A new Chinese New Year is about to begin – with some key energies you will want to take advantage of and understand on a personal level. In this article I provide insights and some helpful preparations you can apply in your life. This indeed can be a significant year for you, full of new opportunities to be more of who you are destined to be. Knowing this, seize these moments and actively participate in creating your best self to date.

For most people, 2015 had quite challenging moments and 2016 so far has had its share of wild energies. The world is like a grand chaotic melting pot at the moment – thousands of years of evolution coming to an apex and complex sets of unresolved issues coming to the forefront.

Feeling the Apex Moment

The more conscious you are, the more you will feel this apex moment, simply because awareness makes you awake to what is.

Don’t be afraid or make the chaos into something bad. It’s not something to fight. Do, however, stay present and use your tools of awareness to stay centered and in balance. As you do this, you can take advantage of the good that’s coming and you will have fewer challenges when things are rocky.

Fire Monkey Year

February 8 at the New Moon is the official start of the fire monkey year – the monkey being the 9th sign in the Chinese zodiac – with some significant differences from the previous goat year. Some trends – like the world’s mega-restructuring and roller-coaster energies – will continue.

Differences between the two years will range from the subtle to the dramatic. You will want to pay attention to these, regardless of the year you were born and your Chinese animal in the zodiac that year.

There are different types of monkey years – each corresponding to an element. The last fire monkey year was in 1956 – so any of you born then are fire monkeys, and for you this year could be very significant.

One reason for this: fire monkeys are the most active of all types of monkeys and they tend to take a leadership role. The fiery energy they carry needs to be channeled into productive directions, though – it’s very strong! One trait of fire monkeys is competitiveness and sometimes impulsiveness – and these energies, if not managed, can lead to problems.

This background is being mentioned here because whether or not you are a monkey or fire monkey in the Chinese zodiac, this is a year when you likely will be encountering these energies in the world.

Examples of challenging energies: if you have loved ones or colleagues carrying the fire monkey energy, you may notice some explosive tempers, impatience, bad timings, and power manipulation.

Positive attributes of fire monkeys may also be seen: creativity, cleverness, openness to risk taking, flexibility to go in new directions, socializing to hear the views of others, having imagination and intuition, being very energetic, curious, and able to see what others don’t see.

Both the positive and challenging qualities of fire monkeys will be playing out this year on the world stage – between groups of people, between countries, and between humans and other species.

You will notice this in your family and circle of friends. It will play out at the workplace regardless of what type of work you do or whether you work independently or for someone else.

You will see it when you go out in public – like to shop in a market or to drive across town in traffic.

You have just experienced the goat year, with a more yin or feminine energy than monkey years. Monkeys have much more fire and are more prone to lash out if they don’t get their way.

Relationship Mastery Vital

Keep this in mind as you encounter others this year. Mastery within relationships continues as a vital element in your success on all levels.

Do what you can to find the middle path of balance, and to be the one who takes the high road of spirit.

When you are in situations involving intensity and polarized views, check in regularly with your intuition and common sense about how to respond.

Be the one in your circle who avoids reaction. Go to your heart and connect with a sense of calm before you say or do things.

This calendar year of 2016, as described in my Predictions Message, is to be a time when people will focus on truth and justice. Those themes coming more to light in a monkey year are likely to dominate discussions on both individual and global levels.

Because monkey energy can lead to surprising developments, watch for sudden agreements and breakthroughs not possible before.

It may seem like a bolt out the blue, something no one expected happening – perhaps in a big and dramatic way.

Some of the changes to unfold will become historical markers for progress creating the kind of world you want to live in.

Watch for news involving global climate, energy resources, and peace. Look for new developments in technology. Years like this can bring previously futuristic inventions into the mainstream, with potentials for significant positive changes in how life is lived.

Historical Markers in Monkey Years

On the other hand, some big bolts out of the blue may not be welcome news. For historical reference, in the last fire monkey year of 1956 there was the Suez Crisis and related oil rationing. There were also revolutions in Hungary and Cuba that year.

Personal Level Things to Know

On a personal level, here are some things to know.

For optimal success in this monkey year, you want to be grounded and in your heart so you can be open to new ideas and directions.

