FROM the ASTROLOGICAL JOURNALS – DEC 2022 edition

Astro-X-Ray: Julija Simas

Q: When did you first realise that astrology had completely taken possession of you – if indeed it has?

JS: The first time was probably in class, when my teacher explained Uranus and Moon combinations, it was of course uncanny that she was speaking just about me! As the formal astro studies progressed, I tried to relate what I was learning and absorbing back to my family, trying to explain to them their behaviours via Leo Moon’s, and Taurus Sun’s or Venus’s in the 8th. The epiphanies and AHA moments happened all the time, they of course thought I was going nuts. Yes I was obsessed. I now tell my students, that becoming obsessed is quite normal, and it does settle down, over time.

Q: Where do you live and work? Which country? Briefly describe your office and the view from the principal window, if any. 

JS: I live and work in Melbourne, Australia. Happily, I work at home, currently with my desk looking out over the backyard, deck and pool. I do have an office room, but I prefer the being able to look out over the vista of the backyard, the trees, the visiting birds, the sun, the changing weather. It also reminds me to get up from the desk and go outside. My husband works at the front of the house, in his own studio, so we are happy in our own domains.

Q: Name one feature of your birth chart that stands out as a major trait – and is known to loved ones, less so to acquaintances.

JS: It would have to be my Saturn Moon conjunction, although a conjunction within 2 degrees, Saturn is in Aquarius and Moon is in Pisces. There is a stellium of planets in Pisces following this conjunction.- Mars, Chiron, Sun, Mercury.  I often think if I didn’t have Saturn, I may well be quite a pushover Pisces. My family certainly doesn’t see me as a softie Pisces. Having Sagittarius (ASC) trine to Aries (Jupiter) helps here too.

Q: Could you tell us how you learnt astrology.

JS: I began teaching myself in my teens, and over the years my learning included the study of alchemy, magic, sacred number, symbol, tarot and other esoteric teachings. I shared this common interest with my oldest brother. We swapped books, ideas and philosophies. As the interest progressed, I realized that all magicians and ancient alchemists all knew and practiced astrology. So I realized, in order to be a living magician/alchemist, I needed to study astrology. It was only in my mid 30’s at my 3^rd Jupiter return, that I found the right school here in Melbourne.  It was called the Chiron Centre and the course was Astrosynthesis, a meld of astrology, psychology and mythology with Brian Clark and Glennys Lawton. I did the full diploma and graduated at the end 2004.

Q: How did you learn the astro art/trade? Who inspired your interest?

JS:  The alchemists, magicians and astrologers of our past. The book – The Elixir and the Stone: The tradition of Magic and Alchemy by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh was the clincher that finally hooked me in.

Q: You founded the C*I*A (Cosmic Intelligence Agency) and are Agent 12 – it’s a worldwide organisation whose active members are assigned numbers and missions. Tell us what inspired you to start this. What sorts of mission do you assign?

JS: Finishing my formal studies, we had to write a thesis. What I was most interested after 4 years of study, was showing how this the incomparable work of astrology, with its ability to help an individual better understand themselves, could translate to a collective experience. At the time 2004, it seemed like all the good astrology, that which was mostly seen by the world was full of Sun sign columns, cutesy rams, and dazed fish. None of this translated with my experience and what I had just absorbed, it seemed that all the good stuff was hidden within organisations and groups, social media had just begun and really astrology could do more to get itself out there and ramp up its influence.

The idea of the Anima Mundi, the World Soul and the words Cosmic Intelligence kept presenting themselves in the many books I was reading whilst writing my finishing thesis. Afterwards I was so inspired to put my thoughts into action, Animating the World Soul with Astrology, the idea based  on the essence that every moment in time carries potential and agency, which then became the Cosmic Intelligence Agency. (I also used to be an Animator).  This was 2005, social media had just started and it became a true gift for the agency to take off. We built our international community focused on the mission to change the world’s idea about astrology and be loud and proud about it, we even had a badge, and a secret mission!

The Agency retains the same mission it started with, and of course its not so secret, yet things have changed over the years and astrology is now everywhere, in many great and in many not so great ways. Every social media channel updates on the moving sky and changing astro dynamics, we feel we don’t need to be constantly doing that anymore, and our focus is now on teaching  through our C*I*A Academy program and events, for those more serious about using astrology and making it part of their lives.

Agent missions can vary, depending on one’s skills, from writing for our website, Timelords magazine, teaching at the academy,  organizing events, panels, and  other things I  can’t  tell you here! Agents are assigned numbers that they keep with bio on our website, as long as they remain active. I nabbed number 12, as my birthday is March 12^th , in the 12^th sign. Overall the mission of a C*I*A  Agent is to spread the living word of astrology via the C*I*A channels.

The below question, is answered in above
So I have left it out!

Q: You wrote a thesis on the Anima Mundi. Could you tell us about the basic ideas and whether these influenced you in setting up the C*I*A.

Q: What do you feel the C*I*A brings to the astrological table that other organisations do not?

JS: In the years since we started, what I have found is that the C*I*A has reached much beyond the organisations and their capabilities or even interests.  The name C*I*A gives all interested in the topic the agency to be an agent of change and become involved, either officially or unofficially by thoughts, actions and cosmic awareness. The brand, the badge, our 1.4million facebook presence has opened many people to look closer at a more serious astrology. We have been thanked many times, for being astrologers that can be trusted and relied on. We have noticed so many people interested in astrology that would stay on the outskirts, come in. We have heard how so many don’t want to be involved for various reasons in official organisations.

Q: Tell us something about your private astrological practice – you are a full-time astrologer? And you do mentoring – could you elaborate on this?

JS: My full time work is mainly with the C*I*A, organizing the content for membership, events and schedules, and teaching. My private practice for clients and mentoring is only now about 30% of what I do now, the C*I*A is now my main work. I hope to move somewhat sideways (like my North Node, in Cancer,) over coming years, now that things are quite established at the C*I*A,  to write a book, a movie pilot and then a series.

Q: Which astrological software program do you use? Ever hand-draw charts?

JS: I use Astro Gold for Mac and have Solar Fire, which I don’t open  all that much, I’m waiting for the mac version!!! Yes my diploma required us to learn to draw charts, and I have passed that on to some students over the years. I can’t say I have done it lately, but I do still have my notes. I would recommend all students to learn this procedure to know what a chart is made of.

Q: Have you ever seen a ghost? If so, please tell all.

JS:  Well yes!. I haven’t seen one, but I have definitely heard one. Once  I was woken by my name being called, by a female voice I recognized. It startled me and I couldn’t think who it was, but I knew the voice. The next morning, I found out my 25 year old cousin had died whilst overseas, it was her.

Q: How do you pronounce your first name? Could you spell it phonetically.

JS: As a Lithuanian name, Julija – the j’s are pronounced like a y in English.
A yacht not a jay. So imagine saying Yuliya. Yu- Li – Ya.

Q: And finally, Julija, would you say you are powerful?

In the context of the ability to be able to direct and influence or guide others, we certainly do hold a certain power. With our work as astrologers we take on a great responsibility to pass on what we see and learn to those who summon us, or read what we write. My greatest joy is to know I have empowered others through the use and endless knowledge and wisdom of astrology.