Moonscope 8th - 14th June

Monday - Tuesday 7:59am The Moon in Sagittarius
The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details but want to focus on the bigger picture. Spontaneity and having fun are the key. We don’t want to plan ahead, and prefer to “go with the flow.”

The Moon in Sagittarius generally favours the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve “winging it”, travelling, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising and marketing, sports and physical activities. It’s a great time to party and go out and enjoy yourself.

Tuesday 8:01am - Thursday 8:52pm The Moon in Capricorn
With Moon in Capricorn we become aware of the need for structure and planning ahead. We are motivated by a desire for success. Achievement and accomplishment are of paramount importance. We don’t want to waste time, energy, or resources. This is a very productive time when we look at our life seriously and realistically.

The Moon in Capricorn generally favours the following activities: Setting long-term goals that yield slow but steady results, practical endeavours, career issues, making a business plan, practical investments, working, organising, putting structure into your life.

Thursday 8:54pm - Sunday 9.31am The Moon in Aquarius
Attraction to all that is new and unusual, and an instinctive need for improvement, characterise the Moon in Aquarius. Reactions are more intellectual than emotional, and interactions are more impersonal than personal, under this influence. This is a great time for social gatherings, dealing with group ideals and goals for the future, brainstorming, new ideas, and progressive changes. We are open to new methods of doing things and we have our eye on the future.

The Moon in Aquarius generally favours the following activities: Unusual or radical pursuits, going out with friends, mixing with an entirely new set of people, group projects, trying out something new. Most of all it is a great time to “do your own thing” and focus on your individuality.

Sunday from 9:33am The Moon in Pisces
We don’t want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It’s a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favours the following activities: Creative and artistic endeavours, mystical or spiritual pursuits, meditation, inner soul development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

Moonscope 1st - 7th June

Monday - Tuesday 3:16am The Moon in Virgo

Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned now. You crave order and practicality, and you want to get things accomplished. You aim to have everything in its place and anything that gets in the way of this gets on your nerves. Health and work goals take on greater importance for you now.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, service to others, animals, analysis, editing, reading, writing, and any detailed work.  It’s a great time to catch up with the housework and the filing. Routine jobs tend to go more smoothly and are more satisfying.

Tuesday 3:18am - Thursday 10:43am The Moon in Libra

Your relationships are the key to your emotional fulfillment at this time. Harmony and beauty are deeply satisfying - and the lack of them can be emotionally unsettling. Close personal ties to other people are a focal point for your feelings and you want to create peace and harmony with everyone.

The Moon in Libra generally favours the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities related to beauty and elegance, social pursuits such as going out to a movie, having a party, meeting up with your friends.

Thursday 10:45am - Saturday 8:23pm The Moon in Scorpio

Moon in Scorpio is all about intensity.  Whether it’s passion, elation, sorrow, or desire, emotions are felt more deeply than ever. We are motivated by the desire to get to the bottom of things, and we instinctively read between the lines. Superficiality won’t work for us now. The Moon in Scorpio urges us to uncover our own power, and it’s an excellent time to rid ourselves of old fears and limiting habits. It can be an intimate and passionate time.

The Moon in Scorpio generally favours the following activities: Anything connected with your finances, especially joint finances, taxes, accounting and banking. Having a soul connection will be of importance whether it be you’re your partner or someone you meet. It’s a great time to do in-depth research and to clear out anything that is past its sell-by date.

Saturday 8:25pm - Sunday The Moon in Sagittarius

The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details but want to focus on the bigger picture. Spontaneity and having fun are the key. We don’t want to plan ahead, and prefer to “go with the flow.”

The Moon in Sagittarius generally favours the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve “winging it”, travelling, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising and marketing, sports and physical activities. It’s a great time to party and go out and enjoy yourself.

Moonscope 25th - 31st May

Monday - Tuesday 6:57pm The Moon in Gemini

Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, and curious, but it can also be restless and unreliable.

The Moon in Gemini generally favours the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, often doing more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching and making short trips are highlighted under the Gemini Moon. It’s also a great time to get out and about and socialise with lots of different people.

Tuesday 6:59pm - Thursday 7:43pm Moon in Cancer

Emotional security, a sense of belonging and nurturing are uppermost in our consciousness: these issues are felt instinctively at this time. You want roots; you crave a sense of intimate connection that will last, you want to feel secure and loved. You may also want to go into a cocoon and enjoy some quiet solitude.

The Moon in Cancer generally favours the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of your personal needs. Family get-togethers, meeting up with close friends, eating at home, looking after someone that maybe you have neglected for a while, relaxing by the water or in nature.

Thursday 7:45pm - Saturday 10:16pm Moon in Leo

A need to be the centre of attention takes hold in your life now - a craving to give and to be appreciated by others. This can be an expansive, creative, and even romantic phase. It’s when you want to take charge of your life and organise everything and everyone.