Individual Actions the Key

Individual actions are the key to your progress – appropriate actions you take with divine timing, common sense, and intuitive knowing.

This is not the year to give your power away to others, especially institutions and societal structures that are in the process of major overhaul.

This in short is the best year to date for applying your divine changemaker tools and conscious awareness. It is a year to apply all that you have learned and mastered over lifetimes.

You will want to reach deep into your spiritual toolbox to access and perfect skills you began developing long ago.

These skills will be needed in this monkey year.

Approaching Challenging Situations

You will see plenty of situations that challenge you. Your role, however, is to stay in your divine power and avoid taking on the negativity you see around you.

Do not get discouraged this year if you see societal changes that seem to take humanity back to another less enlightened time.

The dance of polar opposites is still quite active this year. Know, however, that it is part of the world’s mega shift.

Keep the following in mind.

When the people of the Earth awaken to truth about something – the collective updating its view of what is appropriate or acceptable – people do not forget that truth.

People can, however, in a temporary way, be influenced through fear to adjust their thinking.

It can be shocking when this happens, but remember that it is not permanent.

Light and truth will prevail.

Remember your true power to create. It is vast and boundless!

You are encoded to be here to witness the world’s chaos and to be a pivotal force of positive change.

Trust that you are loved and supported each step of the way!

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity.  Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto).  And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path.  It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE*  There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.  

Weekly Forecast: Jan 31 – February 6, 2016

1/31 ~  Mercury (lower mind & ideas) ~square~ Uranus (Higher Mind & awakening):

(3 of 3:   12.20.2015 ~ 1/20 ~ 1/31)

This energy challenges you to expand your mind or consciousness in a way, pushing you to think differently and respond to information in new ways. Uranus brings sudden ah-ha moments, personal awareness and radical new ideas, which is great for you adventurous souls who thrive on change and new ideas. However, if you are personally attached to your routine and things ‘going as planned’, then this energy can cause aggravation and tax your nervous system because things will seem sudden (even though it is more likely that they have already been brewing under the surface for some time now). You will have to adjust and be more open & mentally flexible than usual. You may not be able to control the excessive mental activity or information-overload coming in, but hopefully you can direct it a bit. It’s good to activate or clean your personal filters by taking some time in nature to process things at your own pace and generally clear your head. This can be a very inspiring & creative time, so try to tune into that, while keeping in mind that anything you begin or get into, may require a review later so you can check over the details of your revelations (or creations). You’re just cracking the surface, this is all about the revelation or awakening, you will eventually have to figure out the logistics or effective actions necessary to bring your ideas into form.

2/3 ~ Mars (desire/action) ~sextile~ Pluto (purification/transformation):

This is lower will meets Higher Will ~ within you! Mars is your inner Masculine and therefore helps you take action & make choices according to who you are and what you want. Pluto will ensure that you come from the purest place within (Soul-level), which often entails a cleansing of the non-essential and over-growth of the last cycle first. Luckily, this is not a “hard/bad” activation but an opportunity to connect with what you really want, at the deepest Soul-level, which will naturally lead to whatever is blocking that and its ultimate release. Keep in mind that those who are more out-of-touch with who they are and what they want tend to explode & implode when Mars & Pluto get together, even in a positive aspect like this one. This is a potent and (thankfully) positive mix of energy & power coming together, direct it wisely on your own behalf. This activation is a great opportunity for substantial forward movement, however, nothing worthwhile comes without conscious effort and sacrifice. (With Pluto involved there is always a sacrifice.) In this case, the sacrifice will likely be where your vision of the final outcome is concerned. Your desires can/will be fulfilled but they just may not “look” like you thought they would. Remember, when it comes to “wanting” anything, stay in touch with the “feeling” that your desire brings rather than the physical appearance or manifestation. You always want to set your intentions, do the work, then allow Spirit to breathe LIFE into the vision.

