Dear Fellow Star-Gazers,

Happy Thunder Moon if you're in the Northern hemisphere and Happy Cold Moon if you're in the Southern!

On signing up for these letters you will have seen that they are sent every Full Moon. All being well, next month's letter will be written in North America whilst travelling between speaking at a conference in Philadelphia (www.ncgr2013.com ) and teaching a first financial astrology course in Toronto.

The interesting thing about the August Full Moon is that it falls very close indeed to one of the 'astrologer's degrees'. In the past, such an accent has coincided with increased interest in astrological matters generally.  Certainly interest in these letters has increased - almost 2000 people will receive this one - which is amazing considering that it all began with weekly notes to less than 10 clients.

This Thunder or Cold Moon at 0 degrees Aquarius coincides with the Sun's Leo ingress and Venus' move into Virgo. It is also the first working day after Mercury's direct station. Under normal circumstances the direction of market activity would be likely to change.

These though are not normal times.

You may remember that a rare Grand Water Trine formed last week between 17th and 19th July. In the very early 1990s when talking about the future in a tv interview I stated that I thought that in 2013 (forecast based on this triangle) that there would be a surge of creativity and that this might be a good time to be an entrepreneur. I also wondered if this would be the year when those born in the mid to late 1960s would 'come into their own'. I'm seeing signs of that in my client base presently.

I ought, perhaps, to have also spoken about those born in the early 1950s. A feature of their charts also seems to have been triggered by this triangle - and in a positive way. Nor are those born in the early 70s and 80s immune to this vibration. They too seem to be involved in projects with extraordinary potential.  If last week's clients and enquiries are anything to go by, we are in for an exciting commercial ride.

As you are reading this, Mars will also be part of that great triangle in the sky. (Think of this as extra fuel). Not only might there be evidence of even more people 'reaching for the stars', markets could surge higher still. They could bubble away at these high levels at least until August 4th . Though the incline is not steady, I doubt we will see signs of substantial pull-back until the next Full Moon.

Before then, and as viewed from Earth, Jupiter and Pluto oppose one another with Uranus at the 'referee' point between the two. Clients will know that I view the Jupiter-Pluto aspect with some trepidation: not for nothing is this known as the 'gambler's curse. Very often when this planetary signature occurs, traders feel compelled to keep trading when it would be wiser for them to stop. This aspect brings to the surface the temptation to 'tempt the Gods' resulting in expensive losses.

If you are born under one of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn)  and your birthday falls on or before 6th of April, July, October or January, then do be careful. Though the coming four weeks will surely bring opportunity your way, ensure plans are grounded in reality and don't be tempted to back a horse that can't romp home.

Jupiter-Pluto can also be viewed as the 'bankruptcy' signal. Slightly ahead of the exact aspect, the city of Detroit in the US has already filed. This may be the first of a few. Anticipate too for the subject of sovereign debt to hit the headlines in the coming months (this aspect is around for some time) and for this to have significant effect on the currency markets (more on this in my lecture in Philadelphia next month).

With Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto all pulling on the Sun, and Venus joining the fray next month, sunspot activity should increase. If you haven't already done so, then do download the free app: 3D Sun. Aside from the wonderful photos, you'll get up to date info on the sun.

Sky-watchers have the chance to see Saturn in the sky this month. On www.earthsky.org there's an excellent article and picture to show how to locate Saturn - presently passing through the tropical zodiac sign of Scorpio.

Those of this sign probably need little reminder that this is the planet of 'heaviness'. During its retrograde period (start of year to July 4th), there may have been times when you've wondered if you were making any progress at all.  With Saturn now in forward motion, in mutual reception still with Pluto and part of that great triangle with Neptune and Uranus, this could be the moment for those born under this sign to truly shine: by the First Quarter Moon in Scorpio on August 14th, latent creativity and financial acumen should surface and bring reward before your birthday later this year.

My own chart is being shaken by planetary activity (hence next month's travels). As should have been expected with Uranus as part of the picture, there is rather more going on that I hadn't planned than what was originally proposed.

It now seems right to launch the  astro-finance course in Toronto. The dates have 'picked themselves' (Friday August 23rd to Sunday 25th). Boosted by assistance from the team at Market Analyst, the first stage of the course is now ready. A separate mailing will go to those of you with Canadian IP addresses. For anyone else who would like more information, please email my colleague in Toronto at pac@idirect.com and title your email AstroFinance.

For now, wishing you all a happy surge of creative thinking .... with just that little warning to be careful of going for broke with that Jupiter-Pluto opposition (exact August 7th).

Until next month

Yours from the stars

Christeen