The four temperaments are based on theories connected with an old medical system of theoretics called humorism. Observations about the four temperaments ended up having more credibility than medical humorism, was the general consensus after a certain point. They developed over time as a personality system based on symbolic elemental correspondences more than on medical theory, with melancholic being associated with earth, choleric being associated with fire, phlegmatic being associated with water, and sanguine being associated with air.
Theoretically, temperaments are most analogous to the Ascendant point (cusp of the first house) in astrology. They are seldom of the same element as the Ascendant sign.
In observing a person, there are many things you can notice about them. Character is very important. That’s whether they are honorable and decent enough. Conduct is very important. That’s what they do and cause to be done. Disposition is important. That’s how pleasant or unpleasant they generally are to encounter. Temperament is more innate, indicating certain tendencies toward certain moods and patterns, which in turn can feed into a person’s disposition.
Then there are looks, of course. Looks are important for some of the jobs. They might help a person with mate selection, but that might actually be more of an unsubstantiated rumor in most of the population. Then, like four hundred other things one might notice.
The four temperaments are a relatively safe and useful way to talk about human diversity. All four temperaments have their tendencies and can complement a person’s natural and developed strengths and interests in ways that end up making them themselves, in a sense.
Melancholic is the most sentimental temperament. They have a tendency to sensationalize things and complicate other things. They want to have high ideals, and enjoy living by them. This is not necessarily such a melancholy personality, and they don’t necessarily experience extra sadness. Rather, melancholic temperaments often think how much they want people to know that they have feelings. They should avoid getting emotionally grabby with other people and losing track of admirable ideals of conduct.
Choleric temperament is at their happiest if they can become a highly effective tour de force, with the chops to back that up. They must learn to handle frustration graciously. Graciousness is foundational to their concept as an effective personality. Bullying people tends to confuse them because deep down they understand that they should very much be doing something more worthwhile and worthy.
Phlegmatic temperament carries a noticeable sense of calm, and if they cannot muster calm at times, then of balance. They want things to work well. They can leave things behind in life, but tend not to like to if those things work well and seem like they’re likely to keep working well. Everyone enjoys the feeling of being really reasonable, but phlegmatic temperaments are more likely to notice that they are enjoying it.
Sanguine temperament is almost assured of being more cheerful than people generally are on average if they can manage to be dynamic in positive ways. They tend toward having a keen interest in things going forward in beneficial ways, so much so that they are often highly skilled at refusing to sweat the small stuff. Every group is better off if it contains at least one sanguine personality.
Now, this next part comes from fairy legends. It’s said that many fairies are highly educated and practiced in reducing human beings to their temperament categories. Goodness knows why. They have a fifth temperament that they recognize. It’s called fang.
Fang indicates the temperament of a bad person, as in an evil person. If someone is disposed toward being too mean and destructive, they are said to be fang. Those who are fang are none of the other temperaments so long as they remain fang.
──── by Lync Dalton ────
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