* “When all your desires are distilled, you will cast just two votes: to love more, and be happy.” (Hafiz)
The planet that rules this year: Rahu
Keywords & planetary energy: future goals, ambitions, unfulfilled desires, expansion, foundation building, reorganization, reconstruction, repairs, improvements, unresolved karma, karmic relations, unforeseen events, uncertainty, speculative risks, foreign matters, hard work, career reinvention, boundaries, restrictions, financial gains, material growth, obsessions, attachments, deception, illusion, confusion, independence, stubbornness, secrecy, detoxification
What can you expect in a Personal Year 4?
In life, you don’t always get what you want, but you get what you are willing to work for and karmically deserve. In addition, you get what is in alignment with your soul and not necessarily your ego. For this year, the Universe will require you to get down to business and make proper adjustments in your life, so that you can attain your unfulfilled desires and personal goals. You will get the opportunity to grow your outer world and bring whatever dream you have visualized in your Personal Year 3 (ruled by Jupiter), into a physical reality. But do not expect any quick results or go for shortcuts, even when you feel tempted. And do not convince yourself that your desired expectations will meet the actual outcome. If this is the case, then you may set yourself up for disappointment. Namely, a Personal Year 4, ruled by Rahu, produces the type of energy that can cause confusion and even false illusions (of unworthy desires), that could lead towards the direction of, for example, ‘get-rich-quick schemes’ or you moving abroad selfishly without considering all the risks, consequences and responsibilities. Thus, when you enter your Personal Year 4, make sure that you do not have any unrealistic goals as they may not result in that which you hoped for.
The year will highlight common themes and matters pertaining to the behavioral qualities, planetary energies, and signification of Rahu, like the ones mentioned above. Since it’s a shadow planet with a dual nature, its energy can create both obstacles and opportunities for material growth and prosperity. On the one hand, it symbolizes rebelliousness, immorality, unconventionality, attachment, desires, addiction, and obsession with the material world. On the other hand, that same powerful energy can make you ambitious, hungry, committed, feisty, and determined to achieve your goals at all costs. It can help you either rise to the top or make you fall right to the bottom, depending on how you choose to use or misuse its energies. With that in mind, during these next twelve months, your life could suddenly change for better or for worse. Your attention will be more on building or rebuilding something for the future, but do so with extreme caution! Bear in mind that building something, especially from scratch, takes time, efficiency, practicality, consistency, patience, and ultimate dedication. Therefore, you are advised to focus more on the positive aspects of this planet’s energy to prevent you from making any hasty decisions, becoming agitated quickly (when things are not going as you please), and going in the wrong direction.
A Personal Year 4 is all about building a solid foundation and creating more personal security for yourself and/or your family by putting innovative plans, methods, tools, and systems in place that will help move your life forward in a more organized, efficient, and structured manner. This can be in any area that needs a stronger foundation, such as your career, health, business, education, finances, home, or relationships. For example, if you want to have more savings, plan for retirement, invest in or buy property, return to school, improve your emotional well-being, create a new strategy to enhance your relationships, get married and settle down; then now is the perfect time to focus on these things. Or if you want to start a business, boost your career, renovate your house, organize your home and office space, or sort out your finances, you can take the practical steps to make them happen. It is an excellent time to bring order back into your life and reignite every important matter that you had put on the shelf for a while.
As the year starts, you could feel a sudden urge to de-clutter, re-strategize, and re-organize yourself and your resources in the most practical way possible so that you can accomplish the goals you have set for yourself. Whether you want to move to a different country, build a second home abroad, revitalize your health, regenerate your skin, improve your vision, have a baby, plan a home addition or expand a business; anything is possible! However, understand that to build or lay down the foundation of anything substantial, such as a house or relationship, you must clear out everything that is obstructing you so that you can start from scratch. If you have the knowledge and skills and want to save some coins, you could decide to take the DIY route. Otherwise, you could hire a professional to help you create order and bring your vision to fruition. This could be anyone, depending on what you want to improve; from a financial advisor, immigration consultant, architect, general contractor, wedding planner, professional organizer, and career mentor to a personal trainer, weight loss coach, relationship counselor, therapist, dermatologist, acupuncturist, optometrist, and fertility doctor. Whatever you intend to (re) build, (re) create, (re) construct, (re) invent, or improve, make sure that it involves a plan of action, i.e., create a to-do list! This will help you get the ball rolling and stay organized without losing sight of anything, even the tiniest details. In case you find yourself in a situation that involves signing contracts or other important paperwork, make sure to quadruple-check everything, or even better, apply the four-eye principle. This will save you a lot of headaches and prevent you from any future disputes or potential lawsuits.
