My own view is that the stock market is likely to become very fragile in 2008, and go into meltdown in 2009- 2010. New economic paradigms are likely to emerge in tandem with geo-political power shifts. Expect mergers, takeovers, and new powerful conglomerates to join forces. An early indicator of new economic paradigms is ‘peer-to-peer’ lending, where people are beginning to bypass the banks, using the internet.

At the time of writing in Australia we have the proposed merger between the mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto making the headlines. Their merger would produce one of the largest mining giants to strut the earth’s stage. Of great interest in Australia is whether China would seek to purchase a controlling stake in the proposed conglomerate, and thereby extend its reach into this part of the world. The political stakes and risks would present an enormous challenge to the newly installed Labor government.

The End of Globalisation
The sign of Sagittarius is associated with ‘free flow’ without restraint or barriers. Freedom of movement is essential to this sign.
The planet Pluto (and it is a planet in spite of the pronouncements of astronomers) is associated with powerful undercurrents and fundamental shifts which transform and overwhelm existing structures.
From 1996 until 2007 Pluto was on the sign of Sagittarius. The result of this coming together of this planet and sign was a world transformed by the free flow of peoples across the globe. ‘Globalisation’ was the catchcry. Whole markets were transformed and relocated.

The Establishment of New Barriers
At the end of 2007 Pluto moved in Capricorn. Capricorn is associated with the establishment, with containment, status, power and authority.
According to astrology, we have now reached the end of globalisation. We are entering an historical period when barriers and walls are erected to keep out and protect the state from foreigners and those who appear to threaten the ‘status quo’. This situation will prevail until June 2023 when Pluto enters the sign of Aquarius.