Jupiter in Taurus (and the Taurus' "dark" flip-side)

(photo: Sergey Larenkov)
On the 4th of June 2011 planet Jupiter entered in the sign of Taurus (after completing a crazy race in Aries -  very apropriate to that fiery's sign nature).  I wanted from the begining to post on my blog an article interpreting Jupiter in Taurus but I had the sense that I was missing something. I could not figure out what it really meant for Jupiter to be in the sign of "the earthy reality". I was reading other colleagues' articles who were interpreting Jupiter in Taurus as a "world-wide financial growth" but that interpretation seemed simplistic to me and not very congruent with the current global situation. So, I decided to shy away from any possible interpretation till some kind of inspiration would illuminate me.

Astrologer John Panayiotopoulos denouncing the committee formed to pave the way for a formal Greek Astrological Federation!

 """ I had the honor of being one of the members of the seven-member committee, which was formed in order to pave the way so that a Greek Astrological Federation could be established. The committee was elected by secret voting, on the occasion of an historical meeting of 32 Greek astrologers, which took place on May 15th, 2009. I alphabetically mention the members of the committee: Galanou Mary, Gazis Thomas, Konti Vasia, Panayiotopoulos Yianis (John), Rizopoulos Yianis, Sotiraki Smaro, Zachariadou Evita.

How does a love story (and everything else) unfold according to the hierarchy of the 12 signs! (The Zodiac as a powerful Universal Software!)

(snapshot from the Youtube video "How to flirt")

by Thomas D. Gazis
(Copyright: Thomas D.Gazis)   Back in 2004, an article of mine titled "The Zodiacal Banquet" was published in the prestigious magazine "American Astrology".  In that article, I proposed that the Zodiac is a type of universal "software" that every entity or process must "run" in order to come to being, evolve, and fulfill its purpose. Even a formal banquet must religiously follow the "steps" of the twelve signs, in order to take place and flow properly. In this article, I'll show you how a love story unfolds according to the zodiacal signs' intrinsic hierarchy!

Our household zodiac appears quite ordinary to most astrologers, but in reality it is a deep mystery! It has much more dimensions than meets the eye. We might say that it is a sort of "primum mobile," an archetypal "field" applicable to our earthly dimensions and the entire Universe. We could think of it as a kind of powerful Universal "software" that every process, situation, and creature must "run" in order to come to being, properly unfold and carry out its mission.

The Zodiac comprises 12 fundamental “steps” (the known to us 12 signs). It starts by laying out the most viable traits of each entity or process (the very first signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, are assigned that mission) and gradually advances to ever-more sophisticated stages, ultimately culminating with the sign of Pisces (which is symbolizing the completion of a cyclical process - and its dissolution as well). And as the zodiac permeates the entire cosmos, it influences every single entity and process, even the ones we would never suspect so.

Think of a love story and consider it as a "process" in evolution, something that is born, played out, matured and finally worn off and dissolved. Every love story has to run the "zodiacal software" in order to become a true love story and not a parody of it. Every full-fledged affair has to faithfully follow the 12 “steps” (signs) of the zodiac, it has to pass one by one the 12 sign-stages, starting with Aries and ending with Pisces. If it misses a step, then it will not properly unfold and it will remain in a sort of suspended animation (consider the countless wannabe love stories that have remained suspended, for various reasons). Let us see now the specifics of how a love story unfolds according to the sequence of the zodiacal signs:

- Stage one: The ARIES beginning - “A ram among a flock of sheep”!

Let’s set the beginning of our love story on a crowded boulevard. People are walking up and down the boulevard, including a man and a woman (in the heterosexual version of the story) who have never met previously but are about to fatefully cross paths. They are walking in opposite directions when they suddenly meet, glance into each other’s eyes, they instantly feel a humongous attraction and… kaboom!!! A sudden electrocution, a ventricular flutter sweeps all over them leaving them semi-paralyzed, staring at each other in absolute shock, as if they couldn't believe what their eyes just saw…

 
Let us pause this scene for a moment. The two individuals share a one-of-a-kind experience at that particular moment; they abruptly separate themselves from the other passersby and are intensely focused on one other. They somehow become a distinct "islet" in the torrent of people that is flowing around them. And, regardless of their previous state of mind, they are suddenly thrust into a rare condition of total excitation! A major "differentiation" occurred here, a dynamic burst of energy, the potential birth of a new "process" (of a love story, in this case) took place, and the "beginning" of a whole new cycle of things for both is probably about to unfold. These are all classic Aries themes!

