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

Raymond Merriman's video Forecasts for financial markets for 2010.

We are going to start taking orders for the Forecast 2011 book now via phone (1-248-626-3034), fax (1-248-538-5296), or email (ordersmma@msn.com). In a couple of weeks, you will be able to order directly from our website too. We are pleased to announce the price will remain the same as last year. That is :
- $55.00 if ordered after October 31,
- $45.00 if ordered before (plus postage).

We will also be offering special 10% discount rate for our subscription services to those who also pre-order Forecast 2011.
— This is a great deal, for in the words of one of our daily subscribers recently, " I don't know whether you want to hear/take any comments at all but I wanted to say that, so far, I am a very happy camper and the only thing which I think that I did wrong with subscribing to your service that I did it TOO LATE ! What was I thinking...? :-)" - R. Rood, Lugano, Switzerland, futures trader and technical analyst, former cash grain trader. For a review of the forecasts from the Forecast 2010 book, please follow that link.

The Forecast 2011 Book can be pre-ordered in several languages, at attractive pre-publication rates, through the following MMA publishers, which also publish our free weekly columns in their respective languages :

Chinese Dutch German Japanese Russian Spanish

Please note that for the next two weeks I will be lecturing in Buenos Aries and Rio de Janeiro. I will deliver next week's report on Friday night, as usual, but the following week (October 1) there will be no report due to speaking duties. Our offices will be open at usual times while I am away.

The Market Week in Review :

Is it a bull or is it a bear ? Is this rally for real, or is it a "bear trap" ?. Financial Astrologers will be watching next week's stock markets very closely, for the current period contains some very powerful geocosmic signatures with very high correspondences to major market reversals. At the same time, we note that chart patterns and technical studies look very bullish. But that hasn't mattered one iota under other powerful geocosmic time bands this year. In fact, one of the few studies that have worked extremely well since April of this year has been the study of Financial Astrology. Every critical reversal date since (and including) the yearly high of April 26, as given in our monthly subscription report has correlated with a powerful reversal in U.S. and most world stock indices, and each has occurred at a time when the technical picture was saying exactly the opposite. Every critical reversal date given in the Forecast 2010 Book since late April has been a hit. And here we are again, right in the midst of another three-star critical reversal date time band, and many stock markets are again testing their highs of the early August reversal zone.

Besides last week's strong rally in equity markets, the precious metals' markets were even more impressive. Gold soared to a new all-time Friday, and is now approaching $1300/ounce. Silver exploded to over $21.00/ounce intraday on Friday, its highest level since the early 1980's. European currencies were strong last week, with the Euro trading back over 1.3000, while the Swiss Franc was par to the U.S. dollar during the week for one of the very few times in history. The Japanese Yen made another 15-year high early last week, but then the Bank of Japan intervened on Wednesday, shooting the Dollar up sharply into the end of the week. Corn soared above $5.00/bu, its highest level since 2008, while Soybeans also rallied smartly to its highest level of the year. Crude Oil, on the hand, fell into the end of the week. All in all, it was a very exciting week, leading into the exciting Jupiter-Uranus conjunction of this weekend, as many markets did the typical Uranus thing by "breaking out" of former resistance zones.

Short-Term Geocosmics :

This gets very interesting now for those who study Financial Astrology.

On Saturday, Jupiter will make its second of three conjunctions to Uranus. This 14-year planetary pair cycle made its first passage on June 8, which was a three-star critical reversal given in our monthly subscription reports and the Forecast 2010 Book. Some - but not all - world indices took out their lows of the prior critical reversal date of May 20-25 on June 8-9. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ Composite, for example, made lower lows on that first Jupiter-Uranus passage. All equity markets then rallied sharply into the summer solstice of June 21, another three-star critical reversal date. Once again all technical signals were screaming "buy". But it was not to be, as several of those indices didn't just follow up with a "normal" corrective decline. Many - including the DJIA and Composite - fell to even lower lows into the first week of July. That was the yearly low for most indices.

