Hey y’all,
Welcome to your weekly forecast for January 6th-12th, 2025.
This week’s highlights:
Exact last Friday, January 3 , but the energy is continuing on through this week and beyond: Mars opposite Pluto
Monday, January 6: Mars RX leaves Leo and enters Cancer
Saturday, January 11th: the North Node enters Pisces & the South Node enters Virgo
Human Design/I’Ching:
Monday, Jan 6- Friday Jan 10- Gate 54: The Gate of Ambition
Saturday & Sunday: Gate 61: The Gate of Mystery
This week’s themes:
A shift in what the collective is hungry for and what we collectively need to release
Review and reconsideration of how we care for others and ourselves
Setting our sights for the top of whatever mountain we’re currently climbing
Our Place in the Wheel of the Year
Medicine Wheel Direction: NORTH (Wind, Elderhood, Spirituality)
Wuxing Cycle Element: WATER
Pagan Season: Yule
Zodiac Season: Capricorn (December 21-January 21)
Moon Phase: Waxing
I Ching Hexagram/Human Design: Gate 54 (Mon-Fri), Gate 61 (Sat-Sun)
54: Thunder over Lake or "The Marrying Maiden" or the Gate of AMBITION
61: Wind over Lake or "Inner Truth" or the Gate of MYSTERY
So this is the New Year….
Well, well… what can I say? 2025 has certainly arrived with a bang, hasn’t it?
Pluto vs. Mars aren’t f*ing around, as we enter the new year with our sense of personal power and assertion facing off with humanity’s collective skeletons in the basement. This transit can be highly transformative, helping individuals push through stuck situations. However, it can also bring challenges and conflicts, especially in areas related to power dynamics and corruption. It’s a wild time to be alive.
Social media is popping off with ‘normal folks’ emulating QVC and selling UV-facial shaping ray guns, vibrator boards, and contouring makeup, while simultaneously scratching their itch to be investigative journalists, bringing us minute-to-minute breaking news about drones, floating plasmoid orbs, and foggy ‘smart dust’ that are all infiltrating our backyards, either by the government or the aliens.
Meanwhile, planes are crashing around the world, sick people are are crashing trucks into innocent people, and a Tesla Cyber truck is blowing up in front of Trump Tower, creating an iconic symbol foreshadowing things to come.
As I discussed last week, we rung in 2025 with the energy of t he Human Design Gate of the Fighter…. So, have you decided what’s fighting for, yet?
As for me: I’m fighting for love. That pretty much covers the bases of all the other things on my list worth fighting for. In a world where it’s getting harder and harder to trust anyone or anything that we see, I know that the deeply human feeling when I meet the eyes of my daughter, or my partner, my parents, my friends, and even some strangers on the street, the feeling called love, is something worth fighting for. Worth fighting my way through the psy-ops and the distractions and the deliberate attempts to overwhelm, confuse, and weaken. That eye contact, that shared humanity, that love, is real, and can’t be taken away.
Descending into the Yin to climb the Peak of our Dreams
I heard today that Meta was introducing ‘thousands of AI profiles’ onto Instagram and Facebook (and to be certain, that if they’re announcing it now, they’ve likely already been doing it for some time). This makes my decision to fight for love- love as read through eye contact- seem all the more important.
As we enter the coldest-cold of winter (another Breaking News headline just told me that “It’s about to get dangerously cold, even for winter”), it’s important to hold what it is we’re fighting for in our pockets, close to our warm bodies and our hearts.
I have seen a lot of posts in the witchy-regenerative space lately about how winter is meant for rest and sleep and coziness and hygge. I celebrate my new year, like many ancient cultures, later into Spring, with Imbolc or the Lunar New Year or the Equinox, so I agree that beginning a pressurized and energetic New Year in the coldest and harshest time is a concept that should be called into question.
But I also think the emphasis on rest and sleep and coziness can be taken too far; it under-recognizes the amount of energy, ambition, fight, and drive that is happening in the wintertime. In plants, while the flowers and leaves are dead above ground, the soil beneath is being actively created, through erosion and fire and ice, and the roots are pushing downward to sustain life through challenging environments.
