Hello, and happy full moon hangover… :)
How did that full moon in Libra treat you yesterday? I’m writing this exactly as the moon reaches her fullness, as I sit on the deck of a log cabin in the Panamanian mountain jungle, watching hummingbirds flit around me in the humid evening air. I’m here on a trip with my entire family: my partner and daughter, my brother and sister-in-law, and my parents, who both just celebrated their 75th birthdays (and are the reason for making this journey).
We arrived here when the sun was in the Gate of Shock, and I’ll just say this: I wouldn’t recommend traveling with family during the Gate of Shock (haha), especially when everyone is detoxing (slash having withdrawals from) the American shitshow that is this current moment in their own way. Lots of relational issues have been rising to the surface, which can be expected when you’re crammed into a van together cruising along windy roads, but especially when a full moon in the relational sign of Libra is acting as the energetic overseer.
This was the first full moon out of eclipse season, that long and deep underground portal that sucked us under for the past month. On the same day, Libra’s planetary ruler, Venus, stationed direct after 40 days retrograde— and she brought with her lots of new relational revelations out of her cave of reflective mirrors. Making this full moon all the more exciting, Chiron, the wounded healer, was sitting opposite the moon, conjunct with the sun, bringing deep wounds (and hopefully some healing balms) to the surface.
During her fullness, luna was shining bright in the Human Design Gate of Continuity (Gate 32) across the sky from the sun and Chiron in the Gate of Growth (Gate 42). This opposition highlighted the polarity between emotionally holding on tightly to patterns from our past (moon in Continuity) and consciously helping an old pattern to end in order to make space for a new dynamic- and hopefully some healing. (sun and Chiron in Growth).
Sometimes full moons can bring tension to the surface, and other times they can provide the perfect opportunity for balanced reflection and breakthrough. How did all this show up in your world?
This week, we have a whole new slew of powerful energetics: Mercury (recently direct) enters the fire sign of Aries, Mars enters the fire sign of Leo after the longest retrograde ever in Cancer, the sun continues it’s transit through the Human Design Gate of Growth (42) and enters the Gate of Ordering (3). On Sunday, Taurus Season begins.
The Gate of Ordering moves from the Shadow of Chaos to the Gift of Innovation to the Siddhi of Innocence- returning us back to the first gate of Aries season, the gate of the baby lamb-ram that ushered Spring in on the Equinox. In a state of fear, we believe that chaos means disorder and that we must control it through order. But what the energy is all about this week is actually that chaos means Void- similar to the root word for Chasm- and that something completely new can be formed in a void through the powers of creativity and innovation, rather than an obsession with order and control.
Aries season began in the Gate of Innocence and then proceeded through the gates of Opinions, The Hunter, Shock, Growth, and now Ordering. The baby lamb has grown up into a fully mature ram. He has learned that we can only go after our own desires after we learn about the opinions of others. He has learned that the periods of the greatest growth often come after a shocking revelation, and come when you are willing to let something end in order for a new, better thing to begin. He has discovered that the messiness and chaos of the void is the perfect birth place to blaze a trail, to spark a truly different innovation.
As we move into Taurus season at the end of this week, I invite you to reflect on how Aries season, and all of it’s micro-seasons and energetic frequencies, showed up in your world. Journal about it, visualize yourself as a lamb growing up into a ram on a mountain peak over the past month. This year, situations are changing incredibly fast, and so we too have the opportunity to change quickly too, into the version of ourselves that we truly wish to align with.
Let’s dive in a little deeper to the energies of the wheel of the year this week. Sending you all the beauty and power of Venus as she returns to her forward speed and motion.
This week in the Wheel of the Year:
MEDICINE WHEEL Direction: East
WUXING Element: Wood
PAGAN Season: Ostara
ZODIAC Season: Aries > Taurus (April 19)
I’CHING Hexagram/HUMAN DESIGN Gate: 42 (April 11-15) > 3 (April 16-21)
42 = Wind over Thunder (Yi: “Increase”) or The Gate of GROWTH
3 = Water over Thunder (Zhun: “Sprouting” aka “Difficulty at the Beginning”) or The Gate of ORDERING
MOON Phase: Waning
PLANETARY Transits:
April 16: Mercury enters Aries
April 18: Mars enters Leo
Let's dive in.
