MMA WEEKLY - Financial Astrology commentary, Financial Market Analyst and Market Timer

This year's printed version of Forecast 2018 will also be available in these other languages, as follows :

Go to the sheet for Downloading the video for the Ultimate book on stock market timing.

Note : The purpose of this column is to provide educational insights into the tenets of geocosmic studies as they correspond to economic, political, and socio-psychological matters, as one of several tools that in turn may assist in the practice of financial market timing. This column is not intended, nor should it be used, as an advisory service for trading financial markets, without use of other financial market analysis tools. MMA subscription reports provide that type of advisory service, with specific recommendations for trading.

Review and Preview :

Nonfarm payrolls rose by 103,000 in March, well below economist expectations of 193,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, February's number was revised higher and the longer-term trend of strong growth looked intact. - Jeff Cox, "Nonfarm Payrolls Increase by 103,000 in March, vs 193,00 Jobs Expected", www.cnbc.com, April 6, 2018.

The trade dispute itself cannot really be called a "trade war". A trade war implies falling trade volumes. US President Trump's economic policies are calculated to increase the size of the US current account deficit, and so increase trade volumes. (US living standards will also increase if the deficit increases, coincidentally). - Paul Donovan, "The Media Headline War", Paul Donovan, www.ubs.com/pauldonovan.

President Donald Trump threatened a major escalation in trade tensions with Beijing on Thursday, saying he was considering imposing tariffs on an additional $100 billion in imports from China. The president said that an escalation would be due to Beijing's "unfair retaliation", which could "harm our farmers and manufacturers". - Bob Davis, "Trump Eyes $100 Billion in Added Tariffs", Wall Street Journal, April 6, 2018.

In the week that was the middle of this current Mercury retrograde (March 22-April 14), many stock indices of the world ended rallies that began around the time Mercury turned retrograde. To say traders and investors alike are confused by the mixed messages of the president and his men - many of whom have no idea of his sudden announcements of new policies, or changes to existing policies until after he tweets his rapidly changing positions - would be an understatement. Yet it is completely in form with Mercury the Trickster, who goes first this way, and then that way, depending on who stands where in his path. Of course, Mercury is especially important to people who have Gemini prominent, such as Mr. Trump, who is not only born under a Gemini sun sign, but finds his Sun conjunct Uranus, the planet that is more unpredictable and changeable than Mercury. Some say that is a signature of brilliance, innovation, and intelligence that is off the charts. Others say it is a sign of someone constantly on the verge of cracking up. The truth is not somewhere in the middle here, but on the edge, the fringe, of both sides - both levels - of the parallel universes this mind defines as reality. There is no norm here. It's either brilliance or crazy, or both, alternating with different points in time.

Worries about President Donald Trump's trade policies and threats of imposing tariffs on imports, especially from China, continue to be a drag on global equity markets, despite the attempt to rally since the lows of March 26 (one day prior to our March 27 two-star geocosmic CRD - critical reversal date). All the president's advisors continue to say it is just a negotiating tool. However, as former Fed Governor Alan Binder stated recently, and quoted in this column, "Trade wars have a way of intensifying…That is exactly how trade wars escalate". (Wall Street Journal, March 15, 2018).

In Europe, the London FTSE rallied to 7214 on Friday, April 6, after making a 16-month low at 6861 on March 26. However, like other indices, it closed down on Friday after the rally, after the Trump threat to implement more new tariffs on China. The story was the same in the German DAX, Zurich SMI, and Netherlands AEX. All rallied smartly from their lows in our March 26 CRD reversal zone, topping out late last week, and then closing down on Friday.

In Asia and the Pacific Rim, smart rallies were present in India's Nifty and Japan's Nikkei Index. However, it was not so exuberant in China, Hong Kong, or Australia, where the prospect of a trade war between China and the USA does not bode well at all.

Trade fears also brought down the USA stock markets early in the week, as the DJIA fell below its low of February 9 temporarily. This was not case in the NASDAQ Composite and S&P however, and immediately after that low, all three indices started to soar - until Friday, when Trump's announcement of more possible tariffs on the Chinese was launched, following their retaliation of the first Trump tariff threat a few days ago. It was another Trump buzzkill, as the DJIA promptly lost 572 points on Friday, after rising over 1000 points from low to high the prior two days. This retaliation game between the two Gemini leaders (Xi and Trump) is all a part of their negotiating styles, but with Mercury retrograde and ruling their sun signs, things could go too far off course, making it hard to circle back around again to more normal negotiations. Yet, these two Geminis have favorable aspects to one another, and to Vladimir Putin, so don't rule out the possibility of a happy ending for all concerned, except Kim Jong-un, who is likely to be odd man out, the one who is sacrificed, in this international deal-making theatre. For Trump, that may be what this is ultimately all about in any event.

Short-Term Geocosmics and longer-term thoughts :

(Jamie) Dimon worries about the huge pile of money ($9 trillion by his count) now invested in "passive" funds, such as index funds and ETF's that track popular stock indexes. These funds, he notes, are very easy for investors to get out "It is reasonable to worry about what happens if these funds went into large liquidation", Dimon said. - Adam, Shell, "Dimon : Trump's Complaints About China are 'Legitimate'", USA Today, April 6, 2018.

