Gate 19 brings an energy of service and aligned interactions with others. This gates asks us to attune to our needs first, followed by that of the community or tribe. It’s a deeply sensitive and empathic gate.
Gate 19 Overview
This is a gate I know particularly well, as it lives in three of my Human Design gates (unconscious Mars, along with both my unconscious and conscious Jupiter) and thus it also represents three of my four spheres in my Gene Keys Prosperity (Pearl) sequence.
This gate is where the Highly Sensitive Person tends to ‘live’. Meaning someone with this gate defined in their chart (like me) tends to have a very delicate and activated sensory system and literally ‘feels’ everything.
It might be the itchiness of a particular fabric or tags in their clothing that activates a heightened sensory response. Perhaps, their system feels overloaded by too much light or sound, or even strong smells.
Regardless of what creates an amplified sensory sensation, typically these individuals feel this across all five of their senses, and in their emotions.
Those with a defined Gate 19, especially if in their bigger energy planets within their chart (e.g., Sun, Earth, Moon, North Node, Mars, Jupiter, and even Venus) may find this energy quite challenging.
It will show up as a theme in everything.
For example, growing up I was constantly told I was being “too sensitive” about things. I was teased for crying at everything, complaining about the feel of textures and different foods, and for being extremely picky.
Back then I was convinced that something was truly wrong with me.
I mean I can cry at anything (both things that cause me deep pain, along with stuff that tugs on my heartstrings and I find profoundly sentimental) … AND still have the worst battle with finding the “right” socks to wear that don’t irritate the hell out of me and take me out.
By exploring more and more my own wiring and natural design, I have been able to accept that my extreme sensitivity is actually a superpower … WHEN I stay detached, and take care of my needs first.
Those of us who have a defined Gate 19 often deeply feel people.
I mean really feel people. We tend to know what someone needs before they do, or have the opportunity to verbalize it. Our intuition also is very astute and dialed in, and we tend to “see” things other people don’t.
When aligned, we read a room well.
The challenge or opportunity for someone who has a defined Gate 19 is to be able to feel those energies and tap into the needs of others without feeling compelled to do something about it or to fix anything.
We can take on the role of witness, and hold space for their needs, but need not become enmeshed with them and carry the weight of their challenges.
We also tend to find ourselves being somewhat of an animal whisperer. We connect deeply to animals. I feel as if I can communicate on a different level, for instance, with my dog, Ernie.
We also find this to be true of our connection with nature. We feel Mother Earth, herself, and often can easily assess what she needs to thrive.
In addition, being a sensitive empath amplifies my artistry.
It allows me to connect to big, profound, vulnerable emotions for myself and for others when sharing my stories and in my writing.
When aligned, there is a lot of magic in that sensitivity. It’s a superpower.
Gate 19: Definition, Energy + Keywords
Understanding the core components of the energy within this gate, along with the magnetic keywords help us to harness the magic that lies within.
- Traditional Human Design: Approach | Wanting
- Gene Keys: Codependency (shadow) | Sensitivity (gift) | Sacrifice (siddhi)
- Quantum Human Design: Attunement
- I Ching: Approaching (Lin)ā—āapproach without expectation; persevere
- Image (I Ching): Lake/Earth (the Earth is above the Lake)
- Archetypal Name: The Sensitive Soul / Empath
- Location: Root Center (Channel 19–49: Channel of Synthesis)
- Astrological Sign: Aquarius
- Keywords: sensitivity; empathic; being attuned to needs; community empowerment; collaboration; codependency; enmeshment
- Alignment Cue: sensitive
- Out-of-Alignment Cue: enmeshed
Location of Gate 19 in your Human Design Chart
Because this gate lives in the Root Center and is directly connected to our basic primal survival needs, there is a natural pressure to ensure that those needs are met, both for ourselves, as well as for the collective community.
Pressure, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. It’s learning to act of the pressure that is correct for you, in your design.
As such, there is an out-of-alignment way we react to this pressure (shadow) and a way that feels correct for how we respond(gift).
Note the difference between the descriptions of reaction versus response.
It is important to note as Gate 19 connects from the Root Center to the Solar Plexus Center connecting to Gate 49. This channel represents the energy to create intimate, committed connections with others.
Shadow & Gift Expressions of Gate 19
The shadow side of Gate 19 has you enmeshed into the needs of others.
You create repetitive cycles of codependency (often high-functioning) and take on a heavy burden and responsibility to fix or carry others to ensure that both their emotional and material needs are met.
You often sacrifice your needs in the process, whether consciously or unconsciously, as you don’t understand your own needs, or you martyr yourself to put others first. Thus putting your own needs last.
Maintaining a balanced sense of self-care and understanding is how best to honor your needs in alignment with sensing the needs of others.
You hold deep insight and knowing that communities thrive when basic needs are met. You thrive then in healthy environments where the community or tribe, itself, can thrive by itself.
Contemplations for Gate 19
- What is needed of me right now?
- Can I hold space for the needs of others without becoming enmeshed?
- Am I being emotionally present in my relationships?
- Where do I need to become more attuned to my own emotional needs?
- How can I ask for more of what I need to maintain my own self care?
Key Takeaways
The energy of Gate 19 truly requires balance as it can be a rather big energy and can lead to extreme burnout and exhaustion if care is not taken.
It is important to learn how to create sustainable resources to meet your own needs first before giving of (sacrificing) yourself to assist others or the overall wellbeing and survival of the community.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
It’s important that you consider only pouring from the overflow from the saucer and not from the cup itself. Otherwise, you fall prey to vicious and ongoing cycles of codependency that has you trying to fix and carry everyone else’s problems and drama.
Because, in all honesty, it is not our job to save anyone. It is our job to use our sensitivity for deeper compassion and to bear witness from a place of non-interference and to let people follow their own path.
As the saying goes, “ I will not light myself on fire to keep others warm.”