Human Design 101: The Ultimate Reference Guide to Reading Your Chart —and Knowing & Loving Yourself!
- Erin
- Nov 12, 2022
- 26 min read
Updated: Feb 20, 2024
First there was Myers Briggs, then astrology, then the Enneagram, and now... Human Design and Gene Keys.
Hooray for this modern age of self-awareness/understanding, psychospirituality and personal development! In the Human Design framework, your "life path" or birth chart is displayed in a complex visual called a Bodygraph. This chart depicts how to use your unique energetic frequency to reach your full potential and can reveal everything about your true, most aligned self including your
life purpose
innate personality
talents and gifts
ideal method of decision making
ideal relationship style
ideal dietary regimen
ideal environments for living
Overall, Human Design is a wonderful tool which reminds us that...
Our energy, our vibrational frequency and field, is our greatest asset, our vital path to success and therefor MUST be protected and honored.
We're all wired in a completely unique way. Just because one formula or narrative works for some, does not mean it will work for all.
There is no such thing as good or bad in Human Design, just different. We are all perfectly imperfect!
The Body holds so much more wisdom and knowing than the Mind.
When we take the power and authority away from our conditioned minds we align with our truest, most aligned and abundant selves.
"Your Job, now and forever, is to heal your true nature and let it thrive."
Martha Beck
What do Human Design and Gene Keys systems have in common?
“The Magic of Being”
Human Design and the Gene Keys overlap in wisdom in several ways. They both are universal frameworks and complementary self-awareness systems for understanding the karmic and energetic forces at play in your life. Each can help...
SYNTHESIZE multiple streams of modern and traditional science and philosophy including Astrology, the IChing, Chakras, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Jungian Psychology, and epigenetics/biochemistry
EXAMINE the exact locations of the celestial bodies at time of our imprinting in the womb, and at our time of birth to communicate the wisdom of the cosmos and our genetic predispositions/currents which shape our lives.
OFFER profound insights to how our spirit/soul bodies navigate the material world - exploring how we make decisions and interact with others and our surroundings
HELP us realize and understand our unique nature and the recurring themes in our lives which lead to higher (or lower) states of consciousness and mental clarity
Why are these systems so valuable?
The Human Design and the Gene Keys systems hold valuable insights which can transform our awareness and understanding of our selves, and the world! They...
REVEAL what Shadows (blind spots, core wounds, challenges, curses) that we are destined to be victims of and and what Light (innate gifts, creative genius, blessings) we are empowered through
TEACH us how to accept/embrace, integrate/transform or overcome our Light and Shadows, the lessons we’re meant to learn as routes to transcendence and our highest potential
UNCOVER ways to achieve permanent open heartedness and attract seamless positive change and what is truly meant for you
GIVE permission to embody our deepest truths, to express our whole selves and live in our full potential as we were built and wired to
SHARE areas, opportunities and tools to achieve individuation and live intuitively by separating from the limiting mental paradigms and systems which create resistance, and cause dysfunction, suffering, stagnation or strain
ALLOW us to access and align with the liberation of our true selves, unlocking a life of clarity, authenticity, joy, freedom, purpose, prosperity, self-actualization and soul ascension
Illuminate. Explore. Immerse. Embrace. Evolve
How are Human Design & Gene Keys different?
HUMAN DESIGN “The Science of Differentiation” | GENE KEYS “The Art of Transformation” |
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What are the differences between your Design and your Personality?
We each are part of an evolution of human consciousness. We are a microcosm of the macrocosm of building an entity, something much larger than ourselves.
Our Personality conscious is the one that comes back lifetime after lifetime. When we die ("correctly") we return again after being “updated” with the frequencies of our new experiences. However who we are is different each time because of our Design unconsdious..
DESIGN | PERSONALITY |
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We are 99.8% the same molecularly, but that 0.2% variation is what makes each one of us unique. There is no one else in the world who is exactly like you. You have your own fingerprint, your own anatomy, and your own constitution that affects the way that you present yourself to the world. That is your Dharma.
Deepak Chopra
Why is 'Deconditioning' so important in Human Design?
The HD journey is less about self-development and self improvement, and more about self understanding and self-ACCEPTANCE .
This begins with an un-doing, de-conditioning, or deprogramming of what we thought was the Self. These concepts began before birth and were programmed through age 7.
When we talk about conditioning in Human Design, we are talking about taking in energy through our open gates, channels, and centers. Across our lives, each of us has become homogenized by absorbing other people's narratives and programming about what is needed for belonging.
Our social conditioning comes from all energy (including thoughts, beliefs, narratives, stories) outside of our selves and our colonization. This absorbed energy gets translated into programming in the form of thoughts in our minds and thus behaviors and choices in our lives. Usually this absorbed energy is incorrect/misaligned for us and only causes us suffering and self-destructive patterning.
The deconditioning process, also called Differentiation, is the path to our purest selves, fully embracing the way we were born. It begins with becoming aware of who you are and who you are not and involves playing and experimenting with various strategies and tools within your day to day experience.
Once we separate ourselves from the noise of the Mind and outside influences we experience what the Self really is - the holy presence and truth within the Body. The deconditioning process also breaks down into two kinds of work: behavioral change and identity change.
Thankfully every Human Design type has a specific Strategy and Authority for which, if honored and followed, will result in the most flow and abundance in life because it aligns you with the creative Source of the Universe. Source does not want you to suffer or struggle, or constantly feel in survival mode.
