By Jeff Jawer
Provided by Tarot.com

Sean Penn is a Leo, a sign known for its sunny, outgoing disposition. While he certainly has the power and pride of the Lion, he's a serious man who's more interested in serious work than hogging the spotlight.

Sean Penn, born August 17, 1960, personifies the power of his Leo Sun. His appeal as a movie star is in the strength of his features and the passion of his acting, rather than his refined beauty or charming personality. Penn, in fact, has been a sort of "bad boy" who gets into fights doesn't go along with the Hollywood way of doing business. His independence as an actor with an interest in off-kilter roles is shown in his chart by a conjunction of Uranus, the planet of rebellion, with his Sun. Leos are strong-willed to begin with, but the presence of independent Uranus makes a person even less willing to compromise. Uranians march to the beat of their own drum and are more interested in shaking up society than supporting the status quo.

Sean's work for progressive causes also corresponds with the activist/agitator tendencies of his Sun-Uranus conjunction. The natural sense of self-importance and pride associated with the Leo is reinforced by a 120-degree trine from expansive Jupiter to Sean's Sun. This highly favorable aspect increases confidence and encourages frankness. Opinionated Jupiter is in its moralistic home sign of Sagittarius, which was rising when Sean was born. Sag Rising individuals consider themselves teachers who are here to guide the rest of us toward their version of the truth. While this adds to an image of arrogance, Jupiter's ascending position in Sean's chart also indicates generosity.

Sean has been more than a cheerleader for causes; he's been actively involved in volunteer work on behalf of individuals in need. This caring side of Sean Penn that contrasts with his gruff, tough persona comes from his Moon, the planet of nurturing, in protective and mothering Cancer, Luna's home sign. This provides him direct access to a deep well of feelings, giving him the softness and sensitivity that are necessary tools of the actor's trade. However, Cancer Moon people can be moody individuals who need to put up a hard exterior to protect their delicate emotions.

The seriousness of Sean Penn comes through in his professional and political activities. If he seems to lack the superficial charm that is common to most entertainers, we can see the roots of this behavior in his Venus. Sean has this planet in hardworking and earthy Virgo where performance is more important than personality. He's a craftsman, a self-critical, constant seeker of improvement who is probably very hard on himself. Deep, dark Pluto's conjunction with Sean's Venus intensifies the focus on his craft and an unwillingness to compromise in relationships. He's a complicated man who is uncomfortable with receiving compliments and totally disinterested in Hollywood glitz. Yet it is this complexity that enables him to expose the heart of human feelings through the characters he plays so well.

About the Author
Jeff Jawer is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's 'Your Astrology Guide 2009.' A professional astrologer since 1973, his articles have appeared in astrology journals, 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.