New Year's Resolutions

The celebration of the New Year is a time honored tradition.  In fact, its roots are actually derived from the Judaic customs of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah.   During this period, the religious custom is to reflect on one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness.   The process is to reflect upon self improvement annually.  We have simplified this process and summed it up as New Year’s Resolutions.  However, Astrology never sees anything as a one day process.  In fact, it views life as movement and a continuous flow of growth and maturation of consciousness.

So, what does Astrology tell us about the New Year’s Resolution?   According to J. Lee Lehman in her, “Book of Rulerships,” the word ‘resolute’ is ruled by the Sun.   The Sun is the center of consciousness within the individual.  It is our center, and what makes each of us different and unique.   The Moon in astrology is the ruler of change.   She reflects the flow of our day to day life, and is one of the primary planets of timing in many astrological traditions.   The relationship between the Sun and the Moon is how we measure time on the astrological level.  This process is called a lunation.

Each month the Sun and Moon goes through several stages.  For the purpose of this article the focus will be on the major moon phases.  Each phase represents a different and unique part of the monthly process.

So, what astrological sign is the best to break old habits?   According to the 12-step recovery movement, it takes approximately 28 days (a lunation cycle) to break a habit or an addiction.  Since we are concerned with resolutions or breaking negative habits we must direct ourselves astrologically to the earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) as these are the signs concerned with our senses and physical life.   Most resolutions are concerned with giving up something unhealthy such as quitting smoking, losing weight, abstaining from alcohol, giving up chocolate and candy or any other behavior that the social milieu deems as unacceptable or unhealthy.   In essence, our resolutions are based on social codes or morals.  The sign that rules social codes and morals is Capricorn.  So, we can use this Capricorn (interesting that New Year’s Day falls under this sign) lunation to successfully focus on resolutions and letting go of behaviors we wish to let go of.  The Capricorn lunation cycle began on December 27, 2008 when the Sun and Moon conjoined in the sign of Capricorn.   It comes to its conclusion on January 26, 2009 (day of the Solar Eclipse) when the Sun and Moon conjoin in Aquarius.  We are currently in the last phase of this process, which is the energy period of turning away from the old or things we wish to let go of, and beginning to envision a life free of old habits. 

Storm’s Lunar Phase Action Guide:

New Moon:    This is the initial phase or seed level.   When making resolutions it is best to have a plan, and the best way to incorporate a plan is for you to write it down.   Make a list of all the things you wish to change in your life.   During this phase, you can put down many different potential resolutions.  Do you wish to lose weight?  Do you want to spend less money?   Do you want to eat healthier foods?   It is my belief that writing things down create a relationship with the areas of your life that you would like to change.  According to Kabbalah, the eye is the most powerful organ in the human body, because it is the transmitter of information.  Writing things down is the first process in letting something go or giving something up.

First Quarter Moon:  This phase is about action.   Let’s make a plan!   For example, you plan to stop smoking.  How do you plan to go about this?   Are you going to stop cold turkey or are you going to use patches?   In addition, research (Google is an all powerful spirit guide) ideas to help you stick to your goal.   Use this for each of the areas that you wish to quit.

Full Moon:   This is the structure building phase.  Look at your list and your action plan.  Which one of these areas of your life do you wish to let go of?   I believe that to be successful at letting things go is to work at one thing at a time.   Make your choice!

Last Quarter Moon:  In astrology, this is considered the crisis in consciousness phase.   This is a time to turn away from the old unworkable structures and preparing to focus on the new.  I believe that this is another action phase.   During this phase (approx 6-9 days) you make your change.  You begin to become resolute, and you take all the information that you have used in the aforementioned steps, and apply them to your plan.  Be gentle with yourself, and remember the famous recovery phrase,  “One Day At A Time.” 

We all have areas of our lives we wish to change and work on.  However, many of us find it difficult to point to the calendar and vow to quit on a certain day.   Understanding that there is an astrological period where we can let go of the old and embrace the new is a comfort to many, who sincerely wish to make changes.   Focus on the area of your life you wish to change and use this energy cycle to finally succeed.   You have 7 more days – you can do it!