Lou Reed
general characteristics

Lou Reed'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).

Reed's "elemental make-up" is described below. Remember that most people are "unbalanced" or lopsided, and if Lou 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.

Lou Reed values order and security in his life and prefers dealing with known quantities and following clearly defined guidelines in order to achieve his aims. He is ruled by reason rather than emotion and Lou Reed thinks in clear, practical, no-nonsense terms. He is uncomfortable with ambiguity, emotional impulsiveness or extremism, and things that cannot be explained in rational terms. Even spiritual or mystical realms - if at all of interest to Lou - must have either some scientific basis or be palpable to Reed through his own experience.

Reed thoroughly thinks a situation through before deciding upon a course of action, assessing and analyzing the matter carefully, and he can be relied upon to reach a fair, reasonable, and sensible solution to whatever he is facing.

He is able to handle practical matters very efficiently, using both deductive reasoning and manual skills. However, it is easy for Lou Reed to become overly "adult" and to loose touch with his spontaneous, playful, vibrant, and childish side. Lou can become too organized and controlled, and avoid giving his emotions or creative, playful impulses full expression, thereby creating a certain sense of emptiness. Lou Reed needs to learn to appreciate a certain degree of "creative chaos"!

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, Lou Reed must learn how to take initiative and motivate himself.

A lack of warmth (either physical, emotional or both) may be evident in Reed 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 Lou. Also, spending time with warm, cheerful, positive-minded people and developing a philosophy based on spiritual optimism can stir up Lou's own zest for life.

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

However, Lou Reed is a complex person, full of internal contradictions because (as discussed in Chapter 3) he is an extremely emotional, feeling person at his core.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Air and Earth are Strong (F,E,A,W Scores = 1,18,18,12)

Fire is Weak (F,E,A,W Scores = 1,18,18,12)

Earth and Air are Strong and Sun is in Water sign