4-9: “ah, mirror mirror, on the wall, who is most sensitive of them all?” sensitive, in the sense of being perceptive and attuned to emotional nuance or shifts, rather than being vulnerable or impressionable (more the domain of 4-6). it is this combination that most easily can be characterized as an artist (though they are not always!), possessing powers of introspection, a soft and yielding reserve, an eye for beauty as a natural result of their appreciation for the subtle: the personal as it relates to and enhances the holistic. with 9-4, the turbulence of the water mixes the paint when given to the forces of nature, it does not will, [unless influenced by the 1’s standards of perfection, that is]; yet with 4-9, the brush, representing the intention of the author, guides the paint down a highly personal and exploratory path and has unintended 9ish “ripple effects”. both have a watercolor way of existing. their “inner sanctum” is of utmost importance, a tranquil garden with a melancholic shade, which gives life a romantic and idealistic bliss, however, sad and heavily adorned rather than vaguely optimistic, sparse and non-linear (9-4). compared to other fours, they are not as reactive, life has a slow effect upon them, they feel deeply and their feelings are more prolonged, their transitions are more gradual…they carry the weight of associations and personal memorabilia with them, they see the beauty in the little things. it is the gestures over a lifetime that count to them, that final picture, the glimpse upon the deathbed[. ! ?]
4-8: adds punch to 4’s propensity for sharp commentary and abrasive expression. extremely dramatic, and not usually in that charming, self-deprecative way like 4-6, but instead adopting a more incendiary, “deal with it or burn in hell” flair. super contrarian, not because every one of their opinions is against the norm, but because it is precisely those very differences that they like to shove in your face or shout through megaphones. as if asking you, “can’t accept this?” they can be super demanding and bratty, intentionally, but also ‘super sharp’ (they call BS as they see it, with a bunch of clever associations) with spicy hot takes to make it all the more interesting. their favorite trope in self-expression is “burning alive”, i’m dissolving and the world’s going with me. their actions are bold, but often rather strategic and nuanced (that is, unless they’re experiencing a surge of entitlement); they like to act, cause misunderstanding and upheaval, then explain their reasoning after the fact (if they decide to at all). this combination, more than any other, can be described as authentic and wanting to stay true to self despite the challenge or risk factors, yet it is precisely because of this that they tend to overdramatize or exaggerate their volatility.
4-7: a readily apparent attraction to the finer things of life - the peaks of richness and abundance. a great love for new experiences, the esoteric, unavailable, orgasmic, and self-revelatory. eloquence, and an intuitive wit becomes highlighted - as well as a newfound arrogance, which propels them to take on risky challenges to prove themselves, for better or worse. extremely spontaneous in their self-expression, epicenter of “dynamic art”, art that captures a movement, the birth and death of an idea or feeling and the fleeting passion between (compare with the hyperdetailed or refined ‘static art’ of 4-5 and 4-1). great problems with chronic dissatisfaction and potentially a dark hypermania. ‘little miss bipolar.’ also has issues with narcissism and identifying with the “special” or “exceptional”, which can lead to their own delightful brand of flamboyant elitism. carries with them a subtle pretentiousness, made obvious by their degree of self-interest. “dance-away lovers”.
4-6: sincere and often possessing quirky or, how do i put this, 'ill-adapted' charm. this combination gets the best of both worlds: endogenous and exogenous self-criticisms which result in “spiraling” tendencies when under stress - insecurity leads to projection and back again. however, it’s here that we find a more “relatable” and “gritty” four, who expresses their pain in a way that can also be cathartic for others by referencing common experiences, then introspecting and adding depth / nuance to cover all the humanistic bases. a stable identity, comprised heavily of introjected components, is very important to this combination in order to provide “backbone”, and they are more likely to form personal and intimate ties to strengthen feelings of support. they are often more “real” and “normative” fours, not as noticeably pretentious, romanticizing, and/or effete (as the others tend to be) - well, excepting those sexual 4-6 with rebellious streaks, even then there's a degree of realism and "this is how it is" to ground your expectations (while still keeping you on your toes, of course). both types usually have trouble with self-confidence, leading to excessive doubting and insecurity - which, on the positive side, can lead them to adopt friendlier (or at least endearingly honest) and more accommodating behaviors in order to find supportive grounding [needed to start exploring their strengths and good qualities]. there is also an especially strong inclination to identify with being an “outsider” or “different than” (shared by 6-4), as well as pronounced difficulties entangling the strands of identity and introjected elements, and sometimes an attraction to subculture and rebellion (if sx, especially). this combination also has a practical streak, particularly if self-preservation, which can be useful (if accessed) for putting your talents to use.
4-5: these individuals have a more detached and unavailable presence, as if barricaded by high walls or protected by a stronghold. however, every so often they will “let their hair down” for select commoners below. hypersensitivity dictates a response of denial / rejection if people fail to understand: “I shouldn’t have expected otherwise.” a highly abstract bent is apparent here, and a corresponding pattern of expressing themselves in ‘cryptic’ puzzles (they are dismayed if you can see right through them!). sometimes, compensatory arrogance blinds them to their subjectivity, to how biased and spiteful their general opinions can be. both 4-5 and 5-4 strike the observer as people who need ‘reality checks’ due to prolonged isolation / individuation and lifelines out of self-absorption. for better or worse, the five fix heavily emphasizes the refining characteristics of the four, often leading to high proficiency in a couple areas of expertise, and noticeable impracticality in others. indeed, the characteristic blending of analysis paralysis and emotional deep-dives - “pyschospelunking”, if you’ll treat me - of the two abyss points usually lead to an insular and self-preoccupied way of life which can lead to, at best, a highly creative (albeit critical) way of thinking, and at worst, a person who is criminally insane. historical antecedents walk this line precariously.
4-1: this combination has an especially pronounced inner critic - and is most easily distinguished by having a moral component in their reprimands, and reinforcing the gravitas of their aesthetic critiques. their tendency to approach life and others from a moral high ground can sometimes give them a petty, critical presentation - but can also make them seem very refined and sophisticated, dignified. the sharpness of their self-demands can lead to tensions between maintaining class / dignity, or letting themselves get pulled into a haughty fourish romance. 4-1 has an interesting relationship to self-indulgence, in particular, often letting loose in unpredictable bursts. there are even higher standards for what makes a person “worthy” or “justified” to be fulfilled in the first place - the criteria for contentment is not based merely on the possession of desirable idiosyncratic qualities, but also compliance with a set of moral action. the 4-1 is only permitted pleasure when they feel as if these two ideals have converged into a “perfect” whole. anger processing is another interesting aspect of this character, it is at first biting and directed outwards before being internalized and snowballing psychic tension. their art and taste in it appeals to platonic forms - a preference for purity and technique, filtered through the soul.