Why You Need To Know Your Human Design Type

“When you know better, you do better.” – Maya Angelou

Knowledge is power, right? At one point in my life, I learned firsthand not to put tinfoil into the microwave because I accidentally started a little fire. Oops! I also learned not to drink too much wine on a work night and to double-check the recipient when I’m sending an email.

The more we know, the better decisions we can make. The same goes for knowledge about ourselves. If we know more about who we are, at our core, we can make better-informed life choices.

I’ve never met a person who doesn’t enjoy learning about themselves in some sense. There’s a reason personality tests like Enneagram, Myers Briggs, and StrengthsFinders are so popular. People love reading their horoscope and identifying with their astrological sign. ‘Oh my gosh, I am such a Gemini!’ We get a kick out of taking silly quizzes like “What type of pizza topping are you?” or “What 80’s TV show would you be on?”

It’s interesting to learn about ourselves. And as we sit in quarantine, we’re faced with a perfect opportunity for more self-inquiry. Since we’ve been stripped of so many of the usual distractions, we have no choice but to come face-to-face with ourselves. Maybe you’ve been noticing yourself repeating annoying patterns, picking up unhealthy habits, or getting upset over things you didn’t think you would.

Why is that?

When we begin to understand ourselves on a deeper level, we can find the “why” behind our behavior. When we actually understand our behavior, life begins to operate more seamlessly. We feel happier and more naturally in tune with ourselves. In addition to meditation and journaling, one of the most powerful ways I’ve gotten to know myself deeper during this quarantine is through human design.

What Is Human Design?

If you’re unfamiliar with human design, think of it simply as another modality to get to know yourself, like Myers Briggs or astrology.

Human design is the science of the aura which is the energetic body that surrounds each person. Each person has a different energetic body and human design provides a roadmap on how to use yours to create the most flow in your life.

Human design borrows from several ancient traditions including the I’Ching of Taoism, the Tree of Life from Kabbalah, the Chakra system of Hinduism and various systems of astrology. Like astrology, human design charts are based on your exact birth time and place.

Beyond energy type, each chart shows gifts that your soul innately has, as well as the lessons that it came here to learn. Every person’s chart is totally unique, showing us that every soul on this earth has something wonderful to contribute to the collective.

Graciela Rasor, Human Design Expert

I had my human design chart read the other week by human design expert, Graciela Rasor. The entire experience was wildly validating, eye-opening, and inspiring. There were several moments throughout our conversation where tears sprung to my eyes because I felt like, for the first time, I understood things about myself that once felt so foreign. But, before I get deeper into my experience, I want you to get excited to learn more about yourself!

The first point of entry into human design is learning your energy type. You can explore your own chart on mybodygraph.com. Once you’ve got your chart, read on to learn more about the five different energy types as described by Graciela.

The Five Human Design Energy Types

Manifestors

Manifestors have the biggest aura out of all the types, which others can’t help but notice when they walk into a room. They make up about 8% of the population and embody the qualities we typically associate with leaders, as many leaders of the past were manifestors.

But, being a manifestor isn’t about bossing people around or seizing power. For this type, it’s about following their own path and acting on the impulsive energy they feel because that impulsive energy is the Divine expressing itself through them.

Interestingly, manifestors may fall into people-pleasing tendencies and shrinking themselves, since their big aura isn’t necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. However, this doesn’t serve their energy and it holds them back from achieving their true potential.

Manifesting Generators

Manifesting generators have a hybrid of manifestor and generator energy. They are the superheroes of the Earth — they have the power to both speak things into existence and then get those things done.

They’re here to follow their heart’s desires and experience a multi-passionate life by saying “yes” to everything that lights them up. When they do that, they create energy for themselves and others. When they don’t, they might find themselves on the path to burnout.

For manifesting generators, the magic comes in trusting the path even when they can’t see where it leads. Following their urges can make them appear flaky or scattered to others, but they need to own their multi-passionate nature and make their own rules for life.

Generators

Generators have a juicy lifeforce energy that others can’t help but be attracted to. They’re on this earth to create what they love and to love what they create. When they’re doing the things they love, they’re able to do it all day, and do it well.

They can use life like their personal shopper — sending them opportunities they can either accept or decline, based upon what lights them up. Generators are also susceptible to burnout if they’re not doing what they love. Their sense of duty can often get in the way of following their dreams.

