* “Nothing in life is permanent, except for change”. (Heraclitus)
The planet that rules this year: Mercury
Keywords & planetary energy: sudden changes, uncertainty, instability, adaptability, freedom, adventures, playfulness, enjoyment, curiosity, exploration, short-distance travel, social networking, forward movement, self-improvement, learning development, practical skills, efficiency, self-effort, courage, business, commerce, media, communication, technology, creativity, rationality, intelligence, conscious mind, anxiety, thought process, calculated risks
What can you expect in a Personal Year 5?
If you love change and embrace new experiences, then you may appreciate the vibrant energy that this new year will bring! Especially after a Personal Year 4 (ruled by Rahu) which might have been somewhat confusing and, perhaps, disturbing and exhausting. If you dislike change, however, then these next twelve months could be quite challenging. A Personal Year 5, ruled by Mercury, can come with a lot of chaos, uncertainty, and instability, including unforeseen events and situations. Common themes pertaining to the behavioral qualities, energies, and signification of this planet will highlight the year, like the ones mentioned above. But the energies that may dominate the year more prominently will be in the area of personal development, social networking, short journeys, financial matters, and all things related to communication, including your skills and the way you share and receive information through various (technological) methods, tools and systems like your phone, computer, and the internet. In addition, your practicality and ability to work smart, learn new things, and make rational decisions may also come to focus so you can improve your life in a more positive, uplifting, and efficient way.
This is, simply put, a year of learning and exploring in all ways possible! It is a forward-moving, progressive, yet exciting time where the Universe wants to wake you up, shake things up, and take you out of your comfort zone so you can accumulate new experiences and widen your horizons. The energy you may feel now may feel similar to you being a first-year student who just transitioned from high school into college. As such, you may get the opportunity to be a student again (literally or figurately) and sail wherever the wind takes you, along with your already-given talents and skills inside your backpack, so you can develop them even further.
See it like this; A Personal Year 5 is in between your nine-year cycle. The first four years were, metaphorically, all about planting, nurturing, and watering new seeds, including growing and building on what you have planted. The last four years are about improving and weeding out your garden (so your plants and flowers can flourish), reaping what you’ve sown, and closing the cycle. The year in the middle is a time in which the Universe will present you with fresh opportunities and challenges to see whether the plants and flowers you’ve helped blossom during the first four years are still growing as they’re supposed to. And so, the hurdles that you may face during the fifth year are actually there just to show you that the way you have been doing things so far may not be so efficient and/or effective. This will, in turn, push you to come up with new or alternative ways to better care for your garden in order for your flowers and plants to bloom beautifully and healthily.
In a way, you can consider these next twelve months as quite a testing time that may require a lot of your self-effort. At some point, you may even find yourself in an actual classroom preparing and studying for a test or taking an online exam from home. You could also find yourself in a different type of environment where you may be guided by a teacher, instructor, mentor, counselor, or some other professional to help you understand what skills or areas in your life need further enhancement before you can journey into your Personal Year 6. And so, the way this year may go (and whether or not you will pass your exams) strongly depends on several things; from your level of intelligence, your ability to concentrate, and the way you process your thoughts to the practical steps you take and the efforts you make. The company you keep can also play a major role in the way you go about your business and get things done. Simply because the people you surround yourself with can have a significant influence on your actions, and thus, behavior. And the type of actions you take can, ultimately, determine how far you may go.
Thus, if you want to make some serious progress, you can do that now, as long as you stay focused and make healthy choices and rational decisions. You can even start the process in your Personal Year 4 by making the necessary adjustments and preparations wherever you can, so you won’t get into a shock when things come out of left field, because they will, especially if you don’t act proactively. Obviously, you can’t always foresee what might happen in the future, but if you carefully examine your own behavioral pattern, you may spot some clues. After all, forewarned is forearmed! In case you are at a loss and do not know where or how to begin, then try to schedule some time to reflect and figure out what aspects need serious improvement or need to change completely. Here are some questions to consider, and that may also cross your mind during this unsettling, yet continuous learning period:
Is there something I’ve always wanted to learn or try out but lack the courage or never had the time to make it happen? Or is something or someone holding me back from moving forward? If so, what can I do about it? What is it that I desire to change? What can I do so I can progress and enhance myself? What are the things I have been ignoring for some time when I know they need to change? Is it something about my health or my lifestyle? Do I need to change my mindset, or do I need to get rid of a bad habit or an addiction? Do I need to change something about my career or do I have to take a second look at my financial situation? How can I help myself and do things differently? Am I afraid of letting go of someone or something which I already know has outlived its purpose? Do I have it all together? Is my life in order or is it spinning out of control? If I cannot get a hold of my life, and everything seems to fall apart, then what do I need to do to get in the driver’s seat and take back control of my life?
