“Let's build a country of opportunities, where everybody is equal before the law and where the rules of the game are honest and transparent, and the same for everyone.” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, is the man of the moment. He has attracted global attention for his bravery and the defense of his country amidst an ongoing invasion from Russia. So what can astrology say about his sudden prominence?
Astro-Databank, which collects the birth data of public figures, reports that Zelenskyy was born at 2:00 p.m. on January 25, 1978, in Krivoj Rog, Ukraine. Therefore, to get astrological insight on Zelenskyy, it is essential to look at his natal chart, which he brings to any situation he encounters, and his transits, which are the interactions between the ongoing cycles of the planets and how it impacts his astrology chart.
Big Three: Sun in Aquarius, Moon in Leo, Gemini Rising
The three main components of a natal astrology chart are the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs. The Sun sign speaks to your basic personality. The Moon sign gets at your emotional nature and quirks that may be known only to people close to you. Finally, the Rising sign refers to your appearance and the first impressions you give.
Zelenskyy has the Sun in Aquarius, a sign with a reputation for being forward-thinking and perhaps a bit quirky. In Zelenskyy’s natal chart, the Sun is also conjunct Venus in Aquarius and opposite Mars in Leo, which is overall a very charismatic configuration.
A conjunction between the Sun and Venus would tend to be social, artistic, and interested in connecting with others, regardless of the sign. In intellectual Aquarius, it could be especially witty, which makes sense for Zelenskyy’s background as a comedian described by the Associated Press.
While Aquarius is sometimes thought of as emotionally detached, its opposite sign, Leo, has a reputation for being warm and passionate. Zelenskyy has the Moon in Leo, perhaps giving him the best of both worlds.
Finally, Zelenskyy has Gemini Rising, giving him a youthful appearance, especially in contrast to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Again, I’m reminded of the Kennedy-Nixon presidential debates famous in United States history, where John F. Kennedy’s ultimate triumph over Richard Nixon was credited at least in part to Kennedy looking better on TV.
Now, let’s look at how the ongoing cycles of the planets interact with Zelenskyy’s natal chart.
Midlife Crisis
Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way first — the typical stereotype of a midlife crisis, where people experience significant disruptions in the structures of their lives, has some astrological support. No matter who they are, everyone experiences the following cluster of transits in their early forties: Saturn opposite Saturn, Uranus opposite Uranus, and Neptune square Neptune. Zelenskyy, who turned 44 in January 2022, is no exception.
You’re more likely to have a midlife crisis dramatic enough to make the news if any of these planets are prominently placed in your natal chart. For example, Zelenskyy has Neptune close to his Descendant.
Saturn Transits
Aside from the Saturn opposition that is part of his midlife crisis, Zelenskyy is currently experiencing some Saturn transits that are more unique to him personally. For example, Saturn is associated with responsibility and more burdensome things than fun.
Transiting Saturn, now in Aquarius, is conjunct Zelenskyy’s Midheaven, a part of the chart that has to do with one’s career or public role. Though Zelenskyy worked as an entertainer in the past, which might be more in line with his underlying personality, he is currently charged with the duty of providing leadership in a dire situation — and the whole world is watching.
Saturn is also opposite Zelenskyy’s Moon in Leo now. The Moon has to do with him feeling deeply emotional, so Saturn transits to your Moon can be depressing. Zelenskyy is likely intensely affected by the suffering of his people amidst the turmoil of the Russian invasion.
Neptune Transits
Neptune is associated with beliefs and ideals. But, like any forty-something, Zelenskyy has transited Neptune square to his natal Neptune, and this can be an intense time of questioning one’s worldview.
More unique to Zelenskyy personally, transiting Neptune, now in Pisces, is squaring his Ascendant and Descendant. The Ascendant is your public face, and the Descendant has to do with the other people you attract into your life. So having Neptune interacting with these parts of his chart suggests significant shifts in how Zelenskyy understands himself and relates to others.
As Neptune in Zelenskyy’s 11th House of Community squares his Ascendant, suddenly the whole world has an opinion on him. Unfortunately, Neptune is known for not being the most fact-focused planet, so people may find it easy to rush to conclusions, positive or negative, about Zelenskyy at the moment.
However, it’s not always bad that Neptune tends to make things larger than life. In a difficult situation, perhaps people need the inspiration of having a leader they can see in a grandly heroic way. Zelenskyy is well equipped to fill that role now.
Pluto Transits
Pluto, which is associated with intense power dynamics, is currently moving through the final degrees of the sign of Capricorn. As soon as 2023, Pluto will begin changing the sign from Capricorn to Aquarius. At that point, Pluto will begin to interact with a prominent configuration in Zelenskyy’s natal chart — the Sun and Venus early in Aquarius opposite Mars early in Leo.
While this is not quite happening yet, it is important to be aware that Zelenskyy is likely to be under pressure for the next few years. No matter how the current crisis resolves, he may continue to face complicated choices surrounding power and what he’s willing to do to get it.
Written by Eva Sylwester
