The universe is the stage and all the planets merely players. The planets are people. They represent the people in our lives that create the circumstances of the astrological houses where events take place.
In the news now is the parting of the ways of one of the most celebrated couples on Earth – Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. How this shows up in their horoscopes is an interesting study. The comparison chart of the couple has Angelina’s chart in the center with Brad’s on the outer wheel. According to Marc Edmund Jones techniques of comparison, the couple is not in an ideal astrological partnership. The Venuses are compatible, but in a wide Opposition aspect. Mars and Mercury in comparison shows that they are not in compatible elements. 
In close contact they cannot easily integrate the mundane activities of their lives. They are prone to different schedules and responsibilities.
Their Suns are in compatible elements, however their Ascendants and Moons are not. This means that although they seem to be equal in terms of their value to each other, they are not emotionally in tune, nor do they see life from the same perspective. In a crises there is support, but the daily supportive emotional (Moon) balance is missing.
Brad’s Jupiter is making a Conjunction with Angelina’s Mars. Mars is a crucial planet in her horoscope because it is the Leading planet of a powerful Locomotive Temperament Type. This mutual aspect shows that Brad’s personality and enthusiasm stimulate Angelina’s energies both sexually and emotionally. In other words, she is/was turned on by who he is and his contribution as an upbeat personality to the partnership.
What once was a great turn-on factor for both has apparently evolved into an irritation because when Mars is not motivated in a positive direction the result can be frustration and anger. There may even be battles over who wears the pants in the relationship because Angelina’s Mars is in the degree of The president of the country.(1) The Cutting planet in a Locomotive in the degree of the leader of the country produces an enormous amount of energy and Initiative (Mars’ keyword) focused on trailblazing, especially when it is in the sign of Aries. Jolie’s worldwide travel and fame are indicated in the Mars, Moon, and Jupiter conjunction in the ninth and tenth houses and her position as an ambassador for the United Nations fits well into this planetary scheme.
There is no Grand Trine in fire signs to make this an ideal example of the Locomotive Type, and instead of the free-flowing and pyramiding energies, there are significant blocks in the psyche that have need of recognition. These blocks are in the astrological form of Squares between Mars, Moon and Jupiter with Natal Saturn. Here is the Jupiter and Saturn pair of Motivation in Sharp Destiny.
There was a prodigal and careless Aries outreach in the early years of Angelina’s life, but because of the Sharp Destiny the consciousness evolves to consider moral character as a valuable asset in the ongoing life process. There are public statements Angelina made that reveal harsh judgement concerning her father’s infidelity. The judgement of others comes in the aging process and often one does not recognize that one’s own life is filled with flaws. Life is a continuous struggle in terms of living up to the highest potentials with a Sharp Destiny. She can do this on her own, however, Brad’s Loose Destiny will typically downplay her “demands” for better performance on his part. Personal moral behavior is a serious issue in Angelina’s estimation, and this is the motivation for adopting children, as well as creating a film that is an example of moral character struggles as in The Land of Blood and Honey.
Brad’s Mercury is Opposite Angelina’s Saturn and most likely, since their Mercuries are not in compatible elements, there are things that Brad verbalizes that Angelina would find offensive, especially in regards to her children, since Saturn is in the degree of; A hen scratching for her chicks.**
Angelina thinks for herself with a Natal Retrograde Mercury, and this is not easily accepted by Brad who has his Sun in the sign of Administration in a wide orb Opposition to her Mercury. Having both Conjunctions and Oppositions between charts would normally be considered an advantage, however, there are not enough mutual compatibilities as far as elements are concerned to have things function smoothly.
What makes September 2016 the end of the marriage? The Transits and Progressions in each of the charts will tell the story.
The charts of the couple along with the Transits of September 20th in the outer wheel shows Transit Saturn (circled in orange) exactly Conjunct Angelina’s Natal Neptune and Brad’s Ascendant. The planet Saturn has a disjunctive function, and its arrival at the couple’s Neptune/Asc Conjunction brings to the forefront a showdown as far as the circumstances of the children is concerned.
As of September 1, 2016, Brad’s Natal Uranus has been activated by Transiting Neptune, now exactly Opposite its position. On that same date, Natal Uranus experienced a Solar Eclipse just 42 minutes from exact Conjunction. The freedom and independence that Brad will now be experiencing is revealed in this aspect. Undoubtedly there are elements of this issue that have been a surprise to him, since the nature of Uranus is to act suddenly. There may be unrevealed issues that have brought this situation about, based on the activities carried on by Brad himself. Neptune may continue to place a cloud over the issue for a time. Neptune is known to be an indicator of lies, sex and drugs and alcohol. Time will tell.
The purple line showing Transit Pluto advancing toward an Opposition to Angelina’s Natal Saturn will no doubt expose more information concerning her health (6th and 12th houses) and also the ensuing struggles regarding the issues with her children and the divorce. I believe that there is going to be a long and hard battle over the divorce as it relates to the children, because Pluto is going to be actively passing opposite Angelina’s Natal Saturn for the next few years. This will be a focus on her ability to “scratch” diligently for her “chicks.” And it won’t be comfortable for Brad when Transit Pluto passes back and forth over his Natal Mercury.
The individual charts with the partner’s Progressions in the outer wheel shows very powerful and immediate stimulation. The chart on the left shows Angelina’s Progressed Sun and Saturn exactly opposite Brad’s Natal Moon and Venus. The Progressed Saturn alone indicates a severe reevaluation of the relationship. The Sabian Symbol for 23 degrees Cancer is; Meeting of a literary society. But the really interesting point is made with the keyword CRITICISM, which Progressed Saturn brings into the picture. The positive definition is “accomplishment through an exacting appreciation of common effort and a rigorous revaluation of private acts and attitudes.” Here is more indication of a direct insistence on her part to correct the activities that are undesirable on his. This is a focus on Brad’s public image and feelings toward family and finances (Moon family, 2nd house finances).
Angelina’s Ascendant and Venus at 29 degrees is; A Muse weighing twins. This is remarkable since Angelina gave birth to twins in 2008. Brad’s Progressed Mercury is now making an Opposition to her Venus. This Progression shows the open conflict (7th house) that is eminent. Angelina’s tenacious (Venus) hold on her children will definitely be contested.
*ARIES 11 The president of the country This is a symbol of high ego on the impersonal side, evident in the complete and naive dedication of the individual to some part he chooses to play among his fellows. Implicit here is the selection of such a role as will have a maximum breadth of recognition, so that the player may be established in a reality which he would be quite unable to sustain by himself. There is a subordination of all other considerations to one primary act of individual assurance. The keyword is IDEALIZATION. When positive, the degree is the self-sacrifice required of anybody who would become the creative representative of eternal value, and when negative, an often well-meaning but usually destructive assertiveness or vain pretense.
**CANCER 18 A hen scratching for her chicks This is a symbol of the maximum protection which life at large will provide for the individual in general, here given emphasis on the personal side. There are always high rewards for any effort which is self-consistent or industrious at base, and by the reverse implication of the symbolism it is always possible for human creativity to endow its own manifestations with a gift of self-continuousness. Normality is exalted in the simple business of self-being. The keyword is PROVISION. When positive, the degree is a marked capacity for meeting every demand of existence advantageously and with a persisting self-fulfillment, and when negative, idle bustle and unprofitable labor.
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