If you’re into astrology, you might’ve already heard of the concept called human design, which is essentially an individual’s “blueprint.” Like you would with your birth chart, you can use your human design chart to better understand yourself and make more aligned decisions in your life.According to Jovian Archive, the official source of human design, the system “incorporates elements from the I’Ching, astrology, Kabbalah, the Hindu-Brahman chakra system, and quantum physics” to create a personalized map, similar to a natal chart in astrology. “Human Design is a revolutionary system of self-knowledge and decision-making that synthesizes ancient wisdom and modern science,” the website reads. “It offers a practical, mechanical understanding of how you are uniquely designed to operate in the world. Unlike other systems that generalize, Human Design is the science of differentiation—it reveals the specific mechanics of your individuality.”Think of your chart as a cheat sheet for your own life. You can learn how best to manifest new opportunities, make decisions, move through your day, find love and fulfillment, and lead an overall more authentic life.The Origins of Human DesignHuman design was created by a man named Alan Robert Krakower, later known as Ra Uru Hu, in the late 1980s. However, he claimed the information came to him through a channeled source, not through his own research or studies.“Over eight days and nights, Ra received a transmission of knowledge from what he called ‘The Voice,’” Jovian Archive reports on its website. “This transmission synthesized ancient systems and modern science into a completely new framework, centered around the BodyGraph—a visual representation of the nine-centered being.”Thus began his mission of helping others understand and live in their unique truth. We all have one, but few of us are actually willing to live by it. It takes courage (and privilege, really) to show up exactly as we are, leaning into our own design, leveraging our unique strengths, and working with our own energy. But according to Ra, that’s the key to an aligned life.As he once said: “You are here to be you, nothing else.”How Human Design WorksWhile some people write off human design as pseudoscience, others claim it’s a form of quantum physics describing one’s flow of energy in the world. Either way, many find empowerment in the apparent self-knowledge system. According to Jovian Archive, human design is built around the following components:BodyGraph, which is the broader visual map of your overall energetic blueprint.Type, which is your energetic “role” in this world; this is the most commonly discussed part of human design (including roles like manifesting generator, projector, reflector, etc.) It tells you how to attract opportunities or call in certain desires.Strategy and Authority, which explain the best ways to make the right decisions for yourself; for example, some people might use their body’s signals while others might use logic.Centers, which explore the energy hubs in your body (think: chakras).Gates and Channels, which describe your different paths for self-expression; aka your personality and energetic patterns.Together, these elements make up who you are and how you operate in the world.Curious about your own human design? There are tons of free charts out there, including this one from Jovian Archive.The post Beyond Astrology: What Is Human Design, and Why Are People Interested in It? appeared first on VICE.