Astrology, Human Design & Gene Keys glossary
Plain-language definitions of the key terms across all three systems, from Sun signs and Rising signs to Human Design Type, Strategy and Authority, and the Gene Keys path of Shadow, Gift and Siddhi.
Astrology
- Natal chart
- A map of the sky at the exact moment and place of your birth — the foundation of an astrology reading, showing where each planet sat among the zodiac signs and houses.
- Sun sign
- The zodiac sign the Sun occupied when you were born. It represents your core identity, ego and life purpose — the sign most people know.
- Moon sign
- The zodiac sign the Moon occupied at your birth. It governs your emotional nature, instincts and inner world.
- Rising sign (Ascendant)
- The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your birth. It shapes your outward personality and first impressions, and sets your house layout — so it needs an accurate birth time.
- Houses
- Twelve life areas in the chart — from identity and money to relationships and career — that show where planetary energies play out.
- Aspects
- The geometric angles between planets (conjunctions, squares, trines and more) that describe how those energies cooperate or clash.
- Retrograde
- When a planet appears to move backward from Earth's view. Astrologically it marks a time to review and reflect on that planet's themes.
Human Design
- Type
- Your core energetic blueprint — one of five Types that describes how you're designed to engage with the world.
- Generator
- The most common Type (~70%). Generators have consistent life-force energy and are designed to respond to life rather than force things.
- Manifesting Generator
- A fast, multi-passionate variation of the Generator that blends responding with initiating, often pursuing several paths at once.
- Projector
- A Type designed to guide and manage others' energy. Projectors thrive when recognised and invited, rather than overworking.
- Manifestor
- An initiating Type designed to start things and make an impact, working best when they inform others before acting.
- Reflector
- The rarest Type (~1%), with all Centers undefined. Reflectors mirror their community and benefit from waiting a full lunar cycle before big decisions.
- Strategy
- The correct way for each Type to engage with life — e.g. 'respond' for Generators, 'wait for the invitation' for Projectors — to reduce resistance.
- Authority
- Your body's reliable inner decision-making compass (emotional, sacral, splenic and others), used instead of deciding from the mind.
- Centers
- Nine energy hubs in the bodygraph (related to the chakras). Defined Centers are consistent strengths; open Centers are where you're flexible and absorb others' energy.
- Gates & Channels
- The 64 Gates (from the I Ching) and the Channels that connect Centers — the detailed wiring of your bodygraph.
- Profile
- A pair of numbers (e.g. 1/3, 6/2) describing your life role and how you learn and interact — the 'costume' your Type wears.
Gene Keys
- Shadow
- The lower, fear-based expression of a Gene Key — the challenge or reactive pattern that holds you back.
- Gift
- The middle, awakened expression of a Gene Key — the talent and creative genius that emerges as you embrace your Shadow.
- Siddhi
- The highest, enlightened expression of a Gene Key — its most transcendent quality.
- Hologenetic Profile
- Your personal Gene Keys map, calculated from your birth data, showing the spheres (such as Life's Work, Evolution, Radiance and Purpose) to contemplate.
- Activation Sequence
- The first Gene Keys journey, focused on your core life purpose through four Prime Gifts.
- The 64 Gene Keys
- The 64 archetypes of the system, each corresponding to a hexagram of the I Ching and a codon group of human DNA.