The year of 2024, for those who follow this calendar, is a Universal 8 Year (2+0+2=4 = 8). I have always maintained that how the number 8 is made up is important, as it specifies what components are use to arrive at number 8.
But let’s start with the number 8 itself, revered by the Chinese as a lucky number because it pertains to material wealth and luck. However, within the Tarot is pertains to hard work and structure, and in astrology it is Saturn, the planet attributed by many as one of limitations and restrictions. All of the above are true in some way. Anyone who works hard and structures their life will no doubt attain goals and benefit from their effort. And so it is that the number 8 predicts that the harder one works the luckier they become. It is the number of the material, which directly opposes the spiritual, principled, intangible year of 2023.
To understand what the material 8 will manifest, we have to consider the numbers 2 (x2) 0 and 4. In my experience, when you get two of the same number in a year, there is division based on that number. We are experiencing the change from the one thousands (ending 1999) to the two thousands, seeing the patriarchal dominance of the number 1 becoming challenged by the matriarchal number 2. The emphasis on relationships applies not only from one person to another but also to trade, business the expression of values and the way in which we relate to others and even ourselves. As a single number 2, the presentation can be the most positive first step towards a truly equitable society, where one appreciates the values of the other and understands the benefits of working together.
The presence of the second number 2 suggests the workings of diverse value systems. There are already great divides between political ideals, not only in the US and the UK but around the world. This has become particularly more prominent as we hit the 2020s, the most obvious being the US Presidential election that remains a raw and open wound even up to the 2024 Presidential election. The UK Conservative Government has gone through three Conservative Prime Ministers as ideals and values are challenged. The party has become factionalised and with Labour no better.
The divisions are repeated in national conflicts with war in Russia / Ukraine, Israel / Palestine, civil war in Sudan and proxy wars all over the Middle East. Which set of values will win out? You can be certain that until people start learning to work together, relationships will continue to fracture even as far ahead as 2029.
The zero must also be taken into account. It is either a potential for anything to happen or a potential for nothing to happen at all. Both routes can have positive or negative consequences. With the combination of 20, for example (and especially as we have to understand how to use the energies of this combination for the next 76 years) it can either mean ‘you must accept my values / ideals’ or ‘we must find a set of values / ideals we can both agree on’. The former option is often the default in most conflicts in today’s world.
In 2023 we saw the rise in recognition of transgender people, where individuals feel that they are wrongly divided; a man in a woman’s body and vice versa. This has encouraged division particularly for biologically born women who feel that their gender identity is somehow being undermined by the insertion of transgender rights and by transgender women who consider themselves to be no less female. The divisive nature of two lots of number 2 in a Universal year is clear in this one emerging change to our societal norms.
Finally we come to the number 4; the annual counter for the years. Where number 3 was the year for expression in 2023, number 4 this year is for systems and organisation. Israel Palestine needs a two-state solution. Political elections have become distrusting and the system has to change: in the UK it would be to press for proportional representation and in both UK and US the system needs to take the money, corporations and lobby groups out of politics. The political system was set up for representatives of the people; not banks, weapons, junk food and corporate destruction. Climate change demands a move away from fossil fuel but no real systems are in place to make it happen quick enough. Wherever there is war or discord, the solution starts with the number 2 properties of diplomacy, discussion and dialogue. Only then can a proper and long lasting foundation (4) be built through the pains taking labour of hard work, perseverance and structure (8)
The astrological chart for the Winter Solstice (Sun at 0ยบ Capricorn), the seeds of what will be grown through 2024, has Pluto at the anoretic degree of 29 Capricorn. Saturn already awaits Pluto’s arrival into Aquarius (promising yet more structural decay) while sitting midpoint to the Sun Moon trine. Moon conjuncts Jupiter promising the potential for peace but Venus also opposes Uranus, which indicates opposing ideals leading to uncertain progress. Mars squares Neptune, expressing concerns over wasted effort. Some issues appear unresolvable within the current zeitgeist, so the best that might be hoped for is smaller steps and smaller goals towards a rapprochement. And any progress is better than none, particularly as the foundations of a lasting peace is only as strong as the willingness of apposing sides to agree on common values and principles.
2024 may also be the year of the con. Beware the get rich quick schemes and ‘new systems’, especially where your investment commits you to risk a lot of your hard earned money. The number 4 promises that there are no short cuts, so don’t be fooled by the glamour of a charismatic promiser of easy money.
Have a safe and progressive 2024.
Shane Ward is the author of Numerology: Making It Work For You