Generators may have received praise in the past for their hardworking nature — doing things they didn’t want to as children or for making sacrifices for the good of others. It’s important for this type to realize that the best thing they can do for others is actually to pursue what makes them happy.

Projectors

Projectors are a “non-energy” type, which doesn’t mean they’re lethargic or weak, but that they don’t have the ability to create their own energy. Instead, they take it in from others.

Projectors see things in a unique way and their advice is incredibly valuable, whether that be in business, relationships, or something else, depending on their niche. They’re here to guide the tribe with their gifts. It’s important that they recognize themselves as special and valuable first, in order to then be recognized by others and share their gifts.

With about 3/4 of the population being energy-beings, there’s a lot of conditioning around what it means to have inconsistent energy. Projectors have a tendency to beat themselves up over not being able to just make things happen and can push themselves toward exhaustion trying to keep up. What they need to understand is that their energy works differently, and if they trust the flow of life, things will just happen for them.

Reflectors

Reflectors are the most unique, special souls among us, making up just 1% of the population! They’re also a non-energy type, but a reflector chart is totally open, making them the ultimate empaths with a deep potential for wisdom.

Reflectors acts as a mirror for those they surround themselves with, and for society as a whole, so a healthy environment is critical to their success. Reflectors belong at the center of the tribe and should be encouraged to share their perspective on life.

Reflectors are not here to define or label themselves. Their magic lies in their ability to be anything they want to be, and, when we ask them to know who they are, we clip their wings and put them into a box. Like projectors, they also need to be gentle with themselves as they operate in the energy field of the world.

Why Getting Your Human Design Chart Read Is Powerful

Going into my human design reading with Graciela, my knowledge was limited. I knew that I was a manifestor which both thrilled and surprised me because it seemed like such a dominating type. Leader? Biggest aura? I’ve always seen myself as a gentle, nurturing person. Although I do have this fiery side that comes out from time to time. I was so curious about what would come up in my reading.

Graciela did my reading via Zoom. Her kind smile and the easy conversation we shared before diving into the reading put me totally at ease. She began our session by sharing a summation of what she’d seen in my chart:

“A true lover of life, you are here to experience the fullness that human existence has to offer and to share that wisdom. A natural but gentle authority figure, your voice attracts the attention of others who are captivated by your stories, your inspirations, and your big picture thinking. The right people will follow you anywhere. You are a lifelong learner and self-discovery is an important part of your process but don’t get caught up in defining yourself. You have the ability and drive to be it all.”

My eyes widened. ‘A natural but gentle authority figure? I love that!’ I couldn’t wait to hear more.

I Gained So Much Clarity Through Understanding My Chart

For the next hour, Graciela went through all of the different themes she saw in my chart. She told me things about myself I’d always known but never actually understood. For example, she gave me clarity as to why I get frustrated being on other people’s schedules. She shined a light on why I take on other people’s emotions so easily and why I’m often a go-to person for advice. Her insights were validating, affirming, and enlightening.

One of the most eye-opening points of my reading came at the end when Graciela brought up my perfectionism. I exhaust myself with this desire to be perfect and do it all, though I hadn’t told her this. She said, “You have a pressure to be perfect. It’s a restlessness, like you’re thinking, ‘I could always find something better. I could always do this a little better.’ You have the ability to make things better and sometimes that manifests as a pressure to always make things better.”

I felt a strange sense of peace when she told me that. It was like, finally, there was a clear reason behind this nameless pressure that always loomed around me. I always want to make things better. I know that I can make things better. That’s why I can’t relax.

As we ended the reading, I felt a sense of calm. I felt really proud to be the woman that I am. I felt like I had more intimate knowledge about who I am and what I was put on this earth to do. In just an hour’s time, I uncovered truths about myself that will permanently shift the way I view myself.

If any of this piques your interest, I highly recommend booking a human design reading with Graciela! To book your reading, you can sign up on her Calendly page. For more information, send her a direct message on Instagram! She does her readings via Zoom and does an amazing job of making you feel very seen, understood, and special. It’s clear that she’s living her purpose.

While these times we’re in are difficult, they’re also ripe with opportunity for growth and personal insight. Why not use this time to get to know yourself on a deeper level? I promise you’ll benefit a lot more from investing time into yourself rather than the characters on your Netflix show. 

With love,

Alissa