Another year older

It's four days past my birthday. Not a 'big' birthday this year, but a very pleasant one, spent hanging out on Toronto Island, sailing home, and then heading out for a nice dinner with Rob, Alex and Penny.

My birthday coincided with going back to school as a kid, and I always liked the fresh start in the air. Clean white pages in notebooks and the feeling that anything might be possible.

I was walking past Ryerson University on the way home from work today. What a commotion! A parade, Mutual Street blocked off, a flatbed truck with a bunch of kids dancing and the music loud. All week, frosh activities. There was a graffiti board with people saying what they wanted to happen in the coming year and one word stood out from the rest: succe$$. It made me wish more for the person who wrote it, hoping they would fall in love or find a passion,  as well as their succe$$. 

I think my 20-year-old self would be pretty happy with the life we've made. Maybe not quite what we set out to create, but in many ways even better than imagined.

Looking back on my past year it was a great one for travel (London, Paris, Antigua); new beginnings (job, ukulele, an art class or two); and keeping on enjoying the book clubs, my garden, sailing and yoga. Of course it would not have been as much fun without Rob, Alex and friends to spend time with. I feel blessed. 

Here's hoping for another great year ahead! 


If You Were Born Today...
You have very strong values, and others know it. Your persistence is the major key to your success, but good money management is also a big contributor. Extremely sensitive to your surroundings, you pick up signals that fly over others' heads. You are generally quite organized. You are competent, hard-working, and very proud of the work you do. Some may find you critical and tough-minded. On the inside, however, you are passionate and emotionally sensitive, and you don't always show your more vulnerable side. You tend to attract relationships in which there is an imbalance of power - either you are controlling or dominating, or your partner is. Power struggles may be a theme or pattern in your love life until you learn to demand equality. Famous people born today: Grandma Moses, Buddy Holly, Chrissie Hynde, Shannon Elizabeth, Michael Emerson, Evan Rachel Wood.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
With the Sun and Moon in harmony in your Solar Return chart, the year ahead should be satisfying and balanced overall. You are in comfortable demand and personally popular, and you are able to achieve a decent balance between work and play; personal and professional life. For the most part, you are on top of your game this year, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!
Until June 2016, Jupiter transits conjunct your Sun, bringing more awareness of moral issues and long-term goals, as well as a stronger than usual desire to improve and learn this year. This is a feel-good transit that boosts your popularity and your confidence. Optimism is with you, and you are able to attract fortunate circumstances into your life as a result. Problems are easier to resolve this year. You are more sociable and might meet especially helpful people during this period. Travel opportunities are more likely. Your broader perspective on matters this year keeps you from getting lost in details or overly frustrated by everyday stresses and strains.
However, Saturn squares your Sun from February 2016 forward. Saturn asks you to be responsible, hard working, and dutiful. This transit will have you reorganizing your priorities. You'll be working hard at disciplining yourself. As you face obstacles to your goals, you begin to see the tools with which you have to overcome them. A dose of realism may seem forced upon you from time to time during this period, but your efforts to measure up to expectations can ultimately increase your confidence in your ability to be responsible for yourself. You are likely to have new or increased responsibilities, and it might take some time to get adjusted to them. The need to re-structure and re-organize your life will be apparent. You may lose yourself in work and responsibilities and take yourself too seriously! This is a time for working hard, but it's important to make time for relaxation and meditation as well. Your ego may be a little frail at this point, and, as a result, you may be harder on yourself than you should be. Much can be accomplished during this period. Although you may not see immediate results for your efforts, important groundwork can be laid for the future.
Bursts of creativity and energy emerge at seemingly perfect times, and help you to further your goals. Healthy risk-taking is likely this year, as you are more able to spot an opportunity when you see one. It is easier than usual to break free from habits that have previously held you back from going after what you want in life.
Your love and social life should be exciting in the period ahead. You are especially creative and expressive this year, and you might often act on impulse. Your love life may be especially animated. You succeed best in fields or areas that allow you to make something beautiful, attractive, and/or entertaining.

Personal magnetism is tremendous this year. You are playfully competitive and might win a major competition, if applicable. This is a good period for creative projects and joining with others in pursuing a common goal.
Creative pursuits are favored and personal magnetism is strong. Your social life can be especially animated this year. You could find that what and who you value changes or becomes clearer this year, and goals can very well adjust along with these discoveries. Permanent alliances can be formed during this period of your life, although you may be reevaluating some existing ones. Increased responsibilities are likely, but you're also finding new ways to enjoy yourself. You may need to watch for provocative commentary.

2015 is a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice - develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire.

2016 will be a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it's a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It's a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and "chance" meetings are probable. Advice - take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don't strain yourself or actively try to expand.