The Moon in Leo generally favours the following activities: Creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, acting, theatre, finding out “who you are” and what makes you tick. It can also indicate a new romance or love-affair.

Saturday 10:19pm - Sunday Moon in Virgo

Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned now. You crave order and practicality, and you want to get things accomplished. You aim to have everything in its place and anything that gets in the way of this gets on your nerves. Health and work goals take on greater importance for you now.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, service to others, animals, analysis, editing, reading, writing, and any detailed work. It’s a great time to catch up with the housework and the filing. Routine jobs tend to go more smoothly and are more satisfying.

The Great Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction of 2010

The Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction is coming up next year and whenever it is in Aries or Libra, there is always a great scientific breakthrough that impacts the world. It will occur in June 2010 at 0 degrees Aries, Sept 2010 at 28 & 29 degrees Pisces and Dec 2010 – Jan 2011 at 26 degrees Pisces.

When Jupiter and Uranus move into an alignment of 36 degrees, usually during the preceding year, we get a glimpse as to the nature of this breakthrough. The last Conjunction in Aries was when Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic. Not just an American Experience but a World Experience, an achievement of the Human Race. In July 1969, when it occurred in Libra, man landed on the Moon.

In 1968, during the 36 degree approach, we began sending astronauts around the Moon, preceding the actual lunar landing. This vanguard alignment will occur around the middle of 2009. At that time, humanity will become aware of the breakthrough about to occur. This is also true of the changes that will occur in our personal lives as a result of the Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction— we will begin to sense them, the new direction in our lives, during 2009.
Jupiter and Uranus are aligned every 14 years but only every 42 years does this alignment occur in Aries or Libra. In any sign, I have found this Conjunction to represent an expansive time in my life:

1969— I won a scholarship to Chethams School of Music and which marked the beginning of my studies for becoming a concert pianist.

1983 – I changed careers totally and won a scholarship to Manchester Business School to study for an MBA and move into business and finance.

1997 – I moved country and took up astrology as my full-time career.

Think about what happened to you during these cycles in your own life. There were difficult experiences but, overall, these were highly expansive periods in my life. It is a progressive cycle so that it is much easier to do progressive things.

Where this Conjunction falls in the natal horoscope shows where we feel compelled to take a risk with our lives, to experience adventure, to explore our creative potential and to overcome the fears in our lives. Some of us will not want to change and will resist the changes, whereas others will take a leap of faith into a new dimension of being. The world is changing and we must, with the motivation of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in both Pisces and Aries, change with it.

Relating and intimacy under this Conjunction will be experienced through a sense of community, connecting with what has been lost in a new, dynamic way.

In modern times, when humanity takes a leap in consciousness, this is paralleled with great advances in technology, psychological understanding of ourselves and a renewed demand for human rights. Especially with the conjunction in Aries, there will be many technological breakthroughs connected with one very major breakthrough. Such a major breakthrough can stun the thinking of the masses, uprooting us from the past so that we can take a leap of consciousness. Zero Aries is the “World Point” so that this specific conjunction will have a global impact. We live in exciting times!!

Please comment and make any suggestions as to what you think the breakthrough might be!

Moonscope 18th - 24th May

Monday - Wednesday

For the coming week, the Moon is in Pisces on Monday 18th May until 11.29am on Wednesday 20th May.

We don’t want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It’s a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favours the following activities: Creative and artistic endeavours, mystical or spiritual pursuits, meditation, inner soul development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

Wednesday - Friday

The Moon is in Aries 11:29am on Wednesday until Friday.

We’re motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to start something new is with us now, as well as the energy to do so. Our pioneering impulses are strong, and we feel energetic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic. We may also be tactless and impulsive. Excess energy is best channelled into physical activity.

The Moon in Aries generally favours the following activities: Quick actions that yield immediate results. Doing something nice for yourself. Taking action on something that you have been putting off for a long time. Being assertive and sticking up for your rights. Taking on a new challenge or starting a short-term project. 

Friday - Sunday

The Moon is in Taurus on Friday 4.39pm until Sunday.  

We are motivated by the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and “to stop and smell the roses”. Life slows down a little, and we have more time to breathe. We may also be inclined to “dig our heels in” and insist on our own way.

The Moon in Taurus generally favours the following activities: physical actions that yield solid, tangible results. It’s a great time to take action concerning your finances and your personal possessions. You may begin a potentially long-term relationship, play and listen to music, make changes to your home and surroundings or go out for a delicious meal.

Sunday

The Moon is in Gemini Sunday May 24th at 6.33pm

Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, and curious, but it can also be restless and unreliable.

The Moon in Gemini generally favours the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, often doing more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching and making short trips are highlighted under the Gemini Moon. It’s also a great time to get out and about and socialise with lots of different people.

