Introduction to Human Design
Human Design is a synthesis of ancient and modern systems—combining the I Ching, Kabbalah, astrology, chakra system, and quantum physics into a single, cohesive system. It’s akin to having your own personal blueprint that helps you navigate life more authentically. At the heart of Human Design is the BodyGraph, a visual representation of your energy centers and channels.
To understand your Human Design chart, it’s essential to comprehend that it’s not just about knowing who you are, but also about discovering how you interact with the world. It provides insights into your strengths, challenges, and potential paths in life.
One of the first things you’ll notice when looking at a Human Design chart is the nine centers, each represented by a geometric shape. These centers correspond to specific aspects of human nature and indicate whether they are defined (colored in) or undefined (white).
Reading your Human Design chart is a journey of self-discovery. It offers you tools to understand your inherent traits, behaviors, and energies, ultimately empowering you to make decisions that align with your true nature.
Centers and Their Significance
The nine centers in a Human Design chart can be likened to chakras in the chakra system, though they are not identical. Each center governs specific functions and attributes. When a center is colored in (defined), it indicates a consistent and reliable function in that area of life. Conversely, an undefined center (white) means that its function is adaptable and can be influenced by external energies.
The Throat Center, for example, is connected with communication and manifestation. A defined Throat Center indicates a consistent way of expressing oneself, while an undefined Throat may mean the individual adapts their communication style based on their environment.
The Sacral Center relates to life force energy and work capacity. Those with this center defined often have a consistent energy for work and can discern the right opportunities. On the other hand, an undefined Sacral Center might suggest that an individual absorbs energy from their environment.
The Solar Plexus Center revolves around emotions and emotional intelligence. A defined center in this area denotes consistent emotional waves, whereas an undefined center can mean heightened emotional sensitivity and empathy.
By understanding each center’s significance, you can begin to see how energy flows in your life, identifying areas of consistency and areas where you’re more susceptible to external influences.
Channels and Gates: The Connecting Paths
Channels in a Human Design chart are the lines connecting two centers. These channels represent the flow of energy between centers and determine the way you process or experience that specific energy. Each channel is made up of two gates, which originate from the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching.
For instance, the Channel of Awakening, which connects the Crown Center to the Throat Center, signifies an individual’s ability to verbalize inspirations and ideas. If this channel is defined in your chart, you likely have a consistent ability to communicate your inspirations.
Every channel in the Human Design chart tells a story about a particular aspect of your nature. Whether it’s about your logical abilities, intuitive senses, or your drive for interaction, each channel offers insight into your unique way of processing and manifesting energy.
However, it’s also essential to look at individual gates. A single gate highlighted in your chart, even if the entire channel isn’t defined, holds significance. It indicates a potential for that energy, which can become active when interacting with someone who has the complementary gate defined.
Profiles and Types: Your Role in the World
Beyond centers and channels, your Human Design chart also includes a Type and a Profile, both fundamental aspects of your design.
There are five Types in Human Design: Manifestors, Generators (and Manifesting Generators), Projectors, and Reflectors. Your Type provides insights into your strategy in life, how you make decisions, and your role in interactions. For instance, Manifestors are initiators, starting projects and setting things into motion, while Projectors excel in guiding and directing energy.
Your Profile, on the other hand, is a combination of two numbers (like 4/6 or 2/4). These numbers relate to specific roles or ways of being in the world. For instance, a 1/3 Profile indicates a person who is foundational (from the 1) and learns through trial and error (from the 3).
Together, your Type and Profile offer a concise overview of your role in the world and your best strategy for decision-making. They guide you on how to respond to opportunities, when to wait, or when to leap into action, ensuring that your choices align with your authentic design.
Authority: Your Inner GPS
One of the most transformational aspects of Human Design is understanding your Authority. Your Authority provides guidance on how to make decisions that align with your design. It’s like an internal compass, pointing you towards choices that are in resonance with your true self.
For some, the Sacral Authority guides their decision-making process. Those with this authority can trust their gut feelings or visceral responses to situations. A simple feeling of being drawn towards or repelled from something can be a clear indication.
Others might have the Emotional Solar Plexus Authority, meaning decisions are best made when they reach an emotional clarity. For these individuals, immediate decisions can often lead to regret. It’s crucial for them to give themselves time to process emotions before making important choices.
The Splenic Authority relies on intuition. Those with this authority have spontaneous intuitive insights that come unexpectedly. Learning to trust these flashes of intuition can lead to choices that are deeply aligned with their design.
Not everyone, however, has an inner authority. Reflectors, for instance, have a unique lunar authority. Their decision-making process benefits from a 28-day cycle, reflecting the lunar month.
Definition: How You Process Energy
In your Human Design chart, the way centers are connected—or not connected—tells you about your Definition. Definition is about how energy flows within you, and it provides insights into how you interact with the world and other people.
A Single Definition means all your defined centers are connected, implying that your energy operates in a unified manner. You’re self-contained in your process and don’t need interaction to clarify your personal experiences.
Individuals with a Split Definition have defined centers that aren’t connected. They often find that interacting with others helps bridge this split and brings clarity to their process. They benefit from relationships that can connect these splits.
A Triple Split or Quadruple Split definition is less common. Those with these definitions experience multiple distinct areas within their design. Depending on their environment and who they interact with, different parts of their design become activated. They thrive in diverse environments and with varied interactions.
Understanding your Definition can offer profound insights into your relationships. It sheds light on your inherent need for interaction, independence, or a mix of both.
The Not-Self Theme: Recognizing When You’re Off Track
Your Human Design chart isn’t just a tool to understand your authentic self; it also highlights potential pitfalls or areas where you might get pulled off track. This is known as the Not-Self Theme. By recognizing this theme in your life, you can become aware of patterns that aren’t serving you.
For Manifestors, the Not-Self Theme is anger. This can arise when they feel they aren’t in control or when they face resistance to their initiating energy. Recognizing when they’re acting out of anger helps them realign with their true strategy of informing before initiating.
For Generators and Manifesting Generators, the theme is frustration. This often emerges when they’re not using their energy in satisfying ways or when they’re not listening to their Sacral responses.
Projectors can experience bitterness when they’re not recognized for their talents or when they’re trying to initiate actions like Manifestors. They thrive when they wait for invitations that recognize their unique skills.
Lastly, Reflectors have a Not-Self Theme of disappointment. They can feel this when they’re not in the right environment or when they make hasty decisions without waiting for their lunar cycle.
By understanding and recognizing the Not-Self Theme, individuals can realign with their authentic strategy, leading to more satisfaction, success, surprise, or peace in their lives.
Incarnation Cross and Life Purpose
An essential part of the Human Design chart that often captivates individuals is the Incarnation Cross. This component provides profound insights into one’s life purpose or the theme of their life’s journey.
Your Incarnation Cross is determined by the positioning of the Sun and Earth in your design. These positions, combined with their corresponding gates, create a specific cross that highlights the broad strokes of your life purpose.
There are four main Incarnation Crosses: The Right Angle Cross, The Juxtaposition Cross, The Left Angle Cross, and The Integration Cross. Each main type further divides into specific variations based on the gate positions, leading to unique life themes and purposes.
For instance, someone with a Right Angle Cross of Planning might have a life theme centered around ensuring that resources are appropriately distributed and used for the greater good. Their purpose could revolve around logistics, planning, and community resources.
Understanding your Incarnation Cross can provide clarity and direction. It’s like having a compass pointing towards your life’s overarching theme, helping you align your choices and actions with your larger purpose.
