celiaamara

[celiaamara]

I take my practices from a variety of sources I'm still learning from. Celtic, Hellenism, and Wicca. Those are my main sources of inspiration for my pagan practice.

[celiaamara]

How I Incorporated the Greek Gods into the Wheel of the Year - Neopagan

Welcome back to my page. Today I'll be discussing how I embraced neopaganism and revivalism to create my own Pagan path. This was really difficult for me to do but I'll link and write as much as I can to tell you how I got where I got.

Sources

Holidays, Dieties, etc. Notes from Book of Shadows

What is Imbolc?

Celebrated either Feb 1st or 2nd -> marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox -> marks beginning of spring -> pagan fire festival -> time to honor fertility -> associated with pregnancy and cleaning

How to celebrate

-> light candles in every room

-> plants seeds

-> bake oatcakes

-> make Brigid dollies or crosses

-> decorate altar with symbols and colors for imbolc

Gods to worship (only Greek ones)

-> Aphrodite

-> Athena

-> Hestia

What is Ostara?

Marks the beginning of spring -> March 19-23 -> good time to literally and figuratively plant seeds for the future -> good time to start new goals and ideas you thought about on yule and imbolc -> good time for spring cleaning

Ways to Celebrate

-> spring clean the house

-> decorate altar with ostara colors and symbols

-> take time to meditate and journal and think about your intentions for the next few weeks

Gods to Worship

-> Aphrodite

-> Athena

-> Persphenone

-> Apollo

What is Beltane?

Mark of returning summer -> may 1st -> lighting of bon fires -> time of courtship rituals and celebration of one's fertility -> about casting out darkness and introducing light to the world

Dieties of Beltane

-> Artemis

-> Hera

-> Aphrodite

-> Apollo

What is Litha?

Marks summer solstice -> between June 19-22 -> believed to be where fairy folk come out at twilight and offer blessings -> time to celebrate the abundance and beauty of Mother Earth

Time to acknowledge your success thus far that you've built over the course of the wheel of the year -> good time to align yourself with the powerful energies of the sun and summertime -> expand on ideas, businesses, goals or desires -> thank all for successes so far

Ways to Celebrate

-> make floral wreaths for front door

-> host a bonfire and potluck for family and friends

-> gather and dry herbs to use throughout the coming year

-> take time to meditate and give thanks for the blessings you have in life

-> build a fairy house in the woods

Dieties

-> Hestia

-> Apollo

What is Lughnasadh and Lammas?

The first of three autumn celebrations -> August 1 -> marks the first harvest of the season w/ gathering grains and baking bread

Ways to Celebrate

-> bake bread from scratch and incorporate seasonal herbs

-> make fruit preserves

-> make beer or enjoy artisan beer

-> make corn dollies

-> host a family and/or friends dinner and bonfire

Dieties

-> Demeter

What is Mabon?

Known as the pagan Thanksgiving -> marks autumn equinox -> a time of balance, equality and harmony -> celebrates the second harvest -> celebrate and give thanks for the abundance both literally and spiritually -> good time to reflect on the wheel of the year, recognize successes and letting go of things that no longer serve you over the year -> set intentions to end bad things in your life, let go of unhealthy relationships, unhealthy habits, or self destructive beliefs -> Sept 21 to the 24

How to Celebrate

-> decorating home with fall decorations

-> host a huge meal if you can - take turns saying what you're grateful for and what you hope to accomplish this year

-> if it's by yourself, try and find a quiet space outside to meditate and journal before treating yourself to a nice meal

Dieties

-> Perspehone

-> Demeter

-> Hermes

-> Dionysus

What is Samhain?

3rd and final fall festival of the year -> witches new year -> veil between the worlds is the thinnest -> Oct 31 -> celebrate the dead, while celebrating the end of the harvest and comeback of the darkness and cold

How to Celebrate

-> leave offerings out for fae folk

-> do protective magic

-> feasts and suppers on the eve of Samhain

-> celebrate ancestors and embrace the passage into a more introspective season

-> cover clocks

-> carry nails in pocket for protection

Dieties

-> Hekate

-> Demeter

-> Perspehone

-> Hades

-> Dionysus

What is Yule?