Moon Signs - What they Mean

The following short interpretations of Moon signs refer to general conditions that affect the population in general.

When the Moon is in Aries
We’re motivated by a strong desire to start fresh. A gut instinct to start something new is with us now, as well as the energy to do so. Our pioneering impulses are strong, and we feel energetic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic. We may also be tactless and impulsive. Excess energy is best channelled into physical activity.

The Moon in Aries generally favours the following activities: Quick actions that yield immediate results. Doing something nice for yourself. Taking action on something that you have been putting off for a long time. Being assertive and sticking up for your rights. Taking on a new challenge or starting a short-term project. 

When the Moon is in Taurus
We are motivated by the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and “to stop and smell the roses”. Life slows down a little, and we have more time to breathe. We may also be inclined to “dig our heels in” and insist on our own way.

The Moon in Taurus generally favours the following activities: physical actions that yield solid, tangible results. It’s a great time to take action concerning your finances and your personal possessions. You may begin a potentially long-term relationship, play and listen to music, make changes to your home and surroundings or go out for a delicious meal.

When the Moon is in Gemini
Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, and curious, but it can also be restless and unreliable.

The Moon in Gemini generally favours the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, often doing more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching and making short trips are highlighted under the Gemini Moon. It’s also a great time to get out and about and socialise with lots of different people.

When the Moon is in Cancer
Emotional security, a sense of belonging and nurturing are uppermost in our consciousness: these issues are felt instinctively at this time. You want roots; you crave a sense of intimate connection that will last, you want to feel secure and loved. You may also want to go into a cocoon and enjoy some quiet solitude.

The Moon in Cancer generally favours the following activities: Domestic activities, those that involve awareness of your personal needs. Family get-togethers, meeting up with close friends, eating at home, looking after someone that maybe you have neglected for a while, relaxing by the water or in nature.

When the Moon is in Leo
A need to be the centre of attention takes hold in your life now - a craving to give and to be appreciated by others. This can be an expansive, creative, and even romantic phase. It’s when you want to take charge of your life and organise everything and everyone.

The Moon in Leo generally favours the following activities: Creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, acting, theatre, finding out “who you are” and what makes you tick. It can also indicate a new romance or love-affair.

When the Moon is in Virgo
Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned now. You crave order and practicality, and you want to get things accomplished. You aim to have everything in its place and anything that gets in the way of this gets on your nerves. Health and work goals take on greater importance for you now.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, service to others, animals, analysis, editing, reading, writing, and any detailed work.  It’s a great time to catch up with the housework and the filing. Routine jobs tend to go more smoothly and are more satisfying.

When the Moon is in Libra
Your relationships are the key to your emotional fulfillment at this time. Harmony and beauty are deeply satisfying - and the lack of them can be emotionally unsettling. Close personal ties to other people are a focal point for your feelings and you want to create peace and harmony with everyone.

The Moon in Libra generally favours the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities related to beauty and elegance, social pursuits such as going out to a movie, having a party, meeting up with your friends.

When the Moon is in Scorpio
Moon in Scorpio is all about intensity.  Whether it’s passion, elation, sorrow, or desire, emotions are felt more deeply than ever. We are motivated by the desire to get to the bottom of things, and we instinctively read between the lines. Superficiality won’t work for us now. The Moon in Scorpio urges us to uncover our own power, and it’s an excellent time to rid ourselves of old fears and limiting habits. It can be an intimate and passionate time.

The Moon in Scorpio generally favours the following activities: Anything connected with your finances, especially joint finances, taxes, accounting and banking. Having a soul connection will be of importance whether it be you’re your partner or someone you meet. It’s a great time to do in-depth research and to clear out anything that is past its sell-by date.

When the Moon is in Sagittarius
The Moon is at her most optimistic and upbeat in Sagittarius. We are motivated by a need to seek the truth, and we are ready to pursue a new vision. We are not interested in details but want to focus on the bigger picture. Spontaneity and having fun are the key. We don’t want to plan ahead, and prefer to “go with the flow.”

The Moon in Sagittarius generally favours the following activities: Adventurous activities that involve “winging it”, travelling, higher education, starting publishing projects, advertising and marketing, sports and physical activities. It’s a great time to party and go out and enjoy yourself.

When the Moon is in Capricorn
With Moon in Capricorn we become aware of the need for structure and planning ahead. We are motivated by a desire for success. Achievement and accomplishment are of paramount importance. We don’t want to waste time, energy, or resources. This is a very productive time when we look at our life seriously and realistically.

The Moon in Capricorn generally favours the following activities: Setting long-term goals that yield slow but steady results, practical endeavours, career issues, making a business plan, practical investments, working, organising, putting structure into your life.

