ENFPs are described as warmly enthusiastic, imaginative and insightful. They open themselves to possibilities and are strongly driven to create a unique identity while pursuing a life that is meaningful and creatively fulfilling. However, as with the other 16 MBTI types, there is a shadow side to the ENFP. Continue reading
The INTJ is a personality type described as reserved, perceptive, methodical, and decisive. They make plans, take action on them and go about their lives in a very purposeful yet introspective way. This constitutes the INTJ’s conscious ego, but as with the other MBTI types, there is also another side to them. This hidden side is what Carl Jung described as the shadow. The shadow represents the unconscious parts of our psyche that we have less awareness of and control over. Continue reading
The ISFP personality is described as quiet, friendly and sensitive with a taste for adventure and physically stimulating experiences. However, that is not the whole story. As with the other MBTI types, there is a shadow side to the ISFP and that shadow happens to take the form of an ESFJ. In Jungian psychology, the shadow represents unwanted or repressed aspects of our psyche that operate below conscious awareness. The shadow is not recognized as part of the ego identity and is thus marginalized to the fringes of the mind. Continue reading
The shadow type of ISTP is ESTJ. In Jungian psychology, the shadow represents the unconscious self and the aspects of our personality that we don’t accept as part of our ego identity. The shadow tends to manifest in ways unaware to us as a disruptive and negative force, However, when brought into our greater conscious awareness, it can be harnessed to positive effect. Continue reading
The shadow type of INFP is ENFJ. Each MBTI type consists of 4 cognitive functions but in truth, every person utilizes all eight. The 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th functions are considered shadow functions. Jungian analyst John Beebe conceptualized the functions in terms of archetypal roles. The 1st being the “hero”, the 2nd; the”good parent”, the 3rd he called the “child” and the 4th he referred to as the”anima” which means “soul” or “spirit”. The namesakes of these roles gives you some sense of what they represent. Continue reading
The shadow type of ENTP is INTJ. According to Carl Jung, the shadow represents the unconscious mind and the darker aspects of personality such as our insecurities, anger and neuroses. In Jung’s theory, the inferior function (the weakest and least developed cognitive function) serves as the gateway to the shadow. A lot of what we struggle with and tend to repress and reject in ourselves can be explained by the inferior function.
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There are many common misconceptions about astrology in the Western world. Astrology in America has been turned into a form of entertainment and is not taken seriously by many people. However, the truth is that there is a lot of truth and usefulness in the art of astrology. Here are the three most common misconceptions about astrology, and the truth behind the myth.
The Truth: Horoscopes are entertainment created based on limited aspects of the true study of astrology. Horoscopes are created using the basic sun signs and the influences on them from planetary movements and alignments. Since not every person with a particular sun sign have the same astrological chart, horoscopes are rarely accurate for more than a handful of people.
Real astrology predictions are made by using individual astrological information combined with current astrological influences. These in depth astrology readings are very difficult and complex, and cannot be created reliably on a mass basis. Therefore, horoscopes serve as a basis for entertainment and what may happen based on sun sign alone.
The Truth: Astrology has been practiced since pre-historic times. There have been maps of the stars and other evidences found that astrology was practiced by the Egyptians, the Incans, and the Aztecs. Additionally, China and India have long practiced astrology and used its predictions in their daily lives for millennia, and continue to do so.
It is even recently understood that astrology played a large role in the Christian story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The three wise men used astrological phenomena rather than an actual star to discern the events that were about to occur and the fact that they would occur in the land of Judah. Based on this new found information, it is becoming more difficult for people to dismiss astrology as myth and legend.
The Truth: Much of the astrology practiced in the United States is not a real study of astrology and is for entertainment purposes only, such as horoscopes. However, there are still real astrology experts in America. While they are few compared to the general consensus of astrologists, and may be difficult to find, there are many of them out there.
The best places to find real astrologists in the United States are in communities where diversity has not driven out the New Age population. True astrologists and New Agers can be found in small communities of large cities and at what is sometimes called “enlightenment festivals.” There are also New Age and occult book stores and other shops where you may find real astrology experts. Additionally, you can find real astrologists at pagan festivals and psychic fairs held throughout America at various times of the year.
