In episode 314 astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim talk about some movies that contain astrological themes or allegories that are relevant to astrologers.
Most of the discussion focuses on films that are not directly related to astrology, but instead focus on themes that are relevant to astrologers, such as fate, free-will, and the nature of time.
We also touch on some documentaries that are interesting from an astrological perspective, which focus on topics such as the nature versus nurture debate, or the issue of twins.
While most of the movies discussed are ones we enjoyed, towards the end we touch on a few films that address astrology more directly, but were not necessarily particularly good.
Please note that there are lots of spoilers in this discussion, so if you haven’t seen the films listed below, then you probably shouldn’t listen to our discussion unless you are alright with hearing the ending ahead of time.
This episode is available in both audio and video versions below.
Timestamps and Movies Discussed
Here is a list of timestamps for each of the films we discussed:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction
- 00:02:12 – The Adjustment Bureau
- 00:25:18 – The Matrix
- 00:36:26 – Slumdog Millionaire
- 00:44:10 – The Up Series
- 01:05:24 – Three Identical Strangers
- 01:32:20 – Stranger Than Fiction
- 01:48:16 – Transition into movies that are not as good
- 01:53:30 – Five Star Day
- 02:03:12 – What’s Your Raashee?
- 02:15:19 – Return of the Magi
- 02:27:09 – The lack of good astrology documentaries
- 02:34:14 – Concluding remarks
Watch the Video Version of This Episode
Watch the video version of this episode on astrology movies here:
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Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available:Â Episode 314 transcript
Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode
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Thank you Chris and Leisa – I was looking forward to this episode after hearing Chris mention the idea a while ago. So pleased to see The Adjustment Bureau up there at the top of the list – I recommend it to my students in order to start discussions concerning personal agency. BUT I was very surprised you didn’t mention ‘The Luminaries’. Originally a Man Booker prize winning (and best selling) novel by New Zealand author Eleanor Catton …but more recently adapted by the author for a TV mini-series. Although the author does say her adaption differs widely from the original book. The novel has chapter headings such as ‘Mercury in Sagittarius’…or ‘Sun in Capricorn’ and hand drawn charts are used to open each part. A group of 12 male characters represent the 12 zodiac signs, and various other characters are based on planets – in the novel . For her 12 zodiac characters, Eleanor gives each a ‘related house’. Number 5 in her list is a goldfield magnate, his ‘house’ is the goldmine: Leo. Number 8 is a chemist, his ‘house’ and his house is the opium den. Number 9 is a shipping agent – his ‘house’ is a barque. Eleanor lists planetary characters, not with ‘Saturn’ or ‘Mars’, but with ‘related influence’. For example one character’s influence is ‘restriction’, another’s is ‘force’. The main protagonists meet on a ship and it turns out they were born on the same day….check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Luminaries for details. If you really haven’t seen the TV version already, do follow through. I think you will appreciate Eleanor’s creative use of astrology. Definitely prize-worthy!
Agreed! The Luminaries is exceptional work, particularly the book. Should be required reading for all astrologers 🙂 I watched the tv series shortly after reading and the nuance of the astrological archetypes is still there, even though it lacks the charts and so on. If someone were to view it first, I’d recommend looking up which characters represent which planet/sign first. Or have fun guessing and check after 🙂 Definitely the best astro media I’ve ever seen
I really loved enjoyed this episode & how the themes of fate vs destiny are interwoven into popular culture. Well done!
I did see a film called Eliza’s Horoscope (1975) – very much a hangover from the 60’s psychedelic era & frankly a bit of a mess. I was a teenager at the time it came out & smitten with all things astrological (definitely showing my age here!) so it was the film’s title that intrigued me. It features a very young Tommy Lee Jones.
I’ve seen a few of the films you highlighted but will be checking out a few that I haven’t that were mentioned.
Thanks for all you do.
You might also check out “Le Signe du Lion” from 1962.
Hey guys, Good coverage. I thought I’d suggest another movie “The Arrival”. Metaphorically every aspect of that movie is a metaphor for astrology – e.g. Heptapod Aliens (7 planets), Circular language (the zodiac), the aliens premonition of future events (forecasting). On a deeper level the movie addresses a “what if” scenario, where each of the governments are trying to decode the circular language (zodiac) and do not trust one another or the aliens in their usage of the language (i.e. astrology for espionage).
Fun episode! I wanted to add the movie Orlando (1992), with Tilda Swinton. As an evolutionary astrologer, the idea of living out different past lives as themes represented in the birth chart made me think of this movie. We see the main character go through different reincarnations, evolving along the way.
Enjoyed the show! Maybe consider giving the Disney Pixar movie Soul a watch. I think it beautifully focused on astrological themes and philosophy’s.
If you want to see a really bad movie about destiny and fate try Jupiter Rising. I saw it in the theater and people started heckling the movie. It’s a perfect movie to make fun of.
Great actors, bad movie.