When the Moon is in Aquarius
Attraction to all that is new and unusual, and an instinctive need for improvement, characterise the Moon in Aquarius. Reactions are more intellectual than emotional, and interactions are more impersonal than personal, under this influence. This is a great time for social gatherings, dealing with group ideals and goals for the future, brainstorming, new ideas, and progressive changes. We are open to new methods of doing things and we have our eye on the future.

The Moon in Aquarius generally favours the following activities: Unusual or radical pursuits, going out with friends, mixing with an entirely new set of people, group projects, trying out something new. Most of all it is a great time to “do your own thing” and focus on your individuality.

When the Moon is in Pisces
We don’t want to face reality while the Moon is in dreamy, impressionable Pisces. It can be a wistful, sensitive, intuitive, and compassionate time. We are especially imaginative, and our intuition reigns under this influence. Boundaries and walls come down, as Pisces energy merges and blends. It’s a time when details are overlooked and feelings defy description.

The Moon in Pisces generally favours the following activities: Creative and artistic endeavours, mystical or spiritual pursuits, meditation, inner soul development, music and drama, going on a retreat, activities involving water.

Venus goes Direct - what does this fortell?

Venus went retrograde on March 6th at on that day, the Dow Jones Index hit its lowest point in 12 years at 6470. During the entire Venus retrograde period, the Dow Jones has rallied, at no point being close to the low it was at on March 6th. What remains to be seen is if there is a fall now that Venus went direct on April 17th. Will Financial Astrology predict this accurately?

If we examine the rallies since the big crash in September 2008, most have lasted about 6-7 weeks and have rallied between 1640 and 1770 points. This current rally has lasted 6 weeks and has gained 1720 points. So it is very much looking like we will see a reverse trend in the weeks to come. However, as with everything in astrology, nothing can be taken in isolation. It is vital to synthesise the activities of all the planets and see the bigger picture.

So what else is going on?
With Jupiter fast approaching its conjunction with Neptune in late May through mid-July, there is a strong possibility that we will see further optimism and more rallies in the stock markets. This aspect normally brings optimism and faith in the future and may well bring more investors into the market, thus causing an upswing.

There are two important ingresses this week: Mars enters Aries on April 22nd and Venus also enters Aries on April 24th. Aries is a cardinal sign and this would suggest that there will be changes in policy from central banks around the world. Venus is also squaring Pluto from April 3rd to May 2nd and this could result in yet another large company - probably a bank or a car company - being taken over by the US government.

Whilst there could be some temporary good news on the horizon, there are other factors that do not support this optimism. With the 20 month opposition we are currently in with Saturn in Virgo opposite Uranus in Pisces - expect more job losses, more unexpected crises, more banks failing, more companies being taken over by governments around the world.

The challenge with this opposition is to find the right balance between more regulation to wipe out dishonest business practices, with policies that reward innovation leading to new jobs and economic growth. With Saturn coming up to the third of its five oppositions to Uranus on September 15th 2009, followed by the first of three Saturn-Pluto squares beginning November 15th 2009, I seriously think that the aspects indicate that we will be in for more economic challenges in the weeks and months ahead.

Survive the Financial Crisis and 2012

An Interview with Barbara Goldsmith

Barbara Goldsmith (M.B.A., CeFA, CeMAP, Cergi) is an Astrologer and a qualified professional Financial Advisor who works with clients all over the world. Her combination of skills, knowledge, experience and passion makes her an extremely attractive person to interview and I was delighted that Barbara took me up on the invitation.

In order to preserve the integrity of her message, I have chosen to present it as a transcript of our conversation.

Welcome Barbara. Thank you so much for speaking with me today. I’ve read about you on your websites, but tell us about what you ‘do’.

I’ve been doing Astrology for the last thirty years. I had my first reading when I was 19 and then went on to study it in detail. I run workshops; I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of readings and have recently written a book about Astrology. I’ve got another three books I’m working on at the moment.

What attracted you to Astrology?

Astrology for me has the scientific bent as well as the artistic side, so it really stretches me. I needed to understand mathematics, astronomy, cosmology, psychology and the planets. It brings together so many different disciplines. Astrology can be studied on so many different levels: medical astrological, financial, relationship, mundane- which is looking at world events and what’s happening now. Cycles very often repeat themselves and Astrology can help us be a little bit more prepared in our personal and global lives and prepare for what’s really coming ahead.

You’re a qualified financial advisor – to what extent does this merge with Astrology?

The financial part started about 10-12 years ago when I had my own property investment and financial business in London. It was successful and I undertook all of my financial exams: my financial advisors, mortgages etc and got all the qualifications I thought I needed to drive people, including studying stock markets. I’m fascinated by everything to do with finance and how to help people avoid it ruling their lives. So we’re not a slave to finance but we can be the master of our finance both on a personal and a global level.

