Winter Solstice, Dec 22 2011, 12:30 AM EST

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE RELIGIOUS and HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

The Winter Solstice Sun is in the third house, square Uranus and trine Jupiter in the seventh.   It is time to think out of the box and find ways to use the plethora of social/business networks.

The Solstice Sun is all about the communications and the media. Management and employees in the old media know that change is required and expect the 2012 New Year to be the time of transition.

The Sun holds the trine to Jupiter offering the Santa Claus effect in the markets. The changes initiated by technology are rewarding entrepreneurs entering the world of business.

Throughout the year ahead their business model will change the way the economy works. It is a time similar to the years 1928-1934.  New businesses replace the old without the support of the established economic paradigms.

December 25 Jupiter Direct at 0° Taurus
Jupiter will return to applying to a trine with Pluto ending with the Spring 2012 equinox. Everyone will strive for personal success. Agriculture and Business find plenty of work and energy to accomplish the goals they set. Business in emerging markets will remain successful throughout this time period.

The exact aspect marks an up market and the midpoint of an extended period of buyouts, mergers and mega deals. It is also a warning of bankruptcy among various financial institutions. It is very important to check the debt obligations of equities on your list of possible investments. Folks need to repeat the mantra "Cash is King" when judging investments and managing their own budgets.

Statistically 66% of the time the markets slowly go up after Jupiter resumes direct motion. Problem: it can mark a high whereupon the markets plunge. This happened in March 2002 and Sept 2008. It is a time where firm stops are required.

January 24 Mars retrograde at 23° Virgo to stay until July 3,2012
Mars entered Virgo November 12, 2011 and will stay in Virgo until July 3 2012. Mars in Virgo very often forecasts very exciting events. Virgo has a reputation for precision and the ability to organize disparate parts into a logical order. Mars will give Virgo a shock of added energy. Folks will fill their trash cans, businesses will clean up their balance sheets, legislators will find their constituents insisting they dispose of waste and fraud in government. Investors will insist that their companies cut unnecessary expenses and entrepreneurs will pinch every penny.

It has been calculated the fixed star Regulus is now at zero degrees Virgo.

The Mars retrograde station forecasts an up market during the 80 days Mars is retrograde. However the 20th Century Mars retrogrades show a down market during the first month. Halfway through the retrograde period the market turns up and by the time Mars is once again direct the market has returned to the number average that it started at when Mars turned retrograde. Previous Mars retrogrades in Virgo have found traders attempting to corner one of the commodities for example the Silver market in 1980.

February 7 Saturn retrograde at 29° Libra
Saturn in Libra tries to strike a balance between justice, discipline , fear repression, limitations, accountability and restrictions
The Saturn station retrograde follows the current market trend. It does not seem to point to a change in direction. About 60% of the time the market is in an up cycle. About halfway through the retrograde expect the market to reverse direction.

February 14 Neptune returns to Pisces
Neptune will remain in its hometown of Pisces for 14 years. Pisces rules all things liquid as well as music, dancing, and poetry. It is a time when the arts make dramatic changes is style and form. Individual artists bring ideas that change the social order by revealing those areas of life that require a paradigm shift in consciousness. Medicine changes, energy sources change, and transportation changes. The Textbook for Financial Astrology book 1 page 33 lists the areas of life ruled by Pisces.
History demonstrates that Neptune's transit of Pisces suddenly increases the supply of gold and it is devalued as a result. (Link to article, Neptune In Pisces)

March 12 Mercury retrograde at 6° Pisces
Mercury rx is an excellent time to schedule vacation. Excellent adventures are promised, but be sure to pack any carry-on luggage carefully. It is important to double check all appointments.

Mercury direct occurs April 4 with just enough time to purchase an Easter basket. Automobile dealers will have some excellent deals on new cars and retail stores will be required to make drastic markdowns. People find it difficult to decide on the exact item to purchase when Mercury is retrograde.

During a Mercury Rx the markets slide up and down only to return to where they started 90% of the time.
During the Mercury Rx it is best to avoid purchases of items over $20. It is not a good idea to sign contracts, or purchase big ticket items. it is a time to do things that start with “re” . Example: read,recycle,repair, restore

Long VOC Moons on trading days - During trading hours February 10, 23 and March 8 and 17.

