WE DESERVE A BETTER ASTROLOGY IN GREECE (and in any other country for that matter)!

Societies thrive when their most deserving members are promoted to higher positions. On the other hand, societies that routinely promote their less deserving members, the "well-connected, mediocre," are doomed to deteriorate and degenerate!

The pattern of "well-connected, mediocre" persons assuming prominent positions is more or less widespread around the world. However, the very nature of mature societies provides enough opportunity for recognition for many of their deserving individuals! I don't believe there is another civilized country in the world that supports "well-connected, mediocre" people to such an extent (at the expense of the worthy) as modern Greece!The persons who currently dominate the Greek astrological scene (and who are portrayed in public as the "leading ones") are nothing more than golden mediocrities (despite promoting a quite different picture of themselves). Some of them even claim to be the best astrologers in the world!). They are not "top astrologers" in any manner.

You see, it is not someone's appearances on TV or Internet portals, or the support s/he receives from various "circuits" that is ultimately distinguishing him/her as a great astrologer. Quality work, inspirational books, innovative articles, rigorous research, and high ethical standards are what distinguishes a top astrologer! And none of the people in charge of modern Greek astrology now meet such standards. Moreover, those who truly meet such standards are - quite ironically - totally marginilized!

Few Greeks are aware, for example, that the late Yianni Symeonoglou was a prominent contemporary Greek astrologer! Symeonoglou was primarily responsible for introducing and developing "Systemic Astrology" in Greece! He published two thought-provoking books ("The Times and Seasons of the Invisible - Astrology" and "Beyond the Astrology You Know"). He was set to release his third, momentous book when he died unexpectedly in early 2019. 

Despite his preference for "scientific" astrology, Symeonoglou was not reluctant to borrow material from metaphysics and esoteric knowledge, particularly Orphic and Pythagorean teachings. He uncovered several new dimensions of the Moon's Nodes, which he interpreted in novel ways! And yet, the "circuit" that dominates the Greek astrological scene has never displayed his work, nor honored him to the least! They never gave him the chance to interact with the public, never invited him to their presentations and seminars (maybe because they were worried that their "poverty" would be exposed if challenged by Symeonoglou's wealth of knowledge)!

As a result, Symeonoglou was deliberately marginilized by the dominant astrological circuit and he was slowly transformed into a picturesque figure! The man who is considered one of the foremost Greek astrologers in reality lived as an insignificant astrologer - and died bitterly disappointed that his rich and creative work would stay unknown to the Greek public!

Nicholas Kampanes and Konstantine Stefanou are two other important figures in modern Greek astrology! Kampanes is a knowledgeable renaissance kind of astrologer! Aside from Astrology, he has studied Philosophy, Theosophy, Metaphysics, Literature, and other subjects! He has written two wonderful volumes that enrich the Greek Astrological literature ("Astrological Institutio" and "Astrology in the Light of Science")! Konstantine Stefanou, the other Astrologer, has built a distinct and robust work on asteroids and so-called "harmonics" - while opening new routes on the "quantistic" component of Astrology (frequently making references to esoteric knowledge)!

As one may expect, the dominant Greek astrological circuit has never granted these people a step! Thus, international caliber Greek astrologers are purposefully "buried" in this mediterranean country, and they end up being labeled "inexistent" or "marginal picturesque" figures, at best!

I could name three or four other brilliant Greek astrologers who remain mostly unknown to the general public. However, I believe that the three aforementioned are the most significant ones! It is an embarrassment to all of us (in Greece) who love Astrology (the true one, with a capital A) that these people have not yet been recognized and honored, that they have not yet been accredited for their original, pioneering, monumental work that could enrich all Greek (and possibly foreign) Astrology students and researchers!

Regrettably, the Greek public (which is "under-cultured" in Astrology. Names like Dane Rudhyar, Robert Hand, and Richard Tarnas are largely unknown in Greece), believes some well-connected people to be the foremost Greek Astrologers! At the same time, the above-mentioned astrological "beacons" are absolutely unknown. And because these Astrologers have not been recognized and honored - as a result of their "blacklisting" and deliberate silencing from the dominant circuit - the public regards them (despite their enormous astrological magnitude) as some picturesque, marginalized figures...

But this is harmful to all of us because Greek Astrology is lagging behind! Under the current circumstances, the "bar" is regularly lowered to serve the interests of some rather unscrupulous individuals. It's like entering into a desolate wasteland with no lights on. It's no accident that current Greek astrology ranks low in the world astrological scene!

Consider that we are in 2019 and there is still no national Astrological entity (association, federation) in Greece! There are a couple of "private astrology clubs" (that's what they are in reality), claiming to be "genuine Pan-Hellenic astrological entities" but that's not the case at all. A pan-Hellenic Astrological entity should be created by (first and foremost) an open invitation to all interested parties, to all Greek astrologers (and not simply to members of the "circuit"). And secondly, by instituting open, democratic processes that are free of secrecy and covertness.

An astrological entity should be established not only to protect the interests of Greek astrologers, but also to wholesomely elevate Greek astrology, to raise the "bar" and bring as much quality and morality to our heavenly art as possible! Furthermore, in order to organize regular talks, lectures, and conferences (even international ones) throughout Greece, events that will promote the work and research of the BEST Greek Astrologers, rather than those privileged ones belonging to "circuits"! Such an astrological entity would pave the way for younger, more talented Astrologers to walk in!

                                              Two contentious issues

The first contentious issue concerns Greece's national horoscope. The Greek astrological establishment as a whole believes that Greece is under the influence of the (solar) sign of Aquarius. A rigorous investigation, however, has confirmed that Greece is ruled by the sign of Capricorn (you may read about it here). And there are leading astrologers on a global scale who have published articles on Greece, such as Maurice Fernandez (president of the OPA, the organization of professional astrologers of America) and Wendy Stacey (director of the Mayo School of Astrology), who all base the Greek national horoscope on the Greek Declaration of Independence from the Ottoman Turks (January 1, 1822 OS).

The truth is that the Greek "establishment" astrologers, who have been spreading the myth that Greece is an Aquarian country for decades, do not want to be seen as admitting they were wrong the entire time! So they continue to pretend that Greece is ruled by the sign of Aquarius, even though they know it isn't!

Another concern is that two Greek astrologers from the "establishment" were recently convicted to 6 months in prison (by a Greek National Court)! They were insulting, slandering, bullying, and even threatening one of their Greek colleagues (you may see the relative post here).

You'd think that prominent members of the Greek astrological community would criticize these two dishonest astrologers. However, they did not! The Greek astrological "establishment" artificially suppressed their condemnation and wholeheartedly backed them  - on the grounds of "these are our own people"! As a result, their conviction was not publicized anywhere, and all references to it were purposefully suppressed. Such a thing could never happen in a civilized society!

Do we really deserve this kind of astrology? We get the politicians we deserve, and similarly we get the astrology (and astrologers) we deserve! But how many of us truly desire the "low energy" astrology that is popular in Greece today? Don't we all want a sophisticated, advanced, and enlightening Astrology? Don't we want the worthy, decent type of Astrologers to enlighten and inspire us? Because, in the end, the shape of Astrology in Greece in the coming years is entirely dependent on what we, the astrology's aficionados, truly desire!

Overall, a society that fails to provide attention to its finest people but instead allows the "connected mediocre ones" to dominate is suffocating its most important energies and hence condemned to decay, losing ever more its splendor and vigor....

Thomas Gazis
Copyright: Thomas D. Gazis