Remember, deconditioning takes time. It takes the average person seven years to decondition after they've learned their energy type. When we can live according to our authoritative design, that is when we are able to get into our flow The key is to first have Awareness and recognition when we are out of congruence with our True Self.
"Don't tell me how I should go. Don't tell me to go that way. I'm not going that colonial way just to please you.
My way is not one of destruction, power and domination. My way is of creativity, art, knowledge, love, respecting the beings, nature and freedom.
I go my decolonial way, my Indigenous way, my ancestral way. I'm going only that way. I only go where my essence's steps take me. I hope we'll meet along the Decolonial Way."
Eloy Bida
How do I get my chart?
There are a variety of sites that allow you to generate your free chart using your birth date, time and location.
The problem with these sites is that these do not provide an interpretation and analysis of the chart, just the chart themselves. You'll either need to spend some time studying and learning the systems and language on your own, or invest in a personalized chart reading with a qualified specialist.
Human Design A-Z
AURA TYPES
The Human Design system divides individuals into four or five life-force energy archetypes:
Manifestors (approx 9% of population)
Generators + Manifesting Generators (approx 70% of pop)
Projectors (approx 20% of pop)
Reflectors (approx 1% of pop)
Each of these aura types has several key characteristics to how they approach life.
Definition
Profile
Incarnation Cross
Strategy
Authority
Signature Frequencies or Themes
Energetic Needs- Connection, Contribution, Collaboration, Community, Co-Creation
By experimenting with these characteristics, you can begin to align yourself with who you really are and with the world around you,
Each type has a unique higher purpose, but Regardless of type, it is everyone's universal mission to master the following for the collective highest good:
AWARENESS: To know yourself, to tune in and trust own feelings and truth.
ACCEPTANCE: Trust in the journey, allow life to unfold, stay in the present- You are exactly where. you need to be!
AUTHENTICITY: To master your personal joy and energy environment and then show others
TO SERVE: To share your unique gifts!
When a type is living in its healthiest, most mature state they will be floating through life, living in their mastery of service, fulfilling their higher purpose, impacting the greater good and contributing to the collective.
Influence & Impact, Implementation: Synthesizing and Systemizing, Organizing, Optimizing, Working, Building, Shaping, Solving, Sharing, Productie
Passionate: Expressive, Emanating, Creative, Courageous, Resilient, Determined, Enthusiastic, Visionary
Responsive: Flexible, Fluid, in Flow, Adaptive, Spontaneous, Expiremental, Adventurous
Social: Magnetic, Connected: Leading, Visioning, Advising, Managing, Mentoring, Guiding, Generous, Approachable, Inclusive
Self-assured, Empowered, Confident, Visible
Present: Mindful, Self Aware, Intuitive, Intentional Introspective, Reflective, Contemplative, Observant
Compassionate & Caring: Listening, Patient, Empathic, Accepting, Comforting, Understanding, Non-Judgemental, Soft, Gentle, Nurturing, Sensual
Safe: Anchored, Grounded, Firm, Structured, Boundaried, Protected
Peaceful: Lighthearted, Relaxed, Joyful, Abundant, Playful, Grateful
Honesty, Open, Transparent, Vulnerable
Integrity: Mature, Reliable, Wise, Humble, Commited, Honest, Heartfelt, Trustworthy
Clear-headed: Focused, Decisive, Clarity, Concise, Direct
Maturity: Patient, Wise, Self Suffcient, Tuning into Body/Feelings instead of Mind/Thoughts
Ultimately they as their best self inspires others to do the same. They are spreading light and love effortlessly and trusting in divine timing and order of all.
In contrast, when they are blocked or in their Shadow state they will be plagued with feelings of
Insecurity
Inadequacy
Impatience
Inexperience
Unworthiness
Uncertainty
Unaware of effect on others
Doubtful
Fearful
Paranoia, Distrustful
Guilt
Shameful
Resentful
Scarcity mindset -pessimistic
Self-destructive, Self-Sabotaging - promiscuous
Unreliable
Refusing to take responsibility for actions/behaviors
Narrow minded
Exhausted, Depleted
Imbalance of solitude/space vs connection/service
Feeling misunderstood or misinterpreted
Projected or Projecting
Judgemental
Materialistic, Shallow
There are a variety of unconscious coping mechanisms that will manifest.
Repressive tendencies (fear of being bad or wrong)
People-pleasing, following obligations,
Not standing up for self
Staying in unhealthy or unhelpful situations out of fear or comfort
Burying your head in the sand
Stagnant, apathetic, hopeless
Withdrawn, Isolated, Alienated, lonely, avoidant, reclusive, escapist, evasive, disconnected
Disengaged, Disinterested , Absent,Aloof, Inaccessible, Indifferent, Apathetic, Detached
Diverting attention from self
You reject others before they can reject you
Clingy, Codependent
Bitter, Cynical,
Accusatory, defensive, Complaining
Emotionally cold, numb
Denial
Victim mentality, Self-pitying
Delusional
Uninterested, Aloof
Self Centered
Reactive tendencies (fearing censorship or control)
Rigid, Restricted, Structured, Controlling
Steamrolling
Forcing point of view
Bullying, Belittling
Manipulative
Stubborness
Authoritarian
Provocative, Rebellious
Aggressive, Angry, Harsh, Hostile, Abrupt, Mean, Disrespectful
Greedy
Emotionally overdramatic
Inflexible
Cutting others off or out
Unforgiving
Arrogrant, Condescending
Self Conscious
Note: these Shadow qualities also appear in the Lines of your Profile, and in Open Centers. Because all subconscious wounds are attention/connection-seeking, true Healing involves reparenting self and deconditioning. In Full Maturity & Health, you're able to clearly for yourself and then use that clarity to help others find their own independence and emotional freedom.