To a certain extent, you could consider this as a time of pain and gain because there’s no gain without a bit of pain. So it will require a lot of discipline, determination, and hard work from your end. But if you are in tune with the energies and want to get things done, then rolling up your sleeves and getting down to the nitty-gritty of things should not be a problem. At one point, you could even find yourself in a routine work mode in which you may have to do things more systematically, whether on the personal or professional front. Even if you are someone who normally dislikes routine, you may eventually experience that when you do things in a step-by-step, orderly, and ethical fashion, you may come out as a winner! As long as you choose to stay on the positive side of the energetic vibration of the number 4, then things should be alright.
As busy as this year may be, so can it bring you lots of material pleasures and financial gains, if that is what you desire. For instance, if you work in media or any field that deals with new-age technology, and you use this powerful energy wisely, it could help amplify your career. You could gain enormous success, increase your social media following, and gain sudden global exposure! Though there is a flip side to it all, as nothing in life comes for free or without consequences. Due to Rahu’s energetic influence, you can live more in your head than in your body, and hence you may feel more hungry, thirsty, selfish and ambitious, and less grounded than usual. So when you lean more toward its negative side, it could bring various obstacles, adversities, challenges, and even obsessions into your life. For instance, you could suddenly become very driven and obsessed about working more hours and wanting more responsibilities (just to make more money or prove yourself to your boss or society), so much so that it could take a toll on your mental health and physical well-being. Or, you could gain a sudden obsession with social media, and the attention you get from random strangers might get to your head and consume a lot of your time, which could lead to friction in your relationships. On a different note, you might find yourself worrying and complaining more so than ever, which could increase your stress level and result in less sleep and insomnia. Even weird dreams and nightmares could disturb your peace of mind. Another example of how this energy could impact you negatively is through your daily encounters with others. For instance, while you’re busy chasing goals, you could get into unnecessary arguments, discussions, disputes, and conflicts with, e.g., a romantic partner, business partner (s), family members, co-workers, friends, or neighbors. You could even get yourself into sudden quarrels and fights with random people you meet on the streets, at the supermarket, or on social media. In case you are not level-headed and get irritated easily, all of this could cause you a lot of mental distress, anxiety, headaches, and fears. These sudden incidents and mishaps could even get you into serious trouble with the law. Thus, if you find yourself in a situation in which someone tries to provoke you, remember to always keep your cool instead of losing it! Try not to fall prey to their behavior. Rather, pay attention to yours, including your reaction to theirs. This will help you deal with the negative influences of this year’s energy in a more conscious manner.
Rahu also denotes all things and anyone foreign, unusuality, karmic experiences, suddenness, and fated events. One of the many ways these foreign and karmic connotations could manifest in your life is through a reunion and reconnection with people from either your recent past or childhood. You could, for instance, reunite with old flames, friends, ex-colleagues, or family members who live on the other side of the world; they might visit you, or you might visit them overseas, or you could get in touch with them again through social media. On another level, you may suddenly find yourself in a new work environment abroad in which the new, ‘foreign-looking’ people you meet may somehow feel as if you’ve met them before, like in a past lifetime. You might even experience a sudden attraction toward them, and perhaps develop an affair. On a different note, people in your daily life may suddenly require a lot of your energy, so much so that it could drain you mentally and emotionally. But whether these people remain in your life depends on the amount of unresolved karma you have with them and the lessons you have to learn from those karmic experiences. You might also experience an unforeseen, shocking event in which someone close to you, like a friend or relative, disappears from your life without notice. This could be through a sudden death or an explosive argument, which may be difficult to digest, especially if you were attached to that person. But if you are someone who practices the art of non-attachment (i.e. you can easily detach yourself from people, places, things, emotions, thoughts, and situations), accepts things as is, and understands the impermanence of life, then events like these may be easier to handle. Now, if travel is not on the cards for you, you can still immerse yourself in a different culture in a slightly different way. As such, you could sign up for an online language course and improve your linguistic skills or you could bring unusual foreign objects into your home for decorative and design purposes. Perhaps you can spice up that home improvement project with a few Moroccan lamps, Balinese handmade furniture, and a touch of Scandinavian design. Alternatively, you could upgrade your cooking style and experiment with foreign spices, try out different restaurants, and eat more multicultural food than normal.