Aries is a masculine astrological sign. Masculine energies are overtly manifested, thus when people become involved in "electrocuting boulevard flings" casual passers-by generally notice the unusual energy surge between the two…

- Stage two: The TAURUS stabilization phase - “Let me take a better look at you”

We began the narrative with two boulevard passers-by who were instantly drawn to one another. Their encounter though is, at this point, quite crude, amorphous and transient and as such not sufficient for a love story to emerge. The two will most likely be lost in the crowd, after exchanging heated glances as they passed by. Some form of "niche" must be provided for them, either through a serendipitous situation (such as her books falling down and him picking them up, as in the movies) or through a "repetitive pattern" (both meeting frequently at that very spot, so that finally some day they naturally talk to each other). So, an additional prerequisite is needed here, for them to get close and verify their "chemistry", reassuring themselves that they have indeed fallen in love with the right person!

Let's imagine that there is a nearby café, where the two wannabe lovers are brought to, immediately after they were "thunderstruck" on the boulevard. In comparison to instantly bumping into one another, that kind of environment looks far more promising for them. They should pick tables that are close to one another in the café, so they may take their time leisurely "exploring" the other persson (their overall features, "aura," movements, behavior, their voice when ordering, etc.) That's crucial for them to decide whether they madly like the other person or not. 

This particular phase corresponds to the cautious, feminine, fixed sign of Taurus. It stands for the stage in which the individual must decide whether or not they genuinely like someone they just met, to ensure that  the other person's "frequency" clearly matches their own, and that they were not just momentarily and "deceitfully" enthralled with them! 

At this point, the two don't even need to talk. You see, the stage of Taurus is a "feminine"/ "yin" one and this means that things may remain here ambiguous and unspoken. Thus, our protagonists may walk into that cafe pretending that they are not there for each other's sake. They just came in to sip a delicious cup of coffee, nothing more...

 

- Stage three: The GEMINI communication phase - “Hello there!”

To dispel any uncertainty that they are enthused about the wrong person, the two are "exploring" each other, while sitting in silence at close tables, in that nearby the boulevard café. If they ever become certain that they truly like the other person, an overwhelming need to speak with them arises. So, even under a flimsy pretext, they address him or her and attempt to start a discussion (from scratch, since they essentially don't know anything about one another).

At this point, they are desperate to learn as much as they can, to complete the picture and understand what sort of person this alluring "stranger" is. Continuous queries and responses about their "whereabouts", lifestyle, preferences, habits, and so on are exchanged here. It becomes clear at this stage how mentally "sharp" each individual is, how bright and witty (via the various innuendos and "elaborated" lines they exchange, the verbal "teasing" between them, and so on).

After exchanging enough information, the two build a rough idea in their minds about the other person and understand in broad terms how much common ground they share with him/her - regarding points of view, personal interests, life routine, and so on. All of these are Gemininian characteristics (communicating with others, exchanging ideas, and learning some fundamental information about someone). Things can be openly stated here - as Gemini is a masculine, extrovert sign.

- Stage four: The CANCER journey of intimacy - “What warm eyes s/he has!”

As the two continue their talk, it becomes ever clearer that they share common points of view and have a strong affinity. As a result, their initial concern about having a crush on the wrong person is dispelled. At this point, someone frequently invites the other to his or her table, saying "Why don't you come over to my table?" This move represents the very first step in the two people's path toward intimacy (Cancer is a cardinal sign, and cardinal signs do initiate critical stages). And as one comes over and sits at the table of the other, the two become closer not just in space but emotionally as well! Their "inner worlds" are tackled head-on here, and that might turn out to be either a quite warm and soothing experience or a painful one!

In fact, a person who seems likable from a few meters away may not be as likable when they sit down at our table (just as we may like their ascendant but not their other astrological components). Therefore, as the two individuals in our scenario suddenly move closer, stepping into each other's "personal space" for the first time, they may somehow feel helpless and "naked" in front of one another. They exchange deep stares and, because the eyes are portals to the soul, they ultimately end up examining each other's soul! Each time we gaze into someone's eyes, we literally "slip" into their soul, travel through and encounter their vast, intangible "inner world"! We are then forced to either merge with them or irrevocably collide with their "inner world" and thus experience an acerbic alienation! 

