EIGHTS
The Fighters. The Protectors. The Daredevils. Eights are strong, intense personalities who walk the earth with self-evidence. With their physical steadfastness and piercing glare, they go through life confidently, looking to see who has the power. They possess a natural anti-stance attitude towards everyone and everything and are on the lookout for worthy opponents, people who will step into the ring and with whom they can gauge their strength, as they draw their energy from confrontation. Gaining control is always their aim, to dominate before they themselves are dominated. Accordingly, Eights believe that "attack is the best form of defence". Since childhood, Eights have known that they have to fight for their place in this world and that only the fittest survive. As a child they may have felt disadvantaged and even helpless in some way; they have either observed or witnessed injustice and abuse of power, and have since looked at the world with a suspicious eye. They have learned early on that being weak and vulnerable must be avoided at all costs, otherwise their existence is threatened. So, everything that reminds them of their own weakness is vehemently fended off. Mistakes are denied and the blame is immediately placed on others. Apologies, of course, are never voiced. All this is part of the protective wall they have built for themselves and behind which they hide their own vulnerability, most of all from themselves. That is why Eights like to reinforce their image of the indestructible warrior with crude language and raw macho behaviour. At the same time, they are very passionate with a strong sexual urge and love excess and extremes in every form. Besides strength, self-determination, independence and freedom are among the highest qualities in the life of an Eight. Accepting help and making compromises pose almost insurmountable challenges. Therefore, as alpha animals, Eights either play a lone hand or are the ones who set the tone for the group. Eights stake out their territory clearly and firmly while rigorously bulldozing the boundaries of others. People who want to enter the life of an Eight are tested in their trustworthiness several times and are often put through the wringer. In the process, Eights check whether the other person is actually a friend or masquerading as one. They love to provoke and challenge people, because they are convinced that in a tough confrontation they will lure the others out of their shell and make them reveal their true identity. In its extreme form, the paranoia of the Eight shows itself in their "whoever is not on my side, is my enemy" attitude. Eights often feel attacked for no reason and create their own bogeymen.
Highly impulsive and explosive as Eights are, they justify their aggressive attacks as self-protection. Who they are in fact trying to protect is the helpless, neglected child that lives inside them and longs for love, emotional security and comfort. Yet, they are usually not aware of this, because their gaze is turned outwards. Thus, Eights are often the guardians of the underdogs, the truly weak and disadvantaged in society, and they work tirelessly for justice. They are on a quest for truth and this always involves exposing the powers that be. They retaliate, because they see themselves as above the law and commit illegal acts without a second thought. They eschew diplomacy, because they do not like to waste time. Eights are people who spring into action without much thought or planning and radiate an infinite amount of self-confidence. This quality is generally very attractive to others and so Eights are frequently chosen to be the leader of the pack. In fact, they rise to this position, because in a community they not only feel safe, but also go to extremes for the protection and defence of their 'family' and are willing to put their hand in the fire for each and every one of them. Only a chosen few get to see the soft side of the Eights, for which in return they demand loyalty, because nothing affects Eights as much as betrayal. If that happens, they feel injured in their most vulnerable spot, they retreat and forge their vendetta. They then mobilize forces like a bull seeing red, and blinded by rage they often leave behind total devastation.
No expression in the Enneagram is as ambivalent as that of the Eights. They are victims and perpetrators in one – the wounded warriors, the sheep in wolf's clothing. As for every type, it is crucial also for Eights to go where they are actually running away from. It is therefore absolutely essential for Eights to first curb their impulsiveness, to pause and then turn their gaze inwards, in order to confront their wounds and face their pain. Then they can and should care for their stunted inner child with the same touching empathy as they do with all other obviously helpless creatures. In accepting their innocence, healing will occur and they will experience a new quality of strength: a strength that springs from love and thrives in trust. Eights can then open themselves to true intimacy, feel protected and let go of control at the same time. With this newfound strength, Eights will redefine truth and justice in a new and more nuanced way and, in their natural position of leader, recognize how best to nurture each individual's potential. Thus, Eights will invite more ease and joy into their lives and feel at home, secure and safe within themselves.
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