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The Chinese Calendar always begin with the New Moon in Aquarius, which I find fascinating as Aquarius is the sign of cosmic solidarity, the masses, the future, freedom, progress, inventions, technology, humanitarian attitudes, friends, humor and knowledge. What a fantastic sign to begin a new year! Happy Birthday Aquarius!

According to tradition the Year of the Monkey is supposed to be lively, interesting but perhaps troublesome, in keeping with the Monkey's nature of trickery. This is going to be an extremely progressive and optimistic year for gambling, improvisation, innovation and inventions, and the motto this year is: Nothing Seems Impossible! Politics, diplomacy, business and finance are all engaged in high stakes games of chance where the players will all try to outsmart and out bluff one another. Business will skyrocket under the Monkey’s optimistic and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will amaze and confound everyone.

It is interesting to note that America was born in the year of the Fire Monkey, 1776. This explains her phenomenal growth and extraordinary achievements within such a short span of time.

At times, through all the excitement, it will be hard to know who’s winning. Being that this is a Presidential Election year, it will no doubt be an interesting and meaningful race. Stocks will rise in a frenzy of speculation and competition, and as a result the economy will experience its ups and downs, those who are quick, alert and fearless in the face of risk taking will reap huge rewards this year. This is not a year for the faint-hearted or slow witted. The Monkey is the shrewd and cunningly playful Trickmaster who will make sure that the winner(s) end up laughing all the way to the bank and/or the oval office ;-)

Obviously, this will be a good year for Monkeys, but also for Rats and Dragons, who are the most compatible with the Monkey.

Of all the animals in the Chinese lunar cycle, the Monkey shows the closest likeness to the Naked Ape himself, Man. It’s therefore no wonder that it’s he who inherits most of man's intelligence as well as his capacity for deceit.

The Chinese calendar, is a fascinating system, which not only records the passage of time, but is also a tool for fortune-telling. The system is known as – the Four Pillars of Destiny – which read a persons’ destiny from birth data in the Chinese calendar format. The system is based on telling time of year, month, day and hour through the five basic elements – metal, water, wood, fire, and earth, which are believed to be the basic components of everything in the Universe.

The Year of the Monkey, 2004, in the Chinese system, is symbolized by two elements – with wood sitting on top of metal. According to the cycle of birth and destruction, which governs the inter-relationship between elements, metal will destroy wood. Therefore, wood sitting on its destroyer – metal, is a symbol of disharmony and may lead to even more international conflicts in 2004. "The yang wood is always compared to a tall tree, with the characteristic of being proud, tough, stubborn and sticking to principles, inflexible and uncompromising. The metal sitting under the Yang wood is like a dagger cutting into the roots of the tree and kills it from underneath. As such, the quality of yang wood monkey could bring serious political struggles which will bring unrest, revolution, and over thrown of Government." It is a year more difficult to compromise and not easy to make peaceful settlements without using forces. According to Chinese Astrologers, these elements cause conflicts and regional wars. The Middle East could be a trouble spot again.

"The Chinese calendar year goes on a 60-year cycle. This means that we had experienced the same year of yang wood on metal Monkey in 1944 when the world was deep at war and the allies were winning with the invasion at Normandy on 6th June. 2004, sixty years after, the same pair of elements wood on metal may bring such fierce fighting again, and we should see it as a year of decisive battle against international terrorism. Like the D-day, it will be a deciding year for long term world peace, but such peace can only come after a final struggle. And conflicts and skirmishes here and there will be inevitable." Raymond – LO – Chinese Astrologer

The Monkey is a bit of a comedian and trickster, he loves the challenge of the competition, he is the master game player and he can laugh off his mistakes, if you try to hurl insults at him, he doesn’t take it too seriously, because deep down inside, he is confident of who he is, and will let it go, like water off a duck’s back.

This is a year when competition and the competitive spirit can sometimes get the best of you. It’s important to remember who you are, be confident in that, not everything in life is like a competitive sport. It doesn’t always matter who’s first or who’s got the biggest thingamajig ;-) Don’t let the competitive spirit ruin the affairs of your heart.

