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Credit, interest rates, inflation, pensions, property, the stock market
… what was once safe is no longer so and changes in the financial
climate suggest that Western economies are moving into a financial
winter.
FACING THE FINANCIAL WINTER
In their unique work, astrologer Maggie Hyde and financial speculator Jack Kenny combine astrology and economic theory to arrive at positive strategies, especially in relation to the housing and stock markets. The ending of the current global credit cycle, founded in fantasy money, is reflected astrologically in a Jupiter-Saturn cycle that began in May 2000. Far from being simply a rocky patch, astrology suggests we are heading in to a major depression that will not bottom out until Jupiter and Saturn are in opposition in 2010. Next year will see the collapse of the most stable of institutions and an even greater rush to gold as Pluto continues to travel through the sign of Capricorn, finally puncturing the bubble in land and property.
But for every loser, there is a winner, so what is the best move for each of us as the financial winter begins to bite? It’s important to chart our own unique path to a financial spring by combining an intelligent symbolic approach to financial cycles with the indicators from our personal horoscopes, looking at the specific context we are in. You can find out more about that at www.maggiehyde.com . But here, Maggie gives some hints on how each of the starsigns handles money and investment.
FIRE SIGNS
(Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)
FIRE SIGNS
Enthusiastic and competitive, fire signs are gamblers and entrepreneurs, lucky individuals who trust their hunches rather than a cool strategy. They can buy and sell on impulse, loving the thrills and taking the spills in their stride.
ARIES THE RAM (20 March - 19 April)
You’re the first sign of the zodiac, vibrant, hot-headed and eager to pioneer. Your planet is bold, warrior Mars, so detail doesn't interest you. You're up for high risks and a quick turn-around, but 2008 won’t bring you either unless you move right now. Always follow your hunches, especially on defence, energy stocks and vehicles, but accept that no matter how hard you will it, you can’t speed anything up now.
LEO THE LION (23 July - 22 August)
You're the high performer of the zodiac, creative and generous. Your sign links to the Sun, symbol of royalty, and you love prestige companies – and gold! You want a swanky portfolio and dramatic gains, and although loyalty counts, you'll ditch anything that has lost its shine. The solar eclipse of 7 February may have put you in the dark for a while and you need to be cautious around 1 August when another eclipse hits your sign. You may lose your confidence a little, but you'll soon bounce back.
SAGITTARIUS THE ARCHER (22 November - 21 December)
You're the seeker of the zodiac, always looking for new concepts, lifestyles or territory. You aim your arrows everywhere in the hopes of pulling off a gain, but this year, spring-clean your portfolio this summer and concentrate on sectors you really trust. Wait until next year before setting new targets for those irrepressible, entrepreneurial arrows.
EARTH SIGNS
(Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)
EARTH SIGNS
Pragmatic and practical, with their sensible business plans the earth signs know where the smart money is. Cautious and conserving, they plan for the long term, are willing to wait and prefer to do things their way - slowly and surely. That should suit the mood of 2008.
TAURUS THE BULL (20 April - 20 May)
You're the builder of the zodiac, steady and patient, with a strong sense of roots. You like nest eggs that you sit on for years, but are they really productive? Update, get modern and aim to diversify. Summer looks good for foreign connections and the service industries, hotels and catering. Hassles come from currency exchange rates but sit tight and you'll maximise your profit.
VIRGO THE VIRGIN (23 August - 22 September)
You're the hard worker of the zodiac, conscientious and discerning. Your planet is clever Mercury, planet of trade, and you love charts and lists but worrying over figures is no way to go, especially mid-summer. Make this year prosperous by going for a tried and trusted company that doesn’t take risks but still invests in creative young talent. Avoid indecision in September.
CAPRICORN THE GOAT (22 December - 19 January)
You're Captain Sensible of the zodiac, respected and self-disciplined. You've got your long-term strategy cut-and-dried, yet keeping an investment just because you (or your parents) had it is not a reason for holding on. Don’t sell a key holding this summer, though, on the slightest hint of trouble. Wait until you see what transpires with Pluto in your sign on 27 November.
AIR SIGNS
(Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)
AIR SIGNS
Thinkers and free spirits, air signs are not often the money makers of the zodiac. They want something more than the material plane and love to chase airy-fairy possibilities. Prone to multiple schemes and notions, they benefit from expert advice.
GEMINI THE TWINS (21 May - 20 June)
You're the curiosity cat of the zodiac, sharp, fast, and full of questions, but sometimes you're too smart for your own good. When you're speculating, set a sell target and stick to it. Getting greedy won't do you favours, so no gazundering, please. It’s not good for the soul! Earlier this year, you needed to adopt a defensive strategy, but this summer, use the net, clue in to the news, and shop around for bargains.
LIBRA THE SCALES (23 September - 22 October)
You love partnerships and harmony, and a balanced portfolio is your top priority, but you need a firm strategy to avoid the Libran sin of hesitation. Recent buys will set you up well for the future, but keep an eye out now for bargains in the entertainment and leisure sectors, and mix business with a little pleasure. Be logical and cut a loss in June, or you could be left with a dog.
AQUARIUS THE WATER CARRIER (20 January - 18 February)
You're the zodiac eccentric, ingenious, future-oriented and strong on ethical investment. You've got a feel for hi-tech and web-based stocks, so include potential cyber-flyers in your deck. You'll spot winners where others can only see losers, but don't get carried away when the market begins to slump in November. Base your moves on cool, calm decisions.
WATER SIGNS
(Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
WATER SIGNS
Savers and providers, passionate and sensitive, water signs can be a soft touch and their investments are never separate to their emotions. With their hearts often ruling their heads, their fluid and flexible portfolios reflect their frequently changing horizons.
CANCER THE CRAB (21 June - 22 July)
Your home-loving instinct roots your investments in security and family needs, but sometimes you are too cautious about selling. This year, don't keep all your eggs in one basket. Explore potential fliers but accept you may have to let things go in the property or building sector this summer. Listen to expert advice, tough, before you take a punt around 3rd May or at Christmas.
SCORPIO THE SCORPION (23 October - 21 November)
You're the detective of the zodiac, with a good sense of market psychology. Careful analysis pays dividends when you target good performers in otherwise weak sectors this year, especially property repossessions. Prune dodgy performers quickly in the summer before you catch a cold, but be bold in the late autumn. You could make a killing picking up a deal at a really low point in December.
PISCES THE FISHES (19 February - 19 March)
You're the redeemer of the zodiac, prone to sob stories and lost causes. Try to be clear WHY you are buying or selling, and then weed out duds and consolidate safe bets. You can’t spread those fishy fins and take up fresh opportunities until January 2009 onwards. This year, early autumn brings property fever and you need a big pinch of salt to keep calm.
Maggie Hyde is a co-founder of the Company of Astrologers, London, and director of Media Cosmics agency. For several years she wrote a weekly ‘Company Futures’ column on business astrology for the business section of The Observer, analysing company horoscopes, and during the buy-to-let boom her personal property investments using divination were featured in the media. She has an MA in the Study of Mysticism and Religious Experience and currently has a research scholarship from the University of Kent to pursue postgraduate studies in cosmology and divination. See www.maggiehyde.com and www.mediacosmics.com
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