AUTHORITY
Your Authority is the "energy command center" of your body which you should listen to for optimum results. This voice will allow you to make the most aligned decisions and approach life with the correct direction and speed. These are the basics for moving through life with the energetic momentum to keep you in your ideal flow state.
OUTER AUTHORITY | INNER AUTHORITY |
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There are 7 main Authority types:
Inner Authority
Solar Plexus
Sacral
Splenic
Ego
Self Projected
Outer Authority Variations
Mental Projectors
Reflectors
CENTERS
According to the founder of HD, towards the end of the 18th century humans experienced a quantum evolution in their programming, transitioning from a primal model of 7 centered beings (also known as Chakras) to an expanded design as 9 centered beings. This mutation was actually a return to the simplicity of our ancient wiring, our internal operating system as neanderthals before the rise of civilization (industry, science, technology, media, luxury, convenience).
Seven centered beings find reward in the future, while nine-centered beings find reward in the Present.
7 CENTERED BEINGS | 9 CENTERED BEINGS |
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The 9 centers of the body in Human Design are
HEAD/CROWN - "KNOW" (What you think about)
AJNA/MIND/ THIRD EYE - "THINK" (How you think)
THROAT - "SHOW" (How you communicate)
IDENTITY/ ‘G’/ GRAVITATIONAL - "LOVE" (Who you are) ...former heart chakra
HEART/WILL - "WORK" (Want you want) ....former heart chakra
SPLEEN - "SENSE" (What you fear)... former solar plexus
SOLAR PLEXUS - "FEEL" (What you feel)... former solar plexus
SACRAL - "FLOW" (What you enjoy doing)
ROOT - "GROW" (How you're motivated)
Every energy center except the Throat have their roots either in the Mind or the Body. All Centers, regardless of being defined or undefined, hold wisdom, gifts, shadows and opportunities for learning and growth.
UNDEFINED/OPEN CENTERS | DEFINED/CLOSED CENTERS |
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Closed:
Your natural, innate tendencies and talents,
Where we attract others
Where we can teach, market, and sell from to help others
Looks like positive self-talk/affirmations to build self-worth
Open:
vulnerable to burnout from conditioning
Where we can relate to others
Where we can learn, guide and coach from to help others
Looks like shadow work/ integration
PATTERNS WHEN CLOSED/DEFINED
Consistent, Stable, Sustainable Energy
Present, Aware, Attuned
Mature, Independent, Resilient
Balanced, Calm, Regulated, Relaxed
Productive
Intentional, Self-Directed, Fixed, Focused
Healthy curiosity, Openness
Healthy Risk Taking
Healthy Attachment
Healthy Boundaries
Emotional Agility, Compassionate
Inspired, Creative
Responsive, Engaged
Strengths in Centers themes
Confident, Comfortable
Self Assured, Self Validating
Self Motivated, Purposeful
Clear values, role and identity
Driven by heart and soul
Feeling whole and complete
Strong follow-through
Abundance mindset
Grateful, Humble
Influential, Persuasive, Inspiring
Sharp, Systematic
Contemplative
Detail oriented
Honest, Truthful
PATTERN WHEN OPEN/UNDEFINED
HEALED, CONNECTED, SUPPORTED, GROUNDED | UNHEALED, DISCONNECTED, UNSUPPORTED |
| Fearful/Avoidant of conflict or confrontation Overly careful or cautious Anxiety, Depression In denial of truth Judgemental, Controlling Cold, Distant, Detached Risk Averse, Stagnant, Clinging to Comfort or Familiarity People Pleasing, Approval Seeking Anxious, Impulsive, Impatient, Rushing, Reactive, Distracted Hyper Focused, Hypervigilant, Hyper Independent Acting, Speaking, Thinking in extremes Overfunctioning, Overwhelmed, Overstressed, Burnout Seeking Security, Validation, Direction, Purpose and Connection, Trying to Prove Self Trying to earn or attract attention, adoration or recognition from others, Living inauthentically, Losing Yourself in Others - Thinking, Speaking, or Acting on Others Behalf Confusing your identity, Role Insecure, Self-doubt, Timidness Low self worth Easily distracted or unfocused Indecisive, second-guessing Inconsistent follow-through, False promises, Failed commitments, over commitments Overcompensating, Overanalyzing, overthinking Scarcity mindset Pressure to Complete or Perform |
As your Open Centers become full of borrowed energy it creates distortions, dysfunctioning, dissatisfaction, imbalances or blockages. Being aware of your Openness allows you to correct the focus and separate yourself from others and your surroundings in order to access true wisdom and maturity.
CHANNELS
Channels are complete energy pathways between two Centers and represent areas of life where you are generally solid, in flow, in sync, aligned and connected to Spirit or Source. They indicate your Light (as opposed to your Shadow)- your natural gifts and greater likelihoods of mastery or strength.
