Dear Fellow Star Gazers,

Happy Super-Full Moon!

The Moon is at perigee this weekend and will appear even 'fuller' than it did last month which should be lovely for photographers but is perhaps also a reminder  that the cycle of Moon correlates with many of human kind's responses - and not always in a good way.

In last month's letter I suggested that the Sun Jupiter conjunction on July 24th might mark a market top and that fissures would show from Monday July 28th developing into fault lines by the August Full Moon. This is precisely what's happened.

So, what will happen between this Full Moon and the next? - bearing in mind that the following Full Moon is a so-termed Blood Moon (October 8th) - which, as the name implies, might not prove a health period at many levels.

It's hard to see what will arrest the present decline which could continue for at least another month. True, there could be some slight recovery in equities between August 12th and 19th. Thereafter the downward trend may well continue.

The significators at work on July 20th to 22nd suggested an extremely tense and potentially volatile period for the Middle East. This trend shows no signs of abating. The planetary trends for the end of August do not look at all good.

I usually try to avoid writing about war cycles: my thinking being that it is never good to give energy to thought. Yet it appears that once more mankind is responding to certain planetary themes as it has done in the past. This being the case, it is likely that the coming years will bring yet more horrors. The potential long-term nature of this could be brought home to all during the last weekend of August. I really need to be wrong about this - but it is possible that over these dates a chemical attack will have the world's attention.

The other possibility is that between August 19th and 29th the numbers of people affected by the Ebola virus will have grown to alarming proportion. It may be that a way of treating those infected is found this coming week. Even so, treating those already affected and the logistics of getting effective treatment to where it is needed could mean that the last two weeks of August sees the outbreak continuing as headline news.

As of Tuesday (August 12th), Venus moves into Leo. Until Mercury changes signs next weekend, the accent is on Fixed signs of the zodiac (Sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter all in Leo and Saturn at right angles to these in Scorpio). Those born this week will surely be highly creative individuals with a strong sense of purpose. At best they could be brilliant artists and musicians who are as gifted technically as they are inspired. At worst, this could see intransigence and increased warfare amongst the many who feel that their path is the only one.

As I write, the accent is on breaking blockades - entirely in keeping with this planetary combination. Determined military action is the order of the day.

Mars and Saturn conjoin in Scorpio on August 25th. Aside from this being a potential kick-started for those born under this sign (when they determine exactly what's been holding them back and assess the energy needed to overcome an obstacle), it's possible that mining companies will be in the headlines - and possibly not for good reason. That day is also a New Moon with the Moon at apogee (furthest from Earth). A possibility is that strong tidal movements will be experienced bringing flooding in certain mining areas as a result of Earth movement.

This also brings to mind the tunnels between Gaza and Israel. We may hear more about these that weekend.

The astro-geography for the August New Moon puts Mars and Saturn exactly overhead through Turkey and Syria. This 'hard-hitting' combination suggests a period of acute hardship for those in the mountainous regions who will surely require considerable humanitarian assistance. That help though is also visible with strong aspects involving Neptune at work.

Another interesting feature of the chart for this New Moon is the number of planets and planetary bodies at 16 or 17 degrees of a sign. Those with birthdays within a day of January 6th, February 5th, March 7th, April 6th, May 7th, June 7th, July 8th, August 9th, September 9th, October 9th, November 8th or December 8th could find this a highly eventful period. (As always, your feedback much appreciated).

Some high tech companies have these degree areas highlighted suggesting that these stocks will experience considerable volatility in the first week of September.

You may remember that I am preparing to give a workshop at the ISAR conference in Phoenix. (http://www.isarastrology.com/2014-conference). In preparation, I have been looking at charts for gold, silver and other precious metals. My attention has been drawn to nickel which could do rather well in the coming months. With gold, I am hopeful that it will conclude the year just a touch short of $1400 and yes, for long-term, I still think it has some way to go.

Finally, a thank you to those of you who have kept me going with their interest in the new book. I was deflected by client work in July (busiest month ever as well as being enjoyable and fascinating) but am about to embark on a writing fortnight and hopeful that I will be on target for first draft conclusion before the Equinox.

For now, wishing you all sunshine and good health, -  and hoping that Jupiter in its role as protector keeps you and yours safe and well.

Yours from the stars

Christeen