The Sun has now moved into Gate 10, LOVE OF SELF or in I Ching, TREADING. Located in the place where love resides on the chart, this energy is the LOVE of YOURSELF.

In our culture here in the United States, this can be a loaded concept. You can love yourself I guess but you can't be full of yourself. "Don't get a big head," is a notion drummed into us at an early age; at least when I was growing up. Many kids today are getting a different message which some people might question but I think it's great. Confidence goes a long way in our culture. Why not give your kid a leg up? They'll learn the hard way, just like we all do, what they are good at and what they're not so good at. But at least they'll start the process with a healthy bit of love for themselves. 

But I digress. This Gate of LOVE OF SELF is often called the BUDDHA gate. It is the embodiment of self empowerment in its best iteration. So much so, people around this energy will feel more empowered for having witnessed it. The highest expression of SELF LOVE is showing people, by example, how to love themselves. Isn't that marvelous? 

The low expression of LOVE OF SELF however is playing the victim, often blaming others for their failings. When things go wrong, it is always someone else's fault. This is why Gate 10 can also be lovingly referred to as the BLAME gate.  

Now I really should warn you that some of us with a specific configuration connecting this energy to our throat this week may find ourselves blurting out some pretty terrible things to some poor soul who happens to be on the receiving end of that blame. Often when this happens, we're just as shocked as the other person. It really feels like it came out of nowhere. People who normally have this configuration understand this all too well. Awareness is key. If you find yourself having biting, blaming thoughts, use caution. Think before you speak. Stop and ask yourself, "does this person really deserve the blame here? Am I taking responsibility for what is mine?"   

That said, with the energy for LOVE OF SELF readily available to you this week, try to give yourself a little tender loving care in the midst of all this Holiday madness. But also take this opportunity to really think about LOVE OF SELF. Do you take care of yourself during the rest of the year? Do you treat yourself with love and respect? Do you give yourself the same benefit of a doubt, love, and compassion you give to others?

Good questions right?