 Temperament, that fundamental coloring of the human personality, plays a role in all manifestations of individuality that are of concern to practical life. -RS |
from openwaldorf.com
The Four Temperaments
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Melancholic
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Phlegmatic
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Sanguine
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Choleric
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| Physical | Etheric | Astral | Ego |
| Earth | Water | Air | Fire |
  "The melancholic children are as a rule tall and slender" |
 "those with more protruding shoulders are the phlegmatic children" |
 "the sanguine are the most normal" |
 "those with a short stout build so that the head almost sinks down into the body are choleric" |
| "The physical body as such expresses itself only in itself" |
"The etheric body expresses itself in the glandular system" |
"The astral body expresses itself physically in the nervous system" |
"The ego expresses itself in the circulation of the blood" |
| Build: tall, bowed-head, bony
Walk: slow with a drooping, sliding gait Eyes: tragic, mournful Relationships: poor, has sympathy only with fellow melancholics Food: finicky, especially likes sweets Memory: good concerning self Interest: self and the past Clothing: dark, drab, solid colors—is difficult to please To stimulate: explain how others will suffer if he/she is not compliant Parent and teacher attitude: show sympathy and empathize with suffering |
Build: big, fleshy, rotund
Walk: plodding, ambling (has a steamroller-like quality) Eyes: sleepy, often half-closed Relationships: friendly, impassive, reserved Food: eats most everything and is always interested in food Memory: good concerning the world Interest: the present, without getting involved Clothing: conservative To stimulate: speak directly to the point, use shock tactics Parent and teacher attitude: show calm strength |
Build: slender, elegant, well-balanced
Walk: on toes (dances like a butterfly ) Eyes: lively, dancing Relationships: fickle Food: nibbles Memory: like a sieve Interest: the present, here and now Clothing: new and colorful To stimulate: ask a personal favor Parent and teacher attitude: show friendly interest, but be firm |
Build: bullnecked, upright, short legs, husky
Walk: firm, heels dig into the ground with each step Eyes: energetic, active Relationships: friendly as long as he/she is in command Food: spicy Memory: poor Interest: the world, self, and future Clothing: individual and outstanding To stimulate: issue a challenge Parent and teacher attitude: recall events and deeds (the next day), be firm, strong, and to the point |
| "In the melancholic we have seen that the physical body... becomes master over the others. As a result, the melancholic feels he is not master over his body, that he cannot bend it to his will." |
"The phlegmatic develops when the etheric or life-body, as we call it, which regulates growth and metabolism, is predominant. The result is a sense of inner well-being." |
"Sanguines surrender themselves in a certain sense to the constant and varied flow of images, sensations, and ideas since in them the astral body and nervous system predominate." |
"The choleric thus comes across as someone who must always have his way. His aggressiveness, everything connected with his forcefulness of will, derives from his blood circulation." |
Factors That Influence Temperament
Since Steiner's tempermanents are used to evaluate and educate your child, it's important to understand how temperaments work at Waldorf.
Steiner says that "temperament is connected to a remarkable degree, with the whole life and soul of a persons's previous incarnation." In other words,
Steiner, Rudolf. Discussions With Teachers
At first, it may surprise you that Waldorf teachers are trained to consider the effect of past lives and karmic destiny of your child. However, it is important to be sensitive and keep an open mind with regards to this practice. You can learn more about reincarnation and karma on the Anthroposophy page.
Melancholic: What Steiner Says
"[The melancholic's] physical body, which is intended to be an instrument of the higher members, is itself in control, and frustrates the others. This the melancholic experiences as pain, as a feeling of despondency. Pain continually wells up within him. This is because his physical body resists his etheric body's inner sense of well-being, his astral body's liveliness, and his ego's purposeful striving."
Sanguines: What Steiner Says
"Sanguines are incapable of lingering over an impression. They cannot fix their attention on a particular image nor sustain their interest in an impression. Instead, they rush from experience to experience, from percept to percept. This is especially noticeable in sanguine children, where it can be a source of concern. The sanguine child's interest is easily kindled, a picture will easily impress, but the impression quickly vanishes."
Choleric: What Steiner Says
"The ego predominates and seeks to triumph over all obstacles, to make their presence known."
Phlegmatic: What Steiner Says
"The phlegmatic has a sense of inner well-being. The more a human being lives in his etheric body, the more is he preoccupied with his internal processes. He lets external events run their course while his attention is directed inward."