“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished; that will be the beginning.”

– Louis L’Amour

On January 25th, 2020, the lunar new year began, and with it the year of the white metal rat. This is a significant year, marking not only the beginning of a new 12-year cycle, but also a brand new 60-year cycle. Combine that with the start of a new decade and we are presented with ample opportunity for re-boots, fresh starts, and new beginnings. Winter is the season for deep inner work and reflection – a time to put to rest ideologies that we have outgrown and connect with our deepest and most intimate purpose. All of this change in the air provides us a significant opportunity for profound awakening, guiding us singularly toward a more correct path and collectively toward great upheaval and change. Because history has a way of repeating itself, we can look toward the 1960’s as a guide for the type of great social change we might expect in the year(s) to come. Rats are characteristically sociable, clever, and intuitive bringing a fresh energy to this new cycle. They are passionate, ingenious problem-solvers who value their freedom and adore recognition. Their position in the animal succession, and their focus on their young, bring a playfulness to the coming year with an increase in flirtation, sex, pregnancy and birth. There will also be an abundance of peach blossom luck/flower-of-romance energy, bringing forth joviality, lightheartedness, and the hope of a new day. The elements of this year are yang metal (heavenly/above) on top of yang water (earthly/below). In the 5-element cycle, metal supports water, so the harmonious relationship between the two elements indicates the possibility for a more peaceful year. However the dominant yang energy of both can be difficult – particularly if metal’s tendency toward rigidity or water’s capability for destruction go unchecked or become extreme. The metal element is a representation of honor, integrity, resiliency and strength. The more it can be distilled down to its purist form, the more valuable it becomes. Civility, ethics, order and beauty are results of the discipline and refinement inherent in metal’s nature. In a year dominated by this element, those who can speak and act from a place of clarity and personal truth will have a wide audience for their message and be rewarded for efforts and hardships of the past that translate into the strong character they have built today. The water element represents fluidity and flexibility and has the unique ability to change its physical form, adapting to any circumstance it is presented with and possessing an unstoppable energy or momentum as its force begins to gather and grow. New ideas and major social change is possible as people gather and movements swell. Water, like metal, seeks clarity so as hidden truths are upended profound personal revelation can result in powerful healing and transformation. Big shifts are on the horizon. Can you go with the flow like water while staying true to your self like metal? I believe you can! Information for this post was compiled from the following sources. For a deeper understanding click on: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0914/1204/files/Year_of_the_Rat_Forecast.pdf?54 http://www.raymondlo.com/news/100045/2020-year-of-the-metal-rat-forecast https://www.karmaweather.com/news/yearly-chinese-horoscope/predictions-2020