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The Enneagram is usually regarded as a character system, however at its coronary heart, it’s an archetypal map of human motivation and transformation. Every of its 9 sorts represents a common sample of habits rooted in deep emotional truths (what we, as storytellers, may consider as thematic Truths). Just like the Life Cycle of archetypes I discover in my ebook Writing Archetypal Character Arcs, the Enneagram displays the evolving interior journeys all of us undertake all through our lives.

Though this archetypal similarity makes the Enneagram and the six Life-Cycle archetypes intuitive companions, it will also be troublesome to kind the complexity of the 2 techniques in a means that’s truly helpful for creating characters. Final week, we explored a few of the innumerable prospects for character-arc variation out there inside every Enneagram sort. This week, I’m answering one other reader query—from Elisheva–that factors to this central conundrum of mixing the Enneagram with the archetypes of the Life Cycle:

I really like archetypes and I really like the Enneagram, however when I attempt to use each instruments when writing a narrative I get confused about how they work together. Each of them have their very own Lies and battle dynamics. And but, they each are true. As an individual, we undergo the archetypical life phases, however we even have our character to take care of. So, basically, we’re juggling the Lies and conflicts that include every stage whereas additionally juggling the Lies and conflicts from our innate natures. How does this work when writing a narrative, in order to not confuse ourselves and others and get tangled in a conglomeration of themes, Lies, and conflicts—however to have it come by cohesively?

The shortest reply is that you just don’t want to know or mix each techniques with the intention to create dynamic and dimensional characters. Typically, the only strategy is finest, through which case specializing in both an archetypal strategy or an Enneagram strategy is likely to be finest. Nevertheless, in the event you benefit from the complexity of analyzing how completely different techniques mix to disclose even deeper insights into human habits, then that is your cease!

In This Article:

What Occurs When You Mix Archetypal Arcs With Enneagram Insights?

As I’ve explored in different posts (linked under), the Enneagram is a system of 9 archetypal character sorts, every representing a unique core motivation and technique for navigating the world. It maps floor behaviors, in addition to the deep emotional patterns that drive our actions, fears, and needs. Not like many character techniques, the Enneagram charts a path of development, displaying how people can evolve towards their healthiest, most built-in selves—or fall into patterns of stress and fixation.

>>Click on right here to learn 5 Methods to Use the Enneagram to Write Higher Characters

>>Click on right here to learn 9 Constructive Character Arcs within the Enneagram

>>Click on right here to learn 9 Detrimental Character Arcs within the Enneagram

>>Click on right here to learn Enneagram Varieties for Writers: Varieties 1-4

>>Click on right here to learn Enneagram Varieties for Writers: Varieties 5-9

>>Click on right here to learn Avoiding Repetition for Lies Every Kind May Consider

Equally, the archetypal Life Cycle I discover in my ebook Writing Archetypal Character Arcs (and the Archetypal Character Guided Meditations) charts the common phases of transformation we expertise as we transfer by life. From the individuation of the Maiden, by the non-public growth of the Hero, the management of the Queen, the sacrifice of the King, the acceptance of the Crone, and the give up of the Mage, the cycle demonstrates how archetypal energies evolve as we mature, confront challenges, and step into new roles inside each our interior landscapes and our outer lives.

Mixed, these two techniques supply a richly layered view of human growth. The Enneagram helps us perceive the why behind our particular person journeys (i.e., our motivations, blind spots, and interior work), whereas the archetypal Life Cycle supplies a broader view of the when (i.e., the inevitable seasons of development and alter all of us encounter). Collectively, they will create a robust framework for writing deeper characters, in addition to residing extra acutely aware, genuine lives.

Enneagram Lies for the 6 Archetypes of the Life Cycle

What follows is, as ever, a restricted and subjective record of solutions for the way the themes of the Life Cycle and the Enneagram could mingle. My hope is that it’ll spark your individual intuitive understanding about these deep archetypes, so you will discover your individual finest interpretations in your characters and tales.

