Dear Friends of the Monthly,

October 2024 marks a pivotal moment in what has already been an extraordinary year, a time shaped by a confluence of significant global elections, each teeming with polarized and often adversarial ideologies. It’s easy to get swept up in the political fervor, and in doing so, we may neglect the quiet, more nuanced reflections about ourselves—the aspects of our personalities that subtly drive our choices.

There’s an important lesson to be learned here as we ask ourselves: Are we leaning too heavily or too lightly in certain directions? And before we draw any conclusions, it’s essential to ask, “compared to what?” With the world in turmoil, taking stock of our internal biases and personality traits becomes even more crucial. Understanding the environmental and cultural forces around us helps us distinguish between our ingrained tendencies and the external noise we’re constantly immersed in.

Michael Damian’s recent posts on The World’s Problems offer insightful ways to reflect on our role amidst social turbulence. Nicholas Reitter’s upcoming multi-part series, Philosophy and Personality, will also delve into how our personal philosophies are shaped by—and shape—our individual personality types.

As we near the end of October, with the U.S. presidential election just two weeks away, we’ll revisit Vedic astrological insights into Donald Trump’s birth chart (particularly if he aligns with Enneagram Type 8). Reflecting on his first term, we’ll consider what a potential second term might hold, should destiny align that way. This analysis comes as part of an ongoing study exploring connections between the nine Enneagram types and 27 subtypes. Although the Enneagram and astrological systems examine personality through different lenses, the comparisons offer rich insights, though they’re more apples-to-oranges than direct parallels.

In the meantime, we continue to build and grow, thanks to your ongoing support. Here’s what we’re working on:

  • Expanding the largest collection of Enneagram-related content on the web.
  • Adding new posts almost daily, deepening our exploration of personality and spirituality.
  • Serving as a forum for new ideas. We invite you to engage with us—comment, ask questions, or offer suggestions. You can share your thoughts in the comments section at the end of each article.

A note for subscribers: If your membership has lapsed, we encourage you to renew, or extend your current subscription, to continue this journey with us. If you have suggestions or encounter any issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Email us here, and we’ll do our best to address your needs.

To check your membership status or renew, visit us here. Renewing early helps us plan ahead, and we deeply appreciate your continued support.

Let’s stay connected and keep growing together!

Jack on behalf of the whole Enneagram Monthly team