Merce Cunningham
approach to life and appearances

The following is a description of Merce's basic stance toward life, the way others see him, the way Merce Cunningham comes across, the face he shows to the world. In the page about motivation you will read about the inner Merce Cunningham - his real motivation, which describes the kind of person he is at heart and where his 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 Merce Cunningham" may not shine through and others may be in for so a few surprises once they get to know Merce a little better. This page describes the disguise Cunningham wears, his role in life, while the page about motivation talks about the real person beneath the disguise.

Merce Cunningham has a sensible and realistic outlook on life and his two feet are always planted firmly on the ground (though he may, on occasion, have his head in the clouds). Others often see Cunningham as a rock of strength, solid, reliable, dependable, and constant. He is, in fact, amazingly consistent for he possesses great powers of endurance and does not like to make changes or adjustments to his regular routine. Merce does things deliberately and methodically and does not easily accommodate the unexpected. Though he has a gentle, even soft, appearance, Merce Cunningham is enormously strong-willed and stubborn. He follows his own pace and refuses to be rushed or pushed into anything before he feels sure about it. Cunningham can be coaxed and persuaded by charm, beauty, love or affection - but never forced. He will not fight either, but simply stubbornly resist any attempt at being coerced into doing something he does not want to do.

When Cunningham has a purpose, he is extremely fixed, immovable, and bullheaded about it. His obstinacy is often infuriating to others, especially since it takes much provocation to make him flare up or respond to their anger. Merce Cunningham appears calm, unruffled, and unemotional most of the time, but behind his easygoing and peaceable appearance there lies great strength. When it comes to a contest of wills, Merce often wins simply due to his relentless persistence and his ability to outlast just about anyone. Another reason for his reluctance to make changes is his very strong need for security. Merce is most comfortable in stable, relatively unchanging conditions and he also has a strong desire for tangible security - a home of his own, money in the bank, job security, etc. The flip side of Cunningham's hankering for permanence is that he easily gets caught up in a rut and will stay in a familiar situation (e.g. job, marriage) long after it has lost its vitality and interest.

Merce Cunningham has a keen appreciation of the natural world and he derives great joy from the down-to-earth comforts of the physical world, with its myriad of delights. He is quite sensual in a very natural, wholesome way and he knows how to enjoy himself. Cunningham is appealing to the opposite sex in an earthy way. He is also a great lover of beauty and his tastes are basically conventional or classic - not modern.

The effect of his childhood experiences, and the beliefs and attitudes Merce learned while young, are clearly apparent in his demeanor. It is all right on the surface, but when trouble arises Merce Cunningham seems childish and needy. When he is in smoother waters, he appears to have a vulnerable, trusting nature that brings out the mothering instinct in other people.

Merce Cunningham is extremely sensitive to all of the incoming impressions and energies around him, and at times he can be overcome or dominated by more forceful personalities. Learning to establish clear boundaries is important for him, as Merce Cunningham tends to become enmeshed emotionally and/or psychically with whomever he is with. He may have the chameleon's trait of seeming to become the people or person he is with the most.

Cunningham projects a feeling of broad-mindedness, generosity, and beneficence, a sense that he is someone others should listen to and treat with respect. Because Merce Cunningham generally makes such a favorable impression on people, many doors are open to him, and it may seem that he Merce somehow luckier than other people. Mostly this is due to the confidence that Merce Cunningham emanates.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Taurus Rising

Moon Opposition Asc.

Neptune Square Asc.

Jupiter Sextile Asc.