Kind 1: The Reformer

Core Lie: “I have to be good to be worthy.”

• Maiden’s Lie: “I need to all the time be good to earn a spot on the planet.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) always seeks tutorial perfection to show herself, however should individuate past the system of authority to study which guidelines are value breaking.

• Hero: “I can solely defeat evil if I by no means make errors.”
  Theoretical Instance: A police cadet learns that true bravery lies not in flawless actions, however in displaying up and serving regardless of imperfections.

• Queen: “Main means upholding unimaginable ethical requirements.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Jean Valjean (Les Misérables) burdens himself with residing a wonderfully ethical life after his redemption.

• King: “I have to be flawless to keep up my authority.”
  Theoretical Instance: A legendary mob boss, feared and revered for his inflexible ethical code and flawless management, should face the devastating reality that his have to be untouchable is tearing his empire aside.

• Crone: “I failed in life as a result of I used to be by no means good sufficient.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Decide Danforth (The Crucible) struggles to evolve with the occasions, clinging to his inflexible beliefs and refusing to acknowledge his errors.

• Mage: “True knowledge is reserved for the flawless.”
  Theoretical Instance: A beloved professor, getting ready to retirement throughout a important disaster dealing with his faculty, should confront his worry of leaving his college students weak and step again to allow them to take cost, trusting that their very own errors will result in the expansion they want—whereas he involves phrases with the truth that his time as their guiding drive has ended.

Kind 2: The Helper

Core Lie: “I need to earn love by service.”

• Maiden: “If I’m not helpful, I will likely be deserted.”
  Theoretical Instance: A younger lady getting ready to maturity believes she should always take care of others and meet their emotional wants, even it means sacrificing her personal desires.

• Hero: “I can solely save others by sacrificing myself.”
  Theoretical Instance: A younger paramedic, desperate to show his bravery and price in service to his neighborhood, believes he should all the time be the primary to answer emergencies, even at the price of his personal well-being.

• Queen: “I need to care for everybody, even at the price of my very own wants.”
  Film Instance: Mufasa (The Lion King) guidelines with compassion, however his lack of ability to totally confront and neutralize the risk posed by his brother reveals his failure to claim the robust authority wanted to guard the dominion.

• King: “Actual authority is earned by serving everybody else first.”
  Theoretical Instance: A veteran soccer coach, beloved for all the time placing his gamers first, should confront the painful reality that his have to be wanted is holding the crew again—and that the best act of service is likely to be letting another person lead.

• Crone: “With out somebody to take care of, I’ve no goal.”
  Theoretical Instance: A retired instructor, disheartened by the lack of her former vitality, is coaxed again into the neighborhood by a bunch of former college students. She should reconcile together with her personal growing older and settle for that her contribution could now look completely different.

• Mage: “Knowledge means understanding the best way to repair everybody’s ache.”
  Theoretical Instance: An growing older grasp carpenter, watching his apprentices battle with the pressures of their craft, should confront his deep want to repair their issues and permit them to endure the ache of their errors with the intention to develop into their very own talent and knowledge.

Kind 3: The Achiever

Core Lie: “My value will depend on what I accomplish.”

• Maiden: “I need to earn the approval of my authority figures.”
  Theoretical Instance: A highschool senior, desperate to show herself, always overextends her commitments and sacrifices her private must earn the approval of her academics and oldsters, believing her value is outlined by their recognition.
  

• Hero: “I need to win in any respect prices to show my value.”
  Film Instance: Lightning McQueen (Automobiles) believes successful races is his solely worth.

• King: “My worth lies in my success and productiveness, so I need to keep in management and keep my place, even when it’s not serving the higher good.”
  Play Instance: Shakespeare’sRichard II clings to his throne, searching for private validation and glory, however is in the end compelled to sacrifice his throne for the higher good of the dominion when he realizes his lack of ability to guide successfully has triggered extra hurt than good.

