Britney Spears:Timeline

Britney Spears was born on 02/12/1981 she is one of the biggest female recording artists of all time. I thought it would be interesting to explore her astrological cycles and the defining moments in her life. I will analyse her rise to fame, and split with Justin Timberlake. The whirlwind marriages, and the birth of her two boys. I will also look at the divorce, and breakdown. I will chart the rise and fall of Britney Spears to understand why our pop princess spiralled out of control. Britney has recently made a comeback and continues to be under the glare of the spotlight with her new album and tour “The Circus”.

Career Debut

Britney released her debut single “Hit me baby one more time” at the end of 1998, the single went to number 1. In January 1999 her album peaked at the top of the charts. At this time transiting Jupiter was moving through Pisces 6th approaching a square to natal Neptune in 3rd. A forced emphasis on Neptune, a great need to express her creativity, and making the journey in to the music world. Jupiter- Neptune increasing her sensitivity to the collective.

Astrologer’s often warn people to use powers of discrimination under a Jupiter-Neptune transit, or you can be excessively disillusioned when the bubble bursts. Transiting Jupiter in 6th is forming an opposition to Mars in Virgo 12th, and Britney would have lots of excess energy to bring into her creative work. Saturn in Aries would have been trine Neptune around the time she was working on her debut album. Creativity in tangible form, she would feel grounded and inspired.

Transiting Saturn also squared her natal Venus in Capricorn 4th before she hit it big, and she would have been working hard in her personal life trying to balance duty with pleasure. The transit reveals how she was feeling at the time, and too much work was probably restricting her inner personal enjoyment, something she would later try and make up for by “too much” partying. Natally she has Venus in square to Saturn; this is an ongoing theme in her life.

Transiting Uranus in Aquarius conjuncts Britney’s Moon in Aquarius 5th indicating her sudden arrival in the spotlight (5th), and changing her personal life forever.Transiting Uranus also sextiled her natal Sun in Sagittarius, this enhanced her self image with exciting changes. Transiting Neptune in Aquarius 4th squared Jupiter in Scorpio 2nd, again the Jupiter-Neptune theme is retold. Transiting Pluto conjuncts Britney’s Sun, her life was about to change…

The Break-up

I don’t know the exact date of when Britney and Justin Timberlake first got together, all I know is the date of the break up. This was to be an emotionally upsetting time for Britney spears. According to rumours at the time Miss Spears had cheated on Timberlake and he found out, consequently this is what lead to the public break-up. Justin released a song “Cry me a River” as a goodbye song to Britney while also getting his revenge. Both Britney and Justin share a Venus square Pluto aspect, when love and hate collide. The relationship was the perfect childhood romance, that ended painfully for both of them. The relationship broke up in early 2002 transiting Saturn in Gemini opposed her Sun in Sagittarius. Hard reality and separation (Saturn) with an important male figure in her life (Sun). I think Britney was not expecting the break-up, and at this time she would have been feeling depressed about her life and future.

Surprise Weddings

Britney married her childhood friend in January 2004 in Las Vegas. The wedding was subsequently annulled stating Spears lacked understanding in her actions. Transiting Uranus in Pisces 5th was trine Jupiter in Scorpio 2nd. A lucky streak (Jupiter) in gambling with romance at this time (5th). An opportunity arisen and Britney took it, against her better judgement, but we are dealing with Jupiter here and the land of opportunities.

 Natally transiting Jupiter was moving through the hidden 12th house representing the secret ceremonies taking place. Transiting Neptune was conjunct her Moon in 5th and she would have been under a hazy fog (Neptune) emotionally (Moon) in romance (5th). Alcohol consumption while out partying is probably not a good idea, as her emotional weaknesses are more acute now, and she can be extremely gullible at this time.

Romance is ruled by the 5th house and emotional involvement at this time can fall under an illusory spell (Moon-Neptune). This influence makes her extremely open to the plights of everyone around her, she can attract all kinds of hard luck stories. While still under this influence, in July 2004 she announced her engagement with Kevin Federline, only three months after meeting him. As I was saying before opportunities in romance were being offered at this time. She would have been feeling optimistic (Jupiter) and excited (Uranus) with the easy trine of Jupiter-Uranus affecting her 5th house of romance. Kevin and Britney both married in a surprise ceremony.

New Baby

After marriage she took a career break and had her first child. She gave birth to her first son on the 14th September 2005. On a side note her baby was born the same day as mine. I was in my hospital bed when I watched the news on television. Britney tried to steal the limelight from me (laughs).