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When meeting someone new, we have a chance to set the tone for how we will be perceived. Sometimes, in an effort to put our best foot forward we can inadvertently leave a bad impression. Whether you’re meeting with a new romantic prospect for the first time, interviewing with a potential employer, or introducing yourself to a new colleague or associate, here are 5 solid tips to avoid making a bad impression.
Often when we meet new people, there’s a strong impulse to try and appear as impressive as possible. However, talking too much about ourselves and our accomplishments can come across as narcissistic, self-absorbed and desperate for approval. This can reflect badly in the eyes of the other person. It is important to keep in mind how you are making the other person feel. Make an effort to show more curiosity about them and avoid relating everything they say back to you. Ask follow-up questions rather than use every opportunity to promote yourself.
There is a balance to good conversation and asking too many questions about the other person without divulging much about yourself can also come across negatively. If you’re talking to a narcissist, this may go unnoticed. For most people however, there’ll be a reciprocal interest in knowing more about you and so you should by all means share things about yourself that can add to the conversation. Encourage the other person to talk about themselves but be ready to reciprocate when they pass the ball back to you.
Don’t let a transient sour mood become the first impression that others have of you. It’s important to be yourself and be genuine, but recognize that everything you do can set the tone and timbre of how others will perceive you now and in the foreseeable future. Put your best foot forward and suppress whatever negative feelings you might be experiencing at the moment. Otherwise, be transparent about what you are going through so people can at least understand where you are coming from.
Non-verbal communication can speak volumes and in many cases overshadow what is communicated with our mouth. Pay attention to what you are communicating with your posture, eye contact and gestures. Avoid closed body language like folded arms and hands. Slouching and a lack of sustained eye contact doesn’t come across well and generally conveys low confidence and untrustworthiness. Anxiety can also sabotage your self presentation so try not to talk too fast or fidget nervously. Matching the other person’s talking speed and tone as well as mirroring some of their gestures is a psychological trick that can instantly create positive rapport with people.
Being a good listener is important. It is not enough to just passively sit and wait for your turn to speak. You should show that you are actively listening to what is being said with visual cues such as nodding and smiling. Even if you are not particularly interested in what the other person is talking about, giving them your undivided attention is a basic sign of respect. Looking around the room or down at your phone while someone is talking will convey to them that you aren’t really engaged with what they are saying. Any sign of distraction or lack of responsiveness will definitely leave a poor impression.
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sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/articles/200405/make-great-impression
The inferior function is often regarded as the gateway to the shadow and a bridge to the unconscious. According to Jung, the inferior function is where much of the unwanted, negative and suppressed aspects of our ego-complex reside. In older theories, the inferior function is regarded as being mostly unconscious and constituted the basis of the shadow complex. Continue reading
As an introvert who strongly values independence and autonomy, the INTP prefers to make themselves as self-sufficient as possible. While ESFJs prefer to work in teams, INTPs prefer to go solo. Pride can make it hard for INTPs to ask for help even when it is in their best interests to do so. For them, asking for help can feel like a threat to their self confidence and a sign of inability on their part. Many INTPs may need to learn to be okay with seeking help and understand that they don’t have to feel weak for doing so.
Intelligence is very important to INTPs and INTPs tend to favor IQ tests, SATs and other academic tests as their preferred sources of intellectual validation. Intelligence comes in many forms but INTPs can have a strong bias toward the abstract, ontological and creative variety. Consequently, they may tend to overlook, underestimate and underappreciate the concrete tactile intelligence of the grease-stained mechanic, or the emotional intelligence of an excellent customer service agent. Although these skill sets may not be their cup of tea, INTPs would be remiss to discount their importance and the aptitude necessary for performing them.
As a type who can be so good at controlling their emotions that people sometimes wonder if they have any, INTPs could probably fare well at the game of poker. Of course, INTPs do have emotions like everyone else, it’s just that they tend to see no point in showing it. This is in part because to them, it just makes situations more complicated and messier than they need to be. Many people of course do not share this view and as a result, the INTP’s lack of emotional response may often get perceived as a sign of callousness and uncaring.
