The 8 Temple Wheels of the Octogram
At the root of every type is a singular drive to attain something that fills up the hole within us. This hole, while often the cause of our pain, discomfort, and disconnectedness from others, is also the source of our motivation and orientation. Where we are headed is determined by what we are seeking.
For each of the types, we have distilled this singular drive into models that will become vital pieces of the Octagram — our own version of the Enneagram. This component of the Octagram are called “Cognitive Origins.” Our own Cognitive Origin is what we are seeking most in life. Each Type, along with its Subconscious, Dyad pair, shares the same Cognitive Origin. ESTPs/INFJs have the same Origin. ESTJs/INFPs have the same origin, etc. There are eight origins split between the 16 types.
If you’ve been following the Deadly Sins Series (S7p2) or the last several episodes of Season 18, you are already somewhat familiar with Cognitive Origins. The Cognitive Origins are one piece of the bigger structures we will be talking about today. These bigger structures are called “Temple Wheels” or “Origin Pyramids.” We will be using these terms interchangeably because these are both pyramids and wheels.
The purpose of this article is to describe the mechanics that sit underneath these models — which are deeply inspired by Jung’s work — and provide visual guideposts to communicate an otherwise deeply complex system.
How Did We Get Here?
Cognitive Origins are the most recent — and arguably one of the most important — realizations we’ve had. They are the next piece of the “Temples,” which began with Chris Taylor applying a thematic approach to the Four Sides of the Mind as presented by Chase. If you are unfamiliar with the Temples, this article will give you an introduction.
While it would be easy to classify Temples as a 2nd half to 4 sides dynamics, it’s worth noting that both models are connected at fundamental layers. Some of these layers are still being excavated as we speak.
What are these “Wheel” or “Pyramid” things?
Here is a finished prototype of one Temple wheel (there are eight).
If this doesn’t make sense, we’re about to get things clearer.
If it does make sense and you’re familiar with the model, you know that this Temple Wheel belongs to the ENFP/ISTJ Dyad — the Soul Temple Philosophers.
All eight pyramids are constructed similarly using the same parts. What are the pieces that compose these pyramids?
- In the middle of every pyramid is the Cognitive Origin of that Dyad.
- On the top of every pyramid is the Living Virtue of that Dyad.
- On the bottom of every pyramid is the Deadly Sin of that Dyad.
- On the left of every pyramid is the Shadow Pole of that Dyad.
- On the right of every pyramid is the Aspirational Pole of that Dyad.
The colors have meaning as well — which we’ll get to momentarily.
Back One Step
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s lay some groundwork for the principles that created these pyramids.
The foundation of the Origin Wheels is the Temples. Though the above model differs slightly from the Wheels, it follows the same rules. The Temple Wheels are just a more specific manifestation of the Temples. Even in the Soul Temple, like in Origin Pyramid for the ENFP/ISTJ dyad, the influence of the other Temples is still present.
And if you recall from the article that Chris Taylor and I wrote when he introduced us to the Temples, the Four Sides of the Mind are subjected to Temple influence as well. For an ENFP, they are a member of the Soul Temple, which means that their Ego (their ENFP Ego) is an expression of the Soul Temple. But their ESTP Superego, influenced by the Body Temple, will be the Body Temple aspect of an ENFP’s psyche. Likewise, the Shadow will be influenced by the Heart Temple, and the Subconscious by the Mind Temple.
Which Temple is influencing which side of the mind depends on what your starting point is. But if you can remember the following rules, you can find how the Temples influence your mind:
- The Soul & Heart Temples are in COGNITIVE ORBIT (Ego/Shadow) If your Ego is in the Heart Temple, your Shadow will be Soul Temple.
- The Mind & Body Temples are in COGNITIVE ORBIT (Ego/Shadow) If your Ego is in the Mind Temple, your Shadow will be in the Body Temple.
- The Soul & the Mind Temples are in COGNITIVE REFLECTION (Though reflection is usually with Superego, with the Temples, reflection is between Ego & Subconscious Temples) If your Ego is in the Soul Temple, your Subconscious will be in the Mind Temple.