Transiting Jupiter was on her natal Saturn, and this describes Britney’s hopes and optimism for the future with her child, and the reality of more responsibility. Saturn had not long entered Leo and was approaching an opposition to her natal Aquarian Moon- indicating her personal life is now filled with more responsibility. Uranus was in a 2 degree orb of squaring her natal Sun, and astrologically this can indicate a child being born; I had the same aspect (Sun conjunct Uranus). The aspects explained above would also be the synastry between Britney and Baby Sean. Britney had a second child shortly following her first, and many critics thought this placed too much strain on her emotionally and physically.

Divorce

Britney filed for divorce from Federline in November 2006 citing irreconcilable differences. She wanted legal custody of her two boys. Federline responded by fighting for sole legal custody of the children.Transiting Uranus in 6th squared her natal Sun directly at this time. The transit describes her life being disrupted (Uranus) with sudden developments and altered circumstances. The rebellion had begun she now wanted to be free from limiting circumstances, by making radical changes in her life.  

Transiting Pluto was conjunct natal Neptune, and the configuration squared her natal Mars in Virgo 12th.  Mars-Pluto often indicates sexual troubles in a marriage, aggression and fighting for control. Ego-conflicts and violent eruptions. Britney had an uncompromising desire to assert her own will, and all hell broke loose. This configuration landed on her natal Mars-Neptune which describes a poor sense of boundaries around her powers of assertion. Britney’s aunt who she was close to died in early 2007  from ovarian cancer. Transiting Neptune squared her natal Chiron in 8th indicating an extremely painful time for Britney were all her dreams of marriage were gone, and she lost a family member who she loved and valued. Emotional wounds can resurface at this time (Chiron 8th), needing to be healed.

Rebirth of Britney Spears

Britney went into a drug rehabilitation centre at this time (Neptune-Chiron) but it lasted only 24 hours. The next day she created worldwide controversy by shaving all her hair off. Transiting Pluto was aspecting all of her angles, and it describes a powerful need to transform all areas of her life. It’s not a rare thing for women to want to reinvent themselves after a break-up, but most us don’t shave all of our hair off! All I can say is she was in desperate need to transform and rid herself of the past. A snake sheds it’s skin when it has outgrown the old one, and in effect this is what Britney was doing. Shedding her old skin and awaiting the rebirth of a new woman. However her troubles were only just beginning….Throughout 2007 she received heightened publicity over her antics. Britney was ordered to take random drug testing and take classes in parenting skills.

Losing custody of her children

In January 2008 Britney refused to give up custody of her boys. Police were called, and she was taken by ambulance to be hospitalized because she appeared to be on drugs. No drugs were found in her system, but she was held for psychiatric evaluation for a few days. Later Britney was placed under her father’s care.

Transiting Chiron conjuncts her natal Moon in Aquarius 5th indicating the painful (Chiron) emotional separation from her children (Moon in 5th). Saturn was approaching a square to her natal Sun. Saturn as we have seen before can indicate a separation, and it also reflects a time where she needs to be more responsible. Learning how to be self-sufficient, and strengthening her ego. Sun-Saturn represents authority figures, and her father now had control of her life. Britney needed to re- build her self and life back up again. It is still a painful transit, but it can hold enormous rewards if she takes stock and can put her life on solid ground.

Hopefully she can keep her feet on the ground, and let the controversy die down. I guess we will all see how she copes in the long run.

Barbara Streisand

Happy Birthday to Barbara Streisand, she has become one of the most successful entertainers around.  Barbara was born with Sun in Taurus/1st house conjunct Mercury, both planets square Chiron and Pluto in Leo 5th house.

Barbara’s childhood was an unhappy one, her father died when she was 15 months old (Sun is in exact square to Pluto in 5th). Barbara later had a step-father, but she had a turbulent relationship with him. Barbara’s mother tried to discourage her daughter from pursuing showbusiness because she thought she was not attractive enough, this indelibly left Streisand’s self-esteem wounded (Sun-Chiron). The Sun is disposited by Venus in Pisces 12th house, this means she has a strong need to transcend herself into artistic expression through acting, music, art etc. According to Tracy Marks in the book “Your Secret Self: Illuminating the Mysteries of the Twelfth House”:

One other issue which may be problematic for you in your relationships is your confusion about your femininity. Most likely you were influenced in your concepts of women by a mother who did not provide an adequate role model. She may have been very giving, but she was likely to have given in a narcissistic manner, without awareness or loving, so that you were forced to turn inward at an early age to find sources of love within yourself. As a woman you may be confused or insecure in regard to your female identity.

