Archetypal Quadra Transitions
There are a number of real kinds of events that I believe to be characteristic "markers" in quadra transitions; I am tempted to categorize and dissect and systematize them (as is my obsessive-compulsive habit), but in truth I think the events themselves reveal more about the nature of the types, the quadras, and human psychic growth and development in general than anything that could be extracted from them. I think these transitions say more about the real human psyche than Socionics theory, to be frank, although I think they provide a kind of archetypal insight into the mentalities of the quadras, as well as their "natural" stances on members of other quadras.
Delta to Alpha: Spiritual Awakening
Fi to Fe
This transition is the source of Alpha's "openness." In Delta, anything is possible, so long as it falls within certain socially restricted confines; in Alpha, anything goes. Expression is unrestricted, internal states are represented in earnest and without restraint or hesitation. Passion is fueled by the perceived need to break free from tradition. A new life has begun.
Te to Ti
While anything is now possible from an extra-contextual standpoint, certain rules must apply in order to allow for this "extra privelage." Now that ethics are "open," the rationale for their sustenance must be strict and rigorous, for if this "openness" is practiced without proper conscience, it is both aimless and dangerous. An emphasis on individual responsibility, as opposed to that of the collective is taken on: individuals take fate into their own hands, seeing what difference they can make in the world, rather than simply "knowing their place."
Alpha to Beta: Spiritual Trauma
Si to Se
The transition from Si to Se is generally characterized by a physical hardening of sorts, along with increased awareness/wariness. Types of the Beta quadra demonstrate more physical independence, not uncommonly displaying feelings of hostility or suspicion in the event that another attempts to look after them or provide for their needs. They also often require greater stimulation to produce positive feelings, to feel satiated or "complete," and are generally resigned to a lack of inner peace; a disproportionate number, in comparison to other quadras, probably experience a kind of perpetual agitation.
Ne to Ni
An archetypal loss of innocence. No longer is everything possible; circumstances and events have winnowed the possible courses of one's future, seemingly to an "all or nothing" choice; one can either confront the object of trauma, or retreat from it entirely. Either path necessitates a kind of subconscious "ideological" devotion, which is rarely explicit but more likely demonstrated in the consistency of decisions with long-term implications. This transition also facilitates Aristocracy by negating the "open" philosophical approach of Alpha and creating a more cohesive one, deemed a necessary compromise by individuals having experienced "spiritual trauma" and seeing the need for more rigorous cooperation and, by proxy, alignment of values and "paths."
Beta to Gamma: Spiritual Winnowing
Fe to Fi
This transition reverses the initial "opening" phase of Alpha, driven by caution, diluting the optimistic fuel of the Beta phase, and resigning one's scope for social change to a smaller one. Once again we see an intitiative in the individual scope, resigned to the futility of Beta's very natural-seeming pack approach and enduring the rigors of negating the collective response in order to distill one's own personal insight. The perceived scope is still global, as in Beta, but actions are delegated to individual responsibility.
Ti to Te
Gamma attempts to redefine the methods of change being implemented hitherto, having seen the futility of both ignoring history and attempting to gain momentum by following its tracks. Instead of distilling a coherent methodology or attempting a "grand plan," the Gamma phase is marked by a kind of patience, maintaining sight of an ultimate goal without assuming that everything should follow a particular path, and being willing to use unorthodox methods to get there. Ideologies fall by the wayside as a more sober worldview takes precedence, using it no longer as a tool for motivation but rather a measuring stick for progress.
Gamma to Delta: Spiritual Homecoming
Se to Si
This transition represents a kind of collective sigh; the Gamma phase, having done the dirty work of humanity, so to speak, finds its rest here. As we age, our physical vigor declines, and even the tricks we have learned to push ourselves through hard times cease to have their same potency. Accordingly, here the vigilance of Gamma wanes, and more relaxed mentality emerges, one where physical exertion is seen as a chore rather than a rewarding challenge. Work is undertaken for the sake of responsibility rather than urgency, and careful diligence is exercised in place of expedience.
Ni to Ne
The scope of Delta Aristocracy narrows from Beta and Gamma, no longer focusing on the breadth of consequence of individual actions, but taking rather a more generalized view of the merit of actions. The emergent scope is local, with the assumption that other "locales" have their own methods of operation that share the same general alignment. A kind of spiritual relaxation comes, contrasted to the more xenophobic or fanatical views of Se/Ni quadras; Delta is more open to "outsiders," to experience their customs, to evaluate them without bias or apprehension. With the final extant obstacles to peace confronted in the Gamma stage, differences are seen as learning opportunities rather than potential threats.
DISCLAIMER
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep in mind that these transitions are ARCHETYPAL in nature, and are not intended to denote specific characteristics that would be applicable to every member of the aforementioned quadras. I DO believe these traits can be observed in an unconscious sense from most members of the respective quadras, but it is not an appropriate way to type people, and no trait mentioned should be taken to indicate, by any means, a 1-to-1 correlation with any type, function, or quadra.
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and role lovin too. (
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too... 
Originally Posted by MisterNi
I feel pretty strongly at this point that any real spiritual merit that is to be had from Socionics comes from the standpoint of quadra dynamics, rather than "typings," so this feels like the only thing worth putting any energy into any more. I feel like these characterizations actually provide some depth of personal insight, some material for reflection and understanding, because they actually characterize a kind of archetypal path that everyone experiences (in different shades, of course), as opposed to the process of actually typing people which seems to be no good for anything but wanking and debating in circles. I feel like the quadra cycle describes a very, very intrinsic pattern in terms of energy levels, exertion, etc., and looking into the types themselves, as well as representatives, has helped me to glean something of what I believe to be the "human" element of this process, the actual underlying experience that gives rise to the energetic exhanges and processes that we actually observe.
Has anyone else really thought on this stuff or am I really the only one?
I underestimated you.
themes in the Ten of Disks), same with much of the rest of the Disks suit...
/
and 
do in Air and Fire. The Merry/Serious dichotomy in Socionics would be the Air/Earth dichotomy in the Thoth tarot, and the Judicious/Decisive dichotomy in Socionics would be the Water/Earth dichotomy in the Thoth tarot...
