Hi loves,
Welcome to another exploration of the celestial cycles that shape our lives. How are you all doing as we deepen into winter?
This week we carry on through the last full week of Sagittarius season, and the sun’s transit through the Human Design Gate of the Egoist (26) and the Gate of Ideas (11). We wrap up the week on Sunday with a full moon in Gemini in the Gate of Caution (12).
All of these gates are active in my Human Design/Astrology charts (South Node/Neptune/conscious earth). As I’ve been sick at home over the past week, I’ve had a good opportunity to really look at how these energies of ego, idealism, and discernment show up in my life. It’s been a truly enlightening discovery process, and in the audio I go into the details of that. (Often times the audio and written component are the same; this week the audio is a good long free-ramble, so I’ve written a shorter overview, but recommend listening to the audio- you can find it here or wherever you listen to podcasts!).
The title of this episode is “The ego is a wild animal”, referencing my contemplations on ego as it relates to the Gates of the week and the archetype of Sagittarius in general. In the overculture, we have a truly difficult time with the concept of ego- we reward egotistical people through the competitive system of capitalism, and we also tell people that ego equals selfishness so is a bad trait to have. It’s hard to get a grasp on what it means to have a good ego- there’s a fine, fine line between ambition and selfishness.
In learning about the Chinese I’Ching origins of Gates 26 and 11, as well as thinking about the story-arc of the centaur archer, I started to think of the ego as a wild thing, by nature. I think that ego is the place that a very alive wildness lives within us, which can be visualized by the hexagram for Gate 26: Mountain over Heaven. It evokes a bright light of pure energy (heaven) living within a solid body (mountain). This light can shine outward from within the mountain to support and inspire all around it, or it can get too big, to pressurized, to stagnant, and the mountain would blow it’s lid, like a volcano, destroying itself and everyone in it’s path as well.
True to the nature of Sagittarius’ questing, traveling nature, our egos are formed by our experiences and our interactions with other people and places, our interexchanges with the wild itself. The thing about the wild is that it is always in motion, always responding and reacting to the dynamic and flowing elements. It is only when we try to stop that motion, to identify with our ego, to put it in a box or a cage, that it starts to feel like it needs to control things, to have power over other things to maintain it’s sense of self. The over-identified ego forgets that it is made up of moving, changing, parts- it is made up of the interwoven relationships that gave it a sense of power in the first place.
In order to tame an ego that seeks “power-over”, we must feed the other version of power: “power-with”. To tame a wild animal that seeks power-over, us we shouldn’t put it in a cage, or pretend it doesn’t exist, or build a wall to keep it out, or kill it- another, more ravenous animal will come in it’s place. Instead, to tame it, we must look it in the eyes, acknowledge its existence and it’s innate power of coexisting with the wild, feed it to gain it’s trust, and welcome it into relationship. When we try to overpower or suppress it, we only provoke it further. But if we approach it with respect and understanding, much like taming a wild creature, we can harness its power without being overpowered by it.
I just saw the movie Wicked, and in it I saw 2 distinct versions of ego playing out: The Wizard of Oz is an ego that has been contained and over-identified with, to the extent that it needs to maintain it’s image through spying, manipulation, and control over others. Elpheba, the Oz-appointed wicked witch, on the other hand, has an ego that is wild in that it is ever-changing, ever affected by the relationships and reflections with the world around her. She increasingly gains true internal power through being attuned to the needs of the larger world and community around her, rather than shutting the world out and making assumptions about what the world needs from behind a curtain.
This week, I invite you to contemplate your relationship with ego, with how the light inside your mountain can shine upon the world.
Let’s get into the transits.
This week’s highlights:
Sunday, December 15th: Full moon in Gemini in the Gate of Caution (12)
Human Design/I’Ching:
Mon-Friday: Gate of the Egoist (26)
Sat-Sunday: Gate of Ideas (11)
This week’s themes:
To Tame Your Ego: Pause, and feel your heart
To tame your ego, feed your ego- but don’t feed it junk food
Our Place in the Wheel of the Year
Medicine Wheel Direction: NORTH (Wind, Elderhood, Spirituality)
Wuxing Cycle Element: Water
Pagan Season: Almost Yule!
Zodiac Season: Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Moon Phase: Full moon in Gemini
I Ching Hexagram/Human Design: Gate 26 (Mon-Fri), Gate 11 (Sat-Sun)
26: Mountain over Heaven (“The Taming Power of the Great”) or the Gate of the EGOIST
11: Earth over Heaven (“Peace”) or the Gate of IDEALISM
Sunday-Friday: The sun transits Gate 26- The Gate of the Egoist
The Gate of the Egoist, or Gate 26, has been a focal point of my reflections recently. This gate, symbolized by the archetype of the salesperson, resonates deeply with the concept of the ego and its intricate dance between personal ambition and collective harmony. As someone with this gate prominent in my chart (South Node and Unconscious Earth), I've learned that the ego's drive can be both a motivator and a trickster.
Gate 26 is called “the Taming Power of the Great” in the I Ching, emphasizing the potential for misuse of personal power when influenced by ego-driven pride. This shadow aspect can manifest as a relentless pursuit of control, often resulting in stress and manipulation. It's fascinating how disguised the ego's influence can be, often parading as determination or ambition, while subtly steering us towards validation and superiority.
Yet, the gift of Gate 26 lies in "Artfulness," where ego's persuasive nature can be channeled into creativity and impactful communication. This gate teaches us about the fine balance between using our will for personal gain and aligning it with a higher purpose. When used with integrity, the persuasive nature of this gate can bring forth transformative ideas, bridging personal and collective aspirations.
