Sam Cooke
challenges and difficulties

Sam Cooke has a great capacity for self-denial in the pursuit of a long-range goal. Sam is capable of hard work and persistent labor, but he may lack the capacity for joy and play. Sam Cooke often feels burdened by life's demands and responsibilities, and may envy those who seem to attract what they want in life without a great deal of personal effort.

There is a very judgmental, stern, and uncompromising side of Cooke's that may inhibit him a great deal. Sam Cooke must avoid becoming cumbersome and cynical, or a rather callous, sophisticated adult whose sense of practicality and realism rob him of the playful, imaginative side of life.

Sam may be plagued by fear of the unknown, of change, and/or of death. He strongly resists changes and transitions rather than greeting them with curiosity or a spirit of adventure, which makes them much harder for him.

On another level entirely, Sam Cooke is very careful about joining forces, and especially his material resources, with others. Cooke wants to keep his own and other people's property and assets very distinct.

Sam Cooke tends to seesaw between hope, optimism and faith versus doubt and oppression due to limitations and practical realities. He needs to overcome impatience and restlessness in order to achieve his dreams and desires for a better life.

Sam Cooke feels that he must work very hard and struggle against tremendous odds that impede his chances of fulfilling his life's ambitions. Sam may adopt a very hard, cynical, or nihilistic attitude that will only drag him down further. There are major problems with his father or figures of authority. Sam Cooke may fail simply to spite "them", without realizing that he is primarily hurting himself. If he can overcome his feelings of loneliness, bitterness or isolation, and direct his energies toward constructive endeavors, Cooke can be immensely effective because of his tremendous tenacity and potential for achievement.

Sam Cooke becomes tense and upset rather easily. He becomes irritated by the unwillingness of others to make changes. In his eagerness to see his inspirations materialize, Cooke is inclined to forego tact and diplomacy in favor of achieving his goals. His occasional outbreaks of brusque, insensitive behavior often do more harm than good.

Very cautious and reserved, Sam Cooke may find it difficult to express himself. He is a bit inhibited around others and does not seem to derive much cooperation from them, which causes Sam to be disappointed.

Sometimes circumstances appear to be working against Sam, and he may have to confront major challenges. Sam Cooke will probably have to work harder than others in order to succeed, thereby rendering him hard and cold hearted in his decision-making.

Now we will discuss patterns of behavior which Sam Cooke instinctively and habitually reverts to when under stress - a mostly subconscious process that he is apt to over indulge in because it is so familiar and hence easy for him. The direction Sam Cooke needs to follow in order to develop balance, greater awareness, and wholeness is also described.

Seeking harmonious interpersonal relationships, cooperation, and togetherness, as well as the desire to please or appease other people, are drives that come very naturally to Sam Cooke - so much so that he seeks them out at his own expense. When he is under stress, Cooke tends to look outside himself for approval or answers, and he leans on others too much. Therefore, developing self-reliance, and the courage to look inwardly for answers and forge his own path through life is a key factor in his self-development.

Sam Cooke is often tempted to be less than completely straightforward about his intentions or desires, and he can become enmeshed in a quagmire of "little white lies". Stark honesty - both inward and toward others - is the only way out! This, however, leads to the need to confront some of Cooke's most deeply ingrained fears, such as "what if they do not like me?" and "what if I have to go through this alone?".

Sam Cooke needs to cultivate his ability to be assertive, take initiative and act on his own behalf. Directness and self-reliance are imperative.

It is in any involvements he has with teams, clubs, organizations, networks, and the like that Sam Cooke is most likely to wrestle with these issues. The qualities described above need to be channeled into some sort of group effort or experience, or have some impact on society at large.

The following are specific activities that will support Sam Cooke in his growth. These may or may not feel natural to Cooke, and he may initially resist or feel awkward about them, but they are crucial to his path to wholeness.

Sam Cooke should be willing to become more of a free thinker, to experiment and change, to loosen his ties to tradition and the known and to allow for new developments. He needs to practice getting involved in an area involving new techniques, rapid changes and innovation. Sam can be part of the avant-garde promoting such changes - be it in science, music or social relationships. Sam Cooke has to be willing to be different and perhaps to be considered eccentric or odd.

Because of certain people and circumstances in his environment, Sam Cooke may sometimes find it difficult to follow his ambitions. It could be to Sam's advantage to sever his relationships with those who control or try to abuse him.

Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section:

Saturn in Capricorn

Saturn in 8th house

Jupiter Opposition Saturn

Saturn Opposition Pluto

Saturn Square Uranus

Saturn Opposition Mars/Asc.

Saturn Opposition Jupiter/Pluto

N. Node in Aries

N. Node in 11th house

N. Node Conjunct Uranus

N. Node Opposition Saturn/Pluto