• Mage: “I need to show my value by ensuring others succeed in response to my requirements, or I will likely be seen as ineffective or irrelevant.”
  Theoretical Instance: After a long time of groundbreaking work, a famend scientist hesitates to retire, fearing that stepping again will make his life’s achievements appear much less important if the subsequent technology surpasses him.

Kind 4: The Individualist

Core Lie: “I have to be distinctive to be important.”

• Maiden: “I have to be distinctive and completely different to be really valued, and if I don’t stand out, I’ll by no means be understood.”
  Theoretical Instance: A sheltered artist, struggling to consider her voice issues in a loud world, is uncertain the best way to break away from the expectations positioned on her by household and society.

• Hero: “I need to show my value by my struggles and ache, or I’ll by no means really be seen as particular or vital.”
  Theoretical Instance: A struggling musician decided to make it massive should study that private development comes not simply by inventive expression, however by accepting himself and others.

• Queen: “Nobody can perceive the ache of management like I do.”
  Theoretical Instance: A compassionate neighborhood organizer fears that if she imposes accountability on others, she will likely be misunderstood and rejected for being too inflexible or impersonal.

• King: “My uniqueness units me other than everybody, together with these I lead.”
  Theoretical Instance: An growing older founding father of a profitable nonprofit, believing his uniqueness is what made the group thrive, fears his departure will trigger the lack of his individuality and the aim he’s created.
  

• Crone: “I used to be all the time too completely different to actually matter.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Miss Havisham (Nice Expectations) isolates herself after heartbreak.

• Mage: “My knowledge is irreplaceable, and nobody else can really perceive my distinctive insights.”
  Theoretical Instance: A once-celebrated maestro watches his protégés observe their very own unconventional paths, overcoming his worry that if he doesn’t information each resolution, his distinctive imaginative and prescient and legacy will likely be forgotten.

Kind 5: The Investigator

Core Lie: “I’ve to guard my vitality and keep self-sufficient.”

• Maiden: “I will need to have all of the solutions and absolutely perceive every thing earlier than I could be valued or take motion.”
  Theoretical Instance: A refugee teenager feels she should deal with each problem on her personal, fearing that asking for assist would put her on the mercy of unfeeling authorities.

• Hero: “I can’t act till I do know every thing.”
  Theoretical Instance: A younger environmental activist believes that to make an actual distinction, he should single-handedly lead each initiative and by no means present vulnerability, fearing that relying on others will expose his lack of know-how or authority.

• Queen: “Main requires full management over data.”
  Theoretical Instance: A revered scholar should come to phrases with the constraints of her mind and discover a stability between purpose and the emotional wants of others, in the end discovering that management requires vulnerability.

• King: “I need to maintain onto management in any respect prices as a result of if I let go, every thing will collapse and nobody will have the ability to handle with out me.”
  Theoretical Instance: A protracted-serving mayor of a small city struggles to step down, satisfied that with out his detailed information of the neighborhood’s historical past and previous choices, the city’s future will unravel.

• Crone: “My value ended once I stopped studying new issues.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Ben Weatherstaff (The Secret Backyard) is initially withdrawn and resigned to his age and solitude, however should study to open up and join with the youthful technology.

Kind 6: The Loyalist

Core Lie: “Safety should come from the surface.”

• Hero: “I need to depend on guidelines and authorities to outlive.”
  Theoretical Instance: Throughout the American Revolution, a younger militia chief, decided to show his value in battle, hesitates to take command within the face of hazard, fearing that if he fails, he is not going to solely let down his comrades however show he was by no means really match for management.

• Queen: “The crown is most secure once I management everybody’s loyalty.”
  Theoretical Instance: A brand new President, obsessive about sustaining unwavering loyalty from each member of her Cupboard, begins to micromanage their actions and choices, believing any trace of dissent may unravel your entire nation.

• King: “I need to remove all threats to keep up stability.”
  Theoretical Instance: A seasoned detective, revered for retaining his metropolis protected by inflexible oversight and paranoia, begins to unravel his personal crew with mistrust and overreach, forcing him to understand that his want to manage each risk is eroding the soundness he constructed and that stepping apart is the one strategy to restore belief.

