The Sun has now moved into Gate 5, PATTERNS. In the I-Ching this Hexagram is called WAITING. This energy is all about the rhythm of nature and the rhythm of our lives. It is the comfort of ritual; knowing that at certain times of the day or week, certain things will happen and if this is so, all is right with the world.

The other side of this coin is being terribly thrown if our coffee is not made just so, at the right time of our morning; it can really ruin our day! People with this energy defined simply need a consistent pattern to our daily life or we will feel off kilter and unsettled. People without this energy defined may perceive this as strange. Worse, those of us with the energy may judge ourselves too harshly for the difficulty we experience in bouncing back from a disruption in our pattern. Awareness is key.

The next time you are feeling anxious and unsettled and you don't understand why, ask yourself, is my day or week off schedule? Maybe the simple answer is you have this energy defined. If so take a deep breath, acknowledge your need for patterns, and give yourself a break from any self-judgement surrounding this. Chances are, the feeling will dissipate.           

Animals are this way naturally, they need their schedule, and those of us with this energy relate very well to the rhythm of nature and to the rhythm our animals. We get it. We certainly don't judge them for it. The daily pattern that we can count on makes us feel safe and sound. What could possibly be wrong with that?

So with the energy for PATTERNS in the air this week, get cozy with your schedule. Embrace the comfort of it and be present for the ritual of it. It is something concrete to hold on to during these strange times and also quite apropos during the Holiday Season. Part of the joy we experience from the Holidays is the consistent ritual of it all and that is very comforting indeed.