Gabrielle Union was a college athlete who was earning a degree in sociology, with ambitions to be a lawyer, when her life veered off in a totally different direction. While interning at a modeling agency to earn extra credit, she was asked to join as a fashion model. This led her to acting, where she's made her mark in movies like 'Love & Basketball' and 'Bring It On' and on television with roles in 'ER,' 'Friends,' and 'The West Wing.' Gabrielle, born October 29, 1972 in Omaha, Nebraska, is a Scorpio, a sign known for its persistence, and not one easily taken off course by the passing winds of chance. But fortunate Jupiter in ambitious Capricorn was favorably aligned with Gabrielle's Sun when she was born, opening avenues of opportunity that carried her from student to star. It took more than luck to turn her small break into a major breakout, though. Gabrielle's good looks are matched by her intelligence and a warm personality that comes through in print and shines on screen.

Scorpios are usually intense, emotional and passionate. Some are terribly private and secretive, but others, like Gabrielle, welcome the spotlight. Her outgoing personality is reflected in the position of the Moon in her chart. The planet of instincts and habits is in confident Leo, a fire sign that was born to shine. The power of her Scorpio Sun is amplified by the natural drama and warmth of her generous Moon. Scorpio and Leo together make a formidable pair as both are fixed signs that add strength and endurance to any personality. Normally, we'd expect such an individual to stick to her chosen path regardless of opportunities to try something new. But Uranus, the planet of surprises and sudden changes, plays a key role in Gabrielle's birth chart, showing that the unexpected would play an important part in her life. This uncontrollable planet was conjunct active Mars when she was born. The union of these two often indicates a life marked by radical twists and turns. Mars pushes in one direction until there's a spontaneous break that sends a person off somewhere else. While Gabrielle doesn't seem to express the violently explosive aspect of this conjunction, combining it with her Leo Moon gives her a freshness and originality that makes her stand out from the crowd. And while there are elements of rebelliousness in a Mars-Uranus contact, hers is gently contained by a harmonious 120-degree trine from stabilizing Saturn that has helped her capture lightning in a bottle and turn it into a successful career.