Kabbalah and its lunisolar calendar offer us so many chances for renewal. Each year with numerous opportunities for us to start fresh, to draw down more blessings, and to connect with even more Light. These unique windows in time are examples of the ways we are fully supported in the unseen realms.
And another one of these opportunities is upon us. Above any other month of the year, Aries grants us the ability not only to change but shape our destiny. It is a chance that we are given at the very beginning of the calendar year to take control of our blessings. And how do we do that?
Kabbalist Rav Isaac Luria, known as The Ari, taught that each of the first twelve days of Aries corresponds to and directly influences each of the twelve months of the year. For example, The First Day of Aries corresponds to the month of Aries; The Second Day corresponds to the month of Taurus, The Third to Gemini, and so on. Each of these twelve days contains the energy of the twelve months of the year, and when we work consciously with this, we plant seeds for our entire year.
This is how we take control of our blessings. There is a big difference between passively asking for and receiving blessings and actively working to make them manifest. Speaking our desires is only half of the work, and when we can meet those intentions with action, that is when we start co-creating the life of our dreams.
For example, if you have a desire to run a full marathon this year, speaking the desire and waiting to receive it isn’t going to work at all. You’re going to have to speak the desire, intend to manifest it, and then get to (hard) work training to run 26.2 miles. You would never accomplish this goal passively—our consciousness and our actions must be aligned, and this is true for so many of our desires. We must name our desire and then take control of what we have control over: our thoughts, words, and actions.
The reason this information is so beneficial to us is that how we think and behave on these first twelve days of Aries will affect the nature and future of the upcoming months. We have a real chance to change our destiny—to overcome anything that comes our way, challenges big or small, by alchemizing the energy held within each of these days. Rav Berg always taught that “Aries is the battleground to determine the outcome of all battles that will arise during the next twelve months.”
Over the next twelve days, take note of any opportunities or challenges that come your way and set an intention of proactivity. As things arise, notice how you want to respond. Are your reactions based in fear or ego? How can you shift your consciousness to respond more positively? Can you take note of the experiences you have and set new intentions for the years?
If you find yourself experiencing challenges with your physical health, what new intentions can you set to care for yourself for the rest of the year?
Perhaps you experience difficulty with a family member. What is this trying to tell you? Is it time to adopt a consciousness of deeper compassion and forgiveness? Or is it a message that strong boundaries are needed? How will that affect your year?
Do you notice your heart is being called to an entirely new career path? What would that change look like? How would you need to reorient the year ahead to make this new passion manifest?
During the month of Aries, we are planting seeds. For the next twelve days, keep a journal or a note in your phone open and keep track of everything that you notice. Stay present and open, understanding that your thoughts, your words, and your actions are planting seeds for the rest of your year.
When in doubt, remember that the energy of Aries is here to help you. It is an energy of tireless confidence, never shying away from challenge or confrontation. Aries sees no confinement and despises limitation of any kind. Much like the ram that represents this sign, this energy is quick, direct, and comes with an impulse to break down any barrier standing in the way of its full expression.
You can harness the fiery attributes inherent in Aries to grow a boundless enthusiasm, courage, and love. Whether you are born under this sign or not, you can utilize this fresh drive for freedom and the pursuit of fulfillment. Take heed, however, because with impulsiveness comes stubbornness, insensitivity, and carelessness. Remembering to slow down and bring your consciousness back to one of appreciation will help to cool the flames of this fire sign.
It has been spoken many times and still bears remembering: the more familiar we are with what awaits us each month, the greater our chance to grow and transform within it. Aries offers a big, beautiful invitation to do that. To plant the seeds of our desires that we will spend the rest of the year nurturing, tending, and harvesting.
Below is a guide to how to use the first twelve days of Aries, very literally, to shape and manifest your destiny!
April 9th ~ Aries: Aries energy is all about switching focus from self to others. It’s time to switch from “me, me, me” to “how can I help you?” Let go of past mistakes and slip-ups. By shifting your focus away from yourself, you begin to connect to what really matters. Work on avoiding conflict and, instead, empathizing with others.
April 10th ~ Taurus: Shake things up and try something new! Taurus energy loves comfort, but that can equal complacency. Kabbalah teaches us to embrace discomfort by stretching outside of our comfort zone, so do one thing today to make that stretch. Look for moments when you feel yourself leaning towards comfort and choose discomfort instead.
April 11th ~ Gemini: Today is the day to finish what you start. Gemini loves procrastinating so this is a call to take action. What things are you putting off? Is there a project you’re wanting to start? Take steps toward completing your tasks today. Pull your focus off of the big picture and place it on the details. Small steps create big changes. Trust the Light, not your logic.
April 12th ~ Cancer: Time to let go! Of fear, negativity, doubt, and excess. Cancer asks us to live in the present, but we can’t do that when we are holding onto the past or trying to plan for the future. Today, awaken appreciation for all that you have but remember that nothing in the physical realm can bring you security. Let go of possessions, beliefs, emotions, patterns, and anything else that no longer serves you.
April 13th ~ Leo: Today offers an invitation to step out of the spotlight. Leo loves to be the center of attention, so resist the urge to take charge. Take the time to consider the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others. Allow others to speak, take more time to listen, and truly understand them. Being strong doesn’t mean controlling people. It means supporting them. Look for ways to be for others today.
April 14th ~ Virgo: You may be right, but today, consider the possibility that you might be wrong. There may be a better way than ‘your’ way. Rather than judging others or jumping to conclusions, consider new points of view. Release your desire to control by letting go of criticizing and micromanaging. After all, control in our lives is an illusion. All we truly control is how we react. Choose wisely.
April 15th ~ Libra: Today is all about connecting to certainty at every step. Libra energy loves to mull it over so make indecision a thing of the past. When we allow the Creator to guide our choices, there is little room for doubt. Don’t question past decisions. Today, trust that you are on the right path and if doubt arises, invite the Light back in.
April 16th ~ Scorpio: The only thing more destructive than hating others is hating yourself. The energy of Scorpio is loving and compassionate, so the invitation today is to extend a little of both to YOU! Release jealousy, release control, release judgment. Share your love with yourself and others, and when in doubt, ask the Creator for assistance.
April 17th ~ Sagittarius: Slow down and open up. The invitation today is to take your time, consider all the details, look at the big picture, and then decide. Look for the things in your life you care the most about and examine what commitments or behaviors are not aligned with them. Allow sensitivity to yourself today, as well as to others.
April 18th ~ Capricorn: Let yourself love. Today, practice humility and examine the expectations you put on yourself and your love. Instead, connect to the Light and bring that energy to all of your relationships. Express your emotions, practice vulnerability, and open up to intimacy. Don’t be afraid, and always remember that the process is the purpose.
April 19th ~ Aquarius: Let the Light lead today. Being unique can lend itself to service of the ego if we aren’t careful. Practice being a team player and release the need to run the show. Try giving special care to those around you instead. When we focus our attention on others, we connect to something greater than ourselves. Focus on treating others with dignity and respect, today and always.
April 20th ~ Pisces: Today, work to release feelings of victimhood. If you want to change your circumstances, you must first take responsibility for where you are. Start by making proactive choices toward your joy and fulfillment while working to release any feelings of blame or guilt. Remember that you are not a victim, you always have a choice. Take it a step further by allowing grace instead of criticism.
This practice is powerful, so The Rav explains that the month of Aries is linked to the idea of seeds, where everything is at the infancy level–at the very beginning, offering us the unique potential for growth and change. This is a time of little tests and confrontations which, if responded to in proactive ways, will make all the difference and completely transform the year to come.
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