I have discovered that there are five very distinct cycles that we all go through on the way to making a change. The amount of ease or dis-ease and stress experienced with each cycle is largely determined by how one is able to embody or deal with each stage along the way. Each cycle has a mood or set of identifiable characteristics, which distinguishes it from the others. While certain phases feel much easier or nicer than the others, each cycle is equally important and can not be skipped or ignored without paying a high price. In other words there aren't any short cuts and each cycle needs to come to its end in order for the next cycle to begin. The key word here is timing. Someone once told me that timing is the most important element held within any change that we ever make and I now believe that this is one of the greatest keys to creating successful change. Even though each cycle must reach its natural conclusion, before the next one can begin, the process may be accelerated and supported in a number of ways. If one can begin to recognize, fully embrace and accept the cycle they are in, they will naturally begin cooperating and shifting into the next phase with far less fear and struggle than what they are probably used to going through.

CYCLE 1

Color: Deep Blue, Indigo
Represents: Womb
Element: Water
Positive aspects: Relaxation, meditation, breathing, all needs are met, floating, just being
Negative aspects: lethargy(Addictions are about trying to go back into the Womb, back to Cycle 1. To be healthy, we must move forward.)The first cycle is called "Neptune's Dream" and is related to water or what I would describe as being in a womb like state of being. It is often associated with a sense of floating and there is a quality of nothing is really happening or really needs to happen at this point. There are two things I would like to say about this stage of growth. First of all, this may be an authentic stage where one is simply moved to rest and be free from struggle. In our modern day, fast- paced, goal oriented culture, this cycle is often neglected, and dishonored and we do not allow ourselves the time to just be.

CYCLE 2

Color: Brown
Represents: Opening of the cervix
Element: Earth
Positive aspects: incubation, grounding, recognition of limitations, recognition of what is "not you", getting a plan
Negative aspects: constriction, feeling stuck, feeling unsafe, fearful, feeling like a victim, "I don't need to change"The second cycle is often one of the most difficult cycles to go through for the majority of people facing change. Each cycle has it's own stumbling blocks and gifts. This cycle I associate with the element of earth and call it "Saturn's Domain". Because of the feeling of helplessness and sometimes hopelessness one risks the danger of becoming depressed during this phase. We see many people getting stuck at this point and rushing to the doctor for a prescription to make them feel better. At this point in the process there is a growing restlessness which eventually turns into extreme discomfort if one is resistant to change or in denial of some kind. Even if you are a willing soul, this stage will still cause some discomfort, because for a period of time there is some confusion as to what to do. Also there is the distinct feeling that there is no place to go to get out of the present situation. I often hear people say something like, " I can't stay in this situation, but I don't see any way out of it either". When I hear a comment like this I can guarantee you I know which cycle the person is speaking from. This cycle deals with having out grown your present situation or circumstance and begins the squeeze to move on. It brings up limits and boundaries issues for most of us.

CYCLE 3

Color: Red
Represents: Birth canal
Element: Fire
Positive aspects: creativity, movement, action, alchemy, passion, sexy, invocation, use of will
Negative aspects: abusive, chaos, angerThe third cycle is related to the element of fire and brings with it an even greater urgency to create change. I refer to this as "Pluto Soul's Flame", a place that is full of powerful transformative energies. There is often a feeling of "now or never", "get off of the fence" and as the Nike commercial says, "Just Do It"! Again, I listen to what people say and notice their body language, which tells me a lot about a person and where they are energetically with making change. If a person comes in to my presence and they are fidgety, anxious, talking fast and expressing anger or impatience, I can make a pretty good guess that they are somewhere in the third matrix of change. Rather than try to be rid of these symptoms, I would encourage a person to go more fully into them and express the emotions in a safe space. This often frees up the energy to be used in a more productive manner. Anger is often really just built up energy that needs to be released into creative action. It is what gets us born into life or anything new for that matter. I have found that many people are afraid of the power of this cycle and afraid of their anger or energy. When disowned we can fall back into stage two and get stuck in the process, at least temporarily.

CYCLE 4

Color: Green
Represents: Surrender (We can surrender at any cycle in the spiral)
Element: Spirit
Positive aspects: wholeness, humility, let go of results, calm, nothing matters/everything matters - everything is sacred, even the profane
Negative aspects: humiliation
Cycle four is associated with the planet Venus and I call it "Venus Rising." Instead of being a nature element…I refer to it as being of a super nature or supernatural one called "the spirit of love". This cycle occurs when we can surrender ourselves completely without attachment to outcomes around any given situation and have faith in ourselves and the process that is taking place. It is where we really turn it over. It is when we know we have done our part to co create change in our life and it is no longer up to us alone. In AA it is referred to, as turning your life and will over to a Higher Power to do for you what you can not do alone. This is an act of surrender to something greater than the human ego and requires letting go without conditions placed upon it. Where as in cycle three there is the need to push in cycle four there is a need to stop pushing and to fall in to the heart of ourselves and just be with the truth until we are somehow miraculously move to the other side of the situation. This is not to be confused with passivity or even cycle one. This is not a space of nothing happening. It is the active use of will and it is hard work to let go and trust that everything will all work out in the end. I heard someone recently say surrender is a verb and it struck me at how true this is. It is in this cycle we can experience what some have referred to as grace. One minute we are standing in the chasm and in the fire pushing ourselves forward and the next we are free falling into a whole new way of being. What once seemed impossible now begins to form into our new reality. Leading us into the next and final cycle, before we start all over again with something else.

CYCLE 5

Color: Light Blue
Represents: Shamanic Consciousness
Element: Air/Supernatural
Positive aspect: rebirth, regeneration, celebration, Breath of Life, incarnation of Spirit, peaceful, free, energetic, grateful
Negative aspects: Religious fanaticism/addictionWhen you reach cycle five you are in the completion stage of change often referred to as rebirth. It is a time for celebration and I see this as the Jupiter cycle and refer to it as "Jupiter/Eagle's point of View". Jupiter stands for expansion and greater understanding. In other words getting to the bigger picture. This cycle is connected to the element of air and space. At last you have the room to breathe! It all makes sense and the struggle is over. You are living the changes you have been trying to make all of this time. Gratitude, Vision and Clarity are three characteristics of this stage. There is often a feeling of wanting to share what has been learned or gained from one's experience with others. There feels like there has been an opening where once there was a wall of doubt and confusion or pain. Even though there may be a lot of excitement or joy or even relief during this cycle, there is also a period of adjusting to this new reality or birth. One of the images that comes to mind is the butterfly that has emerged from the closed Chrysalis state in all of its beauty and glory, yet it takes some time for it to dry it's beautiful wings in order to fly. Another image is that of the powerful phoenix rising up from the flames and ashes below into the sky. When we enter this cycle there is felt… in the body… knowing that change has occurred and often there is dramatic change in our outer reality as well. It is important to recognize and take note of all that it took to get you to this incredible place of renewal and change. You will need this memory to assist you in the future, as you embark upon the next spiral of change, which is surely just around the bend.