Maya Angelou
approach to life and appearances

The following is a description of Maya's basic stance toward life, the way others see her, the way Maya Angelou comes across, the face she shows to the world. In the page about motivation you will read about the inner Maya Angelou - her real motivation, which describes the kind of person she is at heart and where her true priorities lie. Study this page and the next one and compare them - there may be significant differences between the two, in which case "the inner Maya Angelou" may not shine through and others may be in for so a few surprises once they get to know Maya a little better. This page describes the disguise Angelou wears, her role in life, while the page about motivation talks about the real person beneath the disguise.

Ferociously proud and somewhat vain, Maya Angelou likes to be impressive and to be considered special and unique. She is not timid, meek, or self-effacing, and is rarely content with staying in the background or in a subordinate position. She is a natural leader, and does not take orders from others very well. Angelou must have something of her own, something creative - be it a business, a project, a home or whatever - that she can develop and manage according to her own will and vision. Whatever Maya does, she does it in a unique, dramatic, individual way. She likes to put her own personal stamp on it.

Maya Angelou also has a very strong sense of dignity, self-respect, and personal honor and is deeply offended if someone treats her in a humiliating or dishonorable way. Angelou will rarely confront the offender - she is too proud to do so - but she will lose her affection and respect for them. Maya dislikes pettiness and hates to be snubbed or ignored.

Angelou admires others who are strong individuals like herself. When Maya Angelou befriends someone, Angelou is tremendously loyal, sincere, and willing to go to extraordinary lengths to make that person happy. She is very giving and generous, but her gifts are never anonymous - Maya expects recognition and appreciation for them. She also expects the intense loyalty that she offers to her dear ones to be reciprocated. However, Maya Angelou often has trouble developing relationships with people who are as strong as herself, for she does not really cooperate or share the leading role very easily. If she is not in the leading role, she aspires to be and will compete with the person who is.

Maya Angelou has great heart and courage, and people often look to her for strength, encouragement, and affirmation. Maya always puts her best face forward and rarely allows others to see her hurting, disheartened, or vulnerable. Maya Angelou also has a very strong need for love, admiration, appreciation, and praise, although she does not like others to realize just how important it is to her.

Her outlook on life tends to be very personal and rather self-centered. Her own self-expression, self-actualization and self-realization interest Maya more than anything else. Maya Angelou feels that if she does her best where she is, the rest of the world will take care of itself.

Maya either projects a very glamorous image to others, or is easily taken in by those who do. There is an elusive, dreamy quality about her. Maya Angelou falls in love with images (the theater, movie stars, or other heroic, larger-than-life figures).

She may be seen as someone who provokes conflict because Maya Angelou likes to get everything out in the open and she generally does not avoid disagreeable issues. Her relationships with others may be characterized by a great deal of competition, anger, or friction as a result. Or, Angelou may seem to run into more than her share of inconsiderate, pushy people. Learning to harness her energies into cooperative efforts and shared work is Angelou's challenge.

To others, Maya Angelou appears capable, mature, and down to earth. Even when she was young, there was a certain practicality and responsible air about Maya that inspired people to rely on her. Angelou keeps her cool in most situations.

The way Maya Angelou comes across to others, particularly on first impression, tends to conceal certain important aspects of hers. Specifically, what gives Maya pleasure, how she likes to give and receive affection, and what she seeks in friendship or love relationships are not at all apparent from Angelou's outward demeanor. Maya Angelou seems to send mixed signals, and this can create a bit of confusion for the people who are interested in getting close to her or knowing her on more than a superficial level.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Leo Rising

Neptune Conjunct Ascendant in Leo

Mars Opposition Asc.

Saturn Trine Asc.

Venus Quincunx Asc.