Greece, Eclipses and the Euro crisis

(photo: John Kolesidis - Reuters)

                                                          (by Sharon Knight)

Looking at the forthcoming between November 2012 and May 2013 and comparing two charts for Greek Independence, one as given by Nicholas Campion in World Horoscopes and the other, a rectification by Thomas Gazis. Both charts use the same date of 13th January 1822 but with a time difference of 4 hours and a slight location difference. 

The rectified chart by Thomas Gazis has an Ascendant of 6 Pisces, MC 17 Sag, Moon at 1 degree Libra and the house axis of 1st/7th are weighted. This does indicate a permanent pull between countrymen and others. 

The Campion Chart has 5 Taurus Ascendant, MC of 20 Capricorn and Moon at 3 Libra. This chart has shifted the planetary emphasis from the 1st/7th axis to a more scattered chart. 

As we know Greece has undergone massive financial restructuring and immense deprivation for the majority of its people due to the constraints imposed by the EU. There have been many rumours throughout the past year or so, that Greece may have to leave the Eurozone in spite of the efforts made by the people to cut their deficit. So far, Greece and its various Governments have managed to cleave to the conditions laid down by Brussels, but will they continue to be able to impose more cuts in order to receive more bailouts. Will the bailouts stop after the German elections in either September or October 2013? 

Before 2012 is out, there is a Solar eclipse on the 13th November, followed by a Lunar eclipse on the 28th November. In 2013 the eclipses occur on the 25th April (Lunar), 10th May (solar) and the 25th May (lunar). 

The Solar eclipse on the 13th November, set for Nea Epidavros has an Ascendant of 26 degrees and 27 minutes Leo and an MC of 21 degrees and 05 minutes Taurus. The eclipse itself at 21 degrees 56 minutes Scorpio falls in the 7th house of the Campion chart and the 8th house of the Gazis chart. 

Neither chart has any traditional planets in Taurus or Scorpio, so one would think this eclipse would pass Greece by. There is a bond repayment due on the 16th November and it will be down to the Eurozone finance ministers if they agree the measures have been met and they will release more funds to enable Greece to both stay afloat and remain in the Eurozone. However, the Lunar eclipse on the 28th November does pick up the 2nd - 8th axis of the Campion chart within less than one degree, as the eclipse occurs across the Gemini/Sagittarius axis at 6 degrees 46 minutes. 

 At this same time, Jupiter is currently retrograde in Gemini at 11 degrees 54. Jupiter is significator of  the 8th house of others money. Furthermore, Jupiter stations direct at 6 degrees 19 minutes Gemini on the 30th January 2013. If we go with the Campion chart, this date (30th January 2013) is perhaps when the Eurozone starts to tighten its purse strings and may impose further demands on Greece. 

Following on with the eclipse theme, the next set of eclipses occur in April and May 2013. We have two lunar and one solar eclipse. The lunar eclipse on the 25th April occurs at 5 degrees and 45 minutes of the axis Taurus/Scorpio and has both of the malefics within 3 degrees of both Lights. But as noted earlier, Greece does not have any planets on this sign axis. Behold though… Jupiter will be closely conjuncting by then the MC of the Gazis chart!

Traditionally Jupiter rules both the Pisces Ascendant and Sagittarian MC of the Gazis chart. Could it be the people choosing to take matters into their own hands – to their detriment? Moving on to the Solar eclipse chart of the 10th May 2013, we still have the eclipse happening in Taurus, but with an 11 degrees Pisces ascendant, echoing the Gazis chart with an Ascendant at 6 degrees Pisces.

In this instance, using Placidus house cusps, this eclipse falls in the 2nd house of finance suggesting major issues arising - as not only do we have the Sun and Moon in Taurus but also Mars at 14 degrees and Mercury at 17 degrees of Taurus and, as above Jupiter closely conjunct the Gazis MC. Actually during this eclipse a whole Taurean stellium "falls" over the "Pars Fortuna" (Lot of Fortune) of the Gazis chart! So, Greece might be rescued in this instance...

The following Lunar eclipse (25th of May) is at 4 degrees Gemini/Sag echoing the 28th November 2012 eclipse - and by default affecting the 2nd/8th House axis of the Campion chart. 

I think going by the eclipse cycle, whatever occurs between now and the end of the year will be resurrected or concluded around the end of May, early June 2013 but it is very difficult to see which chart will show the events as it is only the Angles and Pars Fortuna that are different – of course it goes without saying the house placements of the planets will also differ in rulerships and meaning.

Before finishing it may be worth considering the time for when Greece adopted the Euro. I have taken my information from the following site: http://www.eubusiness.com/Greece According to it "Greece joined the European Union 1 January 1981, and adopted the euro in 2001 in time to be among the first wave of EU countries to launch euro banknotes and coins on 1 January 2002. Greek Currency: Euro since 1 January 2001 (formerly Greek drachma, GRD . Fixed conversion rate: €1 = 340.750 GRD)."

"Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins were introduced in Greece on 1 January 2002, after a transitional period of one year when the euro was the official currency but only existed as 'book money'. The dual circulation period – when both the Greek drachma and the euro had legal tender status – ended on 28 February 2002. Exchange of former national currency: The "Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος" (National Central Bank of Greece) exchanged drachma coins until 1 March 2004 and will continue to exchange drachma banknotes until 1 March 2012."

If we look at the chart set for Athens on the 1st January 2001 we find the Moon at 17 degrees Pisces, Mars, ruler of this 2nd house at 4 degrees Scorpio, Jupiter at 2 degrees Gemini Retrograde and Saturn at 24 Taurus. Naturally, owing to the fact that we are examining charts set for 12/13 years after joining the Euro, we would expect to find a Jupiter return and a Saturn opposition. Venus at 26 degrees Aquarius is closely conjunct the Nodal axis of the 1822 "foundation chart". Perhaps it is the combination of the transit of Saturn (2012/13) over the Mars of the 2001 chart and the transit of Mars on the 25th May 2013 over the Saturn point of the 2001 chart that will be ultimately responsible for bringing matters to a head. It does seem highly unlikely Germany will want to “lose” Greece prior to their election but perhaps the stars are showing us the Greek people will take matters into their hands and force the issue. Time will tell.

Sharon Knight

Copyright: Sharon Knight

Summer (2011) and smoke!

The summer of 2011 does not seem to be particularly sunny - astrologically speaking. We have so far experienced two eclipses on June, a menacing Solar eclipse on the 1st of July and we are going now through a critical period where the Uranus - Pluto infamous square is getting ever more tighter (meaning more acute)! And as if all these were not enough, bellicose Mars will soon enter Cancer and will trigger both the point of the July eclipse and very dramatically the Uranus - Pluto square!

The grim to Europe Solar Eclipse of the 4th January 2011 - The enemy within!

The partial Solar Eclipse of the 4 January affects mainly Europe, as its "path" passes over the western part of the old continent. It affects directly Portugal, Spain, France, England, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and goes further up, to the Skandinavians. In all these countries early in the morning the Sun's disk will be largely dimmed by the Moon. Eastern Europe and the Balkans are a little bit off the Eslipse's path (in Greece for example just the 65% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. But on the other hand Greece is ruled by the sign of Capricorn, so it somehow partakes to this eclipse).

30 July 2010 : a cosmic trigger is pulled!

A cosmic trigger is about to be pulled on next Friday 30 July, as planet Mars enters the sign of Libra. This is the high point the entire astrological community was talking about for many months. Already the T-square pattern between Saturn, Pluto and Uranus is quite explosive and portends extreme and violent events. Now that the explosive planet Mars enters too the scene  (forming a conjunction with Saturn, a square aspect to Pluto and an opposition to Uranus and to Jupiter) there will be accumulated so extreme and violent energies that if reflected upon Earth (and astrology assures us that they will be reflected) they will produce extreme and violent events.

On next Friday the Moon too will trigger the T-Square - as it enters the bellicose sign of Aries -  activating further the T-square. All in all, we are talking about an extreme activation of this infamous T-Square. Definitely such an extreme and unusual celestial phenomenon will unleash extreme and unusual forces down here on Earth! Some titanic "explosion" will occur (of the society, of the human consciousness, of a volcano, of some tectonic plates, of some major accident? Even an international conflict is not to be excluded).

P.S. Usually the effects of an astrological configuration do not manifest on the very day the configuration  takes place but a few days before or after (depending on its interaction with previous eclipses etc.). Greece is particularly tergeted by this Mars T-square climax (Greece's Moon is on the 1st degree of Libra, while its Uranus and Neptune are on the first degrees of Capricorn).

June 2010: living an extraordinary "Indian" summer!

(artist: Jacek Yerka)
Two important events occured today, 21st June 2010. The Sun entered the cardinal sign of Cancer. At the same time, today is the "Summer Solstice", when we have the longer day of the year! From tomorrow on the days will get shorter and shorter...

But these two events are rather secondary in front of some other historical configurations taking place in the next few days. As the Sun moves in the initial degrees of Cancer it will form first a harsh square aspect to Uranus (in Aries), then to Jupiter (in Aries) and finally an opposition to Pluto (in Capricorn). Not to mention that the Sun has already been forming a square aspect to Saturn. All these planetary aspects together are forming a very rare and harsh configuration! And as if this wasn't enough, on the 26 of June a numinous Lunar Eclipse will take place above our heads.

Probably you already know about the notorious "T-Square" configuration (between Pluto, Uranus and Saturn) that dominates our skies in the last months. This "T-Square" is already VERY explosive on its own right. But now the Lunar Eclipse of the 26th of June is going to over-energize it! And as the Sun on the day of the Eclipse will be on the 4th degree of Cancer, perfectly opposing Pluto (on the 4th degree of Capricorn) and simultaneously forming harsh square aspects to Jupiter and Uranus in the first degrees of Aries and to Saturn (about to enter in Libra) a characteristic "Grand Cross" configuration will form on the sky on the very day of the Eclipse! This particular configuration is rather rare in the history of humankind and astrologically is expected to unleash titanic energies!

