Financial astrology has also been used in modern times. Walt Disney used astrology to select the best times to launch his multi-million dollar entertainment projects. Billionaire J.P. Morgan, consulted with astrologer Evangeline Adams in timing some of his most important business and investment strategies. Adams noted that “J.P.Morgan, the world’s biggest financier, drove the world before him because he had astrology behind him.” In fact, it was J.P. Morgan who famously said: “Millionaires don’t use astrology; billionaires do!”

Today astrology is becoming more of an accepted method of market analysis and more and more investors are including financial astrology in their financial decision-making process. It provides them with an edge that can make a huge difference in their investment returns and ultimate profitability.

Why does financial astrology work? It is partly due to the fact that planetary forces exert influences on the collective mind of investors, which in turn causes the market to go up or down. The phases of the Moon have a powerful effect on mass mood. The reason for this is that the Moon is ruled by Cancer and the sign Cancer rules the public and mass-consciousness. It’s an old trading adage that the market often reverses trend on the days before or following a full Moon.

Another reason why financial astrology works is because it is a study of cycles. For years, financial analysts have recognised that business and commerce go through predictable cycles. For example, the Jupiter-Saturn cycles of 19.86 years coincides with the change of market emphasis about every 20 years. The Jupiter-Uranus cycles, which lasts 13.81 years, has been associated with a change of methodology used by market analysts and investors. The Saturn-Uranus cycle of 45 years has been shows to coincide with periods of business boom or bust. Right now, we are coming up to an exact opposition of Saturn-Uranus which will continue for the next 4-5 years and the volatility in the markets is just beginning.

The recurring pattern of retrogrades has been used by investors to gain a significant advantage in the market. Mercury retrogrades, for example often indicate a market low coming up. This recent Mercury retrograde between September 24^th and October 15^th 2008 certainly confirms this as we saw some of the lowest moves on the US stock market. On September 25^th, just before Mercury went retrograde the Dow Jones Index was at 11022. By October 15^th, it had fallen to 8577 – a fall of over 22% in just over two weeks! So you can see how potentially dangerous a Mercury retrograde is.

Currently Saturn is opposing Uranus. Saturn is the planet that governs our banks, financial institutions, governments and the status quo whereas Uranus rules sudden change, innovation, rebellion and unexplored territory. This opposition is likely to cause huge turbulence for the next several years, culminating in the T square of three huge planets in Cardinal signs in August 2010.

Astrology can help you to prepare yourself for impending changes and challenges. It can be to your advantage to consult with a financial astrologer to help you to make the best decisions for your personal situation.

Barbara Goldsmith, MBA, CeFA, CeMAP, Cergi.

Professional Financial Adviser, Business Consultant, Financial Astrologer, Economist, offers private consultations to help give you an edge and to protect what you have in the forthcoming volatile markets. She will help you to devise a strategy that will work best for you.