Lover's Cycle Year

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Jan 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

WalesWoman	10 Jan 2004
I saw that Ros was asking what kind of year she might expect to have with the Hanged Man as her cycle year, so I want to know what kind of experiences did anyone have during their 6, Lover's cycle? Feels like a double whammy having 2004 being a 6 and having that as my cycle year card myself. Just wondering what kinds of choices and such people found themselves facing.

Alex	10 Jan 2004
Pretty much being on the verge of choices one would rather not make; being relatively sure one could make any of them work but having no energy to work for any of them; then waiting for external circumstances to make the choices for you to finally realize it's neither your Wheel of Foutune, nor your Tower year; that you ain't gonna have any of these in the next 6 years of so; then finally waiting for your chariot year to kick in so you have no other choice than make your lack of choices work. That's all I have to say about my VI-The Lovers year. At least I have graduated. The good side of it: you may be able to realize many things, have many possiblities on sight. They bad side of it, if you're like me, you'll swimm endlessly in a pool of needed decisions and end up nowhere. Have fun! Alex.

WalesWoman	14 Jan 2004
Oh and heck, I just thought all this time it was my Libra rising, making me yo-yo back and forth when it comes to deciding things. I was really hoping for the year of being Lovers and not doing much besides snuggling. Shoot Darn! Sounds more like walking fences, keeping things in balance and trying really hard to keep perspective, when there may be none because it's in an emotional snarl. Thanks Alex for sharing your perceptions of this.

MeeWah	14 Jan 2004
WalesWoman: I am in a 6-The Lovers Year, which is also my personal card. As a Pisces with Libra rising, this has been a highly significant period. Like being visited by a triple whammy. For me, the focus is on choices, decision-making & relationships of both personal & business. There are also emotional & spiritual overtones. The connections with those whom I love & care about have a heightened importance yet vie with the other things that arise. The social occasions have increased; ditto for the contacts with others & also the need to continue with the pursuit of personal interests, the concerns & the commitments--though not necessarily in that order. Prioritizing is a major feature. Boredom has never been a problem, & as this is by far the busiest year yet, I am left feeling unable to keep up with the pace! It may be a reaction to the demands, but I feel more like a hermit than I have in the past. Or perhaps I just notice more of a need to withdraw from the exterior world to maintain a focus.

allibee	14 Jan 2004
Same here Meewah, Lovers Year .. only Cancer with Libra rising and Pisces moon ... there really is no hope for me, LOL And the same focus too really. Only I have kind of make or break decisions to deal with relationship wise ... if only this could be December 2004, not January ... coz its going to be a real rollercoaster! A.

Alex	14 Jan 2004
Unless Libra rising and Pisces moon is all too different from virgo rising and moon in saggitarius, I would advise you to buckle up because the ride hasn't started yet. When my "lover's" year started, just like you, I thought it was already all over with. Then the most incredible things happened to conspire against the need to "decide" too soon: I got professinal opportunities I'd never thought possible, and along with these, the opportunity to delay decisons pertaining personal relationships. May have conspired against me the fact that my boyfriend's lovers year has JUST started so the universe made sure I hanged aroud for HIS round? Good luck Allibee, I've read somewhere you're on the verge of crossing countrie's borders yourself, leaving family behind and all that, and I know how complicate these things can be. Alex_VI-Lover's_year_senior Edited to add: last lover's year of mine, almost 11 years ago, I got pregnant. So ladies in fertile age, if it's your lover's year, and you don't want to have children by now, TAKE THE PILL. Quote: Originally posted by allibee Only I have kind of make or break decisions to deal with relationship wise ... if only this could be December 2004, not January ... coz its going to be a real rollercoaster!

