For me, change was associated with pain and fear early in my life, so I struggled to prevent it. Each time it occurred, it seemed that I lost something precious in the process. Perhaps many people feel this way. Today's world is changing at an alarming rate - new technologies and medical information, the stock market crisis, and threats of terrorism. It is not uncommon to feel as though we are being attacked by change.

Often, we resist change, try to prevent it, and keep life as it is. Why is this? Change forces us out of our comfort zone. It makes us stretch our "spiritual muscles." It also requires a certain amount of energy to move out of our daily rut. Family, friends, or coworkers may feel threatened when we change. But what if we could make change work for us, rather than struggling against it or feeling victimized by it? A lot of energy that is wasted in fighting change could be opened up for creative purposes.

I believe that there are five distinct cycles that we all pass through on the way to making a change. The amount of ease or dis-ease and stress experienced with each cycle is largely determined by how we are able to deal with each stage along the way. Some stages of change seem easier to work through than others, but each is equally important and cannot be omitted or ignored without paying a high price. Each cycle of change must be completed before beginning another cycle. By recognizing, fully embracing, and accepting the cycle we are in, we will naturally begin cooperating and shifting into the next phase with far less struggle. Here is a brief synopsis of each cycle of change:

Cycle One ~ Neptune's Dream
This cycle is represented by the womb and the element of Water. When in this cycle, a person feels relaxed, floating, in a state of "just being." All needs are met, and one can breathe Life in deeply. Nothing needs to happen in this stage. One is moved to rest and be free of struggle. Daydreaming and meditation are Cycle One activities. In our modern, fast-paced, goal-oriented culture, this cycle is often neglected and dishonored; we do not allow ourselves time to just "be." As a result, we lose our creativity. Our batteries run down. Addictions are often about trying to stay in the Womb. To be healthy, we must move forward and complete the next phase.

Cycle Two ~ Saturn's Domain
This cycle is represented by the birth canal and the element of Earth. For a majority of people, this is often the most difficult stage of change. A person experiencing Cycle Two is incubating, preparing for the action required for change to occur, and getting grounded. Limitations are recognized; boundary issues are brought to the surface; a plan is developed; and information gathered. This cycle can produce the feeling of being stuck or constricted. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, of being trapped, may surface, sometimes to the point of depression. There is a growing restlessness, which eventually turns into extreme discomfort if one is resistant to change or in denial of some kind. Confusion about what to do is common. Frequently a person may say, "I can't stay in this situation, but I don't see any way out of it either." Life seems to be squeezing one who is stuck in Cycle Two.

Cycle Three ~ Pluto's Soul Flame
The third cycle is related to the opening of the cervix and the element of Fire. A great urgency to create change characterizes this stage. It is full of powerful transformational energy. Some aspects of this stage include passion, creativity, movement, alchemy, use of one's will, chaos, and even anger. Anger is often just built-up energy that needs to be released into creative action. It is what gets us born into life or moved into a new situation. Many people are afraid of the power of this cycle, particularly the anger (if present) and intense energy. If we try to ignore or deny this phase of change, we can fall back into Cycle Two and get stuck in the process, at least temporarily.

Cycle Four ~ Venus Rising
This fourth part of change represents surrender (although, of course, we can surrender at any stage of change) and the element of Spirit. Aspects of Cycle Four include humility, letting go of results, feeling whole or complete, unconditional love, and calmness. This cycle occurs when we surrender ourselves completely without attachment to outcomes around any given situation. We have faith in ourselves and the process that is taking place. Our life and will is turned over to a power greater than ourselves. Where in the third cycle there was a need to push, in Cycle Four there is a need to stop pushing. Here, we need to fall into the heart of ourselves and just be with the truth until we are somehow, miraculously, moved to the other side of the situation. This is not to be confused with the passivity of Cycle One. It is not a phase in which nothing happens. Rather, Cycle Four is about the proper use of will. It is hard work to let go and trust that everything will work out for the highest good in the end. What once seemed impossible now begins to form in our new reality. We are then automatically moved into the next cycle of change.

Cycle Five ~ Jupiter/Eagle's Point of View
The fifth cycle of change represents Shamanic (Higher) Consciousness and is related to the element of Air. Rebirth, rejuvenation, celebration, vision, clarity, gratitude and deep peace are aspects of this cycle. Here, we have expanded our consciousness and reached a greater understanding of our situation and our life. Life seems to make more sense and the struggle is over. The change is complete and is incorporated into our way of living. There is a sense of wanting to share what has been experienced and learned. Where there was once doubt and confusion, there is now greater awareness of the connectedness of all things. This is also a period of adjustment to the changes that have been made. An individual in this cycle of change might feel as a butterfly, emerging from its cocoon to dry its wings in order to take flight.

And then - just when we think we can coast for a while - the spiral of life turns, and once again, we embark upon the five cycles of change in another part of our lives. But having gone through it before, remembering all that it took to create the previous change, understanding that each Cycle does not last forever, but moves forward, we can move with the flow of change in our lives and truly co-create with the Universe.

Terri Lyne Anthony is a Reiki Master-Teacher, certified Shamanic Breathwork Facilitator and Ordained Spiritual Counselor. She has created the HeartPath Wellness Center in Wasilla, AK, offering workshops, seminars and private sessions.