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The Market Week in Review :

             When we hit it, we hit it big. And when big signatures unfold in the heavens, we are usually right there to witness something big unfolding in the financial markets. The end of last week was such a period, and one of the four periods listed on page 41 of  "Forecast for 2007" when something significant would likely happen in stock markets, based on transits to the New York Stock Exchange chart (founded May 17, 1792). The dates given therein were: February 15-26, March 27-April 4, June 13-25, and July 26-August 2. On Thursday and Friday, the DJIA fell 311 and 208 points respectively. In our Wednesday night letter to daily subscribers, we wrote, "It is looking more like another sell off into at least Friday based on the transit of Mars to 23 fixed signs. There could be another steep decline by Friday's close... Aggressive traders may want to sell for a 1-2 day decline. I would look for the break to start in China. Friday could be nasty."

             But the end of this past week (and early next week) is not solely the domain of a Mars transit. It is also the time in which Venus turns retrograde and the full moon takes place with the Sun in Leo. As stated in last week's column: "On July 27, Venus will reverse its apparent direction through the heavens from 2 degrees of Virgo. It will remain in retrograde through September 8. Within 12 trading days of Venus turning retrograde, the U.S. stock market has had a 78% correlation to primary or greater cycles from which prices reversed substantially. But it is not only equities that are affected by this geocosmic event. All markets can experience major turns around this time, for Venus rules values and assets of all kinds." Indeed, it wasn't only stock indices of the world that went ballistic. Precious metals also took a big hit, with Silver falling nearly a whole dollar from its monthly high on Tuesday at 1358, to its low on Friday at 1265. Gold fell from a two-month high of 688 on Tuesday down to 657 intraday on Friday. Crude Oil, on the hand, soared to 77.24 on Thursday, just slightly below its all-time high of 78.40 attained one year ago. Likewise the Treasuries also soared last week, with T-Bonds and Notes reaching their highest level in two months.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

             Venus rules relationships, but it also rules correlations, or associations between areas which appear to have an affect on one another. For instance, it is said that the precious metals have a relationship to currency prices. Since they are traded in U.S. Dollars, the conventional wisdom holds that Gold and Silver prices appreciate as the value of the Dollar depreciates against other currencies. When Venus turns retrograde, as we note is happening now through September 8, it is oftentimes assumed by astrologers that relationships of love from the past re-appear. Or, we note that psychologically inhibiting patterns that have their roots in the past in regards to how we behave in relationships arise again. We may have thought we transcended these issues, like jealousy. But something happens, and we start to exhibit those same types of behaviors again that led to problems in previous relationships. But in terms of markets, we notice something different: the correlations that we have come to expect between various financial markets, like precious metals and currencies, may no longer seem to work. They seem to operate independently of one another. Traders need to be aware of this possible switch in association between previously related markets over the next 6 weeks. Otherwise, this period can be extremely frustrating, for things just don't seem to "make sense." Markets don't behave like we thought they were supposed to behave. We may already be seeing this in the concept of the "Yen Carry-Trade," which has basically been a "free lunch" for traders who have been buying U.S. stocks and selling the Japanese Yen to take advantage of a discrepancy in interest rates between the central banks of the two countries. In fact, one of the common occurrences noted historically during the times of Venus retrograde is that (some) Central Banks suddenly reverse their policies, and start floating messages that they will switch from being accommodative to restrictive, or vice-versa.


             So where does this leave us in terms of cycles in stock indices? Has the 4-year cycle finally topped out? Or is this just another "fake out," to be followed by another rally to new highs in the next few weeks? Time is running out for the 4-year cycle. It has to happen in this primary cycle, or else I will have to concede that for the first time since I have been a market analyst (approximately 30 years), I missed the 4-year cycle. If we don't get a 10+% decline by the end of this November, then we will have to re-label our cycles to reflect that the 4-year cycle bottomed in either October 2005 or July 2006. If that is the case, it will be the first time in the history of the DJIA that the index did not fall at least 12%. Those two lows represented declines of only 7.5% and 8.5% respectively. In over 85% of 4-year cycles dating back to 1893, the decline has exceeded 20%. It is still my bias that this market will fall at least 10%, and perhaps more than 20%, by the time this new primary cycle ends. For the short-term, the high of the 4-year cycle could very well have been put in on July 17 when the DJIA topped out at 14,022. That was within 12 trading days of Venus turning retrograde, when primary or greater cycles unfold with 78% regularity (that's huge!). However, this is a geocosmic reversal zone right now, and a rally is likely to unfold. If the rally is powerful and carries into Venus direct, we could still see new highs before an even more powerful decline unfolds. But if the rally is only corrective in nature, the decline to the 4-year cycle trough is already in process and probably won't end before October-November, when this currently primary cycle is due to expire.

Long-Term Thoughts :

             Personal judgment cycles. When are we more apt to make errors in judgment? When is it more likely that our assessment of a situation - of what will happen - is completely wrong? What does astrology say about that, and how might this issue affect financial markets and the political landscape over the next few years?

             In last week's column, I wrote about the forthcoming transits to the chart of FED Chairman Ben Bernanke. I can now confirm that he was born December 13, 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, around noon, thanks to colleague and market analyst Garrett Jones. I pointed out that in 2008-2009, Uranus would cross his natal Moon, in a T-square to his natal Sun-Jupiter opposition at 21 Sagittarius and Gemini respectively. Around the time of the U.S.A. presidential election in November 2008, transiting Saturn will be in opposition to Uranus, and thus form a grand square to these three natal planets (Moon, Sun, and Jupiter). The point that I wish to add to last week's column is that such transits from Uranus can indicate a period of time in one's life where things do not unfold as expected. It is as if one is completely surprised by the way things are developing, and sudden changes in direction are necessary, or even forced. In the end, it appears that one completely misjudged the situation. As astrologers, we say this is usually an exciting time in one's life, and things can work out well if one is completely flexible and willing to change quickly. But in reality, as astrologers, we know this is usually an unstable time when one's plans have to be altered quite significantly. Consider that Uranus rules earthquakes and divorces.

             Uranus is not the only long-term transit that correlates with either poor judgment or inaccurate assessment of a situation. Transiting Neptune in hard aspect to sensitive natal points may be even more troubling. Here one is more prone to wishful thinking, over-optimism, or even delusional thinking. As an example, note that Mr. Bush has been under one hard aspect of Neptune after another to his natal planets ever since February 2001 (Neptune opposite Ascendant), and they don't end until January 2009 (Neptune in opposition to his Venus). In other words, the nearly entire term of his Presidency has been under hard Neptune transits. Although his idealism and patriotism may be applauded by many, his judgment in decision-making, and his assessment of current and future situations, has been under constant criticism as being "wrong," and is the source of his extremely low approval ratings. The concern is this: will Mr. Bernanke go through a similar experience when his natal chart is hit by transiting Uranus? And if so, where did he misjudge the situation, and how will this be reflected in financial markets? Mr. Bernanke is one person we really don't want to see make a serious misjudgment.

             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 :

             I will be presenting an all-day workshop on Financial Astrology at the DAV (German Astrological) Congress in Karlsruhe, Germany, October 5. I am looking for a translator for this workshop. If anyone would be interested in attending in return for translating this workshop from my English presentation into German, plus a new copy of the German edition of “Merriman on Market Analysis: The Basics” when it comes out about that time, please contact me at mmacycles@msn.com. The emphasis will be upon stock indices (DJIA and DAX), and Gold and possibly Euro versus US Dollar.

             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 these markets. 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.

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