I hope Barbara has found her source of love within.

Keanu Reeves

The absolutely gorgeous Keanu Reeves first rose to prominence with his role in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” he played the part of Ted a lovable airhead. In later roles it was hard for many people to take him serious because of his accent and earlier movies. However, Keanu has proven a force to be reckoned with in the film industry. After his role in the movie “Speed” we saw how much intensity and drama he could deliver. Keanu was now being taken seriously for the star role of the leading man.

I can’t believe I have never looked at Keanu’s chart before. I always knew he was a Virgo but now after seeing his whole chart, it certainly sheds more light on the archetypal qualities he projects. Keanu is most famous for his role in “The Matrix” a futuristic film that broke new thresholds in movie making. Keanu was cast as Neo (One) he played a computer programmer and hacker, who lives in a computer programmed world. There is a prophecy that one human being (Neo) once connected to the computer world can override the system rules and manipulate the code directly.

Astrologically his Sun in Virgo conjuncts Mercury, Uranus and Pluto.With planets in a stellium there is often great focus and intensity upon the sign and house the planets are in. Early school life had it’s fair share of instability for Keanu because he has dyslexia and never focused on academics; he had also been expelled from school and dropped out of college (exact Mercury-Uranus conjunction). The stellium is in wide opposition to Saturn in Pisces. Keanu was destined to play the role of computer hacker and leader of the rebellion (Uranus) against the agents of control (Saturn)…

Family History

His family background was an unstable one; his father abandoned the family when Reeves was three years old. The Sun relates to father in astrology and is conjunct two outer planets (Uranus and Pluto) sudden abandonment can be one symbolism of this configuration. Saturn in Pisces has been astrologically related to cases of a father disappearing or vanishing completely. Keanu’s father did spend time in prison for selling heroin (Saturn in Pisces). Saturn in Pisces is a difficult position to tackle as reality and escapism collides uncomfortably. Pisces escapes from mundane reality (Saturn), so for Keanu some hard lessons to learn in the emotionally troubled waters of the fish.

Tragedy Strikes

Keanu’s sister is sadly battling Leukaemia, but more heartbreak and tragedy was to befall him: in December 1999 Reeves girlfriend gave birth to a stillborn daughter who he named Ava. It was a particularly hard few years for Reeves as transiting Pluto the planet of death, change and transformation was moving through Sagittarius and squared his stellium of Virgo planets (Sun, Mercury, Uranus and Pluto). Transiting Pluto aspecting the Sun can indicate a time when your life is being transformed by the birth of a child, but unfortunately the baby didn’t survive. Keanu’s whole identity and purpose in life would be affected by Pluto. When an outer planet moves into a mode where you have a stellium (i.e. mutable) your life becomes a lot more eventful, it can indicate a phase in life where you may experience uncomfortable change or testing challenges.

In 2001 tragedy struck again and his ex girlfriend was killed in a car accident, she was later buried next to their baby daughter. Transiting Saturn was square his natal Saturn in Pisces. Often this can describe a difficult period. Transiting Jupiter was in the mutable sign of Gemini and square to his natal Sun, Mercury and Uranus. For Keanu this would have indicated a restless time, and unexpected time as Jupiter stirred up his Virgo stellium. Jupiter-Uranus can foretell major change and disruption.

Permanent Home

Reeves has mostly lived in hotels but bought a home in 2003, this was a good time to put down roots as Saturn was transiting through Cancer (security) and sextiled his Sun and Mercury in Virgo.

Overall Reeves has been successful, especially in sci-fi films, and he received positive reviews for his role in “The Gift” where he played an abusive husband. I watched this movie and was stunned myself by his emotional intensity and explosive rage. Natally Reeves has Sun conjunct Pluto and this worked well for his powerful yet brief performance. Life has had its traumatic shocks for Keanu, the conjunction of Uranus/Pluto to his personal planets describe his life being radically altered and transformed.

Stand by your Man

Here are the horoscopes of three women who have married a high profile husband.

