Dear Fellow Star-Gazers,

Happy Full Moon.

This Full Moon is precisely at the degree held by the Sun at the launch of the Euro in 1999. This, together with the fact that the recent Uranus Pluto square was exactly with the angles of that chart as set for Athens, makes clear the link between planet cycles and human behaviour!

As we now know, the Greeks are set to hold a referendum on Sunday, July 5^th – with the Moon at perigee (closest to Earth). Just as with the Full Moon, emotions are likely to run high.  By the time the polls close, the Sun will be almost exactly opposite Pluto and in hard aspect to Saturn (for the astrologers, the Sun is on the Saturn/Pluto) midpoint. The planetary signals for crunch time are clear.

The Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras was born under the Sun-sign of Leo but with Mercury (planet of commerce and dealing) in Cancer at 15 degrees of that sign – exactly tuning into the revolutionary, rebellious cosmic notes indicated by the recent Uranus-Pluto square. We could view Mr Tsipras as a ‘cosmic spokesman’ for the need to revamp the Euro. Yet the chart for the Euro itself has been under pressure for some years and is likely to stay that way until the next Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in 2020.

There are various charts in use for Greece and fascinating to note that the most recent chart follows the collapse of the military dictatorship just four days before the present Prime Minister was born. The two charts have many similarities though crucially, Mr Tsipras has the Moon in Scorpio whereas the country has a Libra Moon – albeit conjunct Scorpio’s ruler, Pluto. The Moon’s node is presently passing across this conjunction just as the country is experiencing its first Uranus opposition - suggesting that this indeed a defining moment for the Greek people and that they will need to do things their way. That this will be hard is indicated by Saturn’s station to natal Mars this summer.

Comparison of the chart for the Euro with Greece shows a conjunction between Mars (Euro) and Vesta (Greece). This configuration, at 18 Libra, is affected by the continuing presence of Uranus and Pluto in similar degrees of the Cardinal signs. Pluto does not finish with 18 degrees of Capricorn for some months yet – so this fight could go on.

It is hard (for me anyway) to imagine Mr Tsipras losing power – at least not this summer though by the end of the year he might wish he had done so! It is, of course, a statement of the obvious to say that difficult times are ahead. The quagmire that a new currency or that renegotiated debt would bring will surely be considerable.

So, can there be a return to the drachma? On 28 February 2002, the drachma ceased to be legal currency and Greece moved to Euro notes and coinage. With Neptune now moving over the Sun’s position in this chart, it may be that the drachma awakes as if from a dream to enter a new ‘fantasy land’ with its value questionable.

The Greeks go to the polls with the Moon in Fixed sign Aquarius where it forms a square to Saturn. The language of this aspect suggests a ‘No’ vote though with the Moon moving on into Pisces before the polls close, the final outcome could be very close. Mrs Merkel, the German Chancellor has made clear that there can be no more discussion until the outcome of the referendum is known. The Last Quarter Moon (8^th) is at 16 degrees Aries – echoing the earlier Uranus-Pluto square. This affirms the idea of a line being drawn – and yet. It may be that further efforts to keep Greece within the Eurozone will continue at least through next week. The next red letter dates are 13^th to 16^th which will surely offer Forex traders a roller-coaster ride.

These dates mid-July are likely to prove dramatic in other ways also. If history repeats, then there may yet be more terrorist outrages.

At this Full Moon both Mars and the asteroid, Ceres, are at maximum declination. Though Ceres stays in out-of-bound position, Mars comes back within bounds before the next Full Moon on July 31^st. As might be expected, Mars at this extreme declination promises a wild ride for the next few weeks. Stability seems unlikely until July 20^th.

Before the next Full Moon both Venus and Uranus arrive at stations (25^th and 26^th respectively). Venus will be retrograde through to early September. Research suggests that retrograde Venus periods are neither good for starting businesses or for markets. As these planetary stations coincide with Mars at right angles to Uranus, it may be a surprise event that results in a major market turning point on Friday July 24^th.

As always, it will be interesting to see what takes place.

Just two more things: firstly a recording of the summer solstice webinar covering the next three months is available via the website. Secondly, if you are interested in any of the monthly webinars, please email me through the contact form at www.financialuniverse.co.uk.

I don’t want these letters to become advertisements but if you are interested in these on-line events, then please let me know and I will put you on to a separate list that receives occasional announcements.

For now, wishing you safety in all you do

Yours from the stars

Christeen