Leo is the sign of authority and success. Like the Sun that sits at the center of the zodiac while the planets revolve around it, Leo’s gravitate toward power and recognition – they want to be seen and heard. Because they desire to be the best at what they do, they are attracted to the struggle which makes them strong. Only Leo’s with a dream and a strong motivation to manifest it, will past the test of rejection, judgment and sometimes poverty that often obstructs their path of success. What separates a successful Leo from the average Joe is inner faith in their own uniqueness - when you believe in you others do too. Gifted with an extra dose of charm and charisma they can make impossible situation work for them. Often they find a mentor who bridges the gap between being an unknown and the struggle to enter the limelight. Whatever their choices they must learn to enjoy life, the good and the bad, find meaning in that joy and not be afraid to lose what they have. After all, the universe will provide.

ANTONIO BANDERAS

Antonio Banderas was born into a middle class Spanish family. His father was a policeman, his mother a teacher (Leo’s have authority issues and love to learn). His dream was to be a famous soccer player. That dream was taken away when he hurt his foot. However, it was replaced by a greater one the night he saw the musical Hair. Enchanted by the performance he decided that night to become an actor. Following his Leo instinct, he took off for Madrid. “Madrid seemed to me the center of everything”. Living in the city was not easy, in fact he struggled. Remember, a dream that’s going to work for you requires commitment and faith, you don’t get faith without making some kind of sacrifice. “I earned about $5 a week,” he told Biography Magazine, “I would walk on the streets of Madrid looking between the cars for a few pesos someone might have dropped. I slept on a sofa that had a broken spring right in the middle. So much I remember that spring! For a year, even when I was in a normal bed, I could still feel it in my back!”

His big break came when he was acting in the ensemble of the National Theater of Spain. One night a struggling director – Pedro Almodo?var, saw him perform and signed him up for a film (remember you’ve got to be doing what you love to succeed). They made five films together. “I never made more than about $20,000 all together.” When you’re not focused on the reward, you get ahead – Banderas became a well known figure on the Spanish screen and made more than 20 movies by 1990. Pedro’s big break came when he made Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (featuring Banderas in a supporting role). It was nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1988 and America saw their future sex symbol for the first time. The film brought him a role in The Mombo Kings, and the rest is history.

Like a true Leo, Banderas yearns to be remembered, not so much for what others think about his talent and looks, but rather the passion and heart he has displayed in his quest to be the best. “I would like people to say of me, ‘Antonio Banderas was a man who was crazy about his profession and that he lived and laughed and loved as much as anyone can.’”

ASTROLOGICAL CHART

Antonio Banderas' solar chart

Sun conjunct Uranus in Leo: With this conjunction Antonio would strive to express himself freely and without restrictions. He grew up in the Franco regime in Spain, and a lot of things were not allowed. Resistance to freedom always makes one appreciate it more. This aspect can create authority issues, but only if someone stands in the way of ones truth. It’s important for him to be recognized for his uniqueness and not just as another handsome lover.

Saturn in Capricorn: This gives Banderas the ability to focus and set goals. He is able to commit to what he wants and stay on course. Yes, difficult tasks or hard work won’t deter him from his path. That’s the way to get to the top. For example, he couldn’t speak English when he was hired for The Mombo Kings – so he did his part phonetically and it worked.

Jupiter in Sagittarius: Antonio lives by his own rules. He has the ability to focus on what’s important to him and shut out the judgments of others.This is an essential step to lasting success. If you listen to others you will follow their voice not yours and sooner or later you find yourself off your path.

Neptune in Scorpio: He is looking for his soul mate and seems to have found it in Melanie his wife. This conjunction allows someone with courage to face the truth and essence of their soul.

Venus conjunct Pluto in Virgo: Venus is beauty and truth and Pluto gives it power. He uses his beauty but he relies on his truth, now that’s real power. This conjunction can also get someone caught in a love triangle. I’m sure he felt this when he fell in love with Melanie and had to separate from his wife.

Mars in Gemini: This makes him restless and always on the go, but it also gives him the ability to be multi talented -- he can sing, act direct and produce.

Mercury at 29 degrees of Cancer: The last degrees of any sign make things intense. Antonio is able to express so much of who he is without saying a word. Cancer’s have the ability to communicate with silence. Since Mercury rules communication, he has achieved the ultimate in this area – he speaks without opening his mouth. We feel who he is.

LOOKING FORWARD

Antonio is about to have his progressed Sun move out of Virgo and into Libra. Yes, he is finding a way to bring his whole truth to the surface. His immense success on Broadway in “9” is probably a result of this. I think he loves to sing as much as act and even though he did an incredible job opposite Madonna in Evita, the film was not well received. There’s something about a theatre with a live audience that energizes a Leo and brings out the best in them.

If his relationship with Melanie is good, it will get better. If there are problems they will be increased at this time. Libra is the sign of relationships and when the Sun is there, there is a desire for them to be equal and mutually supportive. With Saturn in Cancer conjunct his progressed Mars, he is redefining his goals and direction. Pluto will be conjuncting his Jupiter by end of next year and I think he’ll feel for the first time in his life that he is truly in charge of his destiny. I see a new Antonio emerging into a new and greater sense of himself. He will be stronger and more powerful than ever before. It’s the way it should be, after all he has earned it.

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