Hey guys! As is the case every summer, I have things I’d rather be doing than running this blog. As is not the case every summer, I’ll be headed off to college come the fall. Since I’ll no longer be a bored homeschooler and I don’t have anything left to say on here, I’m gonna delete tumblr. Bye!

Hey man i just tried Enneagram and i'm really confused with the 'wing' aspect. I'm 98% type 1, but i don't understand the sub-typing. My second highest are 5 then 4 - are those the 'wings?' but 6 and 8 are only a few points behind. Help >.< (ps, I'm INTJ, if that helps)

I guess it’s been a bit since I’ve reviewed any basics, but I’d recommend supplementing with a google search.

Subtypes can refer to one of two things.

First, it could be wings- that’s the “w2, w9, w8” etc that you see after the initial number. Your wings are not the type you scored second highest on, but one of two adjacent types that you use as an influence to color your core type. Google for more.

Secondly, it could refer to Instinctual Variants, which you’ll see sometimes as sp, so, or Sx and sometimes as self-preservation, social, and sexual. These in combination with your type form another flavor of the main type. These are instincts everyone has, and people who subscribe to them as a theory usually list their top two in the format “so/sx.” Google for more.

I would recommend against relying on tests for your type. In all likelihood your actual type is within the top five results, but the tests rely too heavily on behaviors and often conflate other factors. I always get some variation of 1, 3, and 5, often with 5 in the lead even though I don’t think I even have a 5 fix, just because that’s the Good XSTJ result.

wots your opinion on alignment?

Like from D&D? Lawful/Neutral/Chaotic and Good/Neutral/Evil?

I think it has minimal usefulness for real people, but it’s an interesting enough question to ask people and you can get a good conversation out of it with people you know well, and if that’s not just as much as you’ll get out of a lot of typology then I’m doing it wrong.

If I can do some nerd history for a moment, the exact dimensions of alignment have different definitions based on what editions of D&D you’re using. 4th edition kind of did away with it entirely because of how subject to interpretation it is. 

In some editions, Good and Evil have more nuance to them. Good means broadly “the needs of others are more important than my needs” and evil means broadly “my own needs are more important than the needs of others.” In other editions, some actions were ascribed inherent alignments, so good was more common and evil was more like “I raise the dead and commune with demons.” I think personally that both of these leave neutral in a weird place, so when I play I take this approach:

Good- needs of others > my needs

Neutral- my needs > needs of others, but I’ll be reasonable.

Evil- my needs > needs, lives, or livelihoods of others.

Similarly, the Chaotic and Lawful dimensions have differing meanings from edition to edition. Initially, they were about following the law of the land versus breaking said laws, but as more D&D games involved corrupt rulers and evil barons and lawful good PCs were never like “well, slavery is ok because the law says it is”, this dimension has evolved. Now it’s more about rules versus impulses. To take an example from my current campaign, my friend’s character is a Lawful Neutral Warlock fiercely devoted to his patron to the exclusion of all else. His first priority is always hunting down intelligent undead by her command, even if it means breaking the laws of the society the PCs live in. If he was Chaotic Neutral, he would probably be less devoted to a singular mission, have more moral room for resurrection spells as long as they were on people he deemed ok, and generally be more attuned to his feelings and impulses than the commands or rules set out for him. I take the following approach:

Lawful- the rules > what I feel like

Neutral- I’ll do whatever services my Good/Neutral/Evil agenda

Chaotic- what I feel like > the rules

I find this is better for PCs and makes some alignments a lot more interesting. It also works better for that ten minute what’s your alignment question with your friends because you take up like four minutes explaining

I think 8s are the hardest type to be in a relationship with. My ex boyfriend was an 8w9, and tried to control the way i present myself, who i speak with, and what i do. He wasn’t even aware of all the torment he put me through... he just needed to feel in control, he always did. His childhood was one of the saddest stories i’ve heard, he’s broken and that made him strong. But i am soft,and i can’t let my soul be forced into things i didn’t allowed. He regrets deeply but i’m too hurt to rekindle

9w8 in the other side, they are the most understanding people out there. An almost just as tragic background, but this person (my cousin) treats his wife with kindness, compassion and understanging. It’s weird how the same influences (8 and 9) in different doses make for different people. They both had an 8 parent.