- The Heart & the Body Temples are in COGNITIVE REFLECTION (Ego/Subconscious) If your Ego is in the Body Temple, your Subconscious will be in the Heart Temple.
- The Soul & the Body Temples are in COGNITIVE AXIS (Ego/Superego) If your Ego is in the Body Temple, your Superego will be in the Soul Temple.
- The Heart & the Mind Temples are in COGNITIVE AXIS (Ego/Superego) If your Ego is in the Mind Temple, your Superego will be in the Heart Temple.
In the above Temple-model, if the Ego is in the Soul Temple at the top, to the right (or in the Subconscious position) is the Mind Temple. To the left (Shadow Position) is the Heart Temple. And directly opposite the Soul Temple is the Body (though it is Axis with the Soul Temple) it is in Superego position.
Bringing it back to the Origin Pyramid, we can see how these two models are connected.
- The Origin of Justification is blue because this Dyad is part of the Soul Temple. What they are seeking is related to the soul.
- The Living Virtue of Absolution is blue because it is the influence of the Soul Temple on this dyad.
- The Shadow Pole of Discrimination is red because it is the Heart Temple’s influence on this dyad.
- The Aspirational Pole of Impartiality is green because it is the Mind Temple’s Influence on this dyad.
- The Deadly Sin of Wrath is orange because it is the Body Temple’s influence on this dyad.
For all eight wheels, the color coding is consistent with what it symbolizes.
- Blue = Soul
- Red = Heart
- Green = Mind
- Orange = Body.
Back Another Step
Let’s talk about Jung. Jung is the reason these models exist. The composition of the Temple Wheels is rooted most deeply in Jung’s descriptions and figures in his groundbreaking book, Aion — which is also the primary source book for Chase’s Four Sides of the Mind.
In the last few chapters of Aion, there are a series of models and figures, some algebraic, some geometrical, which offer insight into a person’s psychological development. A couple of those models are of supreme importance to the Temple Wheels. Here is the primary one.
Jung created this model, and others, as figures that could represent a path to psychological wholeness — obtained through the unification of opposites.
For our purposes, this model can also reveal a semantic insight. The “A” in the middle is the composition of B + C + D + E. In other words, a Cognitive Origin such as Justification is defined by the combination of Absolution, Wrath, Discrimination, and Impartiality. All four elements are necessary to understand not only what Justification is, but the four ways it can be used and achieved.
As these models were being constructed, I likened the model in Aion to Aristotle’s philosophy on virtue. Aristotle believed that every virtue was a balance of two vices. For example, bravery was the right balance between cowardice and rashness.
In light of Jung’s philosophy, my question became: Why is Aristotle’s virtue contained by only two elements and not four? We know that four is a special number, particularly within this psychology. Jung knew this perhaps better than anyone who had ever lived — as is clearly evident throughout Aion. But Aristotle’s insight is still relevant.
Defining a concept as the balance between two additional concepts provides a nuanced understanding of the original concept. What if you take Aristotle’s hypothesis and double the poles used to define a concept? Two become four and our understanding of “bravery” extends beyond cowardice and rashness. Here is one possibility of “bravery” expanded.
The above example is just one way Jung’s model can be implemented, and just one piece of how the Temple Wheels function.
Thus, going back to the ENFP/ISTJ Dyad, a balanced and whole expression of Justification requires some Absolution, Wrath, Discrimination, and Impartiality. Each of our Cognitive Origins is composed of four fundamental pieces.
The Eight Temple Wheels
We’ve demonstrated the Temple mechanics and a few of the Jungian principles that lie beneath these Temple Wheels. Now, let’s see the rest of the Origin pyramids.
Soul Temple Origin Pyramids
- ENFP & ISTJ Dyad
- ESTP & INFJ Dyad
Heart Temple Origin Pyramids
- ENTP & ISFJ Dyad
- ESFP & INTJ Dyad
Mind Temple Origin Pyramids
- ESTJ & INFP Dyad
- ENFJ & ISTP Dyad
Body Temple Origin Pyramids
- ESFJ & INTP Dyad
- ENTJ & ISFP Dyad
Conclusion
Now that we’ve laid a foundation for Nurture development, If you want to know more about where your personal development and focus are, we are having a special sale for the release of the Octagram here. Chase will not only type you using the Octagram, but demonstrate where your development is according to the Temple Wheels.
