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Here we are, only weeks away from 2012, and the energies that it will usher in are certainly being felt already. There is a flurry of activity these days with the Holidays upon us, hectic work schedules, year-end deadlines, personal and family issues can often get accentuated or magnified at this time of year or health and related topics may also be on your mind. And of course, there are others to add to this list.

If you have been following my posts and AstroCurrents for a while, you know that for all my interest in and focus upon spirituality, I am also quite practical. If we can’t use and apply the insights and inspiration to be found in our spiritual pursuits, studies and practice, then it is not really of much use to us. At least that is how I see it.

In looking over the next month and attuning to the energies, I noticed some interesting patterns astrologically that when viewed in phases, seems to be leading us in quite practical ways up to the New Year. In this post, “Countdown to 2012”, I have broken down these influences into four phases, one for each week and with each one having its own purpose:

Phase One: “Making Room” (from now until the 8th*)

The focus for this period is to clear away a space and “Make Room” in your life so that you can see where you are and what this past year has been about. Many have experienced so much change during this year and now is a good time to stop and to name and acknowledge what those have been.

Here are some key activities to do during this time:

• Create blocks of time for reflecting, regrouping, recalibrating.
• Take some time to reflect on this past year. What has changed? How are you different?
• Then look at those tasks that have been on your to-do list for a while, paying particular attention to those that you are obligated to or that are nagging you.
• Make time to get to those tasks…and don’t worry if you don’t get to all of them. Just notice which 2 or 3 items jump out at you and focus on those. You are simply wanting to “make room” for the next phases.
• During these few days, don’t think too much about what is next or what is coming up in your life. Think more in terms of what is before you now and how you can clear some space in your life.

Phase Two: “Turning Around” (from the 9th until the 17th*)

So you have cleared some space, which may be on your desk, in your home or in your head. Now find time to simply look around you. Just look out in all directions and notice what you see. I suggest you create a list of what you see when you look upon the fundamental areas of your life, such as finances, health, family and work. Do this without any judgment and as much neutrality as possible.

Here are some key activities to do during this time:

• Notice what paths, activities, obligations or other things have closed to you this year?
• Conversely, are there things that have opened? Have new directions presented themselves that you either took or that you could take if you wanted to?
• Have new opportunities presented themselves that you hadn’t really noticed before now?
• Write down what you see without any concerns about implementation or how you might move in any of these directions.
• And again, try not to think of these as either positive or negative. Stay as neutral as you can…just look.

Phase Three: “Standing Still” (from the 18th until the 25th*)

There is a very sacred energy present this week and so now, before you take any action or make any significant decisions, it is time to just “Stand Still.” Perhaps you have seen the paths before you with new eyes and maybe options are there you hadn’t noticed. Think of this time as entering the Creative Void and there is nothing to do, especially as it relates to your future or 2012 or where you are going next. Just be with the energy present as it arises before and in you.

Here are some key activities to do during this time:

• Be receptive. Listen to others, to yourself, to your inner guidance.
• Notice your thoughts and your feelings, again, without judgment.
• Find time to spend in retreat, even if only for a short time each day.
• Seek the Light within you. This is the Season of Light, so enjoy the Light that is all around such as Christmas lights or Chanuka or other candles. Take that light and bring it within you.
• You are not trying to figure anything out, but rather to attune to your higher self, your Soul, your inner teachers and guides.
• In essence, after making room to just notice what is now before you, you are seeking inner guidance before proceeding in any direction. This simple process will help you to feel and see more clearly what is ahead for you as you enter 2012.

Phase Four: “The Plan for Moving Forward” (from the 26th until the 1st*)

Now you are ready to lay the ground for mindful intention setting and for clearly identifying your goals. Astrologically this is the perfect week to come up with a plan for the year.

Here are some key activities to do during this time:

• Decide which of the options, opportunities and directions that presented themselves to you during this month are the ones you wish to create in 2012.
• As you look at this list, write out the steps that need to be taken to manifest them
• What actions are necessary? Look for what is the most obvious, simple and doable. Some examples might be: If you want greater peace of mind, to meditate daily, if you want to get healthier, you will need to change certain habits while incorporating others and so on.
• As simple as this sounds, it is the mindfulness and desire to align with your higher path that are keys to this.

Key: Once you have created this list, which of course can be changed and updated from time to time, it is very important to imagine what it would feel and look like to have that occur in your life. Give some real thought to this. What you can’t conceive of you can’t create. Look out into the months of the year and in your mind’s eye, visualize what you would see and again, feel like as this becomes true for you.

Lastly, there is a particular reason why I am presenting this in such a simple, step-by-step way and that is because there is a powerful forward thrust motion present astrologically as we enter 2012 which is actually quite rare. Hence, the capacity and power to manifest is strong and so it is wise to know what you want and have a plan for getting there.

After all, if you don’t know where you are going, you might end up someplace else :~)

There will be much more coming about the dynamic and exciting year ahead. Stay tuned!

Blessings to you during this Season of Light,

~Elizabeth

*Please note that you may notice these energies a day or two before or after the dates given.

Using Astrology, and specifically the Lunar cycle, when gardening has been done for centuries. Indeed, it is one of the oldest applications of Astrology. The Moon rules the growth cycle and so planting and tending to your garden using the Lunar cycle will surely enhance your garden! And it’s simple to use!

Check out AstroGardening here and learn how to use Astrology in this way!