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

Please note that now the Forecast for 2014 book is now completed and at the printer. It will be delivered this Wednesday to all pre-publication orders that are received by noon this Monday. Thos received after noon will be delivered by December 15.

The Market Week in Review :

Stock markets around the world traded in relatively narrow range last week, compared to what we have been experiencing since last September. However, within the weekly range, there were at least three sharp short-term reversals. Early in the week, the indices made a low. They then rallied sharply into a high Wednesday-Thursday. They then fell again sharply on Friday. For those that remained open until the close in the United States, there was then a sharp rally into the close on Friday. The S&P contract, for example, made its high of the week at the end of the day on Friday, after testing the weekly low earlier that day. Unlike the prior week, this past week was volatile and composed of very sudden changes, which continues to be a characteristic of strong Uranian influences. They have been present since last January, and they are likely to remain mostly present for another two years. We are in a New Era of volatility. The key to success will not be the "buy and hold" strategies of last century. It will be a result of one's ability to be quickly adaptable to sudden changes, and to spot trading opportunities as they arise.

Other markets were more remarkable last week. The grains, for instance, continued an incredible plunge from their all-time highs of last spring and summer. Remember when bakers were complaining about the high cost of Wheat last winter and spring ? It was selling at $13.34/bushel. On Friday, Wheat was trading at $4.55/bushel, down over 65% now. Corn was testing $8.00/bushel in late June. On Friday, the nearby contract was down to $2.90. Soybeans recorded their all-time high at $16.63/bu on July 3. On Friday, the nearby contract was down to 776. Or how about our old friend, Crude Oil ? After making an all-time high of $147.27/barrel on July 11, it was down to $40.50 on Friday. Other notable markets last week were T-Bonds and Treasuries. They soared, with the former making a new all-time high on Friday's dismal employment report. They went up to 136/03 intraday. And the Dollar continues to plummet against the Japanese Yen, testing its lowest level in 13 years. But strangely enough (there is that Uranus word again), the Dollar continues to be strong against the Euro currency.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

The principles associated with Uranus will be in full display during the next 1-2 weeks. On Friday, December 5, the Sun formed a conjunction to Mars in the potentially explosive sign of Sagittarius. From December 10 through December 15, both the Sun and Mars will form a square to the Saturn-Uranus opposition (T-square). This is known as a "translation" of the faster moving bodies (Sun and Mars) to the longer-term planetary cycle (Saturn in opposition to Uranus). If the last year is any guide, we should expect a sudden downturn in the equity markets, either going into the aspect, or right as it begins. How long the downturn will last is anyone's guess. The last time we had such a translation was when Venus translated by square to the Saturn-Uranus opposition, the day before the Election (November 3). That was a high in the stock market that has not been seen since. In fact, many equities markets plummeted to new multi-year lows from November 4 through November 21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for instance, fell from 9654 to 7449 in those two weeks. It could happen again, especially if there is some sudden surprise event that rocks the world. With Uranus, you never know what the event will be, but only that it is sudden and perhaps shocking. Uranus rules earthquakes, but in these aspects, it also rules terrorist attacks, accidents, and maybe fires. Do not expect things to unfold according to plan these days. It is a not a time to achieve consensus with world leaders. It is a time that suggests disputes and disagreements, so maybe it is a good idea that lawmakers take off for the holidays. Otherwise they may say and do things they regret almost immediately. On the positive side (yes, there is also a positive antidote), it can enhance brilliant, innovative thought.

We should also note that Pluto is now back in Capricorn, and headed to the Sun of the Federal Reserve Board chart, and in opposition to its own natal Pluto. Earlier I pointed out that Bonds were at an all-time high, which means interest rates and yields are at historic lows. If you need a loan or mortgage, and can get it, lock it in now. I don't think you will be seeing these levels again in this lifetime. Why ? Everybody talks of deflation. But the only way I can see out of this economic free fall is to create more money and inflate. With Pluto in such a prominent position to the FRB chart (Dec 23, 1913, time unknown) during all of 2009, and Saturn and Uranus both coming up to form a grand square to its natal Sun-Pluto opposition the year after, I don't think this entity will have the power it has today. Or else it will have more power than is healthy for this society. Huge changes are likely in store for the FRB, its leader, and consequently for the people of the United States regarding the value of money.

Long-Term Thoughts :

This past week, the National Bureau of Economic Research proclaimed that the United States entered a recession one year ago, in December 2007. I find this choice of commencement quite interesting in view of both Financial Astrology and Technical Analysis, or Chart Analysis. How is it that one year afterwards, you can step back and say that is when it started, especially since it doesn't follow the previous definition of a recession, which was two consecutive quarters of negative GDP readings ? It seems sort of like this group of Astronomers two years ago who made the proclamation that Pluto was really not a planet, but rather a planetoid, or a dwarf star, or anything but what almost every astrologer believes : it is - or acts like - a planet.

Here is what is interesting about proclaiming December 2007 as the start of a recession, which continues today, 12 months later. If we accept this determination, it is already the 3 rd longest recession since the 13-month one that began in May 1937. The recessions of November 1973 - March 1975 and July 1981 - November 1982 were 16 months long apiece. The longest one was 43 months, beginning in August 1929. This current one is four months shy of being the second longest recession. I don't know if this will end up being the longest one or not, but I think the 56 months of the two consecutive ones that started in August 1929 and June 1938 could be challenged between this one and the next one.

