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With the recent release of the adaptation of the already controversial book It Ends With Us, Blake Lively, the producer and actress starring as Lily Bloom in the film, who is generally beloved by the public, has found herself at the center of controversy and backlash. Her promotion of the film has been rightfully criticized for not addressing the serious topic of domestic abuse, which is the main plotline of the movie.
This criticism was just the initial spark for a broader wave of criticism. Every action from Blake’s past is now under examination. From her controversial decision to get married at a plantation to an incident where she was reportedly rude to an interviewer—an experience that allegedly made Kjersti Flaa want to quit her job. The scrutiny has even extended to trivial matters, such as her choice of a boob-shaped cake for her son’s first birthday, which, in my opinion, was a harmless and humorous choice that anyone who’s interacted with a (breastfeeding) toddler would understand.
Regardless of how this wave of backlash began, it highlights a recurring pattern faced by successful women like Rachel Zegler, Brie Larson, Amber Heard, and Meghan Markle. Whether they deserve criticism or not, the intensity of the vitriol directed at them often crosses the line into excessive and unjustified territory.
The Dilemma: Accountability vs. Excess
For those of us who don’t harbor hatred toward women or take pleasure in their suffering, these situations are difficult to navigate. On one hand, we want people to be held accountable for their actions and for meaningful discussions to take place. On the other hand, we recognize that some people will inevitably take things too far, crossing all boundaries of decency and making any potential discussion meaningless.
But there's a third approach, one rooted in empathy and understanding—something that astrology can help guide us toward in Blake Lively's case. Let's start by taking a closer look at her astrological chart and current transits.
Blake's Birth Chart:
Blake Lively's Birth Chart 25 August 1987 - 05:07, Los Angeles, USA, California
Examining Blake Lively’s birth chart reveals why she has found success as an actress. The ruler of her 10th house of career, which governs public image and professional achievements, is located in her 1st house of personal identity. This placement highlights how integral her image is to her career. Her 1st house also houses a stellium of four personal planets—Mars, Sun, Venus, and Mercury—further emphasizing the central role of her identity in her life.
All these planets are in Virgo, suggesting a perfectionistic nature that can sometimes manifest as being overly critical of both herself and others. This tendency is particularly challenging for Blake, given her Leo rising sign, which desires recognition and appreciation from others. For someone with her astrological placements, any insecurity will feel magnified.
When faced with criticism, Blake might instinctively tell herself that those who criticize her don’t matter, as a form of self-preservation. This defensive mechanism will come across as arrogance to others.
This astrological insight helps us understand a controversial interview moment. After an interviewer congratulated Blake on her pregnancy, by saying “Congrats on your little bump”, Blake decided to respond by saying the same phrase back. While we cannot know exactly what was happening in Blake’s mind at that moment, her chart suggests that comments about her appearance or identity could be particularly triggering during difficult times.
Blake’s Moon, which governs emotional needs, is located in her 2nd house, also in Virgo. This placement indicates a deep-seated need for perfection and service to others, making criticism even more emotionally impactful for her. The current situation—whether it involves hate or valid criticism—is likely very challenging for her.
Despite these difficulties, Blake’s chart highlights her potential for paying attention to detail and being of service, qualities that have contributed to her successful career. With Venus, Mars, Mercury, and the Sun in her 1st house, it shows she’s someone with a lot of inner drive, who thinks quickly on her feet and is naturally beautiful. Her life purpose, shown by her North Node in Aries, involves learning to self-validate and be more independent. It’s a crucial point to understand her current situation because she is going through her North Node return and as she navigates it she has the opportunity to embrace growth. Once she does her inherent talents will become even more apparent.
The karmic lessons and current transits:
Blake Lively Transits on August 30th 2024 at noon
The North Node return is the most significant astrological event Blake Lively is currently experiencing. This occurs when the point representing her life purpose returns back to where it was at the time of her birth, which happens every 18 years. Blake's North Node is located in her 8th house in Aries, which means her South Node (Past Life) lies in her 2nd house in Libra.
A North Node return often signals a crucial time for growth and alignment with one's soul purpose. When challenges arise during this period, it can indicate that the person is not fully aligned with their true path. This seems evident in Blake's involvement with the film adaptation of It Ends With Us.
The source material itself was controversial from the outset. Marketed as a romance, the book delves into the dynamics of domestic abuse but was widely criticized for its shallow portrayal of the subject. Written by an author who appears to view abuse solely through the lens of physical violence, the book was also marred by the author's attempts to capitalize on its success, such as the ill-conceived idea of a companion coloring book. This led to public outrage and eventually an apology from the author, Colleen Hoover.
But what does this book have to do with Blake Lively’s life purpose? It connects to her South Node.
Blake's South Node in Libra, located in her 2nd house, suggests a tendency toward seeking security, stability, and in this case easy money. Investing in the adaptation of It Ends With Us seems to fit this pattern—a seemingly safe investment in a project guaranteed to generate revenue, despite its problematic content.
Blake's North Node in the 8th house, however, calls her toward a different path—one that involves embracing transformation, delving into complex psychological matters, and confronting deep issues, including those surrounding abuse. The 8th house is associated with other people’s money, psychological transformation, and vulnerability. Yet, by backing a film that fundamentally misrepresents domestic abuse and promotes a dangerous message about abusive men being good fathers, Blake appears to be out of sync with her true purpose. While the film touches on the themes of the 8th house, it does so superficially, failing to engage with them in a meaningful way.
But the backlash Blake faces isn’t primarily about her decision to produce the movie; it's more about how she has chosen to market it. Instead of addressing the serious subject matter of domestic abuse, Blake has focused on the film's aesthetics—emphasizing the clothes and hairstyles, seemingly as a way to promote her brand and haircare products. This approach aligns with the energy of her South Node in Libra, where the focus is more on beauty and financial gain rather than on the deeper issues at play.
This contrast is very evident when compared to how her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, has been promoting the film. Baldoni has focused on the central theme of domestic abuse, showing respect for the project's serious subject matter and for everyone involved in it. Additionally, critics have noted Blake's attempt to create a buzz similar to the Barbenheimer phenomenon by pairing It Ends With Us with Deadpool 2, a film in which her husband stars as the main character. This strategy once again reflects her South Node in Libra, which gravitates toward collaboration rather than the independent path that her North Node in Aries would encourage.
Blake’s Aries North Node encourages her to develop self-confidence and pursue her path independently, without relying on the approval or validation of others—a stark contrast to the people-pleasing tendencies of her South Node in Libra. By clinging to safety, stability, and financial gain, she is missing the opportunity for the transformation that her soul craves.
In Conclusion:
Blake’s chart, like any other, reveals a significant potential for growth. Many of her placements, while challenging, have supported her in her career and personal life, shaping her into the person she is today. The recent drama and criticism surrounding her behavior suggest that there’s still work to be done, and the situation is pushing her toward embracing transformation and independence. The current events in her life carry a karmic weight, as she is not only experiencing her North Node return but also has transiting Saturn in her 8th house. This is a period where life events are likely to push her toward transformation, helping her align more closely with her life purpose.
Are you curious about your own birth chart? Check out our readings below:
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