MeeWah	15 Jan 2004
Allibee: I have to say the year thus far has been a roller-coaster for me as well; certainly not boring! This has been one of the best years yet as even the dark times have not been not without their meaning & force me to take stock, define & make choices. The opportunities to strengthen the bonds with loved ones including with friends have been worth all the struggles. The golden moments whence things fall into place; Universe responds--leave me as always in awe & immeasurably thankful--Love rules! Very humbling the glimpses of a Higher Power; the Law of Cause & Effect. Edited for tense & punctuation.

MeeWah	15 Jan 2004
Alex: As Hubby's Year Card runs approximately 6 months behind mine, I suppose I get to go along for his Lovers Year whence 'tis in effect after his birthday. In an earlier Lovers Year of mine, my eldest son was born. My daughter was born during a Hermit Year. It was during a Justice Year (skipped High Priestess) prior to the birth of my youngest that I foresaw the dissolution of my first marriage. It was followed by an Empress Year. I have also noted that my relationship with each of them seem further defined by each of the year cards as well as by their birth cards--very interesting.

Inana	15 Jan 2004
Im in a lovers year too. Until now love and relationships in general seem to be the main theme... and hard decisions to be made im trying to think carefully but cant decide. Confussion and unexpected stuff is all around. Most people around me seems to be dealing with emotional aspects and needing help from the loved ones, just like me. Has this something to do with the 2004 (=6) being a Lovers year for everyone in some way? The most important about the previous lovers year i have had (nine years ago) was i knew a lot of new people and some of them entered my life, while some friends from the past started to take distance and leave. Seems the same is happening now.

Alissa	15 Jan 2004
Wow ... I just realized my son was born during a World (21) / Empress (3) year. Wow .... Myself, I'm in a 5 year. The Hierophant. Next year I'll be hitting the stretch ya'll are talking about. What fun... (?)

WalesWoman	15 Jan 2004
Wow! I think I'm going to look back and see what cycle I was in when mileposts happened to get me to the point I am now. I'd never even heard of any of this stuff until about 6 months ago and still digesting all of it. I'm still wondering tho', do you change the cycle at your birthday or the beginning of the calendar year? Some do, some don't, and so far I haven't experienced a whole lot that I need to make choices about. Seems like the Hierophant is still exerting his influence. So far the biggest choice I have I think is whether to do all the continuing ed courses to renew a nursing license I'm not even sure I want to use, since I can't seem to find a job on this island and I honestly don't want to deal with the stress factors of nursing anymore. Seems if I want to stay in nursing I need to get my associate's degree because the opportunities for an LPN are becoming fewer and fewer. I get tied up in knots just thinking about it. Would I be better off in the long run using that $200 license fee to take courses in computer art and do freelance work as a graphics artist as well as persuing my other "fine arts" goals of getting my paintings reproduced as cards and prints for the summer tourist market as the beginning of something bigger? Ok, yeah, I guess the conumdrums of the Lovers is becoming evident.

MeeWah	15 Jan 2004
Inana: It could be the influence of the year being 2004 that ye see relationship concerns at the forefront. The personal interest given the year would tend to make one more aware & to notice. One of the four primary concerns of most folks is in the area of the relationships. Finances, career & health the other areas.

Alissa	15 Jan 2004
WalesWoman, it sure is -- you're questioning what you love, what's important to you, what you truly want to align yourself with in life, where your passions lie? Sounds like the Lovers to me. I count mine by my birthday, not the new year btw.

MeeWah	15 Jan 2004
WalesWoman: I calculate by the birthday. There can be overlapping influences from the preceding year & the incoming year. Ye can see this in any throws, from daily cards to spreads as well as feel them. Have ye considered doing a throw for a suggestion as to which direction to go? Understood the need for gainful employment, but *anything* that causes knots is an indication the heart is not in it or even contrary to the sensibility. Doing something under duress is not the best of conditions unless one is relatively sure one has a knack for it & would find employment which would offset the drawbacks. Thus, it seems doing what is the most accessible & also reflective of the main interest to be more of a practical venue, like killing two birds with one stone. That would mean looking into the reproduction of your artwork as prints & cards. It could lead to more, such as the birth of a "cottage" industry or a small business.

