Sol W. Jonassen
NORWAY
Smaro Sotiraki GREECE
WEBSITE www.astrology.gr
I love Astrology and astrologers but I disdain those
who exploit Astrology, and false prophets in general. I
cherish teaching astrological symbolism and its appli-
cation, 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 studying Astrology. Astrology’s magical world im-
pressed me as it helped me realise that there is a com-
plete system of self-knowledge and simultaneously of interpreting 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 re-
covering astrological knowledge from within.
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.
Can you share with us a little bit about the work and the community of
astrologer in Greece?
My career began in 1990 and since, 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, “Lessons of Modern
Astrology”. Today, I write for the Cypriot magazine ‘ O’ and the astrological
website www.astrology.gr , as well as for my personal blog
www.smarosotiraki.blogspot.gr , and I pen the video passages for the TV
show ‘Stars System’ where I also often appear.
I am one of the founding members of ASTROPAIDEIA, the first Laboratory
of Liberal Studies in Astrology, in Greece, which started its operation in
January 2014. Naturally, I also am part of ASTROPAIDEIA's teaching team,
and furthermore hold the position of Director of Studies.
I have written two books ‘2012-Fact and Fiction’, and ‘The Astrological
Archetypes of Love’, both published by IntroBooks.
Unfortunately, Astrology in Greece is limited mainly in prediction. As a
result, most people and many astrologers themselves do not understand
or do not promote it as a pivotal philosophical system of self-awareness.
Fortunately, the younger generation of astrologers shows a substantial
interest in the mystical, inner and psychological side of astrology, the
knowledge of which I consider as essential for a correct interpretation of a
chart or even for an accurate prediction. Personally, I try to do the best
that I can to support this new generation.
If you there is no representative in your country
and you would like to lead the satellite, write us!
O P A
❥
The Organization for Professional Astrology
17
[email protected]
I practice all over Norway and do
some work internationally. I have an
office space in Bergen, on the west
coast of Norway, where I see clients
and give classes in astrology. I write
an astrology column for an online
magazine, and I am a member of
the board for the Norwegian
Astrology Association, to which I
also contribute to their quarterly
magazine. I have presented
internationally at the Norwac
Conference (2014), The River of
Stars (2011) and in Israel (2009). I’m
also the organizer of an annual
astrology conference in Norway,
Polaris.
My orientation is evolutionary and
spiritually oriented astrology. I also
have a strong interest in different
healing modalities and yoga. I see
astrology as a healing and liberating
tool for people. I do not put too
much focus on predictions, even
though I maintain an interest in
classical astrology.
About the astrological community in
Norway: Due to the relatively small
size of Norway’s population,
astrology is not very big here, and
there aren’t many astrologers that
are able to make a living from their
practice; however, thanks to the
internet, the community is growing
stronger. There is one big school of
astrology in Norway, called
Herkules, and this school is
prominent in the astrology
community,
offering classes
all over Norway.
With the new
addition of
Polaris, our
annual Astrology
conference, the
future of
Norwegian
astrology is
looking bright!
THE CAREER ASTROLOGER
SUMMER 2014