2004 also began with Saturn in retrograde in Cancer, which has a lot of us reassessing our plans, goals and dealing with some false starts due to unconscious fears, runaway emotions and family issues. Often when we allow our fears to rule the day, we become overly cautious sometimes causing much to do about nothing. While it’s certainly wise to be safe than sorry in most instances, this aspect can let our fears get the upper hand. The recent Homeland Security color-coding was implemented during Saturn in Cancer, and it’s interesting that we began the new year with a Orange Alert status. Orange is the color of the 2^nd charka, which relates to power and control issues, gut feelings and survival issues. On March 7, 2004, Saturn goes direct, which takes us all the way to November 7, when it retrogrades again also in the last few degrees of Cancer where it will last till June of 2005.

Cancer is the sign that rules security and family issues, food sources, and the nurturing aspect between parents and children, humans and animals. These are the main issues that are being focused on through 2005, as Child Abuse, Mad Cow disease, highlighted the headlines as 2004 began. Often when problems are brought into our consciousness through media attention and/or trauma and catastrophe, it’s a wake-up call for us to do something about it. We will continue to face these issues as a group, until a fair and humane solution is reached for the good of all concerned.

Saturn in Cancer also underscores the issues of Food Corporations, Corporate Farming and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). Many of the traditional ways of farming are being lost to the high tech, mass producing ways of the Corporate world, as animals are treated in the most inhumane ways, which in turn become the food source for most of our country. Remember the old adage, ‘you are what you eat’? It’s not just about food groups, but about vibrations. Besides the fact, that GMO foods are essentially an experiment being done on us.

As we enter into the Age of Consciousness, we will all become increasingly more aware of how vibrations in foods play a huge part in our health and well being, not to mention the overuse of antibiotics, hormonal supplements, hydrogenated oils (see Hydrogenation, Trans Fats & Your Health) and dangerous chemicals used in pesticides, added to much of our food source. But nevertheless, billions of dollars will continue to flow into the search for the "cure" for many types of cancers, which has never been higher. I wonder when people will ‘connect the dots’ here? By the end of Saturn’s transit through Cancer in 2005, there will be more regulations by the FDA on labeling, and what can and can not be done with what is sold to the public as food and supplementations.

On September 24, 2004 Jupiter will enter into Libra for approximately 12 months. This is the rebirth of social conscience and great social changes. This is a ‘key’ shift in determining not only the outcome of the Election, but more importantly its influence on Voter Turnout. Jupiter in Libra will arouse the nation to pursue ‘Justice’ on all levels. It’s a time to create balance, socially, politically and spiritually. Jupiter’s influence in Libra tends to make everyone political, even those who would vow they’d have nothing to do with politics, will be affected by this global wave to get involved with something, and voting is a civic duty that doesn’t cost anything accept a little time. This influence has a way of getting everyone on the bandwagon of thinking about and discussing issues that affect everyone. Libra loves debate. The true Libran not only knows the art of diplomacy, but loves to engage in healthy intellectual debates. Jupiter’s influence in Libra will impact us socially, expanding our understanding of how certain laws can affect us for better for worse and will no doubt fan the fires of debate going on strong all year long. It is a time to build bridges and exercise diplomacy in all relationships.

Remember the old children’s game of a "Barrel of Monkey’s", where you need to hook and connect all the monkeys together? This will be a year, coupled with the Monkey’s influence, that when Jupiter enters Libra, everyone’s going to ‘click’ in and get it. The need to have one’s voice be heard will be felt stronger than in other elections. Which indicates that this Election is an important one as to how the ‘collective consciousness’ will flow over the next 4-8 years respectively, and regardless of where people stand in terms of ‘party’ lines, this election will serve to unite people together on common issues which affect all Americans. However, the influence of Jupiter in Libra also has the potential to cause the collective to become even more imbalanced through dividing everyone even further. This is where the power of "choice" comes in, a Libra issue.

The big issues will no doubt be the continued presence of American troops in Iraq, the purpose for the Iraqi war in the first place, did it really justify over $150 billion and the death of over 500 American lives (and counting) and thousands inured? Will they ever come up with evidence of weapons of mass destruction? A discussion of whether the war in Iraq was correct will be front and center, as will a better understanding of terrorism and how to dismantle it for good.

While many polls, including the last General Election, have indicated that our country is divided almost down the middle, I believe we will see a new trend this year. It’s interesting that according to recent statistics, about 21% of Americans consider themselves conservative, and about 19% consider themselves liberal and the rest of the country are considered moderates. That means the majority of our country can actually be considered "swing voters", meaning they do not necessarily vote along party lines, but will align themselves with issues and the best leaders to bring about their desires for change and reform.