Compared to a Personal Year 3, where you attracted the right people and opportunities, this time, however, things can be quite the opposite. Because a Personal Year 4 can be a tricky year. Namely, if you are not careful and aware, you could get involved in unusual, unwanted situations or establish connections that may not be beneficial in the long run. On one level, there can be some instances in which you meet people who do not have your best interest at heart and might criticize you for whatever reason. These could be foreigners you meet while traveling abroad or just eccentric figures you’d never hang out with, but somehow you attracted them and brought them into your world. They could act strange or secretive around you, which could cause some tension and agitation. You could also act more secretively than usual, which may frustrate others. On a different level, you might have to deal with deceitful, cunning, manipulative, questionable characters as well; i.e. fake people with false promises. Those who promise you the world such as higher earnings, a better job, bigger business deals, a beautifully designed apartment, or a committed monogamous relationship. If you vibrate at a lower frequency and are not in tune with your intuition, you could easily fall victim to such illicit instances. But if you are conscious of your surroundings, and vibrate at a higher frequency, it will be easier for you to recognize and unmask such people, including their intentions and dodgy practices. By being alert, you can prevent yourself from feeling trapped (e.g., in a toxic romantic relationship or an unfair employment contract), falling into temptation (e.g., a third wheel in a love triangle), getting misled into shady, illegal activities (e.g., pyramid schemes, job scams, immigration fraud, fake crypto trading) or various other fraudulent situations that could lead to a court case or resignation—either voluntary or involuntary.
Another extreme manifestation of how this energy could affect you negatively is through your personal finances, as money and all sorts of financial matters may be on your mind more so than usual. Your insatiable desire and hunger for material pleasures could suddenly increase, so much that it could lead to excessive expenditure, greed, and even addictive behavior. For instance, you could overindulge and create a sudden addiction to things like gambling, speculative trading, alcohol, junk food, sex, and drugs. Or you could become so addicted to (online) shopping that you impulsively and compulsively buy more expensive things you probably do not even need. Understand that whatever you want more of, you may never feel satisfied or fulfilled. Since you are under the influence of the number 4 (Rahu), any potential obsessive behavior you display, such as accumulating wasteful things, may only cause you more harm than good. So, if you don’t watch your spending habits and continue to spend recklessly, you could get into serious problems, i.e., excessive debt. On the brighter side, if your money management is A-OK, you are budget-conscious, and you live within your means, then this year’s energies can help you further increase your bank balance. If last year everything moved quickly, just like the speed of light, now you may experience how time can also move at a much slower pace. Not only that, but you may have to put in extra effort to make things happen for you. The key is to go with the flow and use your time efficiently, especially if you have lots of things to do. But whatever you have on your plate or whoever may push your buttons; always remain in the present and stay focused and grounded at all times. And when you adopt a positive mindset, you may see that your hard work will eventually pay off, irrespective of the struggles, unsettling situations, and perhaps disturbing events. Just make sure that you do not let any limitations, restrictions, drama, quarrels, or temptations that come with the 4-energy get the best of you. Also, avoid sneakiness, dishonesty, gossiping about others, or any other unethical and immoral behavior as this can bring out the unconscious, hidden, and darker aspects of yourself. Then again, if these are habits and traits that you are not aware of or can’t seem to detach from, then this is a perfect time to face your inner demons. However, doing so may help you identify the things that you need to change and improve about yourself. Apart from this, your (mental) health may be a concern and may need some TLC, especially if you’ve been neglecting it. So, if this applies to you, try to take care of yourself in the best way possible and avoid substance abuse because this won’t solve your problems, nor will it positively contribute to your overall well-being. Instead, create a healthy balance between your mind, body, and soul. You could do this by adopting a strict exercise schedule and incorporating a spiritual practice to help calm your mind, relax your body, and stabilize your emotions. Once you establish a daily healthy routine, you may see that there is a time to rest and a time to get down to business again.