Out of 36 channels the vast majority are Receptive, meaning they are optimized when invited in through divine fate and timing. This means that our social programming of "Go, Hustle, Do" is often going against our personal nature, and the universal order. In order to remove resistance we should often be in our passive energy state.
PROJECTED CHANNELS (Wait for invitation)
Stem from all Centers except Sacral
Yin/receptive/receptive
GENERATING CHANNELS (Wait to respond to an invitation, I- Inform/ask consent before action)
Stem from Sacral
Yin/passive/receptive
MANIFESTING CHANNELS (Initiate w/o invitation or response, E - Wait for emotional clarity)
Stem from Throat
Yang/active/strategic
When you examine the six circuits, you will notice that there appear to be four channels that are " missing". These are the integration channels, the past of individuation , and the most complex connective field in Human Design. These are four centers connected by four gates, giving rise to the possibility of six channels. .Since it is through the circuits that we connect to each other, these channels are resolutely individual and separate.
CIRCUITRY
Circuitry in Human Design refers to the flow of energy through Channels between the Centers in the BodyGraph. Each gate and channel is part of a circuit group which holds particular themes to explain how an individual typically perceives and interacts with the world.
Your circuitry can reveal the “big picture” perspective on what your energy is about and what drives our behaviors. It holds clues about your base, most primitive mission in the world, shaping the types of relationship dynamics we prefer and seek based on our core values, principles, needs. and beliefs.
The circuits are extremely important and are a major factor in how we connect to others.People with definition within the same circuits will have a natural affinity with each other. When you see which circuits dominate in your own design, you will also see which connections can bridge the 'gaps' in that circuit. These are the places in your design that will literally pull you out towards other people.
INDIVIDUAL - Self Empowerment, Unique, Creative, Innovative., an "Outsider" or misunderstood mentality but here to inspire others by being unique. Driven by Hearing/Sounds.
Knowing
Centering
Integrating
COLLECTIVE- Humanitiarn Empowerment. Community Giving/Sharing, Socialization. Driven by Visuals.
Logic / Understanding - Reflects on Past
Abstract / Sensing - Projects on Future
TRIBAL- Family/Unit Empowerment, Community Safety/Support, Survival, Requires sacrifice. Drive by Touch.
Materiality/Security
Protection/Defense
DEFINITION
When Centers are connected to each other through a Channel are activated, a Definition is formed. This structure influences how we process information, make decisions and connect/relate to others.
Your definition type is determined by the number of "splits" you have in your chart. A split refers to a gap between groupings or "ecosystems" of defined centers.
When there's a split, you will feel a disharmony or emptiness within. As such, you will naturally feel drawn to people who can bridge that split with their own centers or channels or you may absorb programming from others if you are not following your own strategy + authority.
SINGLE - all centers connected
DOUBLE SPLIT
TRIPLE SPLIT
QUADRUPLE SPLIT
NO DEFINITION:
The more splits you have, the longer it can take for you to process things internally because all your independent ecosystems need to communicate with one another.
GATES
Gates are the "opposite" of Channels. They are incomplete energy pathways connecting two Centers.
Your Gates or Gene Keys are the 64 numbers along the energy centers, corresponding to the 64 Hexagrams of the I’Ching and the astrological wheel. They are the 64 foundational archetypes of our universal experiences of consciousness as human beings, representing how we think, act and relate to others - just like the 64 hexagrams depict how various elements and landforms interact in nature.
Gates are experienced differently depending on how it was activated in the cosmos, and thus expressed/manifested in the chart.
When a Gate is activated/colored this represents the consistent, stable, reliable forces in your life. These gates mark the location of the celestial bodies during our conscious and unconscious imprinting and are identified along either side of the Bodygraph.
Gates that are shorter colored lines that stem halfway from one energy center to another are called “hanging gates” which reveal opportunities for synergy, external connection and collaboration.
Gates that are activated in an open center are called “dormant”
Activated Gates that connect two energy centers are called “channels”.
When a gate is completely empty/vacant it represents an energy of variability or a point of vulnerability to outside conditioning, knowledge which can ultimately help you develop greater wisdom and discernment.
Each Gate is made up of 6 lines, which translates to 6 days or 1 week on the planetary wheel. Across a year, we spend approximately 1 week in each gate. We can also note the Line of each gate to determine how the gate will typically manifest or be experienced in our lives - either internally/ passively or externally/actively.
When looking closer at a chart you may see a tiny arrow or asterisk next to a gate number
an Up arrow denotes Exalted or positive attributes
a Down arrow indicates Detriment or negative attributes
an Asterisk denotes both an exalted and detrimental state
The most important and dominant gates forces of anyone’s life are the gates of their Incarnation Cross. Other gates carry more secondary themes in one’s life.
GOLDEN PATH SEQUENCES
According to the Gene Keys system, there are certain gates that are extremely important in one's evolutionary life journey. Together all these gates/themes make up your Golden Path Sequences, three interconnected processes/quantum leaps that gradually transform your mind, body and spirit, liberate your higher consciousness and unlock your true potential and purpose in life. These depict the interconnectedness of one's core talents/gifts and their alignment with an individuals magnetic field.
