Exploring the Five Human Design Types: A Guide to Self-Discovery

You know your star chart, your astrocartography chart, maybe you’ve even had a Vedic astrology chart done. But are you aware of your human design? 

While your western astrology chart can give you insights into your personality and desires; your human design gives you a unique perspective. It tells you the things you need to know in order to take actionable steps toward your purpose in life, find success, and live more harmoniously. Here’s how…

Understanding Human Design

Human Design is a system that integrates elements of astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and the chakra system to provide insights into someone’s unique personality, behavior patterns, and life purpose. Similar to a natal star chart, it posits that each person is born with a specific design, comprising various aspects using the alignment of the stars at the moment of your birth. However, the human design system also adds in the layer of astrological alignment during brain development in utero.

The aspects of this chart are also different from those of a star chart. The aspects of your human design will include:

• Type: There are five main types: Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, and Reflector. Each type has its own strategy for making decisions and interacting with the world.
• Authority: This refers to the inner guidance system a person should rely on when making decisions. It could be based on emotions, intuition, or other factors.
• Centers: These represent different aspects of a person’s life, such as emotions, communication, and identity. Each center can be defined or undefined, influencing how a person experiences/how they respond to the world.
• Profile: This describes the fundamental characteristics and roles a person may embody, based on the interaction between two numbers.
• Channels and Gates: These are specific energy pathways and points within your design that can influence strengths, challenges, and potential areas of growth.

Overall, Human Design is another piece of the puzzle for understanding yourself and others, facilitating personal growth, nurturing better relationships, and finding alignment with your true nature and purpose.

Human Design Strategy Types

When you learn your strategy type from your human design chart, you discover what your own unique approach to interacting with the world is. Also, gaining the knowledge of your type can provide valuable insights into how to navigate life with more ease.

There are five human design types:

Generators

Generators are the workforce of the world, with a consistent and sustainable energy(hence the name). As a generator your strategy is to respond before taking action. Rather than initiating, generators should wait for life to present them with opportunities and respond to those that resonate with them.

Oftentimes generators are ruled by their sacral center. This means that although they are the workforce, if they don’t do the things they love they’ll be prone to frustration and over-commitment. If you are a generator, learning how to light yourself up is going to be a huge factor in living in alignment. Easier said than done these days I know. That’s why I created Yoga For Self Mastery. To help you rediscover what makes you glow and give you the tools to light up everyday of your life.

Projectors

The sage of the human design strategy types; projectors are natural guides and leaders. With a focused and absorbing aura their strategy is to share wisdom and guidance with the world; but not before they receive recognition and wait for the invitation to do so. By waiting for the right invitations, Projectors can ensure that their contributions are valued and appreciated.

Projectors understand others inherently. This gives them the ability to provide wisdom and guidance to those around them. And while they certainly do not maintain the same levels of energy that generators can, they understand how to use the energy they do have in the most effective and efficient ways. That said, if you are a projector and aren’t managing your energy wisely you’ll be prone to bitterness and burnout. A great way to help manage this is by doing a Morning Yoga For Energy class.

Manifestors

Manifestors are initiators and innovators. They protect themselves with a closed and repelling aura and their strategy is to inform others before taking action. By informing others about their intentions, manifestors can avoid resistance and friction in their interactions. They don’t wait for external factors like generators or projectors do. They know what they want and they’re going to make it happen; they’re just letting you know in advance so that YOU can adjust, not them.

Manifestors are incredibly gifted at getting things started and inspiring others to do the same. They’re also very independent, but if they aren’t careful that independence can lead to loneliness. If you are a manifestor I’m sure you’ve already got business ideas you’re itching to get started. Let me help with my Uplifted Business Launchpad. With plenty of done for you content you can feel more confident in getting your yoga business off the ground!

Manifesting Generator

Manifesting Generators have qualities of both manifestors and generators. Like generators, they should wait to respond, but they also have the ability to initiate like manifestors. Their strategy is to both wait to respond and to inform others before taking action on their own impulses.