Through this lens, I’ve come to understand the importance of intention over sheer will. By tapping into our inner intention, we not only improve our well-being but also create a magnetic force that resonates with authenticity. The ego, when tamed and balanced, can be an ambassador of our personal truth, bringing forth art, music, and creativity into the world. Instead of chasing personal gain, we align with a higher purpose, making our pursuits not just about us but also about meaningful contributions to the world. Learning to act from inner intention rather than external willpower has been a major game-changer for me. It’s like switching from forcing things to letting them flow naturally, opening up new paths of creativity and authenticity.
At the siddhi level, the highest frequency of this energy, the concept of "Invisibility" is fascinating. It doesn't mean literal invisibility; rather, it signifies a state wherein an individual transcends the ego-driven need for recognition and personal validation. Such a person operates with pure intent and profound wisdom, allowing their actions and influence to seamlessly integrate within the collective, without drawing attention to themselves. This elevated state leads to a subtle yet powerful presence that impacts the world around them in deeply transformative ways, often without being overtly noticed.
The journey to reaching this siddhi level involves moving through the shadow of gate 26, which is pride, and developing the gift of artfulness, which is skilled persuasion and creativity channeled through integrity and higher purpose.
Friday- next Wednesday: Gate 11- The Gate of Ideas/Idealism
Next on our celestial journey is Gate 11, the Gate of Ideas. Positioned around 27 degrees Sagittarius, associated with the position of the galactic center, supermassive black hole is believed to be the gravitational center around which our solar system orbits, signifying a deep well of consciousness and wisdom. For me, this gate represents an endless stream of ideas and idealism, always aiming high, much like the centaur-archer Sagittarius.
Gate 11 is also the domain of the 11th Gene Key, which speaks to the shadow of obscurity and the gift of idealism. The shadow here involves secret-holding and the fear-based tendency to hoard ideas out of insecurity. This fear can stifle creativity and lead to stagnation. However, when we embrace this gate's gift, we allow ourselves to receive and channel ideas without becoming attached to them.
Idealism, contrary to its often-dismissive reputation, holds tremendous potential. It's through the lens of idealism that visionary concepts come to life and create ripples of change. Learning not to over-identify with these ideas has been a game-changer for me. It allows for a more flexible and open-hearted approach to creativity, where ideas are nurtured and shared rather than guarded.
What makes Gate 11 particularly fascinating is its alignment with right-brain activities. The right hemisphere of our brain is traditionally associated with creativity, intuition, and holistic thinking—attributes that are essential for receiving and channeling pure, unfiltered ideas. Our current societal structures often repress the right brain's potential, stifling creativity and idealism. The right brain's ability to navigate non-linear, mysterious ideas is crucial for personal development and spiritual growth. Embracing this can lead to significant transformations, breaking free from the chains of conventional, left-brain dominance.
In my own journey, this newfound understanding of Gate 11 has shifted my perspective on what it means to be creative. It's less about wielding ideas as possessions or secretes and more about offering them as gifts to the collective consciousness. Secrets are ego-driven quests for power, whereas mysteries align more with right-brain curiosity and the pursuit of universal truths without guaranteed answers. This approach aligns perfectly with the Sagittarian energy of exploration and philosophical pondering, always moving forward, aiming for higher truths and broader horizons.
Sunday: The Full Moon in Gemini in the Gate of Caution
And now, we arrive at the current cosmic event that ties everything together—the full moon in Gemini, associated with Gate 12, the Gate of Caution. Gemini, with its inquisitive and communicative nature, contrasts yet complements the philosophical depth of Sagittarius. This full moon encourages us to explore how we express our ideas and communicate them to the world.
Gate 12 is all about timing and cautious communication. It urges us to reflect on how we share our thoughts and to whom we choose to share them with. The caution here is not about fear but about discernment—a valuable lesson in a world overflowing with information and opinions. This gate reminds us to be mindful of our audience and the timing of our messages.
As we bask in the full moon's light, illuminating the dual nature of Gemini, there's a call for balance between spontaneity and deliberation. The full moon's energy invites us to engage in dialogues that are meaningful and to express ourselves with authenticity. This period is an opportunity for self-discovery through conversation, allowing us to piece together the collective sum of individual perspectives.
The full moon in Gemini, within the Gate of Caution, serves as a cosmic check-in, urging us to slow down, listen, and engage with our inner world before projecting it outward. It's a moment to refine our ideas, align our intentions, and prepare ourselves to share our insights in a way that resonates with truth and wisdom.
For me, this full moon is a beautiful reminder to pause, reflect, and choose my words wisely. It’s a time to slow down and think about how we express our ideas and share our thoughts. It’s like giving ourselves a cosmic permission slip to be both bold and discerning at the same time.
As we navigate this winter season and these celestial themes, remember that astrology and human design are tools for deeper self-exploration. They offer insights into our patterns, tendencies, and the cosmic influences that shape our journey. By understanding the interplay between our egos, our ideas, and the timing of our expressions, we can align ourselves more harmoniously with the universe's rhythms.
This full moon in Gemini, under the watchful eye of Gate 12, offers a potent moment for introspection and transformation. Let us embrace the lessons of the ego's balance from Gate 26, the flowing creativity from Gate 11, and the discerning communication from Gate 12. Together, these gates guide us towards a more integrated and enlightened path.
May you find clarity and inspiration under this full moon's light, and may your journey through the cycles of time be filled with wonder and wisdom.
Until next time,
Alison
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