This post is a summary of the five Types in Human Design. But please don't use the Types as mere labels. You are far more nuanced and complex than any Type can describe. Think of this as a starting point.
Each Type has a Strategy (how to engage with life), one or more possible Authorities (how to make decisions), a Not-Self theme (the feeling that tells you you're off track) and a Signature (the feeling that tells you you're on track).
| Type | Strategy | Possible Authorities | Not-Self | Signature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generators (the Builders) | To respond | Sacral, Emotional | Frustration | Satisfaction |
| Manifesting Generators (the Multi-Taskers) | To respond, then inform | Sacral, Emotional | Frustration and anger | Satisfaction (and perhaps speed and efficiency) |
| Manifestors (the Initiators) | To inform | Emotional, Splenic, Ego | Anger | Peace |
| Projectors (the Guides, leaders of the future) | To wait for the invitation | Emotional, Splenic, Ego, Self-Projected, Mental | Bitterness | Success (recognition) |
| Reflectors (the Mirrors of what's before them) | To wait a lunar cycle (about 28 days) | Lunar | Disappointment | Surprise |
The Authorities, explained
Sacral: a gut response, an immediate yes ("uh-huh") or an immediate no ("uh-uh") to whatever presents itself. It's a fast, strong, physical reaction.
Emotional: there is "no truth in the now." Emotional Authority works in waves, so these people need to ride out the highs and lows before reaching clarity. The best point for a decision is when they feel neutral.
Splenic: a quiet "whisper" of intuition that speaks only once. It's rooted in survival and instant health and safety checks. Because it's fast and only speaks once, if you miss it or try to reason with it, it's gone.
Ego: the heart's desire, and the willpower to follow through on a bargain or exchange. It asks, "What do I want? What's in it for me?" When you follow through on that, it's usually the right decision.
Self-Projected: these people need to talk things out and hear their decision as they speak. Their clarity comes through their own voice, as if in a monologue. It comes from the G Center.
Mental (sometimes called Environmental): these Projectors have no inner Authority below the Throat. They find clarity by using trusted people as sounding boards to hear their own thoughts, and by paying attention to the environment. If a place feels off, it will affect the decision.
Lunar: Reflectors have no defined centers at all, so they are completely open to the energy around them. They are here to sample environments and people. They should never make big decisions in the heat of the moment. Instead, they wait a full lunar cycle (about 28 days) to gain clarity and make sure the decision isn't just a reflection of someone else's energy.
Why some Authorities belong to some Types
Your Type and your Authority both come from the same place: which centers in your bodygraph are defined. That's why some Authorities only appear in certain Types. For example, only Generators and Manifesting Generators have a defined Sacral, so only they can have Sacral Authority.
If you don't know your Type yet, you can get your free bodygraph at humanbirthchart.com.
And remember, your Type is where the conversation starts, not where it ends. If you'd like to go deeper into your own chart, or understand how yours meets your partner's or your child's, email me at info@thekinsurfers.com.