The energy type of a generator and the drive of a manifestor makes for an efficient and independent person. One who has ideas and drive to do new things but is grounded enough to make sure they are thinking things through first. Keep in mind that this person will also be ruled by their sacral chakra because of their generator portion. Making it important to have a pleasure practice. Give this one a try: Yin Yoga for the Sacral Chakra – Creativity & Sexual Energy

Reflectors

Reflectors are the rarest type, with a resistant and sampling aura they represent only about 1% of the population. They are highly sensitive to their environment and act as mirrors for the collective. Their strategy is to wait a full lunar cycle (about 28 days) before making major decisions. By taking their time, Reflectors can gain clarity and avoid making decisions impulsively. This makes them wise and well informed.

A beautiful aspect of being a reflector is the ability to see the big picture. This is a sign of balance in the third eye chakra (ajna). When you can see the big picture and get all of the information you can make better decisions that align with your beliefs. However, reflectors need to be mindful of their ability to be easily influenced during their decision processing timeline.

Authority Types

When looking at your human design chart you’ll see a section called “authority”. Authority refers to the inner guidance system that you should rely on when making decisions. There are several types of authority, each associated with a different aspect of human experience.

Here are the main authority types:

Emotional Authority

Emotional authority appears in your chart when the solar plexus (manipura) center is defined. If your human design chart has emotional authority, you should wait to make decisions until you have emotional clarity. This means letting emotional waves pass before deciding on something. This is important because decisions made during emotional highs or lows may not be reliable and lead to regret.

Your solar plexus is your space of self confidence and determination. Emotional authority asks you to make a decision with confidence based on how it makes you feel AFTER high emotions have been discharged. When you honor emotional authority it helps to avoid impulsive decisions that don’t align with your well being. Although it can be challenging to process and learn to work with emotions, once you do you’ll start to make decisions from a space of alignment and fulfillment.

Experience My Somatic Yoga Workshop (usually $67) FREE!👇

Sacral Authority

Sacral authority is found in Generators and Manifesting Generators. It relies on the human body parts response to a question or situation. When faced with a decision, those with sacral authority should listen to their “gut” or physical sensations to determine whether something is energetically correct for them.

It can be difficult to trust your gut, especially when it tells you something that may go against societal norms. This is why it’s always important to reconnect to your body. Do a pleasure practice or somatic practice to release emotions. If you have a sacral authority you’ll notice a feeling of wholeness or contentment when you use your body’s intelligence and make decisions from a place of authenticity. 

Splenic Authority

Splenic authority is an intuitive gut feeling or instinctual knowing that arises in the moment. Unlike other authorities who should avoid impulsive decisions, someone with splenic authority should make immediate decisions. They need to trust their instincts and make decisions based on their immediate sense of rightness or wrongness.

If you have a splenic authority, your sole concern is with the present moment. Therefore you must be able to quickly and easily adapt/pivot decisions based on the constant changes happening in life. Sometimes, having to make spur of the moment decisions can generate fear based responses that are not in alignment with your well being. The desire to make quick decisions while others need more time can be a challenge for someone with this authority too. If this is you, work with learning to trust your instincts. And intuitive movement practice is the perfect thing to help with that. 

Environment/No Inner Authority

Also known as “mental” authority, these people are deeply influenced by their environment and should make decisions based on how they feel in different places and with different people. Waiting to make decisions until they have experienced a variety of environments will lead to greater clarity.

If you have no inner authority you rely on external feedback rather than internal knowing. This means you’ll need a strong support system of people you trust to bounce your ideas off of or you may meet resistance. This makes the decision making process a slow one, especially if you are in a pressured environment. Make sure you are somewhere you feel safe and comfortable before you make your final decision.

Self-Projected Authority

Self-projected authority involves talking through decisions aloud. This authority type should verbally process their thoughts and feelings with a trusted listener to gain clarity and insight into the best course of action.

