The three most important points in any birth chart are the positions of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. The Sun represents a person's core, his heart, consciousness and will. The Moon symbolizes emotions, habit and family, while the Ascendant, also called the Rising Sign, signifies appearance, the front that a person presents to the world. George W. Bush's chart is an excellent example of how these different factors combine and contrast to define one's personality. Born July 6, 1946 at 7:26 a.m. in Hartford, Connecticut, he has the Sun in Cancer, a sign associated with security issues, self-protection and defense. Concerns about safety come naturally to Cancers, who often withdraw into their shells when their world becomes dangerous. Soft on the inside and hard on the outside, this water sign is rooted in emotion and instinct, rather than intellect. Trusting gut instincts is a characteristic common to this sign, sometimes reflecting inherent wisdom, sometimes reflecting fear. Bush's Sun is in the 12th house of his birth chart, an area associated with secrecy, something we might not expect in such a public figure. While the plus side of this position can be a connection with spirituality, it may also reinforce bunker mentality and an avoidance of direct confrontation or open debate.

George W. Bush's Moon is in the socially skillful sign of Libra and joined with Jupiter, astrology's luckiest planet. The jovial mood and easygoing attitude more evident earlier in his presidency corresponds well with this combination. Fortunate Jupiter's union with the family-based Moon reflects GWB's birth into a wealthy and influential clan. While graciousness is a positive trait of Libra, when the emotionally-based Moon is in this appearance-oriented sign, there's a tendency to rationalize complex feelings rather than face them directly. GWB's Ascendant or Rising Sign is Leo, which is proud, willful and presents an unyielding aura of confidence. This adds to his charm, as well as the ability to come across to his supporters as a strong leader. Yet the Rising Sign is a mask, the way we present ourselves, rather than the core of what we're made of. The carefully-crafted public image of George W. Bush as a jet pilot, businessman and Texas rancher was easy to sell, thanks to Leo Rising's natural tendency to appear successful. But, as with many people, the Ascendant can be a bit of an act. Courageous Leos are willing to engage their critics, accept their responsibilities and inspire others based on their actions, not just their words. GWB, on the other hand, has played the role of jet pilot, businessman and rancher in a public way, but has not successfully fulfilled any of them. We rely on future historians to judge our leaders, but astrology doesn't require that we wait to deepen our understanding of them. Cancer insecurities lie just behind Bush's macho Leo exterior, and are likely to be the driving forces in his life no matter how confident he appears to be.