This stage, in which the "inner worlds" of the two ex-strangers' are compelled to meet face to face and develope emotional bonds, is distinctly Cancerian. If the individuals sense that the other person's eyes and general "aura" are sweet, warm, and "mergeable" with his/her own, at this closer distance, then something new is born in them, and a surge of warmth sweeps over their souls. Through their eyes, facial expressions, voice tones, and overall posture, they start to freely exchange feelings and "soul energy" as they yearn to connect with each other's inner world and feel emotions at their best.  And since Cancer is a feminine sign, most of this process is invisible to outsiders.

Thomas D. Gazis

P.S. This is just an excerpt of the entire article

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Copyright: Thomas D. Gazis. Please include a link to this page and acknowledgement of the author if you decide to republish this article.

The astrological saga behind Strauss-Kahn's (IMF's head) alleged assault to a hotel maid!

(An alternate title for this article could be: "How astrology "dictated" the self-undoing of an Ultra-Powerful man")

The first two signs of the zodiac - Aries and Taurus - are considered the most "bestial" of all, in the sense that they have extremely strong urges and drives and a very acute individualism. Don't get me wrong here, you might be an Aries or Taurus and not feel at all a "beast", as you might have other mitigating or even "sublimating" factors in your chart. Which apparently Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the illustrious head of the "International Monetary Fund", seems to lack! On Saturday 14 May 2011 he was arrested at JFK airport for allegedely assaulting sexually a hotel maid in New York! And this is not the only sexual assault allegation pending on Dominique Srauss-Kahn!

Let's take a look at Dominique's natal chart. He is a Taurus (his Sun is in the sign of Taurus) with a strong Aries emphasis (both his Moon and Mars are in the sign of Aries).

Although his Taurus Sun and his Leo Ascendant grant him the look of a cool person - in control of the situations - in reality he is very impulsive inside him (Moon and Mars in Aries). He is conditioned by an acute Ego and by his very strong, raw and uncontrollable urges (Pluto in his natal First House makes things even worse, giving him a very impulsive and aggressive sexuality). Plus, we shouldn't forget that the axis Taurus - Scorpio is the axis of sexuality in astrology, so definititly we have here a person who - in spite of his 62 years - has an insatiable appetite and unstoppable sexual drives!

But why such a prominent man reached to the point of allegedly assaulting a hotel maid in order to have sex? He has enough money and connections to invite in his hotel room the most expensive call girl - or girls - of New York and have endless sex with her/them! Why did this - genious otherwise - man resort to such a superficial and stupid action? Well, his natal chart and the Transits and Progressions over it can reveal us the "inside story"...

The alleged sexual assault to the maid occured when Jupiter was transiting on his natal Mars in Aries (and in his Ninth House - meaning "When abroad I am going to do whatever I want, cause I will have no consequences). Transiting Jupiter on his Mars bestows a sexual over-drive to an alreary over-sexed man.

Even more impressive is the fact of the transiting Uranus in a perfect (partile) conjunction to his Moon! Uranus is the planet of unconventionality, the "great liberator", the god Dionysus type of "Inebriator"! No doubt then that during this assault Dominique was in a kind of "trance", of "inebriation", feeling that his sexual drives should be very naturally accomodated by this hotel maid, as if the two were participating in a Dionysian orgy! On the other hand, transiting Pluto in a square aspect to his Moon has been scratching in the last 3-4 years "old wounds" in Dominique's soul, breeding in him a very murky, dark and revengeful disposition towards women!

Finally, what I consider the key theme to the whole story: in the last few years Strauss-Kahn's 12th House has ever more been activated by his progressed planets (with both his progressed Sun and Moon forming at the present - utterly humiliating to him - period an almost perfect square to his natal Moon - meaning among other things hardships through women-figures and a negative disposition of the people towards him). And as if this was not enough, his progressed Sun and Moon receive harsh aspects by transiting Pluto, Uranus and Saturn (the "trio" which is the culprit of the infamous Cardinal Climax delineation).

This "12th House - Outer planets harsh aspects" combined configuration is a "once in a lifetime thing", an extremely difficult and mega-"dissolving" configuration which Strauss-Kahn has never experienced before! And traditionally the 12th House is the House of "self-undoing", of "fall" and "disgrace". Impossible as it might seem, this omnipotent, extra-powerful person has been repeatedly confronted in the last few years by the subtle, invisible, psychological powers of the 12th House, by his own demons that is and apparently has been defeated by them, resorting - unconsciounsly - to the classic 12th House behavior of "self-undoing", of dissolving and demolishing (by himself - with no complete awareness of the fact) his "omnipotent" and acutely individualistic figure! If the "IMF's head" has indeed acted this way (even on an unconscious level), then there is hope for humanity...