If this is your first time hearing about Origins or Temples, I know it’s a lot to digest. The information presented in this article is the summit of a couple years’ worth of climbing.
Diving deeper into these figures deserve requires much more explanation. Thankfully we committed the entirety of S7p2 — the Deadly Sins for the 16 types — to understanding and applying these figures. As you can probably tell by now, S7p2 season is about a lot more than just the Deadly Sins. There was a lot of time and effort put into the contents of the Deadly Sin Season so that Chase can show you not only what you are looking for most in life — Cognitive Origin — but the four primary ways you can achieve it (Living Virtue, Deadly Sin, Shadow Pole, and Aspirational Pole). And as will be made evident when you watch your Deadly Sin lecture, your Deadly Sin is not always “bad,” and your Living Virtue is not always “good.”
I highly recommend you try one of our memberships in order to access this season. Cognitive Origins themselves are what’s next in this system.
Amazing. I’m excited to hear more about this content hopefully in upcoming lectures
OMG! ME too!
Are we not all seeking satisfaction above all with our origins? Saying satisfaction is the ENTP/ ISFJ origin seems very odd.
Every human on Earth is seeking satisfaction, we’re just going about it in different ways.
It seems to be saying that satisfaction is what brings the ENTP/ ISFJ satisfaction which makes no sense.
You can zoom out a layer on many of the Origins and make a similar argument. “Purpose” for example, one could argue is too general. It’s the right concern to have especially in light of trying differentiate between the other 7 origins.
However, keep in mind that, definitionally speaking, the 4 poles are the equivalent to the four pillars we are using to create the DEFINITION of the concept in the middle. Though “satisfaction” or “purpose” may be colloquially vague, we mean something very specific in the context of the origins.
Further, these origins are still subservient to the greater “macro” origins of each temple — Character for Soul, Passion for Heart, Learning/Education for Mind, and Legacy for Body. Thus, “satisfaction” is in the greater context of passion. ENTPs and ISFJs are all about being filled with other people’s passion.
Lastly, there are different synonyms for satisfaction, one which is “fulfillment” … quite literally, the ENTP and ISFJ (also being Ne users) are seeking to be filled up … “fulfillment” in this context is not limited to the colloquial view of “being fulfilled” but to, literally, be filled up.
You may have other types have similar behaviors, but it’s up to us to determine WHERE the motivation for those behaviors are coming from. These origins are a tool for just that.
This visuals are always so helpful to process this information. Awesome stuff!
Thank you (:
The temples are another example of Chase’s brilliance (along with Chris Taylor here.)
My INFP spouse constantly told me for years that she considers the pinnacle of intimacy to be thoroughly “known” by her partner. And constantly fears being seen as dumb but not uncaring.
My ENTP brother told me that he is more concerned with his spouse having an emotional affair over a physical (and likely mental) one. And that he considers having an emotional bond is the pinnacle of intimacy.
As an INTP, I’ve always considered the physical union the highest expression of intimacy. With the mental and emotional parts of intimacy as side notes.
And wondered why. Until Chase created the temples….
When you say “shadow position” it seems like you also mean unconscious. Is that true?
And if so I would replace “shadow position” with “unconscious” as the superego is also using shadow functions.
Yeah we are using those terms interchangeably, but I believe the Unconscious and the Shadow have always been used interchangeably in Chase’s 4-sides. Though broadly, I think you’re right in that the Unconscious and Superego are both “Shadow,” technically.
Some terms like “manifestation” and “malevolence” are not clear or too broad, even after using a dictionary.
I hope Chase is still open to altering terms slightly when necessary or when a more clear/accurate term becomes evident.
Yeah, some of the terms are difficult, especially with words that have a culturally negative connotation — like Malevolence, Credulity, and certainly all the deadly sins. But EVERY term we use in the wheels are written neutrally. Every pole has it’s utility and it’s risks, even the living virtue.
If you haven’t seen S7p2, Chase does go through all the poles in more detail, and describes how they relate explicitly to the Origin.
