The Primal Triad Formula
Pope Francis was a Philosopher with the heart of a Rebel wearing the mask of the Guardian.
Do you feel the essence of who he is in those three archetypes?
This is what I call the Primal Triad or the Big 3 formula.
It’s a simple yet powerful formula based on astrology:
The Sun is your identity (who you are).
The Moon is your emotional nature (your heart).
The Ascendant is your style or presence (the mask you wear).
From there, you plug in the archetypes that best capture the spirit of each sign.
Archetypes are universal symbols—examples of certain roles or energies.
In astrology, they help you cut right to the core of what each sign really feels like. It’s an intuitive, energetic shorthand for your chart.
Let’s break it down.
Start by knowing the sign placements of your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant.
Then, match each one with the archetype(s) that best fit:
Aries – Warrior. Pioneer. Advocate. Daredevil.
Taurus – Builder. Artisan. Peacemaker. Banker.
Gemini – Teacher. Storyteller. Jack of All Trades. Messenger.
Cancer – Guardian. Healer. Dreamweaver. Therapist.
Leo – Performer. King/Queen. Leader. Force of Nature.
Virgo – Craftsperson. Servant. Perfectionist. Analyst.
Libra – Lover. Counselor. Artist. Diplomat.
Scorpio – Shaman. Detective. Psychoanalyst. Hypnotist.
Sagittarius – Explorer. Philosopher. Free Spirit. Seeker.
Capricorn – Elder. Strategist. Hermit. Boss.
Aquarius – Rebel. Humanitarian. Original. Genius.
Pisces – Mystic. Poet. Flow Artist. Visionary.
Now, plug your archetypes into this sentence:
I am a [Sun archetype] with the heart of a [Moon archetype] wearing the mask of a [Ascendant archetype].
Let’s look at a few famous examples:
Anthony Bourdain
A Guardian (Cancer Sun) with the heart of a Hermit (Capricorn Moon) wearing the mask of a King (Leo Ascendant).
Tony was a chef turned storyteller who traveled the world breaking bread and building bridges. You could feel his sensitivity and depth (Cancer Sun), his seriousness and solitude (Cap Moon), and when the camera rolled, he lit up with charisma (Leo Rising).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
An Elder (Capricorn Sun) with the heart of a Visionary (Pisces Moon) wearing the mask of a Peacemaker (Taurus Ascendant).
His chart speaks volumes: a grounded leader (Cap Sun), a dreamer with deep compassion (Pisces Moon), and a calm, steady presence that led with grace and determination (Taurus Rising).
Beyoncé
A Perfectionist (Virgo Sun) with the heart of a Hypnotist (Scorpio Moon) wearing the mask of a Warrior (Aries Ascendant).
There’s a reason we call her Queen Bey. She’s a master of her craft (Virgo Sun), and her mystique and emotional intensity (Scorpio Moon) keep us guessing. This year, the internet went wild when she revealed her birth certificate in her new book, confirming her Aries Rising. Suddenly, her fierce, sexy, and bold presence made even more sense.
Pope Francis
Let’s get back to the late Pope Francis.
Another way we can say his primal triad formula is: he was a Seeker (Sagittarius Sun) with the heart of a Humanitarian (Aquarius Moon) wearing the mask of a Healer (Cancer rising).
Pope Francis had a Sagittarius Sun in the sixth house. For him to honor his identity, he had to cultivate faith through service and meaningful duties.
He had an Aquarius Moon in the seventh house. For him to nurture his happiness, he had to honor his emotional needs in relationships without sacrificing his individuality.
With a Cancer Ascendant, the Pope’s style was nurturing, soft, protective, and deeply attuned to emotional undercurrents. For him to self-actualize, he was here to be a Guardian, a Healer, someone who had an open heart and wanted to help others.So, what’s your Primal Triad?
What three archetypes make up your astrological identity?
Try the formula, and let yourself feel the story it tells.
If you’re curious to go deeper into what your Big 3 placements really mean, beyond just the archetypes, then check out my Primal Triad course.
We’ll explore how your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant signs interact, what they reveal about your purpose, emotional needs, and natural expression, and how to work with them in a way that actually empowers your life.
Ready to meet yourself more fully?
As above, so within,
Andre
