Greece bail-out math
By R. Hakan Kirkoglu, Istanbul

I’m not a close observer of economic or political developments in Greece but the current economic turmoil which is actively affecting Euro area, has urged me to look at the astrological charts. Greece gained her independence from the Ottoman Empire on January 13th 1822 but there is no certain time at our hand. However, the 3rd Hellenic republic was born July 24th, 1974, at 4:00 am in Athens when Constantine Karamanlis was sworn as a prime minister. That time Greece had been under military rule since 1967. Therefore, we can consider the latest chart viable in terms of the current astrological perspective.

Natal chart of Greece has the Sun in Leo in the 2nd house (Whole sign houses) depicting strong national identity based on the historical treasures and a culture with strong aesthetic values and inspirations (Sun trines with the Neptune in Sag) However, this position also reveals a quite genereous approach in terms of spending on good life especially with the Mars in the same house. There is a certain lack of earth element in the chart but the part of fortune is posited in Taurus in the house of hopes. Evidently, tourism playes an important role in the countries revenues.

As this is a nocturnal chart, the Moon (the almuten of the chart as well) in Libra in the fourth house denotes strong historical background in terms of patriotism, powerful vulnerabilities especially with Cancer rising with Saturn conjunct with the Asc. Interestingly enough, both Greece and Turkey has Cancer on the ascendant (Turkey has Pluto in the first) and our countries was born from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire with both Saturn and Pluto reflects the traumatic historical developments when the nationalism had been shaping up the new boundaries of international politics around the period of that time. In my opinion, the Moon – Pluto conjunct as well, is a potent symbol of major upheavels regarding people’s deep emotions and familial issues. Similar astrological signatures in Turkey’s chart like Pluto in Cancer and the Moon in the twelfth house denote huge forced migrations of people from the Balkans on both sides.

Greece has MC and Jupiter in the 9th house/Pisces although the tenth house is Aries. Jupiter is also posited at the north bound in relative to the nodal axis in (Sag-Gemini) Doubtless to say, Jupiter in Pisces in his rulership (though it is a out of sect planet) represents a substantial cultural motivation and heritage from the philosophies, deep understanding of mystical elements in the Greek world view.

For the time being, two major transits of Saturn and Pluto has been active at the cardines of the natal chart. Saturn has been hovering on Moon/Pluto conjunction in the 4th, and the Pluto squaring them in the 7th. It’s apparent that the country is  having public discontent but also necessary and forcing pressures of economic realities exist in the diplomatic arena. Hard measures have to taken and mercilessly executed. The most recent issue (dated March 27th) of the Economist journal gave an article on Greece’s bail-out maths. The title carries the meaning that the country is likely to need far more financial aid than seems to be an offer. According to an analysis, Greece nominal GDP as of 2009 (237,5 billion Euros) would be projected to down to 225,6 bil. Euros in 2014 a 5% decrease in the next 5 years if the public deficit could be achieved to be less than 3% with the measures taken.However, the whole debt will be increased by almost 75%, reaching around 344,2 billion Euros in 2014.

To my curiosity, I studied the predictive method of directing by terms of the Asc degree (circumambulations) and found interesting material. According to this method, if you direct the Asc in the confines (bounds) of the signs for a degree per year, Asc arrives in Saturn confine as of 2008 August and the this confine time period would last until 2017 June. Saturn as a time lord, could indicate much austerity and reality checking periods especially when natal Saturn is in detriment in the 1st house (out of sect) Looking at historically, we come across Jupiter confine between 1981-1990, and it coincides with the Greece joining EU in 1981. 2004 Olympic games was held in Greece and during that time Venus was the major time lord (minor one was Moon) and natal Venus in Cancer is the ruler of part of fortune in the house of hopes and in aspect with it. 

As for the yearly profection and solar return of 2010 which would be active beginning almost 3 months before in April, Greece will have the first house Cancer Asc profection having the Moon as a year lord. Obviously this would be a pivotal year of focusing on people, on country’s current situation as a whole. (Financial issues still be on agenda in 2011 with Asc profection in the 2nd house, next year) Greece solar return for 2010 gives Aquarius ascendant, no suprise, the 8th house financial burdens and debts. This is the house of crises and transformation and Saturn (Asc ruler) in the 9th house at 0 degree of Libra cleary displays international stuff. 0 degree hints that the developments are fresh and brings unexperienced things before, at least for this time period.

The year lord, Moon (the people’s situation) is in Capricorn in the 12th conj with Pluto, needless to say, reflects the condition of people and their inability to cope with these hard measures. I assume, approaching Uranus Aries transit, consequently would present a more dynamic awareness, a certain wake-up call and independent public reaction which could have repercussions on Greece politics in EU in the end.

For a mid term look, by the year 2017, transit Saturn will have to cross over the 2nd quadrant of the chart and finally will be over the horizon, 2018-2019 but in terms of whole signs, Saturn will be in the 7th in 2018 effectively. By this time, Pluton, which is a major significator for the current global deficiency of the public sector debts so far, will have completed the 2nd one third of the Capricorn, namely 20 degrees. Hence, perhaps, we may assume that, in this period time until 2017-2018, Pluto will have his work done globally changing the whole structure of international finance and public policies.

30.03.2010