Delving into my psyche

Inspired somewhat by a conversation at Twice the Rice, I looked up my astrological sign. I’m a Saggitarius,
but almost all my life considered myself more of a Scorpio. Maybe it
was just a while since I looked into my sign traits, but after looking
at the link, decided maybe I was a Sag after all.

Some elements of Sags seem to apply to me – or at least, in my idealized version of what I’d like to think I am – for instance:

Sagittarians are truth-seekers, and the best way for them to do this
is to hit the road, talk to others and get some answers. Knowledge is
key to these folks, since it fuels their broad-minded approach to life.
The Sagittarian-born are keenly interested in philosophy and religion,
and they find that these disciplines aid their internal quest. At the
end of the day, what Sagittarians want most is to know the meaning of
life, and if they accomplish this while feeling free and easy, all the
better.

While the process of exploration is what fuels Sagittarians (and
translating that to others as a teacher and philosopher), they need to
be aware of their tendency to procrastinate.

However, I haven’t put much credibility into astrological signs.
Again, that I think is largely a matter of my adopted status and not
ever knowing if my birthday was real.

Before I went to Korea in 2000, I visited a psychic. One of the
questions I really wanted insight into was if my birthdate was real.
This psychic seemed to think it was close to the stated birthdate, and
when I went to Korea I found out that most likely, that is my real birthdate.

However, without knowing the time, I can’t have a real chart done.

A few years ago, I was doing some research into the Myers-Briggs
personality types. I found out I was an INFJ. I got curious and went
back to my notes on my "type" and here is what I found:

INFJ – The Portrait of the Counselor Idealist (iNFj)

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as
well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes
mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so
genuinely interested in people — a product of the Feeling function
they most readily show to the world. On the contrary, INFJs are true
introverts, who can only be emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a
chosen few from among their long-term friends, family, or obvious "soul
mates."

While instinctively courting the personal and organizational demands
continually made upon them by others, at intervals INFJs will suddenly
withdraw into themselves, sometimes shutting out even their intimates.
This apparent paradox is a necessary escape valve for them, providing
both time to rebuild their depleted resources and a filter to prevent
the emotional overload to which they are so susceptible as inherent
"givers." As a pattern of behavior, it is perhaps the most confusing
aspect of the enigmatic INFJ character to outsiders, and hence the most
often misunderstood.

The Counselor Idealists are abstract in thought and speech,
cooperative in reaching their goals, and directive and introverted in
their interpersonal roles. Counselors focus on human potentials, think
in terms of ethical values, and come easily to decisions.

Counselors can be hard to get to know. They have an unusually rich
inner life, but they are reserved and tend not to share their reactions
except with those they trust. With their loved ones, certainly,
Counselors are not reluctant to express their feelings. Indeed, because
of their strong ability to take into themselves the feelings of others,
Counselors can be hurt rather easily by those around them, which,
perhaps, is one reason why they tend to be private people, mutely
withdrawing from human contact. At the same time, friends who have
known a Counselor for years may find sides emerging which come as a
surprise. Not that they are inconsistent; Counselors value their
integrity a great deal, but they have intricately woven, mysterious
personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.

Beneath the quiet exterior, INFJs hold deep convictions about the
weightier matters of life. Those who are activists — INFJs gravitate
toward such a role — are there for the cause, not for personal glory
or political power.

INFJs are champions of the oppressed and downtrodden. They often are
found in the wake of an emergency, rescuing those who are in acute
distress. INFJs may fantasize about getting revenge on those who
victimize the defenseless. The concept of ‘poetic j ustice’ is
appealing to the INFJ.

Accurately suspicious about others’ motives, INFJs are not easily
led. These are the people that you can rarely fool any of the time.
Though affable and sympathetic to most, INFJs are selective about their
friends . Such a friendship is a symbiotic bond that transcends mere
words.

INFJs have a knack for fluency in language and facility in
communication. In addition, nonverbal sensitivity enables the INFJ to
know and be known by others intimately.

Writing, counseling, public service and even politics are areas
where INFJs frequently find their niche. Usually self-expression comes
more easily to INFJs on paper, as they tend to have strong writing
skills. Since in addition they often possess a strong personal
charisma, INFJs are generally well-suited to the "inspirational"
professions such as teaching (especially in higher education) and
religious leadership, but overall, INFJs can be exceptionally difficult
to pigeonhole by their career paths.