For Malevolence, it’s when the ENTP/ISFJ feels the need to inflict the same pain they’ve experienced on others.
Manifestation is a singular commitment to making a reality come true.
It’s worth considering the Wheels as grids as well. An ENTP on the edge of the left side will use more extreme forms of malevolence, but if they are just slightly on the left side, they use more subtle and milder forms of malevolence. The words we pick have to be general enough to encompass a wide range of behaviors but specific enough for a type to recognize that behavior in themselves and others.
Good point. But your definition of manifestation as “a singular commitment to make a reality come true” seems like a universally positive virtue. Especially for a naturally slothful INFP. (Whereas the word “obsession” would seem like a similar negative term, if that is what chase wants to convey.)
Conversely your definition of malevolence as “feeling the need to influct the same pain they experienced on to others” seems like a universal vice. Whereas the term “seeker of justice” would seem like a similar positive term.
Another question I have for you is does the unconscious and subconscious poles suppose to both represent equally negative characteristics?
Because it would seem generally the subconscious pole has a slightly less negative word than the unconscious pole. In my case as an INTP, for example, servility seems less bad than hedonism.
Yet generally 3 of the 4 poles seem to represent negative characteristics. Except for ESTJs and INFPs manifestation and credulity are both pretty flattering (darn can’t I be an INFP? Because believing I can manifest my dreams would be alot funner to deal with than serving hedonism.)
PS ISTJs and ENFPs also have it good with the virtue of “impartiality” on their subconscious poles. And ENFJs and ISTPs have the often positive term “accommodation” on their unconscious pole. Couldn’t I at least be them???
1) For your first point about “manifestation,” can you clarify your criticism a little? You think it’s too general and thus it could be applied to any type? One thing worth keeping in mind (not saying you arent’) is that each pole is filtered through the context of Origin. Manifestation is focused on a goal for the purpose of elevating one’s authority, expertise, etc.
2) I’m not sure if I agree about malevolence … I will admit it is very challenging for my Te Trickster to communicate the distinctions we are seeing as we are building these models. With that being said, my question for you is would you say you’ve experienced malevolence from other people? Everyone’s capable of it —- and there’s a little bit of every deadly sin, living virtue, and pole within each of us.
Do you know which types belong to the people you’ve experienced malevolence from? The claim is that the ENTP and ISFJ use malevolence more than anyone else, and use if for the purpose of inflicting a sense of justice on others in order to feel less dissatisfied — whether it’s justified or not.
Feel free to critique more, I do appreciate your questions/thoughts. We are still refining the Octagram and unifying it into one cohesive system.
3) As for the unconscious and subconscious poles, every term we are using is chosen with the intention of it being experienced as a NEUTRAL TERM. We understand that this is difficult for people —- it is still difficult for me to view “malevolence” for example, as a neutral term —- but we also believe there is a deep insight her that is essential, even when using these loaded terms.
To view something like “hedonism”, “desecration”, “Malevolence”, or any of the Deadly Sin as a Neutral term, I believe, gives us a pathway into psychological insight that is, as Nietzsche put it, beyond good and evil. How we USE those attributes —- I believe that is the battlefield were moral justification emerges.
My primary problem with all of this is that this only scratches the surface. There’s not enough information to make meaningful sense of the material. A lot of things need to be unpacked. It’s like we are only getting bits and pieces of this Theory and for that reason it’s hard to assess whether it is valid or not.
I don’t disagree with you. The entirety of the Octagram is still being packaged as we speak. But the fact that it’s a work in progress means people such as yourself have the opportunity to provide critiques so that our excavation process can be improved. The Octragram is shaping up to be much bigger than any of us initially saw, I think —— though perhaps Chase and Chris saw this from afar.
As was said in the article, S7p2 takes deep dives into these exact figures —— which we are also doing in S18. As for the “validity” that will be something that will come with time and as more information is packaged and shared. What I can say is that the Octagram, while it has technical elements, is designed to be a more thematic approach (and less logistical) then the four sides component.
It’s design is to be more of the “software” for the 4 sides “hardware.” But, hardware and software are linked, and the right software applied to the right hardware optimizes both in unforeseen ways —- and that is what we are aiming for.
