In Human Design, there are layers upon layers of information that define our individual makeup, but let’s start peeling back this onion with Type. Our Human Design Type is our essence – it’s how we present ourselves in this world, and how the world around us interacts with us. Before we dive into each Type, I want to point out that this all has to do with how we present ourselves as beings of energy, as Type is our energetic blueprint. Human Design suggests that learning about your type helps to release resistance and create more ease in your life, making more space for what you’re truly meant to experience. And if you have a healthy dose of skepticism with all of this – that’s what experimentation is for!
When reading through your specific Type, you’ll find information on your Strategy (what you can do to best support your Type), and your Not-Self Theme, which is your signpost for when you’re not following your Strategy. If you find yourself living in your not-self, that’s a great reminder to align with your Strategy again. When you’re following your Strategy and making decisions that excite and enliven you, you will arrive at your Signature.
Manifestors (Energy Type, make up less than 10% of the world’s population)
Manifestors are such a creative force. They are the initiators, often driven by their desires to bring new concepts and ideas into reality. Being independent is your natural state of being, and you thrive when given the freedom to act on your impulses. In Human Design, each Type is characterized by its Aura – and Manifestors have a closed and repelling aura. While that may sound off-putting, this is not a negative characteristic at all, it is how they are designed – they do not need to wait for forces outside of themselves to move them into action. Trailblazers at heart, Manifestors are capable of envisioning new possibilities and initiating them quickly. This is why Manifestors are considered an Energy Type – they have the energy to initiate from within.
Manifestor’s Strategy: To Inform (more info on that here: Manifestor Strategy)
Not-Self Theme: Anger – Feeling this emotion indicates you’re in the wrong place and that you’re prohibiting yourself from doing and saying things the way you want, to avoid upsetting or hurting others or acting against your freedom. With that, Manifestors will tend to feel exhausted and powerless. Recognizing this feeling serves as a reminder for you to communicate your needs and intentions clearly.
Signature: Peace – By staying true to your inner impulses and being transparent in your intentions, you find inner peace and harmony. This comes from a place of living authentically and following your own path, independent of the expectations of others.
Generators (Energy Type, make up about 37% of the world’s population)
Generators are an incredibly reliable and sustainable energy source. They are designed to follow their passions, letting life lead the way. With an open and enveloping aura, new experiences and opportunities are meant to come to you, and resistance is often released when you surrender. When presented with a new opportunity, it’s important for a Generator to check in with themselves and see if it’s something that lights them up on the inside. Saying yes to the things that sound exciting fuels your ability to work consistently and joyfully. When you have the opportunity to work on something you feel passionate about, more of your energy becomes available to others – whether or not that energy should be used, all comes down to your Strategy, and something to bookmark for later, your Authority.
Generator’s Strategy: To Respond (more info on that here: Generator Strategy)
Not-Self Theme: Frustration – This emotion is the signal that you have strayed from the right path and that you are misusing your energy, wasting it on things that are not meant for you. With this, it’s typical to feel drained, lack the energy to work, and feel powerless and exhausted – as if your battery is empty.
Signature: Satisfaction – Generators are naturally inclined to find deep fulfillment and satisfaction in their actions. When you follow your inner impulse and act in resonance with your true self, you experience a deep sense of contentment and meaningfulness in what you do. This feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction is a sign that you’re on the right path.
Manifesting Generators (Energy Type, make up about 33% of the world’s population)
While technically a variation of the Generator type, Manifesting Generators have so many unique qualities within them that set them apart. While Manifesting Generators (MG’s) and Generators do share the same Strategy, Not-Self Theme, and Signature, MG’s blend the Manifestor’s ability to initiate and quickly move to action, with the Generator’s ability to sustain a creative pursuit for a longer period. With this, comes the ability to multi-task and create efficiencies wherever they can. Manifesting Generators thrive in dynamic settings, but should be mindful of taking on too much or moving too quickly to the ‘next thing’ without first checking in with themselves. With an open and enveloping aura and the ability to initiate and generate your own energy, you are a being of response. Strive to follow what lights you up, and this will lead to immense satisfaction.
