What is your Human Design Authority? How to make aligned decisions.

Lindsey Hilliard
11 hours ago
3 min read

If you've ever struggled with making decisions, second-guessed yourself, or felt overwhelmed by choices, you're not alone. Most of us have been taught to use logic, pro-con lists, and external advice when it comes to important decisions. But Human Design offers another way—a way that is rooted in your body and your unique energetic blueprint.

At the heart of this system is something called Authority: your personal decision-making compass. It's how your inner wisdom speaks to you. And learning to trust it can change everything.

💡 Don’t know your Authority yet? Download your free Human Design chart here — it only takes a moment.

What Is Human Design Authority?

In Human Design, Authority is not about control or leadership over others. It’s about how you are designed to make decisions that are right for you. It shifts the focus from your head to your body. From fear to clarity. From pressure to presence.

Each person's Authority is determined by their chart and tells you where in your body your reliable inner truth comes from. When you follow it, life tends to feel more aligned, less forced, and more easeful.

woman holding a compass — Woman holding a compass representing her Inner Authority

The Different Types of Authority

Here’s a quick overview of the main types of Authority:

Emotional Authority (Solar Plexus)
- You’re designed to wait for emotional clarity.
- Your emotions move in waves, so never make decisions in the heat of the moment.
- Sleep on it. Let it settle. Then check back in.
Sacral Authority
- Your gut gives you a clear yes or no in the moment.
- It responds best to specific questions ("Do I want to go to this event?").
- If it’s not a full-bodied YES, it’s probably a no.
Splenic Authority
- You receive spontaneous, intuitive hits that are quiet and quick.
- The spleen speaks once—often as a whisper or bodily sensation.
- Trust the first instinct.
Ego Authority (Heart)
- You are meant to ask: What do I truly want?
- Clarity comes from desire, willpower, and speaking honestly about what lights you up.
Self-Projected Authority
- You find clarity by speaking your truth aloud.
- Use trusted listeners and hear your own voice reflect your direction back to you.
Environmental / Mental Authority
- You need the right environment and sounding boards to gain clarity.
- It’s not about what others say—it’s about how you feel when you say it.
Lunar Authority (for Reflectors)
- You need a full lunar cycle (about 28 days) to process big decisions.
- Time brings clarity. Honour your pace.

Why Following Authority Can Feel Unnatural at First

Authority can feel weird in the beginning. We're used to making fast decisions. Pleasing others. Rationalising every step. Human Design invites you to slow down, listen inward, and trust sensations, desires, instincts, or timing that might not make sense to your mind.

That discomfort is part of the de-conditioning. And it’s also where the magic starts to happen.

How to Start Experimenting with Your Authority

Track decisions: Notice when a decision feels right vs. when it leads to regret.
Use small, low-stakes choices as practice (like what to eat, or whether to attend an event).
Journal what your Authority felt like and how it showed up in your body.
Be patient: Authority isn’t a quick fix—it’s a lifelong relationship with your inner truth.

Your Next Step

Understanding your Authority is one of the most powerful ways to return to yourself. When you follow it, you lead yourself from a place of integrity, clarity, and calm.

Want to go deeper? Check out our free Human Design Chart Generator, browse the resources in The Natural Leader Hub, or dive into this post on How to Use Your Human Design Strategy next.

You don’t need to force or figure it all out. You just need to start listening within.

Your body already knows.