Years ago I hitchhiked to Prague with a girlfriend of mine. It was the summer after the end of communism and I was searching for my Czech friend who lived and studied there. The only phone number I had for him was a dorm phone that serviced two whole floors. This was before cell phones, and in fact his dorm still had a babushka (who only spoke Czech) who used a switch board to connect you to the floor. Anyway, I called and called and there was no answer. I went to the dorm and it was empty due to summer vacation. I called his family but they only spoke Czech or Russian and I only spoke English and German. After four days in Prague my friend and I gave up trying to find him and decided to have one last picnic up at the  Pražský hrad before we took an evening train to Budapest. We hopped on a tram we thought was heading up to the castle. One of us suddenly realized that not only were we going in the wrong direction, but we were on the wrong train! We turned to exit the back door and there was my Czech friend that we had been looking for for four days. That random (shocking!) meeting on the wrong train set a series of events in motion that ended up being deeply significant.
  The psychotherapist Jung described Synchronicity as the simultaneous occurrence of events (or coincidences) which apparently have no clear cause, but are deeply meaningful. Everyone has had these type of experiences. One of the re-occurring themes my clients come to me about is synchronistic events and their meaning. These events can be as simple as seeing a number over and over again in a short time period, or a synchronistic happening that changes the trajectory of their life. They want to know if it ‘real’ and what it means. The answer is YES, synchronicity is real. It cannot be proven by scientific method, though, only by its meaning to the person involved. Our mechanistic, reductionist culture will call synchronicity a ‘coincidence’ and discount the meaning being experienced by the person. But reality is bigger than mere ‘coincidence’ and ‘scientific’ proof. If an occurrence means something to you, it is real. Terence McKenna used the term 'Cosmic giggle' to mean "a randomly roving zone of synchronicity and statistical anomaly. Should you be caught up in it, it will turn reality on its head. It is objective and subjective, simultaneously 'really there' and yet somehow is sustained by imagination and expectation."
Synchronicity shows up as a sign or omen and oftentimes it appears in multiples. Usually several events will happen in a short amount of time drawing the attention of the person experiencing them. It’s like a cosmic wake up call. The universe is saying ‘Hey! Life is spiritual. You are part of a bigger whole. You aren’t just the roles you are playing now.” Even if it is just seeing the same numbers over and over, I believe that is the universe telling us that we are not alone and there is meaning in everything. 
I would be interested in hearing your stories of synchronicity. Write them in the comments below!!     
​Peace in the New Year. xo

WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE EARTH DOG

In Chinese Astrology 'dog' people are considered to be honest, sensitive, loyal and giving. Years ruled by the dog tend to have a social justice bent. Often times these years usher in a sea-change based around bringing people and organizations to justice. All of us, regardless of our sign, should be very careful with our actions and words this year! The law of threes will be in full swing. Honesty and Integrity will bring you blessings, but the opposite will also be true. 
I have given an overview of how this Earth Dog year will affect each Chinese zodiac animal. Click here to find out your sign.

Rats will have mixed luck in 2018. Good outcomes to situations can happen, but you'll have to work for them! This will be a great year to be resourceful and do some soul searching and healing. Risk taking may lead down the wrong road. In love, single Rats may be considering getting more serious with someone. Luck will come to Rats this year who choose to be more straightforward and honest with their communication. Being vulnerable with the right person will bring great rewards. Rats like to lay low and do things their own way...but the year of the dog is going to challenge this.

 Overall, 2018 should be a good year for the Ox. There will be a lot of help and support from others in the next twelve months IF the Ox doesn't demand perfection from or is unduly hard on others. Sugar will get better results than the stick. This is true in Career and Love. The Ox will need to give first to receive. Compassion will clear all roads this year! Ox people are hard workers and Dogs appreciate this, so this year you will be extra rewarded for effort.

2018 should be a favorable year for the Tiger! The year of the Dog is usually a lucky love year for this sign...sometimes too lucky! Don't take another's love for granted or you will lose it. Working hard this year will provide and excellent basis for future success...sacrifices made will be rewarded later. You may give someone a second chance who has earned it and be pleasantly surprised. Forgive yourself if need be and lighten up. 2018 should Rock!

This year is a great time to get physical! It will bring you multiple benefits, enriching you spiritually, emotionally and physically. Dog years like perseverance and reward it. Integrity in relationships is crucial in 2018, as the law of threes will be in full swing. Make sure your heart is pure and you give as much as you recieve. Watch out for someone who may hold you back from your best life (especially your love life!) because they are afraid of losing you. 2018 should be a lot less stressful than 2017.

2018 will be a year of well-earned rewards for Dragons. It is not the year to take financial risks. Keep a budget and live within your means. Being frugal can be fun! Being humble and empathetic in the year of the Dog will bring you great results in your relationships. Any sort of self-aggrandizement will backfire! Most Dragons will learn some valuable life lessons this year. Operate out of impeccable Integrity and you will draw luck to yourself. 

