So Apparently Your MBTI Can Change...

     I signed up for an MBTI testing (those paid ones from legitimate organisations) about two months ago and today, I finally received my results through email.

     And...my MBTI changed? I'm no longer an INFP apparently. It doesn't surprise me at all, though. I have constructed some theories on why I have changed, but since they are not a concrete theory yet, I'll wait until I give it more thought. Of course, it's without a doubt that a person can't just get up and decide to change their MBTI one bright morning. Despite the various faults the MBTI system possesses, it is still a relatively accurate analysis of a person's personality. While a person may seem two-faced, everyone's core personalities should remain relatively stagnant.

      Still, it's not quite as shocking as one may think and I think that's partly attributed to how INFP is, in the first place, an extremely unstable MBTI. An absolute idealist who is an introvert - that seems like the formula for failure in life. INFPs are the types to suffer a lot, mostly because they tend to idealise everything in the world and that's attributed to their Dominant Feeling function. When this function betrays a person and causes him/her great pain and regret, it is quite natural that the person would deliberately distort their world-view to avoid the same mistakes.

     Only 1 of the 3 letters changed, but from the MBTI functions post I've made previously, the change actually happened in 2 out of the 4 functions - in the Dominant and Inferior functions. I think I have given enough hints, so let's just move into the revelation...which isn't a big deal anyway.

    So what's my MBTI now?

     I went from being an INFP to an INTP. No big deal right? Except, the reversal of the Dominant Function and the Inferior Function is actually a pretty big deal. It's not an exact reversal, mind you, since the direction (extroversion/introversion) of the functions actually do change. My Dominant Function went from being Introverted Feeling to Introverted Thinking and my Inferior Function went from Extroverted Thinking to Extroverted Feeling. Everything else is still the same.

INFP: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

Seeks harmony of action and thoughts with personal values. May not always articulate those values.

INTP: Introverted Thinking (Ti)

Seeks internal consistency and logic of ideas. Trusts his or her internal framework, which may be difficult to explain to others.

     Before anyone's brains move to argue against the legitimacy of this test and the change it indicated. Let me just explain why I think this shift is absolutely normal. There's a personal reason, which isn't really that important, and a more theoretical one. It's a theory I have quite a bit of confidence in.

The Personal Reason: It took me quite a while...a very long while, in fact...to fish myself out of an emotional shit-hole that I dug for myself. As the extremely proud individual I am, on the inside at least, I am adamant to not commit the same mistake again. I have come to the conclusion that before I decide to make any emotional commitment about anything, I need to weigh carefully the costs of that commitment and the possible benefits I can reap. Basically, a cost-benefit analysis. Applying that to the situation I got myself in previously, I realised how insanely rash my actions were and thus, the determination to change and an extreme abhorrence of any situation like the previous one. In short, avoiding emotional commitment like the plague, because it's more often than not not worth it.

The General Reason: The Feeling and Thinking function basically describes a person's preference in decision-making. Preference meaning what you would choose if you had any control over the situation. A person who prefers Feeling rely more on emotions and a person who prefers Thinking rely more on logical analysis. My theory is that as a person grows older, it is very common that they become more inclined towards Thinking. While emotions remain important in some ways, people begin to realise that without logical analysis and thinking before making a decision, the decision is often rash and is something that would be heavily regretted. The only professions that would go against this theory would be nurturing careers, like being a Kindergarten teacher, where the process of nurturing strengthens a person's preference for Feeling. Most professions push individuals to think more.

      So being an INFP was a stage in maturing, I should say. The idealism isn't exactly childish, because it does help me build values and discover myself. The INTP was established when I became obsessed with making theories about random things, which is actually an extension of my previous obsession with discussing values. The intangibility of values made the topic stale and uninteresting after a while, so I turned to theory-forming and debating on those. I have many theories I wish to share, but alas, I am still a P, not a J, so plans will have to wait.

     I'll probably post more about the INTP when I have time...let's say Wednesday. I may change my mind, but that's the set date for now. A few extracts below from 16 personalities, which is a good website for people just starting to get to know their MBTIs.

     "The INTP personality type is fairly rare, making up only 3 precent of the population, which is definitely a good thing for them, as there's nothing they'd be more unhappy about than being "common". INTPs pride themselves on their inventiveness and creativity, their unique perspective and vigorous intellect. Usually known as the philosopher, the architect, or the dreamy professor, the INTPs have been responsible for many scientific discoveries throughout history."

     "They love patterns, and spotting discrepancies between statements could almost be described as a hobby, making it a bad idea to lie to an INTP. This makes it ironic that INTP's word should always be taken with a grain of salt - it's not that they are dishonest, but people with the INTP personality type tend to share thoughts that are not fully developed, using others as a sounding board for ideas an theories in a debate against themselves rather than as actual conversation partners.

