It’s probably technically not fair – or at least accurate – to already be speculating about what ended Madonna’s marriage to Guy Ritchie. I mean they haven’t actually announced anything yet. But it seems about as close to a done deal as you can get without actually releasing a press release. Rumors about marriage tensions have dogged the couple for… well practically since the beginning of their marriage. Not because there necessarily were problems for the start; I think it’s just that most people couldn’t fathom the man that could be married to someone like Madonna.

Most of us gossip watchers learned long ago not to give too much credibility to rumors about marriage troubles. But things have really heated up in the past month, with Madonna bringing her family to New York – and no Guy in sight. Then word came out that she had consulted several prominent divorce attorneys – and he has too.

The Sun claims that Kabbalah is what put a big strain on the power couple’s marriage.

Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s marriage has been thrown deeper into meltdown after he told her he’s quitting Kabbalah. Madge has become increasingly involved with the mystical Jewish religion, but her film director husband is a step closer to hitting the road after losing his faith. Friends say his recent revelation has widened the gap between the pair, who are leading separate lives despite officially remaining man and wife.

Now a source close to the couple has revealed: “Guy has turned his back on Kabbalah once and for all. “He has gone hot and cold on the religion in the past, but now he’s given up on it altogether. It has always been her thing and is more a part of her life than ever. Guy threw himself into it at first and even filled his movie Revolver with obscure references to the faith.

“He was genuinely into it and it helped the bond between them. But then he backtracked a little with his gestures of public backing, like wearing the bracelet, because he didn’t like being such a high-profile follower. He also became suspicious of all the Kabbalah crowd living off her money. But he always told Madonna he had kept his faith — until now.

“A few weeks ago he told her he doesn’t want anything else to do with it. It didn’t go down well.”

[From The Sun]

Of all the people I’d be afraid to piss off; Madonna’s got to be at the top of the list. I would seriously, seriously consider lying about my religion before I’d consider making those muscles angry. Ethics be damned. Frankly I’m surprised she and guy haven’t gone ahead and released a statement about their inevitable parting and how they still love each other and will remain best friends. But I’ll bet we’ll have one to write about within the next two weeks. Or a fortnight, as Madge would say.

Here’s Madonna arriving for Kabbalah in New York City without a wedding ring on last night. Images thanks to Splash.