Astrological Perspective on the Developing Crisis in Russia

To get a sense of what is developing charts for the spring equinox, the chart of Vladimir Putin and the charts of Russia and the Ukraine were made. The significant degree, because of the cardinal grand cross coming in April is 13 degrees. The grand cross will be at 13 degrees Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. 13 degrees of cardinal signs is a critical degree; it shows a crisis. The planets involved are Uranus at 13 degrees Aries, Jupiter at 13 degrees Cancer, Mars at 13 degrees Libra and Pluto at 13 degrees Capricorn.

Looking at the national charts of Russia, December 21, 1991 and December 25, 1991 we find Uranus at 13 degrees Capricorn. Russia is under the sign Aquarius. Uranus is the ruler of Aquarius, and therefore of Russia. As the two charts for Russia have Aquarius on the 9th and 7th house cusps, respectively, the crisis involves Russian foreign relations. We see Pluto in conjunction with Russia's natal Uranus from February 26 through June 4 complicating Russia's international monetary, trade and diplomatic relations. Pluto turns retrograde in mid-April timing repercussions.
The Ascendant of the spring equinox chart at Moscow is at 13 degrees Libra exactly square Pluto in Capricorn. This shows the crisis developing. Mars is rising in the 1st house of this chart, showing the people in an angry mood.

An interesting aspect in the spring equinox chart worth noting is between the mean lunar node and the Sun. The mean node is at 00:06 Scorpio, and the Sun is at 00:00 Aries. This shows a fatality coming. This, compounding the indications of the grand cross, spells something explosive likely to happen.

The spring equinox chart for the Ukraine, like the chart for Russia, has Mars rising in the 1st house. The people in the Ukraine are in turmoil. Uranus is afflicted in the 7th house. Uranus is square Jupiter and Pluto, and opposite the Ascendant. This brings disruptive trouble to Ukraine through foreign interferences.
The national charts of the Ukraine, August 24, 1991 and December 1, 1991 have Uranus at 10 and 11 degrees Capricorn, respectively, while Neptune is at 14 and 15 degrees Capricorn, respectively. While the grand cross doesn't come to exact aspect these positions, it does point to worsening trouble in Ukrainian economic conditions as well as to worsening foreign relations and to a lot of confusion coming out of that country through misinformation reported in the news. The spring equinox position of Uranus is exactly square Ukraine's natal Uranus showing that country in a social and economic crisis.

From looking at the charts of the Ukraine and Russia it appears that the worse crisis is happening in Russia. The Sun's aspect to the mean lunar node may involve both countries. The flight of ethnic Russians from the Ukraine and the Crimea into Russia, and the flight of money out of Russia does not help Russia.

Looking at the birth chart of Vladimir Putin we find his Sun at 13 degrees Libra. His natal Sun is in the 11th house and rules his 10th. His natal Sun is directly involved in the coming grand cross, showing that his career is being challenged. He has a huge problem on his hands.

Looking at the 1776 Gemini rising chart of the US we see the Sun at 12 degrees Cancer in the 2nd house. The grand cross will adversely affect the financial condition of the US. How much money the US can afford to throw at the Ukraine is questionable.
From the look of the spring equinox chart the US is unlikely to become any more deeply engaged in the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine than it has already. Instead, the spring equinox chart has afflicted and intercepted Uranus in the 10th house showing potentially disruptive developments inside Government circles which, if not handled carefully, can lead to resignations or defeat. This also holds true for leading corporate circles in the US during the spring quarter. Mars afflicted in the 4th house of the chart confirms the above.

Raphael Simons is an internationally renowned astrologer and psychic living in NYC. To find out about Raphael’s work visit www.raphaelsimons.com and www.trs-fengshui.com