Once you have identified and recognized what needs to change and/or improve, you can start taking proactive steps, instead of waiting for change to be forced upon you. And you don’t want that.
In this unstable and fast-moving time, anything can happen. Things may go in a typical ‘Mercurial’ fashion; suddenly, quickly, and sometimes chaotic! So if you can, try not to plan too far ahead. Exercise some caution as things may not go entirely as you planned. Expect the unexpected! But whatever happens, remain calm and adapt according to the circumstances. Now, these sudden changes and unexpected events can happen as soon as you ring in the new year with some sparkles, fireworks, and bubbles, or they can occur gradually throughout the year. They can be subtle or even blow up in your face! And they usually come with either a lot of freedom, tons of frustration, or a combination of both. They can happen in any area of your life, such as career, education, business, finances, home, relationships, and health. For instance, your romantic relationship might end all at once, and you become your single self again. On a different level, something about your health could deteriorate drastically, which could hinder your productivity and performance. Or your employer might suddenly change your work schedule and cut your hours without a warning, which may result in less income. You could also work more from home unexpectedly, or find yourself in a completely new position with irregular hours instead of the 9-to-5 routine you used to have. Or you might suddenly become unemployed due to a company reorganization, which could cause a break in your career. And if you are a business owner, you could experience some serious financial ups and downs as well. Alternatively, you might discover that your mobile phone and internet provider may have secretly overcharged you, which could lead you to cancel your contract earlier than intended and switch service providers.
Abrupt changes, incidents, accidents, and challenges in relation to your direct environment and with the people in your close network circle (e.g., siblings, cousins, friends, neighbors, colleagues) can also occur now. For example, a temporary construction could take place in your neighborhood, which might create some disturbance and agitation, especially if it leaves you with no space to park your car. If not that, then you could receive news about your favorite supermarket going out of business or moving to another part of town, which may force you to either travel longer or do your groceries at a shop that is perhaps less to your liking. On a different note, if you have siblings or cousins, then some arguments, misunderstandings, and miscommunication could happen between you and them. You could also experience serious changes in your friendship circle. For instance, an altercation between you and some friends might happen all at once, which causes you to sever ties with them. In a different scenario, you, your sibling (s), colleagues, or neighbors might change residence, locally or internationally. Now, speaking of international travel; exploring foreign, unknown places may be on the cards, which could create some hiccups. However, your travels may be limited to your direct vicinity and thus movement may occur within the city, country, or even continent you live in. It does not always involve faraway journeys overseas unless it’s a place you have experienced and visited before such as your birthplace, hometown, or motherland. In case you plan on traveling short distances, you might go on quick weekend getaways, make a lot of car trips, commute back and forth for work using public transportation, or explore more of your neighborhood by bike or foot. Just be aware that your trips may not always go smoothly or turn out as you had hoped. For instance, you could experience travel restrictions such as train strikes or sudden dramatic shifts in the weather, which could create disruption and flight delays that might completely alter your plans. So, always prepare yourself in case things go off schedule. If, for some reason, you are restricted and cannot physically travel abroad, you may find yourself exploring other countries and cultures through books, movies, magazines, social media, or documentaries.
Whatever sudden challenges, opportunities, changes, and perhaps obstacles you might experience, just keep in mind that this year’s energy encourages you to be more ‘mercurious’. In other words, you ought to break free from a routine, create more personal freedom (whatever freedom means to you), and learn more about your surroundings and yourself through your interests and personal experiences. You may find that the things you didn’t have time for last year suddenly come to focus now. That is because you will have more free time. But this new sense of freedom will provide you with the opportunity to fix what needs to get fixed; from resolving misunderstandings between you and others to developing yourself on both a personal and professional level. Thus, it is an opportune time to gain new knowledge, learn new skills, or improve the ones you already have. When it comes to learning new things, however, it is not necessarily about in-depth studying and getting a higher education degree like in a Personal Year 3 (ruled by Jupiter). Instead, it is more about learning something that sparks your curiosity and is in alignment with your interests. So, you may get a short course certificate, diploma, or license in a subject or area that is typical ‘Mercurial’; e.g., foreign languages, coding, web design, accounting, bookkeeping, basic office skills, creative writing, e-learning development, digital marketing, or public speaking. Practical or manual training courses could also be of interest, such as carpentry, painting, driving, drawing, sewing, pottery baking, and photography. Whichever area you choose to explore, learn more about, and put into practice, just keep in mind that your future self will thank you for those steps you’ve taken now.
