Your Stars. Carolyne Faulkner
For me, astrology is the most powerful and magical language on Earth: it never discriminates, it helps us to attune to universal energy, which exists within us all, and, when used effectively, it has the capability to reconnect us to our most authentic self and illuminate our deeper path. I try not to make promises that cannot be kept, because doing that weakens the auric field of protection that we each have. But I can promise you that the journal you have in your hands will enhance your life, however you use it, inform you and help to prepare you for each month, week and day of this revolutionary year.
The highly prophesized shift in consciousness that took a hold in 2012 is awakening our thirst for spirituality without hypocrisy or hierarchy and our authentic connections to the universe and all other beings. Authenticity is an effective tonic for combating the emptiness of superficiality and discovering cool ways of translating ancient knowledge and decoding sacred systems such as astrology. I truly believe that in each of us there lies an immense source of untapped power, as well as unlimited potential for greatness. Within the cells of our body there are the remnants of stars that exploded, and as blood courses through our veins, so does stardust.
We are all part of the universe, and the stars’ movements and activities impact us all. Realizing this is a game-changer. I would say that, wouldn’t I? But this is the revolution, and it’s one brimming with awareness, synchronicities and, above all, loving kindness, including towards ourselves. When the internal wars raging inside our mind reduce, then we positively shift the energy in our life and our environment. If we wish to live in peace and happiness, then our first step must be towards cultivating peace and happiness within. There is no better time than now.
Know that the future is not written. Nothing is fixed: everything changes, and so is impermanent, which also means that our past negative karma can be purified by our present deeds. Your future is pure potential based on your choices now. I don’t believe that any star, god or man writes the future; it’s solely ours to create. So, how do we do that? Through awareness and managing energy.
Energy … and Vibes
People often talk about ‘energy’ and ‘vibes’. Everything is energy, and astrology is a framework that we use to assess that energy, what it is and how it is manifesting. In many situations, with awareness of what is happening astrologically, we have the power to control, and even change, the energy and, significantly, our personal dynamics.
| Energy: ‘our spirit and vibe and its impact on others’ | Energies: ‘feelings that evoke tension or positive vibes’ |
Interestingly, there is scientific research out there that has concluded that the key to our own happiness lies in helping others. But before we can really help others, we first have to help ourselves. And we can begin by being kinder to our heart. The first step is to stop judging ourselves so harshly, to become more aware and to take the time to reflect on our situation, so that we have time to recognize choices and contemplate outcomes. We will also be able to recognize our potential and nurture our deeper, more authentic nature, and doing this will in turn give us a sense of purpose that will result in a skip to our step and a sense of knowing in our heart. It doesn’t have to be grandiose or difficult – just one kind word can change someone’s whole day, including our own. I have suggested some mantras and affirmations throughout this journal, but I do encourage you to regularly use your own.
The Age of Aquarius
I believe that 2020 has rebooted the enlightened Age of Aquarius. Let me explain why! To really understand something, it’s wise to study the history. There are many conflicting opinions around TAOA’s actual start date and some believe it began as far back as the early twentieth century. According to Helena Blavatsky, the nineteenth-century Russian occultist, philosopher, author and co-founder of The Theosophical Society, 1900 was ‘the commencement of the Aquarian Age’ and a time when ‘the psychic idiosyncrasies of humanity will enter on a great change’. Despite this, some people believe the Age of Aquarius is yet to begin, though it seems that no academic, astronomer or astrologer can quite agree on it. I have studied both the prevailing and past astrology, as well as current events, and listened to many masters speak on the topic, so perhaps this summary of my research and discoveries will provide the means for you to decide for yourself.
Aquarius is the sign that provides enlightenment and evokes revolution; it promotes equality, freedom, tolerance, humanitarian ideals, awareness and consciousness. It also triggers inventions, new technologies and most things that connect the masses, like the media and technology industries; and reaches out to connect with the multiverse and beyond. Think space travel. In short, anything that serves to awaken people to the ‘bigger picture’. However, Aquarius also causes chaos and is extremely rebellious, which, let’s face it, can either go wrong or spectacularly right!
So, before we go any deeper, let’s pause and define what a ‘spiritual’ person is. Ancient prophets said, in differing ways, ‘Treat others as you would have them treat you,’ and it’s the same thing. Work, play, friendship, love, whatever, the same rule applies. And so we must also apply it to ourselves. Period.
Modern everyday life can be challenging for the sensitive folk among us, those who feel the pain of humanity and the suffering of the planet, but it’s worth remembering that light cannot exist without darkness; it is the natural law of the universe, and where angels walk, demons follow. The rather highly prophesied ‘big shift in consciousness’ that began in 2012 was also predicted to be the ‘end of time’. We know of course that it was not the ‘end of time’. But perhaps it was the ‘end of time’ as we had known it. The year 2012 was bloody and violent, highlighting the need for humanity to adopt an attitude of tolerance and find new ways of handling negativity, and it possibly triggered a collective desire for a better, more unified world. A covert spiritual revolution swept through our weary world.
In 2012, for example, a fifteen-year-old angel stood up to oppressive Earthly demons, demanding the right for girls to be educated; America’s first African-American President was re-elected; the UK hosted the Olympics, which pumped heart, soul and the results of great teamwork around the globe; the Arab Spring rolled out as folk continued to protest against fascistic regimes; and Silicon Valley began to promote daily meditation practice in the workplace as a ‘must’, after a visit from a Buddhist monk. Many of us, all around the world, began to wake up and stop believing all that we heard from those in public positions of authority or what we saw in the media and to initiate the search for our own deeper truth.
Life-changing spiritual practices, such as meditation and yoga, are now commonplace once again and, when combined with the ability to use the universal language of the stars, provide a winning formula, one that promotes awareness: enhancing our connections to life, the rhythms of the universe and all that lies beyond.
Does this mean that 2012 was the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? Many say no, because it actually began in the 1960s. Perhaps it did. Saturn takes around twenty-eight years to complete a full cycle through the twelve astrological signs; Jupiter takes about twelve to thirteen years. By 1962 those planets were united in the sign of Aquarius.
And two years later, the Civil Rights Act was finally enacted in the USA, ending racial segregation and promoting equal rights, and before the end of the decade the first man walked on the Moon, the first Trans-Atlantic television signal was broadcast, an oral contraceptive was approved, giving women control over their own destinies, and the hippie movement took off, promoting peace, free love, music festivals and marijuana!
However, as far as I am concerned, 2020 is the real dawning of the Age of Aquarius. We have had a few trial runs, but this one is for real, as Saturn (the queen of the planets) and Jupiter (the great teacher) join the sign of Aquarius (the great awakener). Jupiter creates an expansive energy, Saturn provides structure and pragmatism, and Aquarius is all about the awakening of humanity, so this combination is rare and electrifying. You certainly won’t be bored.
Nor will I. I feel that we are now back in the throes of TAOA, and it’s exciting! These two magnificent and powerful