MMA COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING
JULY 16 - 2007

Raymond A. Merriman©

The Market Week in Review :

             Nearly all of the world equity markets tracked in this column made new all-time or multi-year highs last week. Included amongst the new all-time highs were the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Brazils Bovespa, Argentina 's Merval , Germany 's DAX, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and Australia 's All Ordinaries Index. The Netherlands AEX soared to its highest level since June 2001 and the London FTSE to its highest since December 1999. A new 6-year high was also evident in the NASDAQ Composite. Only the Japanese Nikkei and Swiss Stock Index fell short of their all-time or multi-year highs.

             But it wasn't only in equity markets that such bullish behavior was present. The Euro currency also made a new all-time high last week as the Dollar plummeted. And Soybeans soared to their highest levels since July 2004. Crude Oil also continued its impressive rally off the 49.90 four-year cycle low of January, as it reached 74.00 Friday, as it approaches its 78.40 all-time high all-time realized one year ago this week. Gold and Silver also had positive weeks, but the bigger story was in the XAU Gold and Silver Mining Index, which broke out of a wedge formation, racing to its highest level since last September.

             As all of the markets exhibited extremely bullish chart patterns, they also are doing so under weaker or overbought momentum indicators. Thus in spite of the impressive gains, these technical studies suggests there is still danger of sudden and sharp declines ahead, especially in the equities. It doesn't mean prices won't go higher first in the next 1-3 weeks, for after all, Jupiter is still in its ruling sign of Sagittarius until mid-December.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

             We now prepare for the Venus stationary retrograde period. As stated in the last column of two weeks ago, “However, all these signatures may pale to the Venus retrograde station that takes place July 27. That happens to be one of the most powerful correlates to reversals in many stock and financial and commodity markets within about 10 trading days, as demonstrated in "The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles," as well as "The Gold Book: Geocosmic Correlations to Gold Price Cycles."” Historically, this signature has had a 78% correlation to primary or greater cycles within 12 trading days. Venus goes retrograde in approximately the same degree of the zodiac every 8 years (an 8-year planetary phenomenon). It will occur in early Virgo this time, as it has done every 8 years for quite some time. In every case since 1967, this 8-year Venus-retrograde-in-Virgo period has correlated with a crest from which prices declined substantially. Sometimes the decline was fast and furious, and sometimes in took a few weeks to unfold. This one could be a fast and furious type of reversal, because at the same time, Mars will be in a square aspect to Saturn in the heavens, and on degrees that form hard aspects to the New York Stock Exchange chart (NYSE, founded May 17, 1792). Furthermore it will coincide with a full moon.

             The Mars-Saturn square of July 31 is interesting too. It tends to coincide with unseasonably hot or cold temperatures, corresponding to rallies in grain prices. Wheat and Soybeans are now at new multi-year highs, and this offers a cosmic explanation for that occurrence. It is also worth pointing out that Mars will be translating in aspect to the recent Saturn-Neptune opposition, and thus Crude Oil is also involved in a super bullish performance.

Long-Term Thoughts :

             Looking further out, we note that both Jupiter and Pluto will leave the bullish sign of Sagittarius, and enter the more realistic and cautious sign of Capricorn in December and January. This represents a major cosmic shift, for Sagittarius to Capricorn is a solstice point. For example, the Sun (earth) crosses this point of the zodiac every year around December 21-22, a time known as the Winter solstice. It is a seasonal change, and the time of the year when the days are shortest in the Northern Hemisphere (and longest in the Southern Hemisphere). This is symbolic of perhaps the most important shift that is represented by planets as they traverse through the zodiac. It is akin to midnight of every day, a time when the cycle of that day ends, and the cycle of the next day begins.

             Jupiter takes about one year to transit through each sign of the zodiac. It has been in Sagittarius since November 24, 2006. Jupiter represents expansion and growth, optimism and hope, as well as a tendency to over-do or over-exaggerates things. It rules Sagittarius, which represent these same principles. Thus witnessing the stock markets of the world race to new all-time highs during this passage is not without astrological support. But generally speaking, such optimism and hope - and rallies in stocks - peak during the period Jupiter is in Sagittarius. Sometimes it spills over into early Capricorn, but usually the peak is before that.

