Setting intentions is a powerful tool that helps us take charge of our direction and make us the co-creators of our lives. As Neptune enters Aries for the first time since 1875, our soulful self enters a phase of initiation, calling us to set our intentions. Here is why and how. 

I often travel for my birthday. Astrology says that the moment the Sun returns to where it was at your birth, around your birthday, shapes the entire year ahead. Your geographic location at that moment has a huge impact, too.

It’s not just the influence of the birthday chart that speaks loudly and shapes our lives – it is also the setting of our intentions.

Suppose you prioritize relationships and choose a birthday chart that puts your personal planets in the house of relationship instead of the house of career, as one of my dear friends did. She declared that she was serious about her relationship, and guess what? She is soon going to celebrate her engagement!

You don’t need to travel to set up your intentions for your birthday. For about twenty years, I’ve made my birthday a sacred day. I take a day off, contemplate, and set my intentions for the coming year.

My intention setting includes listing:

• My achievements in the past year.
• What still needs improvement?
• Personal wishes for the coming year
• Collective wishes for the coming year
• My commitments for the coming year

About seventeen years ago, I was constantly stressed, overworked, unfulfilled, and dealing with depression. I used to eat my lunch at one of the fancy restaurants near my office, where I could only eat one dish of noodles with tofu. My dinner was a bowl of cereal or yogurt. For breakfast, I had coffee. I remember setting up the intention of eating more healthily, specifically adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet.

It took a few years to realize this intention, but I eventually became a plant-based healthatarian and never looked back.

Every year, on my birthday, I review what I wrote last year. I reflect on how some of my wishes came true and some didn’t. I never blame myself because I do my best every day, so there is no judgment.

“My birthdays always go bad. I prioritize my husband and my kids, and then I don’t get the birthday I want,” my friend shared when I asked her about her birthday plans.

“Maybe it’s time to change that,” I offered. “What do you want to do on this coming birthday?” My friend was surprised to discover she did not know what she wanted. She was not used to asking herself this question! 

When you don’t prioritize yourself on your birthday or any other day for that matter, you unconsciously tell the world that you are not important. When you don’t state what you want, you drift like dry leaves in the fall and let life lead your way. 

It’s good to accept life as it is, but without setting intentions, life does not know what you want. There are no goals, no ambitions, and you end up getting nothing. The key is to set intentions and not take it personally if things don’t work out exactly as we want them to. Even better, you can trust that the world has a greater plan for you, and you still can’t perceive or comprehend it.

Setting intentions does not have to be restricted for birthdays. We have a new opportunity to take ownership and lead our lives every moment. When I wake up, I set my intentions for the day. If I am sick, I ask for health. If I feel unsupported or unloved, I ask for support and love. If I feel unsuccessful, I ask for accomplishments and recognition.

The day might not necessarily oblige my intentions, and sometimes, it generates frustration. But even more frustration arises when we do not direct our lives and let them direct us instead.

The power of setting intentions lies in deciding what we want. We become the captains of our ship, holding the wheels in our hands and stirring it to our desired destination. 

We might get where we want, but a storm might take us off course. Maybe we will crash on a treasure island—who knows? The world corresponds to our wishes in mysterious ways. It tests our devotion and sincerity and co-creates our lives with us. It’s up to us to become the co-creators of our lives and stop being powerless about our direction. 

Last week, Neptune entered Aries for the first time since 1875 after spending 14 years in Pisces. Neptune is the part of us that represents our soul, our higher self, our connection to divine forces, our faith, and our creativity. As it enters Aries, the sign of new beginnings and initiations, we are asked to set our intentions and become the co-creators of our lives. Take this week to set a daily intention every morning when you wake up. Please don’t forget to share your experience. 

Wishing you a wonderful week,

With love,

Yael