Celebrates winter solstice - is one of two solstices - summer and winter -> Dec 20-23 -> celbrates shortest day of the year, midwinter, return of the sun and festival of rebirth -> time of reflection and celebration

How to Celebrate

-> give mistletoe

-> light lights on a yule log

-> have a feast, ale involved

-> wreaths

-> think about resolutions, intentions for the coming year, light a candle speaking those out, let it burn as you visualize it coming true, then write down actionable steps to get your wishes to come true

-> clean

Dieties

-> Aphrodite

-> Demeter

-> Helios

-> Dionysus

[celiaamara]

Ancestor work doesn't have to be "your direct ancestors" like your grandma or something. It can be ancestors of your specific identity. Ex: trans, gay, hispanic, etc. All of them you could worship.

[celiaamara]

Just here to drop a friendly reminder to clean your house, do your laundry, and stock your pantry before the new year! Not only will it bring better luck and prosperity, but you won't be going into the year with lingering, stagnant energy. This is a southern thing for me so there are superstitions around various components to how you clean your house. But hey, the one year I didn't do it, I noticed its influences!

[celiaamara]

Trans people in Greek mythology 🏳️‍⚧️💗

1. Caenis, a Thessalian princess who was Poseidon’s lover. The god granted him the wish to turn him into a man and as a gift gave him impenetrable skin. He changed his name to Caineus.

2. In the island of Cyprus some statues were found that depicted Aphrodite with a penis, these were called ‘Aphroditus’. This figure was believed to avert evil and bestow good luck.

3. Hermaphroditus was the son of Hermes and Aphrodite and the god of intersex people and feminine men. He was depicted as a winged teenager with both male and female features- usually female thighs, breasts, and hairstyle, and male genitalia.

4. There’s a myth where Prometheus was creating humans, got drunk and accidentally placed male genitals in a female body and viceversa.

[celiaamara]

So I vote that whenever a terf tries to use Aphrodite as a symbol of their hate and transphobia we respond with:

“Sorry can’t hear you over Aphrodite’s penis” 

[celiaamara]

Tea With the Gods’ Book Recommendations List

One of the questions I get asked the most is “What *insert topic* books do you recommend?” so I decided to finally make an official post! Here you will find all the books, on a variety of topics, that I have read, enjoyed, and would recommend to you! I plan on updating this list as I come across more books (and maybe even other resources) to add so check back often!

Most of the links provided will be from my Bookshop, but please feel free to purchase these books from whichever shop you choose or read them however way you can! Anything not available in my Bookshop will have its own link.

I’m no longer writing reviews, at least for the time being, since they take up too much of my energy and time. However, please don’t hesitate to ask me directly about any of the books I listed or even ones I didn’t. Id be happy to give you my thoughts!

Hellenic Polytheism

The Iliad by Homer (Robert Fagles translation)

The Odyssey by Homer (Robert Fagles translation)

Theogony by Hesiod

The Histories by Herodotus

Greek Religion by Walter Burkert

Ancient Greek Divination by Sarah Iles Johnston

Ancient Greek Cults by Jennifer Larson

Delphi: A History of the Center of the Ancient World by Michael Scott

Witchcraft and Magic

Rebel Witch: Carve the Craft That's Yours Alone by Kelly-Ann Maddox

Witchcraft for Everyone: A no-nonsense guide to creating your own magical practice by Sam Wise

Art Magick: How to Become an Art Witch and Unlock Your Creative Power by Molly Roberts

Divination

Wtf Is Tarot?: ...& How Do I Do It? By Bakara Wintner

Tarot 101: Mastering the Art of Reading the Cards by Kim Huggens

Queering the Tarot by Cassandra Snow

The Oracles of Apollo: Practical Ancient Greek Divination for Today by John Opsopaus

Fiction based on Mythology

Circe by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block

Want to see what I’m currently reading? Follow me on Goodreads and StoryGraph

[celiaamara]

How To Create Your Own Pagan Path with Just a Few Questions

Finding your own Pagan path can be as difficult as it sounds, and to be honest, I'm still new and trying to find mine. But I've come up with some easy questions with details to help guide you onto your own Pagan path.

Let's just jump right into it...

1. What traditions are usually found in religion? Usually things like holidays, rituals, how to cleanse ones self, what to offer deities.

