The Choleric Temperament in Astrology combines the Hot and Dry qualities, being associated with the Fire Astrological Element. It is manifested by enthusiasm, energy, and quick action; it gives rise to determined, courageous, and ambitious personalities. They are always ready for action, being enterprising and enthusiastic, not easily giving in to obstacles.
Index
Anger Temperament
If properly moderated, it confers a spirit of leadership and strong willpower. Although Choleric Temperament does not easily lose enthusiasm, he tends to change direction several times and initiate several projects throughout his life. His focus of interest is action and achievement, so the details rarely stop him. It is sometimes rash and fickle. Due to his lack of patience, this temperament is not much given to study and investigation.
In emotional terms, it's not very demonstrative and its "dryness" can make it rigid and even insensitive. Impatience makes him ungracious in his expressions, leading to rudeness and hostility. It reacts with great intensity to external threats or challenges, and it can be confrontational or even violent. In extreme cases, the combination of lack of sensitivity and the ease with which you express your anger can make you cruel.
If the Choleric Temperament has traits of Melancholic Temperament, the personality tends to be more moderate in its actions. In this combination the Dry Quality predominates, which indicates a tendency to retain anger, causing distrust and bad mood. However, this combination of temperaments confers greater constancy, capacity for study, and curiosity, as the Cold of the Melancholic tempers the Hot of the Choleric.
The presence of Phlegmatic curbs the Choleric's constant activity and impulsive response, as it is a mixture of primitive qualities complementary (Hot and Dry on the one hand, Cold and Damp on the other). On the other hand, it provokes a greater emotional contrast, generating all kinds of temperamental attitudes.
If the secondary temperament is the Sanguine, there is greater lightness and sociability, which reduces the angry expression. There is greater sensitivity and adaptability (Wet moderates the hardness of Dry), but as both share the Warm quality, there is a certain agitation and inconstancy.
In physiognomic terms, a Choleric body tends to be thin, muscular, and hairy. Height is medium or short. The skin is rough and warm, shiny, yellowish or reddish in color. These characteristics can be modified by combining other temperaments.
In the medical/physiological field, the choleric temperament is associated with the mood called "yellow bile" (the term bilious is sometimes synonymous with Choleric). According to the ancient medical system, this humor, which is centered on the gallbladder, served as a clarifier for the remaining humor, instilling movement and action, and warming the body.
Practical Application of Temperaments
Temperaments are the key to interpreting a horoscope. Each planet or sign has affinities with one of the four temperaments, which serves as a basis for defining its characteristics.
The combination of the temperament of a planet with that of the sign where it is positioned is the basis of astrological interpretation.
In Astrology, Natal is possible to determine the temperament (or combination of temperaments) of each individual. This global temperament describes the basic characteristics that condition all personal behaviors, motivations, and dynamics.
The manifestation of the particularities indicated on the map is always subject to the dominant temperament. For example, an astrological indicator of aggression will have a different expression in a Choleric Temperament chart (which reinforces the aggressive tendency) or in a phlegmatic temperament chart (which retracts it). Temperament is, therefore, a kind of background against which the personality manifests itself.
The calculus to determine individual temperament has a certain degree of complexity, which takes into account the relative weight of the four primitive qualities of the horoscope.
Primitive qualities of the Ascendant and the Moon are considered (as well as the associated planetary configurations), to which the temperament of the Sun Zodiacal Sign is added.
Source: Helena Avelar e Luis Ribeiro, in "Tratado das Esferas - Um Guia Prático da Tradição Astrológica". Editora Pergaminho. Cascais, Portugal, 2007, pp. 45-6.
Primordial Qualities - The Principle of Everything
In Astrology, the vital energy manifests itself, initially, through the Primordial Qualities (also designated as Primary Qualities or Primitive Qualities). These are present in Nature and matter, subtly regulating cosmic energy.
All life forms are expressed through Primitive Qualities and they are also the pieces that constitute the elements, signs, and planets, that are, they are the basic foundation of Astrology.
Each of these axes represents opposite attributes:
- Hot and Cold
- Dry and Wet
Whereas:
- Hot - action, movement, impulsivity
- Cold - receptivity, passivity, melancholy, observation
- Dry - permanence, stagnation, crystallization, concentration
- Wet - flexibility, volatility, malleability
Primitive Qualities and the Energy of Planets
Planet/ Quality/ Element/ Temperament
- Sun - Hot and Dry = Fire (Choleric)
- Moon - Cold and Damp = Water (Phlegmatic)
- Mercury - This planet has no definite quality, as it tends to absorb the qualities of what it comes in contact with. However, when observed in isolation, without any other influence, it is considered Cold and Dry (Melancholic)
- Venus - Cold and Damp = Water (Phlegmatic)
- Mars - Hot and Dry = Fire (Choleric)
- Jupiter - Hot and Moist = Air (Blood)
- Saturn - Cold and Dry = Earth (Melancholic)
Or, otherwise categorizing:
- Sun and Mars - Hot and Dry
- Saturn and Mercury - Cold and Dry
- Venus and Moon - Cold and Wet
- Jupiter - Hot and Moist
The Four Humours in Astrology
- Choleric Temperament - Independent, Decisive, Goal-oriented, Ambitious
- Melancholic Temperament - Analytical, Detail-oriented, Deep Thinker and Feeler
- Phlegmatic Temperament - Relaxed, Peaceful, Quiet, Easy-going
- Sanguine Temperament - Enthusiastic, Active, Social
