The powerful astrological cycles in the sky bring good news and bad news this year! As I review my predictions with you, please keep in mind that astrology is not fatalistic. The "stars incline -- they do not compel." Our free will can always take the worst astrological aspects we face and use them for our benefit, growth, learning, and evolution.
Astrological forecasting is based on comparing planetary cycles occurring today and looking back in history to the events that happened when those same planetary cycles were operating in the skies (much like a technical stock chartist). It's that simple. Let's not forget: History does seem to repeat itself.
Watch what's happening economically and politically in the United States in July 2013. Do our leaders work together like a team who wants to win the Super Bowl? Or do they argue and fight like a team destined to be a bunch of losers who go nowhere! The results they produce in the summer will tell you if we're on the path to victory or defeat.
Here are my predictions for 2013.
#1 -President Obama: Popular But Facing Scandal
President Obama's personal astrology suggests he will be popular in 2013. However, there are two concerns he must pay attention to this year. First: He'll have to be very careful of his reputation. During the year he could be embroiled in a major scandal that will be damaging to his standing and public opinion. This scandal will be based on himself or a female staff member being accused of covering up some important information. Members of Congress who are against his policies and actions may use the scandal as a basis for calling for his impeachment (Uranus-Pluto). Secondly: There's the possibility that Obama has a significant health issue demanding his attention.
#2 - U.S. Faces Bankruptcy
In the spring and early summer (with the Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto cycle) because of the debt crisis and a contentious Congress, the USA faces the threat of bankruptcy and another credit downgrade. There is danger that the U.S. economy will collapse under the weight of massive debt and runaway spending. We continue to live beyond our means, making up the difference through major government borrowing, indicating that fiscal mismanagement continues. The President and Congress are again locked in another battle, causing gridlock.
#3 - U.S. Temporarily Saved
In the summer, starting in July 2013, thanks to a miraculous astrological event (the Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune Grand Trine) our President and Congress finally stop fighting and agree to respond to the financial crisis with a serious plan to cut spending, reduce the nation's debt and pass legislation to increase employment. It's a time when leaders can work cooperatively to correct the mistakes of the past and begin the process of re-building the economy, re-employing people, reforming our system of government, and the tax code. This fortunate astrological cycle is our last hope to stop, or at least minimize, the calamity ahead. This is a time of optimism when a miracle is possible. The problems that everyone knows exist can be solved with government leaders working together for the benefit of us all.
Expect the following to occur: (a) tax increases to raise revenues; (b) agreements on spending cuts to reduce the deficit; (c) new laws and regulations to help insure compliance; (d) Legislation to increase employment. The big question will be: Are these efforts too little, too late? Astrologically, it appears that whatever our government does in the summer will still bring us into financial crisis in 2014-2015.
#4 -U.S. Stock Market Rallies this Summer
The stock market responds with an exuberant rally! As a result of legislative agreements made in July, (i.e. discussed in Prediction #4) there's much optimism with the belief that the USA has tackled the debt problem and is now ready to grow and prosper. The months that follow will show that the economy is growing and unemployment data will confirm that we are moving into a positive trend. Expect Wall Street to be celebrating!
#5 -U.S. Stock Market Decline Leading to a Crash
Despite the stock market's rally, it's apparent at the end of the summer and by the fall 2013 that our problems have not really been addressed. Contrary to earlier optimism and preliminary indications that the economy was turning around, reality shows that governmental spending hasn't really slowed despite the rhetoric and promises of politicians. There are signs that the economy is slowing down; unemployment gains disappear, with the consumer-spending rate declining, causing companies to begin further layoffs. The country is moving on a downward path indicating that systemic fiscal problems in the economy have not been resolved.
The stock market is vulnerable to a crash starting in the summer of 2013, (Jupiter/Uranus cycle + Jupiter-Pluto). Dates to watch the markets closely start in August 2013, into February and April of 2014. The highest likelihood for the major crash period will be in April 2014 (during the Uranus-Pluto Cycle) sending the Dow to 5,000 by the end of 2014. This same planetary cycle occurred in 1930-31 and again between 1986-87.
#6 -Housing & Real Estate
Great news for those of you wondering when is the best time to buy a home? Jupiter will move into the sign of Cancer in June 2013 until July 2014 we will finally see a bottom to the housing and real estate market. You'll find that this time period will give you an excellent opportunity to buy a home at a favorable price. Best of all real estate will be in a strong uptrend with prices rising into the year 2020.
#7 -Best Investment in 2013-2015
The grains market, consisting of corn, wheat, and soybeans, will provide a tremendous opportunity for investors, who'll benefit from the Uranus-Pluto cycle occurring from 2012-2015. This cycle signifies potential damage to crops based on draught, severe weather and natural phenomena. This is same planetary cycle that occurred during the Great Depression between 1932-34, producing the "Dust Bowl" era in the 1930's where dust storms did tremendous damage to crops.
While weather growing conditions may be excellent for crops this summer and drive prices "temporarily" lower, look to invest in the grains market no later than the fall for big gains into 2014-2015. Thanks to a plethora of "ETFs" funds you can conveniently invest in these commodities, just as you would any common stock.
#8 -Euro Union
In the summer of 2013 (Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto) a banking and financial crisis occur in the Euro nations with more threats of default like in the past with Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy. There is a danger of financial panic and a run on banks. As a result: (a) it's likely that both the USA and China will be called upon to lend money to the European Union to help them out of their debt crisis and forestall financial ruin; (b) a major reform in the euro currency this year; (c) Certain nations in the European Union will be asked to leave.
#9 -Iran Revolution + Nuclear Bomb and War
The Uranus-Pluto cycle (which occurs seven times within 2012-2015) has already produced violent revolutions and new governments in Egypt and Libya and now civil war in Syria. Iran is next! In the fall of 2013 and early 2014 the people of Iran may revolt and overthrow the current regime. A bloody military conflict could ensue. At this time, it may become clear that Iran has developed a nuclear bomb. This news creates grave military threats by Israel in concert with the United States. Look for an outbreak of war in the Middle East some time from December 2013 to August 2014 (Uranus-Pluto Cycle).
#10 -Oil & Gold Skyrocket!
Oil will skyrocket from the late fall into 2014 based on these factors: Firstly, the political instability of Iran as the Iranian people revolt against their leaders; Secondly, Iran's development of a nuclear bomb creates the threat of war in the Middle East, along with fear that the Straits of Hormuz may be blocked, thus causing a disruption in the distribution of crude oil from the region (Uranus-Pluto Cycle).
Look for gold to trade between $1,900-$2,100, making all-time highs from the fall into 2014. Gold may flounder in the coming months and even lose value into September of 2013. But starting in September, It will resume its bull market based on political unrest, world tensions and the likelihood of war. Gold will also greatly benefit from continued economic instability, unresolved world debt, continued threat of inflation, and a likely de-valuation of world currencies.
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Larry Schwimmer is President of Astrodecision.com, a San Francisco-based consulting company. The firm uses astrological analysis to counsel individual and corporate clients on picking the "best dates" to make successful decisions of all types: personal, marketing, financial, and political. The firm currently advises a diverse client base that includes Politicians, Presidents of major corporations and a MLB Baseball Team. Schwimmer, an internationally known Astrologer (with a FORTUNE 500 M&A background) has been a practicing Astrologer for 35 years. Visit his website: www.astrodecision.com