The 9 Centers in Human Design
The 9 Centers in Human Design
Sep 16, 2021
Today I wanted to talk about how your ‘type’ is determined in Human Design.
Your type is determined by the combination of your defined and/or undefined centers. Each center represents a specific energy hub. There are currently 9 centers, more about the theme of each one below.
A defined centre is what we call the coloured/filled in parts in your chart. It’s where you have consistent access to that energy. It’s an energy you naturally project out and have the ability to influence others.
An undefined or open center has no colour filled in, because of that you have the ability to take in and amplify the energy from those with defined centers (or transits, think planet placements). You get to sample different expressions of this energy! Which also means it’s an inconsistent energy.
Conditioning in the centers: Open and undefined centers are susceptible to conditioning since it’s an area where you take in and amplify everything from everyone.
Energy is power and sometimes when we don’t discern properly we can succumb under the pressure to act when that energy wasn’t ours to begin with (hence getting out of alignment).
That being said, even defined centers can be conditioned. And by conditioning, it simply means being influenced by those with consistent energy. Which is also not a bad thing! As long as you’re acting on what’s aligned to YOU. That’s why Human Design emphasizes the importance of following your strategy and authority.
The 9 Centers
As mentioned above, each center represents an energy hub.
Someone who has a center defined vs someone who has the same center undefined means they will experience that energy differently. And add to the equation the rest of your design elements such as type, definition, profile, cross angle, channels etc it becomes a whole other combo! And even if you have a very similar ‘combo’ than someone else, the way you express it and the conditioning you’ve been through will be entirely different.
Each of the center also has a specific mechanic/role. Read more about center mechanics here.
Head/Crown center💡
- Pressure, big ideas, inspiration: Why, how, what questions
Mind/Ajna center 🧠
- Processing. From ideas to concepts, details
Throat center 🗣
- Expression, communication & action
G Identity center 💟
- Direction, love, self, purpose, give & receive
Ego Heart center 💖
- Willpower, ego, drive, determination, worthiness
Emotional Solar Plexus center 🌊
- Emotions, feelings, sensitivity
Sacral center⚡️
- Vital life force, reproduction, sustainability, sexuality
Spleen👁
- Instinct, intuition, fear, immune system
Root center⬆️
- Life fuel, momentum adrenaline, stress, pressure
I only have the heart and spleen centers defined. Which means I take in and amplify energy from all the other undefined centers. It’s not a bad thing! We’re all influenced by each other’s energy all the time.
But as mentioned in my previous post, discerning which energy is mine plus which ones I should respond and act on has been pivotal. Am I doing something because it feels right for me or because I’m influenced by someone’s else energy/conditioning? That’s when your strategy and authority can help you discern and align.
Which centres do you have defined? Which do you have undefined? There are cases where all could be defined and all undefined as well.
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All defined. I’ve been feeling different all my life. I try to fit in but it just doesn’t work for me
Wow, having all centers defined means you’re likely to be influencing those around you always. That doesn’t mean you’re not flexible or don’t learn from others but with other elements in your design you’re likely to be the one dictating, setting the tone with your energies. Are you single or split definition? How has it felt to learn about your human design?
I have all 9 centers defined and triple split definition. Had to work on a lot this year and part of that was learning to love and embrace that I might not always relate with people or that I might stand out. It’s been hard because I know people around me find it jarring. Any tips on maintaining healthy relationships ?
Hi Mandy,
Love this beautiful lesson. Thank you for sharing. It took me a while to let go of my people pleasing tendencies (undefined solar plexus here and lots of conditioning growing up). But something I’ve learned is that, not everyone is for you just like you’re not for everyone. That’s ok. It might trigger our desire to belong but learning to discern who are our people vs. those that are not can be quite freeing. Because then we get to spend more time in relationships that nourish us and viceversa instead of trying to fit in in places that are not for us.
What’s your profile and authority? Profile is how your energy interacts with others so it can be helpful to lean into that. And using your authority to guide you on who feels good vs. what feel tiring.
Hope that helps!
Jes
My G-center, Ego-center, Sacral and spleen are defined, single definition. But I have a lot of conditioning I feel, not only in my undefined centers. I have a lot of difficulties with using my generator strategy at the moment as i can’t yet really distinguish which energy is from me and which is from someone else.
I hear you Jolien! I have a defined heart and there’s been so much conditioning that it’s taken me quite a while to recognize what’s really mine. Specially when the undefined centers like the mind and solar plexus can get pretty loud.
The Sacral center is all about pleasure as well! Physical, spiritual…Perhaps simply creating moments that allows you to drop into your body and do what feels good can help you sensitize to how your sacral energy feels to you <3
Hi there, I have all my centers defined and I am a quadruple split.
Hi Amina, a quadruple split! I’ve never met a quadruple split before. Do you resonate with the energy of a quadruple split?
Hi, i am New in all of this. I have 9 center defined.
Hi Maria Lara! That would make you a quadruple split. More details here: https://wholeandunleashed.com/human-design/human-design-definition/
Hey I am a 1/3 Gen with only throat and ego undifined
Hi Jordan! Welcome! How is the information about being a 1/3 Gen resonating?
Wow, I have undefined head and I am always searching for big answers to big questions! What is my purpose, goal, inspiration, ect. I also have undefined Sacral…the vital force. Do you think this could amplify the need to search outside of myself for answers? How can I get back into alignment?
Hi Erin! Thank you for sharing. There are so many other aspects of the chart that could lead to that conditioning. Some other things to consider in addition to your type: How are you defined? What is your profile? What centers do you have defined?
Something that might be helpful is learning to hold the questions. I have a completely open head and mind and I realize one of my gifts, is to hold many perspectives and ask questions. When I do so I help others open up their perspectives. I’m not necessarily here to give any answers (and if they do come, they’ll come in due time). Based on solely knowing about your undefined Crown, how can you recognize that pressure without feeling responsible to answer? How can you filter out all this pressure at the end of the day?
Hope this helps!
Thanks Jessica, that short reply was very impactful. I have a completely open head and mind as well and resonate with those questions deeply…holding many perspectives…yes! I am a projector 2/4. I definitely feel pressure to answer but just knowing that and recognizing it has already helped me shift my perspective.
Aaah, so happy this was helpful Erin 😊
Loved your post! Thank you!
I am a 6/2 Generator, emotional authority, with all the centers undefined, except for Sacral and Solar Plexus… Initially, when discovering it, it felt like… well.. what now?! 🙂 But I am starting to see the gift.
Hi Christina! Oh wow, you’re defined through the channel of mating. Such a beautiful, intimate energy for those who come across you. And it’s also in the community (tribal) circuit, emotional depth and support for you + those closest to you 😍 What have this channel gifted you with so far?
All of my centers are undefined/empty 🙁 I can’t seem to find any info about a completely undefined chart but I’m hoping you could shed some light on this!
Hi Adriana,
That would make you a Reflector! You can find out more about this rare type here.
You still access all the energies in the centers but the way you experience these energies are not as consistent compared to someone who always has these centers defined. It’s just slightly different mechanics of how you experience and move through the world around you :).
Let me know if you have more questions!
I have all defined centers and every one has a channel to another. Is that a quadruple?
Man gen, 3-5
Thoughts?
Hi Alana, that depends on how they’re connected. Are all the centers directly connected to each other? Or are there are 2, 3 or 4 separate areas? This will fall under “definition” in your chart.