The first passage of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction on June 8 took place in zero degrees of Aries. Both planets were in direct motion. This second passage is taking place in the last 1-1/2 degrees of Pisces, and both planets are now retrograde. Instead of a low, this one finds all stock indices rallying sharply, with many making new highs above their levels of June 21 or early August, as in the case of the S&P, FTSE (England), All Ordinaries (Australia), MICEX (Russia), NIFT (India), and Hang Seng (Hong Kong). And like June 21, September 21 is a seasonal change day, when the Sun will be transiting over the degrees of the Cardinal Climax, just as it was on June 21. That was the end of a very sharp two-week rally, and right now the indices have again been rallying very sharply again for the past 2-3 weeks (since late August).

Last week I referred to this period as "The Return of the Climax : The Sequel". This is why. The Sun is translating the Cardinal Climax degrees again. During the center of the Cardinal Climax in the first week of August, many stock indices were making highs. The translation of this pre-Cardinal Climax on June 21 was also the end of a big rally, when many indices made their highs for this summer. And now we have the only post-Cardinal Climax translation of the Sun taking place September 17-24. Once again indices are rising with several making new summer highs. Is this a coincidence ? Or is it "déjà vu all over again ?".

If you listen to most market commentators and legends like Warren Buffet, they will tell you that "This time it is different". It is the start of a real upside breakout. And they might be right, for with Uranus so strongly in the picture, anything can happen. It can be a major reversal, as it was in June, or it can be a breakout of important resistance, which seems to be happening in about half of the world indices we track. We must also keep in mind that the longer-term trend of Jupiter transiting in Pisces and Aries is usually more bullish than bearish for the stock market, as reported in the Forecast 2010 book. This could be the start of the asset inflationary move up in stocks that was discussed therein, and due sometime from late May 2010 to June 2011.

But this week is not just Jupiter and Uranus in conjunction, which is one of the most consistent geocosmic signatures to the completion of primary or half-primary cycles that we have identified through our historical studies (see Volume 3 of the "Stock Market Timing" series). On Tuesday, September 21, the Sun is in opposition to both Jupiter and Uranus. The Sun-Jupiter opposition is another particularly powerful correlation to primary and greater cycles in stocks too, almost as strong as Jupiter-Uranus in conjunction. Less than two full days later, on September 23 before markets open, there is a full moon in - guess where ? - zero degrees of Libra and Aries, right on the Cardinal Climax degrees again. And the full moon in Libra-Aries is one of the strongest solar-lunar correlations to sharp declines in U.S. stocks historically. But there will be two full moons in Libra this time : one on September 23 and another on October 22. Is that a blue moon ? It will be the blues for market players if they are long and it coincides with another one of those gut-wrenching October (Libra) declines again.

Long-Term Thoughts :

So is this a bull or is it a bear ? The next week could provide a very important clue, according the study of Financial Astrology. In fact, the entire period between now and Venus retrograde on October 8 is likely to be one of the craziest periods of the year - and it has already been a crazy year. Hold on to your seat belts. The Federal Reserve Board, with its Sun-Pluto in the first degrees of the cardinal signs Cancer and Capricorn, might be ready to push the pedal to the metal yet again when they meet on Tuesday, September 21. After all, it's Jupiter and Uranus in conjunction, and the Sun in opposition to Jupiter. And the Fed chairman is a Jupiter-ruled Sagittarian, with his own natal Sun in opposition to Jupiter. Somebody may need to impress upon him the dangers of the violating the stated speed limit (i.e. their charter). I think he's going to do it again this Tuesday. I am just not sure if this time the market realizes that this spin is getting out of control and headed for a crash. Or does everybody line up to go for the ride of a lifetime ? With Uranus, the only thing you know is that it can go up faster and higher than anyone thought, but then down faster and lower than anyone expected too.

September and October - it's got some history for wild rides that are likely to happen again this year, given these geocosmic signatures. And our driver isn't someone whose chart or recent actions suggest that he is about to change his behavior pattern and follow the law of the highway. Has he ever let up on the throttle since taking over at the wheel ? But then again, he did save our ass by acting swiftly in the Panic of 2008 when no else - including the president and the president-to-be - had a clue what to do.

