Dear Fellow Star-Gazers,

Happy (belated - reason below) Full Moon!

(a whole month since I last wrote to you from Toronto airport just after the UAC conference: recordings now available at www.uacastrology.com)

If you had binoculars and a clear sky, you would have seen Saturn aligned with this Full Moon.

Does that mean we’re all stuck between a rock (Saturn) and a hard place (not the best image for the Sun I know, - but we can’t live ON the Sun )?

Just how much authority (Saturn) each government (Capricorn) has and to what extent it can flex muscle is much discussed across today’s multiple news channels. It doesn’t seem to matter which country you look at, ‘hard-liners’ are having no difficulty in getting their voices heard - even if that prompts great splits and disquiet amongst the populace. Add to this mix Uranus’ recent entry into Taurus, and the need by many to have their way, and it’s not hard to conclude that we are living in very dangerous times.

In her very excellent Carter Memorial Lecture at the Astrological Association conference last weekend, Lynn Bell made much of the rise of ‘desire’ and the need to ‘have’: even if that results in cruelty to others. Uranus has only recently entered Taurus: its journey taking the remainder of Pluto’s transit of Capricorn. Expect then for intransigency to win the day and for threatened trade wars to gain momentum.

Anticipate too, that by the Solar Eclipse (August 11^th)  in Leo (the sign of the heart) to see heart-strings stretched as far as they can go. Bearing in mind that we are approaching solar minimum and that many refugees are being driven by climate change as much as by breakdown in social order or war, tales of extra-ordinary suffering will surely abound.

TRADE WARS and ECLIPSES

You probably know that there are ‘war cycles’. Though no two wars are the same: each has its own cosmic signature.  With Mercury now at one side of the zodiac and Mars at the other, the potential for commercial dispute is great. By July 5^th some negotiation may be broken off entirely with those threats of ‘walking away from the table’ being realized.

That potential for major dispute is increased by the Solar Eclipse a week later, on July 12^th: when Pluto is exactly opposite the eclipse degree. It’s this event, combined with Jupiter’s direct station that could mark trade war escalation (Jupiter). The impact this has on global markets would surely be considerable by the next Full Moon (also a Lunar Eclipse) on July 27^th. The end of that week would not be the time for traders to be away from their desks as moves are likely to be great. (At the very least increased volume and very likely a change of direction – most probably to the downside).

I plan to give full attention to trade wars in my evening lecture in Toronto on Friday July 20^th (details below).

CRYPTOS and GOLD

Saturn’s entry into Capricorn coincided with the decline in the value of Bitcoin against USD. That same ingress saw a rise in the Gold index – though that too has fallen since the January lunar eclipse. Though the crypto currencies are here to stay, the need to control their use will likely increase in the next two years. Expect governments to get involved and for there to be several ‘bubble bursting’ moments between now and 2021. (If you want to read more, I contributed to a book with stellar contributions from other financial astrologers: details below).

At the recent conference I put forward an argument for a peak in gold prices in the early months of 2020. (I will show this work again in Toronto).

Venus retrogrades in Scorpio (as it did in 2010) from October 5^th. If history repeats, then there may well be another gold buying opportunity around the First Quarter Moon on October 16^th.

MARS RETROGRADE

The red planet turns retrograde just a few hours before today’s Full Moon and won’t return to its present position until October. It last retrograded in Aquarius in 1971. That’s not the only link between the present and 1971. Back then, its stationary direct degree was 11 Aquarius – exactly opposite January’s lunar eclipse which coincided with very definite downward turn through the early days of February this year.

In 1971, the Dow Jones Index had a high of 908 as Mars reached its retrograde station. It then fell to 836 before rising to 925 at the conclusion of its retrograde period but then sank once more to 790 in the following months. If history repeats, we would expect markets to reach a top this week, to then decline, then rise before turning downward once more. (I will cover this in more detail in Toronto – a lecture that will be recorded)

AND THE EARTH MOVES

Of course the Earth had been rumbling for some days ahead of Uranus’ arrival in Taurus (geocentric). Even so, it was astrologically fitting that there should be volcanic activity in Latin America and Hawaii at that time.

This summer will likely see an increasing number of natural disasters (three eclipses plus Mars retrograde and lunar positions all taken into account). It’s coping with those affected by these events –rather than the entirely preventable trade wars – that ought to preoccupy our politicians this summer.

ME

Many of you know will know that the last year has been super-challenging (nine deaths with accompanying illnesses). Thankfully my husband’s first (of three) eye operations last night (hence the delay in mailing this)was successful. With these completed and his general health improving, I am hopeful that a new working schedule can evolve from September.

The draconic newsletter is far from forgotten. That’s true of the financial study group too. I plan to resurrect both after the Faculty of Astrological Summer School in August.

For now I am firmly focused on the first astro-ancestry retreat being held just outside Toronto next month and followed by the 7^th (!!) annual event at the University of Toronto over the weekend of July 20^th- 22^nd). I know that some of you are travelling to that event and I am much looking forward to reconnecting.

For now though, with an additional wish that you and your loved ones stay safe and well,

Until next time,

Yours from the stars

Christeen

The Beginner’s Guide to Financial Astrology (February 2017) is now available through Amazon as is ‘Exploring the Financial Universe’ (October 2016)