For the Enneagram 3, life is a game that we each win or lose – and they’re determined to come out on top. Known as the “Achiever,” the Enneagram 3 is focused on success and driven to excel in any area they deem important. Their ambition is reflected in the Tarot, as the Chariot, Seven of Swords, and the World show a glimpse into their psyche. These cards show the light and dark aspects of this pioneering Enneagram personality type.
What are the Enneagram Personality Types?
The Enneagram personality typing system is divided into nine enneagram types based on a person’s core values, core motivation, basic desire, and basic fear. Additionally, the Enneagram system is divided into three triads: the gut triad, the heart triad, and the head triad. These triads come into play when a person makes decisions. Like the Enneagram type 2, the Enneagram 3 is part of the heart triad, and they make decisions based on their own emotions.
Core Personality Type of Enneagram Type 3: The Chariot
The Chariot card is associated with ambition, victory, and taking charge of one’s destiny. This reflects the Enneagram 3’s natural drive to succeed at any cost – even if it means sacrificing their own well-being. They are willing to take risks and bravely venture into uncharted territory in pursuit of their goals. This card also speaks to their relentless determination and resourcefulness when striving toward success.
Each of the nine types has a dualistic component to their human nature. These are conveyed by the archetypes associated with the various personality types. The Chariot tarot card demonstrates both faces of the Enneagram 3: the Achiever and the Performer.
Horse-drawn chariots were often part of competitions in Roman coliseums, gladiators squaring off in front of roaring crowds, all for the glory of the Gods. In this case, the warrior is pulled by two sphinxes, mythical creatures that are both lion and human. The sphinxes represent merciless ambition, meeting challenges head-on, and winning the battle by any means necessary. These beings capture the healthy and unhealthy tendencies of the Enneagram 3. Although they often achieve success due to the relentless pursuit of their dreams, it can be at a cost to themselves and others. Sphinx means “strangler” in Greek, which can also represent the self-sabotage and destruction that can come with this type.
Like the Enneagram 2, the Enneagram 3 operates from their feeling center, battling their core emotion of shame throughout their lives. Type twos are people-oriented, and they stifle their shame by being of service to others. This strategy does not work with goal-oriented threes. At their core, threes fear being losers. They are just as image-conscious as their heart triad counterparts, but type threes squash their own feelings of shame by accruing status symbols, hoping to appear outwardly self-assured.
If your primary type is the Enneagram 3, you are always racing toward the finish line. Be cautious not to lose yourself along the way. At an early age, you learned that your value was determined by your achievements and accolades, and you’ve been chasing trophies ever since. Connect with your higher self and lose touch with the expectations of others, and you can find the enlightenment of the World card. Sacrifice your inner self for your ego, and you’ll earn the reputation of a cutthroat, blade in hand as the Seven of Swords.
The Dark Side of the Enneagram 3 Personality Type: Seven of Swords
The Suit of Swords represents power, mental agility, and communication. When it comes to the Enneagram 3 personality type, this card speaks to their tendency to be ruthless and calculating in pursuit of their goals. The Seven of Swords often symbolizes cunning manipulation, deception, and dishonesty in order to gain an edge over others.
Average threes are pragmatic, collaborative, and performance-focused, but when they sink to unhealthy levels, their ambition can become predatory or compulsive. They might feel as if they must outsmart and beat the competition, no matter who is in their crosshairs. This style of ruthless ambition is a sign of being entrapped by the false self – the persona that the individual has crafted over time to mask their true identity.
Unhealthy Enneagram type threes always seek the upper hand and don’t care who they have to step on to reach the top. The Seven of Swords is a card of cunning maneuvers, keen intelligence, treachery, and deceit. When the Enneagram 3 embraces their dark side, their jealousy overwhelms their better judgment, and they sabotage those around them to bolster their own sense of self.
You can tell that an Enneagram 3 is losing touch with their higher self when they begin to express traits of the Enneagram type 9. All of the personality types are interwoven, and the Enneagram 3, Enneagram 6, and Enneagram 9 form a triangle with each other in the Enneagram symbol. This is because these Enneagram types begin showing traits outside their primary type whenever they are in stress or growth. The unhealthy Enneagram 3 takes on the negative traits of the Enneagram 9, the Peacemaker. They adopt the unhealthy Peacemaker’s apathetic, hollow countenance, becoming a shell of their former selves. On social media, this is often described as “gifted kid burnout.”
In order to avoid being trapped by the Seven of Swords, threes must be brave enough to look within and connect with their heart center. Recognize when you are motivated by ego instead of higher self and find ways to surrender your need for control in order to find true success and peace. Be mindful of the danger of arrogance and seek balance between ambition, competition, and collaboration. Do this, and you’ll find the joys of the World.
The Light Side of the Enneagram 3 Personality Type: The World
The World card is a sign of the Enneagram 3’s ultimate goal – to reach the pinnacle of success. It reflects their desire to become a true master in their chosen field and become respected by their peers. It also speaks to their unwavering optimism that they will eventually realize this dream, despite any setbacks they may encounter on the way. The image of four creatures supporting a large globe hints at the strength and support from others that will be needed if this type is to fully accomplish all that they set out to do.
The World card also speaks to the importance of connecting with one’s higher self. Threes must remember that their accomplishments are not solely for external validation and recognition, but also for their own personal growth and fulfillment. The inner voice is often drowned out by the need for external approval, but it holds important lessons about how to live a successful and meaningful life.
As the Enneagram 3 undergoes spiritual growth, they connect more deeply to others and form close relationships, showcasing the positive characteristics of the Enneagram 6. This helps them to become their best selves, both professionally and personally. The World card is a reminder that success isn’t about the end goal, but about the journey of self-discovery, one must undertake in order to reach it.
Threes have always been known as trailblazers, innovators, and creators who push boundaries in order to reach new heights. They must be careful not to get too caught up in the pursuit of success and forget about what really matters – their values, relationships, dreams, and spiritual connection. Balance ambition with wisdom, confidence with humility, competition with collaboration; this is the ultimate message of the World.
Follow your dreams, stay true to yourself, and create a life that you can be proud of – this is the secret to realizing your greatness as an Enneagram 3.
Follow Your Heart (Triad)
The journey to success can be a difficult one, but with focus and dedication, anything is possible. The Seven of Swords will always lurk in the shadows; it’s up to you to make sure you’re not being driven by fear or jealousy but instead by purpose and ambition rooted in self-love. When you do that, good fortune will follow, granting you all the rewards of The World card. Steer the Chariot toward the life you want. Your hard work will pay off and your dreams become real! Once again you’ll discover the power of being an Enneagram 3.
Keep reading our blog to learn about the last Enneagram type of the heart triad and explore the rest of the Enneagram types!
