#the secondaries

(This is in response to this post.)

Thanks for sharing your take on this! You make some very good points.

In fact, you've reminded me of a conversation I recently had with someone who I had guided through the sorting process. They were having a very Burnt Secondary day, the type of day where they would say they don't feel like they have any function, a cog without spokes to follow your metaphor. They were trying to ask if I was sure that they were a Badger Secondary and not a Snake because of all the shortcuts they had been taking in their schoolwork, so I had to remind them that they were using up all their energy fighting their depression. Of course, they didn't have energy to do the hard work that they usually would have wanted to do. I pointed to what they did on good days and the activities they do for fun or for relaxation. And then I pointed to their regrets, to the way all these shortcuts stressed them out. It was understandable that they didn't feel like they were living up to a Badger Secondary, but when they're feeling healthy, it's clear that that is what they use.

Oh, no! Please don't sort yourself based on what happens when you're being controlled by emotion! Unless you're getting a feeling of security from these moments, like listening to your gut is your back up to your Bird, I wouldn't even count it as a part of your sorting. What people do when they're panicked, angry, afraid, or desperate only tells you how they act when emotion is the one in the driver's seat. You might be able to identify someone's Primary in this state (people usually make moves to protect or fight for what they value most when pressured), but this is not helpful in revealing Secondaries. I'd argue tdesperate people will look like Burnt Secondaries, trying anything and everything they can to get out of that situation, even if that burning doesn't last once the pressure lifts.

1. What is being authentic like? What is meant when being authentic? For me it's just being relaxed but is there something else? If we are talking about 'speaking honestly' then I am not sure I am speaking honestly. Wait, what is honesty at all? Things change so much in my mind based on reality...

2. Can you be a Lion secondary who doesn't mind lying to get their way? Can you be a Lion secondary who thinks diplomacy is better sometimes but being straightforward is better at other times?

3. Can you be a Snake secondary who does not derive joy from changing? It doesn't make you suffer but you aren't overjoyed either. Thank you

Before I get to your questions and since you bring up the possibility of being a Burnt Secondary, it is important to recognize what this means for your sorting process. Burnt Secondaries tend to latch onto whatever methods they can, meaning they can wind up borrowing from up to all four Secondaries if need be. This can get quickly get confusing, which is why I suggest you concentrate on recognizing what skills make you feel comfortable, safe, or strong. Secondaries that aren't a natural or learned part of you will feel stressful or uncomfortable to use.

Now then, your questions:

(1) Relaxed is a good word for it. I had a theory a little while back that part of what differentiated Lion and Badger Secondaries from Snake and Bird, was that Lions and Badgers largely rely on their subconscious mind to guide them during social interactions, while Birds and Snakes will have the conscious thought of “Oh, they expect/need me to act this way.” So, Lions and Badgers or Neutral Snakes and Neutral Birds are relaxed in the sense that they don’t have to consciously think about adjusting how they present themselves in social interactions.

(A quick note: I realize you’re getting the term “authentic” from some of the earlier writing on SHC, but as Snakes and Birds explain it, they’re still being themselves. It’s simply a different piece or form of who they are.)

(2) Well, it’s not like Lions don’t understand what tact is. They can adjust according to the social interaction, although it’s been described like a dimmer switch. They can adjust their intensity, but they can’t change into something new on the spot. And yes, Lions can lie when need be (not to be confused with the morality of lying—that’s decided by your Primary), however, Lions tend to find repetitive or long-term lying stressful and uncomfortable. To go back to the idea that Lions are led by their subconscious in social interactions, lying is a skill that requires conscious thought. The liar has to keep track of what the lies are and who knows what in order to not get caught, so intricate or repeated lying will get exhausting for Lions. If it’s a one-off lie, however, like a bit of trolling, that’s more comfortable for Lions, especially if they know the truth will quickly be revealed.

(3) It’s possible, yes. Snakes generally change because it’s the easiest way to get what they need out of a social interaction. Sometimes it’s protection from the other person, sometimes it’s a need that the other person can fulfill. Occasionally, that need can be joy-inducing. Otherwise, I’ve heard Snakes describe their changing as something that makes them feel secure or strong.

Well… Technically speaking, if a character has a Secondary model, they have two Secondaries. I know what you’re trying to get at though, and I’m not trying to be pedantic. The unfortunate sticking point of this question is that the answer will always be highly subjective. When people say “my Secondary model feels strong enough to be considered another Secondary,” it’s completely their decision. What matters is what feels comfortable and right for them. But obviously, we can’t ask a character how they feel about their various problem-solving skills, and what may look like a model with the strength of a second Secondary to some people, won’t rise to that strength in other people’s eyes.

Despite all of that, I’d like to give you some sort of answer, so let’s pretend for a second that we can make this slightly less subjective. Let’s say the criteria for identifying a character with a second Secondary is as follows:

The character must have more than one Secondary

The character must use the Secondaries in question a roughly even amount

The character must not abandon the Secondaries in question as the story progresses

As I’m sure you’ve realized, even these criteria are subjective, for people can disagree on how many Secondaries a character has at any point in the story and how evenly the character uses those Secondaries.

I love the directness of lions. They say what they want, and you know what beats you need to hit with them. In groups, they can take a lot off your plate in terms of keeping conversations open and honest, and it's just so easy to follow where they lead. They are also the easiest to read, if not always to deal with.

I love the connectedness of badgers. They are the ones that will check in periodically to make sure you're alright, they remember your birthday and other small things from your life that makes you feel appreciated, and they have an incredible knack for knowing how to handle a group. They are also fair to a fault, which is a blessing and a curse.

I love the clarity of birds. They can tell you exactly what they are doing at any given moment, and why. They know the best strategies and the most surprising facts, and the amount of self-reflection I encounter with bird secondaries or people with a bird model is truly impressive.

It can be... depending on the person. I hesitate to agree fully because this is usually a saying that involves ethics and that ventures into Primary territory. I've had plenty of conversations with Bird and Snake Secondaries who have strong negative feelings about lying, manipulating, or other skills, so they do put limits on their means.