The War in Ukraine

      The war in Ukraine started on February 24th 2022 which shocked the world. Though Russia had imposed wars on other countries in the past with no real consequences from the rest of the world, something was different when they decided to strike their neighbour at this magnitude. There seems to be no valid reason other than to acquire more power and influence. We are not used to seeing wars in developed European countries, and perhaps due to a stronger feeling of compassion, that Ukrainians are civilized people "like us",  numerous world leaders came together to impose various serious sanctions on Russia. The war exposed the blatant racism that people of colour in Ukraine faced when trying to flee, and also the ugly deeply rooted unconscious bias the world has. People pay lip service and post pictures to social media to make themselves look good showing support for movements such as Black Lives Matter. In sharp contrast, when it comes down to survival, their real attitudes become crystal clear. We can observe that there are different "levels of human", where empathy and humanity is revealed to be skin deep. Putin thought that the world would be indifferent, as it was to all the people of colour in the developing countries that he shamelessly waged war on. Their lives were not seen as equal and therefore the media coverage and level of aid was no where near comparable. Notwithstanding the lack of support from other countries and even his own, Putin continues to steamroll ahead with no concern for the financial and emotional well-being of his own citizens and now it looks like there is no end  to the war in sight.

      I used the birth time when Ukraine achieved independence from Russia. Considering all of the difficult aspects Ukraine is facing in 2022 it makes sense they have come under this huge attack. Ukraine has a considerable leo energy having jupiter at 25 degrees leo, mercury at 26 degrees leo, vertex at 26 degrees leo and venus at 28 degrees leo. The sun makes an out of sign conjunction at 0 degrees virgo. Unfortunately, transiting saturn which is a first rate malefic is making an opposition to these planets that will not be over until December 2023. It is extremely difficult when saturn crosses over a tightly conjunct stellium as so many areas of life are affected so close together. This usually causes a more severe depression and anxiety when I see it in an individual's chart because it seems nothing turns out the way you want it to, and disappointments and setbacks abound. Without a strong spiritual practice, it is easy to fall into a state of despair and helplessness. Relationships fall apart and new relationships are hard to form, careers are stalled, and new ventures don't seem to be taking off.  People don't treat you well, and it is hard to get the recognition and compensation you deserve. The self-criticism and judgement are at a peak as people blame themselves for their failures.

     To add to the intensity, Ukraine's moon is at 22 degrees aqu which means that it is in its most intense phase of sade sati, similar to the U.S. moon at 24 degrees aqu that I wrote about in my last post on their Pluto return. In February when the war started, transiting Saturn was in an applying 4 degree conjunction to the moon. It's current position is 24 degrees aqu. Due to the retrograde motion of saturn this conjunction aspect will last until December 2023. The transiting north and south nodes were in the late degrees of taurus and scorpio, at 26 degrees. In my last post I discussed how this activated the evil energy of fixed star algol. This degree was magnified by the eclipses in Nov 2021 and May 2022 at 27 tau and 25 sco respectively. It does not help that the stellium is receiving a tight square from the nodes, which represent turning points of fate. This is a prarabdha (fixed) karma for Ukraine and regardless of how much help it receives, it will continue to endure seeing its buildings burned to the ground, citizens tortured and killed, and land forcibly taken away. Natally, the nodes are conjunct the ASC-DSC axis by 6 minutes, which suggests that they have a very heavy fixed karma to pay back. Mars and venus were conjunct the ASC by 5-6 degrees on Feb 24th, which triggered the fatality of having the nodes on this axis natally, and the outer planets setting the stage for the war. I've noticed in individual's chart when the nodes are on an angle, the person has much less free will and they are more governed by fate. The influence also tends to push people into the spotlight, particularly if the north node is on the ASC or MC. Through it all, Ukrainians, like the symbol of leo the lion have a lot of pride. They have shown admirable resilience, bravery, and fortitude. Putin can destroy the land but not the heart of the people.

      Natally, Ukraine has a T-Square composed of pluto at 17 degrees scorpio, moon at 22 degrees aquarius, and jupiter, venus, mercury at 25-28 degrees leo.  A T-Square configuration occurs when you have three of the same signs in either mutable (gemini, virgo, pisces, sagittarius) , fixed (taurus, leo, scorpio, aquarius) or cardinal (aries, cancer, capricorn, libra) signs and they are within 13-15 degree orbs of each other at maximum. The closer the orbs the stronger the influence. T-squares are a point of tension and energetic focus, it can cause major issues in a person's life that are experienced as significant challenges, frustrations, and burdens but at the same time it can provide tremendous ambition to overcome these and achieve major accomplishments if the person consciously steps up to face the challenges. It is similar to wanting to prove to someone who thinks you lack the capability to do something, that you can do it and be successful. Right now, transiting saturn is activating the T-Square by being in the late degrees of aquarius, transiting uranus is activating it by being in the middle degrees of taurus and the nodes have been activating it by travelling through the late degrees of taurus. The missing piece, in this case planets/ nodes at late degrees of taurus have an especially strong ability to activate the T-Square. In interpersonal relationships, if you have a T-Square and someone else activates it, this person can push you to greater success potential but at the same time it can be difficult to get along and relax in their presence. Most commonly you will experience irritation, anger and stress. You may not like them, yet you could learn a lot about yourself through being in a relationship with them.

      Mercury is conjunct saturn in the Feb 24th chart which is descriptive of the heavy censorship Putin has imposed on his citizens. He has tightly controlled the media such that a very distorted view of his "special military operation" to save Ukraine from the Nazis within their country is used to brainwash Russians. Anyone who speaks against him can be punished and even killed. When travelling in Russia in 2016 without knowing much about it's history, I remember sensing considerable sadness and helplessness. Many Russians did not look happy; probably because they felt unfairly treated ever since Putin came to power. The mars-pluto conjunction gives a violent, ruthless and power hungry energy, with the dominant thought of kill or be killed. It is about survival of the fittest and trampling over others on the race to the top. Pursuit of ambition takes over everything else, and human lives are secondary to gaining dominance and control.  Mars and pluto conjunct with venus shows how women left behind are being terrorized by the soldiers and women who leave the country are forcibly separated from their male partners. They are going to foreign countries not knowing anyone who can help them, and left vulnerable to potential exploitation. Pluto is at 17 sco and the MC is 20 sco which will both be eclipsed on Nov 8th 2022, the exact eclipse degree is 16 tau. Transiting uranus is opposing pluto and the MC now and due to its retrograde motion it won't move out of orb until 2024. Pluto is being raised to prominence and it symbolizes death and rebirth, along with transformation. The old structures have been literally burned away, and this was necessary for a newer, more powerful infrastructure to be reconstructed. The psychology of the nation will be forever altered, hopefully in a way where there will be greater unity, equity and opportunity for people of all walks of life.

     If you are also dealing with difficult transits from saturn, pluto, uranus and the nodes, remember that this is an opportunity to release self-sabotaging patterns that no longer serve you.  Healing takes time and patience. Ultimately learning to embrace your inner power despite external challenges will take you to the next level in your life. The space between one door closing and the other yet to be opened can be scary but that is where the growth occurs, if you let it.