• Crone: “I solely mattered when others wanted me for recommendation and help.”
  Theoretical Instance: An growing older fairy godmother, lengthy retired and forgotten, sinks into despair believing her value ended when the kingdoms not wanted her contribution—till a younger, reckless princess unexpectedly seeks her out, forcing her to confront her worry of irrelevance and rediscover a deeper goal in passing on her knowledge.

• Mage: “True knowledge comes solely from following custom.”
  Theoretical Instance: An skilled blacksmith who has spent a long time perfecting his craft permits his apprentice to discover trendy advances.

Kind 7: The Adventurer

Core Lie: “Ache have to be averted in any respect prices.”

• Maiden: “I can’t decide to something severe as a result of if I do, I’ll be caught and miss out on all of the thrilling prospects life has to supply.”
  Play/Ebook/Film Instance: To keep away from sorrow and accountability, Peter Pan (Peter Pan) refuses to develop up.

• Queen: “If I tackle an excessive amount of accountability, I’ll lose my freedom and the enjoyment of spontaneity that I crave.”
  Present Instance: Louis XIII (The Musketeers) refuses to face the mounting pressures of his reign, as a substitute distracting himself with pleasures and escapism, believing that avoiding harsh realities will defend him from the ache of accountability and forestall his kingdom from unraveling.

• King: “If I step down, I’ll miss out on all the joy and journey, and my life will lose its goal.”
  Theoretical Instance: The growing older sheriff of a small frontier city refuses to retire, satisfied that with out the each day thrill of chasing outlaws and meting out justice, his life will develop into empty and meaningless.

• Crone: “If I cease chasing enjoyable, I’ll face remorse.”
  Theoretical Instance: In her twilight years, a once-vibrant grandmother convinces herself that if she retains distracting herself with new hobbies and adventures, she will be able to stave off the vacancy that comes with dealing with her mortality.

• Mage: “I need to maintain my proteges entertained and excited with new concepts and challenges, or they’ll lose curiosity and by no means develop into their full potential.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings) typically feels the necessity to inject pleasure and problem to maintain folks engaged, particularly throughout moments of stagnation.

Kind 8: The Challenger

Core Lie: “Vulnerability equals weak point.”

• Maiden: “If I don’t keep robust and in management, the world will crush me earlier than I get the possibility to develop up.”
  Present Instance: Haunted by the lack of her mom and consumed by disgrace over a secret mistake, a younger Beth Dutton (Yellowstone) learns to weaponize her vulnerability—driving away Rip, the boy who loves her, believing that needing anybody will solely result in extra ache and make her unfit to hold the Dutton legacy.

• Queen: “I need to crush weak point to guide successfully.”
  Film Instance: Princess Leia (Star Wars) believes that if she doesn’t maintain absolute management over the Rebel and protect everybody together with her power, every thing she has constructed will collapse.
  

• King: “Energy have to be protected in any respect prices.”
  Theoretical Instance: An historic dragon-king refuses to call a successor, believing that if he releases his maintain on the throne, chaos will eat the realm and erase every thing he’s constructed.

• Crone: “If I present any weak point now, the world will neglect me.”
  Theoretical Instance: An growing older personal investigator, weary from years of fixing crimes, struggles with the assumption that if she doesn’t keep forward of everybody, she’ll be left behind and forgotten.

• Mage: “If I don’t management every thing round me, every thing will collapse.”
  Theoretical Instance: A dying inventor should settle for that with out his direct involvement, the way forward for artwork and science will fall into the palms of the subsequent technology—whether or not they’re prepared or not.

Kind 9: The Peacemaker

Core Lie: “My presence creates battle.”

• Queen: “A ruler should keep concord at any private price.”
  Theoretical Instance: A single mom should reconcile together with her teenage son’s drug use and her battle to impose self-discipline.

