When Change is Chaos

When Change is Anarchy
Numerologically speaking, just a few months ago we transitioned from a 9 year, a number about endings (cycles, projects, etc..), and entered a 1 year, which is about newness and beginnings. This could mean new opportunities, new projects, new relationships, or even personal growth (new out look on things, new attitude, etc..). From a tarot perspective, this year has great potential for a lot of Ace energy, which could affect any or all aspects of your life.
For some, this may come about as a gentle transition. A brand new journey or cycle, like the Fool at the beginning of the Major Arcana perhaps. This time full of quiet opportunities that present themselves, sudden Aha! Moments, putting already made plans into action, and the like. Sometimes changes come about naturally, and sometimes we hardly even notice the little things that change until they are pointed out or bigger changes happen as a result. These kinds of changes can be subtle, and probably don’t take us out of our comfort zone, at least not too far. They may have already been a long time in the making, and are just finally ready to happen, or completely unexpected.
However, sometimes change can come crashing in, feeling like the Tower; sudden and jarring (which seems to be the case for me this year). We may not be ready for it, and sometimes it does not feel like a positive thing, especially in the moment. It can upset our entire lives, challenge everything we know or believe, and feel more like crisis than change. These times can feel like the universe is forcing a fire sale on everything that does not serve us. When change happens like this, it can feel disheartening, overwhelming, confusing, and all around negative. That said, challenges like this bring about change by shaking things up, and even shaking us down to our core, in order to make room for all that is coming towards us. It may not seem like a good thing, but in this case, patience, and a little faith (whatever that looks like for you), can be our friend. What seems hurtful and damaging, can actually bring about healing, personal growth, and better things than what we were holding on to. This can refer to more than just material things, but also thoughts, attitudes, energies, relationships, etc..
While events like this can feel like total chaos, there is always a light somewhere at the end, if we look for it. In the mean time, we can do some things to help ourselves through it; maybe even quicken the process.
First, remember to breathe. Seems like such a simple thing, and a little irritating to hear sometimes. Rather like being asked by tech support if you “tried turning if off and then on again”. However, you would be surprised how often stopping to take a few breaths actually helps. Implementing breathing techniques like box breathing (in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, and repeat), or alternate nostril breathing (breathe in while holding right nostril for count of 4, plug both nostrils and hold for a count of 8, hold left nostril and breathe out for count of 6 then immediately breathe in for a count of 4; repeating the process), can be quite calming, and allow us time to gain some perspective or, at least, gather our thoughts.
Energy grounding techniques are also quite helpful, such as Earthing (walking barefoot on the grass), using singing bowls or tuning forks (especially with a Root Chakra frequency, 396Hz, or 136.1Hz, the OM frequency), grounding meditations, physical activity like mindful walking or tai chi, gardening, doing a body scan, smudging or energy clearing, and practicing mindfulness, are all ways you can help make yourself more rooted and connected to the Earth and nature.
Centering yourself, which is different from grounding in that is you centered; meaning it brings the focus back to you to align yourself body, mind, and spirit, and bring harmony and balance within. Meditation, breath work (like mentioned above), mindfulness, and using singing bowls or tuning forks (especially with a Solar Plexus frequency, 528Hz), can all be helpful centering activities.
Taking the time to clear that negative energy from yourself and your space can be quite effective, even if the chaos is still going on. Energy clearing or smudging techniques can include:

• Burning sage, Palo Santo, or other space clearing herbs
• Using a clearing spray (premade or homemade) if you cannot burn herbs for health or other reasons
• Using vibration like a singing bowl, tuning forks (like 4096Hz, 2048Hz, or 417Hz), or tingshas.
• Using crystals like Smokey Quartz (absorbs and transmutes negative energy), Obsidian, Jet, or Black Tourmaline (all of which absorb negative energy and help ground the user).

Don’t forget too bring in more positive energies with herbs like sweetgrass, crystals like amethyst (peace), citrine (joy), or rose quartz (love), or with vibrations (639Hz, or 528Hz). While you are clearing away these energies, you should try to recognize what energies you are holding or attracting that do not belong to you. You definitely want to clear these away as well, but recognizing what you are taking on that is not yours can help you avoid doing so in the future. You do not need to take on what does not belong to you.
Don’t forget to shield yourself. Whether you are shielding for the first time, or just reinforcing one that you already have, this is an important step. The most common way to shield is through visualization, by creating a shield of white light around you. The more you practice, the easier it will become to create and maintain this shield. There are plenty of informative guides online and in books that can help teach you do this effectively. You can imbue it with the intent to only let what is for your highest good through, as well.
Finally, anything that you do as self care is helpful. I have already written a post before about self care so, if you haven’t already read it, it has a more detailed information on this topic. Practicing self care is as easy as doing something that brings you joy. That will look different for everyone, maybe you are crafty, a reader or writer, an athlete, a gardener; whatever your heart desires. The key is making sure that you remain in the moment and enjoy it.
However this year has been going for you, however this 1 energy has affected you (or will affect you), and whether any of it is within your control, remember, you can control how you respond to it. If you have any doubts, you can look for signs from the universe/your higher self/the Gods. What do you keep seeing, animals? Numbers? Words? Other signs? Keep track, look them if you they don’t intuitively have meaning to you. In the end, you can always look within, and let your intuition guide you.
I would like to add here that if what you are going through seems too much, I encourage you to talk to someone. Friends, family, a mental health professional, a religious leader (whatever your  whomever you need that you are comfortable with). You never need to go through these things alone. Take care of you, always.
So how has 2026 been treating you thus far? Any surprises? Anything you are looking forward to? What energies have you noted since the transition into the new year? Has it been filled with chaos or comfort?