Joyful Aspen

The Enneagram is a framework for understanding personality. It is rooted in nine distinct types that describe how people think, feel, and behave in relation to the world and themselves. Each type reflects a core motivation, fear, and strength, offering a tool for self-discovery, personal growth, and compassion toward others. Unlike rigid personality tests, the Enneagram emphasizes growth and transformation, showing us who we are and who we can become.

Druidry and the Enneagram have no historical link. However, as an Enneagram practitioner and a Druid, I have recognized correlations between the nine Enneagram styles and principles studied by those who have committed to Druidry. In a series of articles, we’ll explore each type through the lens of Druidry, connecting ancient wisdom with modern insights to illuminate pathways to balance and wholeness.

Enneagram Type One – The Reformer: The Principle of Awen

Ones are marked by their deep pursuit of integrity, order, and a righteous yearning to make the world better. They are moral idealists, driven by an inner critic urging them toward perfection. Yet, as they strive to correct what feels wrong, they often carry a heavy burden: the tension between their ideals and life’s messy, imperfect reality.

For Type One, the Druidic principle of Awen offers a transformative lens. Awen, often translated as “divine inspiration” or “the flowing spirit,” is central to Druidry. It is the creative force that animates all existence, the song of the universe that inspires poetry, art, wisdom, and connection. Awen is not rigid or static—it flows. It moves like water, adapting, shaping, and embracing the imperfections of the natural world.

The Type One’s Inner Struggle

Type Ones are often caught in the grip of their inner critic, a voice that demands perfection in themselves and others. While this inner drive can lead to remarkable achievements, it can also become a relentless taskmaster. Ones may feel frustrated when life doesn’t align with their vision of how things should be, leading to rigidity or burnout.

This is where Awen speaks most profoundly to the Reformer. Awen reminds us that perfection is not found in static ideals but in the dynamic movement of creation. Nature itself, so often a mirror of divine wisdom, is inherently imperfect. Trees grow with twisted branches, rivers carve irregular paths, and even the stars are scattered asymmetrically across the heavens. Yet, these “flaws” are part of their beauty and purpose. To embrace Awen is to recognize that perfection lies not in eliminating imperfection but in flowing with it.

Channeling the Desire for Perfection into Creativity

Awen invites the Type One to step away from the rigidity of rules and lean into the creative process. Creativity, by its nature, is messy and unpredictable—a challenge for a One’s structured mindset. But when Ones engage with creativity, whether through writing, art, gardening, or problem-solving, they tap into the transformative power of Awen. They learn that inspiration arises in moments of surrender, not control.

For example, a One might approach a community project with a rigid plan for achieving justice and fairness. While their intention is noble, their inflexibility might lead to frustration if the plan encounters obstacles. By invoking Awen, the One can adapt, allowing the flow of inspiration to guide them toward solutions they couldn’t foresee. This doesn’t mean abandoning their principles but trusting that the creative spirit will work through the chaos to bring something meaningful into being.

Balancing Order and Flow

Awen also helps Ones reconcile their desire for order with the unpredictability of life. In Druidry, balance is key—light and dark, growth and decay, form and formlessness. For the One, this balance is achieved by recognizing that order is not the enemy of flow; it is its companion. A forest, after all, thrives because of both structure and spontaneity. The trees follow growth patterns, yet the wind, the soil, and the sun dictate their shapes.

Similarly, a Type One can bring their gift of order into harmony with Awen by embracing flexibility. Instead of seeing imperfections as failures, they can view them as opportunities for growth and renewal. This shift in perspective not only relieves the One of the burdens of perfection but also allows their ideals to flourish in authentic and sustainable ways.

Embracing the Imperfection of Nature and Self

Perhaps the most profound lesson Awen offers the Reformer is the acceptance of imperfection—not as a flaw to be corrected but as a vital part of life’s beauty. In the same way that no two leaves are identical, no two moments are perfect. Yet, each moment, like each leaf, is sacred in its uniqueness.

For Ones, this means cultivating compassion—for themselves and others. When they learn to quiet their inner critic and listen instead for the gentle whisper of Awen, they discover that their worth is not tied to their ability to meet impossible standards. In this space of acceptance, they find peace, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Awen as a Guiding Principle for Type Ones

The principle of Awen reminds Type Ones that their pursuit of integrity is most powerful when it is fueled by inspiration rather than compulsion. By stepping into the flow of Awen, Ones can channel their desire to improve the world into acts of creative transformation. They become not just Reformers but Visionaries—partners in the great unfolding of creation.

In embracing Awen, the One learns that the universe does not demand perfection. It asks for presence, authenticity, and a willingness to engage with life as it is. Through this practice, the Reformer discovers that the most beautiful transformations arise not from rigid plans but from the inspired flow of the spirit.

So, the One’s journey becomes one of balance between their ideals and the vibrant, imperfect reality of the world. Through Awen, they find the freedom to create, inspire, and embody the change they seek, not as a duty but as a joy.

This is the beginning of our exploration of the Enneagram through Druidry, a journey that reveals how ancient wisdom and modern understanding can converge to guide us toward wholeness. The next article in the series will delve into Type Two—the Helper—and their connection to the Druidic principle of service and sacred relationship. Until then, may Awen flow freely in your life.