Dear Human Design newbie,
When was the last time you knew something deep in your bones? That sense of clarity when your gut or heart whispers something you know to be true beyond all reason? That’s your Human Design Authority.
Think of your Authority as your decision-making GPS. The part of you that knows what’s right for you—no external validation required.
How do we make decisions really?
Modern Western society often devalues intuition as a valid way of making decisions.
We’ve been conditioned to believe our brains are where decisions are made, and that the best decisions come from logical and rational thinking.
Yet, the connection between the brain and the network of nerves in our gut has been well documented. Neuroscience has shown that the gut is wired for learning. And neuroscientists believe that much of the wisdom and pattern recognition from our lived experience is outside our conscious awareness and is, in fact, stored in the spinal cord and the gut. Just ask neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart.
Additionally, a growing body of evidence shows that the heart has its own neural network that can sense, feel, learn and retain memories. This network of over 40,000 neurons sends and receives messages from the brain, coordinates our body’s systems, and may play a crucial role in forming our identities and personalities.
Thus, the brain is not the be-all and end-all when it comes to learning. And conventional wisdom about how we make decisions may well be based on faulty assumptions.
What does Human Design say about making decisions?
We’ve been conditioned to outsource our authority—to mistrust the wisdom within ourselves because it doesn’t “make sense”. Human Design turns this on its head saying that your body is your authority and the ultimate source of your wisdom.
Your Human Design Authority, therefore, gives you a new to make decisions. It helps you tap into your body’s wisdom and trust in your inner knowing, even when logic, reason and the people around you scream something else.
While it can feel scary when you first begin relying on your Human Design Authority, when you learn to recognise the signals of your Authority as your decision-making compass, magic happens.
What are the Human Design Authorities?
There are seven Human Design Authorities, and while I won’t get into the nitty-gritty details of each, I want to give you a taste of what they’re about:
Emotional Authority: There is no such thing as a spontaneous decision. You need to feel out decisions throughout your emotional wave. Clarity comes with time.
Sacral Authority: Your sacral centre draws you towards things that are right for you and away from what is not. That "uh-huh" or "uh-uh" sensation you get? That’s it. (Only Generators and MGs can have this Authority).
Splenic Authority: In-the-moment, instinctive knowing meant to ensure your survival. The Spleen is that quiet voice that speaks once and disappears—learn to trust it the first time.
Ego Authority: The way this Authority works differs depending on whether you’re a Manifestor or a Projector. Regardless, Ego Authority is about what you have the willpower for and what you’re willing to do.
Self-Projected Authority: There’s a misconception that you need to talk things out. In truth, this Authority is about allowing yourself to be yourself in the moment, trusting your desires and letting them guide you in the right direction.
Environmental Authority: Your surroundings matter. Find your people, find the places that feel right to your body and talk things through—that’s where you’ll find your clarity.
Lunar Authority: Like Environmental Authority, you need to soundboard with different people and in different spaces. Patience is key here, as you may need to feel out decisions throughout the 29.5-day lunar cycle before clarity comes. (Only Reflectors can have this Authority).
Why Authority Matters
The beauty of Human Design Authority is that it’s a tool to help you trust yourself.
The more you work with your Authority, the more you realise that you already have the answers—inside of you. Your Authority helps you reconnect with that inner knowing, guiding you through life in a way that’s aligned with who you really are.
So, the next time you’re faced with a decision, take a breath. Tune into your Authority. And trust that you know exactly what’s right for you—even when it makes no logical sense.
What’s your Human Design Authority?
Let’s talk Authorities! Leave a comment and share your Authority and how you experience it in your life.
Until next time bestie, xx
Love,
P.S. I’m creating a Human Design course for busy diverse folks to help you learn to apply the wisdom of your Human Design to your everyday life. But I need your help! Tell me what you want from a Human Design course and join the course waitlist.
P.P.S. Need help decoding your Human Design? Schedule a one-on-one Human Design Reading to unlock the secrets of your unique energetic fingerprint.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tay Francis (she/they) is a sociologist, researcher and trauma survivor who lives at the intersections of science and spirituality. She has a background in psychology, development studies and statistics. She’s also a Human Design specialist whose insights have appeared in publications such as Yahoo and Best Life Magazine. Tay writes from her Caribbean home, often during the witching hours, kept company by reruns of a reality show and her incredibly clingy cat, Princess Maggie.
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I've learned and use my lunar authority differently. Remind me to tell you about it. LOL
My authority is to “follow my gut” and the discoveries have been comforting and eye opening!