But let's back up a minute and examine how December 2007 correlates with Financial Astrology and market history. Saturn and Uranus entered opposition November 4, 2008. Historically, major stock market cycles would culminate within 10 months of one of these passages. That implies there is some kind of "orb of influence" to this cycle that can be noticed up to 10 months before this passage, which would equate to January 2008 (one month after the arguably designated recession starting point of December 2007). It so happens that it was around January 10, 2008 that the DJIA broke below 12,500. Technically speaking, this was an important point in the support of the stock market, which is likely to have a direct relationship with the economy. As stated in the Forecast 2008 book, "I would give this outlook (bearish) more validity if the DJIA breaks under 12,500. If so, then look for a decline into 2008 (or even late 2007) to 11,738 +/- 288, or even a re-test of the July 2006 lows at 10,683, before prices exceed the 14,198 high of October 11, 2007. It could be even more if the long-term cycle topped out in October 2007. We could be in a "new bear market". This was written in November 2007. Those original price targets of support seem so far away now. But back then, they seemed quite safe.

But what about the idea that the stock market is a leading indicator of the economy by about 3-9 months ? How could that be if the all-time high was in October 2007 ? That would suggest the economy would not top out until January-July 2008. Well, one could argue that maybe the recession didn't really get underway until after May 2008. After all, the DJIA rallied for four months after that low on January 22. The DJIA made its yearly higher (after January) on May 19, 2008, during the historic UAC (United Astrological Conference) gathering, at 13,136. By July 15, it was down to 10,800 areas, testing that 10,683 low of July 2006, as described earlier. But it still wasn't a full fledged crisis yet. That wouldn't happen until the full moon, which conjunct the Saturn-Uranus opposition, on September 15. That, to me, was the official commencement of the great economic crisis of 2008. Interesting enough, we have another important full moon happening this coming Friday, forming a grand square this time to the Saturn-Uranus opposition. In other words, what happened on September 15 has a connection to what is about to happen around December 12-15. They are three months apart, and the same solar-lunar, Saturn-Uranus relationships. If you are trading, you better be very nimble.

Announcements :

Forecast for 2009 is due out this week, ahead of the previously expected date of December 15. That means all books ordered before December 8 (this Monday) will go out immediately. Any books ordered after December 8 will not be able to be delivered until the first orders are filled, which will probably take 3-4 days. So, for fastest delivery, make sure your orders are received before December 8. The price remains $45.00, the same as last year, while supplies last. For more information on this book, go to our website at www.mmacycles.com, and click on the opening banner.

You can now order Forecast for 2009 in four languages! It will be available in Japanese, via Toshi Nippou Ltd in Tokyo at http://www.toushinippou.co.jp, in German at www.mma-europe.ch and www.mma-europe.de, and in Spanish via www.mma-spanish.com. In English, you can order directly from us, via our web site, or you can order from www.markettiming.nl in Netherlands, www.astrodata.com in Zurich, Earlthorn Ltd in Hong Kong at www.earlthorn.com or email at earlthorn2000@yahoo.com. In Melbourne, Australia, you may order the Forecast 2009 book through email at investorbooks@iprimus.com.

Also, our first "Forecast for 2009" speech will take place next Saturday, December 13! It will be given as a webcast to the world. You can experience the presentation in the comfort of your own home or office. All you need is computer with speakers and screen. Sign up will be limited to 100 people. Please visit www.mmacycles.com for registration details, or call 1-248-626-3034 to sign up. Log in instructions will be provided after registration. If you can't make it for the live broadcast, you can see a repeat of it anytime during that week via our special log-in instructions. Sign up now and be part of this first presentation of Forecast 2009 ! Please note : you will need to register for this event no later than 4:00 PM next Friday, December 12. We will not be accepting sign ups after that time.

The first "Forecast for 2009" speech will take place December 20, 2008, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. For more information, please contact info@marketttiming.nl, or go to the website. We will have a special reception afterwards for all MMA subscribers. The second public presentation of Forecast For 2009 will take place in Lansing, Michigan on January 4, 2009. Please see our web site for further information on this event.

Our next Forecast 2009 presentation and Financial Market Timing Workshops will take place January 15 and 17, 2009, in Zurich, Switzerland. There is also a possibility we will have a special Sunday question and answer gathering for all MMA Subscribers who are present. We will keep you posted on this development via our websites at www.mmacycles.com and www.mma-europe.ch. On January 22, 2009, Forecast for 2009 will be presented in Belgrade, Serbia. Plans are being made for a Saturday workshop to follow. For information on the Zurich gathering, please contact AstroData at 044-700-1012. For more information on the Belgrade event, please contact info@kepler.edu.yu. Plans are also being considered for a Forecast 2009 speech and workshop on Financial MARKET Timing in Buenos Aires, Argentina in March 2009. We will keep you posted with this via our web site in USA, and also our new website in Spanish at www.mma-spanish.com. That web site may not be functional for another week or two, but it is coming. We are now developing a presence in the second most-spoken language on the planet.

We have added an exciting new feature to our web site. Now, on the very front page, you can get a daily update on the weighted values of the Solar-Lunar cycles for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Silver market, via the studies conducted in "The Ultimate Book on Sock Market Timing Vol 4 : Solar-Lunar Correlations to Trading Cycles," and "The Sun, Moon And Silver Market : Secrets of a Silver Trader." These are the studies, I use personally when trading stock index futures, ETFs (like DIA and Silver fund), and Silver futures. Anything over 100 means it has an above average correlation to reversing from an isolated high or low if it forms that day. The higher the value, the more probable the reversal. To see these daily values, please go to www.mmacycles.com , and just check it out.

Our new MMA 2009 catalogue is now out. If you are interested in receiving this catalogue, you can download it directly Or just click here. A list of all our products and services and software programs is included therein.

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.

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