Sino-Russian co-operation flourishes amid sanctions

China is strengthening economic ties with Russia in areas ranging from finance and IT to rail and energy, providing support to a Russian economy strained by Western sanctions.    Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, visiting Russia, met with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Monday (Oct.13). Some 40 agreements were reached on economic partnerships, including a currency swap framework.

The deal, effective for three years and worth 150 billion yuan ($24.5 billion), enables their central banks to access each other's currency in a financial crisis. Russian banks and energy-related companies are struggling to raise funds amid economic sanctions from Europe and the U.S. over the Ukraine issue. China would be able to tap its abundant foreign-currency reserves as needed. Nikkei, Asian Review, Oct 15. http://s.nikkei.com/1pMr807

The news is dated Oct. 15. On that date was the Last Quarter Moon phase, the chart for which is shown here drawn for Moscow. Notice that the Moon [22cn] is on the Ascendant [23cn] conjunct stars of the Twins. In a blog post entitled “Cooperation & Co-participation For Solution”, [1] Nick Fiorenza elaborates on the function of the two primary stars of  Gemini - Castor and Pollux:

"The Twins" are marked by the two principal stars: Pollux, [23cn] the immortal extraterrestrial one, and Castor[20cn] the mortal terrestrial one, the extraterrestrial incarnate. These two stars, which mark the Twins' heads, lie in the last few degrees of sidereal Gemini. The Twins stand upon the galactic equator at a 60° angle to the ecliptic plane, with the "Feet of the Twins" lying in earlier Gemini, upon the "Gate of Man". Thus, Gemini is a galactic constellation and an ecliptical constellation, which inspires the expression of sol / soul purpose through the daily activity of humankind--the theme of the Gate of Man. Sidereal Gemini is of high intensity intellectual communication, information, commerce, goods and services, and of their exchange. Castor is the liaison in the world of daily human affairs, and is of partnerships and cooperation. Castor brings resources and people together that serve to get logistics accomplished in the world of business and commerce.

[1] http://lunarplanner.com/LunarMonths2010/lunarmonth.10.07.11.html