             Pluto is an even more important story, however, for it takes 14-15 years to complete its transit of Sagittarius, before embarking upon its 15-year journey through Capricorn. Many astrologers have been debating the significance of Pluto ingressing in to Capricorn, 2008-2023, despite the fact that scientists have downgraded Pluto's status to that of a “dwarf star” late last year. In astrology, we tend to associate the sign of Capricorn with very clear boundaries, whether physical, social, or psychological. For instance, such concepts as “right versus wrong, or good versus bad,” are judgments (boundaries) governed by the domain of Capricorn. Pluto on the other hand, seems to rule concepts such as “bad and worse,” but also recovery and reform. So it may be that we will soon enter a period of the “Good, Bad, and Ugly,” followed by redemption.

             But one thing in my 40 years of studying astrology I have observed is that masculine planets seem to thrive in Capricorn, and the non-masculine planets seem to struggle mightily there. Now I know I may get some criticism for relating the Sun, Mars, Saturn, and Uranus as strong planets, and Moon, Venus, and Neptune as weaker planets, but I take the risk to make my point anyway. Those first planets in Capricorn natally seem to propel the native to excel in his or her life work. It is as if these individuals are so focused that nothing stops them once they commit themselves to a task. The presence of the later planets in the natal chart, however, seems to coincide with those who struggle with the more emotional or social issues in life, to the point that these struggles can inhibit the accomplishment of their goals. Now I bring this up because I believe Pluto could be assigned to the category of a “stronger” planet, and thus I maybe more optimistic than most about the end result possibilities of Pluto in Capricorn. I think Capricorn - the environment - may channel the explosive and dramatic energy of Pluto, into a very constructive result by the time it leaves. Oh yes, I think there will be serious problems. After all, the themes I just related suggests that it could be a 15-year period of the “Good and Bad (even Evil)”, and then worse, followed by redemption (recovery, forgiveness). It is like we may have to experience a period where it seems the world has not only gone mad (Sagittarius), but then commences onto the verge of self-destruction. But then one day, when the horrors of destruction are very real for many more people than exists today, a powerful force to collectively survive and reform this madness evolves, and a wave of redemption (and perhaps rebirth) follows. This outlook I suggest not only applies to the political environment, but the economic/financial one as well. It is a climate in which hard assets like Gold and Silver may do very well, at least through the first half of that ingress.

             Before leaving, you can thank the author and the writer by clicking on one of the pictures (advertisements) located on the right hand side.... it will cost you nothing... !!!

Announcements :

          The SOS Stock Market Cycles Report and the SOS Global Stock Markets Report came out last week. These reports come out every 6-8 weeks to subscribers of these reports. This report is in two parts. The first report - SOS Stock Market Cycles - focuses purely upon the long-term cycles in the U.S. stock market, specifically the Dow Jones Industrial Average, followed by discussions on both intermediate and short-term cycles. It is the big picture ahead.
The second part is the SOS Global Stock Markets Report. This covers the German DAX, London FTSE, Netherlands AEX, the Australian All Ordinaries, Hang Seng of Hong Kong, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the XAU Gold and Silver Mining index. For ordering information


              The Forecast book for 2007 : The Forecasts for 2007 book is now available for $30.00. The year is now half over, and the time when we release the remaining copies of the current Forecast Book at a steep discount. The normal price until now has been $45.00, but from June 15, 2007, the remaining copies will be sold at $30.00 while they last. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. And of course: the all-important Critical Reversal Dates for financial markets in 2007. Although 2007 is only approximately half over, many of the critical reversal dates given for various markets have been impressive. As of early June, 5 of the 6 reversal dates in T-Notes have coincided with cycle reversals within only two trading days or less, including the yearly high of March 5. All seven of the reversal dates given for the stock market have resulted in tradable turns in the S&P futures within only one trading day. The first two trading dates in Gold and Silver were non-events, but the next four were right on, including the yearly low in Silver on March 5. But the currencies were perhaps the most impressive with all 8 reversal dates coinciding with turns in the either the Swiss Franc or Euro, with seven occurring within just 1 day or exactly on the date given, including the yearly high in the Euro on April 27. The grains were very impressive with accurate dates given in 7 of the 8 instances. The yearly highs and lows (as of June 15 were all nearby to these dates. And finally Crude Oil. The yearly low was on January 18. The first reversal date given in the Forecast Book for Crude Oil was January 19. The high so far was on March 27, one day after the given March 26 reversal date. In fact, 6 of the 7 dates given for reversals in the crude oil market were within one trading day of actual reversals in price. The year is only half over. There are still plenty of reversal dates coming up in all thesemarkets. Order now, while supplies last, and find out when the next reversal date is in the markets you like to trade!

