How to Use Your Human Design Authority in Life and Business
Human Design is my go-to tool for helping clients better understand their intuition. In your Human Design chart, you will notice a section called “intuition” or “authority”. Originally, in Human Design, your authority is meant to inform how you make decisions. However, in my process, it is the part of your Human Design chart that gives you a clue on how you most clearly hear your intuition.
Let’s take a few steps back before we dive into your Human Design authority and how you can use it in your life and business. First, check out this blog post on understanding your Human Design type. Second, learn more about intuition in general in this intuition basics blog post. Last, go deeper into your Human Design journey with my free Human Design Basics Bundle, which includes a Human Design training, a guide for building your own Human Design chart, and a one-page quick reference PDF on the key parts of a Human Design chart.
Human Design helps inform your intuitive leadership style. Within your Human Design profile, you will find your “authority,” or how your intuition consistently speaks to you and guides you from a Human Design perspective.
Emotional Solar Plexus Authority
You use the power of your emotional navigation system to make decisions over time. You are spoken to through your emotions versus that striking "eureka!" moment. It’s important not to be reactive to highs or lows!
Take time to observe your emotions while making important decisions. If, more times than not, your emotions lean toward “yes,” it is a sign that it is an aligned decision. If your emotions lead toward “no,” take it as a sign to find another option.
Journal prompts for emotional solar plexus authority:
What emotion would you use to describe your current situation?
How were you feeling the last time you made a big decision?
What is your ideal emotional state for decision-making?
Sacral Authority
You receive subtle and immediate responses. Using “sacral questioning,” or a series of yes or no questions is advantageous. Like Emotional Solar Plexus Authority, you are looking for a majority vote on “yes” or “no”. It’s important for you to use the present moment when tuning into your decisions.
Journal prompts for sacral authority using sacral questioning:
Are you excited about your day ahead?
Would you ever see yourself regretting what you have to do today?
Does this day remind you of another good day?
Splenic Authority
This is an existential knowing that is highly present. It is often a subtle and simple voice. It is also temperamental to the present moment, so it is wise to check in early and often with this authority.
Journal prompts for splenic authority:
When your mind is quiet, what is the voice that you hear?
Have you ever known something without knowing how you knew it? What was the situation?
Sit quietly for a few minutes. What message do you receive?
Heart/Ego Authority
For Manifestors
Your intuition is like an old-time tin-can telephone system. When you speak into existence what you seek guidance on, it reverberates out and brings the answer back with it. It is important for you to eliminate self-censorship so that these words have a chance to travel out and back. Also, when in doubt, blurt it out. You will be surprised at the messages that come back.
Journal prompts for heart/ego authority for manifestors:
If you were a walking billboard, what would your message currently say?
When was the last time you wanted to say something but didn’t? Why didn’t you?
Fill in the blank: What I need to say is…
For Projectors
This knowing is tied to the invitations you receive. If you are not receiving aligned invitations, consider it a sign to try something else. This authority is focused on “self,” meaning it’s important to lean into making selfish decisions. Trust that it’s not selfish at all.
Journal prompts for heart/ego authority for projectors:
Fill in the blank: My greatest passion currently is…
If there were no other people or factors in your decision-making process, what decision would you make TODAY?
What is the positive side of being selfish?
Self-Projected Authority
You are a verbal processor. When you listen to your own articulations, your answers become clear. Use this approach to make decisions that bring joy and pleasure. If the root of the decision pulls you farther from joy and pleasure, it is likely not for you.
Journal prompts for self-projected authority:
Who is on your “board of directors,” aka your sounding board? Are there any types of perspectives missing that will be helpful to you as you enter your next level?
What recurring thought is holding you back from making a decision?
What types of intuitive messages do you notice when you speak your situation out loud?
Environmental Authority
Also known as a Mental Projector, this authority is rooted in sensory and environmental guidance. It can be helpful to use your body as an oracle or pendulum to inform your decisions. Also, be mindful to talk to sounding boards after making a decision. You need not gather a bunch of outside opinions before making a decision.
Journal prompts for environmental authority:
Take a moment to look around your space. When something catches your curiosity (read: not your to-do list), get up and engage with it. What is it trying to tell you?
Stand up straight. Ask your body to show you what “yes” feels like, and notice which way your body leans. Ask your body to show you a “no.” Then, ask a question you’ve been wanting an answer on and see where your body leans.
Who do you tend to talk to most when making a big decision? I dare you not to base your next decision on your conversation with them.
Lunar Authority
Reserved for our lovely Reflector friends, you require 28 days to decide. During those 28 days, you will be observant of all things intuitive, sensory, emotional, and collective energy to inform your decision. It’s important not to let the world rush you and to be surrounded by the right people and environment that can support your need for longer runways for decision-making.
Journal prompts for lunar authority:
How could you communicate your need for longer decision lead times to key family, friends, and colleagues?
What would waiting for a full moon cycle mean for your decision-making process?
Do you get more intuitive clarity around the new or full moon? If you don’t know, use this as an experiment to start to work with the moon cycle.
Human design can be a powerful tool that supports many areas of your life and business. Your Human Design authority is just one part of a broader picture of how you are designed to move through this world. The more you study yourself, the more your world and decision-making process becomes clearer.
Want even more Human Design content? Check out some of my past podcast guest episodes:
Elevate with Elena: Unlocking Your Potential w Human Design w/ Kelsey Erickson
MORE with Ava Beilke: Human Design with Kelsey Erickson
Yoga Magic Podcast: Episode 122: Applying Human Design to Daily Life with Kelsey Erickson