      This may make them appear unreliable, but in reality, no one is more enthusiastic and capable of spotting a problem, drilling through the endless factors and details that encompass the issue and developing a unique and viable solution than INTPs - just don't expect punctual progress reports. People who share the INTP personality type aren't interested in practical, day-to-day activities and maintenance, but when they find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution."

     "They may appear to drift about in an unending daydream, but INTPs' thought process is unceasing and their minds buzz with ideas from the moment they wake up. This constant thinking can have the effect of making them look pensive and detached, as they are often conducting full-fledged debates in their own heads, but really INTPs are quite relaxed and friendly when they are with people they know, or who share their interests. However, this can be replaced by overwhelming shyness when INTP personalities are among unfamiliar faces and friendly banter can quickly become combative if they believe their logical conclusions or theories are being criticised."

     It seems to me like an INTP is an INFP who found her place in the world and finally decided that idealism isn't going to get her anywhere. I'm speaking personally, of course, but I think that's quite true for most INFPs. It's quite painful to live in such blinding idealism. Might as well settle down and learn to focus your extremely active mind on theories rather than fantasies, eh?

"It's obviously wrong! I mean, you can't just assume that ___! Do you feel me? No? Really? Let me explain...please...LET ME EXPLAIN!"

Astrological Birth Chart and Explanations

     Many people I know don't believe in Astrology, probably because the term has become one that refers to those daily Horoscope things that are not untrue, but vague enough that it applies to everyone. Those things are nonsense and aren't based on actual Astrology at all. That said, I'm not sure whether I want to believe in that either, but after discovering that there's more to Astrology than your Sun sign (determined by conventional dates) and reading actual studies, I'm inclined to entertain my doubts.

     How did I start being interested in this? Well, I went to this Astrological website and did this birth chart thing. Turns out, while my Sun Sign, which corresponds to my biological birthdate, 18 May (yes, by Chinese law [whether it applies now, I don't know], my biological and legal birthdates are different), is Taurus, half of my other birth chart signs lie in Gemini. If you know anything about those inaccurate personality descriptions of these two signs, you would be surprised. After all, Taurus is the Fixed Earth sign, meaning it is the most stubborn and stable, while Gemini is the Mutable Air sign, which makes it the most erratic and spontaneous sign. How can be both?

     Firstly, the birth chart is complicated and is calculated based on your birthdate, time of birth and location of birth. Simply put, these data help determine the position of different planets in regard to your location at the exact time of your birth. Here is my birth chart:

     I know this makes absolutely no sense to whoever is viewing this for the first time. Some of these are irrelevant, such as Jupiter, Saturn, etc, which are slow-moving planets and thus have little influence on the birth chart. The important ones are boxed up in red and I'll go through them briefly, before examining my birth chart.

This little stupid-looking dot here is the Sun and some may recognise it as the ancient scripture that the Chinese used to write the word "Sun (日)". Like I explained, the Sun sign corresponds to whatever you see on your daily horoscope. You can easily find your Sun sign online. 

The Sun sign reveals much regarding people's essential personality, particularly their inner selves. It reveals the part of our personality that is our basic self, or who we are when we are alone. In other words, our essential personality is our most basic, broad, inner traits.

The Moon sign helps define our emotional development or express the unconscious side of our personality. It explains why we do what we do. This is where we retreat for comfort, childhood memories and peace. This can also be the place where anger, hate, jealousy and fear may be found.

The moon also influences our senses depending on its placement in the birth chart. Most people wil have their Moon in a sign that is different from their Sun. This is why many people with the same Sun sign can be so different from one another. Moon signs may actually be a much more accurate description of what a person is like.

This female sign thing is your Venus sign, and if you are aware, Venus is famously known as the Goddess of Love. Venus represents the qualities of love, romance, sensuality, culture, beauty, affection and social appeal. It influences how one attracts love as well as how one acts in a relationship.

Sometimes, a person's Venus sign will be the same as their Sun sign (mine is not), but it may also be different. Your Venus sign is never more than two signs away from your Sun sign (mine is just next to it). By reading your Love sign interpretation, you may find answers to why you act so different than your Sun sign dictates when you are in love. You'll notice when you fall in love that these attributes become more noticeable (this does not bode well for me).

While Venus signs are in charge of romance, Mars signs take charge of basic sexual attraction, tempered only by the astrological houses they are placed in. They will influence how sex is approached. Mars makes us assertive, forthright and adventurous. It can also make us impulsive, rash, impatient and forceful. Success or frustration can both be products of your Mars sign influence.