I have difficulty with this sort of input, because to generalize in your favor opens up a bag of worms (certain type = abuse is not a discourse I’ve ever seen be constructive) but to generalize against you is unfairly discounting your experience.

From a non-typology lens, good that he’s your ex. From a typology lens, I think this behavior is something that shows up in low average to unhealthy 8s as they become less secure in themselves. The disintegration of 8 is to 5, which makes it more paranoid about details in lower health levels. Medium average to like “level 3 health” tends to be more egoistic in a positive way. The 8 will care a lot more about controlling their own affairs than anything like how their SO presents. Higher health 8s will of course discard this egoism in another positive way, caring about other people’s details in a constructive way. 

ppl like “i was a gifted kid but now im dumb as shit ahhhh im so sad now weeeeh” shut the fuck up i grew up smart as shit and i’m smart now and i’ll die smart as fuck too. youre nothing.

Hullooooo fellow ESTJ. We’re so uncommon on here. You’re hilarious btw 👍🏼

Oh thank you! I love it when people call me hilarious on this blog because I’m almost never trying to be funny

5 Sp Blind ENFP here. I should elaborate more tbh. First the sp blind is the easiest, i’ve been born in a fam with 2 sp doms and 2 8s who all loved me a whole damn lot so they took care of everything to the point that i can’t peel a potato. So there s that i just have little to no sp and my grandma keeps reminding me [jokingly] how i’ll probabs die if i’ll be left alone

ENFP sp blind 5 cont. About the enfp part I’d say it s the best fitting. First between N and S N is the obvious winner (i have no motor skills, no orientation whatsoever and i’m good at abstractisation). Between Ne and Ni i’d say Ne since my ideas are all over the place and ditzy instead of the laser focus Ni people have. I write and draw ever since i know myself, and all i have a tendence to fantesize so Ne-Fi over Ne-Ti i think

Enfp 5 here again. Ouf dunno why i left out the 5 part. I got to the conclusion that I might be a 5 because I always tried to understand the world around me, i am very focused on the relations between people and things around me and my dialogue is a never ending “why”, i stay a lot alone and study or create shit (i paint and i write ever since i can remember). My way of connecting to the world is retreating and observing. Then i come back and enthusiastically share what i learned

So first off I definitely believe ENFP sp-blind. 

Taking everything at face value about the motor skills, etc., sure. That fits well enough. It’s important to note that I would ask for more specifics as like “proof” of what you’re saying, but I think that’d be counterproductive. The Ne is clear here, specifically in the very generalized way this is all described and in the way you make associations. The idea that the as yet unproven types of your family influences your sp-blindness is shaky to me as a sensor. It’s the kind of thing that we see as a valid observation in retrospect but not something to use as part of a conclusion because it’s so unprovable. Ditzy, all over the place, and retreating to observe before returning to enthusiastically share your ideas- all could fit other types but do fit ENFP well and there’s just such an ENFP vibe here.

You’re not a 5. I would also guess that you don’t have 5 in your tritype or as a wing. 5 is monstrously overtyped and if you’re down to have people be blunt but honest to you about the reasons, check out @ill-be-istj-if-no-one-else-is and sort through her enneagram 5 tag. 

The long and short of it is that everything you described about being a 5 is true for all human beings who are not explicitly anti having a thought. Trying to understand things, looking at the relationships between people and things in the world, those are just kind of things you need to do. 

Additionally, there are a couple of things that are very not 5 about this. First off, the sharing things enthusiastically is the opposite of what 5s do. They gather their information and conserve their resources very tightly. There’s nothing communicative about them, and when they are communicative it’s after several years of studying like three factoids. It sounds a lot more like you’re withdrawing for a relatively short amount of time and then going and telling people about your thoughts, which I think every 5 would be stressed by the very concept of. Ditzy, low focus, being expressive about how much your family loves you unprompted... not that dry emotionally constipated over preparer that is 5.

