Ukraine
Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe at 233,000 square miles. Our state of Texas, by way of comparison, is 268,000. It shares borders with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Belarus, and Moldova. The population is approximately 41 million. Texas has 29 million inhabitants.
The country has been ruled by Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsars of Russia. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, there was a movement toward independence. However, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) was a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine regained its independence.
Initially Ukraine declared itself to be a neutral state. It formed a limited military partnership with Russia while also effecting one with NATO in 1994.
In 2013 President Yanukovych decided to suspend an agreement with the European Union (EU) and seek closer ties with Russia. This led to months of demonstrations and protests, his eventual ouster, and the formation of a new government. It was with this backdrop that the Russian invasion of Crimea and war in Donbas occurred in 2014. (Material from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, article about Ukraine)
Vladimir Putin initiated the invasion of Ukraine on February 23, 2022.
Putin
Vladimir Putin was born on October 7, 1952 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Petersburg. This gives him a Libra Sun, Gemini Moon, and Scorpio rising. He was the youngest of three siblings. His two brothers died in the 1930s.
Using Alfred Adler’s concept of birth order, we note an only child tends to receive much attention from both parents. They can be overprotected, spoiled, and come to like being the center of attention. Only children prefer the company of adults and have difficulty sharing. (Alfred Adler Birth Order Theory Explained, www.healthresearchfunding.org) They can come to view the world as a hostile place because of their parents’ vigilance. (Hoffman, R. (2020 May 17 ) Alfred Adler’s Theories of Individual Psychology and Adlerian Therapy, Simply Psychology www.simplypsychology.org)
Vladimir Putin has an undergraduate degree in law and an advanced degree in economics. In his chart Mercury, the planet associated with the intellect, communication, and study is the most heavily aspected. It is to that we now turn.
Mercury is conjoined with Saturn and Neptune, sextile Mars and Pluto, and square Uranus. Putin has a stellium in Libra, the sign of adjustment. [Sun, Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune]
Mercury with Saturn “can give the ability to work methodically and patiently.” “Endurance is a feature.” (Parker, The Compleat Astrologer, p. 140) It bestows a “serious outlook, practical thinking, and an ability to make and carry out long term plans.” (Julia & Derek Parker, Parkers’ Astrology, p. 315)
Some very gifted people, including Tesla and Einstein, have had their Mercury in conjunction with Saturn. I am a former school teacher and two children I taught had this combination, and both were in the higher IQ ranges.
Mercury is also together with Neptune. This will add a powerful imagination.
The sextile is a developmental aspect. It comes into its own with life experiences. Putin’s Mercury sextile Mars will make him quick thinking while that with Pluto will add a touch of craftiness.
I think one of the real keys to Putin’s mind is the square of Mercury to Uranus to which we will now turn. Both Napoleon and Hitler had an adverse Mercury/Uranus aspect. “Great talent may be undermined because the subject believes himself to be special, to be chosen.” “Brusqueness will be tiresome to others.” (Parker, p. 140)
Vladimir Putin also has Sun square Uranus. “Self-willed perversity can get out of hand.” “Those who have these aspects may attempt to impose their moral and religious views on others, sometimes in extreme ways.” (136) The person may destroy the results of his own labors.
Putin’s career as a KGB agent was well-chosen, for he has Scorpio, the secretive, analytical, intense water sign rising. James Bond, the fictional spy, would be a quintessential Scorpio. Three planets in his chart are in the 12th House of hidden things.
Vladimir Putin has been in power since 1999. His rise occurred at an opportune time, for during his first term as president (there have been four) there was a fivefold increase in oil and gas prices. These are the major Russian exports and why Senator McCain called Russia a giant gas station. Purchasing power increased by 72%. The economy had been in the doldrums.
Though Librans are traditionally noted for their sense of fair play, often their balancing is really a liking for one thing with an equal antipathy toward something else.
Another applicable Adlerian principle is the superiority complex. It occurs when a person, here Putin, has the need to prove that he is superior to others. Adler believed that the superiority complex was born from inferiority complexes. (Hoffman, R. Simply Psychology, www.simplypsychology.org) It is a kind of imperfect form of compensation for feelings of inferiority.
Vladimir Putin began practicing judo and sambo at age 12. He has an advanced degree and is multilingual. Those activities were healthy forms of compensation. A drive for power and its ruthless application are not.
Though accounts of his height vary, it seems he is about 5 feet 7 inches tall. The average Russian is 5’ 10.” His short stature probably accounts for some of his feelings of inadequacy.
Zelenksy
Volodymyr Zelensky is an Aquarius with a Leo Moon and Gemini rising. [DOB: January 25, 1978] He is Jewish and his college degree is in law. Volodymyr joined a comedy team at age seventeen and later created one of his own, Kvartal 95. He has also starred in a number of feature films and been a screenwriter.
Kvartal 95 created a television series called “Servant of the People.” In it Zelensky played the role of President of the Ukraine. It was the springboard to his current position.
Volodymyr’s career as an entertainer is shown by his stellium in Leo, the sign of drama and showmanship, and by his Sun/Venus conjunction. Gemini, one of the signs associated with writing and communication, gave him the impetus to put his pen to screenplays.
In Zelensky’s chart 6/10 planets are in fixed signs. 8/10 are either in the fire or air element. Fixed signs ultimately solve problems by digging in and being stubborn. His planets in fire will provide him with a sense of drama, enthusiasm, and inspiration.
A key to the nativity is the Sun conjoined with Venus and both in opposition to Mars. Volodymyr’s Sun/Mars opposition will provide him with courage and make him a risk taker. It will also give him extra energy. He may be good in debate and a trifle prone to argument. This may be offset by the diplomatic Sun/Venus conjunction.
In the usual case a Venus/Mars opposition would have lent difficulty to partnerships, discontent, and hypersensitivity. (Parker, p. 141) Here that is probably neutralized by the joining of the Sun with Venus. Also, Aquarians tend to be logical, friendly, humanitarian, and detached.
I hope all goes well for the courageous Ukrainian people. God bless them!