THE 2013 ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

Astrologically speaking, this year you should not take anything for granted, 2013 will bring a mass of contradictions, uncertainties and surprises both good and bad for the global economy and governments around the world. The past four years have been extremely difficult for the global economy mainly because of the unusual array of planetary aspects that have occurred and in some cases planetary combinations we will never see again in our life time. The planet Uranus (planet of unusual and unexpected change) is continuing its travels through the industrial and manufacturing zodiac sign of Aries and will maintain its influence until March 2019. It takes the planet Uranus approximately 84 years to transit the whole of the global horoscope and during its transit it spends approximately 7 years in each Zodiac sign. As you can see the majority of us have never experienced the full effects of Uranus in Aries before so when this planet connects with Jupiter, and Pluto in particular it can turn a normal situation into sporadic chaos and unexpected change. Furthermore, the planet Pluto (determination) continues to reshape with powerful economic leverage the global horoscope as it transits the financial and business sign of Capricorn.

The last time Pluto was in this sign was 1742, it takes around 248 years to transit the global horoscope. Pluto, to astrologers is the planet of destruction and rebuilding, meaning getting rid of the old and starting a new. Hence Pluto influences in adverse aspects, political upheavals, the collapse and rebuilding of global banking and economies, stock market adjustments and crashes, manufacturing difficulties through loss of markets and profits, bankruptcies, increased unemployment, a depressed real estate market, an escalation of gold, silver and oil prices. It also pressures the downfall of dictators around the world.

With the USA holding on to the cliff by the fingernails during the first two months of this year, we can expect a very delicate and uncertain economy ahead as the USA faces another cliff or three during February and March, then another by May. With a major change threatening in taxation, social security systems and defence spending in the USA throughout 2013 we will continue to see depressing financial uncertainties and volatility on Wall Street as global stock markets will be riding more to the negative than positive due to the USA debating and fumbling with the deficit and not getting anywhere. There will be no major reduction of the 16 trillion deficits this year, in fact the debt ceiling will be raised bringing immense uncertainty around the globe due to the inflationary trends. If the ceiling is not raised, then the USA would tumble down economically creating a major global financial crisis. The main reason for this occurrence astrologically, there are two main eclipses the first being on 10 May the second on 3 November and eclipses usually influence important economic activity both three month before and three months after the actual eclipse takes place. Both of these eclipses will trigger the financial sectors of the global horoscope, hence the rolling universal debt crisis that will cover the USA and most of the European countries throughout 2013.

The most negative issue with the USA Federal Reserve horoscope over the next 12 months is the Jupiter/Uranus combination and the Moon/Mercury/Saturn negative aspect. Well, what does all this jargon mean you may ask? Print more money is the answer says the Federal Reserve Governor, buy up billions of dollars of worthless assets and distribute a cash flow through banks for lending purposes and continue to put the world into disarray and further debt, that’s what it means. The world economy is definitely not sound this year and many will have their fingers burned through investment mistakes, trying to chase the big bucks through speculative deals. According to the global horoscope the European central banks independent German and French banks will be under great pressure to stabilise those European countries that are verging on bankruptcy throughout 2013. President Obama will also be under much pressure over higher taxes and internal social security matters during January 21-31, April 22- May 31, August 29 - October 15. However, from November 21, 2013 President Obama moves into a slow but positive cycle for 2014 as the US and global economy will begin to show a very long-drawn-out but more positive outlook economically for 2014-15. Remember, with Pluto in Capricorn until January 2025, it will take this long for the global economy to settle down realistically.

Investors would be well advised, astrologically speaking, to watch very carefully their investments throughout 2013 as many losses are forecasted especially in the months of January 19-25, February 8-13, March 1-6, 13-28, April 20-25, May 1-30, June 1-8, July 7-23, August 3-12, 16-26, September 8-14, 20-30, October 1-31, November1-22, December 7-29. With the most important months been May through to the end of November. As you can see the whole year is going to be a very difficult one financially and this is due to the incredible force of the Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto combination throughout 2013, together with other adverse planetary aspects. Unfortunately business collapses, forced redundancies, unemployment, financial hardship, and continued difficult times are ahead for many during 2013. Regrettably, these slow-moving planets will cause many to forego certain luxuries in their life to enable them to counter the increase cost of living and huge expenditure to keep the family home running and food on the table. From September 2013 to July 2014 many government public service employees will be either made redundant or lose their jobs through government cut backs.