The winter is not time to sleep or rest, I don’t believe. But it is time to slow down, to conserve energy, and to focus on the deep, sometimes dirty, underworld work that is necessary to help sustain the life above ground in a few months, when spring comes. The Gate of the Fighter is a prime example of this. January 1 is not time for sleep, but for concentrated and important inner work, underground work, work like determining what is worth fighting for, what brings us joy, what we aspire toward, and what our dreams in the dark nights are telling us about the great mysteries.
Now that we’ve spent some time thinking about what is worth fighting to get us through the harsh climate of the pre--inauguration winter of 2025, the sun is moving on this week to the Gate of Ambition, followed by the Gate of Mystery.
We’re still in Capricorn season, so I liken this journey to the sea-goat’s ascent up the craggy mountain- first with joy, then with a fight to overcome obstacles, then with ambitious resolve. By this weekend, the sea-goat will reach the top of the mountain after a grueling climb, where they will look up to the skies and the lands beyond the mountaintop- to the stars, the clouds, the planets, the other valleys and mountain ranges that surround the mountain we’re currently on. By the weekend, our ambition will lead us to bear witness to the great beyond, the recognition that we are part of something much larger than ourselves and our current struggles.
The key in this ascension, however, is that the only way to reach the peak, past the struggles and obstacles that intensify on this final stretch of mountain, is to first ascend to the depths of your internal world, our yin world.
Richard Rudd mentions a line from the 54th hexagram in the I’Ching referring to this, what he calls one of the great mystical lines of the whole I’Ching. I paraphrase: “54 line 4 is called the Sin Eater. In order to ascend to the highest, one must first of all make the ultimate sacrifice and descend into the lowest. That’s what this whole 54th journey has been about. Like Christ after his crucifiction descends down into hell and then on the 3rd day he ascends to heaven. This is a universal myth, but also more than a myth: the more the white light of your divinity is progressively realized, the more unbearable it becomes for your being… So the brighter the inner light burns, the deeper it burrows into the form principle. Heaven has to come to Earth. As this inner light returns to its source, it has to burn through all the collective memory held in its DNA It has to eat and consume the sins of the whole, just like Christ. And this will one day happen to each of us. This is the final transformation Every single cell in our body must become free.’
I really love thus image as related to Capricorn, a sign that is associated with ambition and aspiration during the darkest, coldest, most yin time of the year. This helps me see what ambition, aspiration, and ascension of the mountains in our lives really are conquered in actuality. The Yin, the internal, is mysterious, and the more we indulge that mystery, the more we can connect with the great big mystery that awaits at the top of our aspirational mountain.
My musings on Yin Power on Instagram:
Contemplating this gate has made me think about literal mountain climbing experiences as well. I’m no mountaineer, but have had a few truly mind blowing experiences on mountain peaks, and I know that the more challenging the climb, the more inner resolve and ambition is required, the more I’m able to connect with the mystery at the top.
Climbing Emei Mountain was China, the tallest of the 4 Sacred Buddhist Mountains, was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. The ancient landscape, shrouded in mystery and rich with spiritual significance, beckoned me to dig deep into my own reserves of ambition and resolve. As I ascended the sacred trails in the middle of the night before my 23rd birthday, each step felt like a journey inward, reconnecting with my inner truths and shedding the distractions of daily life. I vividly recall the awe-inspiring moment when I reached the summit just in time to witness the sunrise. The first light kissed the world awake, casting a breathtaking rainbow around my shadow on the clouds below —a fleeting, ethereal halo that seemed to affirm my path and purpose. This pivotal experience reinforced my belief in the power of grounding my ambitions in humility and patience, mirroring the ancient wisdom that permeates every stone and tree on that majestic mountain. Emei Mountain became more than just a physical challenge; it was a spiritual guide, teaching me to balance bold actions with a deep appreciation for life's mysteries.
