SMARO SOTIRAKI
SMARO SOTIRAKI
When I decided to leave my job - and fat paycheck - working in a multi-national to take up astrology , my mother cried her eyes out for a period of about three days . Naturally , her reaction did not suffice to keep me away from what my inner voice was crying out : that I had finally found my destiny , the work I was born to do .
Since day one as a professional astrologer , I have expressly stated what my profession is and refused to be included in the ranks of mediums or column writers where astrologers are usually placed . However , I soon realised that - from her own perspective and in her microcosm - my mother was right about one thing : every time I would proudly declare I am an astrologer , I would hear the following question : “ how could such a welleducated and cultured person , such as yourself , become an astrologer ?” I decided to always answer “ it owes precisely to the fact I am educated and cultured ”...
Ultimately , my professional journey was graced with much success , and my mum forsook her initial stance once and for all and became again the reassuring mother she had always been . But , as I was beginning to realise the low standard of those who worked on astrology in Greece , disappointment started growing within me . Unfortunately Astrology ’ s exploiters , people who habitually use it to advertise their ‘ spells ’, ‘ jinxes ’, ‘ charms ’ - and anything lowly that
lack of education and awareness can bring upon man - live and prosper and still constitute a strong majority .
Another niche of astrologers are the ‘ nice ’ ones ; those who do not sprinkle a pinch of astrology on cards , tea leaves and hocuspocus , but still lack a wider cultural understanding , and continue teaching and standing for an astrology complete with malefic and benefic planets , good and bad aspects , ominous horoscopes etc .
In Greece , the educated and refined astrologers who exercise astrology in the manner it deserves - treating every natal chart as a unique , god-sent being - are still too few . We have recently come together , in October 2011 , and founded an association of astrologers and enthusiasts of astrology , under the name PAME ASTROLOGIA , while in November 2011 we held the first major conference of Greek astrologers .
Today , this association numbers few members and needs much work , patience and effort to be purged in order to support astrology ’ s true face . The goal is that astrology be elevated and assume the place it deserves in the minds and consciousness of all Greeks . Let ’ s hope it shall be attained despite all resistance .
... naturally , I still proudly declare that I am an ASTROLOGER !
Alexandra Karacostas is the one who has told me about OPA and passed on her enthusiasm for an organization that can highlight astrology as a worthwhile profession - a cause that aligns precisely with my own dreams and needs .
I love Astrology and astrologers but I disdain those who exploit Astrology , and false prophets in general . I cherish teaching astrological symbolism and its application , and I dream of the day that Greece will be the astrological navel of the Earth . Since I was a child , I was attracted to esoterism and that is what led me to study Astrology . Astrology ’ s magical world impressed me as it helped me realise there is a complete system to know oneself and simultaneously interpret the Universal Law . Regardless of schools and teachers that helped me in my course , I feel that the greatest part of my knowledge has come from my personal research , from studying and examining horoscopes , and from recovering astrological knowledge from within .
My career begun in 1990 and in that time I have worked for numerous Greek TV shows , and for many Greek and Cypriot astrological magazines . Moreover , I have edited in whole , and co-authored the first Greek astrological encyclopaedia that was published in Greece in 2012 . Today , I write for the Cypriot magazine ‘ O ’ and the astrological website astrology . gr , as well as my personal blog smarosotiraki . blogspot . gr , and I pen the video passages for the TV show ‘ Stars System ’ where I also often appear .
In my personal sessions I focus on the psychological , esoteric and karmic aspect of astrology and specialise in relationship counselling . However , I mostly enjoy teaching and helping my students trace the links between archetypal images and astrological symbolism .
I have written two books 2012-Truths and Lies , and The Astrological Archetypes of Love that were both published by IntroBooks .
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