~first~, your 5 Essence chapter described the influence it will have on your mindset during the period ahead. A 5 in this position will inspire you to seek freedom, space, and perhaps adventure.

Your 4 Personal Year describes traits that produce the opposite effect. Because your Yearly cycle tends to affect your circumstances and the events you will encounter, you may find the predictable routine it delivers at odds with your adventurous state of mind. The 4 asks you to take care of details, stick with proven methods, and make determined effort.

The disciplined, stable 4 could make your life feel more banal and rule-bound than other years, at a time when you want to shake things up and try something new. Clearly, this is not an ideal paring, and the disharmony they create could make you extremely frustrated, perhaps even disillusioned. However, there are ways to use this discord to your advantage. Sometimes opposing forces actually complement one another.

The key to making this a successful year in your productive/professional life is to recognize your need for change. Deliberately look for opportunities to try new things. At the same time, remain practical and make concerted effort. Your best approach is to push for change and get things done.

This combination can also produce challenges for your personal life, but the same rule applies. Honor your responsibilities, and most of all your loyalties - but attend to your need for change and progress as well. This period asks you to toe a fine line between adapting to change (even inviting it), while you remain disciplined, in control, and focused on your goals.