Michelle Obama

Michelle’s birth time is unknown. The Sun in her chart (represents the male figure in a woman’s life) is in the 10th zodiac sign of Capricorn,  in astrology we associate this sign with authority. The Sun is placed in a cardinal mode and in earthy Capricorn which is focused on achievement. Capricorn is an ambitious sign. I do believe Michelle is Obama’s rock, she can help sustain him. Michelle has high standards for men with her Capricorn Sun and Mars in the 11th sign of progressive movements and politics, intellectual activity. Combine her Sun & Mars and Obama is the perfect embodiment of her male psyche. Saturn is in square to Neptune (working hard to realize the dream). What is interesting in particular is  Mercury in the sign of Capricorn trine the outer planetary conjunction of Uranus/Pluto. Michelle easily tunes into collective thoughts and powerful, political movements.

 

Hillary Clinton

Hillary is married to former president Bill Clinton. Astrologically the Sun is in the powerful sign of Scorpio, she is powerful and passionate lady, and may need to have this quality in her man. The Sun in Scorpio is trine Uranus - an easy flowing aspect, it describes how her deep convictions and political energy enhance her self-image. The difficulty in her natal chart is through the energy of Mars (planet of sexuality and drive) it symbolises how we go after what we want. Hillary’s Mars is frustrated by Saturn and wounded by Chiron. Mars is also overpowered by Pluto in Leo. Hilary is strong, domineering and self confident. Hillary’s Mars is involved in some challenging dynamics, and we have seen this publically. She has a powerful will underneath, and even after the sexual crisis in her marriage she was determined to keep her dignity throughout. Overall a powerful sexual energy between Leo and Scorpio which receive a lot of squares.

Princess Diana

Sun in Cancer 7th describes her marriage into the royal family. The Sun is trine to Neptune and emphasises a loving acceptance, she is inspired and caught in the magical illusion of Neptune in her relationship. The fairytale in fact! Diana’s Mars is in trouble, and placed in the service oriented sign of Virgo. Mars is conjunct  Uranus, Pluto and Chiron.  A difficult marriage with infidelity involved. Another self-willed woman, and the configuration describes her fatal death, but only afterward could we see how this challenging group of planets would describe her sudden car crash.

Mother and Hermes

I thought I would add some real life experiences from my own natal chart in a few blog posts. What makes me laugh about astrology charts is that at times they can be frustratingly hard to decipher, and yet at other times clearly state something in the indvidual’s life. In my natal chart I have Moon conjunct Mercury in Pisces 7th square to Neptune in Sagittarius 4th. My mother is having a relationship with a man much younger than her, and they are planning to move abroad together.

If we break it down:

• Astrologically the Moon relates to Mother.
• Mercury describes our intellectual side, but also younger people. It represents youth, and refers to Hermes in mythology.
• The 7th house is the house of relationships, public, associates.
• Neptune in Sagittarius in 4th says something about home, family life and Neptune rules the sea. Sagittarius is known as the travelling sign whether mentally, spiritually, or physically there is a need to broaden our horizons.

Neptune in 4th

I am always dreaming of the perfect home. My head is in the clouds as I  imagine the ideal way I would love my home to be. I am constantly dissatisfied, and I wish that I had more money and practicality to make it ideal. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus, and often individuals with Venus in the 4th house have created the beautiful home, and mine only exists in my imagination. My sister has a 4th house Neptune and she is good at keeping her home nice, but she also has Mars in Capricorn 4th along with Neptune, and this helps with practicality and motivation.

My mum and her younger partner are searching and dreaming of finding a home abroad their “place in the Sun”. My dreams are closer to home, but still feel just as far away. Pisces, the 12th house and Neptune can be described as ”Paradise Lost” and we often have dreams of regaining our spiritual connectedness through our Neptune placement. My home is where my divine discontent exists, it lives alongside my dream of creating the perfect environment.

More on Horror: Stephen King

Stephen King (writes fictional horror stories), has this to say on why we like horror:

I think we are all mentally ill; those of us outside the asylums hide it a little better- and maybe not all that much better, an after all. We’ve all known people who talk to themselves, people who sometimes squint their faces into horrible grimaces when they believe no one is watching, people who have some hysterical fear of snakes, the dark, the tight place, the long drop….and of course these final worm and grubs waiting patiently underground. When we pay our four or five bucks and seat ourselves at tenth row centre in a theatre showing a horror movie, we are daring the nightmare.

King believes fairy-tales take away the shades of grey… it urges us to put away our more civilised and adult penchant for analysing and become children again, seeing life in pure black and white. Horror movies provide psychic relief; it’s the invitation to lapse into irrationality and even outright madness.

Stephen goes on to explain that love, kindness, and loyalty are all emotions we applaud. The status qua, what is socially acceptable. We exhibit these emotions and society reinforces it. While other less acceptable emotions are put away. King states that if we share the brotherhood of man we also share the insanity of man.