• King: “Management means erasing my very own needs.”
  Theoretical Instance: An growing older carnival proprietor, lengthy seen as the guts of a beloved touring present, should confront the reality that true concord typically means letting go.

• Crone: “My life mattered solely once I averted battle.”
  Theoretical Instance: A retired diplomat refuses to enter the fray once more although she is required.

• Mage: “Knowledge is discovered solely in silence and noninterference.”
  Ebook/Film Instance: Professor Dumbledore (Harry Potter) initially withholds very important truths, believing noninterference most secure.

Greatest Match Enneagram Varieties for Every Archetype

Understanding which Enneagram sorts align finest with every character archetype can supply additional insights for writers trying to craft psychologically resonant tales. Under, we’ll discover which Enneagram sorts could be the most effective match for every of the six main archetypal arcs. As seen above, each Enneagram sort may have the chance to embody every a part of the archetypal Life Cycle. Nevertheless, for the needs of storytelling, sure Enneagram sorts extra clearly align with the innate themes of sure life archetypes.

1. Maiden Arc

The Maiden represents youth, innocence, and the early phases of development. This archetype usually includes a journey of self-discovery, through which the character confronts fears of inadequacy.

Prompt Greatest Suits:

Kind 2 (The Helper): Twos search exterior validation and approval, usually believing they have to be helpful to be beloved or accepted. This aligns with the Maiden’s journey of proving her value.

Kind 4 (The Individualist): Fours usually really feel like outsiders and consider they’re too completely different or damaged to belong. This aligns with the Maiden’s battle to search out her place.

Kind 6 (The Loyalist): Sixes battle with self-doubt and belief points. This aligns with the Maiden’s early dependence on others.

2. Hero Arc

The Hero is the archetype of the person who goes on a quest to show himself, usually dealing with trials that push him past his limits. This arc usually includes development by challenges and the event of interior power.

Prompt Greatest Suits:

Kind 3 (The Achiever): Threes are motivated by the need to show their value by accomplishment. This aligns with the Hero’s must confront the distinction between genuine self-worth and success-driven identification.

Kind 7 (The Fanatic): Sevens search pleasure and keep away from ache. This aligns with the Hero’s classes in embracing hardships and accountability, in addition to the adventurousness discovered in lots of Hero tales.

Kind 9 (The Peacemaker): Nines favor to keep away from battle and keep concord. This aligns with the Hero’s classes in standing up and taking motion for what is true.

3. Queen Arc

The Queen archetype represents management, accountability, and the stability of energy with knowledge. The Queen should confront the strain between private needs and the wants of others. She usually faces inner battle over whether or not to uphold idealistic values or to compromise for the higher good.

Prompt Greatest Suits:

Kind 1 (The Reformer): Ones search perfection and uphold excessive ethical requirements. This aligns with the Queen’s accountability to control with justice.

Kind 2 (The Helper): Twos could tackle management roles out of a must take care of others. This aligns with the Queen’s battle to stability the wants of the folks she leads with the equal necessity for justice and equity.

Kind 3 (The Achiever): Threes are pushed by a need for achievement and admiration. This may align with the Queen’s need to guide successfully whereas additionally guaranteeing she is beloved and revered.

4. King Arc

The King is an archetype of mastery, authority, and ethical management. Kings should stability energy with compassion, making choices that have an effect on others, whereas additionally grappling with private doubts about value and legacy.

Prompt Greatest Suits:

Kind 1 (The Reformer): Ones worth ethical integrity whereas wanting to repair the world. This aligns with the King’s position as a ruler who holds the dominion’s finest pursuits at coronary heart.

Kind 6 (The Loyalist): Sixes search stability and safety, usually taking over management roles once they consider they will defend others. This aligns with the King’s need to shoulder the large burden of complete accountability for his kingdom.

Kind 8 (The Challenger): Eights possess a drive for management and power; they need to study that actual energy comes from knowledge, not domination. This aligns with the King’s deal with authority and management.

