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

The Market Week in Review :

Last week's stock market behavior was consistent with principles of Financial Astrology. After bottoming in dramatic fashion on January 22-23, coincident with the first of three Jupiter-Saturn trine aspects in earth signs, stock markets around the world soared into a top this past Friday-Monday, February 1-4. They then began a decline that lasted all week, with almost all indices making their weekly lows on either Thursday or Friday, and Friday closing much nearer to the lows than the highs. The biggest decline of last week took place on Tuesday, a day or two before the eclipse of Wednesday evening (USA) or early Thursday (Europe and Far East). Last week's report stated, "The major geocosmic signature this week is the partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, February 6. By itself I am doubtful that this will do that much to the markets. Eclipses seem only important as significant cycle lows or highs when they make aspects to other major planets at the same time, in my experience."

Some financial astrologers may argue that last week's decline was indeed the effect of the solar eclipse. It depends upon the parameters one uses to define a geocosmic impact. My view is that last week's decline was the result of the post Venus-Jupiter conjunction of the prior Friday, February 1, when stock indices indeed made a trading cycle crest. In some indices, it spilled over into early Monday morning. But there was no multi-week low or high that formed specifically with the eclipse, which is the basis for the type of financial astrology analysis I apply. The stock market behavior so far is consistent with a crest under the Venus-Jupiter conjunction, followed by a corrective decline (so far) into the next major signature, which is the Sun-Neptune conjunction of this weekend, February 10.

The rally into February 1-4 did not confirm January 22-23 as the long-term cycle trough. Thus the challenge for traders and Financial Astrologers alike is to now determine whether this current decline represents just a corrective re-test to those lows that will end this week, or is it a new thrust down that will continue and take stock indices to lower lows? The studies of cycles, chart pattern recognition, and technical analysis allows for this to be a thrust leading to new lows. But the study of Financial Astrology - as I apply it - supports the viewpoint that the low of January 22-23 could hold. Why? Because that low coincided with the longer-term planetary aspect between Jupiter and Saturn, within one day. In situations like this, sometimes the astrology wins out, and sometimes the other studies win out. That's why we have to carefully monitor each day's market action right now. Thus this could be a very important week in the eventual labeling of the longer-term cycles.

In other markets, Crude Oil held support at the 86.00 mark and rallied strongly on Friday. Gold and Silver pulled back smartly from last week's multi-year high into a low on Tuesday, but also rallied strongly into Friday. Grain prices were strong, with Wheat soaring to new all-time highs on consecutive limit up days this past week. Corn and Soybeans performed very erratically around the solar eclipse, with very large price swings both up and down (and up again) - which is typical. But the Dollar was strong last week, as the Euro currency fell to new multi week lows. Still it is holding above the critical 1.4300-1.4400 support area. If that breaks, it strongly suggests that the dominancy phase of the 26-month cycle is in process.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

For this week, the most important signature is the Sun-Neptune conjunction of February 10. This Level One signature has a 75% correlation to primary or greater cycles within 9 trading days. It also begins a geocosmic cluster of four important planetary aspects extending from February 10 through February 24. Thus we may see the end of many market retracements during this period.

A more important geocosmic period comes up around March 7, when the new moon conjuncts Uranus. This is an important signature correlating with activity in the interest-rate related markets, like Treasuries and currencies. And of course they may cause an impact in other markets, like stocks and precious metals. It is important to note that Mars will end its sojourn through Gemini on March 4. Mars in Gemini is a placement that historically coincides with sharp price movements in crude oil. The fact that this past Friday (February 8) was such a strong up day (up 3.66), after trending down the prior 7 trading days, may be related to the combination of Mars in Gemini as well as the Sun-Neptune conjunction taking place this Sunday. Neptune has great relevance to crude oil.

Long-Term Thoughts :

Last week's column stated, "The Moon on Super Tuesday, February 5, will again be in Capricorn as the voting starts, same as it will be on Election Day (and the same as on the New Hampshire's primary). So once again, it seems to mirror what we might expect on Election Day itself... . And where is Mitt Romney in all of this? He has Mars in Pisces, and there has never been a U.S. President with Mars in Pisces. Most have had Mars in Leo, which is the case with both Hillary and McCain, per the studies of Michael O'Reilly in his book called "Political Astrology." Obama has Mars in Virgo, like current President George W. Bush." The leaders in the delegate count after last week's Super Tuesday's primaries are once again the same winners of the New Hampshire primary: John McCain and Hillary Clinton. Yet neither has yet met the requirement to secure the nomination at this point. And Mitt Romney has now dropped out of the race.

