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

The Market Week in Review :

Most stock markets around the world started two week with positive gains. But by the end of the week, those gains turned to sharp loses. In the USA, for example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 13,136 on Monday, May 19, its highest level since the first week of the year. That was right on our May 16-19 critical reversal date. But then the market turned, just as Financial Astrology market timing techniques would have suggested. By Friday, the DJIA had fallen 12,460, a decline of 676 points in just 4 days.

On the other hand, other markets soared. Crude Oil, for instance, continued making record highs last week above $130.00/barrel. As mentioned before, a slew of Jupiter and Neptune signatures end May 21-26. Jupiter and Neptune rule crude oil. Could this be the end of the blow-off? Could be, although technically I can still make a case for $144.00 +/- 8.00/barrel.

In other markets, Silver and Gold, as well as many foreign currencies vis-à-vis the U.S. Dollar, soared last week. But now comes another reversal period early this week.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

There are at least three important geocosmic events unfolding in the next couple of weeks that will potentially impact financial markets around the world.

The first is a "translation" time band of the Sun and Venus in square aspect to the approaching five-passage opposition of Saturn-Uranus. On May 22 and 26 respectively, the Sun and then Venus commence a waning square to Saturn after just entering Gemini a couple of days before. They will then proceed to form a waxing square to Uranus on June 12 and 13 respectively. Thus during the entire period of May 22-June 13, the Sun and Venus will "translate" the approaching Saturn-Uranus opposition in a midpoint formation that may act like a T-square. To those who do not understand astrology, a T-Square is considered a major aspect formation of tension, and a time when things do not flow easily. With Uranus involved, conventional solutions simply aren't working as expected. But to try something new is likely to attract much opposition from conservative forces who only know how to do things as they have done them in the past. Anything else is just "too risky" for them. And so the "blame game" ensues, whereby one side says the radical forces are acting too impulsively and the other side says the conservative forces are acting too slowly. This criticism could be directed to the Federal Reserve Board, but the White House is not safe from criticism either. This signature can also correlate with bizarre weather and natural events, like tornadoes and earthquakes.

Compounding this frustration is the fact that both Mercury and Neptune turn retrograde on Monday, May 26. Accuracy and facts are in short supply, in favor of misleading or even intentionally deceiving projections of information. Mercury is the planet of communication. Neptune is the planet of aesthetics on the one hand, but with Mercury, trickery and misdirection on the other. Expect many false rumors or accusations that are intended to harm the reputation of someone in the public eye. In terms of Financial Astrology, Neptune also pertains to oil, and the run away blow-off in oil and gasoline prices may not be accurately explained in the news media. In terms of weather, Neptune can also correlate with floods.

But also on Monday, May 26, Venus forms a square to Saturn. Remember our previous Financial Astrology discussion on what happens to markets under hard Saturn aspects. Any market that is declining into this signature is a candidate to end that decline and begin a rally.

So our challenge as Financial Astrologers is cut out for us now. On the one hand, stock markets around the world are declining into the Venus-Saturn square, and the Mercury-Neptune turning retrograde events of May 26. One would expect this decline to end and a new rally to commence. Indeed that may happen. But at the same time, we are in a Sun-Venus "translation" period to the approaching Saturn-Uranus opposition, May 22-June 13. This can be a very difficult time to predict anything, and markets may vacillate back and forth in rather sharp price swings. With Mercury retrograde during much of this period (with Neptune), the trading climate may become very confusing. Our rule is to anticipate investor sentiment switching back and forth between bullish and bearish every 1-4 days. It might be a good time to be a day trader and just take very small and quick profits. But whatever you do, don't depend upon a trend or investor sentiment to remain stable during the next three weeks. And don't try to get fancy by putting on complex options strategies. Chances are you would lose on both ends. In fact, this might be an ideal time to take a vacation, and just observe the markets from a distance.