5. Crone Arc

The Crone represents knowledge, reflection, and acceptance of life’s penalties. This archetype is anxious with legacy and the information gained by life’s experiences.

Prompt Greatest Suits

Kind 1 (The Reformer): Ones should study to simply accept imperfection. This aligns with the Crone’s must forgive herself and embrace her flaws.

Kind 4 (The Individualist): Fours usually really feel like they’re misunderstood or disconnected. This aligns with the Crone’s must replicate on her life selections and embrace her true self.

Kind 5 (The Investigator): Fives seek for information and detachment. This aligns with the Crone’s deal with mental knowledge and the angle gained over a lifetime. Fives also can align with the Hermit archetype, the detrimental side of which the Crone struggles with in her passive shadow kind.

6. Mage Arc

The Mage represents mastery, transformation, and the passing of information. The Mage has the knowledge and abilities to information others, however could battle with the isolation and give up wanted within the position of mentor.

Prompt Greatest Suits:

Kind 1 (The Reformer): Ones need to repair and enhance the world by knowledge and instance. This aligns with the Mage’s position as a clever chief who needs to information the younger.

Kind 3 (The Achiever): Mature Threes can present steering to others on the best way to obtain success whereas additionally needing to confront their want for exterior validation. This may align with the Mage’s position as a mentor who passes on information.

Kind 5 (The Investigator): Fives are pure learners and seekers of information. This aligns with the Mage’s skill to impart knowledge to others.

Understanding the best-fit Enneagram sorts for every archetypal character arc can supply highly effective perception into your characters’ inner journeys. If you align your characters’ Enneagram-driven fears and needs with the core themes of their archetypal arcs, you create a story with emotional resonance and psychological depth.

Whether or not your character is a Hero studying to face his limitations, a Queen studying to guide with integrity, or a Crone reckoning together with her previous, the Enneagram can add nuance and authenticity that helps convey the character arc to life. By thoughtfully pairing archetypes with Enneagram sorts, you may achieve a twin lens by which to craft tales that each captivate and rework.

In Abstract:

Each the Enneagram and the archetypal Life Cycle techniques are highly effective instruments for understanding human motivation and transformation. When mixed, they will supply a deeper layer of perception into character growth. The important thing problem is balancing the complicated dynamics of each techniques with out creating confusion within the story. Whereas it’s not essential to merge each techniques to create dynamic characters, those that take pleasure in complexity can use them collectively to counterpoint their writing. Every Enneagram sort brings its core Lie and battle dynamics into the phases of the Life Cycle, influencing how characters evolve.

Key Takeaways:

• The Enneagram supplies a framework for understanding a personality’s motivations, fears, and needs, whereas the Life Cycle tracks common phases of transformation.
• Combining each techniques can deepen character exploration. Nevertheless, it’s vital to keep away from overwhelming readers with too many conflicting themes and conflicts.
• Specializing in one system at a time (both Enneagram or archetypal Life Cycle) is an easier strategy, however integrating each can result in extra complicated and nuanced character arcs.
• Utilizing the core Lies and conflicts of every Enneagram sort inside the phases of the Life Cycle will help to create multidimensional characters that evolve by their inner and exterior struggles.

Need Extra?

For those who’re able to dive deeper into your characters and their journeys, my Archetypal Character Guided Meditations will help unlock recent insights and encourage new inventive prospects. These guided meditations are good for dreamzoning, brainstorming, and exploring your characters’ core motivations from the within out.

Whether or not your character’s story is finest suited to the archetypes of Maiden, Hero, Queen, King, Crone, or Mage, these meditations will information you to know the guts of your characters and produce them to life in new and thrilling methods. It’s like having a private information that can assist you dig into the soul of your story! Begin exploring right this moment: Archetypal Character Guided Meditations.

Wordplayers, inform me your opinions! How do you merge archetypal characters with the Enneagram sorts in your writing? Which Enneagram sort suits finest with the archetypes you utilize, and the way do their core motivations form the journey? Inform me within the feedback!

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