Human Design // Contemplations On Energetic Ecology

*originally published on Magic Inclined // 10 Feb, 2021

Human Design // Contemplations On Energetic Ecology

Biodiversity. The variety of life on earth. 

We are nestled within an age where the call for attention to an organic infinity present on our planet has been rendered imperative. Climate change, land equality, soil health, food access… each day we tune in to stories of destruction and recovery. We are awakening to the imbalances born from regarding our natural planet as a commodity. We are awakening from a dull and dangerous consensus reality where we were ‘owners’ of the land, and separate from it- tracing back to that one line in that one book where the collective conveniently misread the word ‘dominion’ and man exalted himself as King.  

Diversity is a fundamental property of all ecological systems. Take any small piece away, and softly feel her crumble. Each organism in an ecosystem is of equal importance to the whole. It’s the intricacies, the variations of beauty and complexity that build the miracle; but it’s the interdependence that makes it exquisite. 

I have been thinking lately of the energetic diversity of our human species.

How, on a planet teeming with original expressions of us, have we reduced ourselves to what feels like a singular measure of ‘productivity’? 

Why, when there is an endless diversity of energetic expressions of our species, does it feel like we find ourselves not in a lush forest of limitless splendor, or an open sky connected to the beating heart of the Cosmos, but in a dry field suffering the vacancies of monoculture?

If our individual consciousness is a part of, and also acts in contribution to the whole human system of loving, then the flow of our singular energy must be as beautiful and essential as any flower in the field. So why does it feel like we are comparing ourselves to each other without that consideration in mind, like the meadow reducing its significance to the annual yield of a ‘cash crop’?

More than any other topic I have heard repeated socially as of late, the language of ‘productivity’ certainly stands out. When the high-tide of distraction was drawn out by the pandemic, we were left seated in assorted quiet rooms face-to-face with our energy. 

What we did or quite often did-not get done with each day has replaced a huge amount of conversation this past year, and likely reflects the constant focus of internal obsession. 

Holding a light to this, we can recognize that there is space to heal and we must build. 

What tools do we need to move forward, what language can we wrap around our differences until they feel held enough to begin to form songs? All existing dialogues are welcome as we begin, and around this time of question and vision, a tool had already been headed my way. 

*enter the thought-school of Human Design... 

I had the opportunity to curl up in conversation recently with Arianna Maag, a Human Design Coach based in Northern Oregon, to unfold a bit of what information lay available in the work she describes as ‘The Science of Differentiation’. She explains Human Design as a system that reveals our body’s consciousness as a decision-making tool, and how to then utilize it to live within our own authentic natures. 

Like Astrology, Human Design uses your birth date, place, and time to pull information to form the basis of your map or reading. Although they are complementary, they are not the same- Human Design has an insane number of possible configurations, a number they claim to be in the billions. That’s pretty specific. 

Arianna has an incredible presence- she is pure storyteller. She walks the halls of her work drawing down embodiments of each of the Human Design ‘types’ with fictional characters from story and film to personify the majesty in our differences. It’s a tender and charming language, telling stories with stories, and I was immediately drawn to the rarity of her style. She steered me through an understanding of my map, calling me to embrace my energy type and strategy, and encouraging me to tune in to my body’s specific authority. It was a lot of information, and I am so grateful to have been softly counseled to keep to the basics and to experiment with what I had been shown. 

Leaving our conversation I felt washed with an incredible sense of relief. 

The specifics of my information had given name to ways of being I had always known to be true- like being half-hermit half actual human lightning bolt, or a zero desire to build my life’s path according to social standard, my cravings for wild variety extremes, deep love of language and value given to hidden meanings… the way I absorb stress from my physical environment and need to duck out to be balanced. 

I walked away from it illuminated and after processing, called my friend Rohini who also loves what Human Design has given her, and I don’t quite remember the conversation but I imagine it was something like two things in the forest going ‘Oh Shit I’m a Redwood Dude!’ ‘Amazing, right?! I am clover!’ and then a bunch of laughter back and forth like coming home, because that is what our friendship has always been: two deep-loving weirdos in celebration of this whole thing and laughter at eleven (times eleven).

Here’s the thing. 

You are special. You are unique and you are important in that uniqueness, and without exactly you precisely as you are and in service of your passions, our system- my system of experience, my system of belonging would suffer. 

Human Design may not be your path, but it is a path, and this shit is a spiral sweet friends. I ask you truly, and from the bottom of my heart to find language that defines your energetic brilliance and helps you to honor yourself, and to please give me the words that can teach me your name. 

We are a system of diversity. We do not have a singular form of energetic flow. We need rest just as much as we need inspiration. Spending time looking into my Human Design helped me to understand my flow as a unique contributor to the greater life force of all of us. It has helped me make peace. 

Here’s to a community rich with variety where we feel kinship with all other creatures, one to which we belong, one which we love and respect.

May we all heal from the subtractive capitalist thinking of energy as commodity.

x,

LDV

Ariana thank you for the lovely connection and your beautiful way of being in the world. I believe in your voice. Deepest Congratulations and big hugs toward your family that grew larger five minutes after our phone call! A loving welcome to your new ‘them’ from here. https://www.ariannamaag.com/

*this week's blog was written in Petaluma, California on stolen Coast Miwok land