MMA WEEKLY - Financial Astrology commentary, Market timing, MMA Cycles, The Merriman Market Analyst

The Market Week in Review :

Don't you just love it (or hate it)? If you are a Financial or Mundane Astrologer, you have to at least appreciate the correspondence between today's planetary signatures and its correspondence to a sense of panic and urgency on the part of the global investment community. I don't think I have ever experienced a week like this where I received so many unsolicited letters or articles by people connected to the financial community in which the basic theme was: "This is it! The financial fabric of the world is unraveling. The Dollar is a lost cause, stocks are a lost cause, and the advances of Gold, Silver foreign currencies, and Oil are going to continue uninterrupted as the entire world falls into a state of complete bankruptcy. Order now to find out what you can do to protect yourself against the coming Depression."

Never mind the fact that these claims may be eventually correct. The probability is greater that you are close to seeing the end of these moves for now. And the hysteria is completely consistent with the fact that we are presently in between three major signatures that pertain to exactly this type of collective over-reaction: Mars turning retrograde November 14, Uranus turning stationary direct on November 24, and the 13-year Jupiter-Pluto conjunction that unfolds December 11. Each one of these signatures alone could correspond to a collective psychological peak, not to mention a cyclical peak or trough in various financial markets. Together, they suggest a crisis of confidence not seen since Y2K.

But to all of you who are astrologers, let me remind you that once this time band comes to an end, the major planetary signatures in force will shift, for most of 2008, to Jupiter in a friendly trine to Saturn, as well as Saturn in a constructive trine to Pluto. Conditions will likely improve, just about the time you bought the high or sold the lows of the moves, as suggested by the crystal ball of these financial wizards

Well, you can understand why everyone is worried this week. And maybe "panic" is a better word to describe the mood of the financial community. After all, many equity markets of the world have fallen below their lows of last August, which we thought was "the worst" for awhile. These include the Nikkei Index of Japan, which fell to 14,670 on Thursday, well below its 15,252 level of August 17, and the Swiss stock index, which fell to 8080. In August, the low of the Swiss stock index was 8329. Other indices came very close, as they challenged their August lows. These include the AEX index of the Netherlands, which fell to 480.87, just a shade higher than the 479.79 low of August 17, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which fell to 12,786 last Wednesday, which is the vicinity now of a double bottom to the 12,517 lows of August 16. All other indices witnessed healthy declines from the all-time or multi-year highs of October into last week's new multi-month lows. But they are mostly well above those lows of last August.

Crude Oil and many currencies, of course, made new all-time highs against the plunging U.S. Dollar last week. And Gold sprang bank to life smartly after bottoming at 776 last Monday. By Friday, it was back up to 825, just 25.00 away from its all-time high.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

In the study of Financial Astrology, time bands that highlight combinations of Mars, Jupiter and Uranus can coincide with extreme price moves, corresponding with a sense of hysteria, panic, or over-confidence. I don't think we see any over-confidence today, but rather a whole lot of panic and hysteria. Mars tends to drive one to take action, usually based upon impulse. The only problem is that when it is retrograde - as it is November 14-January 30 - such impulsive action is usually ill-timed. The nature of Uranus is to be more irrational. Markets can moves well above resistance zones, or below support zones, and thus there is a sense of a "break-out." However. Like Mercury and Mars retrograde, the break out is usually temporary, and then becomes a "fake out." But once again, as the market moves strongly, people believe they must act and act now, or they will miss out. So they act irrationally, usually buying right near the top or selling right near the bottom. It is a humbling experience to get caught up in the tricks of Uranus and Mercury. Jupiter and Pluto come together only every 13 years, and together they can coincide with a sense of urgency, even hysteria due to the nature of Jupiter (it exaggerates whatever it contacts). In this case, it contacts Pluto, ruler of debt and fear of the worst. The sub-prime mortgage tragedy is a perfect example of today's Jupiter-Pluto crisis. The extent of those losses is just coming to light. But to read all the solicitations by the financial expects who somehow get a hold of your email address, you would think that this crisis will never end. The aspect soon comes to an end, and just as it has in the past, such crises will come to an end too. At least for awhile. In late 1994 (the last time this signature unfolded) it was the Orange County Municipal Bond default that took place. In 1981, the time before that, Treasuries were at their lowest levels ever (highest yields ever), as people feared that even the U.S.A. might default, or at least be unable to contain inflation. In each case, the crisis ended shortly after Jupiter passed by Pluto. But while it was in effect, panic and fear were indeed exaggerated - just like they probably are today.

