Written in the Stars: Awakening The Enneagram 4 Through Tarot

Enneagram 4 is known as the Individualist or the Creative. People with this personality type are incredibly creative and often see themselves as unique and special. They tend to be highly intuitive and self-aware, but can also suffer from high levels of depression due to their sensitive natures.

When it comes to tarot cards that resonate with the Enneagram 4 personality type, there are three cards in particular that really stand out: The Queen of Cups, The Nine of Swords, and The Star.

What are the Enneagram Types?

The Enneagram system is centered around our core emotion, motivation, basic desire, and basic fear. It is divided into nine personality types and three triads: the gut triad, the head triad, and the heart triad. Enneagram 4 is the last of the heart triad, meaning that their decision-making process is highly influenced by their own emotions.

If you value self-expression and consider yourself a sensitive person, you may be an Enneagram 4. When in doubt, you can take the Enneagram test and see how you score on each of the nine types.

Personally, I prefer the Enneagram personality typing system over the Myers-Briggs and other personality tests because it illustrates how different personality types present themselves at their best and worst. The average Enneagram 4 possesses great empathy but can also fall into patterns of rumination and depression, best described as the court card of the Queen of Cups.

Core Personality Type of Enneagram 4: The Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups tarot card rules the realms of emotion and creativity, the bread and butter of the Enneagram type 4. The water at her feet represents the depths of her own feelings, of which she is highly attuned. Like the Fool, the Enneagram 4 lives a life of self-discovery, always searching for the meaning behind their actions and the World at large.

However, she does not operate with the same lightheartedness. Instead, the Enneagram type 4 seeks to explore her own darker nature. This type may not always have the willpower or outward strength of the type 8, but healthy fours are willing to be vulnerable, and that is a strength of its own. That is why one of the type 4’s most positive aspects is their ability to truly process painful experiences.

The Queen is a highly empathetic figure, and she is able to connect deeply with others. Enneagram type fours tend to relate to others through their own means of self-expression, especially through creative means. Consequently, many celebrities share this famous enneagram type because of their unique ability to be relatable despite feeling “other” from the rest of the World.

Enneagram 4 Celebrities

At average levels, fours romanticize their life and relationships, living more in their imagination than in the real world. Astrologically, they have a Piscean nature, always preoccupied with their inner being. Because of this, they often come as self-absorbed or overly dramatic in their reactions. At their worst, the Enneagram personality type 4 dissolves into the darkness of the Nine of Swords.

The Dark Side of the Enneagram 4 Personality Type: Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords is known as the “nightmare card,” signifying the Enneagram 4’s descent into their own destructive thoughts. The figure in the card appears to be awake, possibly tormented by their own inner demons, and the nine swords surrounding them indicate they are feeling completely overwhelmed.

This card reflects how easy it can be for type 4 to isolate themselves from the rest of the world in an attempt to hide or protect themselves from further hurt. When their self-esteem takes a hit, they often withdraw to lick their wounds (and maybe write a hit breakup song).

Type fours resemble type threes through their obsession with self-image, but they handle their core emotion of sadness differently. Type threes bury their sadness by seeking achievement and recognition. Fours internalize and overidentify with their melancholy, letting it consume them.

Each enneagram type has a basic fear, and Fours fear insignificance. If they receive negative feedback, it hangs over their heads like the swords above the bed. They often feel misunderstood and become self-destructive at unhealthy levels. If they don’t get out of their heads, their thoughts will become increasingly morbid and may even devolve into suicidal ideation.

The Nine of Swords tarot card speaks of declining mental health and internal anguish. In order to truly flourish, the Enneagram 4 must separate their worth from their self-image and seek companionship with others. Once they take these steps of self-development, they can truly dazzle themselves and others. The healthy Enneagram 4 becomes the Star they were always meant to be.

The Light Side of the Enneagram 4 Personality Type: The Star

The Star card represents inspiration, health, and a renewed ability to create. It is the pinnacle of self-actualization that type fours strive for.

The Sage in this card is naked and vulnerable but unfazed by the darkness of nightfall- they have taken the steps necessary to protect themselves from further harm while also recognizing their need for connection with others.

This figure has chosen self-love over self-loathing, optimism over despair. They are standing near water, like the Queen of Cups, but with two jugs full of water pouring into a stream. This is symbolic of the Enneagram 4’s newfound ability to process their emotions in healthy ways and forgive themselves for past transgressions.

In romantic relationships, the healthy Four can now appreciate their partner’s strengths and weaknesses. They are no longer trying to make a relationship fit their own unrealistic expectations; instead, they are able to accept and be accepted by others for who they truly are, imperfections and all.

The Star tarot card encourages the type 4 to trust in themselves and take pride in their creative strengths without succumbing to feelings of exaggerated insecurity and melancholy. By recognizing their own value, type 4s can outshine all the darkness with their inner spark. Though they may never lose touch with their vulnerability, it can be used to create beautiful and unique works of art that will live on for generations to come.

Find Yourself Through the Enneagram

The Enneagram 4 is a creative, sensitive spirit with the potential for great emotional depth and understanding. As they take steps towards self-acceptance and understanding, Fours are able to shine like a Star regardless of their circumstances. By finding the balance between accepting their inner darkness while also looking out into the light, type 4s can truly become their highest selves.

To keep learning about the Enneagram, check out our previous articles. Next up, we delve into the head triad of type 5, 6 and 7. Stay tuned!