The Winter Solstice Sun appears in the 3rd House
The Sun will focus attention on the individual. Folks are taking care of their own security and well being. They are making decisions about their own comfort zone and finding ways to improve their immediate space. People are connecting with friends and resetting their goals. They are trashing the debris in their lives and recycling the rest.

The markets will reflect the mood of people. Retail establishments that provide excellent service or education will add customers. Businesses that provide personal service will add to their revenues. Electronics manufactures who can customize their products will find increased sales.

Pluto appears in the 4th House
This position of Pluto is very difficult for natural disasters and inclement weather. Therefore insurance companies and local governments will find their reserves severely diminished. People will be required to rely on their own resources. Make sure your weather emergency supplies are in good order.

Solar spot activity will add to the weather problems. It appears that the Sun is at the height of its active cycle. Now is good time to photograph auroras. (read the article, Sunspot Explosion)

Pluto here suggests that this is the bottom of the real estate cycle. If you are shopping for bargain properties, the next three months could help you find a few investment opportunities.

Venus appears in the 4th House
Relax and stay close to home. It is a good time to rearrange your work space, try new recipes, explore the Internet. Everyone will enjoy their electronic toys, and enjoy communicating with their new devises. It is a good time to explore various online trading accounts and try their practice sessions.

Venus here promises winter wheat will have enough snow cover to survive a cold winter. Windy winter storms will keep electric line repairmen busy. Check the trees near your house.

Saturn appears in the 1st House
Cash is king according to Saturn in Libra and consumers demand quality products and service. Saturn in the 1st house insists that folks use their common sense and spend their cash carefully. Creativity is in abundant supply therefore read and listen carefully for investment opportunities.

Neptune appears in the 5th House
Creative folks will find ideas easy to implement and share via the Internet. Investors will be wise to listen carefully and assist whenever they agree the idea is viable.

Speculators in the commodities markets are very busy. Prices for various commodities will rise and fall quickly during the trading day.

Uranus appears in the 6th House
Unusual work opportunities appear. Part-time jobs will often lead to full time employment during this time period.

Jupiter appears in the 7th House
The next three months promise an excellent time to form partnerships. Public Relations experts will find plenty of work. Doctors and lawyers will find clients particularly anxious for answers to their problems. Entrepreneurs will find individual investors ready to help and form new partnerships. It is a good idea to check your astrological calendars and record times and dates for any suggestions of new enterprises.

Mars appears in the 12th House
Executives and top managers find retirement a good idea. Scandals concerning charity organizations and governments will find managers turning in their resignations. Employees are difficult to manage as a result. Private prison corporations will need to revise their business model as inmates refuse to cooperate.

Moon appears in the 2nd House
Markets remain volatile throughout the next three months. Index averages may rise and fall 1 to 2% daily. If you are day trading it is extremely important print the calendars on the astrologicalinvesting blog. (http://astrologicalinvesting.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar)

The labor market is improving with fits and starts. Workers will find plenty of part-time or contract jobs. Local governments find property tax revenues are difficult to collect.

Currency markets remain volatile and the Euro will continue to have problems. Most international banks are under severe stress.The whole banking industry will continue to find it difficult to attract customers seeking loans.

Mercury appears in the 3rd House
Increase in trade and work connected with shipping and communications.  Imports and exports of intellectual material improve dramatically.

In Memoriam
Kaye Shinker, March 18, 1940 - November 18, 2011. The astrological world has lost a great teacher who contributed much to the study of financial astrology as well as the world in which she lived.

 Kaye loved teaching, it was her joy, her passion to share with others what she knew. We will all miss her wisdom.

At the end of her life she was actively teaching students of financial astrology, traveling for speaking engagements and personal consulting, blogging on the astrologicalinvesting blog and writing articles for the web site, including this last article The Winter Solstice, 2011.  

Kaye had been elected Director for Education on the NCGR Board and was serving on the NCGR-PAA Board of Examiners.

If you would like to personally comment on Kaye's life, please post your thoughts and condolences on Facebook.