Thomas Gazis

Neptune in Pisces - Our World turns Fabulous!

A new kind of cosmic energy has been released upon us just a few hours ago, as planet Neptune moved into Pisces! This is a momentous event because the sign of Pisces is the natural "domicile" of Neptune, meaning that in this sign Neptune finds a very fertile "soil", it feels totally unhindered and stimulated and expresses its full potential!

The "Polarization Effect" in Psychological Astrology

The "Polarization Effect" is a particular pattern in the chart that although is crucial it goes largely unnoticed by the astrologers. I have been studying this pattern for many years, in my consultations and Psychological Astrology courses. Actually, I had published this article 3 years ago but lately some new evidence came to my hands so I think it worths re-publishing it.

The people dethroning their dictators: Jupiter - Uranus square Pluto

(photo from Canada com)
We have been witnessing recently some unique historical events! In a domino effect, one after the other the people of Northern Africa and Middle East are massively revolting against the oppressive regimes that were ruling their countries for entire decades, reaching to the point of even dethroning their ex omnipotent dictators!

Pluto in Capricorn

(Photo: AFP)

(Thomas Gazis note: back in 2008, a couple of days before Pluto moved to Capricorn, I published this article in Greek - and then I somehow forgot it. Then, recently I noticed that many of the things predicted in the article had already happened in real life - as the years were passing by! Here is the article translated in English...)

An extremely important astrological event will occur on 26 January 2008 (at exactly 4:37:13 am, GMT). Planet Pluto will change its zodiacal position, leaving behind the sign of Sagittarius and entering Capricorn (where it will stay for about 17 years, till 2024)! This change is extremely important for the following reasons:

First historical evidence on Alexander's the Great Horoscope!

Alexander the Great is probably the biggest "Superstar" that ever existed on planet Earth! It is a non mythical - but flesh and blood - figure that has been fascinating millions of people all over the world for entire millennia! Still, to the disappointment of the astrologers, never a horoscope of this brilliant personality has ever been found. And we are very sure that astrologers DID erect Alexander's chart (or at least studied the positions of his birth planets) because Alexander lived his whole (actually short) adult life in Mesopotamia, in the very cradle of astrology!

Is Ophiuchus the 13th zodiacal sign?

Every now and then is resurfacing in the media the issue of Ophiucus - the so called 13th zodiacal sign. In reality Ophiuchus is a CONSTELLATION and not a zodiacal sign! There is a fundamental difference between the two! And ultimately this is the whole gist of the matter...

A brief but lucid explanation of the difference between a constellation and a "sign" is given by the American astronomer - and professor at the University of Illinois - James B. Kaler, who in his book "Astronomy" (Harper Collins College Publishers) he states:

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).

Jupiter and Uranus conjunct at the end of the zodiac: a confused, decaying world!

The zodiac represents a cyclical process (which on a higher level is actually spiral). It has a specific "Begining" (the zero Aries "gama" point) and a specific "End" (the last degrees of Pisces).  We are actually experiencing a particular astrological phenomenon now. The two planets mostly associated in astrology with the world of ideas, with liberty, with the expansion of the human consciousness and awareness  (Jupiter and Uranus) are both transiting now in the last degrees of Pisces (the very last degrees of the Zodiac, that is). Thus, these 2 planets - forming a conjunction - are actually closing now a major historical cycle and are heralding an important message, which we should try to understand.

Capricornian Greece: 1 out of 4 is a civil servant!

(image: from a video by the "Imi-skoubria" group)
Modern Greece is a Capricornian country (please see my relative article here).  A Capricornian country should have a typically rigid and overgrown - "Kafka" type - public sector.  And indeed Greece has one. Out of a population of 11.000.000 an estimated 1.250.000 are civil servants! If we compare this number to the number of civil servants in some major European countries - like i.e. France, where out of 65.000.000 inhabitants only 1.680.000 are civil servants - then we will realise how over-inflated is the public sector in Greece.

