Britney Spears a pop singer with iconic performances in the late 90s and early 2000s, has faced serious mental health issues over the years. Her problems became very public, leading to a conservatorship that controlled much of her life for over a decade. Despite these difficulties, she has started to regain her independence with the recent end of the conservatorship. However, it’s still uncertain if her mental health issues are fully resolved or if they will continue to affect her future.

Reflecting on Britney Spear’s situation, I often wonder if we, astrologers, are able to notice such complex psychological mechanisms from the horoscope. If so, in what extend and how can we help such a client within legal limits? To answer this, we need to briefly explain what happens when we examine a horoscope and in what way it reflects back to us the emotional and mental state of the person it belongs to.

Can we accurately observe such complex emotional or mental states from a horoscope? The answer is both yes and no.

When we look at a horoscope, we might think we’re examining every aspect of a person’s life under a microscope, seeing every detail. But that’s not really the case. What we’re actually seeing is more like a rough sketch, with some lines bold and others faint, just starting to outline the big picture of our entire life’s journey from birth to death. Even with the most powerful magnifying lens or the keenest observation, we perceive this sketch without the vibrant backdrop of life, which could soften bold lines or highlight faint ones.

Even when we view our life’s sketch against a vibrant backdrop, we’re limited to the options presented by our horoscope. From these options, it’s up to us to decide which lines to emphasize and which ones to downplay in shaping our lives. The birth horoscope offers glimpses into the potential outcomes of our decisions. Given this, why not choose one of the options it presents as beneficial for you? Ultimately, whether the potentials outlined in the horoscope manifest, depends on whether they’re triggered or not. This highlights the significance of our astrological predictive tools in determining whether something is worth taken special care or not.

The Traditional Trifold of Spirit, Soul and Body

The problem with our modern cousins’ astrological approach to a person’s psychological state is that their method is completely disconnected from the broader dimensions of human nature. This disconnection stems from our current, fragmented view of the cosmos which inevitably brings in a lot of confusion. One thing we can all agree is that the Moon is the closest thing we have in the horoscope to associate our emotions with. But is it just about that?

According to the Traditional perspective, emotions are just one of the three interconnected parts making up our soul or psyche. At the same time, emotions also serve as a reflection of the soul’s overall state, providing an internal glimpse into its condition. Yet, in our realm, the soul is only one part of the human nature, the one that acts as the intermediary between our spiritual (the Intellect) and physical form (the Body). This structure of the soul mirrors the tripartite nature of the macrocosm, which in turn reflects on our own microcosm. Any disruption within the soul which emotions are only just a part of it, disturbs our connection to the corresponding spiritual plane of the macrocosm, the Spirit (God). The allignment between our intellect, soul and body provides this connection and it can only be accomplished by consious knowledge and the restrain of the soul from unnecessary desires. In this way our path to our spiritual growth is free and we eventually become liberate from the matter. The soul’s tranquility resembles a calm sea in a bright day, it is only then when it reflects the beauty of the divine. Yet, the tranquility of the soul is just one aspect of our nature; any disturbance in our spiritual / physical plane can also impede our spiritual growth.

What makes our soul “ticks” is far more than just about the Moon, it is about the whole.

Britney’s temperament, the fabric she’s made of, is Sanguine–Melancholic, with no extreme imbalance that would requite special care. Yet, we need it to put everything else under prespective. Her Planet of Manners, indicating how she will express this temperament, is Saturn in Libra which is in a good state, so it also needs no special care. More about Saturn later.

Brintey Restricted

Venus, L1, Britney Spears herself, conjuncts South Node, which signifies painful limitations, within the 4th house of roots, family, and father. The South Node, known as the Dragon’s Tail, which signifies loss or taking something away, restricts Venus’s potential but also highlights where sacrifice is necessary to find happiness: in oneself and within the broader context of roots and family. Venus also conjuncts the fixed star Terebellum, one of the three stars of fate (alongside Labrum and Al Pherg), indicating that the bill will inevitably come to the table through this painful self-limitation.

