The Gospel of Mary Magdalene describes the "7 Powers," or challenges, that individuals must confront if they are to grow spiritually. The 7 powers morphed into the "7 Deadly Sins" of the desert Christian monks of the 4th Century. (Meggan Watterson) A century later, a desert monk, John Cassian consecrates the cave where Mary Magdalene eventually settles and lives in the south of France.
Here's how the "7 Deadly Sins" may correlate to the Enneagram types:
1. Darkness (from the Gospel of Mary)
- Enneagram Type 5 (The Investigator): This type often deals with issues related to avarice and hoarding, primarily of knowledge, as a defense against a world they feel is invasive and overwhelming. The concept of 'darkness' could symbolize the lack of insight or the retreat into the internal world that characterizes Type 5.
2. Desire
- Enneagram Type 7 (The Enthusiast): Known for their desire for excitement, experiences, and pleasure, Type 7s can struggle with gluttony (not just of food but of experiences). 'Desire' as a power could represent the overindulgence and escapism often seen in this type.
3. Ignorance
- Enneagram Type 6 (The Loyalist): This type's struggle often centers around fear and seeking security, which can lead to behaviors stemming from ignorance, especially when driven by fear rather than reason.
4. Envy
- Enneagram Type 4 (The Individualist): Type 4s can experience envy, feeling that something fundamental is missing in themselves, which others seemingly possess. The power of 'envy' can relate to their emotional turmoil and feelings of deficiency.
5. Death
- Enneagram Type 9 (The Peacemaker): While not directly associated with physical death, Type 9s can experience a kind of inertia or 'spiritual death' when they disengage from reality to maintain peace and inner stability.
6. The Flesh
- Enneagram Type 8 (The Challenger): Often engaging in power struggles and asserting control, Type 8s can be seen as embodying the struggle with 'the flesh' in terms of aggressive, dominant behaviors and a focus on physicality.
7. Wrath
- Enneagram Type 1 (The Reformer): Typically characterized by a strong sense of right and wrong, Type 1s can struggle with internal anger or wrath when reality does not match their idealized vision.