In order to achieve higher consciousness and optimize our attractor frequency one must
Heal old wounds, softening defense mechanisms, releasing attachments
Accept heartbreak, pain, loneliness and practicing courage, trust, patience and forgiveness
Follow classic paths to Truth:
Contemplation - Inquiry/Curiosity, Gentleness, and Patience
Concentration - Effort, Focus, Will
Meditation - Stillness, Acceptance
Each Gene Key holds wisdom based on its trinity of lines
Siddhi - frequency of over-embodiment, masculine/Yang
Gift - frequency of healing, genius and light
Shadow - frequency of suffering, feminine/Yin,
ACTIVATION/GENIUS SEQUENCE
Discovering your Genius through four Prime Gifts
Mastering the Light and Shadows of your 4 Genius Spheres of Life
The developmental leaps that occur through your Challenge, your Breakthrough and your Core Stability.
Also known as your Incarnation Cross
VENUS/LOVE SEQUENCE
Emotional transformation and heart expansion through relationship with Self and others
Mastering the Light and Shadows of your 6 Love Spheres
The developmental leaps that emerge through your Dharma, Karma, Intelligence, Love, and Realization
PEARL / PROSPERITY SEQUENCE
Third and “final” path that guides you towards your full flowering of life- aligning you with the people, places and dimensions needed to fulfill your highest destiny
Universal energy exchange and empowerment through your own genius and inherent gifts, How your core contribution/ purpose work, the highest possible form of service that you can offer the world, opens receiving in synchronicity with the greater whole
Mastering the Light and Shadows of your 4 Prosperity Spheres
The developmental leaps that occur through Initiative, Growth and Service
HEXAGRAM
Hexagrams are synonymous with Gates or Gene Keys. They are sets of 6 lines that are either split (yin) or solid (yang) to symbolize their innate energy. The 64 Hexagrams are the foundation of the IChing. Each hexagram is made of 3 lines each, called trigrams- upper and lower.
Each hexagram is an archetype of a specific type of energy found in nature. They show how the 5 elements (Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, Wood) interact and combine in different ways to create the world as we know it.
The Human Design Mandala is the visual depiction of all the hexagrams/gates on the planetary wheel/ Wheel of Change. Each marks 6 degrees of the circle.
INCARNATION CROSS
Our Incarnation Cross, otherwise known as your Activation Sequence, reveals our
core, broad life purpose
overall trajectory, path, story line
personal genius/prime gifts
full expression of potential
natural life expression
what and how of your design
It is formed by the crossing polarities of both (Conscious/Personality/Natal & Unconscious/Design/Prenatal) Sun and Earth gates, which are always opposite to each other in the planetary wheel.
Your Incarnation Cross is 70% of your Design so learning it early in your HD journey is key.
Your Incarnation Cross is something that will slowly emerge over time as you follow your design (strategy and authority) and live in unison with your individualized nature. It usually comes into play around the Uranus opposition, age 38-42, when you have planted a solid foundation and have a clear direction.
Your Incarnation Cross can be made a little more specific by your particular Type and Profile, and further refined by the rest of the Gate energies you carry.
LINES
Your Profile is based on the Line or (value or degree note or or color) of the Hexagram gate. There are 6 Lines in each Hexagram, and these are either solid (yang) or broken (yin).
Lines on a gate/hexagram are read from the bottom up so the first Line is the bottom of the structure/form. Every Line or Profile type has a journey of self-healing in which they must learn to overcome their Shadow in order to fully embrace and embody their Light.
LINES 1,2,3 (LOWER TRIGRAM) | LINES 4,5,6 (UPPER TRIGRAM) |
"Main floor of house" Internal/individual/personal/self focus More primitive, practical and foundational wiring Prone to insecurity, miscommunication, misunderstanding Hardscapes in Environmental Variable Leftness - an older/more primitive wiring with a Yang/Masculine approach. | "Second floor of house" External/interpersonal/transpersonal/social focus More creative, progressive and evolved wiring Prone to more security, consistency and relatability Landscapes in Environmental Variable Rightness - a newer/more evolved wiring with a Yin/Feminine approach. |
Line 1, 3, 5: Yin, Feminine, Passive, Receptive
Line 2, 4, 6: Yang, Masculine, Active, Strategic
Every line will have a core need or motivation which has two opposing yet harmonious sides; both a blessing and a curse, a gift and a shadow.
PLANETS
While the typical astrological natal chart shows you the position of the planets at the exact moment of your birth, the Human Design chart uses two astrological metrics:
the position of the planets at the time of birth
the position of the planets their position three months prior to time of birth/88 degrees behind the birth position
These data points paint the picture of your conscious personality as well as your unconscious motivations, dispositions, and tendencies. Blending them together reveals how the many facets of your being integrate into the whole that is you.
The interaction of the Sun and Earth are particularly important in HD, but every planet holds wisdom about a certain area of your life.
EARTH: Yin/Feminine. Genetics from MotherWhat grounds and supports you. Your connection to this physical reality.
NATAL: Evolution
PRENATAL: Purpose
SUN: Yang/Masculine. Genetics from FatherSelf-Identity & Self-Recognition. Ego. Your vitality. Your personality. The gift you give to others.
NATAL: Life’s Work, Brand
PRENATAL: Radiance
MOON: Emotions & Feelings. Intuition and instinct. Your emotional world and unconscious motivations. The part of you others don’t see.
PRE-NATAL: Attraction
NATAL: Nodes
VENUS: Love & Values. Your values, ethics, ideals, aesthetic standards, relationship wants/needs. feminine/yin energy.
NATAL: IQ
PRE-NATAL: SQ
MARS: Angers & Actions. Your drive, motivation, how you act, sexuality, connection to your physical body. Areas you may need to mature into. masculine/yang energy
NATAL: EQ
PRE-NATAL: Core, Vocation
JUPITER: Luck & Growth. Your philosophy and connection to spirit, luck, and joy. Expansion.
PRE-NATAL: Culture
NATAL: Pearl
MERCURY: Thoughts & Communications. Your ideas, thoughts, communication style. What you’re meant to communicate in this lifetime.
SATURN: Responsibility & Work. Your inner rules, perceived limitations, boundaries, life lessons, keys to growing up, truth, suffering.
URANUS: Limits & Innovations. Your individuality, humanitarian aspects, revolution, where you stand out and shine, chaos vs order.
NEPTUNE: Spirituality & Dreams. Your intuition, dreams, mysticism, addictions, spiritual genius.
PLUTO: Transformation & Rebirth. How you grow and evolve. Transformation, hard truths, transmutation, death, rebirth, realizations
NORTH NODE: What you came to master in this lifetime. Lessons and areas for growth. Begins to unfold around age 40, The Audience/Viewers of your life
SOUTH NODE: Talents from past lives. That which comes naturally to you. Dominates from age 1-35, The Background/Setting of your life
RISING: Appearances & Associations/Interactions. Your first impression. How others perceive you. The flavor of your personality.
"70 percent of the neutrinos that program us and pass through our planet are transmitted by the Sun."
PROFILE
Your Profile is your personality archetype based on the placements of your two Suns. Your Profile will consist of two numbers (ex: 5/1, 1/3, etc.).
First Number: Sun at birth (Personality/Conscious)
Second Number: Sun before birth (Design/Unconscious)
Since the Sun and Earth are always an exact opposition, they are always activating the same line of the hexagram gate, giving it a unique frequency or essence .
Profile, along with Energy Type, provides the simplest synthetic view of a Design. Everyone comes into the world with a specific Profile or purpose. It is through this purpose that we can see how each Type can fulfill itself.
Profile lines in HD are based on the IChing hexagram. There are 6 lines of the I Ching and they come together in 12 different combinations to reveal how we move through life towards our purpose. Your Profile is based on the Line or value or degree of the Hexagram gate.
1/3 Investigator - Martyr
1/4 Investigator- Opportunist |
2/4 Hermit - Opportunist
2/5 Hermit - Heretic
3/5 Martyr - Heretic
3/6 Martyr - Role Model
4/1 Opportunist - Investigator
4/6 Opportunist - Role Model
5/1 Heretic - Investigator
5/2 Heretic - Hermit
6/2 Role Model - Hermit
6/3 Role Model - Martyr
SIGNATURES / THEMES
NOT SELF/FALSE SELF | TRUE SELF/AUTHENTIC SELF |
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TRUE SELF /ALIGNMENT Frequency: The feeling to seek or strive for in how you spend your time
NOT SELF MISALIGNMENT Frequency: The feeling to avoid, escape from in how you spend your time
This False Self is the conditioning, programming and identities that takes over after we are born to override the Trust Self. It includes negative beliefs and assumptions and delusions that you're unworthy, inadequate, undesirable, unlovable, or unsafe. If you act from these false (unhealthy, unproductive) premises, you will get equal results and outcomes.
Presentations/States of the Not-Self:
Repressed - self-critical, in denial, insecure, result of rejection or criticism in being self
Triggered - reactive, hypervigilant, tense, defensive, result of being pushed or pressured into not being self
Unempowered - indecisive, overwhelmed, result of not being allowed to be self
Victim - needy, complaining, hopeless, blaming, result of needs not being met as self
Superiority - self-serving, demanding, judgemental, critical, result of being shamed as self
Savior - pushy, invasive, result of being relied upon and celebrated as self too early
Societal - grudgingly following expectations of family, culture, root of not fitting in as self
The True Self is one of "God" or divinity - with infinite possibility and infinite potential - one. is beyond worthy , lovable , secure and valuable.
STRATEGY
In Human Design, each Type has its own Strategy which allow the person to align with their correct geometry, allowing optimum energy, decision making and the manifestation of True Self. Following one's Strategy provides the energetic momentum and efficiently to keep you in your flow state.
TRANSITS
The sun, moon and planets are always orbiting the earth and moving in rotation. There is an astrological calendar called an Ephemaris that can be used to determine the locations of these celestial bodies which correspond to the Human Design hexagram mandala. Most HD chart software will allow you to create a chart which shows all the planetary gate activations in that moment.
When any celestial body moves through a gate it “activates” the energy of that gate so that the energy is released to flow to us and temporarily influence/impact our life experience and feeling based on the characteristics/associations of that planet. The Sun is considered the most dominant and important transiting body, followed by the Moon, and then other planets based on size.
The moon cycles around Earth every 28 days, whereas the Sun takes 365 days (or 12 months/1 year)
Each week a new gate/hexagram is activated by the Sun because the sun moves approximately 1 line per day
Each month, all 64 gates are transited by the moon because the moon moves approximately 2 gates per day
Each year, the sun moves counterclockwise around the gates of the mandala and its corresponding 12 astrological signs.