2. How to incorporate beliefs you have with traditions found in other pagan religion? For example, how to believe in Greek gods and worship them and use the wheel of the year? What kind of aspects are related to one another, how are they similar or different?

3. How do you see the universe? Is it magical, do spells exist in your worldview for example? Pantheism? Animism?

4. What moral code do you heed by? For example, the rule of three. Or xenia in hellenism.

5. How was the world created?

6. Do gods physically exist, are they more mental states (), are they in nature as we mentioned, are they a general existence, how do you view the world and how they interact with the gods?

7. How do you set up your sacred space? How do you view this sacred space? Is it more this space is divine (embodiment of the gods) or is it just an altar and that's it?

8. Are traditions of the past relevant and important to the modern day, or should we interpret and structure the religion as we see fit to today? How do we structure religion around the days before us? Is the past relevant? Or is how we view the modern world more relevant? How do modern problems get solved when it comes to your religion? Ex: are past views on abortion relevant on to today's views religiously? Would you support gay rights based upon how the, for example, greeks used to support gay rights? Is there documentation and proof they used to view these issues as you view them?

[celiaamara]

the-illuminated-witch ‘s Paganism 101 series Masterlist

Paganism 101 Series- the-illuminated-witch 

What does it mean to be pagan? (Paganism 101 Ch. 1)

What paganism isn’t 

Polytheism (Paganism 101 Ch. 2)

Reciprocity (Paganism 101 Ch. 3)

Reconnecting with the Divine Feminine (Paganism 101 Ch. 4)

Neopagans, reconstructionists, and revivalists, oh my! (Paganism 101 Ch. 5)

Why do I need to feed the gods? (Paganism 101 Ch. 6)

Creating Sacred Space (Paganism 101 Ch. 7)

Paganism and witchcraft (Paganism 101 Ch. 8)

Coping with religious trauma (Paganism 101 Ch. 9)

Choosing the right pagan path for you (Paganism 101 Ch. 10)

Pagan Paths: Wicca (Paganism 101 Ch. 11)

Pagan Paths: Feri (Paganism 101 Ch. 12)

[celiaamara]

Hellenic polytheism is a disorganized religion. We don’t have leaders, we don’t have bibles, we don’t have a central religious body. This means that everyone who is a Hellenic pagan will have a different opinion on how to worship. There’s beauty in that, but also strife. 

Recently I’ve seen at least ten thousand posts on how Godspousing is either immoral/bad or great/fine. Let’s take the third option here; it’s none of your business. No one in this religion has authority over anyone else. Modern Helpol does not have elected religious leaders. When someone is practicing something that hurts no one, it’s irrelevant how you feel about it. I’m tired of recons and revivalists acting like Catholics vs Protestants. 

You cannot make broad sweeping posts about what is disrespectful to the Gods or what isn’t. That is only for the Gods to decide. Focus on worshipping the Gods and shut up about other people’s practices. Stop trying to problematize something that isn’t a real issue. The end. 

[celiaamara]

Hello! I was scrolling Tumblr and I saw something about the term Polytheist being offensive and the term Pagan more preferable. Is that true? If it is I apologize if referring to Paganism has been in any form offensive.

Hello, Anon!

I really wish you'd linked to the post you saw, because a little context would probably help me give you a better reply. As it is, this answer is going to be very general.

Practitioners of reconstructionist/revivalist historical polytheisms began to differentiate themselves from the term "Pagan" around 2012, for a number of reasons I won't go into here, since that's likely beyond the scope of your question.

Drama, as so often happens, ensued. (If interested, see "Your One- Stop-Shop for Pagan-Polytheist Controversy", "A Polytheist Primer", and "Paganism for Beginners: Controversy".)

Labels are useful in describing ourselves and for finding like-minded others. Furthermore, many people feel very strongly about the words they use to label themselves, and it's always respectful to use the labels people prefer.

The person who wrote that post obviously prefers the term "Pagan" and feels the term "Polytheist" is offensive. It would, therefore, be respectful, when interacting with them, to use the term "Pagan".