Planet Pluto will be central to this Eclipse (you can see it in partile conjunction to the Eclipse's Moon). We might say that this is a "T-square" eclipse (by no way a placid one) but at the same time it will be a Plutonian eclipse, meaning that it will unleash hidden and subterranean powers, it will bring turmoil to the economy and will forcefully impose to us issues of death and survival. On a higher level though, Pluto is the planet of the transformation of the human consciousness, the planet of "regeneration". Let us meditate together, hand in hand and thus bring forth the higher vibrations of Pluto and of the imminent T-Square Eclipse!

P.S. Greece is particularly "attuned" to this Plutonian Eclipse, as it forms harsh aspects to its Moon (its people, its masses) in the first degrees of Libra and to its characteristic Uranus - Neptune conjunction in the first degrees of Capricorn (Pluto and the eclipse are challenging now the whole social and political structure of modern Greece. It has to "die" and regenerate)!

Huge crisis from Autumn 2009 on!

Everything looks quiet and optimistic this summer of 2009. The news on the TV say that the first signs of recovery in the world economy are now visible. Nothing seems disturbing around us. But beyond the calm blue sea ahead of us, we Astrologers discern on the horizon an enormous tsunami coming over! Some relatively rare and harsh planetary formations that will appear in our sky on autumn and will keep on for several years pre-announce a major crisis, not only in economic terms but universally! The last time similar formations had shown up was during the Great Depression , back in the '30's!

There are some special astrological graphs foretelling the ups and downs of humanity, the periods that mankind will enjoy prosperity and the ones it will go through times of crisis. The corresponding graph is sinking in the autumn of 2009. It is like falling in the bottom of a deep ravine. And when we fall so deep the only way we can go is upwards.

But as we are in the middle of August none of this is visible on the horizon and people around us are rather optimistic. This optimism however is fictitious; it is a derivative of the Jupiter - Neptune conjunction that is dominant in our skies since last spring. This meeting between the joyful Jupiter and the dreamy Neptune is putting "pink glasses" in the eyes of the people hindering them from seeing things in their true dimensions.

If we look without pink glasses the things that are about to come we might not be equally enthusiastic. In October Saturn enters the sign of Libra, forming a discordant square aspect with Pluto, in early Capricorn. This formation is one of the hardest and usually it triggers extremely violent events, large-scale natural disasters, conflicts between nations. Especially now that this formation will be twice as strong (apart the Saturn - Pluto square remember that Pluto is in Capricorn, in the sign that is traditionally governed by Saturn. So, it is like having a double-whammy situation here, as the same relation between Saturn and Pluto is repeated twice).

Furthermore, in May 2010 the explosive and rebelious planet Uranus will enter the warlike sign of Aries. And as if this wasn’t enough, Uranus in Aries will form a rare planetary formation with Saturn and Pluto, called "T Square" (as it reminds us of the capital letter T, with Pluto located at the base of the T, Saturn at the upper left and Uranus at the upper right). In reality, Uranus will start triggering this formation from next autumn on (when it will be in the latter degrees of Pisces). Additionally, within this formation the already manifested in 2008 Saturn - Uranus opposition will continue to exert its power (remember that this Saturn - Uranus opposition is related to the major societal upheavals and the world economic crisis that we witnessed in the autumn - winter period of 2008). Only that this opposition will be much stronger now, as it will be boosted by the energies of the fatal Pluto, a planet that does not hesitate to carry things to extremes and massively eliminate people and situations.

A new kind of world will emerge out of this crisis. The shape of the things we knew will change dramatically. Large upheavals and tensions may arise within the society. Deprivation of liberties and resurgence of totalitarian regimes are very plausible. Disputes between various states over their borders, over minorities etc. Possible lack of energy sources, of raw materials and goods, pandemics and some rare and unusual in scale geophysical phenomena.

When we will see then some more "brilliant" planetary configurations? I think from 2020 onwards! Although Saturn will leave rather early the “T” formation (in 2011) the Uranus - Pluto square will be active for many years. We are talking here about two very crazy "guys" who both love to turn things upside down and bring people and societies to the extremes. And these crazy (but wise, in the transcendental sense) guys will be constantly confronting each other for the next 9 years! Moreover Pluto in Capricorn predisposes to darkness and hardness (and this planet will not leave Capricorn until 2024)!

But every cloud has a silver lining! Pluto in Capricorn will bring a radical transformation to the structure of our society. Thanks to the T square the old extreme materialism and consumerism will be shaked for good and people will move onto more spiritual dimensions. In the near future the shape of our cities - and of the things in general - will not be so bright and grandiose as we used them to be in the past, since what is imperative now to "shine" is the human being !