The most surprising horoscope of all is the Australian Stock Exchange chart (ASX) a short period of investment excitement is predicted from January 25 to March 5, 2013 and although Australia will always be a safe investment bet for many off shore countries, a major adjustment is predicted over this next 14 months. The forecast is a key share market correction (for the worse) in exchange trading throughout 2013, a market crash, or a take-over bid from a foreign national. The reason for this prediction, Uranus is slowly crossing the natal Jupiter and Sun of the ASX for the very first time in our lifetime and Saturn (planet of limitation) is also conjoining the natal Pluto on the ASX horoscope. Slow changes are anticipated as from February 18 onward, with the most important changes expected from April 8 2013 to March 10, 2014. Investment caution is advised during this time. For those who believe the mineral boom has finished, then think again. The mineral demand will continue to grow especially in 2014 with precious metals gold, silver and copper as a good investment. We could see gold reach $2000 in the future. With Neptune in Pisces until January 2026, alternative energy, wind power and coal seam gas will continue to be a major issue for the agriculture and land debate in Australia. Greed will be seen in the future as the biggest devastation of agriculture land by this time, as reverberation, soiled water and other forms of energy contaminates will be seen as damaging to the production, general health and wellbeing of the nation.

Saturn, the planet of apprehensiveness, caution and restriction is in transit through the financial sign of Scorpio for the next 2- 1/2 years, making life rather difficult for all as we zip our wallets and stretch the dollar. With food, electricity, fuel costs escalating throughout 2013 and we must remember that in the past most of us have overspent or overindulged in the nice things in life with banks fictitiously throwing away money for mortgages etc. Then when things go wrong and time become tough, we will have a tendency of blaming the government instead of ourselves. From 2013 onward most of us will realise the value of the dollar and will change our attitude to how we spend and 2013 will see a great majority saving through pension funds and bank term deposits. Pluto is reconstructing the banking and financial structures of the world and this will take until November 2024 to complete this cycle, so you can see we have a long way to go before our global financial situation becomes bullet-proof.

With interest rates declining throughout 2013, real estate is still a good investment as the demand for rental property will be escalating especially from June 26 onward until October 8, 2013. This is also a good time for buying real estate as prices will be competitive as some existing properties will decrease in value. The building industry overall will continue to be sluggish for most of 2013 however, real estate investment is predicted to slowly increase from November 2013 to August 2014 and during this time many home sellers, buyers and investors will profit considerably.

Jupiter’s transit through the zodiac signs of Gemini and Cancer throughout 2013 will influence the communications industry, especially with electronic broadcasting and print media sectors. This is a year of rigorous competition, amalgamations and sales. Some print and magazine publications will fold or a takeover bid will be made by overseas investors. Motor vehicle sales should continue to show good returns for dealers until June, and then a decline is forecast. The travel industry is predicted to have a profitable year overall as greater competition, deals and low cost air fares are introduced. Travellers should get real value for money this year and if you are planning an affordable overseas holiday, 2013 is the year to do it.

With Australia going into a federal election on September 28 the polls will show a substantial win for the coalition parties and yet the Labor Party will not be completely white-washed. There seems to be plenty of labour support for Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister throughout 2013 but not sufficient primary vote for the prime minister to retain government. Independents and the green party will both suffer losses. Tony Abbott is a Scorpio and Australia has never had a Scorpio prime minister before. Perhaps this could be a turning point for the country; however Malcolm Turnbull has a stronger horoscope as a leader and statesman than Tony Abbott and with Saturn (planet of heavy going and restriction) approaching Abbott’s natal Sun, there is a strong possibility his electoral popularity will decline with the voting public throughout 2013 and the party may decide to change leaders mid stream from June onward. 2013 is not the most fortunate year for Tony Abbott. If he succeeds in the polls his term will be short lived.

Please don't think this is a gloom and doom period for us all, quite on the contrary, throughout 2013 we will see at times a few improvements in our living standards, due to a change of government policy and greater fiscal handling of the country's resources and with overseas investment strong. You may surprise yourself throughout 2013 on just how much money you do save, as your spending habits change. The best astrological advice for investment throughout 2013 is to put your savings in a term deposit or real estate and wait for the stock markets to recoup in 2014 and 15. For those of you who hold blue-chip shares, my advice is would be to hold as your shares will add value within the next two years. If you invest in the markets please do not have a fire sale of stock, otherwise you will regret your actions in the next 18 months to 2 years.