WalesWoman	15 Jan 2004
Thanks, I'm working on developing a spread just for these Personal Year Cycles at the moment over in "Tarot Spreads" and still coming up with ideas. I was thinking that I've come full circle on this whole career thing, I opted for nursing school way back in 1993 rather than going for art because (sheer irony) I thought that it would be the most stable and secure choice for job security and provide for me and my three boys and left everything thing in Alaska behind for a stint in the lower 48 for school. I just realized that I had a Lovers year in 1995, I really made some idiot choices then and ended up with a crazy guy and didn't get him out of my life fast enough, found myself turning 40 and pregnant with twins! I did graduate but didn't go on for my RN associates degree and ended up working in a Nursing home for the next few years until moving back to Alaska in 1998, my Hermit year and I was. I don't regret choosing to keep those babies, since one of the twins was my longed for daughter, but life as I knew it has never been the same. One thing for sure, I know pregnancy will not be one of my choices this time around. 1999 was my Wheel of Fortune year when I met a really wonderful guy and have been in a relationship with him ever since, my whole life turned around and we decided not to have any kids together and I had the medical proceedure to ensure it wouldn't happen, then menopause started kicking in. So that's the least of my worries at this point. Seems like I get as far as Justice or HP and then it goes back to the Empress. The more I look at this the more interesting it gets! I have noticed most of my throws have had the Hierophant or the Lovers a lot, tons of 8 Pentacles and cards that pertain to creative achievement and persuits. So I have been directing my efforts mostly in that area and feel guilty, since I'm still paying off student loans. I thought the change over would be on the birthday, but has anyone ever noticed that you begin "feeling" the age you will turn about 9 months before it actually happens? By the time I actually have a birthday I'm confused and can't remember if I'm that age already and have made myself a year older a couple times.

TemperanceAngel	15 Jan 2004
Hi I am a Cancer cusp Leo with a Cancer cusp Leo Moon and Sun and Pisces Rising. July last year I moved into a Lovers year and I too have thought about 2004 being a Lovers year as well. What amazing synchronicity :D I have that over the past few months I have been not so much as making a choice, but really directing my life onto the one path, one direction and the more focus on that path the more insight I get. And the more insight I get, the more I am presented with ideas and actions with this path. It is a very interesting year so far (from July that is), and I am enjoying being focused on my 'choice.' XTAX

allibee	15 Jan 2004
Actually I only know I'm in a lovers year because MeeWah told me a few weeks ago, LOL I don't know how to work it out, but I am very interested to find out what 'his' year is ... he's just had his birthday ... 14th January 1964 ... any clues? Alex: yes, I am indeed planning to leave all behind but my children, and move counties (states), not countries though. And babies, yes ... I really want one again *pout* :( Thanks

WalesWoman	15 Jan 2004
Alibee, "His" year would be 01 + 14 2004=2019= 2+1+1+9=14 =1+4=5 Hierophant Babies? Two of my friends had just had babies and I loved holding them, smelling them, feeling them and then....the next thing I knew...the ultrasound showed a two headed baby until moving the scope a little bit. So I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or cry or just ROFLMAF at this cosmic joke on me, single, almost 40, with teenagers and pregnant with twins. Careful what you wish for or atleast be specific.

allibee	16 Jan 2004
Thanks indeed ... and I'm wishing REALLY hard ... I'd say I was keeping everything crossed, but that would defeat the object of the exercise hehehehehe A

MeeWah	16 Jan 2004
WalesWoman: 8-Pentacles can be seen as referring to paying off student loans as well as to study &/or creativity; the application of self to the pursuits. Interesting ye feel another year older about 9 months before the next conventional birthday as an ancient Chinese tradition views a baby as a year old at birth.

MeeWah	16 Jan 2004
Temperance Angel: I juggle two jobs: a regular "day job" & do readings. Even before the advent of the Lovers' Year, I much preferred doing readings, but I noticed since then I feel even more keenly the desire to do readings only. At this point giving up the regular job is definitely not feasible nor intelligent so I do what I must & trust that I am building towards a goal.