The Nodes of Fate shift into Pisces & Virgo
This gate also feels very aligned with a big astrological transit that’s happening this week: The Lunar Nodes of Fate are changing signs. After a year and a half with the North Node of the moon in Aries and the South Node in Libra, on Saturday the nodes shift to the North Node in Pisces and the South Node in Virgo.
The nodes of the moon indicate collective destiny, with the North Node’s placement speaking to what we are collectively hungry for and pulled toward, and the South Node’s placement revealing what we as a human culture need to release at this time in the cycle. The nodes are the areas of the Zodiac where the moon is at it’s apogee, and are the parts of the sky where the eclipses happen each year, with eclipse times bringing these themes of hunger and release to the foreground. The nodes of the moon change signs in reverse across the Zodiac compared to how the planets move (e.g. clockwise vs. counterclockwise), so the story that unfolds as they change signs is an interesting one.
The North Node in Aries over the past couple of years has meant that here on Earth we have been collectively hungry for agency, action, and the expression of our personal willpower. The South Node in Libra has encouraged us all to release the relationships and relational patterns that are not based in integrity and honesty.
With the North Node now moving to Pisces for the next 1.5 years, the collective hunger shifts from individual agency to a desire to merge and flow with the currents of life. The South Node’s move to Virgo shifts us from a collective release of toxic relationship patterns to a collective release of the need to analyze everything. Pisces and Virgo are both signs of service, healing, and spirituality, but while Virgo channels this by breaking things down into manageable parts, Pisces does this by swirling everything together in the great cosmic sea: the mystery.
To me, the fact that the agency of Aries’ North Node js shifting into the merging spirituality of Pisces this week perfectly echoes the Human Design Gates that we’re transiting through: Ambition and Mystery. It’s rather rare to see both of these words share a single sentence, but they’re a reminder that no matter how hard we strive to be better, to know things, to succeed, there is always a greater mystery waiting for us at the top of the mountain.
This week, try to see that mystery for the expansive beauty that it is, trusting your intuition and finding joy in exploring the unknown. This year -and this life, this whole damn life- despite their inherent tragedies and challenges, are true gifts.
Let your ambitions be the lights that guide you up to the peak, where the mystery can reveal itself in all it’s glory.
Monday-Friday: The Gate of Ambition
Gate 54, also called the Gate of Ambition, is all about the energy to rise—whether in your career, personal life, or even spiritually. Found in the Root Center in Human Design, it’s like a burst of motivation pushing you to aim higher and achieve more. But it’s not a steady grind; this energy comes in waves, so it’s all about acting when the timing feels right.
Gate 54 is the spark that fuels your desire to climb the ladder of success. But it’s not just about material things—it’s also about personal and spiritual growth. When this energy is used with purpose and intention, it can help you achieve meaningful goals. On the flip side, if it’s driven by ego or external pressure, it might leave you feeling exhausted or unfulfilled.
In the Gene Keys…
Shadow (Greed): At its lowest vibe, this energy can look like endless hustling for money, power, or recognition without deeper satisfaction.
Gift (Aspiration): Here, ambition turns into something bigger—like working toward goals that benefit not just you but others, too. It’s about striving for growth with heart.
Siddhi (Ascension): At its highest, ambition isn’t about climbing at all—it’s about rising above the need for worldly success and finding a deeper, spiritual sense of purpose.
54 in the I’Ching: The Marrying Maiden
Hexagram 54 in the I’Ching is called “The Marrying Maiden.” This talks about ambition in the context of knowing your role, working within systems, and timing your moves wisely. It’s a reminder to stay grounded and ethical while pursuing your goals, balancing bold action with patience and humility.
Working with Gate 54
Ride the Waves: The energy here isn’t constant, so don’t expect to go full throttle all the time. Rest when you need to recharge.
Redefine Success: Think about what success really means to you. Is it about the paycheck, or something deeper?
Lift Others Up: Use your drive to not only build yourself up but to create opportunities for others to grow with you.
Gate 54 is a powerful energy when used intentionally. It’s about more than just climbing the ladder—it’s about making the climb meaningful and aligned with your values. When ambition serves something bigger, it becomes a force for transformation, not just for you but for those around you.
