The Human Design Energy Types

Are you just starting to explore Human Design? Curious about the practical implications of your energy type and how this knowledge can enhance your daily life? We’re here to help you make sense of it all.

If you want to learn more about Human Design as a system, this post here is a good place to start.

Your energy type in Human Design is not a personality test. It describes your aura and how your energy engages with the world around you. It’s a typology, but it goes much deeper than personality traits and preferences. Your energy type describes your mechanical configuration and the intricacies of your energy field.

We use the date, time and location of your birth to create your chart and work out your energy type. Your energy type cannot change as your Myers-Briggs or Enneagram can – it’s set based on your birth details, much like your Sun Sign in astrology.

Energy Type vs Aura Type

It may be confusing hearing some people online speak of 4 types and others of 5. In traditional Human Design, there are 4 Aura Types – Generators, Manifestors, Projectors and Reflectors. However, many consider there to be a 5th type and those who teach Energy Types often include Manifesting Generators as the 5th type.

Technically, Manifesting Generators are a sub-type of Generators because they have the same Aura). But in my experience, Manifesting Generators and Generators feel and behave quite differently. So while I acknowledge that there are only 4 Aura types, I do experience Manifesting Generators as a 5th energy type.

The 5 Energy Types

You will fall into one of these five energy types, but please know that this is really just the first layer of your chart and there is so much more that makes you, you. However, those of the same energy type share core characteristics and qualities.

Manifestors

Approximately 8-9% of the world, Manfiestors are our initiators, trail-blazers and fire starters. These people are here to go first and initiate the rest of us. They tend to live and work seasonally, with periods of high energy that we call a surge, followed by periods of necessary deep rest. They tend to be really great at getting things started but often do best when they can hand things over to others to complete or see through.

The strategy for Manifestors is to ‘inform, then initiate’. What this really means is that in order to create in the most aligned way, it helps if they keep the people who will be impacted by their actions in the loop. People can be bewildered by the energy of Manifestors, and informing helps prepare others and also reduces the resistance that the Manifestor might face from others if they do not inform.

The themes for Manifestors are Peace and Anger. Anger is a sign that a Manifestor is off track and out of alignment and pace is a sign that they are on track and in alignment.

Famous Manifestors: Frida Kahlo, Adele, Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, Jennifer Anniston, Jennifer Lawrence, Tom Cruise, Gwen Stefani, Al Gore, Bruce Springsteen and Jerry Seinfeld.

Generators

Making up approximately 35% of the world, Generators are here to be our embodied and grounded builders. They are gifted at bringing projects and ideas to life, in a step by step way. They are here to develop mastery in their chosen career/craft and tend to be people who love to do things once but do them well.

The strategy of Generators is ‘to respond’ to life and opportunities. Typically, Generators have been conditioned to try and initiate like Manifestors, which depletes their energy and leaves them feeling frustrated. What Human Design teaches is that Generators create alignment by responding rather than initiating. They are here to respond to life and allow the right opportunities to find them rather than trying to initiate and make things happen mentally. The more they relax into their response, which comes through their body, the more magnetic they become.

The True Self and Not Self themes of Generators are satisfaction and frustration. They know they are on track when they feel satisfied, and they know they are off track when they feel consistently frustrated.

Famous Generators: Oprah, Beyonce, Walt Disney, Edgar Cayce, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marie Curie, Robin Williams, The Dalai Lama, Albert Einstein, Selena Gomez.

Manifesting Generators

Manifesting Generators also make up approximately 35% of the world, which means that together with Generators they make up a majority of 70% of the population. Manifesting Generators are also gifted at bringing projects and ideas to life like Generators, but their gift lies in getting things done in the most efficient way. They are typically multi-passionate and enjoy nourishing their many interests. They also tend to pivot more frequently than Generators as they don’t often know what is right for them until they give it a try.

The strategy for Manifesting Generators is the same as Generators, they are here to respond, through their body, to the opportunities that life brings to them. And their True Self and Not Self themes are the same – frustration and satisfaction.

Famous Manifesting Generators: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Mother Theresa, Tony Robbins, Jessica Alba, Donald Trump, Katy Perry, Elton John.

Projectors

Projectors who make up approximately 20-22% of the world, are here to be our guides, analysts and advisors. Their role is much more about what they see and the quality of guidance they give rather than how much they do. Projectors are here to know two things – systems and other people. They tend to be gifted at seeing the bigger picture and how others can use their energy most effectively.

The strategy for Projectors is to ‘wait for recognition and invitation’. The biggest learning for the Projector is that just because they have advice for others, does not mean that other person wants or is ready to receive it. Their strategy of waiting for recognition and invitation helps the Projector preserve their energy and ensure they are not wasting their attention on the wrong people. Typically, recognition will come through the mastery of their system.

The True Self and Not Self themes for Projectors are success and bitterness. When they feel successful, they know they are on track and in alignment, and when they feel bitter, they know they are off track and out of alignment.

Famous Projectors: Rick Rubin, Princess Diana, Maralyn Monroe, Gary Vee, Barack Obama, Brad Pitt, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, Kanya West.

Reflectors

Last but not least, we come to Reflectors, who make up only 1-2% of our world. Reflectors are here to be our mirrors, evaluators, and judges. Their role is collective and community oriented, and they operate much like barometers for the health and functionality of our communities. Reflectors are incredibly sensitive to their environment and need to be able to move through different environments that feel inspiring and engaging for them. Reflectors have a special relationship with the moon, and the moon provides a sense of anchoring through the monthly pattern she makes in their chart.

The strategy for Reflectors is to ‘prioritise their environment and ‘wait a lunar cycle’. When Reflectors are in the right spaces, that feel good for them, they can trust that they are with the right people. Their environment is everything. Through waiting and not rushing in to things, Reflectors cultivate an objective view point that they can then share with their community and the people around them.

The True Self and Not Self themes for Reflectors are surprise and disappointment. When they feel surprised, delighted and engaged, they know they are on track and in alignment. When they feel disappointed, dull and stagnant, they know they are off track and out of alignment,

Famous Reflectors: Teal Swan, Ammachi, Sandra Bullock.

Please remember that Energy Type is just one part of your design – there is so much more that makes you, you. I find that understanding energy type in context with your astrological placements to be incredibly illuminating. If you don’t resonate with your Energy Type, your astrology can often explain why.

Our personalised reports are the best place to start if you want to dive into your energy type.