If you wish one of the remaining copies of this very valuable reference book (especially for traders), you can still order a copy via our web site.

This year's book is a little larger than previous year's (8 pages longer), but as always, it shapes up to be another exciting year. All years of this decade are significant due to the “Triple Saturn” oppositions which started in 2001. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, the annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. Special sections included on The United States and its President, Interest Rates, Stock Markets, Precious Metals, Currencies, Crude Oil, Weather, and Grain markets. And of course: the all-important Critical Reversal Dates for financial markets in 2007. If you wish to order a copy online of this year's book, or call us at 1-800-MMA-3349.

When they are gone, they are gone. Despite the fact that we increase our printing orders every year, we have still sold out two of the past three years. So order now and make sure you get a copy - if you wish one.

For more information.

             The Forecast for 2007 CD is now available! This 2-set CD was created from the speech given January 6, 2007 in Birmingham , Michigan . It is about 2.5 hours long, and covers both the long-term political and cultural cycles we are currently in, as well as those that pertain specifically to 2007. Special areas of discussion include the Crude Oil and the coming energy transformation, the long and short-term economic cycles, the USA and its President, and of course, financial market cycles of stocks, interest rates, housing, and precious metals. The cost is $45.00 plus postage for the CD set. To order, please write to odersmma@msn.com, or call us at 1-800-662-3349, or 248-626-3034.             

             The newly revised The Sun, The Moon, and Silver Book : Secrets of a Silver Trader, is now out. This is a book that you will use as a reference guide for...many, many years. It identifies all the key Sun-Moon combinations that have a higher (and lower) than expected probability of correlating with 4% or greater reversals in COMEX Silver. It also identifies “Big Range Days” - those days in which the range of Silver is most likely to be 3.5% or more of the price of Silver, which is a great tool for day traders. This book fulfills the dream of all traders: high probability winning trade possibilities, with minimal market exposure. It is that “extra edge.” And Silver is a great market to trade now. The cost is $125.00. For ordering on line.

             If you are an active short-term trader, you may wish to consider subscribing to our Weekly or even Daily Market Reports with short-term trading recommendations. These reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Swiss Franc, Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, T-Bonds, Soybeans, Wheat, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Bonds, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034.

             The “MMA Cycles Report” and “MMA Japan Markets Cycles Report” will come out this week. These reports come out every three weeks to subscribers of these reports. The “MMA Cycles Report” (Monday night by email) is our market advisory report for traders of the U.S. stock indices, T-Notes, Gold, Silver, Euro, Swiss Franc, Grains, and Crude Oil. The “MMA Japan Cycles Report” covers the Nikkei, Dollar/Yen, and JGB Bonds, and comes out Tuesday afternoon. For more information

             I have had several calls regarding a “crisis investing” portfolio that I suggested could be developed with the help of a money manager who subscribes to my reports, and shares my views about the next few years. If you are interested, you can contact him at ted.fisher@comcast.net.
He will be more than happy to assist you.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose : The purpose of this column is not to predict the future movement of various financial markets. However, that is the purpose of the MMA (Merriman Market Analyst) subscription services. This column is not a subscription service. It is a free service, except in those cases where a fee may be assessed to cover the cost of translating this column from English into a non-English language. This weekly report is written with the intent to educate the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they are happening. In this regard, this report will oftentimes report what happened in various stock and financial markets throughout the world in the past week, and discuss that movement in light of the geocosmic signatures that were in effect. It will then identify the geocosmic factors that will be in effect in the next week, or even month, or even years, and the author’s understanding of how these signatures will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s analyst looking at the military, political, economic, and even financial markets of the world. It is possible that some forecasts will be made based on these factors. However, the primary goal is to both educate and alert the reader as to the psychological climate we are in, from an astrological perspective. The hope is that it will help the reader understand these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

No guarantee as to the accuracy of this report is being made here. Any decisions in financial markets are solely the responsibility of the reader, and neither the author nor the publishers assume any responsibility at all for those individual decisions. Reader should understand that futures and options trading are considered high risk.