I prefer the term "Polytheist" for my practice. Having said that, since I feel Polytheists have had a part in the modern Pagan movement and I see some political benefit to maintaining ties with the modern Pagan community, I don't necessarily feel being described as "Pagan" is inaccurate or offensive. I absolutely detest the term "Neo-pagan", because I think it's condescending, but my opinion is insignificant and academics in the field of Religious Studies tenaciously insist on using it.

tl:dr: There is no general agreement as to the term "Polytheist" being offensive. It may be offensive to some people and preferable to others. Likewise, with the term "Pagan".

There is also no general agreement about whether people who call themselves "Polytheist" are also "Pagan"; some of us feel we are, some of us aren't certain, and some of us most assuredly are not.

I advise anyone engaged in writing about Pagans and Polytheists to exercise discretion in applying these terms to communities and people. It would be a good idea to have any person or group mentioned in your article or book take a look at your text before you submit it, to prevent errors on your part.

Hope this helps!

[celiaamara]

Grimoire - Religions and Deities

Deities and Deity Work: 30 Days of Deity Devotion 15 Days of Deity Devotion Why does this deity want to work with ME? “What I’ve learned from working with the deities” Working with deities Deity Communication 101 Communicating With Deities Devotional Journal Inexpensive Offerings Some methods to bond with your deities Working with Ancient Beings Respecting the Gods UPG, SPG, and VPG The gods, your potential and limits Deities, Worship, and Magic Shrines: A Moderately In-Depth Look How to write a letter to your deity/deities Ways the Gods Can Contact You Offerings aren’t nice tokens, and gods aren’t vending machines. beginner polytheist tips struggling polytheist tips How to Tell if You’ve Received a Sign Offerings for Deities Godphone via Journaling There are different types of deity work Developing the Godphone Easy Ways to Connect More Strongly with your Deities Mythic Context Is Everything A perspective on "signs;" internal rather than external. spiritual veiling “Does this count as an offering?” "When trying to narrow which deities could be contacting you" On Offerings and Altars Offerings: Why, and How? What Do They Want? Hints for the Headblind on Determining the Will of the Gods Tips for Working with Deities Deities, Entities & Spirits... Do you need them to practice witchcraft and magic? How to Find a Patron Deity Reciprocity

Paganism: Choosing the right pagan path for you What paganism is not Coping with religious trauma Reciprocity Paganism and witchcraft Neopagans, reconstructionists, and revivalists, oh my! "To white people getting into paganism and such trying to find 'their culture'." Ways to Celebrate Pretty Much Every Pagan Holiday Christian Texts on Pagan Lore Pagan Prayer Journaling Prompts

Religions: The Layperson’s Guide to Online Research “Witchcraft” and “Pagan” Aren’t Accurate Terms to Apply to Asian Traditions "Being a magical practitioner or a polytheist simultaneously with practicing Christianity" Everything You Want To Know About Lilith Cultural Appropriation in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year The Word “Cult” and its Usage Lets Chat About Calendars and Holy Days... Reconstructionism vs Revivalism vs Reimaginism On Personal Religious Privacy Individual believers are not responsible for the wrongdoings of religious institutions So You've Been Contacted By a Closed Entity On Christian Witchcraft

Things To Beware Of: Beginner Caution About Wicca Beware of Pagan Extremism Stop Normalizing Abusive Relationships with Deities “No, I do not like the Godspouse trend. Here’s why.” "The difference between highly structured religions and high-demand religions" Tips for shopping safely as a pagan

[celiaamara]