2/3 ~ Sun (source & essential Self) ~sextile~ Saturn (organization & structure):

This energy is good for getting serious and organized because the Sun also brings some much-needed clarity. With Saturn involved, practical actions based on responsible assessments will be rewarded, whereas, blowing things off or leaving loose ends will cost you (usually fairly immediately, the instant karma way). Even if this should happen to you, it is not personal, but Saturn’s way of showing you (immediately) where your current limitations are. That’s good info to have when making choices & decisions. This activation gives you access to self-discipline and the ability to consider all your options before deciding on anything. This is a good time to focus on your professional goals if possible, and start making a solid, feasible plan for the future. If you need to, seek the advice of a trusted wise elder (anyone with more knowledge/experience than you ; -)) And if you can’t actually DO something in the direction of your goals today, take the time to meditate and connect to your plan mentally.

2/5 ~Venus (love, finances & relationships) ~conjunct~ Pluto (purification/transformation):

This energy supports a new beginning in your personal life. Some aspect of your values & priorities has shifted or run its natural course and this is a time to move in a new direction, if only moving to your own next level (with love, finances or relationships). Pluto adds intensity to the mix, for better or worse, but also grants access to profound levels of connection with those you are in alignment with on a Soul-level. This is the ultimate support for the power of love to transform ALL. Because your values and priorities are shifting, relationships must also undergo a similar adjustment (when you change, everyone around you changes or goes away). Beware of value differences that can cause power struggles which are unproductive, that’s ego distracting you from the opportunity to release some dead weight and move into the new with more ease & grace. Try to create circumstances that are win/win, and mutually beneficial, this will allow the relationship to evolve, rather than revolve back into the new cycle and thus, repeating.

2/5 ~ Sun (source & essential Self) ~sextile~ Uranus (freedom & individuality):

This activation will help you access a deeper sense of authenticity as everyday routine events may be enlightening this week. Anytime Uranus is involved ‘ah-ha moments’ are available, those sudden inspirations or the surprising clarity that changes everything is bubbling near the surface, you need but invite it in (to your conscious mind to be useful). Eventually, you will have to ground these breakthroughs in some physical form, but this energy supports the exploration of possibilities. Where can you use a dose of freedom & liberation? This energy also promotes ‘authentic living’ – you won’t be able to be phony, nor tolerate it in others this week. Just remember that truth sometimes rattles those who would rather play ‘nice’ (keep up appearances/status quo) than face the facts, so watch out for rebelliousness, if not in you then in others. This is not a disruptive energy, except to those who resist change. Don’t fight it – embrace it! Change is good, it means you are growing!

2/6 ~ Mercury (learning & mind) ~trine~ Jupiter (education & consciousness):

This energy is great for expanding your mind, learning something new or taking a class. It’s time to plan for the future and start getting organized. However, you may feel less disciplined and more creative, which is fine in the beginning, but eventually focus & discipline will have to be engaged to ground your new ideas, thoughts or concepts. You have to ask your Self, ‘How bad do you want it?’ If you are self-aware, awake & alert, you will be able to see (and seize) the opportunities as they present themselves. It may ‘appear’ to be luck, but it’s really more that you were in alignment with the Cosmos, present & positive, and ultimately, able to trust & follow your instincts. Practice, there is no perfection. Being optimistic & looking for opportunity in every experience will magnetize the positive and naturally repel the negative, leading right where you want to be! Take advantage of this good energy to connect to whatever it is you are trying to create in your life at this time.

2/6 ~ Venus (love, finances & relationships) ~square~ Uranus (sudden change):

This is a test to grow that you cannot plan for. Venus rules your values & priorities and an activation with Uranus signifies something sudden and seemingly out-of-the-blue. Of course, this isn’t true, but it can feel that way. The truth is, it is time to do something “different” where your love, finances or relationships are concerned. Making a conscious effort to do things in a completely new way will be rewarded with a lesson and a blessing you would’ve never considered. Due to new revelations happening within you, the immediate response will come from those closest to you. If you’re in relationships (personal or professional) that have reached a point where they have to change or end, this is a good time to try to discuss it openly and with as much detachment & objectivity as possible.

*Uranus is in Aries right now so self-preservation is high on the list these days and we are all finding radically new ways to maintain our independence as well as our connection to the whole. Flexibility of mind, body & spirit will help soothe any harshness associated with this combo.