Let’s all enter the new year with intention, shall we?
Like most anyone else, I am always keen mid-December to write that list: the list of resolutions that will (hopefully) break the cycle of life change inertia. Around this time, I dream up a new gym program, wardrobe, and morning routine.
I also like to craft hopes around relationships, financial goals, and even career aspirations.
I’ve learned, over the years, that resolutions involve more than a knack for building lists. More importantly, we don’t have to make them when the New Year turns. Every day presents an opportunity for change.
I like setting intentions in December, however, because this is the month of the Solstice, when cultures around the world celebrate the earth’s slow spin towards longer, brighter days.
In the spirit of Solstice, why not take the sun and the stars into account when setting your intentions for the coming year? Your Zodiac sign deserves important consideration as you craft those lists, and may even have a hand in which resolutions are likely to be most fruitful!
Aries (March 21- April 20)
As an Aries, you are accustomed to leadership and the steady execution of well-crafted goals. New Year’s resolutions may thus come easily to you; of all of the other signs in the Zodiac, you are the most likely to work successfully through that list!
As 2019 approaches, however, consider establishing resolutions that focus more on your community and the lives of those around you.
Instead of building goals for yourself, think about how you can offer your multiple gifts to loved ones. Now is a fruitful time to build intentions around being a good listener or developing friendships that up until this time have not had a chance to deepen and come to life.
Taurus (April 21- May 21)
Much like Aries, as a Taurus, you are passionate about your beliefs and your capacity to perform good work. Such qualities can enable stable career trajectories and deep societal change.
This 2019, resolve to think more closely about your belief system and what may be holding you back. What beliefs truly define you? Which don’t? What beliefs would you like to build or adjust?
As New Year’s Day approaches, consider also building intentions around diplomacy and communication.
Gemini (May 22- June 21)
As a Gemini, you are known for your easy capacity to take control of your life with grace and energy. If anyone has a clear vision for their path, it’s often you.
With this in mind, you may wish to establish resolutions that concern your life’s trajectory. Rather than generalizing, however, challenge yourself by deeply reflecting on where your path is leading and whether or not you wish to make any adjustments.
Resolve to make smaller adjustments rather than grand, sweeping gestures (something you may often be tempted to do!) For example, you may enjoy being a social creature but find yourself longing for more time alone. How can you adjust your social obligations accordingly?
Cancer (June 22- July 22)
This New Year, adventure is likely calling to you. There has never been a better time to answer that call.
Challenge yourself by building resolutions that satisfy your hunger for the unknown in a new capacity; perhaps you’ll visit South East Asia this time around or start a relationship with someone unexpected. Maybe you will give yourself permission to explore your sexuality in a different way or take up a new hobby.
As 2019 approaches, you may also wish to consider your fervent need for stability. What can you do to achieve greater security in key areas in your life, such as finances and relationships?
Leo (July 23- August 21)
Generosity is a powerful theme for 2019, and very much in line with Leo’s values. As you build your list of intentions, consider ways in which you can be more generous: to yourself and to your community.
This does not necessarily mean finally donating to your college alumni association or dropping a few coins into a homeless individual’s palms. Your generosity may be you-oriented, taking the form of a fresh self-care routine.
This New Year also offers the opportunity for Leos—and all zodiac signs for that matter—to forgive. What acts of forgiveness can you grant (to yourself or others)? How will such acts affect all parties involved?
Virgo (August 22- September 23)
Resolutions come naturally to Virgos, particularly given their proclivity for self-betterment. Yet rather than becoming too analytical this New Year, challenge yourself with resolutions that enable you to act from the heart (rather than the brain).
This may mean establishing an intention to begin a meditation practice or mindfulness habit, both of which can teach the value of the present moment. You may consider approaching a relationship from an emotional rather than an analytical perspective.
Other fruitful resolutions for Virgos may concern play and a career change.
Libra (September 24- October 23)
For Libras, the New Year invites an exciting opportunity to manifest greater financial well-being. You are accustomed to working hard for financial security. However, resolve to explore new solutions to monetary stability that may not involve such great effort on your part.
This Solstice season may also challenge notions of materialisms. Reflect on your relationship to your belongings and material goods; how would you like to change this relationship? How is it serving you (or not serving you)?
Libras may also wish to examine ways their natural diplomacy can benefit their communities, careers, and relationships further.
Scorpio (October 24- November 22)
For Scorpios, 2019 calls for pause. You are accustomed to using and sharing the language of emotion. While emotions hold great truth, this New Year may be about being more present to those emotions (and not always letting them speak first).
“Pause” can also mean resolving to ease up on the busyness, a risk for Scorpios, and to focus more on inward obligations. Consider setting intentions that concern observation, awareness, and reflection.
Think about your answers to these questions as you build your list of intentions: What can you soften? What can you strengthen? What are your current emotions telling you?
Sagittarius (November 23- December 22)
As a Sagittarius, you feed off of new encounters, especially when these involve intriguing people. As the New Year beckons, resolve to be more intentional with your connections. 2019 may present opportunities to strategically network, for example, or connect with individuals who can enable your truest self to shine.
Your wandering feet may be itching in 2019. Don’t ignore this itch. However, if the longing for travel rises, consider wandering in a way you haven’t yet wandered. This may mean taking a road trip (staying local) or backpacking (if hostels haven’t always been your thing).
This Solstice may also be a ripe time for resisting your impulse to abandon commitment. How would you like to deepen your commitments? How would you like to modify them?
Capricorn (December 23- January 20)
Capricorns may find great value this new year in reflecting on what it means to surrender to intuition and the universe’s own law of creation. Set intentions that involve letting go (rather than moving up the ladder of ambition), which may not always be an easy task for you!
Reflect on what new role surrender can take in your life. What can you let go of in terms of the past? What visions of the future are not serving you (or would be best left to others)?
2019 may also offer opportunities to bring more mindfulness into your daily routine. Challenge your tendency to let your mind dominate by establishing a regular practice of meditation, for example.
Aquarius (January 21- February 19)
In 2019, every Aquarius is invited to nurture a brave new idea and bring it into reality. As an Aquarius, this is not necessarily something new—however, it is time to embrace your love for opportunity this new year and bring certain dreams to fruition.
This may mean a wild business endeavor or product development scheme. Or it could mean broaching the realm of relationships, where you are often fearless but perhaps not always innovative.
Anchor these resolutions in practical, actionable steps. Consider setting intentions that revolve around organization and planning.
Pisces (February 20- March 20)
As a Pisces, you are fluent in the language of your own imagination. 2019 may be a time to fully indulge those daily dreams rather than keeping them at bay (which society often unfairly demands).
What are you dreaming of these days, and what can you do to make those dreams more of a reality? Be honest when answering this question and establish intentions that can practically lead you more towards your goals.
Individuals with this Zodiac sign are good listeners, but they may struggle to open up to others. Consider setting resolutions that give you an opportunity to share your mind this time around.
