Living the Spiral

Celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse: Astrology, Human Design, and Lunar New Year Insights

Dive into an exploration of the powerful cosmic and cultural shifts happening with the Lunar New Year, the solar eclipse in Gate 30, and the Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Aries. This episode blends astrology, human design, and personal reflections to help you navigate these energetic orchestrations with awareness and grace.

Key Topics:

The significance and symbolism of the Fire Horse year in Chinese astrology

The influence of the lunar eclipse and solar eclipse layered into the new year

How the Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Aries in Gate 25 highlights themes of innocence, universal love, and personal awakening

The energetic qualities of fire over fire in Gate 30 and the metaphor of desire and transformation

Practical insights on grounding, pacing, and working with the year's catalytic energy

Honoring the transition from the wood snake to the fire horse with reverence and patience

Embracing emotional awareness as a means of spiritual and collective evolution

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and overview of cosmic coincidences this week02:18 - The symbolism of the Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse05:00 - The significance of the solar eclipse in Gate 30 during the New Year07:50 - Energetics of the Gate of Feelings and the Gate of Innocence in the Saturn-Neptune conjunction11:11 - How eclipses serve as moments of revelation and reorientation16:22 - Navigating the transition from the wood snake to the fire horse with patience19:22 - The fire horse archetype: bravery, movement, and the element of fire25:54 - Respecting the ending of the wood snake year and honoring its lessons28:12 - Grounding practices for turbulent cosmic energies33:30 - The energy of Gate 30: desire, fire, and transformation39:10 - The shadow and gift of desire in Gene Keys and how to relate consciously44:18 - Embracing emotional flow and feelings as a vital part of this year's evolution54:22 - Practical tools for working with intense emotions and desires56:13 - The upcoming Saturn-Neptune conjunction: insights and reflections65:57 - Final thoughts on universal love, innocence, and living in harmony with cosmic flows

Resources & Links:

Hearth and Spiral - Readings & Offerings

Living the Spiral Substack

Gene Keys by Richard Rudd

Human Design Official Website

Astrology & Lunar New Year Resources

Connect with Alison:

Instagram

Website

Embrace the cosmic dance of this potent year with awareness, patience, and devotion to your authentic path. Happy Lunar New Year, and may the fires of passion illuminate your journey!

Sign up for next Wednesday's Aquarius Season Breathwork Journey here! In this episode of Living the Spiral, Alison Dale discusses the upcoming full moon in Leo and the significance of Imbolc, a Celtic pagan holiday between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox that symbolizes renewal and preparation for growth. She explores the transformative energies of Pluto in Aquarius, the challenges of navigating chaos and information overload in today's digital age, and the importance of mindfulness and retreat during the full moon. Alison emphasizes the need for personal reflection and nurturing one's inner self while also addressing collective needs and societal pressures. The episode concludes with insights on rituals and practices for growth during Imbolc and the significance of connecting with the goddess Brigid.

Welcome to Living the Spiral!

On this new moon episode, your host Alison Dale explores the fascinating transition from Capricorn to Aquarius, delving into themes of limitation, innovation, and the mysteries of the universe. We discuss the symbolism of the sea-goat, representing ambition and mystery, and how it connects us to universal wisdom. As we move into Aquarius, we embrace the innovation that allows us to transcend natural laws.

We also touch on the significance of the new moon, which marks a time of culmination and fresh starts, blending endings and beginnings. This episode highlights the importance of boundaries as essential containers for nurturing potential, much like the heart and womb. Additionally, we address critical global issues such as water rights and the need for sustainable practices.

Join us as we navigate these cosmic shifts and explore how personal limitations can nurture growth and lead to new opportunities.🌿 Stay in Touch:

If this episode resonated, there are a few simple ways to keep walking the spiral together with me:

• Instagram: reflections, seasonal rhythms, and behind-the-scenes@hearthandspiral

• Youtube: podcasts on Youtube, audio for now, video coming laterYoutube

• Readings & Courses: astrology, human design, astrocartography, and astro-breathworkhearthandspiral.com

• Podcast & Blog: longer-form teachings, stories, and cyclical insightslivingthespiral.com

Thanks for being here and tending your inner hearth!

In this two-hour year-ahead episode, Alison Dale maps the major astrological and Human Design currents shaping 2026, a threshold year that shifts us out of the long Pisces-era haze and into a more fire-and-air driven chapter of sovereignty, movement, and creative direction. We begin with the Year of the Fire Horse, kicked off by a Lunar New Year solar eclipse in Aquarius, then track the headline ingresses: Saturn and Neptune entering Aries, Uranus into Gemini, and Jupiter into Leo, with Pluto continuing its long-term work in Aquarius.