Although this period may seem like an excellent time to grow your resources and material world, just be aware that the things you accumulate may not last forever. Rahu’s energy does not give you long-term wealth or permanent results and stability. That is Saturn’s job! Thus, the energies you feel are kind of similar to a Personal Year 8 (ruled by Saturn), but the results you get this time around are often short-lived. If you’re lucky, they may last a few years, but not your entire life. Understand that Rahu’s energy is like a magician who likes to play mind games. It creates illusive, confusing energy, i.e., what you think may bring you happiness now, may not be what your soul truly needs in the long run. Its energy can make you feel confused and may even deviate you from your path, goals, and your heart’s desires. Though, as mentioned earlier, it can help you achieve and accumulate material things (your rise), it can also take things away from you (your downfall), especially if you’ve been ungrateful, greedy, unethical, or chased the wrong, unworthy, unfulfilling goals. That is why you should identify the true essence of your happiness in your Personal Year 3 (ruled by Jupiter) before you enter this year. Otherwise, you might change your mind frequently during this time or in the following years. But if last year you could not figure out what you want out of life, then try to do it now before you proceed to the next. Take a moment and ask yourself whether those dreams, goals, and desires you are chasing are truly worth it. Here are some questions to tackle, and that may also come to my mind during this prosperous, yet illusive time:
Do the desires I have and the goals I chase contribute to my overall happiness or to the well-being of others? Do those material pleasures and things I accumulate truly satisfy and uplift my spirit, or do they bring me down? Are they emotionally fulfilling? Do they align with my personal values and belief system? Why do I consume so much? Do I eat to fill or feed my body? Do I need to have the latest gadget, phone, or fashion item? Don’t I have more than enough stuff in my home? Why do I seek attention and social validation? Isn’t there more to life than posting selfies, food, and travel photos? Why can’t I live one month without TV, my phone, or social media? Why do I value social status so much, and why am I so focused on climbing the corporate ladder? Do I really have to relocate to a new city or country? Are the new position and salary worth the move? Do I really need to build or buy another house? Why can’t I detach myself from certain people and things? Why am I so attached to them? Do I do things just to keep up with society, or to be of service to society? Are my actions and choices ego-driven or purpose-driven (in the sense that they contribute to a larger social cause)? Is there a clear balance between my spiritual needs and material wants? Is there a balance between my career and family life?
If you cannot find the answers to any of these questions or feel like everything in your life is out of balance, try to schedule some “Me Time”. Spend some quiet time alone, connect with nature and your higher self, reorganize your thoughts, and find out what makes you happy. This way, you can prevent yourself from living a life of instability, insecurity, chaos, confusion, and indecisiveness. Another way to gain more clarity and insight about yourself is by cleansing and detoxing your life mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Hence, eliminate those toxic things and influences that are not good for your well-being; from behavioral addictions (e.g., smoking, gambling, drinking, unhealthy eating, hoarding, social media posting, impulsive shopping) and cluttered closets to those relationships that do not add any value to your existence. Once you have carefully distilled your desires and removed all impurities and toxins from your life, you may find that there is nothing left but that which truly connects with your heart’s desires. Or, in the words of Hafiz; * “When all your desires are distilled, you will cast just two votes: to love more, and be happy.”
A Personal 4 is ultimately a highly productive, slow-moving, and sometimes frustrating time in which you can accomplish a lot and build the strong foundations and solid structures you need to help move your life forward, provided that you are realistic about your goals, and don’t force things to happen your way. Know that everything happens according to Divine timing, orchestration, and cooperation. When you pay close attention and align yourself with the energetic vibrations of the Universe, you will know when that time has arrived. Just remember that any new foundation you build may not be long-lasting, and the new investments you make may be for the short haul; however, they may still help you withstand the sudden changes, challenges, uncertainty, and unstable energies of your upcoming Personal Year 5 (ruled by Mercury)—provided that you are well prepared. Because the way you end this year may show how you will start the next, and how you finish the next can show how you will begin the one after, and so on. So, be very conscious of every move you make because every new habit you develop now may expand, and any new karma you create may return to you in the future. The more you are aware, the better you can prepare and organize yourself mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially. In addition, the more proactive measures you take to change your habits and improve your behavior and circumstances, the better you can handle the difficulties, overcome adversities, and seize the infinite opportunities that may cross your path in the remaining years of your nine-year cycle.
Side Note: The examples mentioned for each Personal Year are merely examples based on my personal experience and observational research, and might not apply to your personal situation entirely. However, if you relate to some events, then they could have happened in a previous cycle already, or you might go through some of them right now. And if you do not relate to any of the events pertaining to your present cycle, then they may have yet to be manifested in the future. It is all possible. But keep in mind that in order to understand your Personal Year, you should know the meaning of the planets in Astrology. Simply because each year is influenced by a certain planet. Once you have a basic understanding of the astrological significations of the planets and their association with the numbers in numerology, it will be easier for you to see how the energies may play out in your own life. In addition, having some self-awareness about your own behavioral pattern can also help you work better with the energies instead of fighting against them.