I can do astrological finance, which combines the two disciplines, so I’m accomplished at helping people on an astrological basis in a financial way. My other hat is being purely a financial and business advisor and very much keeping my eye on what’s happening around the world. I help to protect people’s wealth and also advise people who don’t have so much finance as to what they can do, so the global financial change isn’t a whole doom and gloom thing for the planet. It doesn’t have to be that way – that’s how I see it anyway.

How are finding the take-up of Astrology in business? Are there many businesses using Astrology to inform their business?

It depends where you are and who you talk to. Very small businesses certainly have an interest, particularly in the UK. There seems less resistance there and in the US and Canada. With regards to large Corporates’ using astrology, I wouldn’t know as that isn’t my area of focus.

From a global perspective, let’s talk about the financial crisis. From an astrological perspective, can you see why and how this is happening?

Absolutely. Most definitely 100%. We had Pluto in Sagittarius for the last 13-14 years. Pluto was only founded in 1930 so it hasn’t done its full orbit yet. It will take 250 years to do its full orbit right around the sun so we’ve only had certain cycles so far. However, this planet is very significant to do with global events. It’s the slowest moving planet in our solar system that we are aware of. Because of that it tends to have a global effect. Planets like Mars and Venus affect us more personally.

Looking at Global Astrology, this is the time the atom split, we realised we had the power to destroy ourselves if this energy was not used in a productive way. Pluto is the planet that can utterly destroy, to build anew. In the last 13 years we’ve had Pluto in the sign of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is very much the energy of going over the top, of over-doing everything, of putting rose-tinted glasses on and saying “everything is just fine” and creating all of these bubbles: the housing bubble, the real estate bubble the debt bubble – all of these various bubbles have been created during the reign of Pluto in Sagittarius.

November 26th last year (2008) everything changed. The vibration changed when Pluto moved into Capricorn. The vibration of the energies of these planets always happen a few months before they actually move into the sign, so the whole banking system worldwide around September 15th was a significant date in Astrology. This was when the whole world banking system was in danger of utter collapse. Astrologically, for the next 16 years until 2024 we are in a period where integrity comes to the fore. For example: what has happened with Bernard Madoff – all things that have been sick have to come out to the surface and honesty and integrity have to prevail.

This period is about pulling your horns in – no more extravagance, no more mad debt, becoming more self sufficient. We’re coming to this age now where we’ve also got an interesting configuration of two planets. For the last year Saturn has been opposite Uranus. Saturn is currently in Virgo, opposite Uranus in Pisces. This is two extremely different energies.  Saturn is about government, world business, banking, structure of our world economy, and of our governments in general. This energy is about how the world is run. Opposite that we’ve got the planet Uranus. Uranus is all about change and everything to do with revolution, the new, bringing in humanitarianism, everything to do with your life design system. All of these things that you’re doing (The Life Academy of New Zealand) is about the planet Uranus which is ruled by the sign Aquarius – which is everything about bring fairness and a sense of community to our world.

Uranus tends to do it in shocking ways. In ways that are so different and so new so that very often the old – the governments, the people, the powers that want to put their stamp on it say “no you can’t do that”. So we have this strong opposition from the government and powers that want to keep the status quo and you’ve also got this uprising of the average people – and there’s going to be more uprising. I’ve been saying it for a while.

Within the last three months we’ve had over a million workers in France go on national strike. Throughout America we’ve had various demonstrations in various cities – we’re going to see much more of this.

Come August 2010 we have a very big configuration astrologically and this is going to be when Pluto in Capricorn is making a square aspect between the Saturn and Uranus opposition. This is a very, very powerful aspect. Nothing similar has been seen since around the time America came together in 1776. This is massive, massive global change. I’m not a doom and doom person but there is going to be massive natural disasters such as massive earthquakes, massive volcanoes - nothing like we’ve seen before.

What’s the way through these changes?

The way through this is that people will come together in communities; get more self-sufficient and those that do remain will be creating a whole new world. In a way it is incredibly exciting, and in another way, incredibly frightening. Again represented by Saturn which represents people fear, opposite Uranus which is the new, the exciting, the technologically advanced. We’re going to find whole new answers to medical issues, breakthroughs that we never thought we could do. I think we’ll go to a whole new level with healing the body that we never thought we could do and I think much information is going to be available freely in every way for people on a massive basis. But before we get to that, there’s quite some pain and issues that need to be resolved because of the mishandling of the situation so far.

Do you think that people are picking up on the need to be self sustaining by longing for a sense of community that we’ve lost? I wonder whether our self-survival mechanism is kicking in…

By 2012, by all looks of things (which is why 2012 is a key date with the Mayan Calendar) and this is the build up that you are seeing at your community building , as we’re not far off 2012, there will be a critical turning point in the awareness and then the large majority of people will become aware. Yes, people are longing for it. It has been in our dreams but it hasn’t been our reality.

