Melancholic Temperament

The Melancholic Temperament in Astrology combines the Cold and Dry Qualities and is associated with the Earth Astrological Element. Has a reflective and focused personality. It can be quite reserved and moderate in its manifestations; sometimes underestimated, seems less interested in things than he actually is.

Index

It is not exuberant in its expression, but very concrete in its actions. Its focus of attention is an objective reality, which gives it a lot of solidity and security. You tend to deal better with facts than ideas. You are generally resourceful and a good investigator, showing a lot of patience and perseverance.

In emotional terms it is not very demonstrative and, like the Choleric, it is rigid in its sensitivity. However, the Cold quality makes you quite susceptible, tending towards sadness, pessimism, and, when emotionally unbalanced, depression.

Due to the Quality Dry, it is difficult to cry and retains his anger for a long time, even being spiteful. The rigidity of this temperament leads him to be very stubborn, suspicious, and anti-social, which can bring him some loneliness. He is generally critical and perfectionist in his deeds, and in extreme cases, he can be intolerant and ruthless.

When combined with the Sanguine Temperament it becomes more social, bold and cheerful, presenting a less pessimistic and defensive behavior. This combination is considered to be very temperate, as it mixes opposite qualities.

If you present an undertone of Choleric, you gain more dynamics, sociability, and determination. However, the predominance of the Dry Quality gives it a solitary and individualistic attitude.

Combining with the Phlegmatic, it highlights the predominance of Cold, which reinforces reserve and retraction. This gives rise to a behavior similar to pure Melancholic, although a little more flexible and adaptable.

In physiognomic terms, the Melancholic body tends to be of medium height and lean in build. The skin is rough and cool to the touch, usually yellowish or dull in color and with little hairiness. Hair tends to be dark.

The Melancholy Temperament is associated with a mood called "black bile". Its function is to retain substances in the body, giving consistency to tissues and liquids, solidifying bones, and strengthening memory and sobriety. Its receiving organ is the spleen.

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 Zodiac 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: