Jonathan Richman
general characteristics

Jonathan Richman's fundamental needs, values, and orientation towards life are symbolized by the four astrological elements. Each person has their own unique balance of these four basic energies: fire (warmth, inspiration, enthusiasm), earth (practicality, realism, material interests), air (social and intellectual qualities), and water (emotional needs and feelings).

Richman's "elemental make-up" is described below. Remember that most people are "unbalanced" or lopsided, and if Jonathan is lacking or deficient in a certain element (or elements), it simply means that he needs to consciously develop that particular aspect in order to appreciate and/or work harder in that dimension of life.

Sometimes we overestimate the element that we are least endowed with, sensing it as a lack within ourselves, but more often we neglect or ignore it. The qualities described below will be reiterated and explained in more detail in the following pages.

His common sense and his ability to make use of, enjoy and effectively handle the physical world are Jonathan's greatest strengths. He is down-to-earth and capable of managing practical affairs, working and taking care of the business of day-to-day living very well. Jonathan Richman has a strong urge to be useful and productive. For Richman, the bottom line is practicality: Does it work? Is it functional? What practical purpose does it serve? Theories and speculations mean little to Jonathan Richman unless there is some concrete purpose, some way to use them in the real world.

He is methodical and enjoys, even thrives on, a steady routine. His first response to anything novel or experimental is caution, resistance, or skepticism. Fundamentally conservative, Jonathan Richman usually makes the best of the status quo rather than venturing into the unknown or making changes that could jeopardize his security in any way. Material security is particularly important to Jonathan and his sense of well-being is directly linked with financial assets or knowing that he has a steady, reliable source of income. Jonathan Richman may hold himself back or pass over opportunities simply because he cannot control or know the outcome ahead of time. Patience and persistence are his gifts, and Richman builds his life on a firm foundation through discipline, work and planning.

Jonathan Richman also has a deep affinity for the natural world and needs to be close to the earth (gardening, camping or working with his hands using natural materials) in order to be at his best.

He is likely to be overly humble or unsure of himself and to look to others for inspiration, motivation, reinforcement and approval. Tending to be somewhat passive, Jonathan Richman must learn how to take initiative and motivate himself.

A lack of warmth (either physical, emotional or both) may be evident in Richman and can manifest physically as a low energy level, paleness and lack of color in the skin, or a tendency to be easily chilled. Emotionally, it can be reflected in a marked coolness or aloofness with little spiritedness, joyfulness, or enthusiasm for living. Eating warming, spicy foods, living in a warm, sunny place, and using fire in his daily life (lighting candles, using a wood stove or fireplace for heat) can help balance Jonathan. Also, spending time with warm, cheerful, positive-minded people and developing a philosophy based on spiritual optimism can stir up Jonathan's own zest for life.

On the positive side, Jonathan Richman is unlikely to be egocentric and has a capacity for ample patience and peacefulness.

Jonathan Richman tends to lack the ability to analyze himself or his life in a detached, objective way. Jonathan feels and experiences but does not necessarily understand or reflect upon his experience, and thus finds it hard to talk about it. Really taking in what someone else has to say can be hard for Jonathan Richman - he does not readily adapt to new ideas or people, and as a result may become inflexible or limit his experience of life. Broadening his education and gaining exposure to different cultures is very beneficial to Jonathan. Otherwise he is apt to be rigid and even prejudiced against those outside his own circle. (This may be manifested in arthritic conditions, poor flexibility, or poor circulation).

He also tends to distrust people who communicate freely or to feel inferior to those who are more articulate and intellectual than he is. Jonathan Richman learns much more readily by watching, doing or apprenticing than by reading or being told about something.

He is not solely mundane, however. As you will read on the next page, Jonathan Richman's basic earthly common sense is strongly impacted and sometimes overrun by his moods, sympathies and deep instincts which at times may run counter to a purely practical, cut-and-dry approach to a situation.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Earth Element is Strong (F,E,A,W Scores = 3,32,1,13)

Fire is Weak (F,E,A,W Scores = 3,32,1,13)

Air is Weak (F,E,A,W Scores = 3,32,1,13)

Earth is Strong and Ascendant is in Water sign