The astrological chart of Alexander the Great

What is it that makes Alexander the Great such a unique figure in world history? Why out of so many legendary conquerors he apparently holds the most prestigious place? Well, there is a reason for this: the man accomplished a whole series of marvelous deeds, of the kind that no other human being has ever accomplished! At age 20 he became king of Macedonia¹. Under his command, he led an army of 30.000 men to the ends of the then known world, into exotic and dangerous lands conquering every single one of them! Side by side with his soldiers and always on the front, he fought more than one hundred battles, winning almost all of them! He created an empire that was 40 times bigger than the one he inherited - actually he formed the greatest empire ever formed by a single individual! He was a much-educated conqueror, carrying in his mind the vision of a unique, homogenized and highly civilized empire. He died early though, not having completed the 33rd year of his life.

The shenanigans of the Greek astrological "community" - and the Thomas Gazis "dismissal"

                         (picture from the still existing temporary committee's blog:  http://greekastrologyunion.blogspot.gr/  )

(A 2024 follow-up note: sixteen years ago, when I wrote this article, I was still quite innocent and naive, and I was unable to provide context for many of the bizzare events taking place in the Greek astrological scene. Over the years, I discovered that the latter is ruled by a circuit of low vibrations people. These people constitute a powerful clique within a well known "secret society" and they "trample" in unison every worthy Greek astrologer they suspect may show up and lay claim to the "astrological pie". It should be mentioned though that certain more elevated members of the same "society" - people who themselves were ferociously fought by the afore mentioned clique - stood by my side.)

Prominent Greek painter "Tsarouchis" once said: "In modern Greece you are (professionally, socially) whatever you claim to be". Laws are rather loosly applied in my country. Combine this with the fact that Greece is the poorest country in Western Europe - going now through a huge crisis - and with the fact that astrology renders VERY WELL in Greece - twice to thrice the average wages and in several cases 5 - 10 times the average wages!) then you will realize why so many crafty people claim today TO BE ASTROLOGERS in Greece! Thus, a huge circuit of lucrative, uncultured "astrologers" is dominating the scene, putting aside, marginalizing, calumniating and even intimidating the (actually few) cultured Astrologers (who are seen as a major threat to these people's' interests).

Needless to say that in Greece there is no genuine Astrological Federation or Association (how convenient to the self-proclaimed "astrologers")! You may read the relative article "The eternal inexistence of a Greek astrological association" here

You may read below how the Greek lucrative astrological circuit devised a particular plot in order to silence my "annoying" voice - as I have been for many years fervently professing a cultured astrology in modern Greece: 

It all began on the 15th of May 2009, when for the first time in modern Greek history 32 astrologers (and "astrologers" as you will see) gathered in Athens in order to discuss the establishment of a formal association of Greek astrologers (still in 2010 we don't have one). True astrology, the cultured one is almost nonexistent in Greece and the scene is completely dominated by lucrative "astrologers" - see also the article 'Why has quality astrology declined. The Greek grim case"  here.

Personally, I have been working for the promotion of cultured astrology in Greece since the early 90's, while I have been always stressing  to my Greek fellow astrologers the need to create an astrological association (I have written hundreds of relative articles on the Internet). So I was glad when I received a phone call from my former student Evita Zachariadou who announced me that with some other astrologers they had organized this special meeting. I went to it experiencing a strong heartbeat, as if I were a young boy in love. I was thinking that the dream was about to become true, as the Greek astrologers were finally meeting and beginning procedures in order to establish - at last - an astrological federation.

When I arrived at the venue I noticed that the "big-shot" astrologers (the celebrity astrologers of the TV and media) were not present, although they had received an invitation. This did not surprise me much, as I knew that these people's main concern is their (huge) personal interests, which they put above everything else and a decent Greek astrological association would just reduce their profits, fame and might. There were two semi-famous astrologers (Christos Paizes and Perikles Karaminas) along-with their students. Paizes and Karaminas - apart from coming to the specific meeting - did not participate further in the cause of creating a Greek federation. They rather preferred to be "observers" in the whole procedure. All in all, the procedures in this meeting were democratic. Whoever wanted it, could express his/her point of view in his/her turn. Consequently it was decided to establish - by a secret vote - a preliminary seven-members committee that would work out all the relative details and prepare the big convention, that would finally bring us to the establishment of the Association of Greek astrologers. To my astonishment (most of the people that were present I didn't know personally)  I was voted for this preliminary seven-members committee. The composition of the committee is alphabetically listed below:

- Gazis Thomas 
- Galanou Mary 
 - Konti Vasia
- Rizopoulos Ioannis (John) 
- Panagiotopoulos Ioannis 
- Sotiraki Smaro 
- Zachariadou Evita 

From the very first moment I started working for the purposes of the Committee, assuming that everybody else was doing the same. The committee convened four times in the very next weeks and then sometimes via "skype". I was present at all the meetings, dialoguing constantly and fully collaborating with all the other committee members. I did translate in Greek the whole statute of the Italian Federation of Astrologers (C.I.D.A, federation which I am representing it in Greece). We agreed that this statute would constitute the pilot upon which we would build the Greek statute. In common with the other members we were defining the articles, proposing additional ideas, commenting etc. Simultaneously we were taking care of other aspects of the future Federation, as the code of ethics, the certification of the professional astrologers, subscriptions etc.). My personal point of view was that they should be certified only those astrologers who would pass the relative exams, proving thus their knowledge and their general formation. But the members of the committee Evita Zachariadou, Vasia Konti and Mary Galanou were opposing this thesis, claiming that the basic premise for an astrologer to be certified should be him/her working for more than 5 years in the astrological phone line services or seeing clients for more than 5 years. If somebody covered this premise then s/he should be certified as an astrologer without taking any kind of exams!

At common request of the committee, I created an Internet forum - on its behalf - so that we open a channel and inform the public about our actions and works, we receive suggestions etc. Due to lack of resources, I selected a "free" (no cost) type of forum. With much work done from the part of my wife and mine personally we finally designed the forum, which from the very beginning was completely accessible to everyone (http://greek-astrology.forumgreek.com/forum.htm). For practical reasons, I was asigned to function as the administrator of the site, but every action of mine was done with the previous consent of the committee (with which I was constantly in touch, continuously calling by phone each and every member. I NEVER wrote or deleted any post on my own initiative, without having first the approval of the other members of the committee). I was generally defending the right of everyone to freely express his/her views in the forum, as long as they were not offensive and insulting.

A crucial detail here: back in 2005 I created with my wife a (non profit)  greek astrological site for the promotion of the cultured astrology in Greece. It turned to be a rather succesful site and among the many members we had 6-7 very active individuals who were continuously posting. Although they never admited it publicly these individuals were actually members of the same "clique" (as I discovered later on).  And the fact is that from some point on they tried to control our site and write whatever THEY wanted! They even tried to pass on some VERY DARK points of view and when they met resistance from my part  they started collectively discrediting me in any possible way. Actually, from that moment on I became a permanent target of prejudice and manic furor from these people - who are actually running the so called "Bandits" blog (Bandits = Simmoria in Greek). The important thing is that these individuals (Koronakis, Saloniki, Matsotas, Bardopoulos and their "friends") are tightly related to certain  members of the here mentioned committee! And their furor is such that they even started (on July 2010) an International smear campaign against me (please click the following link to see a relative post of theirs in English: http://simmoria.blogspot.com/2010/07/thomas-gazis-his-dismissal-from.html ) 

A few days after this meeting a man who was actually acting as a "torpedo" remotely controlled by "The Bandits" - Simmoria" group, John Bardopoulos, began writing provocative posts on the committee's web forum. Supposedly he was only interested in questioning the administrator and the procedures of the forum, contesting how democratic they were, but in reality he was skilfully and methodically discrediting personally me. You have to note here that the "torpedo" man John Bardopoulos has been for decades an intimate friend to the two main members of the "Bandits" group (Koronakis and Matsotas) and to the member of the Committee Ioannis Rizopoulos - who is also tightly related to "The Bandits".

                                                            (the Simmoria's "torpedo" man John Bardopoulos) 

The first thing I did when I saw the subversive posts of Bardopoulos was to ask for the protection of the seven-member committee - although I could easily delete them by myself, as I was the forum's administrator. As I explained though, I was always acting with the consent of the other committee members. And at this stage I was utterly surprised by the fact that Evita Zachariadou, Yianis Rizopoulos, Vasia Konti and Mary Galanou bluntly refused any protection to me!