On Election Day there is a tight Mercury square Saturn (in the chart for Washington, D.C.) which could indicate a recount or two in certain areas of the country. The voting system will continue to be a focus in the upcoming General Election, and an ongoing discussion beyond it. However, the good news is that Mercury is not in retrograde during that time, as it was on election night of 2000. So we probably won’t be recounting votes into the Holiday season ;-)

Being that Libra rules over Balance and Justice, it is the sign of Peace and Harmony. While I hate to be the wet blanket over those who wish for peace on Earth, (present company included), I must read it as I see it, as 2004 will not be the best year for peace on Earth. However, after Jupiter enters Libra which will last through 2005, there will be diplomatic steps taken and peacemaking efforts will certainly expand into 2005, also enhanced after America inaugurates a new President. There will be bridges to mend around the world, and 2005 will be the best year for progress in these areas.

Look to the 100th Monkey Theory to be put to use this year. (This is the theory that if a monkey drops his potato in water before eating it, and others in his area see and copy this, then others will also "learn" to wash their potato before eating. Once the 100th monkey performs this task, all monkeys, regardless of location, will perform this task. It’s a group consciousness thing ;-)

"Creativity is an alchemical art of dissolving old forms and recombining them as a new synthesis". ~ James Wanless

We can use the degeneration around us and in our own personal lives as a creative opportunity to produce something new. This is the year of Creative Expression. All of the creative influences during this Monkey Year are enhanced through the mutual reception of Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius, which is in a growing supportive sextile to Pluto in Sagittarius. It is time to communicate our ideas, visions, products, inventions, innovations, and literature to the world. Each and every one of us is here to contribute our piece of the Divine plan, to collectively create heaven on earth. With this year’s supportive influences at play, we are all awakening to the inner artist/creator/innovator within ourselves.

Between the Monkey’s influence in 2004 and the Uranus/Neptune mutual reception, this is the year where cultural creatives will flourish and thrive. A cultural creative is a sociological term coined around the millennium which relates to people who create their life intuitively, who tend to ‘go with the flow’, as opposed to having a ‘set plan’ and are much more ‘independent’ than their parents were on external structures (job, church, union, etc.) to support them. Cultural creatives are more concerned with how their energies and actions affect others, they are the artists, the entertainers, the comedians, the spiritual leaders who truly listen to spirit regardless of any ‘ministerial status’ or church affiliation. They are the writers, actors and filmmakers who share important issues and messages to the public. It is said that they make up about 26 percent of the American population (or at least 50 million people) and growing. This is a positive trend which points to a growing sense of community rather than isolation.

On a higher plane, Neptune, the mystical planet of dreams, visions and divine love will hover on and off of the "portal" degree of 15 Aquarius, for the first time in 168 years from April 2004 to December 2005. Fifteen degrees of Aquarius is also known as the degree of the Angel, and we can expect and be grateful for a great deal of help from the higher realms, (God knows we need it ;-) along with encouragement to transcend many of our earthly limitations. The Angel Movement is strong and growing. Many people are becoming more and more aware of help from spiritual realms and other dimensions. This trend will continue to expand particularly as there will be many miraculous stories coming out of natural and man made disasters. Besides the unseen Angels, there will be a great awakening among the Earth Angels, who are Angels having a human experience. Many of these Earth Angels will become aware of their missions this year and over the next 7 years during the mutual reception of Uranus and Neptune. Do you feel moved to assist others in some way? You too may be an Earth Angel. Do you have something in your chart @ 15 degrees of Aquarius? Get ready for Neptune to elevate your capacity for compassion, selflessness and divine love.

"On Earth, an Angels Wings are found within" – Karen Goldman

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, rocks and rolls through detail-oriented, nose-to-the-grindstone Virgo through September 24, ’04. Jupiter began its retrograde phase on January 3, 2004 and will go direct on the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse of May 4, 2004 (aka the Buddha Moon or Wesak). Virgo encourages integrity, and attention to detail. Jupiter is the jovial guide, the spiritual leader, the ‘Cosmic Santa Claus’ so to speak, and its influence is all about growth. The downside of Jupiter in Virgo is making mountains out of molehills and blowing things up out of proportion. Virgo also rules worry, and with Jupiter here, there’s a tendency to be overly concerned to worry about things that more often than not are beyond our control. We need to resist the temptation to worry when situations require our faith and adaptability. Once we can genuinely connect with what we really resonate with in terms of our "inner priorities" during the retrograde phase, then we can move forward with the opportunity to improve our lives by paying attention to it’s finer details in order to manifest our dreams. Everything is in Divine Order!