Sabbats Masterpost

The History of Samhain

Samhain Facts

Samhain Correspondences

Samhain Crystals

Samhain Colors

Samhain Plants

Samhain Incense & Oils

Samhain Animals

Samhain Foods

Samhain Ritual & Magick

Samhain Deities

Samhain Altar Ideas

Samhain Activities

Last Minute Samhain Ideas

—————————————-

The History of Mabon

Mabon Facts

Mabon Correspondences

Mabon Crystals

Mabon Colors

Mabon Plants

Mabon Oils & Incense

Mabon Animals

Mabon Foods

Mabon Ritual & Magick

Mabon Deities

Mabon Altar

Mabon Activities

Last Minute Mabon Ideas

———————————–

Lughnasadh/Lammas History

Lughnasadh/Lammas Facts

Lughnasadh/Lammas Correspondences

Lughnasadh/Lammas Crystals

Lughnasadh/Lammas Colors

Lughnasadh/Lammas Plants

Lughnasadh/Lammas Incense & Oils

Lughnasadh/Lammas Animals

Lughnasadh/Lammas Food

Lughnasadh/Lammas Ritual & Magick

Lughnasadh & Lammas Deities

Lughnasadh & Lammas Altar Ideas

Lughnasadh & Lammas Activities

Last minute Lammas Ideas

—————————————-

Litha History

Litha Facts

Litha Correspondences

Litha Crystals

Litha Incense & Oils

Litha Colors

Litha Plants

Litha Animals

Litha Foods

Litha Deities

Litha Altar Ideas

Litha Ritual & Magick

Litha Activities

Last Minute Litha Ideas

—————————————–

The History of Beltane

Beltane Facts

Beltane Correspondences

Beltane Incense & Oils

Beltane Colors

Beltane Crystals

Beltane Plants

Beltane Animals

Beltane Altar

Beltane Food

Beltane Deities

Beltane Ritual & Magick

Beltane Activities

Last Minute Beltane Ideas

———————————-

Ostara History

Ostara Facts

Ostara Correspondences

Ostara Colors

Ostara Crystals

Ostara Incense & Oils

Ostara Plants

Ostara Animals

Ostara Food

Ostara Altar Ideas

Ostara Ritual & Magick

Ostara Deities

Ostara Activities

Last Minute Ostara Ideas

—————————–

The History of Imbolc

Imbolc Facts

Imbolc Correspondenses

Imbolc Colors

Imbolc Crystals

Imbolc Incense & Oils

Imbolc Plants

Imbolc Animals

Imbolc Food

Imbolc Altar

Imbolc Ritual & Magick

Imbolc Deities

Imbolc Activities

Last Minute Imbolc Ideas

————————————–

The History of Yule

Yule Facts

Yule Correspondences

Yule Crystals

Yule Colors

Yule Plants

Yule Incense & Oils

Yule Animals

Yule Foods

Yule Ritual & Magick

Yule Deities

Yule Altar

Yule Activities

Last Minute Yule Ideas

[celiaamara]

Welcome to manifestmoons :)

I'm sharing some basic symbols and meanings associated with the practice of witchcraft. There are 12 of them. One step at a time, baby witches!

More info on manifestmoons

[celiaamara]

Little ways to have a more Magikal Day 🌿🌞🪐

credit: @CraftingWitch on Instagram !

posted 06/19/2022

[celiaamara]

[celiaamara]

FACING INTUITIVE BIAS AND MBTI STEREOTYPES: ESFP EDITION

Hello, some already know my blog since it attracted attention for being one of the few MBTI blogs run by a sensor, especially an ESFP. I have always claimed to be pretty different from ESFP stereotypes, though I enjoy MBTI stereotyped memes and shitty posts. But there is one thing I can’t cope with: ignorance towards our type. 

I am a strong Se (extraverted sensing) function defender, and I keep finding shallow and over stereotyped descriptions on how we use it and how do ESxPs portray and represent it. This originates a blurred vision of ESxPs in particular (all sensors are badly perceived in general) which affect us, especially because the most common believing among the MBIT community it’s that we are the dumbest.

First thing you have to learn about MBTI: IT CAN’T determine the IQ or cleverness of ANYBODY. 

Fine, with that being clear, let’s continue.

I have been posting little call outs and statements about ESFPs being wronged as other types when being perfectionistic and having leadership skills etcetera but I think the time has come for making an appropriate post of how a non-stereotypical ESFP can be. I know my case it’s not common, since I am an ambivert and that affects my behavior but I’ll try to be objective. 

Usually, ESFPs in fiction are portrayed as the flamboyant hero or the funny sidekick. Anyway, we are always seen as the bright, carefree, funny, attractive and badass characters, but in real life, we are more complex than that. 

HOW ARE HEALTHY AND NON-STEREOTYPICAL ESFPs IN REAL LIFE: 

Because of Dominant Se: 

The first thing you have to think regarding Extraverted Sensing is experience and engagement. Sure you have already heard about this but it doesn’t mean we crave every day to be high or to hit all the parties. Life is beyond physical pleasures. Even for us, who feel comfortable with sensorial stimuli the most because we need them to create our safe and accurate visión of the world around us. 

