Matt Damon's such a bright guy that he co-wrote the movie that made him a star. Along with childhood friend Ben Affleck, the pair's original screenplay won them Oscars for Best Original Screenplay. Born into a well-educated family on October 8, 1970 at 3:22 pm in Boston, Matt quit Harvard for Hollywood only 12 credits short of graduation. Leaving one of the world's most prestigious universities within a few months of graduation might not have seemed like a smart move at the time, but Matt's enormous success as an actor has proven this to be a sharp, if unusual, decision. Breaking the bounds of convention corresponds to the unique qualities of his astrological chart. He was born with the Sun in Libra, which is known for good looks and gracious behavior. Matt's friendly face is an excellent example of his Venus-ruled sign's desire to please people. But Uranus -- the planet of independence and unexpected behavior -- in close proximity to his Sun tends to make even usually docile Libras act impulsively. A need for change is characteristic of this wild and crazy planet, but it also has the touch of genius that made Matt famous. He showed a less desirable trait of impulsive Uranus when he announced his breakup with Minnie Driver on television … before telling her about it. Ouch!

Maybe it was restricting Saturn opposing Matt's Venus in Scorpio that made him a less than accommodating Libra. The ringed planet's tense relationship with the astrological symbol of love can, at its worst, be selfish or less than sensitive to the needs of others. Instead of bending himself to a partner's will, Matt needs strong boundaries to maintain a sense of control in his life. With his Moon -- the body of emotion -- in hard-edged Capricorn, he's not the most sentimental Libra on the block. Perhaps his self-protective attitude was a result of his parents' divorce when he was a child. It's tough to trust love when you've seen it fail at such a young age.

Matt's sharp mind is reflected in a conjunction of Mercury (intellect) with Pluto (depth and power). This gives him the ability to avoid distractions and narrowly focus his attention. When he zones in on someone or something, he is able to dig in deeply to reveal hidden layers of meaning. This gives him an extra dimension of awareness which enriches his characters and empowers him as an actor. Although audiences saw Matt's Libra handsomeness and an independent streak in his early films, it is the Plutonic intensity he displayed as a trained killer in 'The Bourne Supremacy' that marked a significant turn in his career. Based on the box office results, it was a very smart move.

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.