Dear Fellow Star Gazers

Happy Full (Snow) Moon!

With severe weather affecting much of the USA and a polar blast expected to reach the UK in days, this Full Moon is living up to its name.

It falls almost exactly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and, unusually, coincides with Venus and Mars reaching their first Quarter phase. You may remember that when these two planets conjoined in February last year, Ukraine was invaded. It's likely that this Venus Mars phase will mark a turning point in that conflict.

Although I have colleagues who are optimistic about resolution (possibly as early as May), I still have doubts: Jupiter and Pluto will soon be at right angle to one another and configured with the dwarf planet Haumea. One of the keywords used for that planetoid is awesome. It would be wonderful if there were a happy awesome event but as likely that the opposite could occur.

FTX AND CRYPTOS

Another important feature of todays' Full Moon is that it takes place at near exact right angle to last November's Lunar Eclipse when FTX collapsed. (Think back to what you were involved in mi November 2022 and anticipate developments this week).

FTX was launched on May 8, 2019 when the Sun was at the midpoint of Neptune and the North Node: the implications being that it would attract great volume (which it did) but that there would be vulnerability to deception. As Uranus moved to the solar position at the lunar eclipse in November, FTX collapsed. The story though is far from over. So far $5bn has been recovered with more expected. The 'real' story may be told in 2024 when Jupiter reaches 17 Taurus (the Solar position).

Not only is FTX likely to be in the news again this week, but I suspect that Monday February 6th will prove a key date for money exchange of all kinds and that cryptos and digital monies of all kinds will be in the news. (More on this in the astro-crypto letter due out on Feb 13th at the Last Quarter Moon).
Yes, I am aware of forecasts of a pending 'big break' for Bitcoin especially and in recent days its price has risen. Yet Saturn is still on Bitcoin (and Ethereum's) tail and another bottom (buying opportunity) is yet possible - most likely at next month's Full Moon (March 6th).

EQUITIES

Here in the UK, our key index (the FTSE) has recorded record highs - this against the background of strikes and general mayhem. I suspect that both here and across the world Feb 16th through 20th will prove challenging for traders - though this could be a buying opportunity for short-term traders who could witness a bounce by the First Quarter Moon on Feb 27th that aligns with Mars' recent station. This  may be the trigger date for extra-ordinary activity in March:

Some of you may have seen my recent presentations -  for Southeast Asia and in the regular monthly financial class - where I pointed out that whenever Saturn is moves through Mutable signs, stocks - particularly in the Far East - lose value. It seems reasonable to anticipate a downturn after March 7th when Saturn enters Mutable Pisces.

That same day, there is a Full Moon at 16 Virgo - within a degree of the position of Mars in the chart for the New York Stock Exchange. These two factors alone indicate the potential for a major financial wave engulfing trading activity.

I wonder if we might see hints of what is to come at the New Moon on February 20th. That same day, Venus crosses the World Axis of 0 Aries. I suspect that we will see sharp moves - in both directions - affecting different sectors. The 'armament or military sector' could witness advances in share prices whilst the banking sector will surely experience the opposite.
I subscribe to a variety of financial newsletters. Most of these are based in the USA and in recent months have focused the potential of a digital dollar and alteration to the US banking systems. This is entirely in keeping with these planetary gear changes. It is as probable however that similar developments will take place worldwide. There cannot be any government that is not now considering a move away from paper currencies and into the digital era.

ECHOES AND OPPORTUNITY
You may remember that Pluto's Capricorn ingress in 2007/8 coincided with the Global Financial Crisis and the collapse of many companies. As Pluto leaves this sector echoes may be heard. I have long suspected that attention will turn to the bond markets and to government borrowing. If I am correct, then the next few weeks should see above average volatility.

With stress though comes opportunity. Astro-investors should keep abreast of developments involving all Gemini-related goods and services. Obviously you need to check company fundamentals but the astrology suggests that these prices (think telecoms, cars, bicycles, on line education etc) should be low in 2023 and surge forward in 2024.

ASTRO FINANCE
I will discuss all this and more in the next financial class. The feedback from recent events has been most encouraging. You can register for the next class directly through the website www.financialuniverse.co.uk where you can also purchase recent month's recordings.

Thank you all for your continued interest in my work - which goes on despite my husband's on-going health saga. Swallowing has become more difficult in recent weeks, and I welcome ideas for easy-to-eat, nutritious recipes.

Until next time,

Yours from the stars

Christeen

EVENTS

AOA: Pluto in Aquarius: Feb 25th

ASTROFINANCE: : Feb 26th

ISTANBUL CONFERENCE: Mar 24-26th