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 but you can't be full of yourself. "Don't get a big head," is a notion drummed into many of us at an early age.

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 been in the presence of it. The highest expression of SELF LOVE is showing people, by example, how to love themselves. Isn't that marvelous?

Interesting side note. I have observed that many of my friends with this energy defined in their chart LOVE to take selfies and post them on social media. It’s wonderful to see their innate confidence and willingness to share themselves with the world. Little do they know that this embodiment of SELF LOVE is having a truly empowering affect on their audience.

The low expression of LOVE OF SELF however is playing the victim and blaming others for one’s own failings. Because anything that goes wrong could not possibly be their own fault. Another expression of SELF LOVE. This is why Gate 10 can also be lovingly referred to as the blame gate. If you find yourself doing this, stop and ask yourself, "does this person really deserve the blame here? Am I taking responsibility for what is mine?"

Are you never in the wrong? How? Are you someone who puts themselves first always? Do you never put yourself first? Why? Do you take care of yourself? 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? Why not?

As for those of us who celebrate Christmas, this is an interesting week for this energy to be transiting. Hopefully by now we have finished our Holiday shopping and can shift our attention to taking better care of ourselves while spending quality time with our loved ones. As much as we are raised to be selfless this week, the universe is reminding us to put ourselves first; to put the oxygen mask on first.

To first, LOVE YOURSELF.