Along the way, Alison weaves in the Human Design gates these outer-planet shifts activate, including Pluto in Gate 41, Saturn and Neptune moving through Gate 25, and Uranus energizing Gate 20, offering grounded ways to work with the themes in real time. You’ll also hear about the supportive harmonic geometry of 2026, including a rare “Basket of Barbeau” alignment, plus a clear walkthrough of the year’s eclipse seasons and what they tend to stir emotionally, relationally, and collectively. The episode closes with a practical look at retrogrades, including water-sign Mercury retrogrades and a Venus retrograde in October and November that reopens the love, money, and values storyline for a needed recalibration.

Listen straight through for the full download, or in chunks. Either way, this is your compass for the year ahead, with timing cues, thematic anchors, and invitations to meet 2026 with discernment, heart, and momentum.

In this episode of Living the Spiral, Alison Dale reflects on the transition into the new year, emphasizing the significance of the full moon in Cancer and its astrological implications. She discusses the themes of nurturing, ambition, and emotional truths, while exploring the dynamics between the Cancer and Capricorn signs. The conversation delves into the importance of self-care, the energy of the full wolf moon, and the Kazimi moments of Venus and Mars, encouraging listeners to align their values and actions for personal growth in the new year.00:00New Year Reflections and Full Moon Insights

05:59Nurturing and Self-Care During the Full Moon

11:53Understanding the Gate of Provocation

16:57Kazimi Moments: Resetting Intentions

21:56Navigating Emotional Truths and Practical Commitments

27:38Aligning Inner Values with Outer Actions

33:41Embracing the New Year with Clarity and Intention

Takeaways:

The full moon in Cancer signifies a time for reflection and nurturing.

Transitioning from a nine year to a one year brings fresh energy.

The full wolf moon invites us to listen to our instincts.

Survival during winter relies on attunement rather than speed.

Self-care practices are essential during this full moon.

Cancer and Capricorn represent different forms of care and parenting.

Ambition is highlighted at the start of the year.

Kazimi moments are significant for intention setting and clarity.

Emotional truths must be balanced with practical commitments.

Aligning values and actions is crucial for personal growth.

P.S. Follow me on Instagram @hearthandspiral, or visit my new website to view my offerings at hearthandspiral.com.

In this episode of Living the Spiral, Alison Dale introduces the evolution of her podcast from Cycles of Time to Living the Spiral, emphasizing a return to embodied experiences and community connection. She discusses the significance of the new moon in Sagittarius, the importance of planting seeds of intention, and the transformative power of self-love. The episode also explores the ecological aspects of Sagittarius season, the role of the solstice, and the intersection of personal and collective growth as we navigate the upcoming changes in the astrological landscape.

Takeaways

Sagittarius season encourages seeking new horizons and perspectives.

The new moon is a powerful time for setting intentions.

Self-love is crucial for personal fulfillment and growth.

The solstice marks a significant turning point in the year.

Understanding the ecology of seasons can deepen our connection to nature.

Gate 10 in human design emphasizes self-awareness and behavior.

The Galactic Center's influence invites us to explore vast possibilities.

Navigating the balance between self-love and universal love is essential.

This podcast was recorded & produced by Alison Dale of Hearth & Spiral. Find me on Instagram @hearthandspiral.

Scorpio season is the time in the Wheel of the Year when the veil thins and the world breathes in shadow. It’s the season of Samhain, Halloween, and Día de los Muertos, when the living and the ancestral intertwine, and when endings and beginnings blur into one pulse.

In this episode of Cycles of Time, I sit with Sarah Belpedio - a yin warrior, teahouse tender, and regenerative business consultant who weaves Human Design through a Daoist lens - to explore what it truly means to live through the transmutation from scorpion>eagle>phoenix and having a Scorpio stellium.

Scorpio’s archetype has been distorted by clichés of secrecy, seduction, and control, yet beneath those projections lies a deep initiatory current. To understand Scorpio is to understand the alchemy of death and rebirth, the composting of what has been into fertile ground for what wants to emerge. It’s the eagle’s laser-focused vision in flight, the phoenix rising from the ashes, and the courage to scorpion-crawl into the underworld and discover that the treasure was hidden in the depths of the soil all along.

