The Mysterious Reflector Aura

One of the most misunderstood and oversimplified part of the Reflector type is the incredible aura that surrounds us. Your aura is an energy field that spans several feet out from our bodies and interacts with every other being you encounter.

Think of it as the gateway into those around you.

Each Human Design type aura has unique qualities that serve to help the person show up as their type was intended to. For Reflectors, our auras "sample" and "reflect" what we come in contact with. That's how others get to experience themselves via our behaviour, mood, quirks, and mannerisms.

It's like the Reflector aura takes a spoonful of the person they're standing beside and gets a taste of everything happening within that person.

Ever chomped down on a lemon? You can't help but make a face and squint through the sour taste until it gradually goes away. Yep, the same thing will happen when you're around someone in a foul mood. Yours will likely start to resemble their mood even if you were perfectly cheerful going into the conversation.

That's why the Reflector aura is also resistant. It takes in a spoonful, not an overflowing plate of nearby auras, because we're a sensitive bunch and that would be completely overwhelming and unhelpful.

The purpose of your Reflector aura is to step in and help show those around you how they're really doing.

In a perfect world everyone would know the their Human Design and how to live in the highest expression of their type but that's not the case today. Sometimes when you take on your friend's anxious energy it's hard for them to see it as a reflection of themselves and they might mistakenly think you just feel the same way they do.

We Reflectors have some work to do if we're going to shape the world! Let's start by understanding a bit about the reflecting experience.

What exactly do others experience when I'm Reflecting?

Depending on how tuned in you are to your reflecting abilities, the way you AND those around you experience your reflections can look a lot of different ways.

 
Back in my dating years I'd be chatting with someone and instantly be able to jump into conversations about their interests, work, and dream life. They thought I was a perfect match because of how enthusiastic I was but that excitement wasn't ever mine. I'd just sampled it from them and showed it off.

Ra Uru Hu, the creator of Human Design often described Reflectors in ways that made us seem manipulative and untrustworthy because we are true chameleons. But I would argue that most Reflectors either don't know they're reflecting or are doing so in a genuine way…not to take advantage of others.

I get a lot of questions about how much reflecting we Reflectors actually do in each interaction. For example, if you're calm and collected when speaking with an angry person, are you really reflecting?

The short answer is that Reflectors DO have their own energy and ability to show up in certain ways, they're just inconsistent.

Anytime you find yourself holding your ground or maintaining boundaries with someone who's emotionally charged, that's a perfect example of you repelling their energy and emotions using your aura. We need to remember that emotions come in waves, so just because someone is angry in the moment doesn't mean they are an angry person. Maybe you're reflecting back the version of themselves they usually are, with the (unknowing) intention of reminding them to move away from their not-self behaviour.

This is where the Reflector needs to step in and step up (in my humble opinion).

Having the courage to talk to others about what it means to be a Reflector and what you're capable of can open up a world of possibilities for helping those around you. I've had many conversations with my bestie about our Human Design types, so it's now a running joke when I'm sampling her aura and she laughingly tells me to "stop reflecting". It's a chance for us to pause and check in with what's really going on, and see if it's a good time to get back on track. 

With awareness about your type the people you interact with can experience your reflections in a playful and helpful way. It can be hard for some people to accept that the way you're acting is really a reflection of them, so please be gentle when pointing it out. I've caught myself getting bitter during petty arguments with my Projector Husband, and known with 100% certainty that it came from him.

Part of being a helpful Reflector is learning to guide people out of the state you're reflecting, instead of throwing it in their face.

As you can imagine, saying "I'm only bitter because you are!" doesn't go over very well! 

How long do I hang onto other energy?

Practice makes progress when it comes to managing the energy your aura hangs onto. Reflectors are highly sensitive by nature so it's really important to let go of the energy you come in contact with once you've left the scene. There's really no benefit to having foreign energy influencing you after you've reflected it back to the owner. If anything, it's harmful to hang onto it for too long.

A Reflector's job is to stay open so she can be ready to sample another's aura. It's pretty hard to do this if you're already jam-packed with energy. Imagine you've gone out with friends to a buffet and had a nice big meal. Back at home you walk though the door and your partner hands you a plate of lasagna, your kids are each holding sandwiches, and then the neighbour rings the bell with a casserole.

You need time and space away from the buffet before you'll be ready for your next meal. Otherwise there's just no more room for you to work your magic.

Of course this is sometimes easier said than done.

There are lots of ways to clear out your aura and shake off the lingering energy you've experienced throughout the day. Here are some examples:

Go outside: It doesn't matter if you live in the country or a high rise apartment. Open a window and get some fresh air, walk on a nearby trail, or go sit by a tree. Mother Nature is the queen of absorbing excess energy and leaving us feeling fresh and clear-minded.

 
Sleep alone: Ohhh the controversy! I don't know who decided that partners need to sleep in the same bed but I think it's ridiculous. Aside from disturbances like snoring or tossing and turning, if you're sleeping next to a big energy type (think Generators and Manifesting Generators) their aura will be tapping yours on the shoulder all night long. Sleeping alone means you get to do a factory reset on your energy, and that's pretty powerful in supporting your Reflector gifts.

Know who your biggest supporters are: Reflectors make up only 1% of the population so it's not likely your house is full of them. It's super important to know who you can talk to when you need some downtime. Not necessarily for the conversation but so you have a safe space to express what you're experiencing and what you need in that moment to feel better. And if you don't have anyone, I invite you to connect with me and I'll be your support Reflector.

Mindfulness: I don't specifically mean meditation here, although that is a form of mindfulness. What I mean is being aware of each and every interaction you have with people…and even what you watch on TV…so you can catch on when someone else's energy is clinging to you. I have lots of fun watching movies and seeing when the characters' emotions seep into my own. Sometimes I actually ask myself out loud, "Why am I crying? Whose emotions are these!".

The Reflector aura is powerful and fun to play around with. See if you can pick up on distinct energies as you interact with them. The more you get to know your aura the more you can use it to help others.