Nicholas Ray
general characteristics

Nicholas Ray'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).

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

He is a very stable individual, and can be incredibly stubborn with very little appreciation for those whose opinions, experiences, or approach toward life differ from his own. Nicholas Ray does not readily adjust to unfamiliar social situations, new ideas, or different types of people, and thus he can be rather narrow-minded in his understanding and experience of life.

As an extremely pragmatic person, Nicholas is not interested in knowledge or concepts for their own sake. Nicholas Ray values practical skills and knowledge over abstract ideas, and he may look down on people who are "too intellectual" or "live in their heads", while at the same time feel intellectually inferior to them.

Learning to be more flexible would be of great benefit to Nicholas, for he is prone to be rather rigid in both body and mind, especially as the years go by.

As we shall see in Chapter 3, Nicholas Ray also has a fiery, energetic side, which provides balance and the opportunity for Nicholas to apply his practical nature in creative, interesting ways. Sometimes, however, his very sensible, realistic, practical ways prevent Nicholas Ray from expressing the energy and wild dreams burning inside.

He is not solely mundane, however. As you will read on the next page, Nicholas Ray'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 is Strong, Air is Weak (F,E,A,W Scores = 12,25,1,11)

Earth is Strong and Sun is in Fire sign

Earth is Strong and Ascendant is in Water sign