It may feel like we’ve already been in 2018 for some time, but the powerful lunar eclipse on January 31st marked the end of a cycle that began with the August 2017 solar eclipse. Now is the time to look ahead to what the next six months — and in some ways, what the rest of the year — will look like.
What I’m most interested in at the moment is what the rest of the year will look like for women.
It’s been a wild, thrilling, tumultuous ride since we all learned about the trauma Harvey Weinstein inflicted on countless women for the last 30 years. Women have stepped onto the world stage to speak the truth about their pain and are finally being listened to. The winds of change have whipped us into conversations many women did not think we’d be having in this lifetime. Certainly not even close to easy, these conversations are nonetheless creating a different felt experience of what it is to be a woman, a man, or non-binary — where we are distinct, where we merge, and above all, how we move through the world with respect and consent.
Though I have plenty of thoughts (and hopes!) as to where this year will continue to take us, I thought I’d turn to some of the women I look up to who are leaders—and have already been way ahead of the curve — in the realm of empowerment and healing.
This is what they had to say about their beliefs of what 2018 will bring for women:
Chani Nicholas, Astrologer
“I have no idea where we will be, come the end of the year, but I think what we are in the midst of collectively as humans, as women, as femmes, is, perhaps, a reckoning. We are witnessing an unleashing of rage that has been stifled for thousands of years. This is a small outpouring from the vast reservoir of pain that lingers just beneath the surface of our human experience. Pain that has had to be buried deep within our bones, and our being, for far too long.
My hope is that we use this moment to educate ourselves, and each other, on how best to divest from the systems that cause not only gender-based violence, but all systemic injustices, because they are linked and in support of one another. My hope is that we take our energy and reinvest it in new systems of shared power, shared humanity, and shared justice. Because we all have the power to do so. Every single one of us.” — Chani Nicholas, Astrologer
Andrea Owen, Your Kick-Ass Life
“2018 will bring more speaking up and speaking out for women. More women having tough but necessary conversations. More women looking for what they need to create courage and confidence within themselves.” — Andrea Owen, Your Kick-Ass Life
Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Photographer and Author
“There’s nothing more empowering than not only rediscovering your voice, but using it courageously even when we’re still afraid.
2017 opened the gates of togetherness and connection on a level we haven’t seen in decades in women’s movements. It was the validation we all needed that we weren’t in this alone.
And I can only anticipate that bond deepening in 2018 as our collective voices get stronger.
Optics will be more important now more than ever, and we will be quicker to call out injustices, inequalities and oppression because our voices will be louder.” —Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Photographer and Author of Due North and LAGOM: The Swedish Secret of Living Well
Tanya Markul, Thug Unicorn
“When she shifted from competition to collaboration, all the women around her became radiant stars in a dark blue sky, each one striking and rising, without trying to outshine.” — Tanya Markul, Thug Unicorn, FB, Instagram
Sarajane Case, Journey Books
“I believe 2018 is going to be a major year for women. I think we will see continued conversations about the female experience and through that we will begin to actually see the equal playing field that we’ve been fighting for for decades. It takes coming face to face with the experience of others to create lasting change and 2018 is already showing us that we are nowhere near ending this dialogue and we are seeing men finally understanding the female experience, even just a little.
Beyond that, I believe white women are also beginning to see the struggles of under represented people groups and it is my hope that as these conversations continue, that the platforms be shared — if not primarily given to women of color whose experiences we can’t learn enough from. We can’t guarantee what the future will hold, but, I hope to continue to see amazing women helping other amazing women to rise — a demand in equal treatment and in representation of people of all genders, sexual orientation, gender identity and race. We have so much to learn from each other. If society learns anything from the power of femininity, I hope it learns to listen!” — Sarajane Case, Journey Books
Kimberly Ann Johnson, Magamama
“The awakening of the Feminine is illustrated by the rise and development of the #metoo movement that has evolved from obvious cases of harassment and rape to the subtleties of communication and interaction that almost everyone can identify with. We will see this conversation continue to evolve and start to emerge from the old victim/perpetrator paradigm to an awareness of the experience and awakening that we all need to begin to feminize sex, that will lead to connected, co-created sex that includes both male and female arousal patterns.” — Kimberly Ann Johnson, Magamama, The Fourth Trimester book, Activate the Inner Jaguar — Embodied Consent course
Shannon Ledford, Honor the Feminine
“2018 is a year for women to stand more fully in their true power. This is not a power over it is the power from within. It is a year for women to remember our voices & express our Truth. It is a time to step into the divine feminine & masculine energy that lives in each of us & create space for this sacred dance. As we feel this dance within it begins to show up in our external world.
By the end of 2018, women emerge from a power over structure to a new paradigm of integrated space, where both our divine feminine & divine masculine energy is valued. This is not a feminine over masculine it is a time of healing the deep wounds of coming to know the divine within ourselves and within each other.
This is a year of fast manifestation & momentum. It is very important to focus on embracing the love of the dark goddess to influence deep, lasting change & not stay only in her rage.” — Shannon Ledford, Honor the Feminine, Podcast, Instagram
Bloom Post, Shaman
“The word for women in 2018 is Sovereignty. Women living in freedom, autonomy, self-determination and independence, while also embodying our gifts as connectors, weavers of the cosmic web and divine feminine balance for all.
Women who are sovereign are in full, personal responsibility for themselves. Women who are sovereign embody self-care and self-love. Women who are sovereign have healthy boundaries and are not drained by others. Women who are sovereign are a beacon of light, regardless of gender, and a sacred reminder of our harmony with the Earth and with each other.
This is our journey for 2018 and beyond. This is our inspired possibility as a species, with women stepping up to authentically express this divine embodiment through our personal sovereignty.
It is time and we are ready.
I’m deeply grateful to all women who are holding this light of sovereignty and continuing to grow through the potent shifts and changes that we are all experiencing at this time. In our sovereignty we are healed, connected, empowered, inspired and at peace.” — Bloom Post, Shamanic Healer, Ceremonialist, Teacher, Author
Originally published at medium.com