Spontaneity will bring joy in 2018. Your motto should be "Carpe Diem". Dog years put an emphasis on Integrity, and it will be important that you look closely at your relationships this year. It may be necessary to distance yourself from friends or family members who are draining your energy or don't have your best interests at heart. Authenticity will help attract a partner or deepen a committed relationship. Snakes like to do things on their own terms, but dogs like community spririt. Compromise may be asked for this year in order to succeed.

Horses should thrive in the year of the Dog! These two signs are very compatible so obstacles should be at a minimum. Appreciate what you have and do things you like, or you might get bored! No need to stir up drama this year, as it will have very negative consequences. Love should be easy in 2018, whether you are single or committed. 

Goats are going to be sensitive in the year of the Dog. This has positive and negative sides to it. Creativity and connection with others will be blessed. On the other hand, Goats may feel like their freedom is being curtailed. Patience and self-care will go far this year!Committed sheep should have a pleasant year, but single people will have to be discerning. There may be plenty of fish, but chances are you may throw most of them back in dating pool.

Things will feel safe and sound for the Monkey this year...but many will have mixed feelings about that! Monkeys like getting into 'monkey business', but that could really get them into trouble in 2018. Have fun but don't tempt fate, it will not be kind. Taking responsibility for actions is going to be a central theme for this sign, as there won't be any 'get out of jail free' cards this year. 

 Roosters love attention, but this year it might be in short supply. Don't worry, there will be other roads of fulfillment. The problem is, dog years don't reward or care about the limelight. Your poetic words and dramatic flourishes just won't be as effective this year, but your sincere and empathetic side will still draw good vibes your way. Listening will definitely go a lot farther in love  than wowing someone with your fantastic knowledge base in 2018.

Overall this should be an excellent year for those of you born in the year of the Dog.* It is your personal New Year and the start of a new 12 year cycle. Many Dogs have had a rough couple years and this should lighten up significantly in 2018. The culmination of introspection and hard work will start paying off now. If you are single, a significant relationship could start in the next 12 months. Dogs may get extra attention this year so be discriminating. If committed, the energies of renewal may send some waves of change through your relationship.
*In older traditions  a person in the year of their animal sign offended the god of ageing, Tai Sui. To protect against bad luck, wear red and don't face the northwest.

2018 will be a great community building year. Invest energy into the relationships that already support you and reach out to new people as well. Others is where you luck lies this year, but you don't want to get involved in other people's drama! This year is a good love luck year for your sign, especially the women. Reamaining calm and taking everything in stride will bring good fortune. It's what you want to do anyway, but your good nature may be tested this year.

January:
Wow! The New Year transitions with the energy of the Star. What a blessing. On the darkest night of the month, the stars shine their brightest. The new moon is getting ready to grow, along with our hopes and dreams.
The Star brings us grace and helps turn situations around. Out of nowhere a sense of hope and a new positive direction appear. We cannot earn grace; it is just given to us. The star is the vessel in which grace is delivered. It can appear as an opportunity, a mentor, an earthly angel or a new sense of well being.
The star is an extremely auspicious Energy!  It helps wash away negative situations and bolsters positive ones. Often times the Star card appears after a stormy or difficult time period, offering hope and optimism for the future.  It brings a time of beauty, flowering and joy. The Star can bring a sense of being watched over and of deeper connection to others. Coincidences abound, but everything seems to happen for a reason.
Stars have always been used as guiding lights, helping humans navigate through darkness to safety. You now have this gentle, caring energy entering your life. The clearer your vision of the future, the quicker your wishes will be granted.

February:
Following our own Inner Light will guide us to new and wonderful places. February will be a great time to research, visualize, ponder, discover, and plan. It is important to make space for these things. A retreat is a great way to do this. It is not time to take action. Decisions should be made after the influence of the Hermit leaves. This does not have to be a heavy time period, it can be pleasant! This time period tends to be challenging only if you have been on the run from yourself and have a hard time sitting with yourself. But you can’t run forever and the Hermit offers you peace if you search for truth.
In a relationship reading, the Hermit says each person needs to individuate in order to strengthen the union.  It is not an ending card.This month you may decide to be alone rather than in an unfulfilling relationship.

March:
It's time to take a risk for your happiness! As nature and animals start to awaken in spring, so does our adventurous spirit. It's time to put the plans you came up with during February's hermiting into action! The Fool lives in the moment, acts on impulse and moves into the future without a guaranteed outcome. There is a spring in her step as she starts out on a new journey.   This energy is fabulous for making radical change in your life. It helps you break out of stagnant situations and propel you into a new reality.  
The Fool hates the daily grind.  Under the Fool’s influence mundane reality is a bore and adventure and excitement call. The lure of the road and people and places unknown stir something deep in our soul. The need for freedom and a belief in the universe overpower other needs. Usually these time periods are fun and lighthearted for us, but others may have a hard time understanding our decisions. Their reactions to our seemingly radical actions have little effect on us and so we are perceived as self-centered or being ‘foolish’. Oh well, it's no one else's life but our own. It is our journey to start!
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