Similar to a Personal Year 3, this can be an excellent time to develop your current hobbies or explore new ones. You could, for instance, take the steps and preparations towards turning your passionate hobby into your profession, career, or serious business venture. Since communication plays a pivotal role, you may want to use this energy positively by putting yourself out there more. If last year you didn’t feel the need to socialize much, you may suddenly be in the mood to connect more with people—whether online or offline. It is also a great time to rethink how you communicate with others, whether personally or professionally. So, how are your interpersonal communication skills? Do you feel the way you communicate with those around you is acceptable, or do you feel you need to reorganize your thoughts so you can improve your communication style with others? If the latter is the case and you feel you have to change your tone of voice so you can speak to others more effectively, then it is an excellent time to fix this. Additionally, the way you think about yourself, and thus the words you communicate inside your head, may come to focus, more so than usual. In fact, this may be one of the more favorable years to reexamine your mind and restructure your thoughts. Once you’ve structured your thoughts and know what you want to communicate, you can then translate them into practical actions that may benefit you, your talents, your skill set, and anything you want to promote and sell. This, in turn, could lead you to find innovative online platforms where you can express yourself creatively and monetize your knowledge and skills. Think of blogs, vlogs, websites, social media channels, or podcasts. Whatever platform, tool, or mode of communication technology you choose to communicate your thoughts and ideas is obviously all up to you. The important thing is for you to get out more and showcase yourself (without showing off, of course) in the best way possible. If you haven’t been a social butterfly and desire to socialize with others, then this is a perfect time to become even more involved in groups and group activities. You could, for instance, create a forum and build your own (online) fitness community, or you could bring people together by hosting (virtual) events. And if, for example, you work in a field that deals with new-age technology, then this energy is absolutely perfect for working on virtual collaborative projects. You may discover that the more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities and people you will attract, from a new job or business deal to a new romantic partner. Though this may be a busy and communicative time, you ought to be cautious of the amount and type of information you send, receive, and absorb, including how other people may influence your thoughts through various media/news channels. Always think (critically) for yourself, do your own research, form your own opinion, and create your own original ideas.
Since Mercury denotes your nervous system and mental processes, your ability to think logically and make wise decisions may come into effect. As such, you could feel more confused and restless, and you might change your mind a lot. Therefore, it is not wise to make agreements and commitments you cannot adhere to. If you have to make a serious decision, think carefully (or ask for advice from someone you trust) before you commit yourself to anything or anyone. Try to take on opportunities that not only make your heart sing but also help you progress. For example, if an unexpected job opportunity comes your way, only accept it because it nourishes your heart and soul, and you may learn new things. But do not just go after this job to impress others, or because the title looks good on your social media profile. Alternatively, if you have to sign a contract or any other important document, triple-check everything before you sign the dotted line, as things can be a little tricky if you’re not careful. Always be mindful of your thoughts, emotions, and feelings before you pursue anything. Make sure that your decisions are not only conscious, calculated, and constructive but also coming from your heart. At times, you may experience some feelings of uncertainty, which could lead to restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, and tons of overthinking. However, try not to let those anxious feelings take control over you, as they could prevent you from doing anything at all or – worst case – lead to impulsive decisions that you may regret later. Instead, shift this negative energy towards a personal passion project, implement a new fitness program, or take on a spiritual practice like yoga and meditation to relax your mind and calm your nerves.
Mercury, or the number 5-energy, signifies playfulness, youthfulness, enjoyment, and exploring the fun side of life. So if you were in over your head at work last year, then now you will get the chance and the desire to be more adventurous and have more fun, whatever ‘fun’ means to you. This could be anything; from eating out more, reading more books, and going for walks to exploring festivals, theaters, parties, and various other social events. You could also decide to change the way you look and thus have more fun with your personal style. As such, you could try out a new hairstyle, buy new clothes and change your entire wardrobe, experiment with makeup (if you have never worn makeup before), or get a (new) tattoo. Though you may have more time on your hands to explore yourself and the world around you, try to refrain from overindulgence. Since you will be under the influence of Mercury’s playful, exploratory, and jovial energy, there is a tendency to overdo things without taking into account the consequences of your actions, especially if you’ve carried over the same bad habits from the past. These could include habits like drinking, partying, unhealthy eating, shopping, drug abuse, excessive social media posting, gaming, smoking, and all kinds of sexual pleasures. Keep in mind that careless behavior pertaining to any of the aforementioned activities could lead to a variety of scenarios; from debts, weight gain, and perhaps an unplanned pregnancy to fines for speeding, and – worst-case scenario – extreme punishment for driving under the influence such as a suspension or revocation of your license combined with involuntary rehab. Thus, be very careful of your actions! Understand that excess of anything is never good for anyone, so try to do things in moderation. Also, try not to fall into temptation or get distracted by others or other things, especially if you want to progress in, for example, your career. But if you get distracted more often than you should or keep falling back into old habits, ask yourself; am I efficient with my time? And if you are not being productive, ask yourself; What can I do to change my habits?
