Dear Fellow Stargazers,

Happy Full Moon!

BANKING

As Pluto crossed over the final degrees of Capricorn, the banking world was shaken by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Anticipate many more such crises between now and November 2024. The banking sector is set to be shaken to its roots again and again - and not just by the advent of the new crypto currencies.

It is now 90 years since the banking crisis of 1933 when President F D Roosevelt declared a 4-day bank holiday. As explained in my Astro finance event last Sunday (recording available), an echo of that earlier time may be heard in late July 2023. 

EQUITIES
Bond markets could also experience shocks and surprises - possibly earlier and in the days leading into next month's Full Moon (May 5th lunar eclipse).
Many people are surprised that equities have risen and expect a significant fall before long. Next week, on April 11, the Sun and Jupiter conjoin in Aries for the last time in over a decade. They do so as the Moon reaches maximum declination and as Mercury reaches Greatest Elongation. Overreaction is probable. Though true, Jupiter, the largest of all the planets has a reputation for bringing good things (and yes, there could be a 'high'), it is as likely that we will witness sharp declines. A day of extremes is to be expected.

Affirming the likelihood of downward trading is slow-moving Neptune (associated with loss) at right angle to the Galactic Centre. Another possible trigger is Jupiter's Taurus ingress (May 17th). When Jupiter made this move in 2011, there were sharp declines across all major indices.

INVESTMENT

These moments bring investment opportunity. Again, in last Sunday's astro-finance event, I showed the areas and sectors likely to see growth. Although Virgin Orbit has filed for bankruptcy in the United States, investors would be wise to take note of other companies working in the field of space exploration. These are early days, but this sector will surely grow at pace in the next few years. 

Carbon capture and carbon trading also have my attention - an area that I will focus on in the next event on May 14. You can register for this via www.financialuniverse.co.uk. (For readers in Turkey, we are researching alternatives to PayPal. Please email [email protected] directly to reserve a place).

DRUMS OF WAR

Pluto last moved through Aquarius between 1777 and 1797 encompassing the industrial revolution, the French Revolution and the Revolutionary War in the United States. It is reasonable to expect similar upheaval during the next 20 years. 

With Mars crossing the solar position in the chart for the United States just as Mercury reaches its retrograde station - and within hours of the solar eclipse on April 20, - security issues will surely be raised. There is a significant pattern to the involvement of the US naval fleet at times of political tension. Mercury's direct station mid-May accents this possibility.
In a presentation given last year - and covering south-east Asia, I suggested that the early weeks of May 2023 might witness threatening action in the Taiwan Straits. This would surely impact global equities and again affirm what was seen in 2011 when, as Jupiter moved into Taurus, indices fell dramatically. 

CRYPTO

It is also worth mentioning that Mars crosses one of the critical global financial degrees in the days leading up to the lunar eclipse on May 5. This further underlines the potential for significant activity over the weekend of May 20/21st. For different reasons, this period - and May 22nd,  may be of great importance to crypto investors.

We have yet to realise the full implications of the US' governments decision to sell its holdings of 50K Bitcoins seized in what was called the 'Silk Road bust'. (You may remember that I thought that developments were likely following the anniversary of President Biden's Executive Order 14067).  You can read more about astro-crypto in the next issue of my subscription letter released at each Last Quarter Moon (April 13th). 

ISTANBUL
All of this was in my mind as I made my first foray out of the UK for over four years. I attended the most wonderful conference in Istanbul - hosted by Oner Doser and his wonderful team - where I was honoured with a Formalhaut Award! 

Even without that amazing event, it was an extraordinary weekend in a beautiful city. A tour of the Hajj Sophia with the most enlightening and engaging guide prompted thoughts of trading routes and the interaction of different cultures.

When Pluto last visited Aquarius, advances in the weaving of silk as a result of mechanisation resulted in the Silk Road becoming the 'Technical Silk Route' with Istanbul a hub of activity.

Istanbul is still a thriving city - despite the constant threat of earthquake. I met with remarkable students whose interest in astrology and economics left me wondering if history will eventually show this to be a centre for the astro-economists of the 21st century. Oner Doser and his school are developing an exciting learning path.

Oner has inspired me to complete a work (book?) on solar-astro-trading. If I can maintain my writing pace, I should complete this as Jupiter reaches my Ascendant.

There are always distractions - today's being requests for a webinar on my thoughts for financial developments in the next few years as so many of the slow-moving planets move to new areas. It is tempting! and I will follow through if there is sufficient demand (so email if you are interested)

Michael and the carers coped admirably in my absence. This cruel disease has, thankfully, a syncopated rhythm, and every so often there is a pleasant lull. Though mobility is now near non-existent, and a cold snap not conducive to wheelchair walks, Spring is coming..........

For now, wishing you all safe and well,

Yours from the stars

Christeen

PS Inspired, pushed and prompted by the students in Istanbul, I have made it to Instagram.

EVENTS

April 14th: Astro-Forex trading

April 28th: Money in the natal chart: China

May 14th  MONTHLY ASTRO-FINANCE CLASS

June: Future of Europe (NCGR International series)

July: Synchronicity University

July: NCGR Sacramento event