In a few short weeks we’ll be launching into a new year–and a new decade. Sounds like a lot of pressure, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to put the past behind us and start fresh. If you’re already thinking about all the things you want to change and how to come up with the ‘best intentions ever,’ stop right now! So many of us put pressure on ourselves leading up to the New Year, and that is just no way to make magic happen.

Harnessing the magic of the New Year isn’t about trying to manipulate things perfectly so much as it is about making time in this liminal space to bring your awareness to how your journey is playing out. Astrologer and tarot reader Liz Worth says, “everything we do – every job, relationship, dwelling we inhabit, creative projects we take on – has a life cycle, too, and it may not unfold according to the calendar that keeps track of our days and weeks… it’s not so much about the change in calendar as it is about being aware of what’s unfolding on your path.” 

Naturally, Liz is busy around this time as many want readings to prepare for the future, so she spends a lot of time helping people step into their power – on their own timeline. She took some time out from readings to share how we can make the most of this turning point, set powerful intentions for lasting change, and what we can expect from 2020. 

SDTC: Do you notice the energy or intention clients bring to a session is different around this time? What should people know before getting a New Year’s reading?

Liz Worth: A lot of people seek out readings when the calendar year changes over. I find that there’s a lot of interest in year-ahead readings where people may be looking to see what kind of year they will have, the major themes to expect, or any challenges and opportunities. One thing I’m mindful of, and one of the reasons I’ve focused less on year-ahead offerings the past couple of years, is that there are all kinds of cycles unfolding for us constantly.

The change of the calendar year isn’t necessarily as significant as a major astrological event that can open or close a new chapter in your life, or introduce fresh energy into your routine. Everything we do— every job, relationship, dwelling we inhabit, creative projects we take on—has a life cycle, too. And it may not unfolding according to the calendar that keeps track of our days and weeks. 

Sometimes people are looking for a New Year’s reading to feel like a perfectly clean slate and it may not always be so, because you are in process with so much already. So I always remind people that some years may look and feel very similar to each other; it’s not so much about the change in calendar as it is about being aware of what’s unfolding on your path. 

The other thing I encourage is to be proactive in your own life. Not every outlook for the year-ahead will bring flashy predictions. What you decide to work on will be what shows up for you, so going into a reading with some intentions or goals you would like to focus on can be helpful, rather than letting a tarot reader or astrologer decide your priorities for you. 

Do you recognize the New Year? If so, do you have any rituals or practices you like to do around this time? 

I work more with the winter solstice (December 21st), but I do like to be intentional on New Year’s day as well. Both dates are so close to each other and I really appreciate the winter season overall for its quieter, more reflective energies. I usually take some time to journal on New Year’s day and to really appreciate it as a holiday. I try to avoid making plans then as I like to have that first day of the year to myself. We give so much of our time away the rest of the year – it’s nice to get a head start on “me” time if at all possible.

How do you suggest people who want to create positive, lasting change in their lives go about setting New Year’s intentions?

Do it before New Year’s day rolls around. If you can, connect with the winter solstice, which lands on December 21st this year. That’s the day the sun moves into Capricorn, which gives us a boost of focused, disciplined energy. Those aren’t normally themes we associate with the holidays, which can be busy and social for many people, but astrologically this is a time of year to sink into your own priorities as well. 

Get real with yourself about what you really want. What do you want to experience? What are you tired of? What do you want more of, or less of moving forward? An intention for the New Year doesn’t have to fall into the cliches of eating well or working out. It can be about having more kindness, focus, or friendship in your life. It can be about finally dealing with something you’ve been putting off for a while. It can be whatever you need, and whatever you want.

The reason I say to think about it early is that if you wait until January 1st to figure out your year, you’re already behind because the year is underway by then. So take some time out on or around the solstice. Journal, meditate, or get together with some friends for an intention-setting party. Talk about your goals and dreams together. 

A lot of times we don’t follow through on what we plan because we haven’t created the space in our lives for it. We know what we want, but we get blocked on how to make it a reality. Start to work out how to make them happen in the days leading up to New Year’s. That way you’ll have a plan in place by January 1st. 

What should we know about the astrology around New Year’s? Anything that could make sparking change easier or more challenging? 

We’ll be in eclipse season again by the end of 2019. There’s a new moon and solar eclipse in Capricorn on Boxing Day, and a full moon and lunar eclipse in Cancer on January 10th, 2020. Eclipses create change and bring more potency to this lunar cycle, which will be especially focused on work-life balance, self-care, and personal fulfillment. Setting intentions to have more time with friends and family, or to work smarter–not harder–can go a long way now.

Then we have the Saturn Pluto conjunction in Capricorn on January 12th, 2020, which everyone is talking about right now. This will have a bigger societal impact as it’s starting a new cycle for us collectively. The last time these two planets were conjunct was in 1982, as the first millennials were coming into the world. There’s a changing of the guard happening here between the millennial generation and the boomers.

This energy will bring a mix of things – it’s never about something being all good or bad. It will inspire change, but I’m hoping it gives 20 and 30-somethings more skin in the game in terms of buying power, career opportunities and market share. That sounds so corporate, I know, but this generation is really struggling to come into securities that were more easily afforded to previous generations a lot sooner.

What do we need to know about 2020, astrologically speaking? What major themes that define the year? 

Along with the Pluto Saturn conjunction in January, we have a Jupiter Saturn conjunction bookending the year on December 21st, 2020. This only happens every 19 years, so 2020 is going to be quite an interesting turning point because we have two powerful astrological events at the start and end of the year. 

This can bring a time of opportunity and growth, and the chance to break out of a rut and rise to another level. To work with these energies, be mindful about what’s coming into 2020 with you, and what you’re leaving behind as the year goes on. Be willing to let go of what’s not working for you anymore and trust whatever is trying to leave is actually helping you to make space for something new to enter your life.

How do you recommend we start to prepare for 2020? 

We’re already building towards these energies, so don’t think about 2020 as something that happens when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. Pay attention to what you’re feeling now. Begin to review 2019: What worked? What didn’t? What do you need to let go of from this year? Is there anything you still want to finish or bring closure to? 

I think 2020 can be a time where a lot of us make big leaps, but leaps often require faith. So also get clear about what you feel you’re ready for, and mentally prepare yourself to journey deeper onto your path. 

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