The Human Design Inner Authorities
The Authority is the part of a person that can be trusted to make decisions. It depends on the defined centers, and it's never the mind, which is good at thinking things over but not at deciding.
Emotional
The Solar Plexus is defined, so feelings move in a wave of highs and lows, and a decision becomes clear only after some time. Waiting and sleeping on it, sometimes for a few days, brings a calm clarity that isn't there in the moment.
Sacral
Decisions come from the gut's immediate response, often a sound like uh-huh for yes or uh-uh for no. It's a reaction in the moment, not a thought, and it works best for questions that can be answered with yes or no.
Splenic
Decisions come from the Spleen, a quiet and instant knowing of what's healthy and safe. It speaks once, in the moment, and doesn't repeat itself, so it's easy for the mind to talk over it, and trusting that first impression is what matters.
Ego Manifested
The Heart is defined and connects to the Throat, so decisions come from what the person truly wants. It shows in what's said without thinking, like I want or I will, and the question to ask is whether the heart is really in it.
Ego Projected
The Heart is defined and connects to the G Center, so decisions come from what the person truly wants for themselves, and the question to ask is what's in it for them. This Authority only comes with the Projector Type, so waiting for the right invitation is what lets that will be used well.
Self Projected
The G Center connects to the Throat, so clarity comes from talking out loud and hearing what comes out. Talking a decision through with trusted people helps, not to get their advice, but to hear what the person's own voice says about identity and direction.
Sounding Board
None of the centers below the Throat are defined, so there's no authority in the body to rely on. Clarity comes from being in the right place and from talking things through with others, using them as a sounding board while listening to what comes out rather than to their advice.
Lunar Cycle
For a Reflector, clarity comes from waiting about 28 days, a full cycle of the Moon, and talking things over in that time, so that the same question is seen from every side as the Moon passes through every gate.