From Wednesday, November 28 through Monday, December 3 the sun will be in Gate 9, FOCUS. The hexagram in I-Ching is called THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL.

So just like the name, this is the energy of FOCUS. It is the power to concentrate but without its counterpart gate 52, STILLNESS, it is not necessarily the power to concentrate for long periods of time. Even so, most people with this energy tend to think about something while they're doing other things anyway because they simply can't stop thinking about it. I call this energy for thinking about something and not being able to let it go the snag and loop.

If you let it, this snag and loop can turn into obsessive thinking. One thing I find helpful with ye olde snag and loop is Bach Flower Remedies, most specifically Rescue Sleep. It doesn't sedate you, it simply helps stop the obsessive thinking that keeps you up at night. If I had the gate of FOCUS, I wouldn't hesitate to use it during the day.

That said, there is something wonderful about being able to FOCUS on something without distraction. If you generally have issues with FOCUS, I invite you to use this opportunity to think about this theme in your life. What is it in your life that needs your FOCUS right now? What are you FOCUSING on instead? Is it productive or a distraction? Why? Does it drive you crazy when someone is so FOCUSED they cannot hear you talking to them? Is that their fault? Do you ever struggle with obsessive thinking? What can you do to help quiet your mind?

People with this energy may find meditating extremely easy due to their master powers of FOCUS or extremely difficult because they are too FOCUSED on other things. Either way, it couldn’t hurt to try.