Reading between the lines, it seems a lot like your motivation is being someone who discovers and creates things. This could either be stimulated by a desire to learn new and exciting information, which would be 7, or by a desire to see yourself a certain way, which would be 4.

The ENFP 5 anon who was elaborating on their typing, I received asks explaining the ENFP and sp blind but no ask explaining the 5, which would be the most useful thing to explain. I received the other asks several hours apart, so I assume the 5 ask is written but I have not received it

I’m a fucking 5 sp blind ENFP is that even possible? They don’t make any sense together but THEY FIT and what are possible mistypes in your opinion?

Not really.

Send more information for more useful advice but you might be a 4 or 6 with wing confusion or 7 or 9 who’s getting caught up in the 5 = intelligence association

I can’t relate to any iv. Like sx dom? Too intense... Soc? Nah i’m all clueless when it comes to social shit and I’m content with my 3 friends. Sp? What’s that i can live on nesquik and proteine bars if I didn’t have a sp dom to remind me to eat. Help

So like the dom instinct and blindspot descriptions literally describe psychotic people that I’ve never met irl, which is part of why I don’t put a ton of stock in IV by themselves. My first piece of advice would be look at your enneagram core first (this is in my description). My second piece of advice is that this is probably sx blind. istj-hedonist has talked a lot recently about sx taking very exaggerated black and white views as part of an “all amazing or all bad” mentality. Which is probably part of why I see a lot more sx users being into IV, because as above, I (sx-blind) see it as descriptions of crazy people and lots of people (usually sx-users) see it as ringing very true.

Could an ISTP be a 4? I have no doubt about my dom Ti but I'm really not sure between 9 and 4. I realise an ISTP 9 seems more plausible than an ISTP 4 but the 4 motivations and idiosyncrasies seem to fit me really well. 9 isn't necessarily a bad fit but I was just wondering if ISTP 4 sounds plausible or like something I shouldn't even consider. I suppose it's possible I'm (1/2)

(2/2) an INTP which would make 4 a better fit but the Se/Ni axis fits me significantly better, especially in terms of Ni > Si. Regardless I think 4 and 9 are my first two fixes, probably with 5w4 last. Anyway, maybe I rambled a bit. I'm just wondering what your thoughts on an ISTP 4 would be, is it possible?

So short answer, I would expect you to be a 5w4, 9, or ISFP rather than an ISTP 4. You put some emphasis on NeSi vs SeNi being the factor to consider, and while I do think there’s a slight preference for N in 4 (ENFP 4 is far and away more common than ESFP 4, INFJ 4 is reportedly more common than ISFJ, which makes sense but is probably overreported because of mistypes) the main problem with the 4 typing is that dom Ti/inf Fe combo.

The thing about IXTPs is that they really don’t care what other people think. They just don’t really align with a particular role or image, cause they think it’s stupid. Sometimes people forget that 4 is an image type, and that it’s not so much about being unique as other people thinking you’re unique. That’s how you get that internet phenomenon of people posting about like... “dark academia aesthetic” or what have you and then their next post is like an internal crisis about being truly normal and human. They usually know it’s an image (although it’s a little different for Fi doms, since they’re very willing to fool themselves into thinking they’re being authentic). 

I’d expect 4 to be more prevalent for IXTPs than 2 or 3, cause counter culture and deep down buried caring about Fe stuff, but probably only as common as like EXTJ 5s, you know? Not impossible just kinda like “you sure you’re not [more common type that’s prone to mistyping as the less common type]”

One thing you touched on here is the motivations and idiosyncrasies. Normally, there’s a reason why certain functions have landed on certain motivations. Like an EXTJ might look at the 5 fear and say “yes, I am motivated to be prepared” and so they go and buy a training manual and learn all the protocols and make sure they follow all those rules because it’s just the correct thing to do, and that EXTJ is a 1. Similarly, I see a dom Ti user looking at being unique and idiosyncratic and not valuing those for their emotional innate qualities like an Fi dom might, but rather for a new angle through which to see things. “It’s good to have lots of perspectives so we can comprehend the entire issue from as many angles as possible.” That’s why I’d expect 5w4 more, because the root of that is again understanding and preparedness. I’m not saying that’s your motivation necessarily, just that a dom Ti probably has another motivation driving their desire for uniqueness.