An ESFP will most likely say yes to everything. That’s, in part, because many of us are insecure and indulgent or pleasant with people. ESFPs can struggle a lot with assertiveness, swinging between being extremely obliging or aggressive-reactive (usually ESFP enneagram 2  o 3 are the first ones, while enneagram 6-7-8 are the last ones). But a     healthy ESFP will eventually address this tendency to “say yes because of  FOMO” (we have A LOT of FOMO) and will start seeking out what’s more convenient for them.

Se encourages us to live in the moment and take any opportunity or experience we can, but let’s remember we have another three functions. So a balanced ESFP knows when to engage with the flow and when to keep away from it. Of course, we are more willing to take risks but that doesn’t make us reckless in any way.

Instead, we use Se to manage our time and energy efficiently, and this is very important. You know how it is said that INxx types are the most likely to procrastinate while Te types are the ones who “get the shit done”? Well, ESFPs are somewhat in the middle. That’s because ESFPs are impatient. Our Se hurries us to take the task and finish it as soon as possible to engage with something else sooner than later. That’s also why it is said we “only care” about the present. It’s not that we don’t care about the rest. It’s that we are ENGAGED with the present.

ESFPs like to economize time. We’d rather lose money than time. Because time means experience. But we don’t concentrate that easily. Stimuli chase us and beg us to pay attention to them, not to the task. Still, we want to maximize that time, so manly this tension reflects on us as being very capable of working under pressure. When we are given little time to do something, we somewhat get more relaxed because that means maximizing time to the fullest. And THAT is also Se.

Of course, we are also all that beautiful descriptions we find over here: aesthetically selective and sensitive, very observant, can notice when the mood changes in a room, we are very sensitive to the lighting and the sounds etcetera. I’ll drop over here some Se posts very accurate and flattering because trust me, Se is not about jumping off a cliff or fly off from a bullet. That’s fiction (or you have mistaken us for ISTPs lol)

https://random-esfp.tumblr.com/post/140982329002/se-is-not-a-shallow-function

https://random-esfp.tumblr.com/post/141091312137/building-blocks-of-personality-type-extraverted

https://random-esfp.tumblr.com/post/142229288882/entj-girl-personalityplop-what-stereotypes

Because of Auxiliar Fi: 

Fi can be a very upsetting function especially when Dominant. We aren’t “that idealist bitch” but we usually have a full sense of what is wrong and what is right for us (well, that is literally Fi). This means we can be reactive and susceptible when feeling     attacked (and trust me, we DO feel attacked easily). We come across as social butterflies but being with insensitive or negative people can use up our energies. However, healthy ESFPs are usually more realists than optimistic rays of sunshine. Let’s not forget we are truly sensors, we crave for outer stimuli and although we can have our mystical believings, usually we trust what we see, touch and hear. What we can prove. The tangible. 

We are people-oriented so these observations lean mostly on those who surround us. Making us empathic and, somewhat, INTUITIVE. Yes! ESFPs are very intuitive when it comes to interpersonal     intelligence. In my group, I am the most likely to realize or notice when someone is a little more upset than usual, or when someone has changed anything on their image. 

We engage the moment, the action, and that includes voice tones and gestures of people, which we use to complete our vision of the world, make conclusions basing on those observations and take action on it as sociable beings. (Gosh this point it’s the most confusing. We can come across as ENFJs). 

INTERESTING REMARK: Why Se+Fi sometimes seems like Fe?

I have been struggling with this for months. I was so sure I use Se and Fi. I am individualistic and I don’t care if my opinions go against the crowd. I always say what I think. Sometimes I’m brutally honest. I don’t personally seek harmony. I’d rather be honest with myself. So… why do I sometimes feel extremely empathic to the point to think I am using Fe? 

I think it’s basically because of what I have said earlier. The vivid observation makes us both sensitive and intuitive about people’s emotions, moods, and thoughts. ESFP’s minds can be very quick analyzing external stimuli to get to a conclusion. Basically, that is Se, and when it gets in touch with our emotional patterns, we spot the change, we comprehend it, and then we decide how to act based on our mental outline. Sometimes we won’t feel anything for them; sometimes we will feel exactly as them, and THEN is when Se+Fi looks like Fe, but we are just empathizing with people. And Fe isn’t exactly that. Fe users are known for their empathy BUT they also project other people’s emotions, suffering with them even with no clue that people may be actually feeling that. This post (by an xxFJ type) explains if perfectly, it made me realize I have mistaken my empathy with Fe for so long.

