Last week, we explored Gateway 56, known as “The Wanderer”. Now, the Sun has moved on into Gateway 31, the Gate of “Influence,” which has a very different flavor.  Gate 31 is in the Throat Center, which means it has to do with expressing. It’s a voice, and it’s a very powerful voice, a voice that other people are going to want to hear. So, if you’ve got Gate 31 in your Chart, you’ll know there are situations in life where people just want to listen in to what it is you have to say. You have a tone of voice that draws people’s attention. It’s very direct, very logical, and as such it’s very influential.

So, with that in mind, let’s have a look at the Human Design Life Themes associated with Gateway 31:

The Personal Life Theme: The Unexpected

The Sun is in Gate 31, and on the opposite side we have the Earth in Gateway 41, which is the Gateway of “Imagination”. And Gateway 41 is associated with the start codon in genetics. It’s the place from which everything begins. So, whenever Gate 41 is triggered, it opens a doorway to completely new life experiences. And as Gate 31 uses its influence to raise the quality of life here to a higher frequency, Gate 41 gives us a backdrop of imagination. It asks, “What can we dream up? What will be the most amazing life experience that we could possibly have?” The possibilities are endless with the Life Theme of “The Unexpected.”

• Gate 31 – Influence – Interrelating and leading others through expressing your natural influence.

• Gate 41 – Imagination – Limitations open the door for imagination and possibilities.

• Gate 27 – Nourishing – Enhancing health and wellbeing in all aspects of life.

• Gate 28 – The Game Player – Embracing and celebrating life, challenges and all.

The Unconscious Sun is in Gate 27, the Gateway of “Nourishing.” How do we nourish ourselves? Are we constantly consuming negative media? Are we doomscrolling? Are we reading good books? Taking walks in nature? Eating healthy, delicious foods? Gate 27 is really all about the ways in which we replenish ourselves so that we can have the greatest life experience.

 The unconscious Earth has gone into Gateway 28, which we call “The Game Player”. And what’s the game? The game of life. This is the gateway that exists between life and death. It’s the memory of life and death, and it’s an essential reminder to enjoy life. While we’re here, let’s dance, let’s party, let’s have an extraordinary celebration.

As you might be able to glean from all the various things playing out here, if you have this Life Theme you’re not going to have a dull lifetime. The Unexpected opens up all kinds of different possibilities, and those who have this Life Theme have to grow up very quickly. Life throws you into a situation and you have to show up. People are interested in what it is you have to say, so how do you announce yourself? Are you an imaginative, creative being? Do you bring a nourishing presence? Are you prepared to dance your way through life or are you going to shrink in the face of life’s inevitable end?

The Fixed Life Theme: Influence

As we move on into the 4/1 Profile, we still have the Sun in Gate 31, and the Earth in Gate 41. But now, The Unconscious Sun is in Gate 24, the Gateway of “Returning.” It’s in the Mind Center and it’s a place where deep thoughts cycle around and around, getting refined along the way. And the Unconscious Earth is now in Gate 44, which is called “Coming to Meet”, or “Patterns”.  And this opens up the Fixed Life Theme of “Influence”.

• Gate 31 – Influence – Interrelating and leading others through expressing your natural influence.

• Gate 41 – Imagination – Limitations open the door for imagination and possibilities.

• Gate 24 – Returning – Cycles of deep thought give way to innovation and transformation.

• Gate 44 – Patterns – Embracing and celebrating life, challenges and all.

 The Life Theme of influence can be very direct, very influential and very imaginative as well. If you have this Life Theme, you can look into things in ways other people can’t necessarily see. And you really love it when people get what it is you’re pointing towards. You’re essentially very open in expressing your imaginations and this can excite desires and elicit fantasies in people. So, as someone who does have this potential power and influence over people, it’s very important to trust in your own Type and Authority as you go through your life journey.

The Interpersonal Life Theme: The Alpha

 Now the Sun moves into the 5/1, 5/2, 6/2, and 6/3 profiles, and we find ourselves in the Interpersonal Life Theme of “The Alpha”. In the animal kingdom, the alpha is the leader of the pack. And if you have this Life Theme, you’ll find that you’re a natural leader. People look to you for guidance and direction. Leadership can be a delicate thing, so it’s important to always be clear on who it is you’re leading and why. Are you leading because that’s what’s expected of you? Are you spending all your time and energy rescuing people? Are you taking people on a journey that’s going to bring them some clarification and benefit?

Some prominent people with this Life Theme include Arnold Schwarzenegger, who certainly fits the model of the “Alpha” as he rose to the top of everything he tried, from bodybuilding, to acting, to leadership in his role as the Governator. Emily Brontë—who forever changed perspectives of and about women with her writing—also had the Life Theme of The Alpha. As did Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motors and father of mass auto production. All powerful leaders in their own unique ways.

People with this Life Theme have to be able to transcend challenges of all shapes and forms. And one of the major challenges of leadership is recognizing the power and contributions of those being led. True leadership is a two-way street. Are you just dragging people around, leading them by the nose? Or is it a collaboration wherein you give great guidance to people who in turn offer their own creative input and really contribute to what it is that you’re doing?

That’s the essence of this Life Theme. If you want to learn more about Life Themes, you’ll find them all in the Book of Destinies, part of the Human Design Trilogy which is available in all good bookstores and audiobook platforms.

If you want to find out more about Gate 31, we encourage you to dive into our blog series on the Book of Lines.

And if you’d like to learn more about how your Human Design informs and shapes your life, get your Free Human Design Report today.