During Jupiter’s journey through Virgo, we will see advancement in the fields of technology, innovative techniques and health care. The shift from Jupiter in Virgo to Jupiter in Libra in September of ’04 will create many changes socially, politically and judicially. This in and of itself indicates changes in power, government and the expansion of ‘fairness and justice’ for all.

Opposite to Virgo is Pisces, the sign of surrender. During the 7 year passage of Uranus in Pisces, we will certainly be given many unexpected opportunities to surrender our illusions of control. There will be many sudden, shocking and unpredictable changes worldwide, which has to do with waking up humanity with a kind of ‘lightening bolt’ which is the typical Uranian way. Much of this has to do with clearing the energies of the past. Uranus in Pisces will in essence help us to complete our ‘past life issues’ with the Piscean Age. Pisces has long been the sign of compassion, which is what we’re suppose to evolve into as we complete the Age of Pisces. Pisces rules over abandonment issues, orphans, abuse issues, persecutions, and sacrifices made in the name of God, Religion and Spirituality. There is a distinction between religion and spirituality, and with the laser-like beam of Uranus now moving through the Pisces Pea Soup, many will ‘wake up’ to this understanding.

Uranus in Pisces is going to revolutionize many to release attachments to past habit patterns. This will manifest on psycho-spiritual, socio-cultural and geo-political levels. The Earth herself will also experience this cosmic pulse to release ancient knots in her grid that reflect internal emotional knots in us that we collectively have been putting off dealing with for years.

It is time now and over the next 7 years during this passage, to let go of ancient self-pity and the secret list of grudges we each keep. Somehow we will be forced to face our unfulfilled dreams and false truths we held which have unfortunately caused us centuries of pain and sorrow. This is a time where we are given the opportunity to heal and purify our consciousness through our capacity for forgiveness and compassion for ourselves and others.

Many souls have volunteered their egos for this cleansing and healing experience, kind of like metals that go through extreme temperatures for refinement after being mined from the earth, on the other side of this process, these souls will emerge and rediscover the Gold hidden within their hearts.

Pluto, the outermost planet in our solar system, rules over death, rebirth, power, the underworld and our shadow selves. It has been in the sign of Sagittarius (ruler of politics, philosophy, and beliefs) since 1995.

Both Pluto and Sagittarius can go to extremes. Sagittarius is good-hearted, optimistic and philosophical, and generally is hopeful for the future. However Sagittarius is also known to exaggerate and jump to conclusions of judgment as it can sometimes refuse to see other points of view than its own. Prejudice and Racism is the downside of this cycle. However, we now have the opportunity as a group to transform these issues both personally and globally. We are all given the opportunity to re-examine our core beliefs, whether they be about our religion, spirituality, ourSelves, or our Gods, each of us is being challenged to face our concepts and beliefs about life, whether it be through events happening outside of us, or events happening directly to us. By the time Pluto is finished with Sagittarius in 2008 we will witness many different types of religious transformations. Pluto is about getting beyond the superficial and coming to terms with the root essence of matter, soul and spirit. That which has divided us for millennia may become the common element that brings us together into the future. Dying in the name of religion will become an historical piece of the past. Remember, Pluto is the planet of death and rebirth, its cycles takes 248 years for it to orbit our Sun, and relates to humanity’s evolving consciousness. As our collective consciousness begins to awaken to the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation, then we will in turn perhaps place more value on human life, then seeing it as a commodity to be sacrificed in the name of some god or religion. Every life is a gift from the Divine. This will be a time when New Truths will emerge that will carry us into a deeper understanding of our place in the universe and our eternal connection with the Divine.

It’s important to note that Pluto's transit in the last part of Sagittarius has begun now through 2008. Pluto will be between 20 and 22 degrees of Sagittarius throughout 2004. Pluto will retrograde March 24 thru August 30, 2004. This is usually a phase where suppressed Plutonian issues surface. The issues of arrogance, self importance, superiority and fanaticism over one's religious and political beliefs will be in our face, along with a lack of tolerance for the beliefs of others. Due to the fact that the last third of Sagittarius has a Leo influence, arrogance and pride is now a big concern, as is the issue of "might makes right." We must be watchful of how pride and its shadow side can rear its ugly head. July 2005 – September 2007 Saturn will be in Leo, which will cause ‘karmic implications’ for how everyone behaves now. Remember Leo is the sign that rules the Heart. It’s unfortunate how often pride is the trigger that separates relationships, both on personal and international levels, and this world doesn’t need more added conflict to the grid. Apologies may be hard to come by, but for those who can muster them, they will not only be cathartic but rewarding. This is all about our transformation and evolution as a group, the goals are to become more loving, enlightened and connected to our hearts. Snobbism, pride and arrogance only cause separation and suffering.

