The Enneagram

The Enneagram was introduced by the Russian mystic G.I. Gurdjieff in 1916. It is a symbol with nine points ordered clockwise on a circle. Each point describes a personality style formed in reaction to our early environment. Though Gurdjieff never explained how the enneagram was developed, he described it as being “a living symbol in motion” and appears to be ordered in the pattern of the astrological planets.

By studying the enneagram, we can learn a great deal about the planetary influences in our birth charts. It is a very well developed psychological system that explains many facets of our behavior and motivations.

Type 3: Sun - The Achiever. They are motivated by success, but can be superficial and vain. Their path is to develop humility and authenticity.

Type 2: Moon - The Helper. They are giving and supportive, but can be needy and codependent. Their path is to become autonomous and self-reliant.

Type 1: Mercury - The Perfectionist. They seek correctness in all things, but can be critical and invasive. Their path is to become accepting and nonjudgmental.

Type 9: Venus - The Peacemaker. They seek harmony within themselves and their environment, but can be self-indulgent and lazy. Their path is to become confident and assertive.

Type 8: Mars - The Challenger. They seek autonomy and control, but can be bossy and vengeful. Their path is to become peaceful and kind.

Type 7: The Enthusiast - Jupiter. They seek fun and entertainment, but can be excessive and crazy. Their path is to become content and reliable.

Type 6: Saturn - The Loyalist. They are protective and community seeking, but can be insecure and fearful. Their path is to become open-minded and trusting.

Type 5: Uranus - The Observer. They seek knowledge through the intellect, but can be avoidant and emotionally disconnected. Their path is to open up and connect with others.

Type 4: Neptune - The Individualist. They seek a unique self-expression, but can be envious and insecure. Their path is to become confident and stable.

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The types are organized into triads:

Types 2, 3, and 4 are feeling (heart). Sun, Moon, and Neptune.

Types 1, 8, and 9 are sensing (body). Mercury, Venus, and Mars.

Types 5, 6, and 7 are thinking (head). Uranus, Jupiter, and Saturn.

The types can also be extroverted or introverted:

Types 3, 7, and 8 are extroverted. Sun, Mars, and Jupiter.

Types 4, 5, and 9 are introverted. Uranus, Neptune and Venus.