It’s that time again – the “new” year! But is it?

“Oh no!” you’re thinking. An astrologer going off on seasonal holidays – solstices and Druids and Celtics and Picts and all that New Agey stuff.

Let me stop those thoughts. If you live in the northern hemisphere, look out the window. Is it sunny? Is it warm? Are there flowers blooming? Are there tomatoes growing in the outside garden?

Is this when you want to “start” a “new” year?

If you’re in a place where you will spend the next three months indoors next to your larder and refrigerator, is this when you want to start dieting?

If it’s cold and dreary outside, is this when you want to start a new jogging habit?

The Gregorian calendar models socially-mandated human behavior, not natural human behavior and natural energy cycles.

Human Habits

Holidays astrological style I’ve been writing about for years, with little change . . . somehow everyone in the world wants change but they themselves are not willing to change. See, it’s a one-way street. We change the holidays and I’ll change whatever you want.

Christmas holiday shopping in the US begins “Black Friday” which is the very beginning of Sagittarius. Ruled by Jupiter, it’s the planet of expansion. We eat, we drink, we shop and are generous. Because generosity is promoted during this time, every organization I’ve ever blinked at is asking for money. And it’s become corporatized and digitized.

And then on Christmas day – normally 2-3 days after the Winter solstice, it all stops. This is the beginning of Capricorn. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of contraction.

Expansion, contraction – it’s considered a business cycle but it’s also an American cycle of consumerism and debt. Exuberance and guilt. Too much food then ineffective dieting. Too much then too little. Too extreme.

In the contraction cycle, we make “resolutions” and many of them are contracting in nature – lose weight or quit something (smoking or spending money or other bad habits). Contraction in the sign of Capricorn makes sense. But if you are stuck inside in a low Capricorn mood (depression), then is this the best time to stop eating Twinkies?

Capricorn is about discipline and control so it’s a great time for solitary endeavors such as learning a new skill, reorganizing the entire house, balancing the checkbook, and checking to-do items off of your list. In other words, Capricorn is chore-like. But the chores generate the satisfaction of an organized life which is a positive energy leading to more discipline.

Nature’s Energies

The winter solstice is a time when nature goes to sleep. We humans probably need more sleep as well during this time. That would be following a natural energy instead of a forced energy that has a high likelihood of failure.

In January everything starts “new” so who has time to sleep?

Spring, the sign of Aries, has an aligned holiday called Easter. This is when nature comes back to life in the northern hemisphere and when people are naturally exuberant and ready to go outdoors and socialize again. We come out of our winter slumber to a rising sun. We dress in yellow and orange and light green.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and when life begins “anew.” This is the best time for our resolutions. It’s also when my naturopath recommends internal body cleansing – matching the internal energy to the external energy.

At the summer solstice in late June, we enter the sign of Cancer which rules the stomach. By this time some garden food is available. Wouldn’t this be a wonderful time to start a diet? When fresh food is readily available and folks are grilling out, it’s much easier to make good food choices than in dark, dreary January with leftover eggnog in the fridge.

Right Timing for Resolutions

Instead of making a resolution for the entire year that most likely will be broken with the first winter head cold, consider making monthly resolutions that align with the natural energies and can be monthly successes instead of annual failures (Capricorn rules ideas of success and failure).

OHA offers these suggestions for more energetic alignment. Signs cross months – the month listed is the bulk of the sign.

• January (Capricorn) – throw away all time management and “successful” people habit self-help books and clean out a cupboard or closet. The natural organizing energy will lead to organizing thoughts that can be applied the rest of the year.
• February (Aquarius) – this is when you lay out the year’s “plan.” Resolutions often involve change of behavior or skill so learn that new skill in February.
• March (Pisces) – this is the end of the year; it’s important to connect emotionally and allow imagination to flow to bring color and life to the organization and plans developed in winter. Happiness is a feeling, not a plan.
• April (Aries) – get out of the house! This is the time to start those new plans. By the way, don’t mention your resolutions to anyone from January – March but in April those plans have already germinated so go ahead and tell everyone with all the excitement you can muster!
• May (Taurus) – after an introspective winter and spring bust out, time to relax with all the other folks that have busted out in spring. Sit on the deck with a beer. This is also the best time to build things – houses, bookcases, and anything tangible. But don’t build fast, build slow and enjoy it.
• June (Gemini) – time for friends and parties and new experiences! Travel, think, read, talk or do all at the same time. Follow your new interests. Be careful not to double and triple book your calendar. You won’t need as much sleep this month so plan long days.
• July (Cancer) – time for fresh food and family. Holidays involve family but the pressure of winter holidays creates lots of sadness as well as cheer. In Cancer, your “family” may or may not be blood related. Family enjoyment is greater in this energy.
• August (Leo) – time for summer love! This is the best time to create fun, playful events and have a love affair if that is in your annual plans. Your friends are illness free in August so hug and kiss to your heart’s content.
• September (Virgo) – this is back to school for many and another social habit aligned correctly to the energies. Virgo loves to study and learn and apply learning to work and habits. If you’re still attached to annual resolutions, this is another decent time to create them.
• October (Libra) – time to get married! If you’re already married, enjoy what you’ve got (“Love the one you’re with”) and add some Libra creativity to spice up the soup. Time for any and all creative pursuits – your hidden talents can be on display so others can appreciate them.
• November (Scorpio) – All Soul’s Day is aligned well in this sign. Time to go deep within to understand how our ancestors left their storylines within our blood and soul. Apply your passions to all of life – wear that deep red overcoat. Let the world know how you feel.
• December (Sagittarius) – this month aligns with Western Christmas and is naturally a time for “the more the merrier” type of behavior that can include pub crawls and bobbing for peppermints in the eggnog. Have fun but be careful!