Dear Fellow Star-Gazers,

Happy New Year and Happy Cancer Full Moon!

Hope you're all safe, warm and dry. The Moon's proximity to Earth at the January 1st New Moon and the alignments of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto each roughly 90 degrees from one another as they orbit the Sun, may have been contributing factors in the extraordinary weather we've experienced.

Given that the planetary formation doesn't dissipate for some months, more unseasonable events are likely - especially, perhaps, around the April (15th) lunar eclipse. This doesn't bode well for food prices which are likely to rise this year - and next.

Elements of this formation have been apparent in the past and have coincided with periods of war. Sadly it seems those old behavioural patterns are repeating. Whilst I'd like to think otherwise, unless the pattern is broken, already tense and appalling situations could escalate further between the March Equinox and the aforementioned lunar eclipse.

As I write though it seems that one of the classic nodal-business cycles is proving to be accurate once more: stocks rose into the end of year and business, if not booming, is rolling along. The next key date is at the end of January when the Full Moon (30th) is followed by Venus' station and Jupiter's opposition to Pluto.  With the Sun and Saturn aligning the following week and Mercury stationing, it may be that stocks decline starting the week beginning February 3rd.

Yet even this could prove just another bump in the road with recovery likely by mid-February.

No, if there's to be real drama, it's not likely to be between this Full Moon and the next (February 14th) and more likely between those of March and April.  

Venus is still retrograde and my client work has reflected this. It's interesting just how many people are divesting of collections and realising assets - and not always for purely financial reasons.  Obviously (though not always consciously) they're making way for the new: a very early spring clean.

This Venus retrograde is of Capricorn hue and one of the other big themes has been the high proportion of friends and colleagues experiencing a shake-up in their careers. Two are returning to jobs they thought they'd long since left behind - revisiting their profession in a way. What's interesting is that though they're doing this to boost joint income, there also seems to be a sense in which they're experiencing rejuvenation through this action. Obviously my sample is small - but you may hear of similar stories (which I'd love to know about if you have time to write).

Capricorn though is one of the signs linked to both government and the 'banks of nations'. I wonder what deals are going on behind closed doors? Whilst these might work temporarily, those involved may find these decisions come back to haunt them around the Full Moon in July.

The 1st January 1999 chart for the launch of the Euro currency is being 'kissed by Venus' presently. This 'kiss' won't last forever though and once it's over (early March), it's Mars' that affects the chart.  It might not be too long after then that the Eurozone is once again 'at war'.  Pluto arrives at its retrograde station at the April lunar eclipse which may indicate the reneging on an earlier deal. I fully expect us to experience escalating  currency wars between now and 2020.

Which brings me back to gold: the more work I do on this, the more convinced I become that its decline since Saturn entered Scorpio will cease when that planet changes signs. There is one other major factor at work here - but that too dissipates toward the end of 2014. Of course, like a flooded room that takes ages to dry out, it could take all of 2015 for gold to recover. Yet I imagine it will surpass earlier highs before the end of the decade.

I wonder too is silver will experience a minor lift in early February - perhaps around 5th? We shall see.

For now I am focused on the astro-finance course and, after that, my trip to Florida (don't want to wish my time away but can't wait to see friends there - and the parrots!). On my first trip there, the formation of a flock of birds weaving out across the bay and then changing direction seems symbolic of the need for the world to change financial direction. (There were various Yod-planetary formations that year.) Whereas then, I thought a part answer was a 'return to basics' approach, now I'm realising that we may have been flying over and discounting areas of potential abundance. Discussions with clients are making me ever-more aware of increased creativity.

The very plasticity of our brains and inherent ability to adjust to new conditions may be magnified during this long period when Neptune and Chiron transit Pisces together. There may be Einstein material within each and every one of us.

At least whilst Venus is retrograde (until end of January) it's worth taking time to review ideas and assessing which, if any, could form the corner stones of new business and financial strategy. You may be surprised by what you come up with.

Until next time,

Do please keep in touch,

As always,

Yours from the stars

Christeen

 PS. I have created a 'waiting list' for the next 6 week astro-finance trading course. This will run on Sundays at 18.00 GMT - 10.00 PST to accommodate the US West Coast students. Please email if you are interested.