The imprinting of the transits at our birth is their most powerful impact on us, creating our natal chart and design. But also we live in ever-changing transit energies from the moment we are born. There is always new cosmic energy being activated and affecting us.
Knowing about the transits can help you leverage certain energies that are open/incomplete/undefined in your chart. They can also reveal your energetic patterns and times when you may feel productive and times when you are depleted or stagnant.
TRIGRAMS
In the I Ching there are 8 key energies the building blocks for the expression of life. The combination of these trigrams creates meaning from life's greatest phenomena- birth, death, emotion, and beyond.
Heaven: yang, creative, gate 1
Earth: yin, receptive, gate 2
Wind: gentle, gate 57
Lake: joy, gate 58
Water: abysmal, gate 29
Fire: clinging, gate 30
Thunder: arousing, gate 51
Mountain: stillness, gate 52
VARIABLES
There are four colored arrows which correspond to the four Transformations, specific areas to look at as a way to create a natural order and harmony in your life. The Four Arrows make 16 Unique Combinations.
Variable calculations are derived from our Sun and Earth placements. They describe how you are meant to take in, process, and filter information from your outside world to achieve the optimum physical and mental functioning, performance and self-awareness.
Your Personality and Design Nodes of the Moon understand and establish the framework for your form's true potential for awareness to be developed and experienced. This way you can further walk down the path of awareness so that you have the potential to come into contact with the highest level of consciousness and cognitive functioning possible from your system.
Design Variables (Left side arrows)
Design Variables describe us on a physical level whether we are Active or Passive in our bodies. Active brains are very busy and need consistent input, fuel , stimulus and schedules to sustain a higher level of physical activity. and optimal brain functioning and wellbeing. Design variables are fixed and certain, unchanging after birth.
1. DIGESTION / DETERMINATION - diet, nutrition, temperature, media/data consumption, spending, correct conditions or circumstances for optimal brain health
2. ENVIRONMENT / GEOGRAPHY - your positioning, your ideal surroundings and situations, your most aligned living, playing and working spaces and people (Note: If you are a Reflector or have an open Spleenic Center, then your surroundings are particularly crucial to your well-being)
Personality Variables (Right side arrows)
Personality Variables describe us on a psychological level, whether you have a Strategic or Receptive mind. Our society primarily values the strategic functioning of mind and those of us with Receptive minds invariably wound up feeling less than capable when we were unable to excel or fit in, a process that begins early on at school and continues to affect us throughout our lives. Knowing how you are designed to take in information allows you to take advantage of your optimal functioning, giving you the gift of understanding so that you can relax and trust your capacity to move through life correctly. Personality variables are likely to change and evolve with age and maturity.
3. PERSPECTIVE /AWARENESS - processing information/data. Examples: Mindfulness and meditation, Journaling
4. MOTIVATION / MANIFESTATION - processing, conceptualizing the world, attracting what you wan. Examples: Deep imaginings and visioning, visioning, Scripting and spell work
There is a logical order to what to look at in your stages of Transformation.
DEPENDENT: (top arrows) - rely on Independent Variables
External: 1) Digestion/Determination - top LEFT arrow
Internal: 4) Manifestation/Motivation - top RIGHT arrow
INDEPENDENT: (bottom arrows)
External: 2) Environment/Geography - bottom LEFT arrow
Internal: 3) Awareness/Perspective - bottom RIGHT arrow
Aligning with your Variables, like Strategy and Authority, is just one part of the differentiation process. Optimal longevity, well-being and the likelihood of expressing the fullest potential of your unique purpose are highly prized benefits of operating correctly in your Variables. They are fulfilled in through a binary system of “leftness” or “rightness” in the mind or body, two different paradigms derived from the substructure of tone and color in a Hexagram line number.
Left- Yang, masculine, active, strategic, focused, primitive, nuerotypical, left brained
Right- Yin, feminine, passive, receptive, peripheral, evolved, neurodivergent, right brained
LEFT | RIGHT |
Consistency, Regularity Structured, Stability Logical, Literal, Intellectual Precisión Organization Routine, Ritual Comfort, Familiarity Engaged, Focused Strategic Systematic Detailed, Specific, Exact Clear, Transparency Rigidity, Closed, warm, wet calm high selective narrow natural, Consecutive | Inconsistency Freedom, Flow, Fluidity Flexible, Adaptive Versatility, Variety, Variability Dynamic, Changing Relaxed Imaginative Open, Peripheral Analytical, Hidden meanings Creative, Abstract Ambiguous, Interpretive Broad, Generalized Feeling, Emotional, Intuitive, cool, dry nervous low blended wide artificial Alternating |
The arrow and the number in the circle is pointing to your “Color” but there is also a Second Cognition from "Tone", represented by the number in the triangle.
Tone is our Cognition – How we connect with the world. Our Authority taps into Tone to help us become aware of what is good/bad for us.
Splenic (fear/survival oriented). These people need to “smell out” what is correct or incorrect for them. They are good at recognizing and are protective types, they do not like the new/unexpected, they tend to store memories well, they investigate to be aware of threats.
Design/Unconscious Variables: SMELL
Personality/Conscious Variables; SECURITY
2. Splenic. High awareness of the world, recognize something new the moment it emerges, they like to experiment, they want to “taste life”.
Design/Unconscious Variables: TASTE
Personality/ Conscious Variables: UNCERTAINTY
3. Ajna (third-eye, intuition). Strategic outer vision, they rely on their physical eyes, where the Not-Self mind comes from, they are fully aware of the world and are taking steps to control it.
