Posted by Tal on December 27, 1998 at 13:53:18:
In Reply to: Re: So...et al posted by Polly on December 27, 1998 at 10:08:43:
Hey Polly :)
My impression of your type based on your posts would definitely lean more towards 1 than 7. There's a matter-of-factedness in the way you address each point in order and tie up all the loose ends. Could be fiveish too, but seeing as you said you see yourself more as 1 or 7...
To be honest I have difficulty conceiving of a 7/1 person. Not to say they don't exist, just that it's difficult for me to imagine a person having both elements at their core... if anything they're almost polar opposites--1's rigid perfectionism and 7's unbridled spontaneity. However, I do know a number of 1's who exhibit what seem to be 7 tendencies at times. But I think in most cases these aren't 7 tendencies in and of themselves, but simply appear so much in marked contrast to the usually rigid behaviour of 1 that it appears as if the individual is suddenly being relaxed and spontaneous (in essence allowing the repressed shadow to emerge to some degree).
This is how I view the 1 --> 7 arrow: not so much in the sense of integration during moments of relaxation, but as a phase in development--that of acknowledging the shadow. Typically, every type represses the behaviour of the type most opposed to it (e.g. 4's will repress 8's domination urge, 8's will repress 4's vulnerability, 5's will repress 2's need for affection, etc.). We generally tend to dislike our shadow types more than others too (the more different you are from me, the less I like you). Inevitably, however, this repressed behaviour will emerge--usually under stress, when we experience lapses in control. That's when 4's will shock you with their anger, 5's will become clingingly needy, and 1's will shun all manner of structure and perfection they held dear up till then and erupt in a blazing display of energetic spontaneity (which in this context is usually not a good thing).
However, this 'eruption' doesn't have to bear negative connotations--the alternative is the process of self-development and learning to accept our shadow side and the urges we (have) repress(ed). When this occurs, we very often find ourselves acknowledging parts of ourselves that we weren't aware existed, and effectively 'assimilating' them into our conscious personalities instead of repressing them as we did previously. This, naturally, leads to greater balance of personality and increased self-awareness.
You say that you always thought of yourself as a 1 until recently--do you feel you've changed? My general guess would be that you're possibly in this phase of integrating your shadow side into your personality and are seeing that as a part of you that you've overlooked before (and hence thinking you might be 7ish?). Just conjecture on my part though; most of the observations I make on this board are summarily shot down by someone or other almost immediately ;)
Just as an added note to the movement of arrows--I find the 1/7 line is the best example of this rift between dominant type and repressed/shadow type.. but it's true for most of the other arrows as well. The 4 'integrates' (I would say balances) with 1 in the E; a line to 8 would be more accurate, but 1 is close. The 5 goes to 8; again accurate (the 5ish control), but 2 would be better. Of course the problem with representing this in terms of a nine-pointed diagram is that there would essentially be movement along only *one* line in *both* directions rather than *two* lines in *one* direction (for each type). This does however make more sense--the parts of ourselves that we repress both erupt when we lose control *and* integrate into our personalities when we develop. For example, 4's supposed integration to 1 and disintegration to 2 is really just two different shades of going over to 8. Similarly, 1 to 7 and 4--the 'disintegration' to a self-indulgent, depressive 4 is equally true (and more accurately described as) a movement to 7.
A final note is that of course this only applies to 'pure' types. The moment an individual experiences two basic obsessions (i.e. has a strong wing) the shadow lines get crossed up and more confusing (this is a good explanation for the confusion in the E). A 1/8ish person will probably have a stronger aversion to 4 than 7, for example (hence the E considering it a disintegration to 4).
Just some thoughts...
---Tal