We are in a new era that, according to some interpretations, began on March 8, 2010 and will end in late October of this year. Some people are calling it ‘The Age of Aquarius’ or ‘The Golden Age’/’The Awakening’, some people are calling it the age of co-creation and others may refer to it as the time of collective consciousness. Call it whatever you want – for some it is the winter of their discontent. A rose by any other name is still a rose.

We are now in the rise of and the return to the Feminine and regardless of who you are or what you believe – you will be feeling the force of these energies in one way or another.

It is no accident that some of the longest standing business and financial institutions have fallen, just like the “unsinkable” Titanic. It is no coincidence that the massive economic shifts that are shaking the very roots of our financial stability and the structure of our livelihood are occurring simultaneously to the explosive natural upheavals bombing the planet. Yes, this is a large scale culling. It is indeed the end of the world for some – 2012 (or late October 2011 depending on what you read) – but it is not the end of THE world. It is the end of the Yang masculine world where creation, development and expression have been a product of SWOT analyses, focus groups, forecasts, exhaustive research, overrated logic, rationale and reason that ignores feeling. Put simply, it’s time to stop thinking and start feeling. The Feminine energy calls us to nurture, express, create. At this time, it is so important to pursue your creativity for that is the expression of the soul. Paint, draw, write, sketch, take photographs, cook, garden, write songs, sing, dance… Do whatever you like to do where you can completey immerse yourself in the creation and lose yourself in the moment.

One of the oldest and most prestigious private boys schools in Sydney recently held a full Board Meeting with just one item on the agenda: how do we prepare our boys for a world ruled by women? (I am paraphrasing for simplicity – they would have used many more four syllable words than I just did.) That is huge. Just imagine that – the Chairman of the Board of the most exclusive boys school in Sydney – a school that has produced more judges, politicians, CFOs and CEOs than any other school in the country – asking it’s Board to determine how to gradually restructure it’s curriculum and philosophy to deal with the very real change that is occurring on our planet – the rise of the Feminine and the return to the matriarchy.

I am not talking about a literal translation here that speaks solely to gender bias. This is not about anatomy. It’s about doing things differently then we’ve done in the past and consciously bringing in different energies and intentions into our daily activities. It’s about using our intuition to feel into situations rather than using our reason to think out of them. Now is the time for all of us to step up and live our life from our heart and not our head. It’s not an option. If you are living out of integrity, if you are not being honest, if you are playing too many unintegrated roles with too many people, if your motives are totally self-directed and your outcomes focused soley on what’s in it for you – you will be ‘outed’. In one way or another, sooner or later. You can run but you can’t hide. Put simply, you will wind up on your ass wondering ‘how the hell did this happen?’

On the flip side, if you are one of those brave and faithful souls who cast off your lines to pursue a distant horizon on the path less travelled, you may be finding that things aren’t going exactly as planned and it’s harder than you imagined. There’s a prevailing belief that when you surrender to your heart’s true longing and really listen to your inner guidance – which usually means giving up the money trail as a means to an end – then Life will roll out the red carpet and the Universe will co-conspire to support you with ease and flow, grace and surrender. That is a fable. We are currently growing through a period of phenomenal growth and expansion and they don’t call ’em growing pains for nothing. This transition – the return to our hearts – is tough for everyone. The difference between those people who are already pursuing their passions, hooking into their purpose and bushwhacking a trail through the brambles of Fear and Uncertainy and up the mountain is that they are moving forward. They are the ambassadors and they are creating the road ahead – for us. And we will follow. Even if we have to be dragged kicking and screaming into this unfamiliar place where we must rely on our instincts and intuitions to navigate the blind corners.

So for now, try this: the next time you hear yourself thinking or saying “but what if…” stop it. Chances are, that “what if?” will be something you never thought about that blindsides you on some idle Tuesday. Stop analyzing your relationships and reading between the lines. If it feels good, stay; if it feels bad, go. Trust your feelings, don’t dissect them to within an inch of your sanity. Same goes for business – next time you have a hunch, go with it. Don’t even stop for a minute to think about it. Get rid of the ‘To Do’ lists. You will only end up frustrated, exhausted and feeling like you can’t keep up. Stop predicting the future. Forecasting and analysis is based on history and does nothing but perpetuate an unsuccessful past. Our thoughts create our experiences so stop thinking and start feeling. Let your intuition be your guide. Get quiet. Stop talking so much and just listen. It is amazing what you will begin to hear and notice. Trust me on this. Baby steps.

As Robert J. Hastings advised in his poem ‘The Station’ – “Stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more and cry less.” (you can see I really love this poem and yes, I know I used it in my last blog but that was months ago and this is worth repeating). Sink into the present moment at every available opportunity. Do whatever it takes.

In real terms, don’t be afraid to quit your job and take a hiatus. Give all of yourself to the people you love. Let go of fear. Do not be afraid to ask for help (it IS the era of co-creation after all). Pursue the Grandest Version of your Greatest Vision. Live your purpose. Leave a legacy. And always always always trust your instincts. Your heart will never lie to you.

We are on the verge of a new dawn that has the possibility of being brighter than anything we have ever imagined. Feel it and believe it.