Even if you were unaware of her difficult past, this situation needs careful thought. Happiness won’t come from roots/family or superficial relationships and pleasures (as indicated by the peregrine Venus). In this case, happiness means making some personal sacrifices (L1) otherwise pain is inevitable (Terebellum).


You’re Toxic, I’m Slipping Under

Mars of aggression and violence, is a serious problem for Spears.

Venus, which aspects Mars, is under Mars’ power (exaltation), while Mars brings her down (fall). Mars is peregrine and on the fixed star Denebola (The Lion’s Tail) which connects its malefic essence with provocation and acting on impulse. Placed within Spears’ 12th house of uncontrolled desires, Mars is like buzzing hornet, stirring her self-destructive tendencies.

As ruler of the 7th house, Mars signifies Spears’ way of relating to the world, described by provocation and impulsivity which eventually backfires on her. With L7 of relationships within the 12th house of isolation, relationships feel kind of lonely. This highly flammable Mars finds its way out from the 12th house by still conjuncting the Descendant of others by antiscia, adding instability to partnerships.

There is a lot of struggle and pushing in the way she interacts with the world. And what happens if someone pushes her real hard and in a provoking way? She takes it all out on her like by saving her head or doing stupid things like smashing a paparazzi’s car. This is a warning: engaging in stupid/impulsive fights or getting involved with bad boys (Mars) will backfire on you.

Suffering

In Britney Spears’ horoscope, Mars isn’t her main issue; it’s under the immense power (disposition, exaltation and face) of her biggest problem in the chart: L12 of suffering and restriction.

An emphasized 12th house can hinder spiritual development, making it easier to fall into temptation and pursue desires, resulting in imprisonment and a lot of suffering.

The Part of Fortune, the Lunar Part, representing our inner unsatisfied thirst that ties us to the matter, conjuncts Mercury, ruling the 12th house of self-undoing and confinement. This emphasizes a recurring theme of limitation, suggesting a longing for things beyond Spears’ control that restrict her. Disposed by Jupiter and placed within the 3rd house, there’s an urge that is never satisfied for jovial pursuits like expansion, freedom and pushing boundaries within the frame of the daily life. According to her chart, it would be wise if she would head to the opposite direction. This is also confirmed by the placement of the Part of Spirit, the Solar part of completeness, the Part of Abundance which is disposited by the Sun, the unltimate symbol of knowledge. Truth can set her free psychologically but also spiritually. – Go that way, Britney!

The Lunar essence can be reflected also though the public (the Moon). Publicity can become a prison.

The PoF/L12 conjunction is combust and falls on South Node/L1 conjunction by antiscia. It is as if the the sense of imprisoment is multiplied or doubled. The craving for uncontrolled desires are linked (though indirectly or in an unusual manner) to the painful limitations put on Venus within the frame of roots, family and the father.

The horoscope keeps repeating the connection to the 12thouse stuff. So, this would be a significant issue in her life in one way or another. The conservatorship alone defined one third of her life taking away most aspects of her personal freedom, leading to a lot of suffering and sorrow.

Divine, Interrupted

A prominent 12th house influence in the chart makes our spiritual journey difficult and it can hinder our connection to the divine. On the other way, the remedy for a strong 12th house influence in the chart is the counterbalalance strenght created by House 9 of our means to connect with the Spirit (God). It’s only through the knowledge (House 9) you can free yourself from the suffering (House 12) to unite back with the Truth (God). But even then, you need to apply this knowldege in the daily laws (House 3) of your life.

In Britney Spears’ situation, we encounter a significant issue; L9 of spiritual development is also Mercury. It is placed the sign of its detriment and destroyed by the combustion. This is a very serious affliction for the Mercury of thinking process, making the mind very sensitive when exposed to stressful situations. This would explain Britney Spears’ sensitive mentality and it’s important for her to avoid stress.

