Dear Fellow Star Gazers,

Seven years ago the first copies of the Financial Universe book arrived on my doorstep. I had hoped to be celebrating this anniversary with completion of the new astro-trading manual. It's almost there but not quite - the delay mainly due to some fascinating research that's absorbed every spare minute of the last two weeks. Perhaps, with Saturn retrograding over my Sun, I was hoping for too much. The end though is in sight just two sections that need refining- will keep you posted.

Today is also the NYSE's 219^th birthday - with the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in Taurus: sign of the Bull. I had wondered if this would coincide with a bullish trend on Wall Street.  There is some dispute as to the exact time which should be used for the NYSE. One chart in common use, puts Neptune in strong position in this birthday chart. As these return charts offer snap shots for the coming months, it does look as though oil, media and pharmaceutical stocks especially will be particularly sensitive to price moves this coming year.

Working with clients I have also noted just how many times Neptune in this key position coincides with loss. The Neptune effect may be diluting the bullishness we might have expected from having so many planets in Taurus. At the time of writing, the Dow is down 0.6%. By the time it closes Saturn will be rising - so probably finishing lower still.

COMMODITIES: As you know, I am of the opinion that these prices will rise. Shortages - particularly of cotton and sugar will surely give cause for concern this summer especially. (Note this was forecast in the one of the early subscription letters).  Natural catastrophe could strike again around May 25^th when the Moon crosses 0 declination whilst also moving through Pisces and reaching Last Quarter.  In the Southern hemisphere there may be other local weather difficulties between the New Moon (Solar Eclipse on June 1^st) and the Moon's first quarter on June 9^th.

Precious metal prices have fallen - with silver losing its considerable momentum since late April.  The price could fall again around the summer solstice when Mars enters Gemini - though this might offer a buying opportunity. I expect the price to rise again and to reach a new high in early December. (more on this in the subscription newsletter).

INDICES: Before the next Full Moon, Jupiter moves into Taurus (June 5^th) and Saturn stations (13^th). History shows that this combination - together with Mars in Gemini (from June 21^st) has been marked by recession. This suggests to me that the next Full Moon (June 15^th) which is also a lunar eclipse, could witness falling indices - perhaps especially in London.  We are also now in the trickiest of Jupiter-Saturn phases when these become more likely. This though is NOT a buying opportunity. My research suggests indices will fall further through 2012.

CURRENCIES:  As has been written many times, the chart for the dollar doesn't look good. Indeed, if the US were a person, one might wonder if it might not be wise to file for bankruptcy. Against the AUD and Canadian the US dollar could experience a rough ride after June 15^th - and perhaps especially on Friday June 17^th. The US dollar has shown a sensitivity as the two inner planets, Mercury and Venus move through Cancer. This year those transits begin on June 17^th - at which point the USD may fare badly against GBP also.

As I write, the head of the IMF has been charged in New York. I don't have a time of birth for at Mr Strauss-Kahn so there are factors missing. What I do have suggests this storm will blow over.  It has been suggested that he is responsible for the Eurozone maintaining cohesion to date. Yet the chart for the Euro is not in good shape at all and by September 2012 I would expect some countries to have reverted to alternative currency. I have no idea how this will be managed but expect this to be much talked about mid October this year.

SOVEREIGN DEBT:  This is not going away and at some point huge issues have to be addressed. The Arab Spring has perhaps deflected attention away from the potential social uprisings in the West that will occur as costs of living soar. With Uranus at right angles to Pluto for the next few years, outspread of discontent is far more likely than not.  As mentioned in these letters before, there is similarity between 2011 and 1848 - the Year of Revolutions.

We most certainly live in interesting times.

I intend to explore these themes and others in a seminar in London on Friday June 17^th. Topics which will be covered include:

·        Monthly analysis of the markets July through October

·        Gold and Silver trading

·        Currencies: EUR, GBP and USD

Full details will be put on the website by June 1^st. I hope to cover  trading Google and the UK property cycle but would prefer to confirm these topics once the book is complete and there's time to bring this research up to date!

Cost for the day is £279 including lunch and the venue is in Victoria, London. Please email directly if you would like to reserve a place. I will, of course, confirm subject matter well beforehand.

Finally, the subscription service will be a year old at the end of May. As with this free letter, it too has gathered momentum. Though it has brought its fair share of headaches, it now has its own self-contained office space and will soon have its own office manager: a delightful development.  Many thanks to those of you who have given support and helped me get it off the ground.

For now it's back to research and those last two segments of the book.

Until next time,

Yours from the stars

Christeen

christeenskinner@gmail.com