You must remember it will be a slow process of elimination by governments and financial institutions around the globe to bring our economy back on track throughout this uncertain fiscal year. From November 2013 we can expect a more positive change of direction with new opportunities on the horizon for 2014 -15. Monthly updates and dates on this site will be made this year, so watch this space.

May 2013 Astrological Forecast

With the Sun, Venus and Mars in transit through the zodiac sign of Taurus (money matters, expenses and loans) expect a heavy increase of spending with governments and greater cautiousness with individual consumers. Future monthly stats will prove the national debt for the month of May will have increased substantially. Governments in particular will be spending up large to finance proposed economic policies by using other people’s money and printing more paper bills. There will be nothing but promises and more promises by governments to convince the general public that everything is OK according to their budgetary plans and the economy is on line. The biggest problem is they will not have the money to fund these projects and any new policies announced will be funded by borrowed money or new taxes.

This month will certainly change the public’s mind about the general economy as we turn the corner into Tax Street. If you think you have been hard done by in the past, then surprise, surprise, you haven’t seen anything yet. Be prepared for a rough economic time ahead as we are hit with new taxes and increased daily consumer expenditure that will make it difficult to keep ahead of the family budget and putting food on the table. Don’t be at all surprised if we see an increase in inflation by the June quarter that could affect future interest rates. This is the beginning of an unaffordable time for many and some will turn to increased credit card debt to survive.

Unfortunately, with a once in a life-time planetary aspect between Uranus (extremities, and unexpected disruption) and Pluto (demolishing and re-building) clashing from the 4th onward, be prepared for some market flack as global economies begin to collide, adjust and fall. From May 4, 2013 to May 20, 2014, recessional conditions will be felt by many countries and financial belt tightening will be felt by all. We will see a major adjustment with global cash flow, stock markets and particularly with the Australian stock market during May as Jupiter (expansion) attracts overseas investment. The eyes of the world will be watching the ASX as it could be ready for a take-over by a foreign national or a major adjustment will take place for the ASX between May 2013 and March 2014. There will be a flurry of buying and selling on the ASX this month, especially between the 6th and 10th, 20th to 24th and 27th to 31st. The ASX is predicted to be a global profit maker during the next 12 months compared to other indexes. Global unemployment is predicted to increase, especially in the northern hemisphere and from this month onward will widen the gap of wealth between the rich and poor. Be prepared for an increase in insurance costs as they will be on rise from May onward and we can expect further closure and a loss of jobs in the established manufacturing industry in Australia.

The month of May will see equity markets, gold prices and precious metals fluctuate considerably and with the bird flu virus escalation in China plus an industrial slow down and China and the USA printing money at the same time, this could also affect the markets. With Gold and Silver on the decline this month, do not consider a fire sale, as there is a strong indication that a gold rally will be seen from Mid July through to late August. Oil prices are also on the move this month, especially during the 4th and 5th, 13th to 19th and 25th to 27th. This is also a great month to purchase that new motor vehicle you have been promising yourself, good deals will be plentiful amongst dealers before the dollar drops in value. Real estate is not looking very favourable this month for the seller but good for the investor. Real estate sales are predicted to be slow in May and loans from banks will be down this quarter compared to the past. The big winner this month will be the financial markets and banks with a boost in savings and credit card profits.

The basic internal feelings about ownership, borrowings and lending of personal possessions will be much on the consumers mind during May and you will find many increasing their mortgage repayments endeavouring to bring down their loans whilst interest rates are low. The average person will be using discretion and care regarding purchases and possessions this month.

Those employed in banking, accountancy, book keeping, money lending, stock broking, financial advising, insurance, assessors, debt collectors, safe manufactures, security firms, food, agriculture, orchard workers, egg farmers, wine makers and sellers, timber, confectionary, baking, restaurants and catering, biology, pharmaceutical, clothing and apparel, bed and furniture manufacturers, upholsterers, interior designers, lingerie, perfumer, hair dressers and beauty care, florists, antique merchants, herb growers, homeopathy, naturopaths, Jewellers, music industry, theatre, postal and freight, removals and gymnasiums, should all increase business employment or show a profit in May.

Countries continuing difficult times in May Korea, Portugal, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Buganda, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, Timor, Nepal, Seychelles, Angola, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Ecuador, Belarus, Iraq, Russia, Eire, Venezuela and Sydney NSW.

The Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be under much pressure this month, especially from 16th to 31st. However she has enough favourable planetary aspects throughout the month to get her out of trouble. Tony Abbott enters a difficult but cautious month with his popularity improving during the second half of May.

Favourable Dates for April: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Cautious Days: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 31

Talk Soon.