You must be noticing it in Tauranga but here in Christchurch, we’re starting to come together in communities where I live. There are 320 people coming together to try to create something – we’re trying to grow our own food – we’re helping each other. It’s amazing. It’s happening in England, in transition towns – its starting.

There are far too many people who are not aware. In New Zealand what concerns me more than anything, financially, is that I feel the average New Zealander is unaware of the severity of the financial crisis here. When I speak to the press, when I speak to the media, they don’t want to hear what I have to say. I’m not popular.

What’s the main thing you want people to know?

I really want people to know that the banking system in New Zealand is really, really unstable. The press that is being put forward is that its ‘okay’ and we’re not printing money yet like the US – and suddenly because the banks have gone around the world, and our banks are in the top 15 of the world, I feel there is a lot of misinforming going out to the general public. I feel very frustrated about this because people need to know how unstable this system is.

I feel its going to come under severe threat. It will happen suddenly and it will have a Uranian feel and people could lose incredible amounts of money, incredible amounts of pension and I feel its terrible vulnerable. I would say to people – at least have some cash on hand, not in a bank. And if you do have your money in bank, spread it around. I don’t know which ones are going to go, but they are not all going to be standing. I know it sounds drastic but I don’t know how to get it through.

Considering the average person doesn’t have access to the knowledge and expertise that you have, on what basis do you feel, understand and know how unstable the banking situation is? 

You can’t quite compare the two but looking at what happened to Iceland, and looking at the size of the country and looking at New Zealand, there are certain similarities that can be drawn. Look how suddenly the entire banking system, in what was a prosperous country, just went suddenly down. To give you a small example, their interest rates was coming down to 2-3%. Now only a matter of months later Iceland is at 16% interest rate. Right here in New Zealand, various companies are offering bonds – they want people to buy debt so they can borrow more money and they’re offering something like 6-7% which looks fabulous today, doesn’t it? So I can see many people in New Zealand, potentially losing money.

If NZ gets downgraded as a country, downgraded in terms of its viability to buy debt from overseas, (to trade money overseas if you like), which it could do, then we are potentially going to be in a similar position as Iceland was.
It may not be as bad, as I do feel New Zealand has huge advantages over Iceland in that we have arable land, rivers, agriculture, we have animals, and so I do feel we could be very self-sufficient here. I’m very positive about how I feel about New Zealand. I do feel that New Zealand has really come together and I’m hoping that when this time comes, which I don’t think is far off; we’ll have had the opportunity to be prepared.

I’m concerned about people who have saved all of their lives such as pensioners, people investing their money and then finding it worthless. I want people to be warned in advance and know in advance so they’ve got a chance to salvage some of their futures and not feel they’ve worked 20 – 40 years in vain.

Have you considered writing some sort of survival guide such as a community survival handbook (thinking I’d like to read it if so..)?

This is the handbook I’ve written called ‘Surviving the global financial crisis’. It’s a tiny book that covers what has happened, how I think things are panning out, what you can do to protect yourself, a bit of survival ’stuff’ and then some hope for the future – how I see that there is hope and how it is not doom and gloom.

When you are looking at things astrologically, is it always from a global perspective? Can you see how New Zealand differs from other countries or is that where you financial knowledge of systems and how one system influences another comes in?

 There is a form of Astrology where you do look at the country. You can look at when it was founded, you can look at what’s happening astrologically for that country – I do it frequently for the United States because the US is the world power at the moment and what is happening there affects the rest of the world. So yes you can and I have looked at New Zealand astrologically but for the most part I’m drawing my conclusions financially through my knowledge of financial markets.

Daily, I am keeping up with what’s happening around the world in every area such as the currencies, commodities, in the gold and silver markets, in China, Asia, the G20 countries – they are coming together and they will change the rules. We are in are in Venus retrograde - Venus rules finances - not only personal finances but global finances so when it goes retrograde there is the power to change it and to do something different.

What about small New Zealand businesses that are concerned about the recession? How much of a positive mindset to create a business with a higher purpose – one  that is honest, integral and is service-orientated will help survival?

We are in a global depression (I feel), not recession. Depression - a severe time of contraction. During these periods there will always be people who can make money – who can survive and do very well. They are in the minority however. People like Richard Branson, people who can try different things, people who are able to adapt to the varying circumstances. However during this downturn I feel there is going to be certain industries that will thrive better than others.

If you are in the food industry, agriculture, growing and food I would think this is a growth – especially if you are local. I would also think a growth industry is related to the tax system which is going to be more and more complex. Anyone who is good at book keeping, who likes figures and wants to do bookkeeping and accounting – I don’t think they will be out of work. Certain businesses involving technology can do well. It’s just going to be dependent on what is happening around us, so anything that is sustaining, that can be bartered.