Then again, in astrology, the planet Mercury represents students. And what do most students do besides studying? They spend a lot of their time partying, drinking, and experimenting. When they get too caught up in these activities (and other distractions), it could lead to them having less motivation to study, and thus failing classes as a result. Sometimes, it is necessary to fail a class in order to come to the realization that one’s behavior isn’t okay. This sudden realization could motivate students to put in extra effort to relearn the lessons that are needed for them to pass their classes successfully. In other words, in life, you make mistakes and fail a couple of times, but the key is to learn the lessons from your mistakes and not repeat them.
That said, in a Personal Year 5, you can get a lot done, but as long as you use your time and energy wisely, and do something productive every single day. However, keep in mind that most, if not all, of your new endeavors will be temporary. The adventures and ventures you start during this ‘Mercurial’ year may not last. The reason behind this is all because the Universe wants to teach you that *“nothing in life is permanent, except for change”. It is about the lessons you learn from your experiences, as these will help you grow and mature. So, if you find yourself in a new residence, you will not stay there. If you meet new friends, understand that they too will disappear after a while. Or if you get a new job, it may often be a short-term contract. And if you must launch a new business, then know that things will not go as you had hoped or planned. Your new business could last one year or, if you’re lucky, until the end of your nine-year cycle with little or no profit at all. Therefore, it is best to not get yourself attached to the emotions you feel, the people you meet, the places and situations you find yourself in, or the new projects you start, because they will all fade away at some point. Embrace the moment and enjoy the fun while it lasts.
Now, if you do something old in a new way and treat the year like a 12-month Mercury Retrograde season, then things have a bigger chance to sustain. So, focus on activities that either started in the past but were never completed or may need some alteration. In other words, do things that start with ‘re-‘, such as reorganize, restructure, reconnect, rewrite, relax, rejuvenate, renew, review, recreate, repaint, redesign, and so forth. This can be anything such as reconnecting with old friends or your siblings (if you haven’t seen them in a while), reevaluating your career, reorganizing your finances, repairing your car, repainting your house, and redecorating your office space. You can also focus on new ways to relax and have more fun at home instead of going to a bar or club every weekend. Or you could rethink the way you take care of yourself and your health. You could, for instance, improve your eating habits and find alternative ways to renew your mind, body, and soul. It is a good time to finish an old project, optimize business processes, and implement innovative changes to ongoing projects. You can think of activities such as rewriting the content of a blog, editing a book, redesigning a website, or creating online courses by moving all of your offline curricula to an eLearning platform. It is an excellent time to come up with a more creative approach to promote an existing product. Or you can create an innovative way to publish your books or market an existing business so you can attract new clients for both your products and services. But if you want to buy a new house, or take things to the next level with your new beau or belle, it is best to wait until your Personal Year 6 (ruled by Venus); a time when you can think more clearly and make up your mind easier, as the energies will be more stable.
Ultimately, out of all the years within your nine-year cycle, a Personal Year 5 is usually one you may never ever forget because it is full of enticing learning opportunities, remarkable events, life-changing experiences, character-building moments, and wonderful lessons. It is a period in which you are encouraged to try out a new playground or something different that is not part of your everyday norm. It is a time of self-improvement, personal growth, movement, and progress. However, understand that in order to move your path forward, it is of utmost importance that you put any fear of change aside and adopt some Mercurial-like qualities, which include curiosity, open-mindedness, adaptability, and the willingness to learn new things and take calculated risks. Whatever changes you go through and challenges you may face, trust that it is all for your highest good, as the Universe is trying to align you with your purpose and bring you closer to your soul’s destiny. Just go with the flow, but do not forget to take your brain with you – wherever you choose to sail off. In the end (and on a more comforting note), know that whatever (or whoever) remains in your world by the end of this year is part of your new direction and, thus, your life’s path. And those things or people who may vanish from your world, see them as a blessing in disguise and be grateful to the Universe for not letting you go in a direction that would probably bring out the stress instead of the best in you.
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.