How Important is Birth Time in Human Design?
How to Find Your Birth Time for Human Design (Even If You Don’t Know It)
Your Human Design is a one-time cosmic fingerprint that’s based on the precise moment of your birth and a second moment about 88 days prior to that. These two snapshots shape everything about your energetic blueprint, from how you make decisions to how you show up in relationships and business.
But what if you don’t know your exact birth time?
Don’t worry. While birth time is important for accuracy, there are ways to approximate it. In this post, I’ll walk you through why time matters in Human Design and how to use intuition and simple tools to get as close as possible, even if you don’t have access to official records.
Why Is Birth Time Important in Human Design?
Your Human Design chart, or bodygraph, is calculated using two moments:
The moment of your birth (this represents your conscious Personality)
88 days before your birth (this represents your subconscious Design)
Your chart shows how the planets were aligned at both of these moments and maps their influence through the gates of the Human Design system. That’s why time matters, especially for elements like your Profile, Type, and Authority, which can shift even within the same day. Your Human Design variables change from moment to moment so birth time becomes even more important for those.
Let’s break it all down:
🌓 Your Design (Subconscious) – The Red Numbers
Located on the left side of your chart, these numbers represent who you are beneath the surface. They reflect your subconscious traits, formed about 88 days before your birth when your soul enters your physical form. These traits might take longer to resonate because they’re less “obvious” to your everyday awareness.
☀️ Your Personality (Conscious) – The Black Numbers
Shown on the right side of your chart, these numbers reflect your conscious mind. You’ll likely connect with these traits more easily because they’re how you see yourself and how others perceive you.
Together, these two layers make up you—the whole energetic expression of your Design.
What If You Don’t Know Your Exact Birth Time?
You're not alone. Many people only know a general time of day, or have no clue at all. Here are a few gentle ways to dig for clues:
Ask Around
Family members often have vivid stories from the day you were born. Some examples from my own community:
“My mom always said I was born in the morning, thank God—not in the middle of the night.”
“I remember my sister came home from school just in time to meet me.”
“My dad had to leave the barn early to take my mom to the hospital.”
Even vague memories like "before lunch" or "late evening" can help narrow it down.
Check Official Records
Hospital or birth certificates may list the time
Newspaper birth announcements (yes, those used to be a thing!)
Family baby books or calendars - I found mine on my baby hospital bracelet!
If none of that is available, there’s another route you can try—one that taps into your inner knowing.
Birth Time Rectification (The Intuitive Way)
This process may feel a little “woo,” but I’ve seen it work again and again. Here’s how to use your intuition to narrow in on your birth time.
Step 1: Run Multiple Charts for the Same Day
Generate Human Design charts for several times on your birth date (for example: 1:00am, 6:00am, 10:00am, 1:00pm, 6:00pm, and 10:00pm).
Step 2: Sit With the Charts
Create space. Light a candle. Hold each chart over your heart or Solar Plexus. Breathe. Feel into it.
Ask:
Does this chart feel like me?
Does one stir emotion or energy more than the others?
Do any feel “off” or disconnected?
Let your body guide you.
Step 3: Narrow It Down
Once you’ve identified one or two that resonate, run a few more charts around those windows (e.g., if 10:00am felt strong, also try 9:15, 10:30, etc.).
Repeat the process until you’re down to one or two that feel aligned.
Trusting the Answer That Comes Through
Once you’ve narrowed it down to the chart that feels like you, there are a few ways to deepen your clarity:
Use a pendulum to feel into the “truth” of each chart
Ask the Universe or your guides for confirmation
Connect energetically to your birth mother’s higher self and ask directly
Sound out there? Maybe. But I believe your soul remembers. Your birth time isn’t missing. It’s just waiting to be recalled.
Your chart is the story of your incarnation—and you already hold the key.
What Happens Next?
Once you’ve found the birth time that resonates, run your full chart and start exploring. If you're new to Human Design or want help decoding it all, I've created a series of emails that walk you through your unique design in everyday language.
Just plug in your chart at VickieDickson.com and you’ll receive guidance specific to YOU—not generic Human Design info.
You Already Know Your Birth Time
Your Human Design is a map of who you came here to be. Your birth time anchors that map, but if it’s missing, don’t panic. Trust that you can find your way back to it.
Whether through family memories, official records, or your own intuitive guidance, the time of your birth is not lost. Your soul knows. Your body knows. It’s just a matter of tuning in.
Ready to find your Human Design and finally feel seen?
Start here: [Link to free chart generator or opt-in]