The ability to plan ahead is one of the keys to successful living. It is an inherent benefit of the proper use of astrology, and especially Financial Astrology. If you have a roadmap of what to expect, you can make decisions based on that roadmap and arrive at a well-thought out destination. On the other hand, if you - or circumstances - change that map and those plans, delays and other difficulties arise, and one can quickly become lost or confused. Progress is suddenly stopped as new directions and new plans are sought.

Which brings up the question : Why is it that every new president or Congress of the United States (and probably every other country) feels compelled to change the tax laws once they come into power ? What is it about politicians - government leaders - that refuse to let businesses and individuals have the certainty of knowing what their taxes are so that they can make plans for the future of their business or families ? When the tax laws change, every business and individual has to make changes in their financial planning. It causes an interruption in their journey through life, a confusion that delays progress until they can figure out a new map to achieve their goals, especially when the changes being contemplated are for more taxes. Businesses stop hiring and individuals stop spending until the picture clears, and once again they can enact the ability to make plans, assuming they can afford the goals they have with less money than they had before.

Who really benefits from the tax tinkering that takes place every time a new party comes into power ? Certainly not businesses, which are the driving force of a growing economy. The only people who benefit in almost all cases are the politicians themselves and the government bureaucracy that they grow, and perhaps accountants and tax attorneys. However, I would think that many accountants would wish for a stable tax code too. Constantly changing the tax law is one of the greatest detriments to a sustainable growing economy because it constantly interrupts the ability to plan one's financial future. It creates a behavior that is stop-go-stop-go, and hinders the ability to live a smooth and less stressful life.

The problem is not that the tax laws need to be changed every 2-4 years in order to help the economy. The problem is that most governments have yet to find a way to intelligently manage the receipts it gets from taxes to run the country, state, or city. Individuals and businesses have to manage their finances properly in order to survive. They don't have the luxury of creating more money by starting the printing presses or taxing their customers or reneging on their debts, as governments do. If a government has mismanaged the funds (taxes) of a nation, they simply increase the taxes and/or have their central banks print more money.

To be continued... (next week)

Announcements :

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions - the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report - went out last week, Monday and Tuesday, via posting on our web site, or attachment via direct emails, for subscribers. If you are a subscriber and did not receive it, contact us at once. We also sent an update to subscribers on Wednesday. This report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, Treasury Notes, and grain markets. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The new MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only. These reports are included in the Japanese, German, and Dutch translated MMA Cycles Report respectively. New yearly (or renewing) subscribers to these reports will receive a free copy of the Forecast 2010 book while supplies last (see below). You also qualify for a special discount on a yearly subscription if at the same time you pre-order Forecast 2011. For subscription information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, or call us at 1-248-626-3034.

If you are an active short-term trader, you may be interested in 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-Notes, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, 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".

CD's DVD's, MP3's, and "On-Line Streaming Video" of the July 11 webcast are now available !!! Each of these various ways to see the event can now be ordered via our website at www.mmacycles.com (just click the opening banner), or by calling 1-248-3034 or email operations at ordersmma@msn.com. The cost of each is $45.00, plus postage if necessary. This webcast covered our outlook for stocks, precious metals, interest rates and Treasuries, foreign currencies vis-à-vis the U.S. Dollar, and Grains. We pick this time because it is right before the astrological midpoint of the Cardinal Climax, which takes place late July through early August. It may be the peak of the huge trend reversals expected in many of these markets, aided and abetted by major changes of trend in geopolitical matters. You won't want to miss this presentation. Order now, because most of the trading opportunities presented are in effect from July 21 through October 8, 2010 !!!.

