Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the Year of the Horse, a sign that promises (and delivers) adventure, excitement, luck and opportunities for growth and travel. Whatever your inspiration, hope, wish or desire—now is the time to take the steps that will help the Universe co-create what you want. Red is the color of passion and action, so wear lots of that color. And, by all means, get on your horse and go for it!

This month, in honor of the wisdom and wildness of the Year of the Horse, I’m introducing you to the guides whose wisdom, grit and grace will guide you during the next 12 months. Research them on-line, read their works and print out the quotes or information that ‘speak’ to you. Call on their reverence (or irreverence) to help you on your journey.      

Oh, it’s also Mercury Retrograde from February 6^th to February 28^th and the usual cautions do apply– do try to avoid getting overly emotional or all worked up over little and big things. As with all Mercury Retrogrades, plans and communications screw-ups can take you on a wild and confusing ride. Since Mercury rules communication, transportation and contracts, when it’s retrograde, all manner of mistakes and misunderstandings can occur. If you can, hold off on buying (or leasing) any big ticket items. It’s also a good idea to triple check any and all plans you make. This is an excellent time for research, as those things that are usually hidden from view, show themselves more easily during a Mercury Retrograde period.  Wait until Mercury goes direct before making any big decisions.

THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20)  Your guide is author, Ursula K. LeGuin. “Nobody who says, ‘I told you so,’ has ever been, or will ever be, a hero.” Heed her quote and be mindful of the intentions of those who accompany you on your quest.  

THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20)  Your guide is the Persian poet, Rumi. “Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your false idea of who you are. Be notorious.” Please, do get out of the stagnant rut assigned you by the status quo.   

THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20)  Your guide is the modern founder of Siddha Yoga, Bade Baba Nityananda. “Merely repeating holy names Like Rama, Krishna, and Govinda, even for a thousand years cannot bring liberation.” Knowledge without the correct action to verify it is incomplete and useless. Get going!

THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20)  Your guide is author, Dr. Seuss. “Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.” It’s time to stop ‘mothering’ the world and start listening to that brilliant child who lives within you.

THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) Your guide is the Italian saint, Padre Pio. “Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.” Pray, meditate, muse, daydream—they are all connections to the Divine who lives in your heart.

THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22)  Your guide is Indian guru, Ammaji. “Many people meditate in order that a third eye may open. For that they feel they should close their two physical eyes. They thereby become blind to the world. But the fact is that the third eye will never open. We can never close our eyes to the world in the name of spirituality. Self-realization is the ability to see ourselves in all beings. This is the third eye through which you see, even while your two eyes are open. We should be able to love and serve others, seeing ourselves in them. This is the fulfillment of spiritual practice.”

JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) Your guide is Saint Francis of Assisi. “A man who works with his hands is a laborer. A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. A man who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist.” Your life is your canvas waiting to be made into a masterpiece—use all of yourself in doing so.

THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) Your guide is philosopher, Krishnamurti. “One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.” Be willing to sit still in the void that comes after you’ve exhausted all you know—great wisdom resides there.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) Your guide is the great sage, Sri Maharshi. “All are gurus to us, the wicked by their evil deeds say ‘do not come near me.’ The good are always good, therefore all are like gurus to us.”  During this Year of the Horse, the messages that come to you will be clear and obvious—pay attention and you’ll benefit from heeding their advice.

THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) Your guide is the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tse. “Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need other’s approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”

THE STAR (January 20 – February 19)  Your guide is English writer, Dame Edith Sitwell. “Eccentricity is not, as some would believe, a form of madness. It is often a kind of innocent pride, and the man of genius and the aristocrat are frequently regarded as eccentrics because genius and aristocrat are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the opinions and vagaries of the crowd.”  You are unique—be the gift that you were created to be.

THE MOON (February 20 – March 20)  Your guide is author, Paulo Coelho. “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.” Your inner child lives in your heart; visit and play together often.

Happy New Year! Let 2014 be the year that you fully acknowledge and merge your humanness and your greatness so that you create the life you want. Follow the wisdom of the Persian poet, Rumi, and this month’s personal message and you’ll have all of the guidance you need to make this your most fantastic year, ever!

 This Being Human

“This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

 Welcome and entertain them all even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.

 Still treat each guest honorably, he may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”

THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20)  “To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.”  Roger Ebert

THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20)  “If you expect the best, you will be the best. Learn to use one of the most powerful laws in this world; change your mental habits to belief instead of disbelief. Learn to expect, not to doubt. In so doing, you bring everything into the realm of possibility.” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20)  “Language is very powerful and can be used to heal or destroy. Use words positively; they can be as comforting as a hug or as lethal as a sword.” Sheilaa Hite

THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20)  “It’s impossible,” said pride. “It’s risky,” said experience. “It’s pointless,” said reason.” Give it a try,” whispered the heart. Unknown

THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) “There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.” Emmanuel

THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22)  “You have done what you could– some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “Leap and the net will appear.” Zen Saying & “Sometimes the only transportation available is a leap of faith.” Margaret Shepard

THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.” Carl Bard

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “Be bold. Be Courageous. Live your life out loud. Be the embodiment of creative genius, Oscar Levant’s proud admission, ‘There is a thin line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.’” Oscar Levant

THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) “What the heart has once owned, it shall never lose.” “In the infinity of creation, there are infinite possibilities. For as long as there have been beings capable of making choices, we have steered our own reality.” Henry Ward Beecher and Unknown

THE STAR (January 20 – February 19)  “It is enough simply to pay attention and trust the process: Whoever comes are the right people. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. When it starts, is the right time. When it’s over, it’s over.” The Daily Guru

THE MOON (February 20 – March 20)  “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela

 Happy New Year! Let 2014 be the year that you fully acknowledge and merge your humanness and your greatness so that you create the life you want. Follow the wisdom of the Persian poet, Rumi, and this month’s personal message and you’ll have all of the guidance you need to make this your most fantastic year ever!

 This Being Human

“This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. 

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture.

 Still treat each guest honorably, he may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”

 THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20)  “To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.”  Roger Ebert

THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20)  “If you expect the best, you will be the best. Learn to use one of the most powerful laws in this world; change your mental habits to belief instead of disbelief. Learn to expect, not to doubt. In so doing, you bring everything into the realm of possibility.” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20)  “Language is very powerful and can be used to heal or destroy. Use words positively; they can be as comforting as a hug or as lethal as a sword.” Sheilaa Hite

THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20)  “It’s impossible,” said pride. “It’s risky,” said experience. “It’s pointless,” said reason.” Give it a try,” whispered the heart. Unknown

THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) “There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.” Emmanuel

THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22)  “You have done what you could– some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “Leap and the net will appear.” Zen Saying & “Sometimes the only transportation available is a leap of faith.” Margaret Shepard

THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.” Carl Bard

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “Be bold. Be Courageous. Live your life out loud. Be the embodiment of creative genius, Oscar Levant’s proud admission, ‘There is a thin line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.’” Oscar Levant

THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) “What the heart has once owned, it shall never lose.” “In the infinity of creation, there are infinite possibilities. For as long as there have been beings capable of making choices, we have steered our own reality.” Harriet Ward Beecher and Unknown

THE STAR (January 20 – February 19)  “It is enough simply to pay attention and trust the process: Whoever comes are the right people. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened. When it starts, is the right time. When it’s over, it’s over.” The Daily Guru

THE MOON (February 20 – March 20)  “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela

Where did it all go!? It’s December and in a few short weeks, we’ll be closing the door on one chapter of our lives and opening the door to unexplored territory and new experiences.

Did the year work out the way you’d hoped or planned? Did you grow and progress in all the ways you’d foreseen on January 1^st of this year? Did you enjoy the passage or was it a slog through what seemed to be very dense matter?

As you take a look back at yourself and your 2013 journey, how will you take what you’ve experienced and learned and use it to help make the coming year, 2014, your best year ever?

Your message this month comes in the form of a quote or affirmation that is a key to how to use your 2013 experience to energize yourself and your hopes, wishes and dreams in the coming new year. Also, use the empowering questions below to guide you in your review of 2013 and your preview of 2014:

 * Is there a message for me in this experience?
* What’s the gift in this situation?
* What can I learn from this?
* What’s the most loving thing I could do now?
* What’s the most important thing for me to focus on now?
* What would I do if I knew I could not fail?
* What would I do if there were nothing to fear?

THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20)  “There is always another choice. You alone steer the course you choose in the direction of where you want to be today, tomorrow or in any distant time to come. No one can ever take that away from you. You can decide what you want and go after it.”  The Daily Guru

THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20)  “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” Maya Angelou and “Sing your song, children.” Ray Charles

THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20)  “At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done. Then they begin to hope it can be done. Then they see it can be done. Then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”  Frances Hodgson Burnett

THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20)  “Analyze your life in terms of your environment. Are the things around you helping you toward your success or are they holding you back? Your world today is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind. It’s something that you can change at any time.” The Daily Guru

THE SUN (July 21 – August 22)  “Procrastination is another word for self-denial.  By avoiding or resisting beginning (or in some cases, completing) the steps to finish a project, you deny yourself the knowledge, experience and proof that you’re a winner; that you can make your dreams come true.” Sheilaa Hite

THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22)  “We do not truly serve the world if we give to others but neglect our own truth and our own needs. It’s only when our own needs are fully met that we can generously and whole-heartedly give of ourselves. It’s not selfish to look after ourselves– it’s essential! Pearl S. Buck and “To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart.”  The Daily Guru

JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” Zig Ziglar and “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.” “Auntie Mame” Dennis

THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21)  “Intuition is your greatest, most powerful ally in any endeavor.  An intuitive insight is a direct message to you from “the Front Office”– God, Higher Power, Divine Spirit.” Sheilaa Hite

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “The character of greatness must be measured in two ways, else the measurement is flawed. First, and by far most popular of all, is by one’s ability to succeed in times of trial where others may fail. But of no less importance, and perhaps foundational to any form of greatness, is one’s willingness to start over in spite of failure, when success seems farthest away.” The Daily Guru

THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19)  “Good Luck is another term for ‘The Alignment.’ It’s energetic mirroring. When you align your intuition, your heart, your energy and your focus with your goal, the Universe will always align itself with you and your vision.” Sheilaa Hite

THE STAR (January 20 – February 19)  “To dream anything you want to dream– that is the beauty of the human mind. To do anything you want to do– that is the strength of the human will. To trust yourself to test your limits– that is the courage to succeed.”  B. Edwards

THE MOON (February 20 – March 20)  “What is this self inside us, this silent observer, severe and speechless critic, who can terrorize us, and urge us on to futile activity, and in the end, judge us still more severely, for the errors into which his own reproaches drove us?” T. S. Eliot and “Self-acceptance is my refusal to be in an adversarial relationship to myself.” Nathaniel Branden

We’re nearly at the finish line of this year. ‘Tis the season to review and sum up the experiences of 2013. As we do so, ‘tis also the season to get clear on our goals for next year. One of the themes of 2014 is discovering your own personal truth and the value of that truth as it guides you on a mandatory journey of ‘Knowing Thyself.’ Take the next few weeks to soulfully consider what it’ll take to make your life a sweeter, more satisfying experience.  

 Mercury, the planet of communication, is still retrograde, but on November 10^th—it goes direct again and we can all start putting things back in order.  This is a powerful one so getting centered and staying grounded is very important. Do try to avoid getting overly emotional or all worked up over little and big things. As with all Mercury Retrogrades, plans and communications screw-ups can take you on a wild and confusing ride. Since Mercury rules communication, transportation and contracts, when it’s retrograde, all manner of mistakes and misunderstandings can occur. If you can, hold off on buying (or leasing) any big ticket items. It’s also a good idea to triple check any and all plans you make. This is an excellent time for research, as those things that are usually hidden from view, show themselves more easily during a Mercury Retrograde period.  Wait until Mercury goes direct before making any big decisions.

THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20)  You and THE WORLD are engaged in a potentially adversarial ‘dance’ right now. If you can accept that neither of you is right or wrong, you’ll be able to combine your forces with unlikely allies and mine this experience for all of the positive ‘gold’ it can yield to you. Your greatest tool is tolerance.

THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20)  Although there appears to be some ‘push back’ from the world around you, you’re learning a very valuable lesson—resistance is futile—and very often a time and energy waster. Do put one foot in front of the other and move co-operatively with your environment. There is no better time than now to adopt new, progressive habits.

THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20)  Your past associations are stepping up to assist you in your latest endeavors. Please let them give you a much needed hand. Though you have laid a strong foundation, you’ll need other’s insights to help you build your dreams and manifest a satisfying outcome

THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20)  Luck and its friend Mystery are knocking on your door. Please let them in! You are at a point of decision and the Universe would like to help you win in a big way. It will mean you’ll have to compromise and surrender to a greater force than yourself, but it’ll be worth it.  

THE SUN (July 21 – August 22)  No matter how dramatic the situation gets, please pass the ‘drama crown’ to someone else. You’ll really benefit from remaining centered and grounded. Let others re-act. That way, the circumstances and others will be your supporting players as your stability commands the lead in your endeavors.

THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22)  Your message is similar to THE LOVERS. Remember that a Higher Authority is still in control. Be grateful and discerning as you ask for what you want and then—allow it to come to you in an effortless manner.

JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22)  This is a great time to choose new energy power-brokers—vote indecision and self-doubt out of office.  Ignore the vacuous opinions of those who aren’t on your path and pay attention to your own strong inner guidance.  Heed it, and your professional, personal and social fortunes will be enhanced.

THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21)  The planet Saturn is in your sign now. It insists that you go within and shine the light of consciousness on your previously hidden (from yourself) history. There is undiscovered treasure waiting for you there. You’ll be immensely helped in your quest if you consult with a good counselor or therapist during this awakening phase of your life.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) The choices you make now will lay the ground work for the events of the next few months.  How do you want to show up in your life? Why and how you choose are as important as what you choose. Examine your belief systems and relinquish your connection to old, outdated beliefs that no longer reflect your current position in life.

THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19)  Your message is similar to THE EMPEROR. He is your somewhat thorny ‘side-kick’ on this leg of your journey. Remember— If you can accept that neither of you is right or wrong, you’ll be able to combine your forces with unlikely allies and mine this experience for all of the positive ‘gold’ it can yield to you. Your greatest tool is tolerance.

THE STAR (January 20 – February 19)  Contrary to your usual way of operating, methodical patience and perseverance are your strongest allies at this time. You’re going through an important processing phase and this phase has its own time schedule for completion. What you might normally call delays are actually aids to your process, so just settle in and go with the flow. You’ll love the outcome.

THE MOON (February 20 – March 20)  As your ruling planet, Neptune, swirls its hazy miasma around you like the dance of the seven veils, please remember that faith and hope are you guiding lights now. As mystifying as it all seems, what is happening now is happening for good reasons. They will be revealed in due time, but for now—hang in there and ‘keep the faith.’