“The answer is within yourself. It cannot be anyplace else.” – Ra Uru Hu

As humans, we find the discovery of our own identity fascinating. We’re so complex and often unpredictable that we turn to systems like astrology, Enneagram, and Myers-Briggs for clarity. They give us a sense of control. We use them to understand not only who we are but also what our purpose is in this life, our direction. They support us in functioning to our best ability and they help us move through the confusion.

“Human Design helps us understand what sets us apart from others by way of increased clarity on our everyday decisions.”

Human Design (HD) is one of these systems, and it differentiates itself by its focus on who we came here to be (as in, who you were born to be). It speaks to our true essence and shows us how we can live our life accordingly. This essentially means living life as our most authentic self. Human Design helps us understand what sets us apart from others by way of increased clarity on our everyday decisions. All of this is based on our Human Design chart which is established at the time we are born.

In 1987, a man named Ra Uru Hu experienced an encounter with what he called “The Voice.” The experience lasted for eight days and nights as a voice revealed the formula for The Human Design System. After this experience, his life changed forever. He brought the mass amounts of information he’d received to the mainstream. Sounds a little out there, I know. But stay with me. 

Through this life-changing experience, Hu created a complex and expansive tool that harnesses our unique way of showing up in the world. He learned that humans can step into their life purpose through this system. In HD, this is called “living your design.”

“Human Design is a holistic system that uses differentiation as its guiding principle, a process for detaching from what society thinks is right for us and instead, re-establishing our individuality.”

“The Human Design System synthesizes aspects of two types of science: The ancient observational systems of Astrology, the Chinese I’Ching, the Hindu-Brhmin Chakras and The Tree of Life from the Zhar/Kabbalist tradition; and the contemporary disciplines of Quantum Mechanics, Astronomy, Genetics, and Biochemistry,” Hu writes in The Definitive Book of Human Design: The Science of Differentiation.

Because HD originates from both ancient and modern disciplines, it’s complex. But, at its core, Human Design is a holistic system that uses differentiation as its guiding principle, a process for detaching from what society thinks is right for us and instead, re-establishing our individuality. This is also known as embodiment.

So where to begin?

How to find your human design

The first step with any Human Design journey is to look up your chart. My favorite site is My Constellation created by HD teacher & Astrologist, Amy Lea.

In looking at your chart, use the below breakdown as a way to approach it: 

  • Your Profile: Your personality. 
  • Your Authority: How to always align with the right decision for you. 
  • Your Energy Type: The unique way your energy flows. 
  • Your Strategy: How you make things happen most effortlessly. 
  • Your Not-Self (Undefined Centers): The parts in your chart that are blank. These areas give us a compass of what’s not aligning for us or what the world wants us to be vs. who we are.
  • Your Gifts: The things you naturally love and are good at. 

If your chart is feeling overwhelming, focus on your big three: Profile, Authority, and Energy type. These foundations will be the key to becoming an expert on your chart. Once you understand these foundations, dive into your Strategy. Then, explore your Not-Self Energy Centers and your Channels/Gifts. These will help you understand how you work best, the role you play in this life, and how you’re learning and growing, along with your innate gifts and strengths.

To give you a sense of the basics, let’s dive into the five energy types: Projectors, Manifestors, Generators, Reflectors, and Manifesting-Generators. After you’ve looked up your chart and discovered your energy type, read on to unpack its meaning!

Energy types

Manifestors 

“Stop giving others the permission slip to tell you how powerful you are, and give it to yourself.”- Jenna Zoë, My Human Design Book

Manifestors are here to get things moving. These types are often the initiators of the world. Frida Kahlo was a Manifestor, for example. They’re here to listen to their own unique way of being free and wild with their ideas and bringing others along for the ride.

“Manifestors are here to get things moving.”

The key with Manifestors is to let the heart and what lights your soul up lead, trusting that others will follow. It can take time for a Manifestor’s ideas to be seen and felt by others. But, going forward without permission is the path forward for a Manifestor. 

Your energy also comes in bursts. Work with these bursts and then allow for proper rest to guide the next steps.

Generators 

“People don’t come to you for your product or service, they come for the joy and vitality behind it. That’s why your biggest chance of success is doing what makes you come alive.” – Jenna Zoë, My Human Design Book

“For Generators, knowing what’s in alignment for you is as simple as noticing if it makes you feel excited.”

