Elemental Enneagram – Earth
Continuing with Part 3 of a 4 part introduction unfolding my thoughts on how the different Enneagram types might be connected with the 4 elements of the Ancient Western World. I do need to repeat that these are preliminary ideas with minimal explanation. I want to expand on these in the near future.
Element 3: Earth. Included are images related to gardens and growing. I think this would be a place to consider the 5th element of the East, Metal. (future possibilities).
- Ones: I can see here the path itself and a highway. The way to follow for righteousness. When the path is lost it is easy for a One to find themselves wandering aimlessly.
- Twos: The image that comes to my mind is the refuge. It can be a cave or just a sheltered place to be welcomed. Too much of this type can turn the refuge into the bondage of the dungeon.
- Threes: Building blocks and even steps. This is not only the idea of upward mobility and progress, but it is related to industry. However, when this type is Out of Essence, those blocks can become stumbling blocks and obstacles.
- Fours: I went to the creative side with this type: the potter’s clay and the sculptor’s marble. Great potential for expression of the Creative Essence. When this type fractures, we find piles of shards and rubble.
- Fives: As an Eight who has spent plenty of time in my Five stress point, I see this type as the deepness where roots can find foundation and nutrients. Wisdom is a deep earth image. The alternatives for the disconnected Five is either shallow hiding or so deep that one is disconnected from the seed and stem.
- Sixes: Here I see bedrock and foundation images. It can be a very strong place to base one’s life. However with fear, the images either crack apart along a fault-line or one’s life becomes anchorless and is blown around by the storms.
- Sevens: Here I see the fertile soil of a garden. Loose, fresh, and full of nutrition to grow a variety of food and beauty. However, when the seven is Out of Essence (disconnected from one’s inner process of the Divine) life becomes sterile.
- Eights: I image the spaciousness of the mountain and valley. Both images bring with them the idea of breadth and potential. However, they also become potential sites for avalanches.
- Nines: The basic soil and ground of being. Nines have an expansiveness to them, but also a commonness that doesn’t get in your face like the Eight. There is a dynamic to the basic ground, but left empty, we find life is stuck in stasis, ungrounded, and unplanted.
Next: Fire.
Note: I Welcome your help! These are ideas and possibilities for images in understanding and exploring the Enneagram. These are all Tentative, and might/will need further development. You can help by commenting on what you think works and what you think will work better. Thank you, David