ISTJ 9w8 sx/sp here, trying to type gf. A major trait of hers is that shes both baby and mature, like both very childish and serious when the situation needs it (maybe fi-te?) likes being helped and taken care of so I rule out SO blind (likely SP blind? Although she doesn’t put her health at risk with shit like smoking or drinking). She is very sensitive and crybaby but also gets angry whenever someone points this out. Her biggest fear is to be alone, and to disappoint people she cares about.

I don’t think I can type from this alone, but I can narrow some stuff down. Feel free to send me more information.

MBTI: I think it’s very unlikely that she’s a Thinker, though it’s possible she’s an EXTP without a 3 fix. Because Thinking functions are so tied to a 3 fix and 3s are so concerned with being respected and having a superior image, you see very few of them that act childishly. You can likely rule out IXFJ as well, since the Pi desire for structure and stability pretty much eliminates most childishness. I know you mention maturity too, but that duality seems to me like Fe dom putting their Je in drive or XXFP suddenly using their Te. 

Enneagram: 2, 4, p6, and 7 all seem possible. The others are would be too focused on self-sufficiency for their own reasons or (in 9s case) wouldn’t get angry when this was pointed out. If her biggest fear is being alone, look at 2 and p6 first. I lean 2.

In answering about settling on your type, you mentioned the possibility of being an STP with a "fake Te tritype" - I was wondering if youbhad thoughts on tritypes that fake other functions?

I should be clear that it’s more of a change in vibe than anything else. The processing remains the same.

1+6: makes Ji look like Je. 

4+9 or 5+9: makes Je look like Ji.

2 fix: makes Fi look like Fe

7+8: fake Se

3+8: fake Te

1+4: fake Fi

Since funky doesn’t type anime can you type avatar the last airbender? Maybe lok too?

Not to be pedantic, but it’s not an anime. Like it aired on Nickelodeon. Anyway I just finished rewatching it for the first time the other week and god atla season 2 > all other television. And I’d be happy to cause this falls within the typing characters rule I made!

Aang: EXFP, leaning Ne. With impulsive goofy kids it’s hard to tell, but the way he gets sidetracked from very real important visceral things, his overwhelming optimism about people, and some of his spiritual hunches all seem more ENFP. 7w6.

Katara: You want realistic ESFJ 2s? Here’s realistic ESFJ 2s. 2w1.

Sokka: ESTP and I’m torn between 6 and 3. I know the de facto typing for him is Te dom, but his desire for leadership is so test Fe based, not high Te. His scheduling and command is inconsistent, but he becomes a great leader with great tactical thinking in the moment, ability to use his surroundings to his advantage, and a deep sense of brotherhood that I’ve seen a lot in ESTP dudes. 

Toph: ESTP 9w8

Zuko: ESFP. The debate is normally which of the IXFPs, but a. it takes him like... two seasons to start reflecting, b. after he reflects he gets off his ass and does something, c. earlier seasons would still make sense without resorting to “he was in a grip”, and d. he’s got pretty good Te. 6

Iroh: INFJ 9w1

Azula: ENTJ 3w4

Suki: EXTJ 

Mai: ISTP

Ty Lee: ESFP

I relate strongly to the sp 2 description (seducing with a childlike attitude, the fear of being unloveable- altho i think it’s a universal fear). But i don’t particularly relate to any 2 or sp. I’m careless when it comes to my own health, and i’m not helpful most of the time. What do you think?

I have my issues with all the Beatrice Chestnut subtypes, and I’ve actually been thinking about making a series about exactly the options for reconciling these enneagram subtypes. Read sp 2 to a very health conscious 2w3 friend and he literally wretched at the phrase “seducing through childlike behavior.” Even with connotations removed he was like that’s an awful way to live. 

