What is a Manifestor in Human Design?
Ahh, the glory of the monarchs (who sometimes proudly call themselves dictators), also known as the Manifestor Human Design type.
Manifestors are the original lone wolves and conquerors. They have a vision and do what they can to bring it to life, hence the name Manifestor. Sometimes, other types assume that only Manifestors can ‘manifest’ or that Manifestors have more capability of manifestation than they do, but it’s not true.
What makes someone a Manifestor type in Human Design?
⚠️ Note: Manifesting Generators, this post does not apply to you, and it is a common pitfall for Manifesting Generators to assume they are “part Manifestor.” Manifesting Generators are solely “part Generator” but share one marking of a Manifestor. To learn more, read this post on Manifesting Generators.
Your chart has nine shapes called centers. Each center is either colored in or white.
Colored in: Defined.
Not colored in: Undefined.
All Manifestor types have at least one defined motor center connected to the defined throat center. To get your full Human Design chart, you can generate it here.
Caveat: the sacral center is a motor center. However, Manifestors do NOT have a defined sacral center because that definition is solely reserved for Generators. That’s why Manifesting Generators are not Manifestors.
The motor centers are noted below. A few shapes above it, there is a brown square.
The image will help you find your throat and motor centers.
In the image above, you can see a direct line that can be drawn from the motor center to the throat center.
Manifestors in history.
Manifestors make up roughly 9% of the population and are the second rarest Human Design type. After 1781, there was a major shift. The reign of the Manifestors ended, shifting from the monarchies ruling the world to Projectors guiding through a one-on-one basis. Manifestors fulfilled their role of creating the world as it needed to be and passed on the torch to Projectors.
However, Projectors and Manifestors lead differently.
Manifestors are forceful, aloof, and find peace (their signature) in spending time alone. They’re often ahead of the game. Though their number dwindles, they are still important to society because they are the ones to bring innovation. They are the ones who are the first to say “this is the way it is done.”
They are powerful. They are impactful.
When a Manifestor walks into a room, people feel the shift.
Why are Manifestors designed to inform and/or initiate?
Manifestors have closed, repelling, and protective aura. Auras extend 6 feet (1.8 meters) in all directions. I mentioned they can be aloof because they’re not designed to take feedback from other people. This can make people think that the Manifestor is controlling, and in a way, they are. They control the situation. They maintain order so the world doesn’t fall into disarray.
See the image below.
In an apocalypse, Manifestors are needed to figure out the next steps. They don’t think about it. They have a motor that revs them up and they speak it into the world.
The throat center is associated with manifestation. All Manifestors have a defined motor center which is why they’re designed to say something, aka “to inform.”
They are also the only type that isn’t designed to wait.
Generators and Manifesting Generators wait for their response.
Projectors wait for recognition and invitations.
Reflectors wait for a lunar cycle.
Manifestors wait for no one.
There is a common analogy for Manifestors. Imagine them in a car. They go from 0-100mph, and terrify everyone in the car. If a passenger cries or complains, they can leave or shut up. This is because of the Manifestor’s closed, repelling aura. It’s meant to protect them from outsiders trying to veer them in a different direction. Their not-self is anger, and angry people make us feel threatened.
The Manifestor abruptly stops the car and makes the naysayer get out. Nothing stops a Manifestor when they get moving.
Note: In my experience working with others, they don’t believe they’re angry. This can be for two reasons:
They do not have other people forcing them to do something else.
Their anger is suppressed, and they are living in not-self for whatever reason- usually because they are conditioned to hold in their anger. Men are taught that their anger is oppressive, while women are taught they are hysterical if they are angry.
Anger is also expressed differently by each person. Some cry and take it out on themselves, some yell, and some isolate, which is equally as scary to others as yelling.
📌 Note: If you are a Manifestor, create ease in your environment by informing people what you’re up to. For example, tell your loved ones if you’ll be in your office late because you’re working on a project. If you are going on an isolated journey, tell people so they don’t worry about you.
👶🏻 For guardians/parents/educators of Manifestors: Though Manifestors are designed to inform, they should exercise asking you for permission because respect is still needed. Instead of telling you they intend to do something, correct them by telling them to run it by you first. This is still informing and it will keep them out of trouble.
The other part of the Manifestor is their strategy of initiation. Initiation can mean two things:
To begin something that hasn’t been done before.
To induct others into something the Manifestor has envisioned.
Others naturally want to follow Manifestors. They will see them as a leader or want to be a part of the pack (though the lone wolf Manifestor is still the lone wolf).
Manifestors still need other people.
Manifestors, Projectors, and Reflectors do not have sustainable energy; once their energy is depleted, they must rest or face burnout.
The only types with sustainable energy are Generators and Manifesting Generators, which makes them great partners in romance or business.
📌 Note: one of my most popular blog posts is romance compatibility for each type. Know that there is no “most compatible” pairing. The concept of most compatible is common in most forms of astrology, but not present in Human Design.