OK. You've asked about classes in Financial Astrology, and I am giving two of them in great South American cities in late September and early October. Since these constitute "investment education", many of you will be able to write the expenses of this trip off (travel, some meals, and cost of conferences). Here are some more details of each - and I hope to see many subscribers at each :

September 23-26, 2010 : Buenos Aires ! Seminar on Financial and Mundane Astrology with Raymond Merriman and others, with special emphasis on Argentina's Merval Index and precious metals and whatever else is of interest to participants, for each Financial Astrology workshop is different. For more information, contact Claudia Rizzi, or have look here. We will host a special gathering of MMA Subscribers at the end of the seminar, depending on interest expressed.

October 1-2, 2010 : Rio de Janeiro ! Workshop on Financial Astrology with Raymond Merriman, plus a Mundane Astrology panel with Merriman and others. The workshop will have with special emphasis on Brazil's Bovespa Index and precious metals, and whatever else is of interest to participants. For more information, contact Renato Chebar at renato65@gamil.com. We will host a special gathering for MMA Subscribers on Sunday, October 3, the day of Brazil's elections !!!.

January 14-16, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland. "Forecasts 2011" symposia featuring top mundane and financial astrologers, plus one day workshop on Financial Market Timing. For more details, go to www.astrodata.ch.

March 10-12, 2011 : Mexico City, Mexico. Speech on Forecasts 2011, and workshop on "Evolutionary Astrology : The Journey of the Soul Through States of Consciousness". For information, please contact acuario888@gmail.com.

April 28 and 30, 2011 : Kansas City, Mo. "Forecasts for 2011" and "Financial Astrology Workshop" with Raymond Merriman. Sponsored by AOA. Details soon.

The MMA Catalogue of products and services for 2013 is now out!!! You can download it in PDF. The ordering page is the last page of the catalogue. This is especially useful for those outside of the USA, since we do not mail these out by mail unless requested.

We are pleased to announce that the Spanish publication of "Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing" has just been completed. This first edition in Spanish will be in print in 10 days. For more information and ordering, please contact www.lecochonsideral.info/PubliMERRI/Espagnol/Annee2012/semana.html.

We also have our new CD available : "The Cardinal Climax 2008-2015 : Investment Opportunities and Dangers". This 75-minute CD outlines the most powerful geocosmic configuration of our lifetime : The Cardinal Climax of 2008-2015. This presentation examines the historical, long-term geocosmic signatures that are present 2008-2015, how they correlated to economic crises in the past, and how they will likely impact various financial markets and investment opportunities this time. In fact, many of the themes are already underway. Approximately 75 minutes, with PDF file of charts used: $25.00 plus postage.

I am oftentimes asked for recommendations of a money manager who uses my methods, since I won't manage other people's money. The thing is, almost all money managers I know use their own systems. But many subscribe to my services and share my thoughts about the future of the economy, various financial markets, and how to position one's portfolio along these lines. One money manager who subscribes to our services that I would suggest for those looking to structure a longer-term portfolio, such as a retirement account, is Duke O'Neill of Boulder, Colorado. He can be reached at dukeoneil1@gmail.com, or 1-(303) 545-5837. For those looking for a professional trader of commodity and futures contract might consider Ted Lee Fisher at ted.fisher@comcast.net. Ted is a legend in financial futures and has a seat on the CME. Both are very knowledgeable of the tools I use, of the way I am looking at markets, and yet each makes their own decisions as to exactly when to enter and exit any market. They will be more than happy to assist you.

To the above list, I would also like to recommend long-term MMA subscriber Erwin Brunner of Zurich, Switzerland. Mr. Brunner is the founder of BrunnerInvest AG. One of his five funds was awarded the "Best in-house fund of funds" in the world recently. Mr. Brunner is a former director of the Swiss Banking Corporation (today it is known as UBS), and a general director of Rothschild Bank in Zurich. As an independent wealth manager for high net worth individuals and institutional clients only, he places his clients into the funds of the best performing fund managers in the world, via his own research and experience. For high net worth readers interested in Mr. Brunner's funds, please contact him through www.brunnerinvest.ch.

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.

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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September 1-8, 2011: Bali! "Financial Astrology" Intensive workshop with Raymond Merriman, and "Mundane Astrology" with Claude Weiss. For more information on this unique week-long intensive and incredible South Pacific paradise adventure.