The most important election consideration, in my view, is the relationship between the chart on Election Day and the political positions espoused by the two major candidates. On Election Day, the Moon will be in Capricorn, conjunct Jupiter. It will also be the first of 5 passages of the 45-year cyclical Saturn-Uranus opposition. As Mundane Astrologers, we are tempted to think that this opposition represents a surprise, or an event that moves us in to a dramatically new direction. After all, Uranus is the planet of disruption and upsets, as well as the planet of newness and innovation. It represents something entirely new, and hence it is associated with youth. Saturn represents the Establishment, the "old guard" and tradition. When the two are in hard aspect, the idea is that something new will replace something old, especially in governments. Or it can represent a period in which society rebels against the values and policies of the government. They demand a change. It is the symbolism of revolution in some form or another.

But here is the point to keep in perspective. November 4, 2008, is the only the first of five passages. It is not the middle or the last passage. And it occurs right on Election Day, when the Moon is conjunct Jupiter, in Capricorn, the sign that Saturn (not Uranus) rules. Therefore in this passage - the first between these two planets - I believe the Saturn themes will prevail, not the Uranus ones. The voting public is apt to behave more in a Saturnian fashion than a Uranian one. And instead of getting "change" on this first passage, we are more likely to get what we perceive as more of the same. And that will then lead into the increased demand for change as the next four passages unfold.

According to most recent polls, over 75% of Americans now believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. Only 19% think American leadership is headed in the right direction. That shows the degree of discontent presently in the USA with its leadership. But on Election Day, I don't think that discontent is satisfied. I believe Americans will still feel the USA is headed in the wrong direction, and maybe stronger than ever. As the next 4 passages of the Saturn-Uranus opposition unfold through July 2010, their voices will likely become louder and louder, and they will demand more change and accountability of their leaders. As this two-year aspect takes place, I think you will see the youth becoming more and more involved, just like they did 45 years ago when this aspect last occurred. But on Election Day itself, I think the Saturn part of this aspect holds reign... unless somehow the youth become active agents for change in the next couple of weeks, and show up to vote at the primaries and get someone in who is not recognized as "part of the Establishment."

Announcements :

The new "SOS Global Market Cycles Report" will came out last week, February 6 (February 5 for email subscribers in English). And it has been out one day later in German to our German SOS subscribers (please go to www.mma-europe.de in to order the German version of SOS). This SOS monthly 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, like where we are in terms of the 18- and 4-year cycles. 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. The German edition will soon give analysis also of the Swiss Market Index (SMI). For ordering information.

The special webcast of the Forecast 2008 presentation that took place Saturday, January 5, 2008 was so successful that we have had many requests to do an update of the markets more often via this format. And so we will! I think I will do this again on Saturday, April 19, and probably about 5:00 PM, so our clients in Japan can also see and hear it. I will have more on this in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, we have about 10 CD's left of the January 5 presentation. This special on-line virtual discussion addressed the importance of Pluto in Capricorn, the forthcoming Cardinal Climax and the potential changes it implies for the Federal Reserve Board, plus the latest updates on the DJIA (and indirectly, all world stock indices), Treasuries, Euro and Swiss Franc currencies, and Gold and Silver, and Crude Oil. The cost for this 2+ hour discussion is $45.00, plus postage. If you are interested in purchasing this CD, drop us an email ( ordersmma@msn.com ) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. You may also order through our shopping cart at www.mmacycles.com.

On Saturday evening, February 23, I will be giving a special presentation on Forecasts for 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. It will be similar to the Webcast given on January 5, but updated where financial markets are concerned. For further information, please contact Louise McCombs at 303-828-5445, or by email at macastrology@yahoo.com.

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.

We have reprinted additional copies of the "Forecasts for 2008" book in English, to replace the 150 books that were damaged by U.S. Post Office, and to cover additional orders that continue to come in. There are approximately 75 copies still available through our website. There are no plans to print additional copies of the German edition, which sold out three weeks ago.

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.

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