Life Cycles

Eeek, it’s December already, so Christmas and New Year are just around the corner – how did that happen? I’m sure it was summer only five minutes ago. Oh well, better get with the programme and face up to that time of year when we kiss goodbye to the old one and pray for a better year ahead. Now, you might be thinking that it’s a little early for that kind of stuff – after all, there’s the Christmas party season to do first – but I’m feeling the need to give this year the farewell it truly deserves and to gear up for the new one in a very focused way. Let’s get mindful for a moment, shall we …

There are a lot of tools you can use to help you navigate the times you’re in and one of the most useful ones at this time of year is numerology, which pinpoints the cycle you’ve been in – and more helpfully – the one you’re about to enter. It’s a way of encapsulating an overview of the experiences the past year has held for you and to take a look at what you might expect in the coming one. No matter what the year has held for you, good or bad, it behoves you to pay attention to what’s worked for you and what hasn’t. You take that wisdom with you for the next cycle and with a little forewarning, you can leverage that knowledge by aligning it to the trends you’re experiencing. It’s called going with the flow, but in a very smart way. There’s a Native American proverb that says ‘It’s best to ride the horse in the direction that it’s going’, which, when you think about it is particularly sound advice! Equally, Shakespeare noted in Julius Caesar that ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood leads on to fortune’. Checking out your personal year cycle is one way to get an insight into the way the horse and tide just might be headed.

So, in this particular system, there’s a nine-year cycle that we all repeat. You can work out which is your personal year number by adding the day and month of your birth to the current or coming year and reducing it to a single digit. In my case, with a birthdate of 13 May, that would be 1 + 3 + 5 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 7 = 18, which should be reduced to a single digit, ie 1 + 8 = 9. When you read the descriptions of each year cycle, you’ll get why I’m so keen on giving this year a proper farewell.

1 Personal Year – This is the beginning of a whole new cycle and is a time to initiate things, to take risks, to be open to new opportunities and to bring forth new ideas. It’s a proactive, creative year – great for new projects. Be focused to reap the rewards of this phase.

2 Personal Year – This is a year to consolidate the changes you’ve made in the previous year and to work on building relationships. It’s a good time for introspection and to use the wisdom gained from the previous year’s differing experiences.

3 Personal Year – This can be an expansive, energetic year where you’re more likely to be sociable and make new friends. You’ll want to find new ways to express yourself and to find joy. It’s a great time for networking.

4 Personal Year – In a 4 year you’ll want to be organised and continue with projects you’ve already begun, tying up loose ends. You’ll need to be resourceful to keep developing your projects in a focused way. It’s a time to let go of anything in your life that’s not working for you.

5 Personal Year – This one can be a bit of a rollercoaster, as it offers great opportunity to reap rewards, but if you’re resistant to change you might find that life gives you the extra shove you need. You’ll need to stay flexible to take advantage of what’s on offer. This is a great time to take a risk and try something new.

6 Personal Year – This is the year when relationships are highlighted, in all areas of your life, not just the romantic ones. It’s a time to focus on beauty in your life and to express yourself creatively, as well as to be of service to others. Communication is highlighted and it’s the perfect time to get clear on how to best nurture yourself as well as others.

7 Personal Year – It’s a bit like a sabbatical, so if you have an introspective nature, it’s the perfect year to get in touch with what really matters to you. If looking inward doesn’t come naturally, this is the year to learn more about what makes you tick and what you feel your life purpose is. This one’s the best time to take a retreat, get some spiritual counsel and put your energy into activities that reflect your values.

8 Personal Year – This year brings a return of focus to the outer world, with an emphasis on the material and achievement. To take best advantage of this cycle, you’ll need to be organised and put your affairs in order. There’s a good chance of career advancement, so the energy you put into your work will be rewarded. It’s a time to stay motivated, with your eye on the goal.

9 Personal Year – As a year of completion, the focus is again on your inner world, integrating the lessons of the previous years. It’s a time to let go of old beliefs and physical clutter, to examine the relationships and habits that are working for you and those that aren’t. The best way to approach this phase is to have gratitude for the good and to gracefully let go of the bad, while looking forward positively to the changes the next cycle will bring.

So, there you have it. Get calculating to work out the priorities of the year you’re leaving behind and the one you’re about to experience. You’ve got a little time yet to clean up any messes or do any reflective thinking you might have been putting off. At the very least, an understanding of the cycles should help you to put the experiences of the past year into context, so you can take what’s good from them and leave the rest behind. Then you can really set yourself up for a fabulous year to come!

If you’re interested in knowing a little more about numerology and the personal year, here are a couple of resources:

For instructions on how to calculate your life path number and attitude number go to www.numberslady.com/num.cfm. Glynis McCants also has a regular show on www.hayhouseradio.com if you want to hear more.

For a deeper insight into your personal year, including affirmations and other practices, try www.askalana.com/py/index.html.

Click through to the Coach Fabulous advice column by using the link in the Favourite Sites section on the right or by going to http://coachfabulous.blogspot.com. For alert emails on new postings, email subscribe@iamfabulous.co.uk. To contact me, email coachfabulous@iamfabulous.co.uk. All material © 2007 Alison Porter. No article may be reproduced in full or in part without the express permission of the author. (Originally posted 10 Dec 07)