Elaine Pagels
motivation

Behind Pagels' quiet, unassuming and cautious front (described in the previous chapter) lies a much more unconventional, liberal-thinking, freedom-loving soul, described below.

She is a freedom-loving, strong-willed and independent-minded individual, and she insists upon living her own life as she sees fit, even if it means ignoring convention and tradition. In personal relationships, Elaine Pagels cannot be owned or possessed, and while she is willing to share herself with another, she does not always adjust easily to the emotional give and take of close relationships. Though intellectually open, Pagels can be enormously stubborn, opinionated and inflexible on a one-to-one level. Elaine has strong convictions and feelings about fairness and equality, and she tries to abide by them; however, her ideals about how people "should" treat one another do not always take into account human weaknesses, differences and needs. Elaine Pagels probably dislikes sentimentality and traditional gender roles and "games".

She is fair, intelligent, objective and rational and she often let her head rule rather than her heart. Elaine Pagels seems rather self-sufficient and emotionally detached because she is capable of putting aside her personal feelings and viewing things dispassionately. But once Elaine makes up her mind on an issue, it is difficult to dissuade her, and she can be rather dogmatic.

Elaine Pagels thinks in broad terms and is concerned with the world beyond her own personal sphere - her town, nation, or even planet. She is likely to become involved in, or show a keen interest in, community endeavors, social organizations and groups of all kinds. She enjoys being part of a group endeavor, and she often assumes the role of organizing, managing or supervising group activities.

Forward-looking and progressive, she harbors great hopes for the future. Elaine Pagels stays current and up to date, and responds to contemporary cultural trends, both in terms of personal style and ideas. When young, Elaine Pagels was very influenced by peer pressure and by all the "latest crazes". Elaine has an experimental mind and is attracted to novelty.

Her strong points include her concern for human welfare and social betterment, her sense of fairness and democratic spirit, and her vision. Her faults are her stubbornness and inflexibility, and a tendency to be very obtuse and insensitive when it comes to personal feelings and human needs.

Her energies are directed to either perfecting her techniques, skills, and abilities in work, or in "perfecting", refining, and improving herself as a person. Critical analysis and attention to minute detail are intrinsic in either process. The urge to bring about a state of wholeness or optimal functioning is a strong motivation of Elaine Pagels', and she is quite a perfectionist!

Pagels can easily become overly identified or involved with the function she performs, with her work, or with her own health and "growth process".

She is creative and talented, but must develop self-discipline to channel her energies productively. Elaine Pagels may feel that everything is going to be all right, that she cannot lose and may take risks by gambling or speculating, which could result in disappointments.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Ascendant in Virgo and Sun in Aquarius

Sun in Aquarius

Sun in 6th house

Sun Opposition Jupiter/Neptune