trace why you need certain things so badly. Stop asking or telling others how they need to be there for you and what that looks like, and work on being there for yourself. Give yourself what you want and need. This is an opportunity to look at yourself. You'll more easily be able to see the pattern and see the programs that you've unconcsciously been living by, but you need to be paying attention. Ask yourself, "How do I stop doing this?" And make the changes in behavior or thought to stop repeating the same old stuff over and again.
Since a new cycle is beginning, you may find that things that you put in motion a few years ago may finally come to fruition this year, riding the coat tails of 2017's change-olution. Get a move on and be ready to see things blossom.
All in all, it should be a banner year for many reasons. Choose to change now, make the plans to do it, and see your effort pay off.
Happy New Year everybody!!