What Type Am I?

and Happy Solstice!

As I prepare to discuss the enneagram with a large group of women in The Invitation 2023, I’ve received quite a few questions about figuring out what one’s type is. Some have heard my story about being damn sure I was a three for a long time, and shying away from my gut feeling that I might really be an eight, because I didn’t like the “branding” of type eight as angry, bossy and pushy. I ended up having a typing interview with Jim Zartman of the Art of Growth team, who is himself a social eight, and determined that I was indeed, like him, a social eight with a seven wing.

That’s about the time I decided to embrace the good qualities of the eight, and get in touch with the emotions that drive me at times, to steamroll others, and yes, boss them around. I realized that growing up I needed to be strong and protective of myself and others, and that strength often presented with anger. I could be pretty scary. Currently I try to use my type eight superpowers for good. I lead bravely. I control my anger. I am loyal and generous. It may be considered arrogant to tout one’s strengths, but I believe this is progress.

In my conversations with people seeking to know their enneagram type, one common thread has become clear. The type which makes you cringe is often the type you actually are. When we add in the nuances of subtype and wings, the “headline” of your type becomes softer and more interesting. Being a social eight with a seven wing means I am a connector and am able to collect people together to grow and learn. I am not afraid to speak up. People are actually attracted to my strength when I’m not blowing up all over the place.

That being said, I still go off sometimes.

If you are confused about your type and want someone to guide you through some key questions which may help solidify your comfort level with one type or another, I have a new offering on my website. Scroll toward the bottom of the Offerings page to sign up.

Enneagram Consultation

Tarot Card of the Year

The end of the year is always busy and year ahead spreads are the name of the game. I’ve been musing over my card of the year, to put in the center of my spread. I usually like a big juicy major arcana card to help guide me through the year. But I had a dream last week. I don’t remember my dreams very often. I’m one of those people who wakes up and thinks wow, that’s important, and then promptly goes back to sleep and forgets it. So I knew when I dreamt that the Page of Wands came to me, it felt quite literally like he was with me, and he will be my card for the year. In the dream a young man, possibly of Southeast Asian descent, had a garland of deep green leaves on his head and the wand in his hand. He had a great big smile and assured me that he was the one. So Page of Wands it is. I won’t pull the other cards until next week, but I am excited to see what this Page brings to me this year. Note that the Page came to me in masculine form, but the Page can be either gender, or whatever human form seems right to you.

I thought 2023 would be the year that I allowed the dust to settle from all the action of 2022, but the Page tells me I’m not yet done. He is ambitious and driven, creative and shows initiative. He also may be impulsive, so I need to watch that, as impulse come to me before pause.

Pause

I hope you are able to pause for a bit the next few weeks, to think of what you have and what you want, how the shadows of this the longest day of the year, yield more light tomorrow, and the next day and the one after.

Below a quote from one of my favorite books, Wintering by Katherine May