The Sun’s Journey through the end of Aries: From Growth to Ordering
The Gate of Growth (Gate 42): April 11–15
I’Ching Hexagram 42: Wind over Thunder ("Increase")
Gene Key 42: Expectation → Detachment → Celebration
As the Sun continues to move through Gate 42 this week, we’re being invited into a powerful, sacred journey: to complete what we start. In Human Design, Gate 42 is the energy of Expansion and Maturation — but not the frantic, scattered kind. It’s about nurturing a process through its full cycle, from seed to bloom to harvest.
In the I'Ching, this is Hexagram 42, called Increase — symbolized by Wind over Thunder. It teaches that true abundance and success come from adding energy to what is already growing, not constantly chasing something new. It's about tending to what’s alive within you, patiently and joyfully.
The Gene Key for this gate goes from Expectation » Detachment » Celebration:
At the shadow level, we meet Expectation the trap of trying to control how things unfold.
Through awareness and acceptance, we move into Detachment trusting that life’s rhythms are wiser than our timelines.
Ultimately, we arrive at Celebration fully embracing each moment as sacred, no matter how messy or unexpected it looks.
This gate is often misunderstood. Growth doesn’t always feel glamorous. Sometimes it looks like tending a project long after the excitement fades, watering your inner world even when the results aren’t instant. It’s showing up with faith, knowing that with time, your efforts will bear fruit.
🌱 Reflection for the Week:
Where am I being invited to commit more deeply?
Can I let go of how I think it should look and celebrate how far I’ve already come?
Practical Tip:
Pick one thing you’ve started recently and recommit to it.
Rather than rushing to the next shiny idea, give your energy to what’s already sprouting.
Watch how life rewards that steady devotion.
Mantra for Gate 42:
“I honor the journey from seed to flower. I celebrate each step of my growth.”
The Gate of Ordering: Gate 3 (Wed, April 16– Mon, April 21)
Midweek, the Sun shifts into Gate 3, bringing a totally different — but equally vital — flavor to the energy around us: Order emerging from Chaos.
In Human Design, Gate 3 is known as The Gate of Ordering, but don’t think of it as neat, tidy organizing like lining up books on a shelf. This is about natural, organic ordering, the messy, beautiful way a river carves its path through rock over time.
In the I’Ching, this is Hexagram 3, called Difficulty at the Beginning, symbolized by Water over Thunder. It reminds us that every new beginning feels chaotic at first. Structures are still forming. It takes time for a new life, idea, or relationship to find its footing.
The Gene Key for this gate tells an equally rich story:
At the shadow level, we encounter Chaos — that wild, unpredictable energy that feels overwhelming.
As we surrender to the unknown, we discover Innovation — creative solutions that could only emerge through improvisation.
At the highest level, we reach Innocence — a state of pure openness, where we meet life without fear or judgment.
The Gate of Ordering is the bridge from Aries to Taurus
I love thinking about Gate 3, this last gate of Aries season, as the time when we shift our focus from our selves to our selves that exist within our environment. In the human life cycle, Aries correlates with infancy, and after it comes Taurus, which is correlated with toddlerhood. I think of Aries as the “me” sign and Taurus as the “mine” sign, shifting from the individual to the individual’s relationship with the world around it.
In the Gene Keys, the chapter on the Gate of Ordering refers to the realm of quantum biology, which I found fascinating. In it, Richard Rudd talks about the difference between Newtonian physics and Quantum Physics, as well as the difference between Darwinian “selfish-gene” biology and modern biology, like the studies of quantum biology by Dr. Bruce Lipton and others. Essentially, the older models of these sciences hold the individual as the center, while the quantum models look at the relational nature of existence as the truth behind reality. Dr. Bruce Lipton's groundbreaking research in quantum biology identifies the cell membrane, rather than the nucleus, as the cell's "brain." While classic biology has always presented the nucleus as the “brain”, the cell membrane functions as an interface between the cell's internal environment and the external world, processing environmental signals and directing cellular behavior.
This understanding of cellular behavior can also been seen parallel to the way human emotions operate. Just as the cell membrane interprets external stimuli to guide the cell's actions, our emotions are responsible for processing environmental inputs to inform our responses and decisions. Often, these emotional insights precede conscious thought, suggesting that our feelings can be more attuned to our surroundings than our rational minds.
