In many parts of the world, we may not have had much of a New Year’s party, but the planets, in this first month of 2021, have a merry dance of interactions.
In the first ten days of January, the Channel of Mutation (3-60) is mostly activated, first by Mars and Saturn, then by Mars and Mercury. This channel is like a birth channel: something new wants to emerge, and needs to move through a restriction to reach its place under the sun. Times of stillness alternate with moments of sudden movement. Mars lends a certain aggressiveness here. It chafes at limitations, and can express with harsh acts and words.

Then, Jupiter and Saturn, who remain close after the Great Conjunction on Dec 21, 2020, share Gate 41, Imagination, from Jan 4-21. This is the start codon of any genetic sequence, the place where creation emerges out of emptiness. Imagination can express in a shallow way, when our mind moves into fantasy or daydreaming. Then we escape from the world rather than influencing it.
When we allow Saturn to bring some grounding to this energy, however, we can crystallize our visions. Write them down, make a mandala, or find another way to give them a material expression. It will be useful at the end of the month, and also later in the year, when there is more manifesting energy available.
The Sun moves through the all the gates in one year, just like it goes through all the star signs in astrology. On Jan 22, the Sun enters Gate 41, the start codon for this year’s cycle. So for Human Design people this is New Year’s Day. The Sun lights up our imagination, while Saturn, which is still present here, may help to give new ideas more form.
Jupiter, meanwhile, has moved to Gate 19, Approach, where the Sun joins it on Jan 27. From Jan 21-25 Jupiter and Mercury activate the Channel of Sensitivity (19-49), which connects the drive of the Root Center with the power of the Emotional Center. A gentle approach can unlock the doors to our feeling world. This is true in relationships as well as in our interiority. So stay calm when expressing feelings, and look with kindness on your own feelings, especially on those that you would prefer not to have.
To stay connected with our emotions is important in this time, because Venus, Mars and Pluto are all together in the Channel of the Thinker (24-61) from Jan 25-29. Pluto may well challenge deep, unconscious identifications and beliefs how the masculine and feminine function in ourselves and in our relating. Trusting in what we really feel in the moment is the best guidance to navigate these treacherous waters.
Finally, from Jan 26 into February, Mercury and Saturn activate the Channel of Recognition (30-41), another energy flow between the Root and the Emotions. This channel provides the passion from Gate 30, Desire, to try and bring the dreams and visions of Gate 41 in the real world, so that many people can share the actual experience of them.
Stay playful and enjoy the process!