The Body of Scorpio

In astrology, Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto, the forces of will and metamorphosis. Mars brings the sword-like capacity to act and to cut away what is no longer vital. Pluto brings the descent into the compost heap of death, surrender, along with the regeneration that follows. Together, both planets initiate the processes that strip away illusion and restore a deeper truth.

In Human Design, these forces appear in specific gates that track through Scorpio’s evolutionary journey. Gate 50, The Cauldron, speaks to moral fire and ancestral values, the principles that nourish community and family life. Gate 28, The Game Player, asks us to face the fear of meaninglessness and find purpose and live life in it’s totality, including both the struggle and the joy.

Halloween-time’s Gate 44, Alertness or “Coming to Meet”, awakens ancestral memory and pattern recognition, teaching us how to discern which bonds and stories are worth carrying forward. Gate 1, The Creative, is the pure spark of self-expression that arises once we’ve faced the void, reminding us that originality is born from inner truth. Gate 43, Breakthrough, brings the sudden clarity that pierces through confusion, illuminating insight that must be trusted even before it’s understood. Finally, the last gate of Scorpio Season, Gate 14: Possession in Great Measure, reminds us of the bounteous riches of Hades’ underworld that can flow naturally when we confront our shadows so that our creative energy aligns with our deeper purpose.

The Inner Season

Scorpio season invites us inward, to compost the excess and meet what we’d rather not face. Transformation doesn’t happen through avoidance; it happens through intimacy with our own shadows, with others, and with the cycles of time themselves.

As Sarah and I discuss, this is where Human Design offers a map, an embodied language for understanding how we process energy and emotion. Each person’s individual chart tells the story of how transformation moves through us. This includes what we cling to, what we release, and how we find resilience as we find the wisdom to know the difference.

The Festivals of the Dead

Samhain and Día de los Muertos remind us that death is not final, it is a phase of the cycle of life and time, a passage. These festivals around this time of year are acts of remembrance and continuity, honoring ancestors and celebrating the invisible threads that bind us through time. When we engage these rituals consciously, we align with the natural rhythm of decay and regeneration that governs all life.

Fall is also the season of the Metal element in the five-element Wuxing cycle, which is a time of refinement, pruning, and distillation. What remains after the shedding is what matters as we enter the dark season of winter, so balancing this season with reverence and discernment is the way to go.

The Work of Relationship

Scorpio rules intimacy and shared energy. In its higher expression, as Sarah so beautifully describes, it teaches synarchy: the wisdom of collective leadership rooted in sovereignty and mutual respect, rather than hierarchy. This shift from control to cooperation is at the heart of regenerative living and the paradigm shifts that lie ahead.

Karmic relationships serve as mirrors, showing us what still seeks integration, what wounds still guard the gate to freedom. When we surrender our need to dominate or be dominated, we make space for true interdependence. This is the dojo of Scorpio: to meet the other without losing oneself.

Scorpio teaches that immortality is the recognition that something within us cannot die, even when the leaves fall and turn into the soil. Scorpio reminds us of the essence that continues through every ending, every season, and every breath.

And that is the medicine of this season: to trust the descent, to let what wants to fall away fall, and to pay attention to the spark of creation that remains.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Cycles of Time with Alison Dale and Sarah Belpedio!

Follow Sarah Belpedio on Instagram and learn about her offerings at @sarah.belpedioJoin Alison for a Scorpio Season breathwork journey on Zoom Wednesday, November 5 at 5pm MST! Sign up here

Want to deepen your understanding of the 64 gates of Human Design? My new deck is available for preorder:

Mandala 64: A Human Design Learning & Oracle Deck

Join the Embody the Revolution Membership

Cycles of Time is a labor of love! To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber to the Embody the Revolution membership and get all the goodies listed below.

The Embody the Revolution membership includes:

* a detailed guidebook for each Zodiac season delivered to your inbox (the Scorpio book comes out this Tuesday)

* a monthly live breathwork journey on Zoom to tap into the energies of the season,

* a calendar of all the astrology and human design transits of 2025/2026

* access to the chat to ask questions and share in community

To join, click the button below to become a paid subscriber for just $8/month. It’s worth it. I promise.

