Cyprus – Tax on savings causes public panic

Late yesterday, the Cyprus Government dropped a bombshell that not only upset their own population but might also send shockwaves right across the European Union. The Greek controlled part of the divided island has been in a financial crisis in the past year, and as part of an agreed bail out from the EU it has decided to tax people’s savings and bank accounts. Not just the wealthy are affected, this is a blanket tax charging 6% on the ordinary Cypriots and up to 10% on the wealthy. It not only applies to the local population, it extends to foreign nationals too. This has caused consternation and people have rushed to banks to withdraw their money to avoid any penalties. The worry across the continent is that other financially struggling European nations might consider passing similar laws.

Mercury conjunct Deneb Adige – Disguising the hidden truth

Mercury today in the last full day of it's retrograde period, it turns direct just after 20:00 hrs London time (tomorrow). Right now Mercury is conjunct to and turning on the Fixed Star Deneb Adige, the brightest star in the constellation of Cygnus, the Swan.

This star is nicknamed the star of the Shamen, it has a mystical, enchanted and almost euphoric feel to it, it is gently powerful in a very subtle way. The Swan as a bird is strong and can be very protective and aggressive, so there is a duality about this star that one never knows exactly what qualities are going to come out.

Now Mercury is known as the trickster or the joker in the universe, and combining this it with Deneb Adige, I get the feeling that what you see or hear now might not be the full story, there will be a deeper or slightly confusing element to everything that is going on, as if you are being lulled into a trance or a false sense of security. Maybe veiled threats will be made in trying to hide something, maybe someone will use humour against you to disguise a darker truth? Maybe you will deliberately thrown off course, diverted or delayed for some reason? Remember until tomorrow Mercury is still retrograde and even direct still in the retrograde shadow and conjunct to Neptune.

The Shamen will be plying his magic for the next week or so until Mercury finally moves out of range of Deneb Adige on 22nd March...

Mars conjunct Uranus - Playing with fire

This aspect is now applying and exact on 22nd March 2013 – exact conjunction at 8:08 degrees Aries..

We are now on the approach to one of the most exciting and yet dangerous aspects that the planets can make, a conjunction between Mars the planet of action and force and Uranus now in Aries, the planet of revolution and of instability. Uranus does not conform. When you think it is going to be bad, it behaves itself and shows a compassionate and kind side and when you think nothing will happen you get the shock of your life.

I see this aspect as if you are playing with fire (Mars rules fire and heat). You want the fire to burn well so you decide to pour a can of gasoline (Uranus) onto it to give it an extra kick. That fire can do a wonderful job by keeping you safe and warm but it can get out of hand, and then you have a big, big problem. In short now you can go the extra mile and take matters into your own hands, however if you do so be prepared to run the gauntlet. Success can be yours, but by risking everything failure is a genuine possibility. Go into any venture now with eyes wide open.

In the world and in your life now one should take care and precautions, this is an accident zone that we are all entering. Unexpected twists and turns of fate lie around every corner, anger and arguments will seldom be far away as this aspect heightens one's senses and one's impatience, making you inconsiderate and selfish. This is a conjunction of extreme ecstasy and of potential disaster, of triumph and failure, of love and of loss.

This aspect will be especially dangerous this time around as the conjunction will be sextile to Jupiter bringing a sense of complacency at the potential dangers that lurk around the corner and square to Pluto which brings a hugely destructive influence into the mix. I cannot discount the potential of a major disaster(s) happening in the world on the back of this conjunction.

Stay safe and be aware...

Queen Elizabeth taking it easy as she recovers from stomach bug

Queen Elizabeth is a little bit ill at the moment as she slowly recovers from a stomach bug that affected her so much that she had to be admitted to hospital for just over 24 hours. This week for the first time in ages, she cancelled all her engagements as she recovers, prompting some concern in the British press. The Queen is now 86 years of age and still carries out a gruelling schedule of engagements each year, last year celebrating her diamond jubilee was very busy for her, so maybe it is no surprise that she is taking her time to get better, especially as the weather is very cold right now.