Putin versus Zelenskyy

Today is Vladimir Putin's 70th birthday. Allegedly. He lies about everything else, so he is possibly also lying about his date of birth. However, we astrologers can only accept the information that we're given, so if Putin really was born on this date, here is how he interacts astrologically with President Zelenskyy.

Although both Putin and Zelenskyy have their natal Suns in Libra and Aquarius, they are not in any way, compatible. These two men could never have seen eye to eye in any situation and may well have been adversaries in whatever way their paths had crossed. Unfortunately, as the leaders of their respective nations, the threat takes on a whole new significance.

Putin's Sun is conjunct Zelenskyy's Pluto. Change on a deep level will occur under the influence of this planetary combination - but at what cost? This aspect is a tough one in any synastry connection but when the two people involved are already potential enemies in positions of great authority, it brings many upheavals as well as fanatical and obsessive attitudes. As we have seen, one of these men has a power complex, is extremely ruthless and is not above tyranny. This Sun Pluto aspect is often linked to events that bring about a major change of direction in the lives of the people who are under its influence. There's a strong feeling of inevitability and definite power struggles. Both the Sun and Pluto like to feel in control of situations, which leads to both people trying to maintain the upper hand. There’s potential for abuse and mutual destruction. Both are extremely stubborn: Putin won't give up and Zelenskyy won't back down.

Putin's Mars is opposite Zelenskyy's Jupiter. By combining their energies they could reach a compromise and the irony of this aspect between Putin and Zelenskyy is that it is a great influence for settling disputes. On the negative side, this planetary effect brings losses through lack of restraint and the consequences of taking ill-judged risks. Resistance to restrictions can lead to conflict. 

I have a friend who, like me, has been an astrologer for a very long time. Professional astrologers tend to branch out into various methods and techniques, finding exactly what works best for them. My friend has a very down-to-earth approach and one of his regular sayings is, "Never ignore the symbolism". What he means is that it's not always necessary to dive into the deepest meanings of planetary aspects because the literal appearance also provides relevant information. In the Synastry between Putin and Zelenskyy, Putin's natal Mars is conjunct Zelenskyy's natal Ceres. Mars symbolises aggresson, weapons and war. Ceres symbolises the land, crops, fields, agriculture and the environment. Ukraine is known as 'The Bread Basket Of Europe' because of it's fertile plains. The literal symbolism is: Putin's war on Zelenskyy's land. 

Putin's Saturn in a square aspect to Zelenskyy's Mercury indicates serious, negative attitudes and a generally uncommunicative atmosphere. This connection is literally all gloom and doom. Perhaps both of them are too single-minded and stubborn. Either way, there are many obstacles to overcome. 

Putin's Saturn is conjunct Zelenskyy's Pluto. Sound familiar? Yes, Saturn conjunct Pluto - the same influence of January 2020 when the Covid Pandemic began. This planetary aspect indicates that Putin feels threatened by Zelenskyy who wants to distance himself from Putin and all he represents. It also symbolises great hardship. Interestingly, this planetary combination is due to appear again during the next few years as transiting Pluto will be conjunct Saturn in the Ukraine national chart from 2023 onwards. 

With Putin's Uranus in opposition to Zelenskyy's Mercury, it indicates that they would stimulate each other to question and challenge accepted beliefs and attitudes. But would Putin deliberately take the opposite view just for the sake of it? Putin's Pluto in opposition to Zelenskyy's Midheaven - the deepest point in Zelenskyy's chart - shows him to be an agent of either transformation or destruction.

There's a lot of karma, fate and destiny between the charts of Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One of these is Putin's natal North Node conjunct Zelenskyy's Midheaven. Bizarrely, there is the potential to collaborate and join forces - although I think that opportunity has never actually happened and never will. Interestingly, this karmic influence tends to.thrust someone in a direction that advances their public and professional image. This is certainly true of President Zelenskyy who went from relative obscurity to being a global icon virtually overnight. He does not particularly enjoy the role of authoritarian war leader but is not afraid to demand the freedom he wants for Ukraine.