The Temperaments
The concept of Temperaments, as applied to the Enneagram types, was first elucidated on stackemup.net (as per the quote below). This is different from the classical Four Temperaments, though partially borrows from it. These are, figuratively, like relatively static psychic temperatures or rates of metabolism, an understanding of which can help explain some of the differences between people of the same Type, who seemingly have radically different energy outputs or vibrations. A high temp Nine, for example, might appear as a Two or Six, due to the seeming incongruity of their apparent revved-up inner pace in comparison to the typical sluggish E9 descriptors.
This idea is for the advanced Enneagram aficionado, in the sense that it requires experiential know-how from having worked with the Enneagram, in the long-term, in order to be able to discern the differences between what the Temperaments are alluding to, as separate from the various characteristics of the Types, Instincts, stackings and trifixes. Nonetheless, worth mentioning and being proliferated.
High Temperament (high temp): High temps have more assertive-like energy, are very excitable, intense, and loquacious. They perceive time to move at a faster rate than the normative perception of time and have the least sophisticated filters when it comes to the expression of their fixation. High temps swing between the levels of health for their type more rapidly than other temperaments and have an easier time than the other temperaments getting themselves out of a depressive period. Tendency towards explosion when angry. A high temp modifies the fixation’s outer energy in a way that sometimes creates superficial similarities to an assertive or counter-phobic type.
Medium Temperament (medium temp): Medium temps have more compliant-like energy, live moderately and tend to be repetitive, though with an underlying darkness, that can show itself in a Jekyll and Hyde energy. Often represent a balance between the high and low temperaments. They have a normative perception of time and the most politically correct filters when it comes to the expression of their fixation. They have the most moderate swings up and down the levels of health for their type and rarely experience the highest or lowest levels. Medium temps are the most common temperament.
Low Temperament (low temp): Low temps have more withdrawn-like energy, are reserved, contemplating, unreactive, “wintery”. They perceive time to move at a slower rate than the normative perception of time and have the most sophisticated filters when it comes to the expression of their fixation. They have the least rapid swings up and down the levels of health for their type but when a low temp goes down in health, they tend to get dug in for a longer duration of time. They have a harder time than the other temperaments getting themselves out of a depressive period. Insular, often a glacial calm, tendency towards implosion when angry. A low temp modifies the fixation’s energy in a way that sometimes creates superficial similarities to a withdrawn or phobic type.
