What is Human Design?
Understanding your true nature and how to use your energy correctly
The Human Design System is a valuable tool for self-discovery that combines elements from the Chinese I’Ching, the Hindu-Brahmin Chakra System and quantum physics. The system offers a unique visual map of your energetic imprint at birth. This energetic signature or frequency, is essentially your instruction manual. Just like all living things on earth are encoded with their own unique design, each individual person has a distinct “design blueprint” determined by their precise birth date, time, and location. The system identifies distinct energy types and maps out the mechanics of your aura, offering guidance, insights and strategies for how you are designed to show up authentically, make decisions and exchange energy with the world.
The value of the Human Design System in everyday life lies in its ability to help people better comprehend themselves by recognising their natural strengths, as well as how they’re designed to navigate different relationship dynamics and their optimal work styles.
As a qualified Career practitioner I have been guiding career conversations for over six years. Since I began intergrating the Human Design system into my work I have seen the profound realisations that a Bodychart can offer, as people are confronted with a visual map of their true nature. Once we see who we are designed to be, we can begin to undress all the other identities that we have collected out of survival or social conditioning, and begin to reclaim the version of us that feels the most authentic.
If you are new to Human Design you can look up your free chart here. This will tell you your energy type, which is the most basic aspect of Human Design (it goes much deeper and nuanced than this obviously) and is a great starting point for first learning about your energetic blueprint. In Human Design, you are encouraged to experiment with the information and put things to the test in real-life so that you can see how your energy shifts when you use different strategies and what feels good for you. It is not meant to be taken as a dogma or a strict prescription, but instead should be seen as a tool for self-reflection and a framework for embracing your authenticity.
Let’s meet the five energy types
Generators
Generators have an open and enveloping aura that acts as a magnet for people, things and opportunities. They are connected to life-force energy through the defined sacral centre and this consistent and sustainable energy makes them creative builders. They have the largest aura of all the energy types and set the vibe of any room they enter. Because of the way they impact those around them, they are constantly shaping the world around them. This is especially noticeable when they are creatively inspired, as this results in an overflow of life-force energy that spills out into their surroundings like a ripple that keeps others in your space recharged and motivated.
Manifesting Generators
This energy type is a unique blend that embodies both the essence of Manifestors, who are initiators, and Generators, who are the builders. While technically their aura operates the same as a Generator aura, they have a distinct energy profile that combines the power to conceive and initiate ideas with the enduring, sustained energy to bring these ideas to completion. Manifesting Generators have a whirlwind of energy that can be channeled into a myriad of interests, ventures and projects, often multitasking with impressive efficiency. They thrive in environments where they can initiate a new way or carve a new path in response to creative urges.
Projectors
The Projector aura is deeply focused and able to penetrate the auras of those around them. This superpower gives them an unmatched ability to read people and connect deeply when they focus their attention in one-on-one interactions. They also have a gift for working with systems and processes, often noticing details and nuances that others might miss. Projectors are not designed to be constantly “on” and are extremely vulnerable to burnout since they are often operating as a different energy type in an attempt to keep up or fit in. Because of their ability to see what others don’t, they are well suited to guiding, analysing, leading, and directing.
Manifestors
Manifestors have a unique aura that has a strong impact on those around them. They are designed to initiate, set events into motion and catalyse change. Their energy is potent and can be felt as soon as they enter a room. They are often a source of inspiration for others, with their presence provoking people into action. The Manifestor aura has an in-built protection that can make it difficult for others to read them and so they often come across as mysterious and alluring. This is also why Manifesters should always make their intentions known, so that those around them know what to expect. This doesn’t mean asking for permission- because Manifestors are here to run their own show- but it’s more about keeping those who will be affected by their actions in the loop.
Reflectors
Reflectors are the rarest energy type within the Human Design system. With a unique and receptive aura, they act as a mirror, reflecting back the environment and the people around them. Their energy is acutely sensitive, allowing them to deeply sense and resonate with the energies and moods of any space they enter. Reflectors are advised to give themselves time when making significant life decisions. This allows them to experience and process different energetic themes, since their Bodygraph chart changes every few hours with the transitions of the moon.
The Aura types and their Strategy
Each aura type has a unique way of generating opportunities and engaging with the world. Following your strategy is also the key to your vitality and your source of energy. *Note in the visual below the Generator aura also represents Manifesting Generators, since they fall under the same aura type.
The Generator/ Mani Gen Strategy: Responding
Living in response means sacral beings need to be constantly checking in to see if they feel inspired or engaged by what they’re currently doing. If the answer is no, they will experience a lot of resistance for that particular project/ relationship/ job and it will eventually deplete them because without the sacral “yes” they are unable to recharge. Their aura type is not designed to force or push through for long lengths of time, however when they are acting on an internal impulse or sacral response, then they will begin to self-charge and have the stamina to power through.
The Projector Strategy: Wait to be invited
The Projector aura is designed to see into the other but their presence can feel invasive and uncomfortable if not invited in. While they’re designed to guide others it does not mean they should initiate or give their guidance wherever they see it is needed. Projectors need to learn to express their gifts and share their insights without expectation; once they are visible to the correct people the correct invitations will arrive. Everything shifts once the Projector learns when to bite their tongue and when someone is deserving and ready to hear their insights and ideas.
The Manifestor Strategy: Informing/ Initiating
Manifestors are designed to cultivate change and shake things up. Their aura is difficult to read and unpredictable, so it’s important they keep their people informed. Otherwise those around them will feel unsettled not knowing their next move or what they are going to create/ challenge next. Manifestors are on track when they follow the urge to shake things up or do something new.
The Reflector Strategy: Waiting/ knowing your cycle
Reflectors have a changeable state that is designed to assess and amplify the mood around them. They are acutely skilled at reading the room and require exposure to different types of environments and influences before they can get a good feel for what they want or need. They are the only aura type governed by the movements of the moon and understanding how their Bodychart changes through the moon’s cycles is key to understanding their chameleon nature.
You might also find it helpful to learn the Energy type and Strategy of family members, colleagues and friends so that you can observe what it looks like when someone is following their strategy and what happens when they are not.
This is only the very surface of Human Design but it is a good starting point for beginning your own experiment with the system. Once you know your energy type and your strategy, these are the foundational aspects that can make the biggest difference to how you experience life and the way you attract opportunities. Experimenting with your strategy can have a profound shift on your relationships, your life direction and your self awareness.
When you are ready to go deeper into your experiment you can begin to explore these additional aspects within your chart;
Your Authority (the way you make decisions)
Your Profile (The archetype roles you’re here to play)
Your Definition (How energy flows within you and how you interact with others)
Your Environment (The types of environments and dynamics that nourish you)
If you would like to learn more about how your energy works and the type of work environments that are healthy for your unique design, you can book in a Career Alignment Session where you get my eyes on your chart. In this session I help unpack your story, move towards clarity and create a work-schedule that fits with your natural energy.