Generators are here to become masters of their craft and only do the things that light up their soul. They’re the doers, builders, and problem solvers. Beyoncé is an example of a Generator. As the name suggests, your energy can flow for hours and hours when you’re doing something you’re excited and passionate about. When you’re not that excited about it, you’ll feel drained and tired. 

For Generators, knowing what’s in alignment for you is as simple as noticing if it makes you feel excited. Joy emanates out of you, then the ideas flood in.

Projectors 

“The day you recognize yourself is the day others will start to recognize you too.” – Jenna Zoë, My Human Design Book

Approximately only 20% of the world are Projectors. Projectors are the natural guides, teachers, and leaders of the world. Barack Obama is a great example of a Projector. What makes this energy type unique is you aren’t here to expel tons of energy, you’re here to guide and see.

“Projectors are the natural guides, teachers, and leaders of the world.”

Think of Projectors as the wise sage or the bird sitting on a branch looking at the world from above. In a society that teaches us that hustling is the way to get things done, Projectors are often left feeling burnt out and depleted. They’re also the most sensitive of the energy types. You’re not meant to keep up or function the way other energy types do. You’re meant to rest and be in flow with what gives you energy. 

When someone recognizes a Projector for their unique perspective, that recognition will serve as the map for guiding others. Learning to preserve your energy and only guiding others who are ready to be guided is key. Because of this, it’s important to learn how to say yes and no. You are guided by your energy output, let yourself move in flow.

Reflectors

“You can feel what it’s like to be every human being, which makes you the wisest of them all.” – Jenna Zoë, My Human Design Book

“Your name says it all, you’re here to reflect back to humanity what it most needs to see.”

Like Projectors, Reflectors are rare. They are even rarer than Projectors, making up only 1% of the population. They are the truth tellers of the world. The Hindu spiritual leader, Amma, is an example of a Reflector. Your name says it all: You’re here to reflect back to humanity what it most needs to see. In Jenna Zoë’s book, she compares your energy type to a disco ball — you pick up on everything around you. You’re incredibly open and meant to act as a chameleon in this life. 

When you feel good in the environment you’re in, that’s how you know you’re in the right place. If you don’t feel good it’s not in alignment. Your openness to the world around you is both your superpower and your downfall. However, when you only surround yourself with things that make you feel good (both people and environment), success and happiness will flow freely to you — like a magnet. 

Manifesting-Generators (MGs)

“You’re never ‘off track,’ because you’re not designed to be ‘on track’ — you’re here to groove us a new one.” – Jenna Zoë, My Human Design Book

MGs are an energetic blend of both a Manifestor and a Generator. MGs are not meant to walk a linear life path. They’re the multi-passionate inspirations to society, the people who seem to be able to do it all. Tony Robbins is an example of an MG. You’re meant to create your own path through your never-ending ideas, passions, and curiosity. You explore each with force. Many MGs feel pressure to put themselves in a box and explain their ideas. The key is to break out of the box and allow your path to unfold as you need it to, not how anyone else wants it to. 

“MGs are not meant to walk a linear life path. They’re the multi-passionate inspirations to society, the people who seem to be able to do it all.”

MGs live a multi-passionate life with an extraordinary capacity to do it all. But, just because you can do it all, doesn’t mean you should. Like all energy types, learning to say no will bring more happiness. Fill your time with what your heart wants to create. MGs will also work in surges. Then, they need to take time to rest and reset before the next burst arrives and sends you into creating mode.

Becoming aware of your energy type is the first step in understanding how your energy flows. For example, I’m a Projector and when I started truly learning what it means to be a Projector, I’ve been able to break away from society’s conditioning to hustle and expel tons of energy. I’ve left that for the Manifestors and MGs of the world. Now, I’ve learned how to work with my energy instead of feeling guilt or shame for not being able to do it all. Our energy type is the gateway to giving ourselves permission to be just as we are without pressure to be anything else. 

Resources for learning more

  • HD teacher & Astrologist, Amy Lea. Follow her Instagram for an amazing deep dive into the world of HD.
  • Jenna Zoë’s myHumanDesign app also offers an accessible bite-sized approach by way of her teachings.

Like any personality system, it takes time and patience to understand it all and how it relates to you. We’d love to hear what energy type you are and how you resonate with it. Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Courtney Jay is a writer at The Good Trade. She is also a yoga instructor, health enthusiast, and sustainable fashion advocate. You can find more of her writing and take one of her online yoga classes on her website, Coincide.