The Human Design of 2021: New Rave Year

On January 21st, we began the Human Design year of 2021: a new Rave year. In Human Design, the new year begins on the 21st when the Sun enters Gate 41 of the Rave. Genetically, this gate is associated with the codon containing the amino acid methionine, which signals to the body that “Something new begins here!” In the I Ching, Gate 41 is also known as “Decrease, the gate of contraction.” It is during times of contraction that something new must be born—after all, that’s how we come into the world.

Looking at the Human Design Chart, Gate 41 is located in the Root center, which is both a pressure and motor center—the foundation of our energy system. So it’s no surprise that this gate carries the impulse to begin something new.

The chemical makeup of Gate 41 represents impulse—a restless force pushing toward new experience, fantasy, and a thirst for excitement. The first instinct is to interpret this energetic signal as a drive to break out of the comfort zone and embrace change, though often mixed with hesitation or fear.

Sun/Earth Opposition in the 2021 Human Design

Going deeper—and knowing that in the transit this Gate 41.1 is active in the first line—we can predict the foundation of the year ahead. Rationality may be clouded by the urge for new experiences. We might give in to irrational desires and make impulsive decisions that launch something we aren’t prepared to follow through with or don’t have the resources to complete.

For most of us, new beginnings are initiated by people outside our aura. That’s when we can use our Strategy to determine whether something is right for us. For Manifestors, the act of informing gives them time to recognize their inner Authority before initiating anything. The warning for the start of this year is to be cautious with the urge to change. We must pause and evaluate whether the energy is truly available or if it’s just a fleeting impulse.

In the Rave, the Sun and Earth are always in opposition and form a bond in our genetic code. Each year, the Sun aligns with Gate 41 and the Earth with Gate 31. With Gate 31 located in the Throat center and also in the first line (31.1), there is an impulse to speak out and lead through the voice of “I Lead”—but in this case, it’s an empty promise of leadership, attempting to initiate something new.

The chemical expression of Gate 31 elevates our natural mood, and the mind may interpret this energy as future inspiration, delivered through a leadership voice. During this transit, there is a promise of manifestation and hope for tomorrow—but since the energy is in detriment, there’s no real foundation for it. We must be cautious of false prophets predicting a better future, as they are fueled by the fantasy of Gate 41 and the empty promises of Gate 31.

Themes in the Human Design of 2021

Us Versus Them

In 2021, we find ourselves at a crossroads between the tribe’s last stand and the rise of individual awareness. On the Human Design Chart, this crossroads is symbolized by two opposing transits: on one side, the 19-49 channel, with a deeply tribal theme of “us versus them” in the fields of economy and social structure. On the other, the 61-24 channel, which represents individual wisdom and deep self-knowledge.

If there was ever a crucial moment to put our Strategy into practice, it is now. We need to stop trying to fix the world and stop distracting ourselves with collective dilemmas. Conflicts will intensify, and we must begin to question everything the mind tells us. Fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and false prophets will be abundant in the external world, trying to condition our thoughts. During this time, we must reach a deep connection with our Self and inner truth. Amid all the noise, can you still hear the beat of your heart?

According to the Human Design of 2021, the Lunar Nodes bring in the perspectives of Gate 46 and Gate 26. Both are part of the tribal circuit and linked to the Ego (Heart) circuit. The tribe will be a central theme this year. Historically, the tribe has been crucial to human survival—but its dominance is coming to an end. The key question this year is: Who do we trust? Humanity developed the structure of the patriarchal tribe to do more and have more than the other tribe: “Follow the rules, and we’ll all be okay,” as we were so often told last year.

The previous year exposed cracks in this system—inequities in economic opportunity, racial injustice, the lack of healthcare or access to essential services. Civil movements that had gained momentum continued to draw attention, but in practice, the system further harmed minorities. The previous year also exposed deep divisions and a tendency to blame others.

It’s Their Fault

This theme of blame will continue to emerge in the Human Design of 2021. Regardless of the issue, the blame will always fall on others—and when it’s someone else’s fault, we don’t have to change. They need to change and do something to solve the problem. It will be a year of finger-pointing, as if we were back in school—but when we point a finger, four others point back at us. We must resist this urge to blame and instead examine ourselves. We must take both personal and social responsibility.

This year will bring mental pressure and stress. Everything will move in unexpected ways. At the end of 2020, we still had hope for a vaccine—yet within a month, we were back in lockdown. The truth is, we’ll often find ourselves unsure of what’s happening. We’ll live in constant uncertainty. The pressure from our centers may push us to try and rationalize the unknown. For those with open pressure centers (Root and Head), this familiar pressure will only intensify. Our internal narratives will spin stories of anxiety, depression, and loss of control. We may feel completely derailed unless we take the time to disconnect from the stories we tell ourselves.

On top of this, we’ll face emotional pressure from the 19-49 channel, connecting the Solar Plexus and Root centers. This is not only a node of material tension and stress but also an amplifier of emotions. These emotions may feel overwhelming as stress and pressure build. Our ability to cope with life will be tested, and even small things may trigger epic emotional responses. Those with open Root and Solar Plexus centers should be particularly mindful of the emotional stress that will emerge in their lives this year. For them, it will be especially important to be surrounded by people who don’t amplify this stress and to find healthy ways to release that pressure.

2021: The Crossroads

Many breathed a sigh of relief leaving 2020 behind, but the truth is that more instability lies ahead. The defining theme of Human Design in 2021 is The Crossroads.

Ra Uru Hu warned that in 2027, another mutative event will occur—similar to what happened in the 18th century when humans transitioned from having 7 to 9 centers. This process is not retroactive, and only those born after 2027 will have the new mutation. However, it’s worth considering whether the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is somehow related to this upcoming event. Eventually, all viruses become part of our genetic heritage. Since we are not headed toward mass extinction, we could very well be facing another adaptive event.

Just six years away from this major change, it’s only natural that the world is in a phase of transition and decision-making. Right now, 2027 still feels far off, and we cannot yet see the path ahead. In 2021, we will encounter many diverging roads—and even if we can’t see where they lead, it’s crucial to make our choices using our Strategy and our individual awareness. Only then will we be able to navigate the murky waters of 2021.