Let’s face it…religions, as we now know them are changing. Many beliefs that began as the foundations for various religions were built with the idea of controlling people. Personal spiritual awareness, conscious attempts for enlightenment, spiritual guidance and one’s own relationship with the Universal Divine, multi-dimensional beings, such as Spirit Guides, the Angelic and Devic Realms along with Extra-Terrestrial Beings, and ultimately God/Goddess is the path many are taking. Because these people have not established a "formal" religion, their numbers are unknown, these people are an extensive "power-base" affecting the world’s grid, whose good works and love for humanity are assisting the evolution of the collective into exalted states of awareness, selflessness and peace. The ancient wisdoms and Masters are being resurrected and revitalized now as Uranus ruler of Eclectic Futuristic Aquarius travels through Old Age ‘Karmic’ Pisces and Neptune ruler of Compassionate Pisces travels through the unconventional Aquarius. Buddha & Jesus never meant to start new religions where people would erect temples and churches to worship them while judging everyone outside its walls. Remember that the underlying messages of these Masters were of love, acceptance, understanding, peace and a personal journey toward one’s own divinity.

The Middle East and Korea will continue to be hot spots and are both a reflection of ancient conflicts. According to legends, Korea was created by a prince of the heavens. Upon his arrival on earth, the prince was approached by a tiger and a bear. Both animals asked the prince of the heavens to turn them into humans. The prince gave each animal instructions to go into a cave and consume nothing but garlic and mugwort for a month. If his instructions were followed correctly, each would emerge from their cave as human. The bear obeyed perfectly, but the tiger did not. At the end of the month, the bear emerged as a beautiful woman whom the prince married. Their union begat the first emperor of Korea, Tangun, aka the Sandalwood King. The tiger eventually found his way north where he too became human. But the tiger and the bear—each now human—have been jealous enemies ever since.

Middle East conflict is also an ancient one (5000 years) and originates from the time of Abraham. Abraham’s sons, Ishmael and Isaac, the offspring of a handmaiden (Hagar) and his wife (Sarah) respectively, begat the nations of Israel and Arabia. Each nation considers Abraham to be their patriarch and each believes the son that begat their nation to be the promised son by God. The contempt these nations hold for one another is a deeply rooted family feud based on jealousy.

This Archetypal family conflict is the primary wound in the collective human psyche that needs healing. It is a reflection of the conflicts all over the world that will not dissipate until all of us learn to honor one another. If we can turn our jealousies into love, and honor and respect one another, then we can heal ourselves and change our karma and dissolve the shackles of the past.

"For those of us who love peace, we must organize as effectively as the war hawks spread the propaganda of war, so must we spread the propaganda of peace." Martin Luther King

The 100^th Monkey Theory works its magic here as well. When we can achieve ‘inner peace’ with ourselves, and in turn make peace with our past, our family and even our enemies, it will then in turn add to the energy of peace in the grid of the planet and as a result strengthen the collective will to create Peace on Earth. It sounds simple? But, it’s really our greatest challenge, spiritually and globally. We must continue to do the inner work that is necessary to manifest this in our own individual lives, and then we will watch the energy of the planet change. Everything is a reflection of something in ourselves.

That being said, this will most likely not be the year that we will achieve a lasting peace on earth, but it will certainly be a year when we will take some really important steps in that direction. When the majority of the collective consciousness decides that war is no longer necessary or desirable, peace will find its way around the globe. This is why the upcoming General Election is an important one. The politics of war and politics of peace, is very much like a political dance. Remember your power to change things this Election. Every vote does count, regardless of what they tell you. Remember the last Election? How close it came? Several hundred votes were up in the air, which determined which way the Election went. But more importantly, remember your power when it comes to peace. If you can hold peaceful thoughts in your life and love in your heart, you’re helping the world move towards its desired goal. While the planets are lined up for more acts of aggression in the world’s hot spots, there will come a time within these cycles of the Uranus/Neptune mutual reception through 2011 and Pluto’s trip through Sagittarius through 2008 that we will see the beginning of the end of war as we know it today. The most important thing is that these influences are making it possible for people all over the globe to come together in new ways.

