We have just returned from a week away in Cyprus - our first visit there. I can't recommend it highly enough. Parts of the island of copper are truly magical. We visited the sanctuaries of Aphrodite and Apollo, the weather was perfect, the Mediterranean really is a wonderful blue and I felt inspired (helpfully replacing the upset of a few market direction errors).

As you know, from the middle of last year I expected there to be a significant downturn. The presence at both geocentric and heliocentric level of significant grand crosses, suggested a time of great strain. True, we've seen that in terms of political and even geological turmoil. As yet though we haven't witnessed the kind of financial dramas I thought might occur. Jupiter has won the day and pushed markets higher. Given the extraordinary levels of debt that are as yet unresolved, there surely has to come a time when long-standing issues are addressed.

In an effort to understand better what's been going on, I've been back to first principles: in particular studying solar output and very long cycles. I've mentioned before that the Sun has been behaving abnormally. That situation persists. During 2010, there were long periods of no sunspot activity whatsoever. Though there have been a significant number of sunspots in recent weeks, this particular cycle is not working to plan.

Perhaps not entirely unrelated a new earthquake/volcanic season has begun. We should expect significantly more geological activity from now through to 2019. Not only is this set to bring misery to those living in affected areas, it will also affect crop growing and prices. I will be covering more about this in the subscription newsletter which will go out at the end of the month.

For now, all consumers might like to note that both cotton and sugar prices are likely to soar from early June with a possible peak at the beginning of August. These are not the only commodities whose value will increase in the coming months. I am still of the opinion that gold, silver, palladium and copper have much further to go. I expect moves here at the beginning of June. It may be that there is a buying opportunity between the May Full Moon (17^th) and the June 1^st solar eclipse.

Tomorrow's Full Moon is just ahead of the Sun's Taurus ingress (20^th). It is not uncommon for markets to turn negative at this point in the solar cycle. That situation is likely to reverse after Mercury stations on 23rd. The big news though is likely to come after Neptune stations on June 3^rd and as Jupiter makes its Taurus ingress.

Not the accent on Taurus. This is one of the signs associated with banking. The last Jupiter/Saturn conjunction in May 2000 was in the sign and was just one of the astrological clues to banking drama during this cycle. The story is far from over and the banking house of cards could yet fall.

It will be interesting to see which news stories break just before next month's Full Moon when the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars will all be in the sign of the bull. Yes, of course this could be indicative of a bull market into the Full Moon. It might also be just a little too much for the fragile banking industry which might yet come unstuck - though perhaps a little later and closer to the second solar eclipse of the summer (July 1^st).

Certainly the combined transits of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars suggests another recession during the summer months. This may be the much feared double-dip.

On Friday May 6^th I am offering a one day seminar here in London.

This presentation will cover the following:

1. A month by month look at May through September 2011
2. The UK property cycle and outlook for specific areas
3. Astro-trading Google shares
4. Astro-trading gold and silver
5. Gann and cotton prices
6. The astro-outlook for the Middle East and oil prices
7. US dollar and sterling: planetary pictures and trades
8. Emerging markets and solar cycles The cost for this event is £279 including lunch.

The solstice seminar will take place on Friday 18^th June.

If you would like to attend either event, please drop me a note at christeenskinner@googlemail.com.

This time last week we were strolling along a beach in Cyprus - prior to me reading an excellent translation by Benjamin Dykes of the Forty Chapters of al-Kindi. The short chapter on Price and Commodities provided the inspiration for the day.

Barring the purchase of this book, the actual trip was a perfect investment. As always, we are rich when we have happiness and health.

Look after yourselves.

Until next time,

Yours from the stars

Christeen