Making Aligned Decisions: Authority

Last week we dropped into how to make aligned decisions, by understanding the decision-making strategy for your energy type (link blog). 

This week, I want to take it one step further by exploring “authority” in human design, and the essential role this plays in making aligned decisions and drawing in the opportunities and experiences that our soul came into this lifetime to have. 

As a reminder, the human design system says that we have NINE energy centers (and that we have evolved out of the more commonly known 7 chakras when we discovered Uranus’ influence on our energy in 1781). 

Seven of the Nine energy centers can serve as an “authority” or our primary guiding star in making aligned decisions. 

The selection of authority is not random; it is determined by which centers are “defined” (colored in) in your bodygraph. From there it follows a flow chart style: is X center defined? If yes, then you have __ authority, if not, is the (next) center defined? And so on. Hang with me, I promise it will become more clear as we go!

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Emotional (Solar Plexus) Authority-flowing into neutral: 

If you have a DEFINED Solar Plexus, no matter what else is defined or open (white) in your chart, you have “emotional” authority (the solar plexus is the center that generates and processes emotions). If you have a defined solar plexus, you will naturally have what is called an “emotional wave”. You will have a set way of processing emotional energy. This is in contrast to someone who has an undefined solar plexus, and who TAKES ON the emotional energy of others and amplifies it; thus, their emotional experience is always changing in frequency and intensity. 

The important thing to note is that you DO have a set emotional wave; it may be subtle highs and lows, have a build and explode quality to it, or perhaps a build to a high and then a steep drop off. One isn’t better than another; what’s important is that you get to know your wave SO THAT you know when you are in an emotionally neutral place (i.e., not in the peak or valley of a wave). It is only from this neutral place that decisions will become crystal clear. 

Practice getting to know your wave and also, ASK FOR TIME to make decisions. “Can I feel into it and get back to you?” is your new favorite response ;). 

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Sacral Authority- following what lights you up:

If you have an open/undefined solar plexus, the next energy center in line is the SACRAL center. This is the center for creativity and DESIRE. It lives in the present moment and is very physical and visceral. There isn’t much to think through or analyze; it’s all about what gets you jumping out of your seat, nodding your head, saying “mmmhmmm!” or even “yes!”. 

If you have this center defined, you are a generator type (generator or manifesting generator), and are meant to be led by what lights you up. I am a generator myself, and any time I start feeling “meh” or things begin to feel heavy, I ask myself “What do I need? What would I LOVE to be doing right now?” And as best as I am able, I honor my body’s request. 

Each sacral response is unique, but some of the commonalities of a gut “YES” include: a warm rising feeling, butterflies in the stomach, a rising energy, feeling expansive, feeling pulled toward the thing you are responding to. 

A gut “NO” can feel like: a contraction in the gut, a pulling away, a heaviness, a neutral/empty feeling, a crinkling of the face, or shaking the head “no”. 

At first, it can be challenging to really FEEL the gut’s response, especially if you feel bogged down by schedules, and “have to’s” and a sense of duty and responsibility to things that energetically drain you. Take heart. This is an EXPERIMENT! You don’t have to perfect it or change your life overnight. Start small.

What is one thing that is draining your energy that you can let go of? Start there! Your sacral will begin to churn and create an unstoppable momentum. BONUS: your energy field will begin to clear space for even more ALIGNED opportunities to move toward you.

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Splenic Authority: Hearing the “still, small voice” within

If you have an undefined solar plexus and sacral, the next energy center in line is the SPLEEN: the quiet wispy voice of intuition that lives and responds ONLY in the moment.  

Similar to the others, it can take practice getting in touch with this authority center. When do you feel most internally connected? Can you spend more time in these places/activities? Then, take note! Notice when you hear that whisper that sends shivers down your spine or gives you goosebumps. WRITE.IT.DOWN. Acknowledge it! The more you can begin to trust and implement these quiet urgings the more you unlock  the spleen’s wisdom into your life. 

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Ego Authority: It’s ok to make it about you

If you have Ego Authority, you are meant to be “selfish”. That word gets a bad wrap, but as we are learning together, prioritizing ourselves only makes us more capable and powerful servants of the world and of our life visions. 

No one knows this better than those with Ego authority. The worst thing you can do is forsake your true, heartfelt desires, no matter how trivial they may seem. 
Let the phrase “I want” to lead you! Really! I mean it! What do you want? Do you know? Can you begin to pursue it, even if on the smallest of scales? 

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G Center Authority: Finding a sounding board 

If you have G center authority, it’s more important for you than others to be able to talk things aloud. Not just to yourself, but to an actual physical person (that you trust with the information). 

The G center is all about understanding yourself and your direction in life. You find your process through speaking it out. The biggest clarification is that you don’t need someone else to tell you what to do; you already have the answer within you and just need the sounding board to unleash it. 

Start with small scale decisions: which route to take, which restaurant to eat at, which outfit to wear, which workout to do. It sounds silly, but “practicing” with these easier decisions begins to turn on the intelligence of this center so that it becomes increasingly active and wise for you and also so you can build a trusting relationship with it for future bigger decisions. 

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Mental Authority: Thinking is actually good for you! 

If you are among the rare few who have “mental” authority, congratulations - it is actually energetically correct for you to think your way to your answer/decision! 

(And for everyone else- that’s right - it’s NOT energetically correct for us to think our way into our decisions.) 

With your Ajna defined, it is all about YOUR observations and unique take on the situation. What is your interpretation of it? What’s your take? Based on that, how would you like to proceed? Gather the clues from the external world and let them guide you. 

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NO (inner) Authority: Let the themes and cycles of your life guide you

If you are a beautiful reflector, you have NO energy centers defined (although you will have some gates activated in your chart). 

Because the energy centers are “solar” powered; you also don’t have much solar energy in your design and are MUCH more influenced by the moon and its phases. As you know, while the sun runs in a 24hr cycle, the moon runs on a 28 (ish) day cycle! 

So please, please don’t expect yourself to make quick decisions. Things will become MUCH more clear and unfold with greater ease if you can ride the cycle out. Get to know what themes are presenting themselves in your life right now; what keeps coming up? Begin to honor your cycle. You can start with the moon and her phases as your guide, but know that your cycles may be a bit longer or shorter than them. 

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And that’s all… for now! 

Beyond getting familiar with your energy type, strategy and authority are THE FOUNDATIONS of living your design. 

I know that I was excited to dive into every detail and intricacy, and human design has ALL OF THAT and more, but really, when I am actually PRACTICING it, I am coming back to my strategy and authority. Really. 

I hope this gives you some direction to begin your wild and fantastic experiment with HD. 

And if you have ANY questions about your design, please don’t hesitate to reach out! 

Email: jadiengels@gmail.com

IG: @jadiengels 

I also offer Life Alignment Notes, a full write up of your chart in clear and actionable language. I would love to extend this offer to you as well! You can learn more by contacting me via email or DM. 

Sending you So Much Love,
Jadi

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