If you noticed that your 1 Essence and 8 Personal Year traits work well together, ~first~, you are correct. In fact, this is one of the most powerful cycle combinations for career, business, and finance. Both influences are bold, driven, energetic numbers although they express these qualities in distinctly different ways.

Your ambitious state of mind, influenced largely by your 1 Essence, will also enhance your leadership abilities. The 1 inspires single-minded, goal-oriented focus, courage, determination, and a willingness to take risks and try new approaches. Accessing these traits can give you an edge in your professional life.

Combine those attributes with a Yearly cycle that tends to positively influence finance, personal power, and career opportunities, and you can imagine your potential for success this year.

However, when opportunity knocks and "the stars are aligned" in your favor, a challenge is delivered along with it: Will you live up to it? Say you are playing a game of soccer, and your teammates set things in motion for you to score a goal; despite this support, you must still put forth all the courage, energy, stamina, and athleticism you have to actually score. This is a fitting analogy for the year - conditions are aligned in your favor, but it is up to you to capitalize on them.

This period comes with a word of caution. There is a potential downside to both cycles being driven by these ambitious (sometimes even ruthless) influences. When the majority of your attention is focused on gaining traction and making progress, you might fail to notice the people who matter the most. If someone close to you complains that you seem distant or unavailable, pay attention. Also, it is a good idea to leave your hard-driving side at the office. Personal relationships require a gentle, caring approach.