Friday & Saturday into next week: Gate 61, the Gate of Mystery
Gate 61, known as the Gate of Inner Truth, lives in the Head Center and pulses with the energy to question, contemplate, and uncover life’s great mysteries. It’s a drive to seek truth, explore the unknown, and find deeper meaning in everything. But this isn’t about surface-level answers—it’s about diving deep into the big "whys" of existence.
Gate 61 is the spark of inspiration that can lead to profound insights. It’s the urge to understand the universe, your purpose, and the hidden connections in life. However, this energy can also feel intense or even overwhelming. When you’re stuck on a question without an answer, it can turn into mental pressure or frustration.
When used well, Gate 61 connects you to intuitive truths and inner clarity. But it’s important to remember that not every mystery needs solving. Sometimes, just sitting with the question is where the magic happens.
In the Gene Keys…
In the Gene Keys, the shadow of 61 is Psychosis, the Gift is Inspiration, and the Siddhi is Sanctity.
Shadow (Psychosis): At its shadow frequency, this energy can lead to overthinking, obsession, or feeling trapped in mental loops. It’s like trying to solve a riddle that has no answer and driving yourself crazy in the process.
Gift (Inspiration): When you embrace curiosity without needing certainty, the energy shifts. You become a source of inspiration, finding beauty in the mystery and sharing unique insights with the world.
Siddhi (Sanctity): At its highest level, Gate 61 embodies sanctity—a state of complete connection with the divine. Here, the need to question falls away, and you experience peace in simply being part of the greater mystery.
In the I’Ching…
Hexagram 61 in the I’Ching is known as“Inner Truth.” This hexagram represents the clarity that comes from listening to your inner voice and aligning with your authentic self. It’s about trusting the deeper wisdom that arises when you quiet the noise of doubt and external distractions.
The I’Ching reminds us that true understanding doesn’t come from overthinking—it comes from trusting intuition and letting truth emerge naturally.
How to Work With Gate 61
Don’t Force Answers: Some questions aren’t meant to be solved right away—or ever. Let curiosity guide you without needing immediate conclusions.
Embrace the Mystery: Find joy in exploring the unknown rather than getting stuck in mental pressure. It’s okay not to have all the answers.
Share Your Insights: When clarity strikes, your perspective can inspire others. Trust your intuitive flashes—they’re powerful.
Gate 61 calls us to balance the mental pressure to know everything with the beauty of simply being in the mystery. When we trust the process and allow truth to unfold, this energy can lead to moments of profound inspiration and a deeper connection to life’s great design.
An astrologer I really like, Alice SparklyKat, wrote 2025 horoscopes and I just read mine for my rising sign. It really fits the theme of surrendering to other ways of knowing conveyed in the Gate of Mystery, so I’d love to read it to you:
2025 is about empowering yourself with knowledge. Right now, we live in an era of really high literacy. For most of us, our grandparents could not read. They could not read written words but they had other skills. They could read the weather, the land, and they knew how to dig wells.
For our generation, the global literacy rate is over 80%. We have just moved through decades of globalization and nationalization during which we traded our people's connections to land in exchange for institutional education. And, now, we hear all of these complaints all the time about people not knowing how to read. What don't you know how to read?
For sure, we don't know how to read. We no longer know how to read the way our grandparents knew how to read. We have lost a lot of reading comprehension over the years and a lot of us are trying to sense our way back.
Leo, you know things. I know that you know things. But the way that knowledge is institutionalized makes us all feel like we don't know things.
2025 is about learning how to read and is also about honoring the things that you know. You know so much. We have also all lost a lot of reading comprehension. What makes you feel empowered in the knowledge that you have?
Questions for 2025:
What do you know?
What do you know how to read?
What would you like to learn to read?
This week, trust your ambitions and aspirations, and also trust the mystery. The dreams of flowers blooming in spring, and the deep deep soil. As above, So below.
I’ll talk to you again next week!
xoxxo,
Alison
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