The Number "9"

It is difficult to live successfully and independently when so many aspects of your life are dependent on so many outside factors. This cycle urges you to 'be yourself'. Then it asks you: "How can you be yourself when such a large part of you is lost somewhere in the past?"

It emphasizes the pleasures of material attainment - and also makes it clear that materiality alone cannot bring happiness. It says "Hold on" one minute and "Let go" the next. Ultimately, this cycle is urging you to stop blindly pushing yourself forward and go back into the past instead, where you will be able to understand where your previous actions and beliefs have LED you.

Here you are, standing alone in the world to face your own reality, make your own decisions, and do whatever needs to be done not only to survive, but also to create a reality that you truly desire. You know that something has to end but you're afraid to know what the outcome will be. First, an important change must take place in your understanding of both independence and the power of the individual.

January represents the beginning of a year of endings. The new evolves out of the old but, by refusing to accept the emotional reality of your past, the old has no choice but to repeat itself - and you don't want that. Your feelings must be allowed to move in all directions; forward, backward, to and fro, so that you can recognize the old unexpressed emotions that are still trapped inside you.

Visualize your life with a past, a present, and a future. Notice how your past has created your present and how the future you desire can only be created out of your present circumstances. You know you are entering a new phase of your life and yet you may experience great frustration, and fear of failure, while this transitory and temporary period plays itself out.

If you feel as if you're waiting in the wings and are afraid you've missed your cue, realize that you are living in both the "letting go" cycle of your past, and the "learning the ropes" cycle of your future. You have no idea what to expect from the people involved in either cycle and they, too, have no idea what to expect from you. Be as gracious and patient as possible and don't blame yourself or others for this month's changes and delays, many of which are due to events taking place elsewhere. You are dealing with the realities of the world - and your own life - and there is a lot of ground to cover. No matter how many different circumstances arise for you this year, they are all connected to the experience of releasing yourself from the past.

Of course, life will go on, and you will be moving forward each time you let a piece of the past go. Be determined - but allow things to unfold naturally - as you GO BACK to claim your future.