I’ve always been weary of people who weren’t “animal people”. If we went on a date and you walked me home and didn’t acknowledge Harold, you didn’t get a call back. If I’m at a party full of people and there is a dog there, that’s most likely where you will find me. Not that I don’t throughly enjoy human company + companionship, I absolutely do, though superficial small party talk can be challenging (ahem, triple Scorpio w/ Cancer Rising) AND animals, of all kinds really, hold a special place in my heart. They feel deeply connected to my soul. When I took a long leave from Instagram, it was the animal videos I missed the most. I’ve pulled off on the side of the road more than once to say hello to donkeys or horses. I’ve wanted a rescue for as long as I can remember. I stop to pet all the dogs on the street and have picked up strays more times than I can count. And when I say Harold was my child, I absolutely mean it.

It wasn’t really until I started working with Human Design + Astrology that I was able to suspend my judgment around people that just weren’t “animal people” (like… what are they a sociopath level judgment) and understand that it’s all energy. Some of us are just born of stardust that is deeply connected to the animal kingdom and others are not, it’s not personal, they are not less good or compassionate humans, it’s by Design.

There are certain placements in Astrology + Human Design that can indicate a deeper connection, desire, and actual need to have animals in your life. Pets can be allies, true familiars, healing + evolutionary for all of us, but for many of us this is particularly true. The strongest place to look out for in your Natal Chart are personal planets, especially the luminaries (Sun, Moon), Mercury, or the benefics (Jupiter, Venus) in the 6th House (check 🙋‍♀️), though Mars has his joy there and you may find a pet that brings greater vitality and routine to your life very supportive and healing. With Saturn there you may work too much to care for an animal, or it may be a catalyst for better work/life balance. When we have transits by the benefic planets, especially, to our 6th House may be a time when we desire a pet, and a supportive time to get one, as well as when we are Profected in to a 6th House year (or times when 6th House is in play).

Someone with a lot of, or just prominent personal planets, in Virgo (check) may also feel a deeper desire to have a pet. As well as those with their Nodes on the Virgo/Pisces axis, especially especially those with a Virgo North Node (check, check).

To a lesser extent, and more closely related to farming and farm animals is the 12th House (ruler of my 12th in the 6th).

And, in Human Design there are several gates and channels tied to the animal kingdom. With pets I would look particularly to Gate 19 (mmhm 🙋‍♀️) and the Gates that make up The Channel of Rhythm, Gates 5 and 15 (ahem, me again, sensing a theme here?). Gate 19 is the most sensitive gate in the bodygraph, and is very tuned in to the energy of animals, and because it’s in the Root Center it can be grounding to have animals in your life, as well as a way to channel your sensitivity into healthy outlets. There is a saying that ‘dog’ is the reverse of ‘God’ and this gate includes themes around connecting the magical realm to the mundane, Spirit to Earth, which feels so woven into a dog’s DNA (not to discount cats at all here which have their own energy). They are teachers, mirrors, unconditional love givers.

Whether you have any of these placements doesn’t matter if you feel connected to and benefited by having animals in your life. I have said on more than one occasion that Harold saved mine. In the dark times taking care of him got me out of bed, and animals can be so incredibly supportive to our mental and emotional well-being. You might find many pathways which are served by a furry companion, not listed here. Someone with an open heart center may gain so much from the daily reminder that you deserve to be loved simply for being you, nothing to prove. A family missing the 5/15 channel in their Penta may benefit from a dog to bring rhythm and routine to their lives. There are lots of possibilities.

Other gates that have direct connection to animals are:

22 – (SP) Grace | Adorning | Openness | Attunes to Mammals

26 – (W) Accumulation | Accomplishments | Attunes to Birds, Reptiles + Fish

49 – (SP) Revolution | The Rebel | Sensitivity | Attunes with Mammals

I recently recorded a podcast episode with Rae Embrey, a gifted animal communicator, and now valued friend, on navigating the end of Harold’s life and the aftermath. If you have been through losing a pet, my heart goes out to you, truly. I have had many people say to me they could never do it again, that they would never get another animal because the pain was too great. It is a particularly special exquisite kind of grief. But that’s like someone saying they would give up on love after having their heart broken. I got fourteen incredible, joyful, loving, adventurous and educational years with Harold. He taught me more than any book, or human for that matter. And, he gave me more than I could ever imagine. I would do it all over again. And, I know some day soon I will, and that my relationship with my next animal(s) will also help heal the grief I continue to move through for him. That being said, Harold was truly, truly, special and I miss him more than words. I want to dedicate this post to him.

Harold…

My anchor. My talisman. My little spoon. The dude. The tank. The ultimate bringer of joy to everyone he encountered. A true soulmate in this lifetime. A unicorn amongst us. While Harold (how-wold) suited you perfectly, you held many nicknames…

and hearts.

and outfits… since clothes made you feel safer in the world and you made me.

My familiar. My ride or die. My sidekick for life’s adventures + space holder and comforter in life’s dark moments. There were not many places I went that you did not go, whether it was a bike ride, a paddleboard, the top of a mountain, a road trip or a trip to the bathroom. You were always by my side. Peering out from under your muppet fluff through what seemed like human eyes. Never short on opinions or love. Through many homes, cities, relationships, airbnbs; you were my constant and I was yours.

There are no words to express the depth of my gratitude that you chose to do life with me. It was true devotion. It is a connection beyond realms and time.

Run free now. I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.

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Pets, The Cosmos + Loss