As we embark on a new year, many of us seek ways to set meaningful intentions that align with our personal growth and well-being. Yet so many of us have set new years resolutions in the past only to be thwarted by biting off more than we can chew. And, the reality is that many of us do not have the makeup to sustain long-term routines.
One unique approach to new years intention setting is to draw inspiration from astrology, specifically the energy associated with fixed, mutable, and cardinal signs. Understanding how the sun, moon, and rising signs influence our personalities can be a very helpful key to unlocking the full potential of intention setting.
The Importance of Sun, Moon, and Rising Signs:
In astrology, each individual's birth chart consists of the sun, moon, and rising signs, each playing a distinct role in shaping our personality and life path. To simplify, in tropical western astrology, the sun sign represents one's core identity, the moon sign reflects emotions and instincts, while the rising sign, also known as the ascendant, signifies how one appears to the world. I love describing the rising sign as the front door to a house— you see the houses appearance and personality that make an initial impression. Then, once you enter the house you witness the core essence/personality— the sun sign.
1. Sun Sign: The Core Essence
Your sun sign is the foundation of your astrological profile, symbolizing your core essence and overarching personality and purpose. When setting intentions for the year, consider aligning them with the qualities and attributes associated with your sun sign. For example, if you are a Taurus (fixed earth sign), focus on intentions related to stability, patience, and practicality.
2. Moon Sign: Emotional Well-being
The moon sign delves into your emotional landscape, revealing insights into your subconscious desires and instincts. Setting intentions that nurture your emotional well-being can be particularly powerful. For example, if your moon sign is in Gemini (mutable air sign), consider intentions that foster adaptability, communication, and intellectual growth.
3. Rising Sign: The Outer Persona
The rising sign influences how others perceive you and shapes your outer persona. Utilize this energy to set intentions related to personal development and self-presentation. For instance, if your rising sign is in Aries (cardinal fire sign), focus on intentions that revolve around leadership, assertiveness, and initiating new endeavors.
Harnessing Fixed, Mutable, and Cardinal Energies:
Understanding the astrological elements—fixed, mutable, and cardinal—adds an extra layer of depth to intention setting.
Fixed Energy: Stability and Perseverance
Tapping into the energy of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) can be beneficial for setting intentions that require stability and perseverance. Use this energy to commit to long-term goals and cultivate resilience. Examples include building financial security or establishing a consistent self-care routine. This is the energy that we are asked to muster when making traditional new years resolutions, but many of us do not carry fixed energy in our sun, moon, and rising.
Mutable Energy: Adaptability and Flexibility
Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) thrive in adaptability and flexibility. When setting intentions, embrace change and focus on personal growth. Intentions related to learning new skills, fostering open-mindedness, and adapting to new environments align well with mutable energy. You can see here that it’s much less about creating sustained routines, and more about expanded growth.
Cardinal Energy: Initiative and Leadership
Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) embody initiative and leadership qualities. Leverage this energy to set intentions that involve taking charge and initiating positive changes in your life. This might include starting a new project, taking on leadership roles, or creating a vision for personal growth. Think big picture and shorter projects that you’re helping to get off the ground.
Connecting it All Together:
It’s important to remember that regardless of our astrological natal chart makeup we all carry every energy— fixed, mutable, cardinal, and all the zodiac energies. So, if you have no fixed energy in your sun, moon, and rising, please attempt to create routines for yourself that would be serving your highest good.. AND, understand that you may waver, move through phases, need to stop and restart, and that’s okay. However, each of us has a unique signature present in our natal charts that can help us understand where we may be the most successful.
To create a holistic approach to intention setting, blend the energies of your sun, moon, and rising signs with the qualities of fixed, mutable, and cardinal signs. Consider the intersections between these elements and identify common themes. For example, if your sun sign is Taurus (fixed earth) and your moon sign is Gemini (mutable air), you might set intentions that combine stability with adaptability, such as grounding your communication style or incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.
Lastly, hot tip for beginning these intentions— try starting within a few days before, the day of or a few days after the January 11th New moon in Capricorn. The energy of a new moon helps us plant seeds for new beginnings. While Capricorn will add an extra boost to starting something new. Capricorn’s symbol is the sea goat. It’s ambitious, determined, intelligent and hold deeps wisdom.
Astrology offers a unique lens through which to explore and enhance our understanding of ourselves. By aligning intention setting with the energies of sun, moon, rising signs, and the qualities of fixed, mutable, and cardinal signs, we can create a personalized roadmap for growth and fulfillment in 2024. Embrace the celestial guidance, connect with your inner self, and set intentions that resonate with the unique astrological tapestry of your being.