Human Design Mandala Mechanics
Quarter by Quarter
Every hexagram in a Quarter shares the same bottom two hexagram chops—in other words, all hexagrams in a Quarter have the same first two lines. This foundation determines the thematic that links the hexagrams in a Quarter together and shows us the theme of how our conscious purpose in this life is meant to be fulfilled.
Here are the foundation hexagram chops establishing the foundation of each Quarter:
The Four Quarters
YANG/YIN
In the Quarter of Initiation (Gates 13-24), we have the theme of Purpose fulfilled through Mind. The foundation here is set by the Gate of the Listener, “the Fellowship of Man”—Yang (spirit) pushing upward into Yin (form). When we activate all the gates of this Quarter we see that the only definition in the bodygraph would be the Channel of Initiation. Those whose Personality Sun is in the Quarter of Initiation are here to wake up first. They are initiated through the development of Mind, and, in turn, initiate others according to the nature of their particular Cross and Profile.
YIN/YIN
In the Quarter of Civilization (Gates 2-33), we have the theme of Purpose fulfilled through Form—through manifesting. The foundation here is set by the most Yin hexagram of all, the Gate of the Direction of the Self, “the Receptive”—therefore it is Yin over Yin. When we activate all the gates of this Quarter we see that there would be no definition in the bodygraph and that all 11 Throat gates are present. This is the world of manifestation, where mind is concretized into form.
YIN/YANG
In the Quarter of Duality (Gates 7-44), we have the theme of Purpose fulfilled through Bonding. The foundation here is set by the Gate of the Role of the Self in Interaction, “the Army”—the Yin/Yang. When we activate all of the gates in this Quarter we see that this forms three channels bringing definition to the bodygraph, creating the only pure emotional Generator through the Channel of Mating, along with the Channel of Discovery and the Channel of Abstraction. This is the world of fertility and bonding—your relationships with others.
YANG/YANG
In the Quarter of Mutation (Gates 1-19), we have the theme of Purpose fulfilled through Transformation. The foundation here is set by the Gate of the Expression of the Self “the Creative”—of course, Yang/Yang. When we activate all the gates in this Quarter we have only one definition, the pure Generator with the Channel of Exploration. This is the world where anything can happen—it’s about the process of living (like the rest of the wheel is) but here it is also about the process of transformation and accepting death.
Now that you have discovered the Quarters, it’s time to break them down into the 16 Faces of the “Godhead”. There are four Faces per Quarter—four distinct nuances of each Godhead. These names put a face to the thematics shaping humanity. There have been many names for these faces in different cultures over the eons. The 16 archetypal themes inherited from our 7-Centered ancestors impart their qualities to the four respective gates within each Godhead. Note every Godhead’s hexagrams share the same first four lines.
What's Your Human Design Godhead?
Below, look for the gate of your Personality Sun to find your Godhead and its theme. This archetype is what keeps you from recognizing how deeply conditioned your perceptions are about your life. Where you can get into trouble is taking the conditioning to its distortion and thinking that your Godhead is THE God.
Human Design Mandala Quarter of Initiation - purpose fulfilled through Mind
Kali—The Destroyer of False Devotion Gates: 13-The Listener, 49-Principles, 30-Feelings, 55-Spirit
Mitra—The Evolution of Consciousness Gates: 37-Friendship, 63-Doubt, 22-Openness, 36-Crisis
Michael—The Angelical Mind Gates: 25-Spirit of the Self, 17-Opinion, 21-Hunter/Huntress, 51-Shock
Janus—The Fertility of Mind Gates: 42-Growth, 3-Ordering, 27-Caring, 24-Rationalization
Human Design Mandala Quarter of Civilization - purpose fulfilled through Form
Maia—The Mother Goddess Gates: 2-The Direction of the Self, 23-Assimilation 8-Contribution, 20-The Now
Lakshmi—Goddess of Beauty and Good Fortune Gates: 16-Skills, 35-Change, 45-The Gatherer, 12-Caution
Parvati - Goddess of Domestic Bliss Gates: 15-Extremes, 52-Stillness, 39-Provocation, 53-Beginnings
Ma'at—Goddess of Truth, Justice and Cosmic Harmony Gates: 62-Details, 56-Stimulation, 31-Leading, 33-Privacy
Human Design Mandala Quarter of Duality - Purpose fulfilled through Bonding
Thoth - God of Wisdom, Writing and Time Gates: 7-Role of the Self in Interaction, 4-Formulization, 29-Perseverance, 59-Sexuality
Harmonia - Goddess of the Family Bond Gates: 40-Aloneness, 64-Confusion, 47-Realization, 6-Friction
Christ Consciousness Field - “Love Thy Neighbor” Gates: 46-Determination of the Self, 18-Correction, 48-Depth, 57-Intuitive Clarity
Minerva - Virgin Goddess of Warfare, Arts and Crafts Gates: 44-Alertness, 28-The Game Player, 50-Values, 32-Continuity
Human Design Mandala Quarter of Mutation - purpose fulfilled through Transformation
Hades - God of the Underworld Gates: 1-Self-Expression, 43-Insight, 14-Power Skills, 34-Power
Prometheus - Thief of Fire and Benefactor of Humanity Gates: 9-Taming Power of the Small, 5-Fixed Rhythms, 26-The Egoist, 11- Ideas
Vishnu - God of Monotheism Gates: 10-Behavior of the Self, 58-Vitality, 38-The Fighter, 54-Drive
The Keepers of the Wheel - Guardians of the Wheel - The Hidden Gods (from themselves) Gates: 60-Limitation, 61-Inspiration, 41-Contraction, 19-Wanting
Another way of explaining these Forces is that your conditioned mind tends to interpret the Maia according to your Godhead. When in a "not-self" state, making decisions from your conditioned mind, you can end up living out the homogenized, dead myths of your Godhead, rather than shining with the uniqueness of your authentic and differentiated holistic self.
Following Strategy and Authority keeps you from getting trapped in your Mind’s illusion derived from the conditioning forces streaming through your individual Godhead.
Have you seen this at work in your life? Would you like to share how it has shown up for you?
Love Yourself,
Laveena Archers
(originally written for JovianArchive.com as Andrea Abay-Abay, reprinted with permission)