Alex	16 Jan 2004
Mee Wah: The shadow side of Lovers is XV-The Devil... I read with interest an article on the Washington Post a few weeks ago that dealt with choices in modern life and how overwhelming it can be, first to have so many alternatives for every single realm of human experience ... and second, having actually to browse through many of these alternatives when we need a simple thing such as a cell phone, a computer, a car or a house. Having options is good and helps in the pursuit of happiness, but having too many choices for everything can be confusing. First, we can get stuck analyzing a plethora of options available and in the process miss good simple moments life can offer. A week that I spend trying to choose the best cell phone company is really worthy the result ( a deal a little better than the next one)? Second, the paths not chosen can weight heavily: and there are often so many. I wonder if we are much happier than our ancestors who had to stand in line to buy milk during the second world war, had a pair of shoes to go to work and one to go to church on Sundays, ate what was in season, married the girl from the same village and never thought of moving away from the familiar things. Alex.

Inana	17 Jan 2004
Alex, Im sure people was happier when life was more simple, based on the natural & biological needs and closer to nature. After all, we all are animals and when more material-based and complex becomes our society, more far we are from our true human essence... And i cant agree more: the most choices most confussion. About calculating the year... I do it at my own, but it feels right to me. Since it is in november, I go for starting the cycle on my bd but with the date of the new year. So when 2003 was ending i added the 2004 to my date, and considered the two last months as a time of transition between Hierophant and Lovers, then since January i go with Lovers only. Maybe i will take a look on my past and check if this formula is the best or if i should do it the regular way. WalesWoman, it will be interesting to see what kind of spread comes out using the year cycles. Im really waiting to see it.

MeeWah	17 Jan 2004
The more the choices in any area of the life, the better to see *the larger picture of possibilities*. Yet within this myriad of options, a conundrum presents also (shades of 6-The Lovers/15-The Devil). In choosing only one of the alternatives, one dispenses with the other possibilities that may also offer in themselves opportunities unique towards the expression of one's creativity & purpose. Given that there are only so many hours to the day & personal resources to access, such is the dilemma of the road not travelled. Lest I get ahead of myself, I note that this has been a quality/challenge all my life, that of choices. Thus, Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Travelled" oft sings in me head. In the youth, it was whether or not I pursued the artistic or the academia in formal education. Between my parents (who stressed the practical & the physical limitations) & my teachers (who stressed the abilities & developing them), it came down to loyalty to self. Thus, I pursued both & also pursued an informal study of the metaphysical, which has called loudest of all. This made for a cumbersome yet interesting curriculum that distilled the myriad of opportunities to workable venues. As an adult dealing with the real world responsibilities of a family, gainful employment & the pursuit of that which expresses the sensibilities, I try to simplify the life to eliminate those things which impinge on the time & the energies. Includes the following: No cell phone & one home phone which can retain messages. No pets for houseplants. Avoidance of the telly & daily newspaper to read books; for time outdoors to putter in the yard; be with family & to hang out at AT. The ongoing divesting the self of possessions whilst the collection of books grows to amazing proportions!

Alex	17 Jan 2004
When I started my Ph.D. I had to choose a biodiverity-oriented database. I went on the web and found about 56 available. Since the completion of the 1st nsf competition to incorporate computer technology in my field, 55 more have been created by fellow researchers. So a person choosing a database to deal with biodiversity has about 120 equivalent choices. Most find it easier to create their own... and make it available to others latter. When I started learning the only expert system for species identification available at the time it was a DOS program that took me a week to master, but after two years using it, 10 others were created that had equal or superior advantages. I spent about a week evaluating them all but ended up getting a job where I use neither one, but a newly created product. By the time I started on my program there was only one software available for DNA analysis that run on MAC. Now there are... who knows? that run on all plataforms. It's hard not to spend time browsing through options, and there's always someone who will ask you WHY IN HEAVEN HAVE YOU PICKED THIS OPTION? I know of a MUCH BETTER ONE that was much cheaper etc etc etc. Alex.

