Dear Fellow Star Gazers,

Happy Full Moon, and Happy Lunar Eclipse (25 degrees Leo) – almost the astrologer’s degree!

As you know, there are 360 degrees in the zodiac and a few crop up regularly in the charts of astrologers (27 Leo/Aquarius and 13 Virgo/Pisces). Though this isn’t exact, it is within an acceptable 2 degree orb.

It’s not unusual for eclipses to mark both endings and beginnings. That seems to be working for me: my book is now at the printers: an end and a beginning indeed. I will announce its availability with other news later.

This particular eclipse is the first of three: the next is a Solar on September 1^st to be followed by another Lunar eclipse on September 16^th. It’s entirely possible that these celestial dramas will be mirrored back here on Earth, offering a bumpy ride for those unprepared.

This Thursday’s Lunar eclipse isn’t the only exciting thing to be happening in the skies presently: Saturn has now reached a key station (think road-block) Mars is at near maximum declination (wild ride) and Neptune is close to the lunar south node (slippery slope).

Add to all that, and before the next Lunar Eclipse, Venus moves into Libra (August 30^th). In recent years this ingress has coincided with sharp declines in indices: not that they need wait until August 30^th to begin a switch-back ride. Saturn’s recent station suggests they may have come as far as they can for now. August 24^th and 25^th could yet prove testing.

Though I have spent this last fortnight reading the final proofs of the book and indexing, post Brexit challenges haven’t been far from my mind. You may recall that the chart for Close of Polls on June 23^rd showed Mars to be a couple of degrees from the Midheaven of that chart. The ‘anger’ of the electorate was clear but as for Brexit becoming reality…..that could be a different story.

Presently there is much discussion as to when Article 50 will be triggered. Using lunar cycles, the earliest date could be close to the March Equinox in 2017. However, recalling Mars’ position back in June, I wonder if that trigger will not be pulled for a couple of years. The full implications of what Brexit actually means is only just being considered – or felt. The only real gainers here must surely be the law firms whose expertise is sure to be in demand.

Some of you will know my fascination with currency trading. It was whilst sleuthing key dates in this area that I came up with the important moves in the Chinese currency last August and with the negative rate decision in Japan earlier this year. There are more key dates on the horizon: including September 2, 16 and 26.

There is a particular feature of silver that I have been watching in recent months. This leads me to think that August 24^th and 25^th will be interesting. As it happens, this coincides with an alignment of Mars and Saturn. Whatever the price level reached over those dates could yet prove highly significant. I am looking for a strong move from that date through to mid-September. (My aim is never to pick the exact top or bottom of any market but to find profitable strategies.)

It won’t be too long before I turn attention to platinum as a long-term investment. I will be looking for buying opportunities with a view to realising profit in 2024.

Less than 100 days to go until the US election and Mars hugely active in Donald Trump’s chart. If we thought we’d heard all of the ‘fighting talk’ we should think again. It looks as though there’s more - far more - and hugely aggressive talk yet to come: probably dominating news headlines on 24^th and 25^th.

In October, at the ISAR conference in Costa Mesa, USA , I am taking part in a panel forecasting the outcome of this election. Since my studies (for the moment) leave me to doubt that either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump would complete a term of office, I am now focusing my attention on their running mates.

Here in the UK, our new Prime Minister is a Libra. Jupiter arrives in that sign on September 9^th: in time for her 60^th birthday on October 1^st. It’s said that she is enjoying a honey-moon period. Jupiter should ensure that that lasts a little longer. I find it fascinating that Mrs May shares her birthday with the accepted chart for China (October 1^st 1949) and that an early test of both their diplomatic skills is the issue of the building of the reactor at Hinkley Point. The final decision is expected in September – and as Jupiter arrives in Libra.

Traditionally Jupiter transits are supposed to be ‘good’ things. My experience is that they can bring just – well, just too much: like the genial party host who doesn’t know when to stop pouring the drinks! Already my own Libra glass feels full! That said, I need to go with the flow and to that end now have assistance which will hopefully ensure that a few of my grand ideas become reality.

Before the next Full Moon letter and just as Jupiter moves into Libra, I will give the Carter Memorial lecture at the Astrological Association Conference on September 10^th) and again at the Astrological Lodge of London a month later on the evening of October 10th. This is a huge – once in a lifetime honour. As the contents for this lecture incubate in my head,  I am struck over and over again how the Elegant Universe (title of the lecture) is all around us: from index levels to selected meeting times and places and in the extraordinary geometric dance of the planets. Oh dear, I feel another book coming on………………..

Until next time,

Wishing that the remains of the summer find you basking in solar warmth.

Yours from the stars

Christeen

Speaking engagements and links

www.isarastrology.org/2016-conference:  October 12 - 17th

www.astrologyconference.org Nov 18-20

www. ncgrconference2017.com February 2017

Florida: 2017 to be announced

Toronto:2017  to be announced