Long-Term Thoughts :

It was most interesting to be the moderator of the panel on "The U.S.A. Presidential Election" at the United Astrological Conference (UAC) last week. We had 7 expert Mundane Astrologers describe their method of forecasting an election, and then to give us their call on who would win based upon these methods. All 7 picked Barack Obama to be the next president. But nearly all of them were not entirely confident in their forecast. With Saturn making its first passage in opposition to Uranus on Election Day, the majority believed that more surprises were yet in store before the election, or even before the Inauguration Day in January 2009.

Like my colleagues, I too believe this Saturn-Uranus opposition portends major changes and major surprises. Its not over yet. But unlike them, I am more inclined to think that John McCain has the upper hand based on the way I look at astrology. On Election Day, the Moon will be in Capricorn, conjunct Jupiter, and I think that favors the more conservative candidate. It was also the same placement as the New Hampshire primary, which was won by Hillary Clinton and John McCain. At the time, I thought the eventual winner of the U.S. election would be one of the winners in that primary. Furthermore, I recount the studies of Michael O'Reilly in his excellent book titled "Political Astrology." One of his studies demonstrated the fact that 12 of the 42 elected U.S. Presidents had Mars in Leo. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have this placement, which is one reason why Ms. Clinton cannot be entirely ruled out yet. Barack Obama has Mars in Virgo, which has occurred in the charts of five past presidents, which is about average. George W. Bush has this placement, and may account for the fact that Barack Obama is having trouble trying to define the candidacy of John McCain as a third term for George W. Bush. In some ways, Obama himself may be more akin to George W. Bush on how he handles military matters.

But even though I lean towards McCain as the winner of the 2008 USA Presidential Election at this point, I am not at all certain he will be the next President of the USA. Yes, my concerns are about his health. The campaign is taking place with Saturn transiting through Virgo, and McCain is a Virgo. I can think of very few things that are as physically demanding as a Presidential campaign. I cannot think of any professional astrologer who would suggest that Saturn passing through one's sun sign is a time of physical invigoration. Rather it is a time of potentially greater exhaustion, when one is usually advised to slow down and rest more often, lest one risks a physical breakdown. The Sun rules one's heart and bones. Saturn pertains to aches and pains. This condition (Saturn in Virgo) will be present into October 2009. Of course, it can also be a time of increased responsibilities in one's profession, and being elected to the office if USA President would certainly fulfill that part of the description. Nevertheless, I think the choice of this year's Vice-Presidential running mates will be more important than usual.

Announcements :

The next issue of "MMA Cycles Report" and "MMA Japan Markets Cycles Report” wil come out (May 27 - 28). These reports come out every month to subscribers of these reports. The "MMA Cycles Report" is our market advisory report for traders of the U.S. stock indices, T-Notes, Gold, Silver, Euro, Swiss Franc, Grains, and Crude Oil. This report will be issued Monday night to those who receive it via email. The "MMA Japan Cycles Report" covers the Nikkei, Dollar/Yen, and JGB Bonds, and will come out Tuesday afternoon. For more information

The "SOS Global Market Cycles Report" will come out the following week. And it has been 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.

Many readers may be interested in knowing about the largest gathering of Financial Astrologers in many years that will be taking place May 15-20, 2008, in Denver, Colorado. In fact, the largest gathering of astrologers since 1974 will be taking place then. The United Astrological Conference (UAC) will convene for the first time since 2002, and approximately 1500 professionals and students of astrology will be present from all around the world. Whether you are a professional or student or novice, you will find one of the 15 tracks being offered to be of great interest. They even have a beginning track based on sun sign astrology for those who know very little about how astrology really works. In all, there will be 155 speakers from over 30 different countries. For more information on this conference, go to www.uacastrology.com .
For more information on the Financial Astrology track (18 different presentations), go to http://www.uacastrology.com/cgi-bin/tracks.cgi?CODE=12 . And the best news of all is that there is a pre-registration discount special in effect until February 20. After February 20, the price for the main conference will increase $50.00. Sign up now (before February 20) and save big bucks, for the most exciting astrological gathering of our generation!.

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 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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