WalesWoman	17 Jan 2004
Inana, Finally, got it together and did the spread and posted it in "Your Readings". It took a long time, but I really liked the way it came out. Thanks all for your inputs, experiences and ideas, it's been so much help and inspiration.

DollieAnna	22 Dec 2004
I have just come out of the worst years of my life. Now, I am moving into the Lover's Year. From what I have read here in this thread, it is all about choices for me? Please advise...so I can be more prepared...Thanks.

DollieAnna	23 Dec 2004
anyone with some positive things happening? those who just went thru it? I just left a Hierophant year..the second worst of my life...The first worst was either a 1 or 10...not sure how to add it... Help?

Alissa	23 Dec 2004
I count my year cycles from my birthday, not the new year, so by my calculations, I've been in a Lover's Year for about 2.5 months so far. And I learned immediately, for myself, what it meant to have Choices and to make Choices. Mine have centered around the study of Intention/Manifestation - what do you want in your life, and what are you willing to do to work to have it there? In order to Manifest what you want, you have to Decide what you want. Choice. Decision. Intention. This year, for me thus far, has been about learning how to decide what I want most to manifest in my life, and how to use more and more opportunities as moments of "spontaneous fulfillment of desire" to get there. It requires of me regular (daily even) intention setting and mindful direction given to the goal(s) I've chosen to pursue in the current time. It's been a powerfully good year for me, and I feel my Lover's year is only getting started!

WalesWoman	23 Dec 2004
Well, so far this Lover's Year has been pretty good. I think I mentioned in the Chariot thread that, don't know, guess I made some good choices, but it has been a real Lover's Year in our relationship...that it's become the positive aspect of what Lover's is supposed to be about, gaining depth and understanding...just positive improvements all around. For me it really does seem that it changes about the time of my conception rather than my birthday because already Chariot things are beginning. Perhaps the next six months are a transitional stage, because those opportunities that will change the direction of my life also involve some choices I will have to give careful consideration as well, what ever happens or doesn't happen will definately change family dynamics, but not too much I hope. Most of the choices I have made have been about how I percieve and act, rather than life or death or which direction my life goes in...sort of. I haven't had to make difficult ones atleast. In fact I couldn't make my mind up about many things, making grocery shopping take twice as long, asking for advice or preferences or even trying to decide what to cook for dinner. Otherwise, I think it's been more of year about finding and maintaining balance and harmony, discovering it's not at all hard, if I'm not trying so much to control it, as allow it to be. So, for me it's been a really good year.

RedMaple	28 Dec 2004
The year has been a mixed-bag for me. I completed a poetry manuscript, and found the thread that is running through my other poems and artwork - so that is also on its way to becoming a book. That energy was very strong during the first part of the year --- from my birthday through the end of summer. This Fall has been difficult --with my mother-in-law becoming quite ill and passing in November, my husband losing a job, and my being diagnosed with diabetes. I have had intense love and or grief in Lovers years before. In fact, lost my father in an earlier Lovers year. Also met the love of my life in a Lovers year, began writing poetry in a Lovers year (another love of my life), had a book published in a Lovers year. I've had to look at choices this year regarding sexuality and my current relationship and whether or not I need to make some changes in my life in that regard. Also, had to make some hard changes in diet and activities to control the diabetes. Already, though, I am feeling some Chariot energy -- a possible job, movement on the books, new friendships. I also have a close attachment to my grandson, who is 2. I take care of him three days a week. This past year has been a balancing between my poetry, my grandson, trying to keep my body healthy, and supporting my spouse through the grief about his mother and job loss. I wish I could say the Lovers years were just good years, but they are for me, intense years.

The Lover's Cycle Year thread was originally posted on 10 Jan 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.