Nicolas Cage is a Capricorn, a sign better known for its buttoned-up attitude and businesslike ambition than the life of an actor. But Nic's chart is strongly charged by assertive Mars and electric Uranus -- planets that have made him such a strong and compelling screen personality.

Nicolas Cage's remarkable film career has been built on playing very intense characters. And while Nic might not be as strange as kidnapper H.I. McDunnough in 'Raising Arizona,' one-armed Ronnie Cammareri in 'Moonstruck' or twin writers Charlie and Donald Kaufman in 'Adaptation,' he is an unusual guy. Born January 7, 1964, Nic is a Capricorn, a sign better known for its sober than its wild side. But Nic joins a constellation of Capricorn characters that include Elvis and Muhammad Ali, so his powerful personality is not unique to this group.

Family plays a big part in his life both personally and professionally -- he's a member of the Coppola clan that includes Uncle Francis and Cousin Sofia (both directors), Aunt Talia (Shire), an actress, and Cousin Jason (Schwartzman), also an actor. Yet Nic, born a Coppola, chose the stage name "Cage" to make his own name in Hollywood. Capricorns often avoid the easy way, since hard work is their most valued currency. Nic's Venus -- the planet of love, approval and the arts -- is in eccentric Aquarius, a natural for his unconventional life, but is joined with demanding Saturn, Capricorn's ruling planet. In a sense, Venus in Aquarius is about being loved for being different, and with taskmaster Saturn nearby, he is more than willing to pay the price for it and has, in fact, made a career out of it.

Nic's Mercury -- the planet of the mind -- is also in Capricorn, but forms a creative 120-degree trine with eccentric Uranus that gives him the ability to go to crazy places in his head and still find his way back to sanity. Expansive Jupiter in a tense 90-degree square to his Mercury, though, does suggest that he's susceptible to going too far in this thinking or being mentally overloaded at times. But Nic is clearly more than just a raw nerve expressing itself through acting. He's got charm and a sweet smile that softens his personality and humanizes his characters. The astrological source is his Moon -- planet of emotions -- in kind and caring Libra, the relationship sign. This might explain the romantic side of his personality expressed through his lengthy pursuit of Patricia Arquette with whom he was married for six years. Still, even the calm kindness of Nic's Libra Moon encounters intensity through a square with aggressive Mars in Capricorn. This aspect often makes individuals restless, driven by a strong need for action in their daily lives. This is perfect for the emotional violence he's demonstrated on screen, but suggests a never-ending drive that pushes him forward to the next challenge. Clearly, as long as Nic doesn't slip into a string of bland, nice-guy roles, we're likely to be as excited by him as an actor as he is by life.

About the Author
Jeff Jawer is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's 'Your Astrology Guide 2007.' A professional astrologer since 1973, his articles have appeared in astrology journals and magazines and Web sites around the world. He holds a B.A. in The History and Science of Astrology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and teaches and lectures both in the United States and abroad.