The above four were of the opinion that Bardopoulos' subversive posts should remain as they were on the forum! Thus, a paradox was created: a third person was entering undisturbed in the site of the committee, steadily calumniating a member of the committee, which on his turn was barred by four of the committee's members (by the majority that is) and thus could not publicly defend himself! This "quartet" not only was opposing any eventual deleting of the Bardopoulos subversive posts - despite the fact that these posts were actually dynamiting the very foundations of the future Greek Astrology Federation - but they were also leaving a fellow-member of theirs completely exposed to the constant mudslinging of a third party! When I asked Evita Zachariadou why they do this she replied "because Bardopoulos is a "colorful" character and eventually he will be isolated by the Greek astrological community". Bardopoulos though not only is not isolated but today he is a close friend to both Zachariadou and Konti! From my side I did just what I was elementary entitled, once the quartet Rizopoulos, Zachariadou, Konti, Galanou (which as I explained had the majority in the committee) left me totally exposed. I wrote a post responding to the accusations of Bardopoulos. But as soon as I did that the above four fell over me, as if I had committed a crime!

It is at this point that the Rizopoulos, Zachariadou, Konti and Galanou quartet issued an announcement in which they announced my dismissal from the Committee, on the ground that "I was not collaborating with the other members but only litigating, promoting my personal interests and generally scheming!" But this whole announcement is a HUGE and UNHOLY LIE! I believe that nobody else in this Committee has worked so much as I did for the establishment of the federation of Greek astrologers! Nobody collaborated so closely and unpretentious with the other members of the Committee as I did. The tragic-comic thing is that my vulgar dismissal - and my replacement by astrologer Bella Kydonaki - has been the only "work" that this committee ever accomplished. Obviously Ioannis (John) Rizopoulos, Evita Zachariadou, Vasiliki (Vasia) Konti and Mary Galanou presumed that once they dismissed me they would have no more obligations towards those who voted them and towards Greek astrology. Thus, they did not conclude any other work at all and soon - by their own initiave (or rather by the lack of any initiative from their part) - they silently dissolved the committee - selling thus out the cause of a Greek astrological federation!

Obviously these people cared more for their own personal interests and profits. I was just an "annoying" voice to them. A vulnerable voice (not "connected", not famous to the general public,not rich) which they knew they could easily annihilate professionally, socially, morally and psychologically - without (or with very little) consequences for themselves. As they were many against one and as they were taking advantage of the formal vestiges of the committee to accuse me, they thought nobody would ever believe me - they are still claiming today that I am a liar, a psychopath etc. The fact is that the bluntly lucrative astrologers in Greece (who constitute the absolute majority) see me as a lonely "annoying voice" which they can easily silence. I know that I am powerless in front of the countless crafty people who are bluntly profiting out of astrology in Greece but I will keep raising my voice. Each gang of astrologers - bullies (as "The Bandits" - "Simmoria") can easily mock me and "trample" me socially - the public in Greece is not aware of their low "quality". The public's way of thinking is rather simple: "so many Greek astrologers against just one, Thomas Gazis! Then Thomas Gazis must be the bad guy..."! In any case, the greek astrologers-bullies will never succeed in demorilizing me! I will keep exposing their unethical actions no matter how hard they try to intimidate me and annihilate me!

Sometimes I feel my self as a lone "Don Quixote" who is romantically raising the banner of Cultured Astrology in a "deserted" country like Greece, abounding with people who make lots of money vulgarly exploiting astrology, a "Don Quixote" in a landscape woven with various kinds of interests of too many lucrative and unethical people and almost a total absence of that critical mass of people who would be truly interested in Astrology - supporting thus the cause of a Cultured Astrology in Greece.

Regarding now the (still unborn) Greek Astrological Association, the overwhelming majority of the Greek astrologers does not honestly wish it to be materialized - especially if it will be a democratic association and not controlled by their cliques and "circuits". The majority of the Greek astrologers feels fine without an association,  because under the present conditions and within the current "anarchic" frame they better promote their personal interests and profiteer without complications. It's not a coincidence we still don't have a "panhellenic" astrological association in Greece but only private astrology "clubs". The fact is that with this "low vibrations" current astrological community there is no immediate future for Astrology in Greece, for many years to come... It is sad because 2000 years ago the Greeks (or at least the Alexandrian Greeks + middle eastern scholars) gave birth to the very horoscopic astrology, the one we are currently practicing...

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2011 Addendum: In 2011 the very same individuals who are responsible for the "silent dissolution" of the committee - for the formation of a (national) Greek Astrological Federation - founded a private (and apparently lucrative) astrological club named "Pame Astrologia". At the nucleus of this club we encounter the names of Dimitris Koronakis, John Rizopoulos, Katerina Saloniki, Thanasis Matsotas, John Bardopoulos, Evita Zachariadou, Vasia Konti, Mary Galanou.

