Christopher Walken's combination of charm and menace has carved out a unique niche in Hollywood. And as an independent Aries with the Moon in unconventional Aquarius, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Christopher Walken is one of a kind. The Oscar-winner is a skilled song and dance man and comedic actor with a special gift for playing mentally unbalanced and dangerous characters. Born March 31, 1943 in New York City with the Sun in Aries and Moon in Aquarius, his chart bears witness to the uniqueness of the man. Aries is the fiery first sign of the zodiac, a symbol of the pioneer, go-it-alone type who has little inclination to fit into the crowd or stick to the safety of life's sidewalks. They walk right down the middle of their own roads, burning through obstacles undeterred by the opinions of others. Sure, Walken cares about what others think -- he is human -- but as an Aries he's unlikely to compromise just to make them happy. A tense 90-degree square to his Sun from expansive Jupiter in subjective Cancer shows that he finds all the motivation he needs within himself, with high expectations that exceed what anyone else would expect of him.

The Moon represents moods, habits and emotions. Walken's Moon in unconventional Aquarius makes him feel very much at home playing weirdos. Aquarius is not just open-minded, but also enjoys the feeling of not fitting into any category. Aries and Aquarius are, in fact, the two most independent signs of the zodiac, each with a high level of inventiveness and originality and a low tolerance for routine.

Walken's unusual voice, a softer version of Al Pacino's New York accent tinged with an inexplicable Southern drawl, is enough to raise the hairs on the back of anyone's neck. When matched with the cold stare of his pale eyes, the man is very good at scaring people. His Moon in cool Aquarius, along with aggressive Mars in this emotionally detached sign, allows him to behave shockingly with a matter-of-factness that chills audiences. This Aquarian objectivity and inventiveness, though, also gives him the ability to make people laugh. The actor's major stock in trade is danger, though. Whether it's the inner demons of a tortured character like Nick Chevotarevich in 'The Deer Hunter' or the calculated brutality of gangster Frank White in 'King of New York,' we feel unsafe in his presence. Walken was born with Venus -- the planet of love and pleasure -- in Taurus, which usually represents a docile personality. However, penetrating Pluto -- the dark lord of the underworld -- forms a stressful square to Venus in his birth chart, adding deep shadows to his art that can evoke a profound sense of menace. While this can also indicate intensity in relationships and extreme loyalty, the scarier side of this combination has rewarded Christopher Walken with a special niche in show business and his fans with a powerful sense of connection to this dangerously attractive man.

About the Author
Jeff Jawer is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's 'Your Astrology Guide 2006.' 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.