Projected Channels in Human Design Can Make You Cranky
Bitterness and resentment are your first clues
As a Quantum Human Design™ Specialist, I'm fascinated by the system's intricacies and how it can help us understand ourselves and others on a deeper level.
One aspect of Human Design that has my attention is the projected channel concept because it has come up in the last three client sessions and here and there over the years of working with clients.
I think this is why so many Generators and Manifesting Generators feel like they must be Projectors!
If you have projected channels, you may feel like the Projector Type, because these energies require invitation and recognition. Without it you won’t be heard when you’re trying to communicate, sell your stuff, or be understood.
So what are projected channels, how do they differ from manifested and generated channels, and how can understanding them help you unlock your potential?
What are Projected Channels?
In Human Design, channels are the connections between two centers in your bodygraph, representing the energy flow between them. Channels can be classified into three types: manifested, generated, and projected.
Projected channels are unique in that they go through all the centers except for the Sacral Center. These channels represent aspects of our lives that require recognition and invitation from others to be fully expressed and utilized, and guess what - if you’re out of alignment with them, you can end up feeling pretty resentful and bitter.
This is the zone of:
“I’m doing the same work as Ms. Boss Babe (urp) and getting a lot less interaction and results!”
“I’ve been saying X for months, and no one paid attention, but Mr. Hoodie says it once, and y’all HEAR IT?”
“Wait, you’ve been scooping up my free stuff for years but signed up with So and So?!”
It’s feeling invisible, overlooked, and unrecognized no matter how loud you get! So can you see how you might be throwing your hands up in the sky, ready to go live in a cave somewhere in a fuck all y’all fit of frustration?
Manifested vs. Generated vs. Projected Channels
I’ll talk more this week about manifested and generated, but it helps to understand projected channels by briefly comparing them to manifested and generated channels.
Manifested channels are associated with instant action and initiation, often seen in pure Manifesting Generators - this is the get the hell out of my way; I’m creating stuff energy!
Generated channels, on the other hand, are connected to the Sacral Center and represent the life force energy that drives our actions and decisions - these have the go-go juice we’d all like more of!
Projected channels differ from manifested and generated channels in that they require external recognition and an invitation to be activated - this means if you’ve got the recognition, you gain energy. If you don’t, you’re giving your wisdom even though usually no one asked for it, but you end up feeling as deflated as a birthday balloon, and then here comes the Bitter Train taking you full-speed into Resentment Station.
So, if you have one or more projected channels in your Human Design chart, you may find that your talents and abilities, the themes or archetypes of that channel, are best expressed when acknowledged and invited by others because if not, they’re flat out ignored or pushed back against when you don’t have the invitation.
The Importance of Understanding Projected Channels
Identifying that you have projected channels in your Human Design chart, and you probably do, can help you better understand your strengths and how to best utilize them. For example, if you have a projected channel related to communication, your ability to effectively share your wisdom and insights is heightened when others invite you to share your thoughts. This recognition can help you focus on building relationships and environments where your talents are appreciated and encouraged, but OMG, is it ever hard to wait for it!
In other words: no one wants to hear you when you haven’t been invited. Unsolicited advice coming from a projected channel that hasn’t been recognized sounds as bad as someone loudly chewing gum or hearing another round of Baby Shark from the kids. It makes people feel stabby toward you, so better to just sit with what you know until you’re asked OR gently offer that you have some info you’d like to contribute if they’d like to listen.
As hard as it is to develop patience and trust the process of waiting for the right opportunities to present themselves, it is so powerful when you do. Instead of forcing your way into situations or trying to make things happen, you can learn to trust that the right invitations will come when the time is right. Once you feel the difference when delivering info at the right time vs. not, you’ll never go back to blurting out ideas!
Embracing Your Projected Channels
So what to do?
Identify your projected channels: Take a closer look at your Human Design chart and identify any projected channels present. This will give you a better understanding of the areas in your life where you may need external recognition and invitation.
There are 22 of them and it’s easier to see if you find the manifested and generated channels first because ALL the rest are projected.
Generated channels are: 5-15, 14-2, 29-46, 59-6, 52-9, 60-3, 53-42, 27-50, 34-57, 34-10, 34-20
Manifested channels are: 21-45, 22-12, 36-35, and 34-20
The 34-20 is sometimes listed as both Manifested and Generated just so we can be well and truly confused!
Cultivate patience (ugh!): Learn to trust the process and wait for the right opportunities to present themselves. GO PLAY while you’re waiting. Nothing brings invitations faster than a well-fed, well-rested, and happily playing person, especially Projectors. Remember that forcing your way into situations may not yield the best results; no, it won’t ever yield the best results. It just annoys the crap out of everyone.
Build relationships: Focus on building connections with others who appreciate and value your talents. This will create an environment where your projected channels can be recognized and invited to flourish, or if you can’t change the crew you’re with, pull all your energy back and let them come to you, AKA play hard to get!
Embrace invitations: When opportunities arise, embrace them with confidence AFTER you check in with your Authority! If your energy is rising generally speaking you’re on the right track.
Reflect on past experiences: Take time to reflect on your experiences with projected channels; think about times you offered input, and it was received vs. times you offered without it, and your ideas or comments went unheard or weren’t appreciated. BTW usually, when that happens, someone else says it an hour or a day later and IS heard, which can make you want to choose violence!
It’s worth it to put the time into understanding projected channels whether or not you are a Projector Type (Orchestrator Type in Quantum Human Design language). As you unlock your potential through understanding these projected channels, you'll feel a whole lot better, and so will the other people around you.
XO,
LMW
To book a comprehensive Human Design reading with coaching from me, visit Planet Human Design.
To get your Human Design chart, visit Free Human Design Chart.
P.S. Quantum Human Design™ is an elevated language developed for the Human Design system and is ©Karen Curry Parker. It is used in my work with permission.
Thank you for sharing more about Projected channels, Michelle. I'm a Generator with two Generator channels and two Projector channels. I guess this is why I feel resentful trying to parent my children. It doesn't feel like most of what I say to them is being acknowledged.
I will focus on practicing your tips. Thanks again! 🤗