All this is to say I don’t think you’re an sp 2. Fear of being unloveable is universal in a way, but there’s a distinction between 2 and other types. Some people fear being unloved, and the onus is on the other person. Other people fear abandonment, etc. For 2, it’s specifically fearing that you can’t be loved because you’re not kind enough/haven’t managed the person enough, depending on health.

Drawing others in with childlike behavior- 2s could certainly do this but if you’re not helpful, that’s out. 4 and the 6w7/7w6 duo seem like likely culprits, but don’t quote me without further information.

Hi! Do you think enneagram 6 may make an ENTJ look somewhat like an ESTJ? Which traits may be both type six and Si?

From an external perspective, yes. From an internal perspective, less yes but still yes.

6 as Fake Si

If you’ve read the phrase “6 is fake Si” or “6 enhances Si” or something like that, they’re referring to three principle factors. In order of least stupid/fake to most stupid/fake, these factors are... 

1. A preference for hard evidence and a tried and true method. Both 6 and Si are risk averse and tend to distrust what they can’t see for themselves. The difference is that for 6, it’s coming from a place of fear, and for Si, it’s coming from a place of “wouldn’t it be kinda stupid to do it a different way??”

2. Catastrophizing/anxiety. Si and 6 are both described excessively negatively, and some of the worse descriptions imply that both are sent into fits of anxiety by minutia, which is more of a general mental health thing. Both of them often have issues with change, though, and that’s where you can sometimes see greater than average breakouts.

3. Traditionalist thinking. This... I mean, even if I wasn’t a left leaning Si user and did in fact identify as a “back to the good old days when women were wives first and people second” fundamentalist, this wouldn’t make sense. Both Si and 6 follow what’s reliable/concrete. That could happen to be traditionalist thinking or it could happen to be something else. 

Basically, both types want a “proof of concept” before they go down a certain path and they tend to avoid risky situations.

What’s both 6 and Si?

This is difficult and ultimately up to an individual’s discretion. Ideally, you go to the roots of each system, and if you find two roots to 6/Si behavior, great. You type yourself as a high Si 6. If you get down there and you discover that you don’t work off past precedent and examples because it makes your more comfortable and confident but only because you’re afraid of what might happen otherwise, you might want to consider just 6. If you dig down and find none of that fear, but all of that risk averse tried and true methodology, you should look at just high Si.

6 without Si/Si without 6

This is to your question> “would an ENTJ 6 look like an ESTJ”

In that specific circumstance, I would bet it would be very difficult to tell the difference. Because Te already tends to demand proof and high Ni is similarly risk-averse, a Te-dom 6 could easily fake Si. The usual ways to tell them apart as holistic types would be less effective too, because while ENTJs are typically bolder than ESTJs, the 6 would counterract this. While ENTJs tend to be more big picture people, anxiety could make them more attentive to details.

The way to tell the difference is the style of that detail orientation. Are they looking at the details and being down in the weeds because that’s what feels natural? Or are they doing it because doing something else feels wrong? To give an example of non-anxiety Si, my friend and I wrote and directed a musical this fall. He wrote the music and taught the music, and I’m not a musician. There were plenty of times when I didn’t need to be in the room, but I never left or did something on my phone instead, even though I had 100% faith in my friend. There was a natural desire to attend to details, get everyone the sheet music, answer any meta questions should they arise, etc. 

A 6 without Si would deal with the situation differently. They might have less trust that everything will be fine without them there, and they may stay in the room to make sure everything goes smoothly, but they won’t be absorbed in the details. They won’t have the same desire to hand out the music personally and watch everyone’s expressions to see who’s doing better than who, etc. 

you think mbti comptibility is bs? i just read of the "sum 10-rule": the idea that an "ideal" relationship is between two people whose enneagrams add to 10 (but also yes, mbti compatibility is bs)

My most common complaint about bad dates where there wasn’t really any fault is “they were too chill and super passive” so this is hilarious

Also I’d bet money the person who wrote that theory identifies as INTJ, 5, and sapiosexual