Integrating the insights from Gate 3 and quantum biology encourages us to trust the innate wisdom of our emotions, especially during times of change or new beginnings. By valuing and understanding our emotional responses, we can navigate the complexities of life with greater authenticity and adaptability.
Gate 3 is a deeply creative energy. It teaches that messiness isn’t a mistake, it’s the birthplace of genius. The early stages of anything new are meant to feel awkward, confusing, and even a little scary. That's the signal that something truly original is trying to emerge.
Reflection for the Week:
Where in my life am I feeling overwhelmed by a messy beginning?
Can I lean into it with curiosity instead of trying to control it?
Practical Tip:
If things feel chaotic this week, take a breath and resist the urge to "force clarity."
Trust that, like water finding its course, order will naturally emerge.
Give yourself (and others) grace to be beginners.
Mantra for Gate 3:
“I welcome the unknown. I trust that within chaos, new life is finding its way.”
Planetary Movers and Shakers
April 16: Mercury Enters Aries
Mercury (our cosmic messenger) bursts into fiery Aries, leaving the dreamy waters of Pisces behind. Expect sharper thoughts, quicker words, and maybe a little impatience in conversations.
You’ll want to say what you mean and mean what you say but remember, not everything needs to be a debate.
Tip: Channel this fast-thinking energy into fresh ideas or bold moves, but pause before hitting "send" on that spicy text.
April 18: Mars Enters Leo
Just two days later, Mars (planet of action) roars into Leo. It's time to act from the heart, take creative risks, and be seen. Mars in Leo doesn’t just want to move it wants to move with style.
This is a big shift from the inward, watery vibes of Mars in Cancer. You might feel a sudden surge of bravery, ambition, or even a little dramatic flair. (Yes, your inner performer is invited.)
Tip: Go after what you want loudly and proudly. Just watch out for ego clashes — not every battle is worth the performance.
The Moon’s Mood: Waning Wisdom 🌘
The Moon is waning this week, helping us release and reflect. This is perfect timing: as you step into new beginnings (Gate 3, Mercury in Aries, Mars in Leo), you’re also clearing out the old clutter that doesn’t fit anymore.
Tip: Take some time midweek to journal or sit quietly with what’s shifting. You’re making space for the new.
Mini Ritual for the Week: Honor your Growth, and Embrace New Beginnings
As we finish off Aries season and enter the sensual new energy of Taurus season, the theme of this ritual is to:
Complete what you’ve started.
Release expectations.
Welcome bold new beginnings with an open heart.
Why Now?
Sun is finishing its wild ride through Aries — we’re wrapping up a season of initiation and raw energy.
Mercury is entering Aries (April 16) — sharpening our voice and thoughts.
Mars is entering Leo (April 18) — lighting up courage, creativity, and heart-centered action.
Solar gates are shifting from Gate 42 (Growth/Completion) to Gate 3 (Ordering/Beginnings) — moving from finishing cycles to starting new ones.
What you’ll need:
A candle (ideally red, gold, or white)
A journal + pen
A bowl of water
A small object to represent growth (like a seed, crystal, or even a little leaf)
The Ritual
Light Your Candle:
As you light it, say out loud:
“I honor the growth I have tended. I open my heart to new beginnings.”
Reflect (Journal Prompts):
What am I proud of completing or nurturing lately?
Where am I still holding onto expectations about how things should be?
What messy, exciting new beginning is calling to me now?
Release with Water:
Dip your fingers into the bowl of water and sprinkle a few drops onto your object (seed/crystal/leaf).
Imagine releasing any old pressure, stress, or perfectionism into the water.
Water holds the wisdom of flow and trust — perfect for the Gate 3 energy.Call in Bold Beginnings:
Hold your object in your hand. Feel the fiery power of Aries and Leo coming alive in you — the fearless words (Mercury in Aries) and the courageous heart (Mars in Leo).
Whisper:“I welcome the unknown. I trust my voice and lead from my heart.”
Close with Gratitude:
Blow out the candle with gratitude, knowing the flames of Aries have prepared you for the fertile ground of Taurus season ahead.
Final Thoughts
This week is a perfect cocktail of initiation energy: new ideas budding, messy starts happening, and fiery planets encouraging bold action. Trust the process, stay curious, and celebrate the chaos. Growth doesn't look perfect, but it’s alive -and that’s what matters.
Happy turning of the wheel,
xo,
Alison
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