We’re going to have different barter systems (and its already happening) where we are not dependent on world currencies. We will have a new reserve currency. The US will not stay the reserve currency of the world. This will change. Within that, within our communities, we are going to have complimented currencies. That is, currencies that we use within our communities that are outside of the tax system - and outside of government. It’s already happening, particularly in the UK and to a small extent around me here but only a little bit. It’s about using peoples time. More and more people are unemployed. In the UK, a client I spoke to a couple of days ago was telling me about 4000 people applying for one janitor’s job. What are the 3999 people going to do? We need to find ways in which they can contribute in terms of hours – its very exciting and having looked at your website I think it ties in a lot with you are looking at and where you are going.

At the Life Academy of New Zealand we have an alternative exchange system where people can give of their time in exchange for a class. The exchange involves a Business Sponsor who covers the costs of the class. So in future, based on your model, we might see more ways of exchanging…

Yes and I think you’ll probably have a mixture of both (money and time) and of being much more adaptable and reaching out more to people around us. For example: not having food flown in. Let’s grow our own – what’s the matter with us? There are some simple solutions and we need to relearn how we come back to being a community which I feel many people want.

With regards to personal development, would you advise people not to focus on skills just to get a job and making money but to learn how to contribute, learn skills and knowledge that will sustain them and allow them to be given in exchange?

Very much so. We’re going to need to live by the ‘seat of our pants’. The change is going to come so rapidly. The days of staying in the job for 20 years have gone. The more skills you have and the more adaptable you are, the more you are going to survive in this environment. Yes, I agree with you entirely – widen your horizons.

How can we become better a managing our resources? What vital ingredient have we lost in our lives?

This is a time now as we move into the Age of Aquarius. We’re on the cusp of the New Age. This is now about taking personal responsibility for your life, for your decisions, for everything. This means no longer allowing governments and people in power to do it for us, and to trust them. This is not the age for it. This is the age for us to do our own thinking, and to take responsibility for that thinking. We’ve allowed the government to take our power away (this is how I see it).

What role do you see organised religions playing – will it come back into our community or will we see more personal self-realisation.

I want to see much more of the self realised people. What we are also going to see is that huge discontent and uprisings in the religious areas. This is because we are coming to the end of the age of Pisces which is all about religions. It’s already happening in the US since President Obama has now granted federal funds for stem cell research. I don’t know if you realise quite how much discontent and discord in the United States. Particularly right-wing, fascist people are coming out with guns and are going to be very violent.

I think we will have the extremes of the people. If you look at the glyphs for the sign of Aquarius there are two waves – there will be people who will live on one wave – the self realised people who live for community and want to create a better world and connect with the higher consciousness and you have the other portion of the populus on the other wave which is a very destructive and a powerfully violent wave.

How do you see your role in the future?

To the best of my ability, my skills definitely lie with simplifying the world of finance for the lay person, making it understandable and reachable. It’s the same with Astrology, making it personal and approachable to the every day person. I do feel the earth changes are coming and I feel as though I’m here to help and give guidance as I can, as I am sure you are too. Many, many of the predictions have happened – there was an event only yesterday, what just happened off the coast of Tonga where the volcanoes erupted – to me this is a very serious sign that we are now into the massive earth changes.

On a lighter note, on April 9th, we are going to have a moon meditation (with the Full Moon being April the 10th). It’s our first at The Life Academy of New Zealand. Any advice you’d like to share?

The full moon in Libra is a time of harvesting all the energies you’ve been putting out and bring them to a culmination so with a full moon in Libra it’s all about sharing. Sharing and talking about ideas, socialising and having some fun.

Great – we’ll make sure there is time for socialising! Thank you so much Barbara for your time. It’s been an extremely fascinating discussion!

You can read Barbara’s blogs on our website!

Time to Build Community

It’s our world, our opportunity. The Life Academy of New Zealand has been inspired by Barbara’s interview. Where ever you are, if you are interested in joining a community of people, that together, will learn how to survive and thrive in self-sustaining and self-empowered ways, complete the form below and we’ll keep you informed of our plans.

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The Value of Astrology

I am often asked what value is astrology to the average person. Is it all a lot of hot air, or is it something that I could take to the bank?

Going back to the earliest civilisations people have used astrology to make their important decisions. In biblical times, we know that Kings used astrologers to predict events. The aspects in a King’s chart frequently told whether or not he would be successful in his wars. We know in Ancient Egypt the Pharaohs used astrology and in Atlantis which predates hundreds of thousands of years ago, astrologers were elevated to very high positions of power. So here we are in modern times and you might ask yourself what does astrology do for you? 

