Hand writing on paper with a pen, notebook and cup on wooden table.

the age of Aquarius

Allow me to begin with a little bit of tarot and astrology. I’m not an expert in either subject, nor do I invest much energy in what the experts are predicting. Except for this year. This year I'm curious and hopeful. This year it’s ALL about transformation, huge changes, major shifts, and revolutions - literally and figuratively. The phase we are entering now is Pluto in Aquarius (don’t understand it and don’t really need to) but it is HUGE and somewhat rare. The last time Pluto hung out in Aquarius was between 1777 and 1798, the world’s balance of power shifted massively. These 2 decades saw the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Holy cow that’s HUGE! And here we are again.

Why am I bringing up Astrology? Because we are standing at the precipice of radical change and we need to take advantage of this energy. We need to move into this new year with clear intentions. And it’s vital we stay grounded. Head down. Heart open. No matter what comes our way, we need to trust the process and our inner wisdom. Eat your Wheaties but trust your heart. 

I feel more excited than ever to connect what’s happening astrologically to the changes I want to make in my own life. It just feels way too big and pervasive not to. Where 2024 felt dense, difficult, and low energy, 2025 is coming in with some heat. I can feel it in my bones and intend to use that celestial energy to the fullest!

SOUL WORK

If you recall, the homework for December was to take inventory of 2024. Look at what worked, what didn’t? What habits held you back? What habits can you let go of in 2025? What lessons did you learn? Where are you procrastinating? Where are you stuck? You know the drill here. Take stock of your life and get really, really clear about what you're letting go of and releasing. We do not want to bring this into the new year. Write this out on paper and bring that paper with you for our January 26 gathering. Don’t forget this because we’re going to burn it all down and let the Universe take it!  

Astrologically speaking, the first 2 weeks of January should be used to take stock, gain clarity, and set our intentions. So, the 2nd piece of your homework is to dream and scheme. On another sheet of paper I want you to put pen to paper and dream. Here’s your question: What do you want your life to look like in a year? Dream big here! How do you spend your day? How do you move, behave, think? Think about all the major categories - financial, social, health, etc. etc. What are you doing in your life that makes you feel inspired, joyful, and full of wonder? Get it all in there no matter how cra-cra it feels, okay? Bring this paper with you because we’re going to use this in an art project. 

In order to really make some progress - both big and small - we will continue to revisit our dreams throughout the year .

JANUARY ART PROJECT

We’ll be creating a collage piece that represents our dreams for the next year. It will contain the stuff you wrote out before (what you want to let go of from 2024 and what you’re dreaming for 2025) as well as some sort of imagery that speaks to your heart. If you feel like coming up with a word or phrase for the coming year that would be good too. Bring your mixed media journal to work in. As usual I’ve got you covered with supplies.


A FEW CHANGES HEADING OUR WAY

One of the lessons I learned in 2024 was this: In order for me to make the necessary changes in my life and hit my goals, I need more structure, support, and accountability and I’d like to see if our group can provide a little more space for some of that. Nothing fancy. Nothing intense. Just an easy way to check in and see how everyone is doing with their dreams and goals. Here are some thoughts and possibilities in no particular order: 

  • Start with our vision-setting session in January and follow up with regular reviews/check in’s to track progress. Monthly? Quarterly? 

  • The emphasis here is moving from point A to point B with a clear sense of our guideposts. We need to track our progress and note our wins or else we kind of float through life with no clear idea of how we’re doing, right?

  • Ideally I’d like to set aside 15 minutes at the end of each monthly gathering (before cleaning up while we’re still at the table) to simply check in about our progress. What’s working? What isn’t? Do you need more support from the members? 

  • End each meeting with a brief share: “What did I commit to last month, and how did it go?” This really is the essence of it.

  • Perhaps we can leave each meeting with one specific action step we commit to completing before the next gathering. Or more if that’s comfortable.

  • If you don’t feel like sharing or participating in some or any of these check in’s, are you comfortable just being there while others share? 

  • If that is too “processy” would a mid-month group text work better? I get that sometimes we’re not in the head space for structure, accountability, or process stuff. I want to honor that too. 

  • This isn’t about sharing details about your goals, although feel free if you want to. It’s more about how you’re doing on your journey. Are you moving in the direction of your dreams or are you flailing and needing some additional help. 

These are just beginning thoughts on the subject of accountability and support. I imagine as time goes on these will evolve and change. I welcome everyone else’s ideas. Feel free to convey them in whatever way is comfortable. I want to be clear here - my need for accountability and support may not resonate with all of you, and that’s perfectly okay. But my hope is that we stay open to possibilities and change and push past the resistance when it shows up.

The Radical Joy group has always been about creating a more inspired life but we can’t really do that without dreams and goals, without a clear sense of knowing what lights us up. That’s just existing and I’ve had enough of that in 2024! We can’t move in the direction of our most vibrant selves without a North Star. That’s like hoping the plane lands at your destination without a flight plan. Not going to happen right? So let’s see if 2025 can be a year of flight plans that get us to a destination that exceeds our wildest expectations!

BONUS

I’m including a few forms that might be useful for you as you dream and scheme and craft your flight plan. These are single page fillable forms around goals, habits, and gratitude. These may not be your thing and that’s totally cool. My motto is take what you like and discard the rest. Make this work for you.

Please go to the Resource Page to find the forms. Download them to your computer to print out or fill in right from home.