Leaves From a Financial Astrologer’s Notebook:  Eclipse Season

By Christeen Skinner

Eclipses mark the ending of one chapter and the opening of another. Coming so soon after the Saturn and Neptune conjunction on the World Axis, the cosmic signals were clear that the world was entering a new age – as it did after the last such conjunction, which coincided with the fall of the Berlin Wall and collapse of the USSR.

In his speech at Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that we should not mourn the end of world order. Yet events in early March, overlapping with a Lunar Eclipse on the 3^rd, have plunged the world into darkness, and it is hard not to wish for those periods when peace reigned.  It might help to know that this is the last of this type of Lunar Eclipse to be viewed for three years. I hope that it does not take that length of time for peace in so many regions to be restored.  That said, the planetary pictures suggest otherwise: the potential for heightened emotions leading to a long period of eventfulness is great.

It is, of course, arguable that World War III began four years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. The distribution of the planets in February 2022 indicated that that conflict would last seven years. If we use the chart of mankind (the last eclipse before the most recent Neptune-Pluto conjunction) then we might conclude that present tension will not subside until the eclipse in January 2029.

But to go back just two weeks: on the very day of the Saturn-Neptune alignment (February 17^th), US President Donald Trump put new tariffs in place. A few days later, and as the geomagnetic field was altered by this period of eclipses, Pakistan declared war on the Taliban of Afghanistan. Then, on February 26^th as Mercury turned retrograde, and Mars and Uranus came to a 90-degree angle, the multiple attacks in the Middle East began.

The March 3^rd Lunar Eclipse marks the end of a major chapter: a cliff-hanger ending as the unknown beckons.  Matters could escalate around April 10th when Mars arrives at the World Axis – potentially fueling increased aggression. All this is taking place against the backdrop of the long-term quarter phase of Pluto and Kuiper Belt Object Haumea’s cycle. If the past is an indicator of the future, then what began this weekend is just the beginning. Conflict could be with us for another two years at least.

EQUITIES, GOLD AND SILVER

There have been many years when US indices have tumbled in early March, and an anniversary effect was always possible. Given the many planets in Mutable Signs (traders tend to react negatively to these), a negative mood was likely to be exaggerated at the start of this month.

Precious metal prices tend to increase in times of strife. Key dates for gold and silver include March 5th/6th, 11th, 12th, 15th and 19th. I am particularly interested in the Jupiter stations on March 15th when Mars reaches a critical degree for silver. This could bring a significant high.

Creating a chart for the equinox yields clues as to the trends for the coming three months.  Analysis of the chart for the coming Vernal Equinox indicates that the likelihood of market correction is increased by several factors – starting with Chiron’s entry into Taurus in late May. When Chiron made this passage in the 1930s, the Great Depression was in force. That this ingress occurs within days of the very first conjunction of the Sun-Uranus-Sedna in Gemini for over 11,000 years underscores the fact that we are headed into the unknown.

What we do know is that Jupiter will oppose Pluto in the weeks following the USA’s 250th birthday in July. This ‘gamblers curse’ aspect indicates a USA hangover. Perhaps the bill for various celebrations will be higher than expected.

US DOLLAR

Certainly, there is astro-reason to think that the US dollar will continue to decline: with implications for us all. What will replace it? A stablecoin (government backed digital currency). If so, whose?

Title Image Credit:  drawn by ChatGPT