INTPs emotional suppression can come at a cost however. Bottling up their negative emotions for too long can be detrimental to their mental health and eventually cause them to explode in anger. INTPs don’t like to react emotionally to situations before they’ve had a chance to process and think it through rationally. However, sometimes INTPs should listen to their feelings and speak up when they need to. Their discomfort and anxiety can get in the way, allowing more forceful personalities to railroad theme and trample on their principles.
INTPs tend to be shy and reserved around people they aren’t acquainted with. They generally keep people at a distance until they’ve gathered enough about them to decide on getting closer or not. On the plus side, the INTP’s social barrier helps screen out manipulators and snakes from entering their lives. On the other hand, their reluctance to be more socially bold, can mean that they will likely miss a lot of opportunities to meet some really great people.
The difference between how INTPs behave among people in their inner circle and people not in their inner circle can be dramatically different. Around their friends, they can be gregarious and fun to be around but as soon as some unfamiliar person joins in, INTPs can all of a sudden clam up. This tendency can cause offense to people, making them feel alienated and frozen out. This is one of the common ways in which INTPs can unintentionally offend people who don’t understand their social awkwardness.
As independent thinkers who are staunchly opposed to other people telling them what to think or believe, INTP can sometimes become completely unreceptive to any suggestion or perspective that differs from theirs. INTPs are normally open to having their reasoning and logic challenged by that of others and when found in error, are willing to readily acknowledge it and correct themselves. Sometimes however, INTPs are so sure of themselves that they won’t even entertain the notion that they are wrong. Sometimes overzealousness, intellectual arrogance and the desire to prove themselves correct can overshadow their objectivity.
You know how fiction goes—good guys, bad guys, maybe a couple of explosions here and then. Good guys save the day, the conflict ends, and the credits roll.
But what about the bad guys? Well, they are defeated and punished for their actions. In certain stories, they may even go through a redemption arc, after realizing they were in the wrong.
Even if, sometimes, they’re not in the wrong at all. Continue reading
It’s in human nature to believe in something. Whether it is a moral code, a faith, a system, or a person, we all seek to identify ourselves with a concept and guide our rationale around it.
Sadly, unscrupulous people take advantage of this aspect of human nature, making way to the establishment of cults. By definition, cults are social groups gathered together by sharing a particularly odd or strange belief. Needless to say, it’s a pejorative term with negative consequences.
And not without reason.
Many cults through history have been dangerous, if not flat-out murderous. Their leaders sometimes have nefarious purposes and take advantage of the emotional vulnerability of their followers to execute sinister plans, with terrible consequences.
Take a look at the worst cults in history—that we know of. Continue reading
In many ways, the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis is unique.
It has paralyzed the way the world operates and has drastically changed our living habits and routines. Millions put their wellbeing on the frontlines to help the rest of us avoid sickness, and the worldwide system is on the verge of collapsing.
Humanity won’t be the same afterward. But as destructive as COVID-19 has been for our lifestyle, this pandemic is far from being the only one.
Pandemics, by definition, are diseases that spread across multiple continents and affect a significant number of people. They can happen within a timeframe, or they can be ongoing across decades, but their impact must be worldwide. Continue reading
Unless you live inside a Disney movie, animals can’t speak. The quirky animal sidekicks you can get in life tend to focus on eating stuff they shouldn’t, instead of making witty one-liners.
But despite it all, animals have a personality. And very distinctive ones at that, too. Dogs do not act like cats or penguins. Although they don’t have human characteristics, their behavior can parallel our own.
That’s why multiple cultures have created a spiritual link between animals and a person, and assign one guardian animal to each person, according to who they are and how to behave.
While we may not be as mystical as that, we are animal lovers and MBTI experts first and foremost. We love cute animals, we love MBTI, and we love understanding a cute animal’personality and link it to each MBTI type.
Interested? Then keep reading to discover your very own spirit animal, according to your MBTI. Continue reading
The moon in the 12th house (also known as the house of Self Undoing), produces an individual who keeps a lot of things to themselves. They are very guarded about their personal feelings and it can be difficult to get them to reveal how they really feel. Suffering and sorrow you witness and experience in the world is likely to have a significant impact on your psyche and emotional state. You seek solace through private reflection and spiritual meditations. Life can be depressing, but you try to keep the claws of cynicism from dragging you down into a pit of despair. Continue reading
