The Pythagorean musical modes, the four temperaments and their astrological counterparts

This is the fourth in a series of short articles explaining the use of ancient musical modes to aid mental balance and inner harmony. The first article was an overview of the topic; the second dealt with the Phlegmatic Temperament; and the third, with the Choleric. This article will deal with the balance of the blood temperament in particular.

I will also delve a bit into the ancient Greek astrological conception of the four temperaments and the eight Pythagorean modes.

Upbeat personalities are often “the life and soul of the party.” When in balance, the sanguine temperament gives the following qualities:

* Good mood
* sociable nature
* warm personality
* enthusiastic nature
* Optimism
* Amiability
* Good humor

When the blood temperament is unbalanced it produces:

* Lack of monitoring
* punctuality problems
*Forgot
* He wears a heart on his sleeve. (Too naive and trusting)
* Flight

Listening to the Lydian mode increases the good qualities of the sanguine. So if we would like to be more sociable, optimistic, etc. we should listen that way. However, if we suffer from too many of those qualities (perhaps we’ve gone a little too far in social life or need to ground ourselves), we might listen to hypolid mode. This mode would also help correct an unbalanced Sanguine if we have been experiencing too many negative Sanguine tendencies.

Temperaments and astrology

According to ancient Greek astrology, each temperament is ruled by two planets: one that increases the qualities of the temperament and one that decreases them.

The phlegmatic is increased by the power of the SUN and decreased by the MOON;
The choleric increases with MARS and decreases with MERCURY;
The Sanguine is increased by JUPITER and decreased by VENUS;
And the melancholic is increased by SATURN. There is no second planet associated with the melancholy, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

The modes and the planets

There are eight modes but only seven planets recognized in astrology. This is the reason why melancholic humor has only one planet associated with it.

Doric fashion is ruled by the SUN. So, among other things, it’s good for aiding wakefulness and alertness. The Hypodorian, on the other hand, is ruled by the MOON. So it’s good to help us fall asleep. That is why these two modes balance the phlegmatic temperament, which is also ruled by the Sun and the Moon.

The Phrygian mode is ruled by MARS. Mars, being “warrior”, works in the direction of the choleric’s domineering and conflicting nature. The hypophrygia, on the other hand, is ruled by MERCURY. Since Mercury is a messenger, this mode is helpful in diminishing the choleric’s autonomous nature and replacing it with a willingness to communicate on an equal basis with others.

The Lydian mode is ruled by JUPITER. Jupiter is the “joy bringer”, hence the importance of this mode to increase blood tendencies. The hypolide, however, is ruled by VENUS. Venus is the goddess of love. As such, she is concerned with much deeper emotions (perhaps we could even say “sadder” emotions) than the frothy experience of the Sanguine. So the hypopoly is good for cementing the sanguine in us.

The construction of modal scales

The eight Pythagorean modes can be quickly obtained by starting with an ordinary major scale. Let’s take the C major scale for simplicity, as it is made up of only white notes on the piano keyboard.

The C major scale is like this:

CDEFGABC

The Doric mode is the same scale, starting on the second note (D). For therapeutic purposes, the mode only has a range of seven notes, so it runs:

DEFGABC

In the same way, the Phrygian mood begins on the third note, (E);
Lydian begins on F;
And mixolydian starts in G.

These are the four “authentic modes”. The four “plague modes” are Hypodorian, Hypophrygian, Hypolydian, and Hypomyxolydian. These balance out their authentic companions, and are found starting a fourth below. So, for example, the hypodorian begins a fourth below the doric, on the note ‘A’.

For therapeutic purposes (assuming we’re using C as the major root), melodies should always start on A (the “dynamic middle”) and end on the lowest note of the mode (the “Final”). The note ‘A’ is defined as the sixth note in the fundamental fundamental scale, which, in this example, is C major. This note (the 6 of the major root) corresponds to the SOL. Starting at A, and returning to it often, and then ending at the End, the power of the Sun is drawn to the planet that rules the mode. So, in the case of Lydian, the solar power (note ‘A’) is drawn towards Jupiter (F, the End of the mode, or the 4th of the major root).

If you’re attentive, you’ll have noticed that Dorian and Hypomyxolydian are identical, since they both start with D. But Hypomyxolydian is a special mode with a slightly different rule. The melodies must begin in A, like the other modes, but must end, not in D, but in the Final of the authentic mode (the Mixolydian), which is G.

The hypomixolydian mode is not linked to a planet as such, but is considered to be the mode of universal cosmic bliss. Therefore, it is good for all therapeutic purposes and is associated with the entire Cosmos (or the “fixed stars” as they were known in ancient times). This is the mode used to counteract the power of SATURN.

The next article will deal with the last of the Temperaments: the Melancholic. We will also go a little deeper into the composition or improvisation of modal melodies.