Dear Fellow Star Gazers,

Happy Lunar Eclipse and Hello from a beautifully sunny day (at last!) in London.

Those of you who heard me speak in Florida earlier this year will know that I was fearful that this Full Moon eclipse might coincide with an air disaster. Further reflection suggested that it might actually be a ship that was involved but with a word related to flight in the name of the vessel. Nor did I discount the possibility of natural disaster and possible tsunami.

My concern was based on today's lunar eclipse aligning with both Neptune and a degree of the zodiac associated with flight.

Yesterday - and less than 24 hours before the eclipse - two flight dramas took place in the UK. First, a plane travelling to Oslo had to turn back when an engine caught fire. Many on the streets of London saw the black smoke coming from the plane. Thankfully plane and passengers landed safely at Heathrow.

Then, yesterday afternoon, a Pakistan Airlines plane was escorted by fighter jets to safe landing at Stansted airport outside London. Again, thankfully, passengers and crew were kept safe.

Yesterday also brought news of an earthquake in Easter Uzbekistan which had impact on the citizens of Tashkent and was apparently felt as far away as Moscow.

These dramas are just the latest in a litany of misadventures that have occurred across the world since April's lunar eclipse.

It was always likely that against the background of the apparent right-angle between Uranus and Pluto in the Cardinal signs, that upheaval would be experienced by many and that this would result in shocking (Uranus) events - especially in this extended eclipse period. (April 25th to May 25th).

I'm sure we could all do with a few weeks of relative peace and quiet whilst our shock-absorbers get to work. I'm less sure that that we will be given the space to do this.

The ephemeris watchers amongst you will know that the next Full Moon on June 23rd falls directly between a solstice and Jupiter's move into Cancer which itself is followed by Mercury's retrograde station in Cancer. We must surely hope that the built-in shock-absorbers of these Cardinal sign people in particular are in good working order!

Cancer is one of the Cardinal signs of the zodiac and it is probable that those born under this sign - and the others of this group (Aries, Libra and Capricorn) are even now aware that upheaval on a grand scale will soon be on their doorstep. As always, the events are only part of the story: it's how we each react to challenge that's worthy of attention. Between now and late June the art - especially for those born under Cardinal signs - may be to prepare the ground, stock-take and stock-up.

In this instance, plans could include stock-selling. Stocks have certainly soared as expected into the Taurus Solar eclipse and, again as expected, fallen a little since the Sun moved into Gemini on May 20th. The big question is, of course, whether this trend will continue or whether there will be recovery followed by a louder crash.

A quick glance through the ephemeris indicates the potential for extreme volatility between June 21st and 26th.

I have misgivings about Monday June 17th which I feel could witness sharp falls. This may be a day of some significance for gold. Though the price of gold and silver has fallen in recent weeks, we could witness a turnaround on that date.

We are at that phase in the nodal-business cycle when the general trend is upward. Yet many debts have not been addressed and whilst the DOW and FTSE soar, there are still countries on the brink of bankruptcy and trillions - yes, trillions - of debt in the world that have yet to be addressed.

Interest rates are low - almost negligible, and equities have clearly offered much better return in recent times. It seems unlikely that interest rates will stay low however. Indeed, it is probable that they will start to rise. My calculations indicate late October 2013 if not sooner.

Fact is that a planetary 'gear-change' is just around the corner as Jupiter moves from Gemini into Cancer (June 26th). It is then only a matter of weeks - early August - before that planet is in opposition to Pluto, and, in the middle of that month, squares Uranus. This is the point at which so much should feel over-stretched and when it should be clear that those debt bubbles (the bond market especially) must burst.

Expect then for gold and silver prices to gain more ground and to return, in a few months, to levels seen at the start of the year.

The cosmos is good at leaving clues. I am already signalling June 17th as a significant date for both gold and silver. Before then, around the New Moon (June 8th) could see small movement - clues as to larger rises later. (Stronger moves will surely be apparent after Saturn arrives at its Scorpio station on July 8th).

And then there is the Middle East factor. You will remember that I thought this area would be in the eye of a cosmic storm from the summer of 2010. That 'storm' has not yet reached its height. As of August 2013 tension is likely to increase and escalate yet again mid-December. Yes, as if things weren't bad enough, if history does indeed repeat, then things could get a whole lot worse.

So much seems precarious presently. Under these conditions it would be understandable if people returned to land and property for their investments. House prices will surely move forward in many places (there are different property clocks at work of course and each town or area needs to be analysed carefully).

With low interest rates, many will surely be tempted back into this market. I would advise EXTREME caution. Another mortgage-related bubble could be created and blow yet again - this time with even more painful results than last.

And then there are currencies: my reading of planetary patterns suggests that the US dollar will rise against many currencies in the coming weeks. At a personal level, and in preparation for my talks in Philadelphia (www.ncgr2013.org) in August, I have bought my travel dollars early. I will present material about this - and the Euro - at this event.

This coming week though will be given over to preparing a talk for Monday June 3rd at the Astrological Lodge of London (www.astrolodge.co.uk)

Lastly, there is a super piece about the work of J.K.Rowling and the astrological links between her works and astrology on the astrology news service site. (www.astrologynewsservice.com)

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did and thanks to Robert Currey from Equinox for the observations.

Until next time,

Yours from the stars

Christeen