September 28, 1973

Los Angeles, California

   Our featured celebrity this month was born into the entertainment industry to an actress mother and a producer father. So, it came as no surprise when she found her way onto the silver screen.

   In early autumn of 1973, Gwyneth Paltrow was born to Blythe Danner and Hollywood producer Bruce Paltrow. Along with her brother Jake, she spent her early years in Los Angeles; but when she was 11, her family moved to Massachusetts when her father started working in summer stock projects in the Berkshires.

   Gwyneth's early degree Libra Sun, the ruler of her 6th house of work, indicates that she would be guided into a workplace in entertainment and, perhaps, theater. Pluto, conjunct her natal Sun, gives her an affinity to powerfully express herself in the entertainment industry. Neptune, the planet of actors and actresses, is the planetary ruler of her Pisces rising chart.

   During the time of her family's move to Massachusetts, transiting Uranus formed an opportunistic sextile to her natal Sun, a powerful square to her ascendant (rising sign). It was at this time when she received her early acting training through the guidance of her parents. She eventually enrolled at the Spence School. The Uranus transit brought about opportunities for her to experience an awakening of her self and, in this instance, the awakening would come about through her interaction with her parents. In Gwyneth's chart, Jupiter represents her father and is placed in her 10th house of career. This indicates that a strong, encouraging influence towards a career would come about through her relationship with her father. The Uranus aspects brought about an opportunity to create a positive situation that could have just as easily brought about a potential disruption.

   Eventually, Gwyneth returned to the West Coast and studied Art History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, she did not have the discipline and determination to stick with her studies and eventually withdrew from University. Her father encouraged her to go back to school, but she chose to pursue her acting career.

   She appeared in the Williamstown Theater production of "Picnic," where she starred alongside her mother. One of her first auditions landed Gwyneth her debut film role in 1991's "Shout" with John Travolta. From early February through July of 1991, beneficial and expansive Jupiter formed several good aspects to her natal Sun, Neptune; ascendant, Mercury; Moon; and Mid-heaven. Although her career didn't really take off until 1993, these aspects, as well as her own sense of determination, laid the groundwork for what was to come. This included her role in the 1991 Steven Spielberg film "Hook," in which she portrayed young Wendy.

   In early November of 1992, and again from early May through mid June of 1993, transiting Jupiter was conjunct Gwyneth's natal Sun, the ruler of her workplace. The passage of Jupiter over an individual natal Sun indicates a time of personal growth and positive expression, and since her Sun has a connection to her vocation, the energies manifested themselves in this area. This transit of Jupiter also contains the potential to bring public recognition to an individual.

   In 1995, she was cast alongside Brad Pitt in the film "Seven," which led to a highly publicized relationship and eventual engagement. She eventually broke her engagement to Brad Pitt, citing the reason that neither of the two felt that they could pursue their respective careers and at the same time maintain a happy marriage. Although transiting Jupiter formed an opportunistic sextile to Mercury, which represents the marriage partner in her chart, transiting Saturn was crossing her ascendant, indicating this period to be a time of self-dedication and self-discipline rather than a time to focus on life with a partner. She made a wise choice when she ended the relationship. If it had resulted in marriage, the relationship would certainly have created unwanted stress.

   She continued working through the 90's and accepted roles in "Moonlight & Valentino" and "The Pall Bearer," although her most famous role of the time was that of Viola in "Shakespeare in Love." Her brilliant performance and mastering of the English accent earned Gwyneth the Oscar for Best Actress. The January 1999 eclipse at 11 Leo was at the exact mid-point of her Moon/Mercury trine, powerfully activating the dynamics of the aspect. The Moon, representing the general public, and the well-aspected Mercury indicate her talent to master an English accent-or any accent for that matter. Transiting Pluto also entered into this equation, contributing planetary energies that would lead to a win at the Academy Awards.

   Since her Academy Award accolade, she has appeared in numerous films such as "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Shallow Hal," and "A View from the Top." In 2000, she lent her voice to a duet of "Cruisin'" with Huey Lewis for the film "Duets." One of the many paths of a Libra includes the Venus-ruled vocation of singing. The time from March 2000 through the end of 2001, transiting Neptune formed a trine to Gwyneth's natal Libra Sun. This aspect brought to the surface a latent quality she may not have realized she possessed. This aspect will encourage creativity on many levels and stimulates subconscious creative talents. Since Neptune is the planetary ruler of her chart, all transits of Neptune would play a significant role in her development. A video was shot and the song became #1 in Australia. She also sang remakes of "Bette Davis Eyes" and The Temptations' song "Just My Imagination" with R&B singer Babyface for the "Duets" soundtrack.

   Her singing did not stop after the filming of "Duets." In 2002, Gwyneth appeared on Sheryl Crow's album "C'mon, C'mon" on the track "It's Only Love."

   On December 5, 2003, Gwyneth married Chris Martin of the British rock group Coldplay in a secret wedding ceremony in Southern California. During 2003, transiting Neptune formed a trine to her natal Mercury, the ruler of her 7th house of marriage partnerships. This aspect presented her with the opportunity to create a partnership that would be of a highly spiritual and loving vibration. Since Neptune is the planet of secrecy, it's no surprise that her wedding was secret to the public. Five months later, on May 14, 2004, she gave birth to their first child, Apple Blythe Alison Martin.

   On October 3, 2002 she mourned the loss of her father; however, it was not until May of 2005 that she publicly announced that since experiencing the loss, she suffered from depression. Her natal Moon in opposition to her Neptune would indicate that she has a disposition towards depression and psychological challenges; however, other fortunate aspects to Neptune from her natal Sun allow her to rise above any convoluted, emotional challenge. She transformed the seemingly negative energies into something positive and life affirming: she practices yoga (a Neptune-ruled discipline) and is a vegan who follows a macrobiotic diet.

   In January 2006, Gwyneth announced that "since my daughter came along, I've not worked much through choice. And with another baby on the way, I don't think I will be doing a lot for the next year or so either." Her second child, Moses Bruce Anthony Martin, was born on April 8, 2006, by caesarean section in New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital. Throughout 2006, she did appear in films such as "Infamous," "Love and Other Disasters" and "Running with Scissors."

   As Gwyneth travels through 2007, two noteworthy planetary transits will bring personal and professional challenges, as well as advancement, into her life. Beginning in early February and continuing through June, transiting Jupiter will be conjunct her Mid-heaven. This indicates a time of progress, growth and advancement in one's career. Transiting Uranus will form a square to her Mid-heaven at various times until early 2008. At the time of the March 3, 2007, Lunar Eclipse, these planetary influences will be almost exact in their positions setting the tone for her career development and advancement for the coming 9- 12-months. She may find herself trying to break away from any type of role she has played in the past and surprise the public with some sort of role that might be considered out of character for her. She does need to take great care not to characterize herself as someone too unpredictable, and thus someone who would be difficult to work with.

   Transiting Neptune will oppose her natal Venus through most of 2007 and into 2008. This could bring great creative potential; however, she must be very careful that her tendency towards depression does not overcome her desire for creativity. This aspect indicates the potential for emotional escapism. Fortunately, her natal Venus is well aspected, so she could potentially channel this fantastic creative energy into something exceptionally positive just like she has done in the past.
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Gwyneth Paltrow