Manifesting Generator’s Strategy: To Respond (more info on that here: Manifesting Generator Strategy)
Not-Self Theme: Frustration – This emotion is the signal that you have strayed from the right path and that you are misusing your energy and wasting it on things that are not meant for you. With this, it’s typical to feel drained, lack the energy to work, and feel powerless and exhausted – as if your battery is empty.
Signature: Satisfaction – MG’s are naturally inclined to find deep fulfillment and satisfaction in their actions. When you follow your inner impulse and act in resonance with your true self, you experience a deep sense of contentment and meaningfulness in what you do. This feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction is a sign that you’re on the right path.
Projectors (Non-energy Type, make up about 21% of the world’s population)
Projectors are the insightful guides of the Human Design Types. Their gift is to recognize others and show them the way. By waiting until you’re invited, you find the right people and situations that appreciate your wisdom and insight. When following this strategy, your energy automatically attracts them. As Projectors are non-energy types, it’s helpful to think of this as an equal exchange of energy. When living your design and waiting until you’re invited to guide the process and offer your insights, energy types are providing their available energy while moving through the process in exchange for your guidance. This ensures that your wisdom is appreciated and valued, leading to more successful interactions.
Projector’s Strategy: To Wait for the Invitation (more info on that here: Projector Strategy)
Not-Self Theme: Bitterness – This feeling is a sign that you’re not aligned with your design and that you’re dedicating your energy to the wrong people and situations. You might feel unacknowledged, overlooked, and deprived of your energy. Are you sharing your insights with the correct people?
Signature: Success – When you wait for the right invitation and share your skills and wisdom at the right time, you will experience true success. This success is reflected not only in external achievements but also in a deep sense of recognition and value within the community around you.
Reflectors (Non-energy Type, make up about 1% of the world’s population)
Reflectors are such unique individuals, as all nine centers in their Human Design chart are open. This openness allows them to sample and reflect the energies of those around them. As a Reflector, you are deeply in tune with your environment and can provide unique perspectives based on your observations. Since you’re able to tune into and feel the emotions and energies of those around you, you’re naturally empathic. With your ability to connect with people on a deep level and provide comfort and understanding, it is essential for you to spend dedicated time alone, in your own environment. Doing so will allow you to release any energies you may have encountered throughout the day that are not yours.
Reflector’s Strategy: Wait a Lunar Cycle (more info on that here: Reflector Strategy)
Not-Self Theme: Disappointment – This feeling is a sign that you’re not living in the way you’re designed and that you’re surrounded by people who are energetically incorrect for you. This can lead you to feel that the expectations of your physical environment aren’t what you had envisioned. You may feel that your high sensitivity is a problem, and others can feel attacked by what you say.
Signature: Surprise – When you are on the right path, you experience a constant state of surprise and joy in life. You are excited about the people and opportunities that come your way and feel that you are in the right place. Others will inherently notice that within you, leading to greater harmony and clarity in the world.
Let’s just quickly think about how these types might play their part in our world. We have our Manifestors, living according to their design, informing others of new projects they’re initiating – this leads to them feeling at peace. Then we have the Generators and Manifesting Generators, feeling respected as they have been informed by the Manifestors of these new initiatives, and responding to the ideas they feel called to and passionate about. Together, these three types have turned an idea into reality, which leads to satisfaction for the Generator and Manifesting Generator. Then we have the Projectors, with their innate wisdom and ability to recognize the potential in others – they are invited by the other Types to guide the process and make it as efficient as possible. If they accept these invitations according to what feels right for them, this leads to success for the project, initiative, and creation as a whole. And then we have our Reflectors, who offer an incredibly unique perspective and can show us how it’s all going. They can show us who is living authentically, or who is doing something because they’ve been conditioned to do so. They can show us what is working and what is not. And in doing so, they can sense and experience all of life’s wonderful surprises along the way.
I would suggest spending some time with this information, seeing how this might show up for you, how you may have been resisting the core theme of your energy type, or how you’ve been embracing it. If you’re looking for a deeper dive, see my post on Journal Prompts for your Energy Type.
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