Someone with a self-projected authority may need to play around with speaking through decisions with friends and family and speaking through them alone to see which works best for them. The beauty of a self-projected authority is that you don’t rely on anyone else to make decisions. You talk it out solely for yourself, whether someone else is listening or not, cultivating self-confidence. Just like other authorities the challenge is learning to listen to your true inner knowing rather than societal conditioning. 

Lunar Cycle Authority

Reflectors generally also have lunar authority. This involves waiting a full lunar cycle (approximately 28 days) before making major decisions. By observing how they feel over the course of the lunar cycle, Reflectors can gain insights into the best choices for them.

Remember too that a reflector’s environment plays an important role in their decision making process. So in addition to taking plenty of time to weigh out their options, having the optimal environment where they feel safe and comfortable is a huge aspect of this lunar authority as well. If you have a lunar authority in your human design chart I’d encourage you to tap into your feminine energy. This will help you lean into that intuitive nature and learn to trust your inner guidance.

Take my feminine energy quiz to get a recommended practice for balancing YOUR feminine energy 👇

Ego Authority / Ego Manifested Authority

Often found in manifestors, ego manifested authority makes decisions based on the spontaneous expression of their truth in the moment. They need to speak their decision aloud, and the clarity or resonance of their own voice will indicate the surety of their choice. This authority type emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment and authenticity in decision-making. By aligning with your truth and speaking it aloud, ego manifested authority can make choices that lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment in your life.

This authority is ruled by their wants/desires. If this is you, you’ll make decisions from the heart (anahata) chakra in order to find alignment with your purpose. Making spontaneous decisions this way can often feel irrational and scary, but if you are connected to your heart and trust yourself then you’ll be living your truth and feel at ease.

How To Read A Human Design Chart

Reading a Human Design chart involves interpreting the various elements, such as the centers, gates, channels, and other symbols. It can be a very complex thing to look at and even interpret. There are plenty of professionals out there who can read your chart for you; but here’s a high level explanation of how to read a Human Design chart:

Identify the Type: Determine your Human Design type, which could be Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, or Reflector.

Understand Centers: There are nine energy types or centers in the Human Design chart, each representing different aspects of life. Identify which centers are defined (colored in) and which are undefined (white). Defined centers represent consistent energy, while undefined centers indicate areas where you are more open to external influences.

Analyze Gates and Channels: Gates are specific points within the centers, and channels are connections between two centers. Each gate and channel has its own meaning and significance, influencing personality traits, behaviors, and life experiences.

Consider Profiles: Profiles describe the fundamental characteristics and roles a person may embody, based on the interaction between two numbers. Profiles provide insights into how you interact with the world and fulfill your own life purpose.

Explore Authority: Determine authority type, which indicates the inner guidance system you should rely on when making decisions. Authority types include Emotional, Sacral, Splenic, Self-Projected, Environmental, Lunar, and Ego Manifested.

Integrate Strategy and Authority: Combine your Human Design type with your authority type to understand how you should navigate life, create, and make decisions effectively.

This is a lot, and can get really confusing. This is why it’s not a bad idea to work with a professional human design expert. There are many online resources to research on your own too. But, by understanding these elements and how they interact within the Human Design chart, you gain deeper insights into your unique characteristics, behaviors, decision making methods and life path.

Common Questions About Human Design Types

What is the rarest Human Design type?

The rarest Human Design type is generally considered to be the Reflector. Reflectors make up one of the five human design types but only about 1% of the population according to Human Design theory. They are highly sensitive individuals who act as mirrors of their environment, reflecting the energy and dynamics around them.

How do I know my Human Design type?

To determine your Human Design type, you’ll need your birth date, birth time, and place. You can then generate your Human Design chart using online tools like myhumandesign.com or consulting with a Human Design practitioner. Your type will be indicated on the chart as one of the five main types: Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, or Reflector.

What is the most common Human Design profile?

The most common Human Design profile is the 6/2 profile, also known as the Role Model Hermit. This profile consists of the archetype of the Role Model (6) and the archetype of the Hermit (2). It’s one of many possible combinations of personality traits and roles based on the interaction between two numbers in the Human Design chart.