But back to Manifestors. They need other people to bring their vision to life, which is the specialty of Generators and Manifesting Generators. When they get their “yes” sacral response, they have the sustainable energy you lack. They can do double/triple/etc. the amount of work you can do because they are the only type designed to work. It is natural for them when they are in correct alignment, and they only experience burnout when they push through the frustration of doing something their sacral doesn’t want to do.
The Emotional authority Manifestor
The thing about the emotional authority that can conflict with being a Manifestor is that Manifestors are associated with moving fast because they are the only type designed to wait.
Yet, the emotional authority waits out the emotional wave.
📌 Very important: The waiting has no minimal or maximum time limit. It’s a wait.
Sometimes, the emotional authority has already waited, but they didn’t realize it. For example, if the Manifestor has thought about proposing to their partner for months now, they have likely ridden the emotional wave of knowing they want to propose for sure. They don’t need to wait for the other person to prompt it. Or, if the Manifestor wants a different job and the opportunity happens, they can say yes immediately if it fits what the emotional wave has been waiting for.
Another hint that the Manifestor is riding the emotional wave properly is they feel an ebb and flow that either subsides or grows stronger. It’s common to feel ups and downs (though there’s one variation of the emotional authority that doesn’t feel it as much. If you’re an emotional authority, my 40+ page PDF can help you understand if you have that emotional wave).
Do not force yourself to wait longer than feels right. The trap a lot of emotional authorities run into is that they trick themselves into thinking they haven’t waited enough. Listen to your wave.
The Splenic authority Manifestor
The splenic center is different from the emotional center. It is the most primal of all authorities and speaks through intuition and instinct. This happens suddenly and in the moment. It’s important to note that the splenic authority is associated with good health however that looks like for you.
📌 This does not mean that if you have a chronic illness, you are using your splenic authority incorrectly. Some practices, including Human Design, believe that the splenic center plays a part, but you are born with what you’re born with, and your life’s circumstances are your own. For example, your definition of good health might mean taking several naps daily because you’re prone to exhaustion. Don’t compare what your good health means to other people’s.
The splenic authority is notorious for “telling you once” and never telling you again. In case there are splenic authorities or defined splenic people in my webinars or courses, I always start by saying not to solely listen to me and take notes. There will always be a video replay.
Instead, I encourage them to listen to their intuition because they can forget what messages came to them or how their splenic center reacted to something I said when they were in the zone.
The Ego-Manifested authority Manifestor
Ego-manifested Manifestors are the rarest of all Manifestor authorities. It is based on willpower- the pull of whether the Manifestor is willing to do something. Since willpower is something society deems “pushing through,” it’s a common misconception that Manifestors have that they can “will themselves through.” They mistake it for the Generator’s sustainable sacral center.
The ego-manifested authority is capable of burnout, and if the Manifestor can’t fulfill their end of the bargain, they dive into their anger, not self.
Another important thing to remember is that this authority isn't about thinking they’re willing to do something. They feel it in their chest or their heart. There’s no wondering or logical reasoning.
Bargaining, contracts, and the material world are the playgrounds of the ego-manifested Manifestor. It comes naturally. They understand the language of money, though, when in not-self, they mindlessly use it due to something wrong. It doesn’t change the fact they are born knowing money.
I’ve had Manifestors ask me why they’re not rich or where this money is supposed to come from. I don’t know. There’s no concrete answer other than if it feels like you’re supposed to be rich, your authority will take you there. Nothing in Human Design guarantees money or the manifestation of cash.
Contracts are important to the ego-manifested Manifestor. They hate themselves if they even think about ripping someone off. However, they have a particular understanding of what it means to have a contract based on equality. Manifestors can even get upset if they are getting paid but the other party isn’t implementing what they’ve learned or received from the Manifestor. Why isn’t the other party holding up to what they paid the Manifestor for?
Being in a relationship with a Manifestor
If you’re reading this because you’re in a partnership or relationship with a Manifestor, here are a few things you should know:
Manifestors are difficult to be in a relationship with if you have a problem with pride or ego over someone independent. If you require feeling needed, the Manifestor will not bend to your will.
However, Manifestors can still feel the “yes” that they are willing to compromise with you. Compromise, not bend. If you tell a Manifestor that it annoys you that they never do the dishes, the Manifestor can still listen.
Give them their alone time, and don’t take it personally. It really isn’t about you- they’re designed that way.
Demand politeness from the Manifestor. If they go somewhere, they should tell you. Have them tell you if they make a major change to the household or make a financial decision. There is no type designed to be another type’s bitch.
They can get sensitive if you reject something they inform you of. They may feel their vision isn’t respected, but still, you make up part of the relationship, and what your authority tells you is also valid, too!
Sleeping habits for the Manifestor
Traditional Human Design suggests that Manifestors should sleep alone to detach from other people’s energies from their daily interactions. They should also sleep well before they are tired because, unlike the Generators, they are not designed to be exhausted and collapse. Getting their sleep needs help restore the protectiveness of the Manifestor’s aura, preparing them for another day of what they do.
Check out the rest of your chart
The Manifestor type is just one part of your chart. You can use my Human Design chart calculator to get the rest. I also offer the expanded PDF version that covers everything you see (and what you don’t) in a 40+ page PDF specific to your chart.
