The Format Channels and Gates
The three channels that run between the root and sacral are called format energy. The energy coming from these channels influences the entire chart! The three channels include channel 53-42, channel 3-60, and channel 52-9.
The energy from each of these three channels is continuous and runs all the way up the body graph through their respective circuitry, and for this reason, each channel influences and conditions the way the body functions. Each channel brings a specific kind of frequency or structure to the way the energy impacts the rest of the energetic body.
If you, or someone you know, have one of these three channels in your human design chart, it means you have a defined Root Center and a defined Sacral Center. It will be helpful to get very familiar with the high and low expression and overall frequency of whichever channel you have.
Defined Root Center’s Function
The defined Root Center is a powerful motor fueled by adrenaline from the adrenal glands. The Root doesn’t connect directly to the throat or it would blow it out. The Root works by building up pressure to do something and then moving forward by using adrenalized fuel. I want to add, the Root is also joy! Can you be rooted in something positive?
Characteristics of the Three Format Channels
Each format channel brings a certain structure to the way the energy works in the body.
If you have one of these channels defined, it conditions the way the rest of the characteristics in your body operate.
According to Ra, these three format channels are the only gates with the potential for melancholy and depression in the body graph. Even though they carry a lot of potential for melancholy or depression, if you’re living in alignment to your design, this energy is not going to bother you because it’s actually the not-self that gets depressed.
Responding and following your Authority will guide this energy properly.
Format Channel 52-9: the Channel of Concentration
Circuitry: Understanding (Logic); Collective
Keynote: Sharing
Format Energy: Logical
Frequency: Focused and Concentrated
Channel 52-9 is about being focused and concentrated, which allows logic to sustain its focus. This channel’s logic is a type of intelligence that's rooted in recognizing patterns by concentrating on the details. Understanding and logic takes time, focus, and concentration in order to eventually spot a pattern, test it, and prove it to be true.
Gate 9 acts like a funnel, focusing gate 52’s enormous Root Center power to concentrate on what is meaningful and worthwhile for you. This energy influences your entire design. People with this channel experience a quiet pressure to be still, but it’s not stress. It’s more of a tension that holds you in place, like a yoga pose where you’re able to still your physical body and the outside senses in order to use your energy in a precise, focused way. This energy doesn’t multi-task because it’s focused. This energy sits in stillness, waiting for the Sacral to respond “yes!”
When you correctly follow your Strategy and Authority, your entire being will have energy to concentrate on and challenge, correct, or perfect any pattern or activity you’re committed to. You may find yourself restless and depressed if there is nothing your Sacral finds worthwhile to concentrate on and direct your energy toward.
Channel 52-9's Impact on Your Human Design Chart
An example of how this energy infuses into other areas of your chart is if you have the Channel of Intimacy (59-6), you will be focused and concentrated on intimacy and creating intimacy.
If you have the Channel of Discovery (29-46), you would be focused and concentrated on being in the right place at the right time, succeeding where other people fail, or focused and immersed within the depth of your experience.
You will experience focused and concentrated energy with much of what you do in life, as long as what you're doing lights up your Sacral Center (this is essential!).
Gate 52: Gate of Stillness (Root Center)
Gate 52 is pressurized energy to keep very still and concentrate for long periods of a time in a way that’s withdrawn from distractions. This gift makes for a great wildlife photographer who can sit still for hours just watching and waiting (as long as they don’t get distracted). Without gate 9 and the Sacral response, it is difficult to know what activity or detail to concentrate on.
Gate 9: Gate of Focus (Sacral Center)
Gate 9’s gift is its ability to intensely focus on the details and facts. However, only when the Sacral Center responds “yes” will you be able to access the fuel to remain focused and concentrated. When you respond in alignment, you can focus your attention for long periods of time on all the detailed aspects of a project or issue, and properly test or assess the formulas. This can be shared with the Collective or used for your own life.
Without gate 52, it may feel difficult to sit still long enough to concentrate. People with gate 9, but not gate 52, may find doodling helps them concentrate while in a learning situation.
Channels in Understanding Logic Circuitry
52-9: Channel of Concentration
5-15: Channel of Rhythm
7-31: Channel of The Alpha
58-18: Channel of Judgment
48-16: Channel of The Wavelength
63-4: Channel of Logic
17-62: Channel of Acceptance
The Understanding Logic Circuit and Protein
All channels in the Understanding Logic circuitry are associated with the macronutrient protein. The amino acids found in protein are the building blocks needed to sustain life.
Gate 9 needs protein for vitality and warmth. Gate 9 is linked to the amino acid Threonine. Threonine is needed to synthesize neurotransmitters involved in regulating focus and attention, including dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. Threonine is also needed to make Serine, which is gate 52's amino acid! Cool connection!
Gate 52 needs protein for basic energy. Gate 52 is linked to the amino acid Serine. Gate 52's shadow is "Stress," and during times of stress, the demand for serine increases. If the diet is deficient in protein, this can limit the body's ability to respond properly to stress, allowing cortisol to become dysregulated over time.
Channel 52-9 is logic circuitry, and logic energy uses a lot of brain power. You may crave protein when you do a lot of logical work, such as a computer programming or engineer type of thinking, or work that requires energy for focused, sustained concentration.
Protein Quality
The protein you eat doesn’t have to be animal protein, but I highly recommend choosing high-quality, organic protein, even when eating plant protein. If you do not eat animal protein, I encourage you to eat enough and a variety of plant protein every day to reap the benefits. There are vegetarians/vegans with channel 52-9 who survive without animal protein. Others with this channel say they don’t do well without eating animal protein.
I have been a registered dietitian for 23 years, and I highly recommend experimenting with this nutrition information in your own life to see how it feels for you. Do you feel better eating high-quality protein? Or do you avoid eating meat? Are there certain types of protein you digest more easily than others?
I encourage you to experiment with various protein sources to figure out what protein you best tolerate. If you would like more information about protein, read more here.
Examples of Animal Protein Sources
Examples of Plant Protein Sources
Strategy and Authority
Someone with this channel defined is either a Generator or a Manifesting Generator. Your Strategy is to Respond and your Authority is either Sacral or Emotional. It’s crucial you follow your Strategy and Authority in order to properly commit your energy to aligned commitments, which will maximize your own ‘satisfaction’ potential.
If you commit to things that are not in alignment, you will find it extremely difficult to focus and concentrate. If you're able to focus and concentrate on something, that's a sign the thing is in alignment for you.
Information About the Other Two Format Channels
If you’re interested in reading about the other two format channels, go here for Format Channel 53-42 and go here for Format Channel 60-3.
If you have channel 52-9 in your chart, what is your experience with how this energy impacts your daily life? Do you eat protein? Let me know in the comments.
If you're inclined, follow me on Instagram for nutrition and human design content.
Thanks for reading,
Kelly
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
References:
Human Design Academy By Ra Uru Hu: Nine Centers Course - Disk 03 - Track-05
Ra Uru Hu and Lynda Bunnell. The Definitive Book of Human Design – the Science of Differentiation. April 2020.
Information from Martin Grassinger, a naturopathic practitioner who trained with Ra to develop the 'Rave Biology.'