A Brief Overview:

The variables are the 4 arrows up at the top of your Human Design chart. Also known as the 4 radical transformations that can explain the way you uniquely move on the material plane. They can help your body align to living correctly to reach success on your terms. 

We are going to begin with a simple breakdown of what the variables are and then an invitation to dive further. So, let's begin!

In short, what the arrows explain is our cognitive potential. When you are first introduced to Human Design, you learn about Strategy and Authority. This is the surface of your vehicle (body), and what the variables explain is what is under the hood of your vehicle. This is your internal algorithm to reach success. This is a chance to enter into passenger consciousness. The variables show you the best way you can be correct. 

Let's start by talking about Color in reference to the variables. Color is what is captured when it interacts with your tone. When these tiny subatomic particles called "neutrinos" move correctly through your base and do not bypass the tone, your true color is then captured. 

Looking for a deeper understanding of what neutrinos are, planet and transits? Check out this Crash Course On Planets And Transits:

Let's walk through the 6 Colors for each variable which are Determination, Environment, View/Perspective and Motivation.

Let's start with the Design variables. If you get the body right then everything else can fall into place. 

Determination:

The brain is connected to our digestion. Determination (dependent Design variable) in short explains the way we take in food and information. The way our brain operates is totally dependent on our digestion. This is connected to your Design Sun/Earth. When you properly nourish your brain it can help bring out your differentiation. 

These variables do share a distinct difference whether you are left or right brain, and it's important to check on a Human Design chart calculator which one you are. You can pull up your chart with our affiliate link here

Let's discuss the 6 colors of Determination:

1. Appetite - Consecutive/Alternating - Simple ingredients are your friend and you take in information and food one at a time

2. Taste - Open/Closed - A refined palate and a seasonal approach might work well for you

3. Thirst - Hot/Cold - Your body needs to consume a certain temperature of liquids to alchemize your system

4. Touch - Calm/Nervous - Circumstance and your environment will explain if it's correct for you to take in information/food or not. Depending on the direction of your arrow, this will explain if you need a more quiet neutral space or upbeat stimulating space

5. Sound - High/Low - Acoustics and sound is the way you take in the world and food. "What sounds good to you?" can be an important question to ask

6. Light - Direct/Indirect - A futuristic way of taking in the world and food through direct sunlight or the dark 

Environment:

The second step after Determination is your Environment. Note Environment is your (independent Design variable). This is connected to your Design nodes. The Environment establishes the storyline. If your arrow points left, you are left body and here to be active in your Environment. This is known as the "observed." If your arrow points right, you are right body and you are passive/relaxed in your Environment. This is known as the "observer." This variable is how you connect to the world around you.

These variables do share a distinct difference whether you are left or right body and it's important to check on a Human Design chart calculator which one you are. Again, we do have an affiliate link to pull up your chart here

Let's discuss the 6 Colors of Environment:

1. Caves - Selective/Blending - A safe space where you can see everyone come and go is important for you

2. Markets - Internal/External - A place where you can exchange goods, is a space where you thrive

3. Kitchens - Wet/Dry - A place to gather and alchemize energy will be supportive for you and the atmosphere of your environment needs to right

4. Mountains - Active/Passive - A place to connect where you experience the world on a "high ground," physically, mentally and spiritually

5. Valleys - Narrow/Wide - A place where communication flows and the acoustics are just right

6. Shores - Natural/Artificial - A place where there are borders, boundaries and transitions 

View/Perspective:

Once you are in the right place, then you can begin to see clearly and it is through correct interactions where you get the correct perspective. This is the 3rd step called View/Perspective (independent Personality variable). This is connected to your Personality nodes. When you can look out and see the world correctly, then you can allow the mind to surrender to where you need to go next. Then you can learn how to process the world around you. You either see the world through vast depth and have a "peripheral" View, or you see the world in a "strategic" focused view. 

Let's discuss the 6 colors of View:

1. Survival - Here to spot safety or what could be risky or dangerous

2. Possibility - Here to spot all of the potentials

3. Power - Here to spot who is above and who is below, winning and losing

4. Wanting - Here to spot what's lacking, what's missing and what's needed

5. Probability - Here to spot what's not working and needs to be adjusted

6. Personal - Here to spot their own personal story

Motivation:

The final and fourth step is Motivation (dependent Personality variable). This is connected to Personality Sun/Earth. This is the way you conceptualize and process the world around you. It allows you to be an outer authority for other people. This is the gift that you are here to share with the other!

Let's discuss the 6 colors of Motivation:

1. Fear - Here to turn over every rock of information and share it with others

2. Hope - Here to hold the possibility of everything working out in life for others

3. Desire - Here to lead people to be successful in life

4. Need - Here to connect and provide what's necessary for others 

5. Guilt - Here to correct and fix things for others

6. Innocence - Here to have no real motivation but to be the already bloomed flower for others to be themselves too

An easy way Ra explains the 6 Motivations is this:

"First and second colors motivate you to survive. Third and fourth colors motivate you to learn. Fifth and sixth colors motivate you to find the spirit" - Ra Uru Hu

Thank you so much for taking the time to take a peek under the hood of your vehicle to discover the magic from within! This was just a very short and simplified version on what each color means in the variables. Note that there is a lot more nuance to all of this, and additional layers that were not discussed. Interested in learning more?

Check out our podcast episode on YouTube where Krystle gives an in-depth breakdown on what the 4 radical transformations mean and how to find them in your chart!

Also check out our other educational episodes and free resources on our beginners and advanced path here:

Interested in a sample of our Fractal Family Framework to help you align to ideal customers, clients and relationships through the Human Design variables and planets? Check out this free sample here:

We also have bite-sized classes on Determination, Cognition and Environment that you can find here:

with love,

Human Design + Astro Club