The Bogdanoff twins are an interesting couple. During the 80’s, Igor and Grichka became popular in France as a result of a TV show they presented that involved science and science fiction topics. Later, they gained a bit of notoriety for an entirely different, but interesting quirk in their personal life – a reported “obsession” with plastic surgery. From recent images, it is obvious that both twins had quite a bit of work done. These radical transformations made both of the men barely identifiable.

Personally, plastic surgery is an area I find engrossing. In some respects, surgical intervention to try to delay the natural aging process can sometimes be viewed as a radical solution. Because these unique choices have such a visible effect, it is fascinating to track the manifestations back to the internal workings within the chart. The Bogdanoff twins’ untimed chart is below.

The most immediately relevant dynamic is the Sun-Saturn conjunction in Virgo. The Virgo sign quality is one of the most critical of the zodiac and this focus isn’t isolated to others. More often than not, Virgo turns this demand for perfection on itself as well. Anecdotally, many individuals with prominent Virgo placements may admit that they can be most critical and exacting of themself. This is one reason why these types may appear a bit stressed

Take that dynamic and add Saturn to the mix. As an archetype, Saturn is the taskmaster. It is accountability, enforcing strict standards and demanding adherence to them. The twins have a Sun-Saturn conjunction so this level of accountability and seriousness is focused on their self. Because it is aligned with their core energy, it is a critical part of their personality. Through Virgo, Sun-Saturn expresses itself via strict requirements of perfection and adherence to standards. For anyone that studies science, these dynamics would be a benefit, but it can become a bit detrimental when it comes to accepting yourself for who you are. Bottom line: Sun-Saturn in Virgo is very hard on itself. But would these dynamics be strong enough to motivate multiple surgeries or would other dynamics be needed to exacerbate things? The dispositor tree contains some clues.

With Sun-Saturn placed in the sign of Virgo, Mercury is the dispositor or “ruler” of these bodies as it rules the sign of Virgo. Mercury is in the sign of Libra, so it is, in turn, ruled by Venus. Venus is in the sign of Libra as well. Since Libra is the sign of its ruler ship, Venus is considered to be a final dispositor for the chart. This means an underlying motivation for the expression of these planetary bodies is ultimately going to start with Venus. All of this is significant because Venus represents the archetype of beauty. It’s placement within the sign that it rules also indicates that this motivation towards beauty is very strong. There is a certain sensibility in recognizing it.

Additionally, Venus is aligned with Neptune. Neptune represents our ideals and dreams, but also our fantasies and illusions. Their alignment by conjunction can reflect an ideal of beauty that may be almost impossible to obtain. Both of these bodies’ placement at the South Node specifically reflects that this is a motivation, need or desire that has run its course. It is something they don’t need to rely on as heavily as other dynamics. The problem is that we tend to overuse planets that are placed at the South Node and it is highly probable that this dynamic was torturing them. This impossible vision of beauty consumed their thoughts (Mercury), creating an intense amount of dissonance and friction to radically change things (square to Uranus). This motivation was then further exacerbated by the harsh judgment of themselves as this ideal became farther removed from the reality that goes along with the natural process of getting old.

Unfortunately, this still doesn’t explain why surgery became the outlet for these frustrations. Why was surgery the solution to this source of dissonance? To explore this, we need to review the mutual reception between the Moon and Mars.

With the Moon in Scorpio and Mars in Cancer, these planets are placed in the ruler ship of the other. This connection creates a type of network/relationship of influence where the motivations and expression of either are intimately impacted by the other. Moon in Scorpio represents emotional needs that are intense, deep and a bit consuming. Mars represents, quite literally, the archetype of cutting…or surgery. Additionally, with Moon in square aspect to Pluto, we see some of the friction referenced with the square between Mercury and Uranus echoed here as well. With this square, there is a deep seated need (obsession) to experience complete transformation. The way to do this was through surgically altering their appearance. And, because Mars was at the midpoint of both Uranus and Pluto, it became the unifying area of focus between all the major complexes within the chart. Surgery was their way to address insecurities, self criticism, ideals and obsessions. Surgery was their way to revolt against nature.

Again, it is fascinating to watch these dynamics “stack” on top of each other. You can almost feel the pressure building towards the actuality that eventually became their manifestation. But what is most alarming about this case study is that both twins felt the need or obsession to pursue plastic surgery to such extreme levels. It is often noted that twins can lead fairly different lives, the result of manifesting the same archetypal dynamics multivalently. This scenario shows how both were united in their decisions to radically address the frictions they were both feeling.

In this way, this scenario also offers a small validation of astrology.