This has been a mellow New Year’s Eve for my lover and me. We’ve had a ten-day vacation, with our place all to ourselves. The short days and the cozy, well-stocked apartment have given us a sense that we’re hibernating.

Last night, as the clock ticked towards midnight, we put on our coats, gloves, hats and scarves and went out on the balcony. We gave each other new year’s kisses, sipped our champagne, and watched fireworks blossom all over the sky. The sparks and the bursts of color continued for an hour, and we were surprised to see so much of it in this little German town. Who knew? The Germans are into fireworks at New Year’s Eve, just like the Venezuelans. It made my lover feel right at home.

Now it’s a new year, and I am wrestling with the desire to make resolutions, and to see 2008 as a year in which I become a model of discipline and order. Why should I change so much, just because the year has a new tag? And yet this turning always reminds one of unfulfilled potentials. The future gives a feeling of freedom, since we are not so free to rewrite our pasts – although of course, we attempt it all the time.

This is a much earthier year than the last one. Saturn and Jupiter have both moved from fire to earth signs, and this is good news for the planet we live on. Earth signs are realistic, reasonable and grounded. Earth signs pay attention to the resources, and how much of them are left, and work out ways to save or restock.

There are some hopeful signs already. Australia has finally signed the Kyoto protocol. And at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, even the US rather half-heartedly got on board. Of course, later they backtracked and suggested that if there was anything that needed to be done, the other guys should do it first.

But even the US may be moved to take responsibility in 2008. There’s a Jupiter/Saturn trine in earth signs, repeating three times in 2008 – in January, September and November. This will help us all bring together the expansive energy of Jupiter and the constrictive energy of Saturn.

Jupiter is the planet of New Year’s resolutions. It says, “I’m going to do it all, and it’s going to be the best ever!” Saturn is the planet of wise experience. It says, “Why should this year be any different? Nothing changes!” When they come together in a trine, they modify each other. Jupiter becomes less eager and puppyish, and admits that there are a few restrictions to consider. Saturn becomes less worldly-wise, less cynical, and gives credit to a few new ideas.

And with both of them in earth signs, the emphasis is on disparate people working together to get something done. Jupiter sees a half-full glass, while Saturn sees a half-empty one. Together, they can agree on the fact that water exists, but that there could be a more reliable supply of it for the generations to come, and it could be distributed more efficiently in the world.

With all this earth energy, I’m also starting to feel that I might clean up my own act, and live a more simple and balanced life. This is not just for the good of the planet, but to conserve and focus my own energy in a more productive way. Oops, there I go, perilously close to making new year’s resolutions again.

That said, I’m living a greener life than I was last year. Last year at this time, I was living in Quito, Ecuador. I felt a bit virtuous for not having a car, but I took taxis everywhere I went. Here in Germany, public transportation is amazingly convenient. Mostly, the only thing I’m emitting into the air is my own frosty breath. And all this with no particular sacrifice.

Just the opposite, in fact. Recently, my lover and I were going to the Weinachtsmarkt, the Christmas street fair in Bremen, and her nephew was coming along. He wasn’t ready when we wanted to leave, so we just went ahead, and he met us there. He’s not dependent on us for wheels. And none of us ever have to do that car dance, where you and your partner drive two cars to one destination because you’re going to different places afterwards.

How to make it easy for people? That’s the kind of question that practical, earthy people ask. They don’t ask if it’s right or wrong, good or bad. Okay, the world is getting out of balance. The air is heating up. So now what do we do? What are the simple, immediate, workable solutions?

Public transportation – fast, easy, convenient and cheap – is one of those solutions. Some people want to drive some of the time, but most of those people in morning rush hour are not overjoyed to be there. If they could figure out how to do it easily, they’d be happier sitting in a bus, train or streetcar.

A friend of mine has recently discovered dichondra ground cover. She says it’s beautiful, wild, saves water, and it can save us. Maybe that’s another solution. Another friend has been talking for years about how people should be eating bison instead of cows. And hemp is better than trees for making paper.

It takes a while for any new idea to translate into activity, and then even longer for it to become a pattern of activity. Even in the middle of a global crisis, it takes a while. And 2008 does look like a go-slow year. Earth signs are not quick to change, but when they decide to do something, it stays done. So I’m glad that this will be an earthy year. I’m willing to be patient. I guess I’m becoming earthier too.

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