Mercury as L9 of faith and spirituality is weak pointing to conceptual difficulties in issues of faith or spiritual development. With L9 combust (also the Sun is in Mercury’s detriment) the contant link to the divine is broken and overpowered by the self/ego (the Sun). Initially baptized as a Southern Baptist, she later explored Kabbalist teachings and eventually embraced Catholicism. However, in recent years, she declared herself an atheist due to mistreatment from her family, which led her to lose faith. From one perspective, the exploration of different religions mirrors the shape-shifting quality of Mercury in a mutuable sign and in the background of the reason for the lost of her faith, the Mercury of trade points to a transactional way of connecting with the divine.

The Sun is positioned on the deadly fixed star Antares, which is linked to the myth of Orion—a character driven by arrogance and desire, who was ultimately killed by the Scorpion due to his overconfidence. The message is clear: if you want to connect with the divine, use your inner Scorpion to kill the desires.

The combust Mercury which is connected to the Lunar essence in the 3rd house creates significant difficulties in the everyday life. Sensitive mentality and restricted, inner urges can bring trouble to the daily rounds. L3, the peregrine Jupiter pointing to overextension, is in a horrible mutual reception with Venus, L1 (detriment/fall). As House 3 is also the house of siblings and the media, this unfavorable mutual reception could reflect her ongoing struggles between Spears and her sister, as well to her problematic relation with the press. With L3 in the Moon’s fall it suggests emotional letdown coming from the daily rounds, the sister or the press. Uranus, connected to the myth of the castration of the sky god of the unlimited possibilities suggests a reality check concerning these matters.



The Get Out of Jail Card

Saturn in Spears’ horoscope is Lord of the Geniture (LoG). LoG is the planet in the horoscope with the most essential and accidental dignity. This means the LoG planet knows how to do the job and it is accessible. This planet will make everyone life’s easier. Yours and others’.

Saturn is exceptionally well-placed in Spears’ horoscope, being in its own exaltation and face, right inside the angular 1st house. Here, Saturn has a very positive effect on Venus and saturnian energy sounds like the perfect remedy for many of Spears’ challenges. It’s interesting to see that Saturn, ruling the 4th house which represents the father, is so strongly essential dignified. Essential dignified planets have nothing to do with morality; they simply know how to do their job. In addition, Saturn is not only L4 as you can see here.

Saturn holds the essence of restraint, discipline, and the importance of adopting a serious and grounded approach to life. By consciously integrating Saturn’s energy into her life, Spears would effectively steer clear of self-destructive behaviors, making it a pivotal aspect for her well-being.

With Saturn as LoG, time and experience can become powerful tools for self-growth. Saturn here can serve as the guiding force in Spears’ life that grounds her down to reality, acting as a teacher who sets the lines against desires that are not necessary and emphasizes the importance of letting go and sacrifice.

This can have application in more practical level in her life, for example picking partners with Saturnian traits instead of Martial ones it could have a profoundly positive impact on her life. She can even take advantage of Saturn’s slow pace in order to avoid the mental burnout that is caused by the combust Mercury.

Here, Saturn is L5 of entertainment and creative endeavors. This would explain her talent and success to the music department. The Moon, her emotions, although peregrine is driven by this wonderful Saturn of reality which can keep her in shape. By antiscia, the Moon of emotions falls right on Part of Saturn, which points to what holds her down and imprisons her, but also the key to escape from that prison. For Spears, the Get Out of Jail card is connected to her emotions placed in the house of the creation.

This is interesting because her desire to perform and get into the music industry was mostly emerged from wanting to escape the small-town roots and rocky life in the home. Although Venus is restricted (South Node) in the 4^th house of roots, the basement of the horoscope, it channels herself through the angular Saturn L5 of artistry, manifesting her music, strongly, out there.  

Another significant aspect to note is the Moon’s position in the Lunar Mansion Al Sa’d al Dhabhi, known for its connection to liberation, sacrifice, and breaking free from confinement. This further emphasizes (again) the major theme in Britney Spears’ life.