In this conversation, Alison and Human Design Guide/Regenerative Business Consultant Sarah Belpedio explore the depths of Scorpio season, discussing personal experiences, the significance of human design, and the transformative energies of Mars and Pluto. They delve into the dual nature of Scorpio, celebrating the themes of death and rebirth, and the importance of seasonal festivals like Samhain and Dia de los Muertos.
The discussion also covers the Human Design gates of Scorpio, , highlighting their connections to values, purpose, and ancestral wisdom. They explore the themes of the Gene Keys, particularly focusing on the transformative aspects of Scorpio season, the importance of embracing one's dark side, the role of karmic relationships in personal growth, and the creative spark that emerges from darkness. The conversation emphasizes the significance of surrendering to the present moment and the process of transformation, culminating in the understanding of abundance and the cyclical nature of life.

Follow Sarah Belpedio on Instagram and learn about her offerings at @sarah.belpedio
Join Alison for a Scorpio Season breathwork journey on Zoom Wednesday, November 5 at 5pm MST! Sign up here
Keywords

Scorpio, astrology, human design, transformation, Samhain, Dia de los Muertos, personal growth, spirituality, gates of Scorpio, seasonal cycles, Human Design, Gene Keys, Scorpio Season, Karmic Relationships, Self-Expression, Transformation, Immortality, Teamwork, Shadow Work, Surrender
Chapters

00:00Introduction to Scorpio Season and Personal Insights

04:56Exploring Human Design and Astrology

10:03The Depths of Scorpio: Transformation and Rebirth

14:56Understanding Scorpio's Archetypes and Their Influence

19:55The Role of Mars and Pluto in Scorpio's Energy

24:43Navigating Challenges and Embracing Transformation

29:44The Significance of Scorpio Season and Samhain

34:47Personal Reflections on Scorpio and Metal Season

39:44Exploring the Scorpio Archetype

43:47The Spiritual Warrior and Sacrifice

47:05Celebrating Samhain and Dia de los Muertos

51:50Understanding Gate 50: The Cauldron of Values

59:56Gate 28: Embracing Life and Death

01:09:50Gate 44: Karmic Relationships and Synergy

01:14:59Meeting the Spirits: Embracing the Season of the Dead

01:15:38Karmic Relationships: Lessons from the Past

01:17:39Synarchy: Collective Leadership and Teamwork

01:19:36The Shift from Hierarchy to Heart-Centered Leadership

01:21:49Surrendering to Synarchy: Embracing Our Roles

01:24:01The Creative Spark: Emergence from Darkness

01:30:17Intimacy with Self: The Depths of Scorpio Season

01:38:38Interdependence vs. Codependence: The Dojo of Scorpio

01:39:34Gate 14: Abundance and Transformation

I’m excited to be co-facilitating a retreat in Ojai, California in 3 weeks- we still have space for a couple of people to join us, and we’d love to have you! It's called How to Play in the Dark- a co-creative, emergent retreat for women(+) visionaries, leaders, and creators.

Tune into this episode to learn more about How to Play in the Dark, straight from the voices of the retreat’s hosts and facilitators. I chat with visionary founder and architect of play Meg Koenig, along with co-facilitators Courtney Smith, a circle weaver and transformational guide and Heather Riley, therapist, movement facilitator and experience designer. In addition to their space-holding and guidance during the retreat, I will be offering human design readings and somatic support, and Jessie Solon will be bringing in daily sound healing experiences.

To learn more and register to join us in Ojai later this month, visit Meg's Website at saltymuse.com.

In this episode of Cycles of Time, Alison Dale explores the themes of Libra season 2025, focusing on the concepts of balance, surrender, and transformation. She reflects on the recent eclipse season, the evolution of her podcast, and the significance of Libra in various cultural and astrological contexts. The conversation delves into the connections between Libra and the body, the life cycle, and the cycles of nature, emphasizing the importance of discernment and relationality during this pivotal time of year.

Takeaways:

Surrender is not apathy; it's an active engagement with change.

Eclipse season can bring unexpected connections and insights.

The evolution of projects can lead to new opportunities.

Libra season marks a transition into the darker half of the year.

Balance is a dynamic process, not a static state.

Libra is associated with the kidneys and adrenal glands in the body.

Midlife is a time for relationality and shared responsibilities.

Mabon celebrates the balance of light and dark during the equinox.

The five elements cycle teaches us about discernment and letting go.

Human design gates in Libra season emphasize embodiment and relational values.

Stay in Touch:

Website: Book astrology and human design readings with me at astrosomatics.com⁠⁠⁠

IG: @cyclesoftimepodcast⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠@astro.somatics⁠⁠⁠ ,

Substack: Subscribe at ⁠cyclesoftime.substack.com⁠.