Mars is energy, action and desire - the animal instinct. Unlike the Sun, which is the embodiment of creative energy, Mars is raw energy. It's divisive, scattering energy in an outward direction. It represents how a person goes after their goals, their drive and energy, their initiative. courage and combativeness.

     While they are other signs, these 4 are usually more interesting and commonly spoken of. Now that that's done, let's place these signs in a specific context - my birth chart. Take note that all the 4 signs, except Mars, are zodiac signs. Mars on the other hand, considers the "House" in which it lies, which is the number wheel. Also, my Moon sign is more accurate than my Sun, in my opinion.

SUN in TAURUS

     You spend your fortune and your energy advisedly. You are realistic and you distrust revolutions, sudden changes and love at first sight. You are very attached to your roots and you create a steady basis for yourself. You may be considered to be stubborn and you grant your confidence after thorough reflection only. "Resistance" is a Taurus' keyword. This sign is believed to be untiring, hardworking and stable to the utmost. People readily credit you with the ability to remind everyone of the necessities of concrete situations and to moderate people's excesses. In principle, you are apt for long-term management, you can protect the foundations of an activity as the reliable guardian of assets and the guarantor for stability. Your distrust is a quality here: it is safer to take advantage of past experiences rather than to rely on very hypothetical sporadic strokes of luck. However, it is important that you learn to question yourself and to respond to new opportunities in a timely manner.

      How is this me again? Hardworking and stable are not qualities of mine. I am extremely laid-back about work and avoid it at all cost. I am quite unstable, on the inside (perhaps why my Moon is in that particular sign), but I can maintain a stable and calm facade on the outside. All in all, I really don't think my Sun sign fits me, which is why I've denied its truth for so long.

MOON in GEMINI

     You easily adjust to all kinds of situations because your outgoing nature integrates the characteristics of your environment very quickly. You communicate your emotions, you share your pleasures, your joys...and your sorrows. You lunar sign belongs to the Gemini-Sagittarius axis that is decidedly open on the external world. You display strong assimilation abilities and you readily adopt your entourage's habits. Besides, your life setting does not necessarily have the stuff side that others may need to feel safe. You put up with rhythm changes and your balance is not upset for unforeseen events and contacts. On the contrary, you loathe solitude and you are very comfortable when you have to exchange and to relate to others. There is a danger that you should very cautiously avoid: your adaptation capacity must not turn you into a chameleon and it is important that you pay due attention to your needs and your personal rhythms.

     And this is exactly why I seem to swing insanely fast between adapting and stubbornness, friendliness and hostility, the want for communication and need for solitude. My Moon and Sun, as you can see, are in direct conflict and while Taurus makes me stable, reliable, down-to-earth and unchanging, Gemini makes me adaptable, flighty, needing company (I like sharing my theories and having them discussed) and two-faced...or multi-faced as my senior calls it. As a person who gets bored easily, it's easier for me to relate to my Moon sign than my Sun sign.

VENUS in GEMINI

     Your balance is based on your sensuality. For you, love is a game. Your affective attitudes are very diverse and open to a variety of forms of love. Sensuality is a field for your experiments and a world to explore. Your emotions and your sensitivity allow you to grasp information about the people and the environment around you. Love is your renewed source of amazement. It is not a duel but a discovery, that of the "soul mate" and of total connivance. You are cerebral and harmony between two persons is your main concern - How do they blend their ways of thinking, of living and of loving? How is the possible to achieve fusion and to become an indivisible unit? Your inquiring mind also influences your sentimental life: you look for fantasy and amazement and often, you arouse them in your partner. You desire for freedom and does not get on well with the unavoidable constraints of life together. It is certain that your fantastic affectivity always on the alert charms and amazes your partner. However, your curiosity and your desire for discovery may cause a need to see something else and look for fresh air (which does not always mean a new partner, fortunately).

     I...really cannot deny this...at all. The idea of love interests me, appeals to me and at the same time, scares me. The notion of perfect harmony brought about by adaptation between two partners, the intellectual harmony of having someone to constant discuss my theories with...it's nice. And then I suddenly remember that I have to spend the rest of eternity with that person and it's like a leash, and I turn the other way. Come on, I have things I want to do, you can't tie me down! So in the end, I'm probably this person who goes through many relationships, by my own will or not...though I need to learn to tone down on the emotional attachment.

MARS in HOUSE VIII

     With Mars in the 8th House, you seem to be meant for confrontation and crises. This configuration predisposes to challenges and heroic actions. Struggles may go as far as self-sacrifice, which may involve your interests and in pathological cases, your own life. The Tradition mentions psychic powers and inner magnetism on which willpower has little control...passion. You are fascinated by romantic relationships where love and hate are entangled.

     Wow, makes me sound real cool, that's all I can say about this.