Though the team believes that each pole represents a technical truth about a type, that insight is expressed through many layers of context which is arrived at by quadra, 4 sides, development/focus, and Temple influence. Our clarity will improve as we are able to present more. In the meantime, if you have specific critiques, our ears are open.
More to come (:
Hahhaha an excuse to use wrath for justification… uh oh I’m getting ideas…
The “excuse engine” as Chase has called it (:
Hey Mr. Bodine, I was wondering, wouldn’t Favouritism be a better word than Discrimination for the Soul Philosopher Dyad (ENFP & ISTJ). Although discriminate the verb has discernment/judgement/assessment tacked on to its complete definition. Unless CSJ makes a video deep diving into the nuance of this cognitive development, I doubt it that it would be easily understood or accepted by most impulsive wrath type philosophers.
Defined as follows:
Favouritism – “the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.” (Definitions from Oxford Languages|Google)
However, just for my understanding I would like to know, does Favouritism hold strong to the original meaning of Discrimination? Soul temple (-ism’s) included, such as but not limited to: racism, sexism….etc.
Aside from that, thank you for the wonderful article.
Hi, Asaiah
Good question. When we talk about “Discrimination” — specifically in S7p2, we use “favoritism” as an example of discrimination. But favoritism is just PART of discrimination, and while ENFPs/ISTJs do have favorites, the “shadow” side of favoritism is prejudice — or, treating people poorly because they are not your favorite. That racist, sexist aspect is often a part of discrimination.
“Discrimination” is the umbrella term for treating someone well OR poorly just based on how you feel about them. Favoritism is one of the two main branches that is under “discrimination”. If an ISTJ/ENFP likes you, they are more likely to absolve your wrongs. If they dislike you, they are more likely to respond with wrath to your mistakes (covertly or overtly).
When this dyad accesses their “impartiality” pole, though, it’s like they give preference to NO ONE. So the question becomes, is there a time and a place to give preference to certain people?
Thanks for your comment 🙂
So you consider terms like “hedonism” as neutral?
When you say neutral do you mean they are neither good or bad qualities? Or is what you mean by neutral is that you choose the most accurate term possible?
I can understand if you mean the latter. But not the former. As I’ve never heard the term “hedonism” describe anything but a negative state or quality. I would say a word like “consumption” would be neutral though. As us INTPs consume a lot of content. Some good. Some bad.
And if you want neutral terms in that way I would suggest some tweaking to terminology now while Octagram is still in its early stages. And don’t wait until later.
Yes, by “Neutral” we mean morally neutral. We are describing behaviors via the terminology, and even some motivation, but not necessarily prescribing a moral verdict to said behaviors. At least not implicitly. “Malevolence” can be used both wisely and unwisely in our opinion.
Culturally, we project certain inferences into words. And some words, to be fair, we are slightly altering the definitions of. But “Hedonism”, for example, is simply the pursuit of pleasure. “Hedonistic Gluttony” is the pursuit of pleasure through consumption — which is more the “classical” understanding of Hedonism.
But “Hedonistic Generativity” is finding deep pleasure in one’s work — to the point even of workaholism. INTP intellectuals, for example, often follow this line as they explore the endless depths of their chosen discipline. Yourself being an INTP, does that resonate at all?
Even Epicures’ understanding of “Hedonism” was much more complex than our culture’s cheaply constructed and dimly lit understanding of it.
But, we continue to consider if we need to alter the terminology. I agree, if we are too change anything, sooner is better than later.
I believe it took me about a month to process the content of this article to understand how it works. Having my type and octogram verified helped me place myself in it much more easily and understand the dynamics clearer.
Thanks for all of the great, in-depth articles. Truly a pleasure to read for someone who loves to read!
You’re very welcome. Congrats on getting your type verified once and for all. I always thought you seemed too appreciative to be an Fe user (:
Wow, Compassion and Malevolent are perfect words to describe my ENTP roomate.
Compassionate Malevolence is the most fascinating Octagram combination of all the wheels, in my opinion and experience. Its like combining fire and water but somehow, a whole new substance forms.