Astrology can show you what motivates you, where your talents lie, how you get along in your relationships, with your finances, your career and your work. It can even indicate your life path and destiny. In fact, it relates to every single area of your life. At the beginner level, you look in detail at your own chart: your gifts and talents, your challenges, which life areas need the most focus, what cycles you are going through.

You can see the natal promise in a chart – some people should never even bother buying a lottery ticket as they do not have aspects in their chart that are favourable for risk-taking. For example, Jupiter conjunct Pluto in the 2nd or 8th house can indicate great wealth. Warren Buffett has this aspect in his 8th house, which is the house of investment, and Bill Gates has it in his 2nd house, which is the house of earned income and self-employment.

Astrology can help you find your optimum life and career path and shows why some people are striving for success out in the world and others are happy to work behind the scenes. Astrology can show you your gifts and potential in which life areas you are most likely to find fulfillment.

Astrology can examine not only your personal affairs, but also the global affairs. For example, the current global financial crisis can be seen astrologically. I like to tie in world events with personal astrology and who how it works on both the macro and micro levels.

Psychological issues can manifest in an astrology chart. For example, if the Sun is the 8th house, the father may have a profound effect on the child – either by his absence or by his demanding presence. Astrology can show abandonment issues, relationships that are better left as friends rather than romantic attachments, it can show obsessive behaviour, it can even show the characteristics of people you would find attractive – not just physically, but personality quirks as well. That elusive something is found in almost all relationships. When you look at a relationship that should never have been, you have to ask yourself, how did these two people ever get together? The answer to that can also be found in the astrology chart. Sexual preferences can also be shown in a chart. A chart can also show whether a person is a risk-taker or very cautious, perhaps even fearful.

You can see a person’s whole personality and development from childhood to adulthood without ever having met that person. Why are some people natural born charmers – who charm the birds out of the trees – and other people are shy, and seeming to blend into the wallpaper? These   characteristics often show up in a chart. It’s the age old nurture versus nature when you think in terms of – can a person learn how to be more of a risk-taker or more socially active or more of something that that person is not naturally? And those answers can usually be found in the chart.

It illustrates that a person comes into this world already hardwired for certain things in their personality. They might learn how to take risks a little more than they ordinarily would, they might learn how to be more socially aggressive, but it will not be their natural inclination. It will be learned behaviour as opposed to what they come in with in the astrological chart.

It’s a fascinating subject that encompasses all areas of human existence and whether you are interested in your everyday life areas such as your relationships, your career, your finances, your home and family or whether you would like to know more about your soul’s path this lifetime and the more esoteric side of your nature, astrology can guide you towards your greatest and highest good.

Venus Retrograde – what does it mean?

Venus in Aries goes retrograde from March 7th – April 18th. What does this mean and how could it affect you? It occurs approximately every eighteen months and being aware of its energies can help you to make more effective decisions during this period.

Venus represents relationships and money. She also rules feelings and emotions, relationships, fashion, social attitudes and behaviour, romance, marriage and the pursuit of pleasure. When a planet goes retrograde its influence becomes more subtle.

You may find yourself dealing with past debts, because Venus governs your finances. Aries is normally very impulsive, but when retrograde, it acts differently, and even greatest risk-takers amongst you will want to devote more of your income to savings. You will not feel like taking any gambles and will want to reduce your outgoings.

You may notice that people will dress with less flair and your colour sense might be muted.

Good things to do during a Venus retrograde:

Any creative or artistic endeavours – it’s a great time to start writing that book, composing some music, playing music, painting, sculpting, gardening, cooking…
 
Take care of any unfinished business in all your relationships. People from the past may come back into your life at this time and you will be given the opportunity for closure if needed.

Deal with any outstanding financial issues that need to be sorted out.

Make sure you keep your receipts or guarantees if you purchase anything during this period.

Think carefully about your relationships. Is there enough balance? Are you giving too much and not getting your own needs met? It’s a good time to gain new insight into your way of relating on all levels: financially, creatively and sexually.

What to avoid:

It’s not a good time for beauty treatments, cosmetic surgery or redecorating. The problem with a retrograde is that often it has to be repeated. President Obama was elected during a Mercury retrograde and he had to be sworn in twice. There may well be other things he will have to do twice as a result.

Do your best to resist the urge to financial extravagance. It’s not the best time to go out and buy clothes or jewellery.

Don’t change your hairstyle or colour – it probably won’t come out the way you want it to and you might be upset. Best to wait until the retrograde is over.

You may notice that the pace of your relationships slows down. It’s not the best time to give big parties or do any large social events.

If you meet someone new that you think you are in love with, go carefully and cautiously and wait until the retrograde is over before you make any serious decisions.

Take the time to complete any outstanding issues concerning your finances and your relationships, both business and personal, and when Venus goes direct on April 17th, you will be ready for the new opportunities that will start to emerge.

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