Because of Tertiary Te

Healthy ESFPs are real pragmatists, down to Earth people. They are those who in a brainstorm may not participate the most but will show support and excitement for those ideas that seem feasible.     But with those who don’t… well. Let’s say we have already reached a decent assertiveness point… we’ll tell you when your thoughts or ideas are unviable, out of context or unnecessary. Sorry but that’s it. 

As I said,  we value time, we value DOING, not eternal thinking (Se again). So, why do I  have to waste 3 hours of my time discussing this fifteen surreal ideas for our project if we don’t have even put into action at least ONE of the plausible ones, Brenda??? (Brenda is ENxP sorry)

Oh, gosh, I REALLY love Se+Te healthily used. It’s!!! So!!!! Useful!!!

Let’s say it straight: we can be very efficient CEOs. I’m kinda into that at the moment actually. The difference between ENTJs and ESFPs (there are A LOT of differences but I mean in the CEO context since they share all 4 functions) is that ESFPs aren’t used to Te as primary function, and Se will always take the lead, so ESFPs may think less of the consequences of their decisions because they lack that Ni “vision”. Also they have a more “soft” leadership style that can lead them to stressful situations who may end up in loops or grips that aren’t funny at all.

Anyway. Realists. We put things into action. We are quick at decision making and enjoy dynamic jobs where we can train this trait. ESFPs may not have 100 ideas per minute but they will have 2 o 3 that actually are possible and they will just get the shit done. 

BONUS POINTS If they have overcome their insecurities and reached     assertiveness. 

Oh, does it seem like an ENTJ to you? We don’t have that “vision” because Ni is our frenemy, but what is real is that a healthy Te use, especially in mature stages of life, distance ESFPs from that     “dumb party animal look-who-just-broke-the-table-dancing to-Beyonce” type of persona and it makes them effective leaders. Real doers. (Without losing their flamboyant temperament!)

Because of Inferior Ni

I can only think about shitty Ni grips at the moment but I’ll try to be objective.

Healthy inferior functions. This is a very good post about it. It says that inferior Ni: “May display delusional and grandiose thinking” and “Can turn gloomy when life circumstances don’t go their way”. Well, yes, that’s me. That’s ESFPs. Inferior functions aren’t funny. And because of that, the not-so-funny side of ESFPs relays here.

ESFPs can be pretty gloomy even when healthy. As very emotional types, ESFPs project their dark thoughts about the future on Ni. As I said, they naturally engage with the moment and like to take action, but Ni is that subtle but insistent voice in their head that goes like: you should think about this… and that… and what are we gonna do about this thing? Where are you gonna live in ten years? Who are you gonna name your baby after? 

We refuse to think about the long term but when we are forced to do so because of #adulting ESFPs can take two ways:

Keep refusing thinking long term. Which can lead them to immaturity, dissociation of reality, avoidance and some other mental disorders.

Keep it serious and do it. We will complain about it. We will refuse to talk about what we haven’t made up yet, but we’ll try. 

A healthy ESFP who decides to confront Ni and try to use it becomes more focused, serious and driven. Of course, we will have our mental breakdowns because we aren’t comfortable with it, but that is part of life. 

ESFPs who are private about their lives, who are hesitant and reflective… are struggling with Ni. Because we know we need it. And it makes us feel uneasy because Ni requires depth and details and we prefer to improvise and get-by-doing. Ni also demands using all the time Se don’t wanna “waste”. But it’s not time wasted, it’s invested (although too dilated in time for us to appreciate it). However, when we see our goals reached we appreciate the effort we’ve made. 

TO SUM UP:

How are ESFPs usually defined: dumb, reckless, shallow, overly-sensitive, can’t think in detail, bubbly, too much sociable.

How are ESFPs non-stereotypically: observant, doers, quick-minded, leading to action, perfectionist, efficient.

Well, that was almost 2k words about ESFPs in depth. And I could say much more, but for now, I think it’s enough. 

I invite any underrated or extremely stereotyped MBTI type to do their Edition. Or to make some feedback. 

Hope this was useful and/or revealing for you. 

Thank you!