Thomas Gazis

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).

Eclipses and earthquakes

I am writing this text almost at the very moment a Solar Eclipse is taking place on the sky (the one of the 11th July 2010). Since the ancient years Solar Eclipses are related by the astrologers to earthquakes. A couple of years ago I was reading a book on Byzantine literature. In that book I discovered a passage where the author was quoting the words of a Byzantine monk, who on the border of his psalter had written by hand the next: "Today a strong earthquake shook our monastery. A few days ago a solar eclipse took place on the sky"!

So, already from the middle-ages (and way back, from ancient times) people were relating the Solar Eclipses to earthquakes. I personally witnessed the major Solar Eclipse of August 1999 in the city of Athens - Greece (the last visible Solar eclipse in Greece, for many years to come). This eclipse fell almost on the MC of Athens - with this ancient city being on this eclipse's "path". Exactly a Lunar cycle after this spectacular eclipse (both during the Eclipse and the earthquake the Moon was in Leo)a strong earthquake shook Athens (considered till then a low risk area for earthquakes) leaving some 140 victims!

So, there are many critical days in front of us, particularly as we have the infamous T-square on our skies and also taking in consideration the fact that soon Saturn and consequently Mars will trigger even more this omnipotent T-square!

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)!

The Sun is turning violent as the T-square climaxes!

The period we are living in is extra-ordinary - astrologically speaking. Rare planetary delineations have been formed on the sky attracting rare events in our lives. In the previous years the Sun was unusually quiet. In fact, very few solar "spots" were formed on its surface. But now, in a strange synchronicity with the infamous Cardinal T-square configuration - that reached its peak just a few days ago, as both Uranus and Jupiter moved to the first degrees of Aries - the Sun is turning increasingly violent and - according to scientists - huge Solar storms are expected to hit Earth in the next couple of years, paralyzing our satellites, global communications, internet, cell phones, GPS's and even endagering our lives (we will receive higher than usual radio-activity, especially if we travel many hours by plane).

I recall a theory by a scientist claiming that the planets can strongly influence the Sun when forming particular angular configurations among them! It seems that this theory comes true, as all the exterior planets (from Jupiter on, except Neptune)  are now forming harsh aspects among them, an event that can be considered quite rare! But the more uncommon an astrological delineation is the more unusual, exceptional and extreme events it produces!

Jupiter - Uranus in Aries: the rise of the new "Brave and Illuminated Individual"!

      
(frontcover: Aldous Huxley "Brave New World" - Penguin books)
The rare conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus in the very first degree of Aries means the birth of the "brave new individual", an illuminated, audacious, clear cut individual - in contrast to the confused, discouraged and conditioned by society/ lifestyle/ consumerism/ social companies or even "cliques" individual of the previous Piscean "era". An individual that will become "rebel with a cause"!

Actually, a whole "era" has ended now as both Jupiter and Uranus left Pisces (the last stage of the previous "dynamic" zodiacal cycle) and entered Aries. As both these illuminating planets are now in the very first degree of Aries they herald a brave new "era". In fact, for the next thousand years Jupiter and Uranus will never meet again in exactly this "big starter" gamma point (zero Aries). So, you realize how significant this configuration is and what a dramatic energies are released by it (taking also in consideration Pluto's and Saturn's adverse aspects to this configuration).

We are just stepping on the threshold of a dramatic new Era! A new consciousness is opening up for the humankind! A new kind of individual is emerging, an individual more aware of his role both on a personal and collective level, an awaken individual, not afraid to claim what is due to him/her - and this time not as a faceless/spineless consumer but as a unique and magnificent Human Being, created on the image of God and ultimately expressing - in a Promethean way - God's will!

We are about to experience the unleash of tremendous energies and spectacular technological and scientific breakthroughs. Last time Jupiter and Uranus were conjuct in the first degree of a significant point of the zodiac the calendar was reading the year 1969 and a whole "block of flats" was catapulted onto space - thanks to a tremendous technology and an amazing thrusting power - (July 1969, Saturn 5 headed towards the Moon. Jupiter and Uranus conjunct in the first degree of Libra on the 20th of July 1969, the very moment when human beings were stepping and walking for the first time ever on the Moon). Thus, we are expecting now a new form of explosive - human induced - energy to be unleashed!

Thomas Gazis