Design/Unconscious Variables: OUTER VISION
Personality/Conscious Variables: ACTION
4. Ajna. Theirs is a sensory world. They take in information via their third-eye (intuition). Outer vision may confuse them. Do not rely on outer vision/physical eyes but trust their inner eyes. *
Design/Unconscious Variables: INNER VISION
Personality/ Conscious Variables: MEDITATION
5. Solar Plexus. Empathy is your super power. These people go on how something feels to them.
Design/Unconscious Variables FEELING
Personality/Conscious Variables : JUDGEMENT
6. Solar Plexus. These are the touchy feely peeps. They need to touch the world. If uncertain, touch it.
Design/Unconscious Variables: TOUCH
Personality/Conscious Variables: ACCEPTANCE
We can break it all down into the following:
"I am most aligned to my true potential when I am…
consuming matter that is (Color of Determination), through my sense of (Tone of Determination)
living and working in a (Color of Environment)-like space, which connects to my sense of (Tone of Environment)
focusing on (Tone. of Perspective ) in the pursuit of (Color of Perspective)
embracing (Tone of Motivation) while being motivated by (Color of Motivation) for the highest good of all
“And you... When will you make that long journey into yourself?”
RUMI
Navigating Your Human Design Journey
Human Design is not the easiest to conceptualize. Once we finally begin to understand it in our minds, it can be even more challenging to put it into practice in our everyday lives. As such, its helpful to think. of the Grand Experiment as the "Ultimate Road Trip"
The Driver:
Your soul, as seen in your Conscious Sun gate, living within your body, your Conscious Earth gate
Your personality and preferences, as seen in your Profile lines and Earth Gates
Your reaction to driving conditions, as seen in your open (consistent/familiar) vs closed (inconsistent, unfamiliar) energy Centers
Your reason/inspiration for your trip, as seen in your Moon gates
Your decision-making abilities, either listing to Soul or backseat drivers, as seen in your Authority.
The Vehicle:
Your life path/purpose, taking you where. you need to go, as seen in your Energy Type and Unconscious Sun (the essence of the vehicle) and Earth (the body of the vehicle)
Non-Sacral Begins (Projects, Manifestors, Reflectors) are in an electric car, requiring planning and intentionality
Sacral Begins (Generator. or MGS) are in a hybrid car, saving energy by reducing output of effort. or exertion (ie going downhill, driving long highways)
The Passengers: your social conditioning, your childhood wounds and insecurities
The GPS/Navigation system: what is telling you where to go and when, as seen in your Strategy
Saturn is what challenges you encounter on your trip.
Another helpful analogy: Life as a theatrical play
your Energy Type is your rolen in the production
your Profile is the personality or character you bring to your role.
your Incarnation Cross is the plotline/story line for the character/role
Where do I begin?
When committing to your self-development through HD it may feel overwhelming to think about where and how to begin. While all of your chart carries wisdom, there is a certain hierarchy of importance. Prioritize your understanding of the following elements when you're just starting out
Your Energy Type
Your Strategy
Your Authority
Your Alignment Cues/Signature Frequencies
Your Incarnation Cross/Activation sequence
Your Body Gates
Conscious/Personality Sun
Conscious/Personality Earth
Your Mind Gates
Unconscious/Design Sun
Unconscious/Design Earth
Your Profile
Your Body Line (Conscious/Personality Sun)
Your Mind Line (Unconscious/Design Sun)
Other Planets
Unconscious Mars - your zone of genius/abundance
Unconscious Venus- your keys to well-being
Conscious Jupiter - your simplest formula for success
Unconscious Jupiter - who can help you fulfill your purpose
Conscious Mercury - what you're here to communicate/share with others
North Node - what you're here to learn/master
Remember, If something in your chart doesn't resonate initially, it simply means you haven't reached it yet in life or its been conditioned out of you and needs to be reprogrammed and unlocked. Eventually after living out your Human Design experiment in real life you will look back on your chart and see and realize things in a whole new light, with deeper meaning and perspective.. Once you're living in alignment, you'll be able to see more clearly how your energy and purpose are unfolding and playing out for the highest good.
Where can I learn more?
jovianarchive.com Holds legal copyright to the Human Design System of Ra Uru Hu and licenses the International Human Design School (IHDS) as "the official certifying agency for Human Design Professionals,"
genekeys.com System of Founder Richard Rudd
I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points
Interested in even more information - especially as it applies to YOU?
A professional Human Design or Gene Keys reading has innumerable benefits. Its can be a powerful insightful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. A professional coach or facilitator can help you
understand your unique strengths and challenges of yourself, and yoru family lie
provide guidance on how to make the most of your potential.
gain insight into why you think, feel, and behave the way you do
understand how to make the most of your potential.
identify and resolve hidden unconscious patterns that may be holdng you back
transform old beliefs into more positive, constructive ones
gain clarity and focus
set goals and priorities aligned with your unique blueprint
feel more purposeful and fulfilled
reveal your relationsional tendencies and enhance new and existig connections with others
provide guidance and support as you navigate the confusing process of deconditioning
growth.
Ready to dive in? Book your custom HD Chart Reading today!
Erin is a certified feng shui consultant, energy healer, wellness coach and holistic growth strategist.
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