The first series of Eclipses will occur April 19, 2004 @ 29 degrees of Aries.  There are tense aspects between Pluto and Mars on this day going through the America. This has always been an ominous day, and during my Spring Update, I will go into more detail about this, as it’s taking place during a retrograde and moon wobble as well. The possibility and potential of some type of attack around that time is strong. 29 degrees of Aries is the degree of the Tyrant and Dictator, as its energy is aggressive and impatient. Then on May 4, 2004 we will experience the first Full Moon Lunar Eclipse of the year @14 degrees of Scorpio, which is connected to the November 2003 Eclipse patterns, remember the Star of David? (see November 2003 Eclipses, Moon Wobbles & Retros).

There will be a solar eclipse on October 13 at 21 degrees of Libra, this is the degree of the researcher who has political and judicious inclinations with an impartial nature, which often shows up in the charts of attorneys. John Edwards was born with a Saturn/Neptune conjunction at 21 degrees of Libra. This eclipse will impact him tremendously, as its in his 4^th house. He could be moving! This eclipse is only 20 days before the election. Libra is the sign of balance. This is about balance, justice and fairness. There will also be a Lunar Eclipse on October 27 at 5 degrees of Taurus, the degree of "Diplomacy" which also denotes self-denial, magic and chemistry which suggests the letting go of old outworn stubborn ways, only just 6 days before the Election.

As Venus eclipses the Sun this year on June 8, (appearing to trek across the Sun like a glistening beauty mark). This represents the rise of women in positions of power and leadership. The last Venus eclipse of the Sun was on December 6, 1882. This will have a lasting effect, as we will begin to see more and more women assuming leadership roles on the planet.

The "new children" are coming here to show us how to use our spiritual power to correct what has gone wrong, world-wide. They are coming to show us the things we have forgotten. Many of them will be drawn toward political and health-related careers in order to affect the needed changes. In the Monkey year, there is an emphasis on the Youth. This indicates that young people will rise up relatively early in their lives into positions of influence. It will also infuse new life into many of the world’s spiritual foundations, as the fundamental battles have been between the old and new. The new will emerge, like it or not. Ironically many of these young people are actually ‘old souls’ reincarnated that have come to correct the past.

Children born in the Year of the Wood Monkey are the pioneering spirits, they are highly intuitive, and are the whimsical geniuses of the cycle. Monkeys have lively personalities and great joie de vivre. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive, innovative and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. They rely on skill and mental agility rather than on brute strength. They are quick-witted and filled with unmatched charm as well as being crafty, cunning and devious. This is the sign of the Improviser, Motivator and Inventor. Monkeys are highly sociable creatures, with an unshakable belief in themselves. They are filled with common sense, but they can be impatient, and if they cannot get into something immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes abandon their projects. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. It is difficult to be angry with the Monkey person for long, as Monkey is an expert at making himself likable and indispensable.

Monkeys are fun and loving persons who are always cheerful and energetic. They are very clever. Give a monkey a boring book to read and he'll turn it into a Musical. Better yet, he'll invite everyone to see it free! That's how talented, creative and generous monkeys usually are. Other Monkey years are 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 & 2016.

This will be a year, when it’s time for ‘monkeying around’ as the spirit of ‘Play’ and ‘Joy’ will be ‘Key’ in our powers of manifestation, our ability to thrive and grow, and believe it or not, our powers of protection. Yes, ‘Protection’! We enter into this year in a Code Orange Alert security state, there is the element of fear, the threat of terrorism looming, whether this is a perception or reality, it’s all relative, the point is, the more ‘Joy’ you can create in your life, the more victorious you are in what is essentially a spiritual battle in the first place.

By becoming playful, like a child, we can actually benefit from the Monkey’s influence of Joy, which is the essence of the Monkey. Isn’t it ironic, that when you’re a child you are expected to outgrow your childishness, but when you’re an adult, holding onto that part of you that is "child-like" is an essential part of your well-being? Monkey is extremely creative and intelligent, and its bottom line message is "lighten up"…. Being too serious can work against you at times. Monkey says, get serious about your powers of creativity, your ability to experience and bring more joy to this world. That is the highest level of healing that the Monkey year can bring. Let’s face it, this world needs more Joy. Laughter has always been the best medicine.

References and Credits:
Raymond – LO – Chinese Astrologer
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau Published by Arrow Books Limited
Simple Chinese Astrology by Darmien Sharp published by Conari Press
Shelly Ackerman, New York Theosophical Society