What are the 3 Types of Projectors?

Classic, energy, and mental Projectors

In Human Design, your type shows you how best to exchange your energy with the world, whether at work or in relationship. Projectors are the only type with sub-types. 

There are classic, energy, and mental Projectors. These sub-types are determined by which centers are defined in a chart. 

All Projectors have an undefined or open sacral center. And they will have at least two centers defined in their chart. Again, the configuration of defined centers will determine the sub-type.

Note: You may hear people say, “I’m an emotional Projector” or “I’m a splenic Projector.” This is referring to their authority and is different from the three types of Projectors.

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The Classic Projector 

Classic Projectors have a center defined below their throat that is not a motor center. The motor centers are the emotions (aka solar plexus), the ego (aka heart), and the root. The sacral center is also a motor center but, as I mentioned above, no Projectors have a defined sacral center.

Without any defined motor center, classic Projectors don’t have the extra boost of energy that motor centers provide. 

One of the big lessons of Projectors is to stop trying to keep up with the Generators and Manifesting Generators of the world. This is known as “overzealousness.” Classic Projectors are less prone to be overzealous than Projectors with defined motor centers. I’ve also observed that classic Projectors tend to naturally have better boundaries and discernment when it comes to people and invitations. Not every invitation is a ‘yes’; classic Projectors can model this for the other sub-types. 

The Energy Projector

Energy Projectors have definition below their throat and have at least one motor center defined (the emotions, the ego, and/or the root center).

While this gives energy Projectors an extra boost of energy—and the need to release that energy—they’re still not meant to go, go, go all day long. They’re also not meant to initiate, which is tempting with that pent-up energy. It’s important for energy Projectors to follow their authority and say ‘yes’ only to invitations where they feel recognized for their ability to guide, not just do. 

It can be healthy for energy Projectors with a defined ego center to discharge their extra energy in a high-intensity but short workout. For energy Projectors with a defined root center, it can be helpful to sweat out their stress. For energy Projectors with a defined emotions center, having an emotional release (such as a crying jag) is healthy. 

Energy Projectors are more prone to overzealousness, which can lead to burnout. They need to pay close attention when they’re pushing through exhaustion and choose rest instead, even if those around them can keep going.

The Mental Projector

Mental Projectors are pretty rare, only making up 0.5% of the population, and they have no defined centers below the throat center. All mental Projectors have a defined mind (aka ajna center), which means they have reliable mental energy and are here to provide guidance and valuable information. 

Because of all the openness in their chart, mental Projectors are very sensitive to the spaces they’re in and the people they’re around. It’s my belief that they’re even more sensitive than Reflectors because they don’t have Reflectors’ protective aura. The more mental Projectors are vigilant about being in the right spaces and around the right people, the healthier they will be.

Mental Projectors are here to use their powerful minds and hyper-empathic nature to guide others. With their tendency to be in their heads, it’s important for Mental Projectors to pay attention to cues from their body and not ignore their need to rest and spend time alone. 

Lastly, mental Projectors are not meant to use their strong intellect to make decisions for their own life (that’s what their authority is for) but instead use their minds to inspire and lead others.

Note: This is the only sub-type of Projector that also coincides with their authority. If you have a mental authority, your sub-type is a mental Projector. 

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Projectors have the most nuance of all the types. Not only are there three sub-types—classic, energy, and mental Projectors—but there are also five possible authorities for Projectors: emotional, splenic, mental, self-projected, and ego.

Human Design is a system of individuation, meaning, we’re not all here to be or operate the same. So even if you and your friend are both Projectors, there are likely differences between the two of you. The invitation is to honor your way of being and not compare yourself to others. 

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Book a one-on-one reading with me to learn more about your Human Design and what it means to be a Projector.