I found the movie Carrie (written by King) to be particularly disturbing, one of the horror films which really gets under your skin. Here is a description I did of the movie on another blog concerning movie transformations.

O.K this transformation of Carrie didn’t have a happy ending. This movie I actually still find creepy, there have been so many horrors now that every surprise you expect, you know when the monster is going to jump out, usually the music gives you a clue that something is about to happen. However in this movie it is psychologically unnerving. All dues to Sissy Spacek, she was amazing in this role. I was reading about the power to move objects with your mind in Liz Greene’s “The horoscope in manifestation” the discussion was about poltergeist activity and then the movie Carrie, quote below.

Audience: Since we are on the subject of the supernatural, could complexes have anything to do with poltergeist activity.

Liz: That is another area in which the psychoid nature of complexes may be evident. The energy of the complex is operating independent of the individuals physical body. The complex is running loose, autonomous and telekinetic. On a subtler level, the same principle is in operation when someone prangs your car on the day transiting Mars is square to your Uranus. The other driver may also have a transit of Mars to Uranus, or a natal Mars-Uranus square. Where has that person come from? How did they wind up just behind you in the traffic queue?

Audience: But poltergeist activity is much more dramatic.

Liz: Yes, but I think it is the same dynamic. The most popular theory of poltergeist activity seems to focus on “disturbed” adolescents, whose powerful emotional energies are in some way connected to the moving objects. No one knows how this happens, but it is generally agreed that there is a young person, often pubescent, at the centre of all this activity. Do any of you remember the film Carrie? Sexual energy in an adolescent can be incredibly powerful. If it is totally blocked from consciousness, it may well have the power to affect material objects. I cannot “prove” what I am saying. It is merely speculation. But if anyone has a better suggestion, do let me know.

Stephen King

Astrologically King has got his vivid imagination and writing ability from his Sun in the analytical sign of Virgo which is diposited by his Mercury-Neptune conjunction in Libra.  Mercury-Neptune is well known for it’s imaginative faculties. The Sun in Virgo squares Uranus in Gemini, astrologers believe Uranus should be exalted in the sign of the twins, as it enhances mental ability. The Sun-Uranus aspect is tight in his natal chart, and involves the two Mercury ruled signs (Gemini and Virgo), he expresses himself through intellectual innovation.  Uranus rules a collective influence of new ideas. King certainly likes to shock, and scare the living hell out of us at the same time (laughs). The Sun in Virgo orders his environment and can be an introspective sign. 

Family Background

As a young boy Kings father suddenly left the family without warning while out buying cigarettes (Sun-Uranus). King apparently witnessed one of his friends being struck and killed by a train, though he has no memory of the event. His family told him that after leaving home to play with the boy, King returned, speechless and seemingly in shock. Only later did the family learn of the friend’s death. Some commentators have suggested that this event may have psychologically inspired King’s dark, disturbing creations,  but King himself has dismissed the idea.

King used drugs for a period of time, but sought help and has since been sober. King was involved in a bad car accident and needed five operations and physical therapy.

Nicole Kidman

I do like Nicole Kidman, but in certain films she doesn’t seem to radiate a lot of warmth.  I thought her best role was in the movie “Dead Calm” she was excellent in this (no pun intended). I wondered what in her chart astrologically is giving a somewhat cooler actress.

The Astro-Data bank puts her Asc in Scorpio (controlled sign).

• Nicole has Sun in Gemini (air sign) the Sun is disposited by Mercury in Cancer square to Mars/Saturn, and perhaps this is why I see the fiery red hair and passion, but then she appears very controlled (Saturn) in her actions (Mars).
•  Saturn is in detriment in Aries (identity & confidence) in the 6th house.
• If the data is correct Scorpio rising  is ruled by Mars in Libra (Detriment) and opposed Saturn (fall) and this may explain the rigidness I get from her. The Planets in these signs have difficulty with expressing themselves with confidence. Saturn also causes great difficulty when she tries to express her Mars qualities and so she may overcompensate. Or at times appear as if she lacks spontonaeity.
•  The Sun and Moon are also square Uranus adding to her intellectual detachment.
•  Nicole has a fire grand trine involving Saturn, in some acting roles she has been praised  because of the controlled energy she brings and her enthusiastic nature, and in other roles she has an almost cold appearance. 

I find this interesting because I consider myself a controlled persona with Saturn on the Asc (identity & confidence) opposed my Sun (self expression).