Nabokovian birhday...

A birthday can tell a great deal about a person. I, myself, spend hours researching when I meet a new friend or stumble upon an interesting historical or popular person. I research their personality on paper based on what the stars say. Astrology helps draw conclusions so that I better understand whom I am getting to know.

Although there are many critics, astrology is a science, as well as a philosophy. Every person has a unique map of their personality based on where the planets and stars were aligned on their date of birth, depending on the time zone and place on earth. These maps are called "natal charts," and no two charts are exactly the same- that is, unless someone was born at the exact same minute, place and time as yourself. These charts go beyond the usual "sun sign" that we know about ourselves, and explain who we are in love, alone, the face we show to the world, the face we show our friends and family, how we handle finances, what our generational goals are as a society, and so on.

Naturally, the most intriguing part of Nabokov, to me, is who he is astrologically. Because his birthday is incredibly jumbled based on Russia's switch to the Gregorian calendar in the 20th century, his personality can be studied in many different ways.

There is a free site here that generates natal charts based on the information I described above. Since I do not know Nabokov's exact birth time, 12p.m. is usually used as the default time.

The following is Nabokov's chart for his Russian birthday, before the Gregorian switch- April 10, 1899 (in St.Petersburg, Russia):

Based on this chart, Vladimir was an Aries sun sign-a fire sign, which explains him well (I pegged him as this before I knew his birthday). This is the face he shows to the people that know him: "energetic and high-spirited...fiercely independent, must be first in everything he does...enthusiastic leader, reluctant follower" (astrolabe.com).

His deep, core belief system or how he feels alone, is his moon sign, which is also Aries: "courageous...a fighter when emotions are aroused. The degree of force and drive that you can bring to any effort sometimes surprises others" (astrolabe.com).

His rising sign, or the face he shows to the world beyond the people he knows well, is also a fire sign, Leo: "you love to be the center of attention and you want to appear strong, confident and dominant. You are very proud of yourself, sometimes quite vain even. You are very idealistic but can also be quite stubborn" (astrolabe.com).

The sheer number of fire signs within his chart explains that not only was he a well-balanced person, but that his presence was quite radiant and forceful. We can see signs of this in his writing with his bold and brash opinions and comments.

The last interesting thing to note about this chart is that his Venus sign, his love life or what he drawn to/values is Pisces: "You have a dreamy, fanciful, romantic nature and a very creative imagination. Indeed, at times, your private fantasies are more appealing than the reality around you and it is difficult for you to leave them" (astrolabe.com).

The second chart is for Nabokov's western birthday, according to the Gregorian calendar- April 22, 1899 (also in St.Petersburg, Russia). I am having trouble uploading another picture, but you may generate the chart yourself.

This chart is much less balanced, and, in my opinion, is less of an accurate description of Nabokov.

Rising Sign: Leo again! (see above description)

Sun Sign: Taurus, an earth sign. "known for being patient, slow moving and careful -- you love to prolong and savor enjoyable times. You require strenuous situations in order to grow and mature properly, even though you try to avoid them" (astrolabe.com).

Moon Sign, Virgo (also an earth sign): "You tend to be serious-minded but cheerful for the most part. Reserved, shy, and very self-critical, you tend to be very hard on yourself. Practical, reliable, efficient and conservative, at times you are a bit of a prude. You are known to lead a simple, uncomplicated, frugal, methodical and unemotional lifestyle" (astrolabe.com).

The moon sign synopsis is interesting to me because Nabokov was no prude, as we can attest to with the writing in Lolita. Conservatism is also a bit of an oxymoron, as well. While we're at it, "reserved" is an almost unacceptable term for Mr. Opinionated, himself.

Lastly, Nabokov decidedly chose his own birthday upon all the madness that ensued with the changing of dates. Naturally he chose the birthday of Shakespeare, April 23. He chose this because of the way the calendar fell in 1900- his first birthday was the 23rd since there was a leap year.

Thus, Nabokov's choice, April 23, 1899:

Rising: Leo!

Sun: Taurus...

Moon: Libra, an air sign: "life must be a "beautiful" experience for you. Unpleasantness should be avoided at all costs. You tend to overlook other people's faults and you would rather give in than fight. You are uncomfortable with strangers, but at ease and sociable with friends and associates" (astrolabe.com).

Also a not-so-well-balanced chart, Nabokov was no Libra moon sign. Tending to overlook other's faults? Rather give in than fight? Not so, Mr. Nabokov! No matter how badly you wanted to share a birthday with William- the stars have spoken: April 10, 1899 is your true birthday (and a fiery one at that!).