How to Read a Human Design Chart: A Beginner’s Guide
But don’t worry, I’ve got you. I made this post as a catch-all for all the basics I had to google, read and listen to to start making sense of the chart on my own. And believe me: once you understand the basics, this chart becomes an incredibly useful tool for self-discovery and alignment (and a potential rabbit hole, if you’re anything like me).
Get Your Chart
First things first: if you haven’t already, grab your free Human Design chart. There are plenty of online tools, some of which I mentioned in this post, that only require your birth date, time, and location. Your Human Design chart (also called a BodyGraph) is a map of your energy—how you interact with the world, make decisions, and operate at your best
Now, let’s break down what you’re looking at.
Components of a Chart
Energy Type: Your Operating System
Your Energy Type is the foundation of your design. It shows you how your energy naturally flows and how you can work with it (rather than against it).
Generators (and Manifesting Generators) are the builders and doers of the world. They’re here to follow what excites them and use their energy in satisfying ways. Because they have a defined Sacral center, they can sustain long periods of work—if it truly lights them up. If they force themselves to do things they hate, they burn out quickly. Their biggest challenge is learning to wait for the right opportunities rather than initiating from the mind, and trusting their gut (Sacral) response.
Manifestors are the trailblazers. They’re designed to initiate action and set things in motion. Unlike Generators, they don’t have sustainable energy for long hauls; instead, they work in powerful bursts. A Manifestor’s biggest key is informing people of their next move. Because they have a “closed aura,” letting others know what they’re doing reduces friction and resistance. They thrive when they follow their inner urges and aren’t bogged down by external control.
Projectors are the guides. They see systems, people, and processes more clearly than others and can offer profound insights. However, they don’t have a defined Sacral center, so they can’t work endlessly. They do best by waiting for recognition and invitations—when people ask for their guidance, that’s when their brilliance shines. Pushing their ideas on others or trying to “keep up” with Generator energy leads to bitterness and burnout. Rest is crucial for them.
Reflectors are the mirrors of society. They have all centers open (undefined), which makes them extremely sensitive to their environment. They sense what’s healthy or unhealthy in a group or space. Because their energy changes based on their surroundings, Reflectors are advised to wait a full lunar cycle (about 28 days) before making major decisions. This allows them to experience various phases of the moon and come to clarity.
Each type has a Strategy, which is basically the healthiest way for them to engage with life. Manifestors inform, Generators and MGs respond, Projectors wait for invitations, and Reflectors wait a lunar cycle (but more on this in a later post).
Authority: How You Make Decisions
Your Authority is all about your personal decision-making process. Human Design suggests that when you follow this inner compass, you make choices that truly align with who you are—rather than listening to external “shoulds” or forcing decisions from your mind.
Emotional Authority: You experience emotional waves, and it’s best to “sleep on” important decisions. Big yes or no answers shouldn’t be made at the peak or trough of emotion. Waiting for emotional clarity ensures you don’t commit to something you’ll regret when the wave passes.
Sacral Authority: You rely on a gut response—yes, no, or “uh-huh,” “uhn-uhn.” This is immediate and visceral. If you feel energized or lit up by something, that’s your green light. If you feel drained or flat, it’s not correct for you.
Splenic Authority: A quiet, intuitive whisper or instinct in the moment. It speaks once, softly, and then it’s gone. Your job is to catch that subtle knowing.
Ego Authority: Decisions should come from your heart’s desire and willpower. Ask: “Do I really want this?” If your will isn’t behind it, you won’t sustain the effort.
Self-Projected Authority: Your truth emerges when you speak. Talking your decisions out loud (with a trusted friend or even alone) clarifies what resonates in your core.
Lunar Authority: This is only relevant for you if you are a Reflector. Because you have no defined centers, you need the full lunar cycle to sample all possibilities and gain clarity about what truly feels right.
Defined vs. Open Centers
The shapes on your chart represent energy centers, somewhat akin to chakras. Centers that are defined (colored in) are areas where you have consistent energy and influence. Centers that are open (white) are places you absorb other people’s energy.
Defined Centers: These show you what energy is reliably yours. For example, a defined Throat Center often means you’re naturally expressive or impactful in communication.
Open Centers: Here’s where you learn from and reflect the outside world. If you have an open Emotional Center, you might feel others’ emotions more intensely than they do. It’s a great place for wisdom—once you realize not everything you feel belongs to you.
By exploring which centers are open or defined, you can identify where you’re most susceptible to conditioning (taking on beliefs, emotions, or patterns that aren’t really yours) and where you have a stable, consistent influence.
Channels & Gates: Your Unique Gifts
The lines and numbers you see connecting these centers are Channels and Gates. Each Gate or Channel represents specific themes or talents in your life.
Gates (the numbers) act like doors to different traits. If a Gate is activated in your chart, it brings that quality or focus into your life. For example, Gate 56 might be about storytelling, while Gate 36 deals with emotional crisis and growth.
Channels (the lines connecting two gates) create a stronger, more consistent theme. If both gates forming a channel are defined, you have a fully activated channel that can shape your personality and life direction. For instance, the 34–20 channel is called the “Channel of Charisma” and often appears in Manifesting Generators who have a knack for getting things done quickly.
Human Design isn’t something you just learn—it’s something you live. Instead of trying to memorize every detail, focus on your Type, Strategy, and Authority first. Try making decisions based on your Authority and see how it feels. Observe how following your Strategy changes the way life flows. The more you experiment with your design, the more natural it becomes. And if you’re feeling stuck or want help understanding your chart in a way that makes sense for you, book a free consultation with me. Together we can explore how to apply your design in your life and business.
