We are officially in March, far enough into 2018 that we are starting to see the true impact of the year that is before us. For many, 2017 was a somewhat confusing and difficult year.

This was a year where we were forced to face the end of many important chapters, a shift in life as we know it. While these endings were often hard to accept, they brought with them new beginnings, new adventures and a new direction in life.

Moving into 2018, we are continuing this journey, further exploring the opportunities that have been created. The ‘Year of Illumination,’ is an opportunity to build on the growth and change that was begun throughout the proceeding year. This journey won’t be easy – throughout the year we will be faced with great challenges, each designed to help us better understand ourselves, our strengths and what makes us unique. By facing these struggles, we open the door to discovery, realizing our true and best forms of ourselves.

 

What struggles await you in 2018 according to your zodiac sign?

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

You know what you want in life, and nothing is going to hold you back from reaching it. Confident, motivated, ambitious and intense – you throw yourself 100% into everything you do, which is the key to your success, however, it may also be the cause of your downfall. This intense drive, if left to run its course unchecked, can lead to an extreme temper. You have long struggled to manage your anger and this year that will be at the center of your personal growth.

Taurus (April 20 – May 21)

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning as you are likely still denying it – Your biggest struggle this year will come from learning to manage your stubbornness. This is an ongoing battle in your world, one that comes up year after year, yet 2018 is going to push you to explore that area of your life at a deeper level. This isn’t to say that you need to give up your resilience and tenacity, this is part of what makes you who you are. You need to learn that there is a time and a place for everything.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

You are incredibly skilled at going with the flow and adapting to whatever situation life throws your way. In fact, if anything, you are too good at it and you have lost your sense of self along the way. Throughout 2018 you will be forced to confront your sense of self. This will be a time to discover what truly makes you ‘you,’ allowing you to establish some stability in your life.

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

The struggles throughout 2017 hurt you deeply, wounding your sensitive and emotional sense of self. In an effort to protect your heart, you have shut the world out, retreating to a place of ‘safety and security.’ This year you will have to come to terms with your vulnerability and learn the value of opening up to others even with the risk of being hurt again. Doing so will make you a stronger person.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Always seen as the strong, powerful and confident leader, you are used to having the world at your fingertips, and the fact that everyone has always given you everything you wanted simply because they saw you in this light. This isn’t, however, the definition of a true leader, and that’s a realization you will be forced to face in 2018. You will learn to accept your own responsibilities in life, stepping up to do that which you need to in order to actually earn the trust of those that you expect to follow you.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

You live a carefully planned out life, one of organization and preparation. While this serves you well, life isn’t always going to follow your plan. When you are presented with a situation in which you have to think on your feet, you find yourself speechless, unable to even take the first step. Learning how to be flexible and go with the flow won’t be easy, but it will make you a much stronger and more capable individual.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

When life falls out of balance, you take it upon yourself to rectify all that has gone wrong. While there are certainly times in life that this is easy, 2018 is not going to be that year. You are going to experience a great deal of chaos and discord, and the people in your life will struggle to get along, all of which will be incredibly difficult for you to accept. Learning to adapt to less than perfect situations will empower you to work towards a more balanced life, but only after you first learn to embrace the unknown.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)

You value privacy above all else in your life, clearly establishing boundaries between yourself and the people in your life in order to maintain the secrets that you hold dear. Throughout 2018, however, you will struggle to keep all of the secrets locked away. You will learn there is power in opening up, being vulnerable and allowing others to see your true self. When you finally allow yourself to drop your guard just a crack you will experience a true connection with someone that you hold dear in your life, which will be the first step towards a new understanding of relationships.

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 21)

You want to make everyone happy, and in order to do so, you are always the first to volunteer to take on anything that needs to be done. Quick to make promises, you find yourself with a to-do list a mile long, and no hope of ever accomplishing it all. While you are well-intentioned, this is going to cause you to appear flighty and unable to commit. During 2018 you will learn the value of saying ‘no,’ understanding for the first time that you don’t have to take everything on alone. It won’t be hard, but it will get easier with practice.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)

You have always had a clear idea of what you consider to be right and wrong in this world, although these determinations are largely made based on what works best for you individually, forgetting about the emotions and needs of those around you. When someone crosses you, even if they are acting in the best interests for the greater good, you hold a grudge, refusing to give second chances. This is where you will be forced to grow in 2018 – Learning the true value of forgiveness. It will feel unnatural at first, but once you experience the freedom that it brings you will never turn back.

Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)

This year is going to be an emotional one for you, which is really hard for someone that goes to great lengths to keep their emotions at bay. You have come to believe that your ability to suppress your feelings is a strength, but 2018 will help you to see that this is, in fact, a weakness. You will be forced to both accept and embrace your feelings, which will be difficult – but true emotional intelligence is an incredible tool that will take you far in life.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

You live in an ideal world, and you possess the ability to see the best in everyone you meet. This is truly a skill; however, it also makes you vulnerable. Failing to see the flaws of others leads you to trust everyone, even those that aren’t worthy of it. This is going to be brought to light in 2018, teaching you to see people through a far more realistic life, and forcing you to recognize that not everyone lives life by the same morals and values that you have come to hold dear. In doing so, you will be able to identify those that you should let into your life and those that should be kept at bay.