As this is being written, the key event date of April 23^rd has not yet occurred (Grand Cardinal Cross at 13 degrees including Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto), but by the time you are reading this, the crisis and turmoil inherent in its pattern will be on the wane, so we'll look at some of the participants to see if this can clarify matters. I will especially focus on Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, and Ukraine.

Putin (10/7/52, 9:30 AM, Leningrad à St. Petersburg) is a very secretive, manipulative person, a user for whom power and might is everything (Pluto, chart ruler, conjunct Leo Midheaven in H10; Scorpio Ascendant). He is distrustful, perhaps paranoid, can certainly be fooled or dupe others (Neptune/Mercury in H12), would make enemies, and could be his own self-undoing (bundled package called a Stellium of four planets in Libra H12).  He has hard karma (Sun/Saturn in H12).   This a true KGB type from the old regime!

Perhaps he was a king in a past life (South Node in Leo conjunct MC), but in this life he's supposed to be of service (Node in Aquarius; loaded H12 including Saturn). However, he can't trust people. His inner experience is lacking peace, and his emotions are very turbulent. He probably had a difficult childhood. He is insecure, willful and hasty - the lone wolf type - probably not truthful (Uranus from H9 square Sun/Saturn/Mercury). There is an odd mixture here: you would think he'd be a sentimental romanticist (Stellium in Libra; Sun in Libra, Moon in Gemini; Venus in H1). However, he is overgenerous with his lovers, but finds his lovelife to be painful (Venus square Node, opposite Jupiter in a t-square; Sun/Saturn/Neptune in Libra H12). In short, Putin may want to be the nice guy, but requires control and power above all because of his deep psychological insecurities.

Ukraine was formed recently when the Soviet Union broke up, so for the new Ukraine we use the new birthday (August 24, 1991, 6 PM, Kiev, Ukraine). Ukraine has a favorable chart concerning help from allies (Venus/Jupiter/Mercury, Sun and Vertex all in H7). Ukraine nationally wears its heart on its sleeve, and the world would respond sympathetically to its people (Venus/Jupiter/Mercury opposite Moon in H1). It is a practical entity that strives for healthy capitalism (Node/Neptune/Uranus in Capricorn sextile Pluto in H10; Sun and Vertex in Virgo). It has a hard road but has potential for positive transformation (Sun quinqunx Saturn in H12, sextile MC).

Ukraine vis-à-vis Putin indicates a well-matched combo (Ukraine's Midheaven is conjunct Putin's Ascendant; their Plutos are conjunct). It is possible that, with help from allies, and with inherent positive karma, Putin's power grab would not be favored, whereas Ukraine would be well-liked, and in general the situation results in a reduction of Putin's resources (Ukraine's Uranus/Neptune squares Putin's Sun/Saturn; Ukraine's Pluto squares Putin's Node, opposes Putin's Jupiter; and Ukraine's Saturn squares Putin's Ascendant). Putin is not in a winning position in this match-up. From March through November 2014, both Ukraine and Vladimir Putin must deal with obstacles (transiting Saturn will square Putin's MC/Pluto, while it does the same for Ukraine's Moon).

In a comparison between Putin and Obama, it looks to me as though they squared off in another life (Putin's Node conjuncts Obama's Ascendant exactly, and therefore opposes Obama's Descendant exactly). Putin puts pressure on Obama (Putin's Pluto squares Obama's Midheaven, and conjuncts Obama's Node/Uranus). Obama is critical of Putin, or will not listen (Obama's Saturn squares Putin's Mercury). It's very unlikely there would ever be any cooperation between the two (Putin's Mars squares Obama's Mars). They happen to be similar emotionally and temperamentally (their Moons are conjunct, and their Suns are sextile). Putin really doesn't know what to make of Obama (Putin's Ascendant/Venus conjuncts Obama's Neptune), whereas Obama can "game" Putin (Obama's Pluto squares Putin's Moon).

Throughout the month of May, it's possible that Putin's bluff is called, especially around the 14^th (Pluto squares his Sun; Saturn retrograde squares his Node; and Full Moon squares his Pluto exact), at which point he may have to ramp up his military moves or ease off as his sham is exposed. This may be not Obama's doing alone, but a joint effort such as NATO or the G7, i.e., a contingent of allies that favor Ukraine's sovereignty for their own reasons.

During May, President Obama continues to be unpopular (Saturn square his Ascendent), but he can realize successful actions or negotiations, especially on May 14^th (Full Moon sextile his Mars; Mercury/Venus in good aspect to his Sun). For the world, there is a release of some tensions (the Grand Cardinal Cross moves on). For The U.S., all month long external pressures to deal with debt and the economy are the focus, and can easily involve the insurance industry, such as with Obamacare (Pluto opposite U.S. Sun in H8). The job market will remain uncertain and restless (Neptune square U.S. progressed Uranus). The month is not calm, and many upsets can be due to health-related issues (U.S. progressed Moon quinqunx U.S. Uranus in H6). People will be rebellious against the new system (Uranus opposite U.S. Saturn). From May 2^nd-7^th, crops are good and there is abundance in the food industry (Jupiter conjunct U.S. progressed Jupiter in Cancer). From the 19^th-24^th, the tendency might be to be overly aggressive (Jupiter square U.S. progressed Mars). On the 20^th, legal fighting over financial issues can reach maximum intensity (Mars station direct in Libra square H2).

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