Long-Term Thoughts :

The more serious concerns, as shown by Financial Astrology studies, are probably still some time off into the future, when the "Cardinal Climax" takes place (late 2008 through 2015). With Jupiter and Pluto, today's crisis is likely temporary. In fact, if the lows of last week hold, it will create a double bottom chart formation for many indexes, like the DJIA. Then there would be reason to believe these stock indices of the world could soar to new highs in 2008. The time band for this current crisis is still in force through early December and maybe even into the end of January, when Mars returns direct. But the most intense part of these signatures may be reflected in these markets right now, for this is the middle part of this time band.

I would not be surprised if at any day now, the worst of this sub-prime mess is over. I can imagine a scenario where banks and lending institutions have been instructed to work out deals for those home owners who were harmed by these predatory lending practices. Interest rates have gone down since these problems came glaring to the surface in mid-August. New mortgages can now be created at terms that are far better than they were just three months ago.

But then one has to wonder what happens when those new adjustable rates mortgages, being worked out to help home owners today, kick in to higher rates? This will probably happen during the time that Saturn and Uranus form hard aspects to Pluto (2009-2015)? As Yogi Berra says, it may be déjà vu all over again.

Announcements :

The “MMA Cycles Report” and “MMA Japan Markets Cycles Report” came out last week. These reports come out every three weeks to subscribers of these reports, although it will change to a monthly issuance cycle next year, so that the "SOS Global Stock Market Cycles Report" can be increased to a monthly issuance cycle as well. 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

Our MMA 2013 catalogue is now out and available to overseas clients on our web site at www.mmacycles.com , and then under MMA Catalogue, and then under MMA Catalogue (pdf). Or just click here. Due to high overseas postal costs, we will no longer send this catalogue out by postal mail except to clients in the U.S.A. So, if you are interested in this year's services and products, you can download it from our web site.

The Forecast book for 2008 : is nearly completed, and will be taken to then printer for publication next week. It is due to be released on December 15. This will be a special edition, covering the major candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election. It will also have a special section on Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2023), and what it means to investors. Thus it will be about 20 pages longer than ever. coming out December 15.
Written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, it is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. 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. Although 2007 is still unfolding, many of the Forecast outlined in this book have already come to pass, including :

- 1) real estate bubble ending ;
- 2) lack of bi-partisan support from Congress for President's military efforts and tax policies ;
- 3) President's lack of cooperation with Congress and the subsequent increase in investigations into his past decisions ;
- 4) President's efforts to increase military activity in Iraq, not decrease, despite special reports advising to the contrary ;
- 5) the economy is not collapsing in 2007 ;
- 6) higher Euro currency prices - at least test of its all-time high, before September 2007 ;
7) Soybeans bullish in 2007, possibly exceeding 900 ;
8) Crude Oil due to bottom early in year and soar to new all-time highs by 2008.
And of course: the all-important Critical Reversal Dates for financial markets, which have been impressive in 2007. The cost of this year's book will remain at $45.00. Order before December 10 to be certain that your order goes out in the first delivery. Available also in German at www.mma-europe.de . If you live in Europe, Canada or Australia, now might be a great time to order while your currencies are so high against the U.S. Dollar. A change of trend is coming, as outlined in this week's special alert to subscribers.

The German version of "Merriman on Market Cycles: The Basics" is now in print. It is also a revision of the earlier work in English. For more information on this book, please go to our German web site.

For more information, go to our website at http://www.mmacycles.com, and read the latest "News" items. This new report will be issued once/month, instead of the previous schedule of 8 times per year.

The new SOS Global Market Cycles Report came out last week. This SOS report will now be issued monthly (12 times per year) starting the first week of December. This report will address the long- and intermediate-term cycles that affect all world markets, but specifically through the history of the U.S. stock market, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It is the "big picture" ahead. It will then give an overview (and projection) of the shorter cycles (primary and its phases) of the German DAX, Netherlands AEX, the Australian All Ordinaries, Hang Seng of Hong Kong, National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the XAU Gold and Silver Mining index. For ordering information.

My next financial presentations will take place in all day workshops on January 19 and 26 in Cologne, Germany and Basel, Switzerland, respectively. For further information, please go to EVENTS on our web site at www.mmacycles.com . The German version of "Merriman on Market Cycles : The Basics" is now in print. It is also a revision of the earlier work in English. For more information on this book, please go to our German web site at www.mma-europe.de.

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. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. 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. In the words of one of our subscribers : "I recently subscribed to your weekly report and am finding it to be excellent and a very useful companion to the MMA Cycles Report. I can't imagine now managing my investments without them."

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.

Top of the page