When we look at trade issues via the study of Mundane Astrology, we focus upon Sagittarius (the 9 th sign), the 9 th house, and Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius. The #9 principle applies to all matters related to foreign countries and individuals, including immigration. The fact that the USA is experiencing such difficulties in these areas is no surprise to a Mundane Astrologer, for transiting Saturn (the planet of struggles, resistance, and blockages) is now in opposition to the USA natal Jupiter at 5° Cancer, in its natal 9 th house (if using the July 2, 1776 chart, 11;50 AM, Philadelphia, PA). Since Saturn will soon turn retrograde at 9° Capricorn, it will return twice more in opposition to the USA natal Jupiter through November 2018. Trade and immigration are likely to be major issues in the midterm election, which will be held November 6, 2018. Saturn's transit during this period will also create a T-square to Donald Trump's natal Mercury/Neptune square, which points out the challenge for him personally on this "trade war" negotiating ploy. Nothing ever seems to go the way you want it to go when transiting Saturn is involved in a hard aspect formation like this. At best, he might get his way, but not quickly. And with natal Mars in Leo on his natal ascendant, he is not one to employ patience as virtue. If he doesn't get the results he wants quickly, he often becomes Martian - he gets angry, or moves on to create or focus upon another crisis. A mundane astrologer may become very concerned when Mars turns retrograde this summer, in opposition to Trump's natal Pluto, in June and July.

Shorter-term, we are focused on the transits unfolding April 7-18. These include the new moon in Aries on April 15, the same day that Mercury turns direct, and one day before heliocentric Mercury enters Sagittarius (April 16-27). The next two days will also find Saturn turning retrograde and the Sun conjunct Uranus for the last time in Aries. We would like to think that things will cool down, become more calm and mature, now that Mercury is about to end its retrograde trickery, but these transits suggest that will not be the case just yet. In fact, matters may not slow down and rhetoric may not return to a semblance of respect, until the mid-term elections are over, because Mars will enter a central time band that involves three passages in a square aspect to Uranus, due to the retrograde of Mars. This Mars/Uranus climate of chaos may extend from May 16 through September 18.

However, there is some hope for peace and relaxation too this summer, for Jupiter will complete its final two passages of a trine to Neptune on May 25 and August 19. It is a very strange spring and summer season, with cross currents between the psychotic chaos of Mars square Uranus, and the peaceful, gentle nature of Jupiter trine Neptune. I suspect stock markets will reflect these contradictory dynamics in kind, with a major cycle trough first, followed by another powerful rally into late summer, early fall - and then the show may be over.

~~Longer-term thoughts~~ :

To be continued (next week).

Announcements :

Note 1 : MMA is having a "Second Quarter Sale" beginning Saturday evening, March 31 ends on Monday, April 9. There are actually three sales in one, or three ways to save, and they all involve $35. The first way to save is to order the Forecast 2018 Book at the reduced rate of $35.00, and also receive for FREE an MP4 of the recent "Q and A with Ray", which was a one-hour session with subscribers of MMA Cycles Reports that included the tables on our initial research results of daily bitcoin reversals of 10% or more related to lunar movements since July 2014. The second $35 sale is this: order any Ray Merriman Book that costs $100 or more and receive a $35.00 discount off its standard price. The third sale is an Astrology Book Bundle. For $35.00 (plus postage), receive one copy each of Evolutionary Astrology (Raymond Merriman), Planets in Containment (John Sandbach), The Solar Return Book of Prediction (original edition by Raymond Merriman), Astrology Key to Holistic Health (Marcia Stark), and A Scientific Approach to the Metaphysics of Astrology (Enrique Linares). To order, go to www.mmacycles.com then Products => Spring Sale.

Note 2 : We are pleased to announce that the recordings of Course 1 on MMA's Market Timing Methodology, taught to students in Beijing, China, will now be available as of this Monday, April 9! These classes provide the basic principles for understanding the terminology and use of cycle studies, for the purpose of timing major reversals in financial markets. They also explain how trend analysis and chart patterns are used in the context of cycle studies and introduce the student to geocosmic correlations to long-term cycles in the stock market. Course 1 is taught entirely by Raymond Merriman, the creator and developer of the MMA Market Timing Methodology. The classes are given in English with Chinese translation. The cost for the entire 8 classes is $995 (this is a savings of over $1000 from the cost of Course 1 in MMTA). The cost includes the text of each class (in English), the webinar recordings (in English and Chinese), as well as the power point slides (in English). Classes may also be purchased individually at $145/each. For more information and a complete description of each class, please visit www.mmacycles.com > Education. Or, wait for the banner with Chinese characters to come up on the opening screen of the MMA web site, and click it. This is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive, effective, and valuable way to learn the art and science of Market Timing (the MMA way, the leader in market timing products and services, and now, education as well). Call 248-626-3034, or email MMA at customerservice@mmacycles.com for further information.

Note 3 : The new MMA Bitcoin Daily Report has started !. And it made its first official trade on Thursday, March 15, as Bitcoin made a new multi-week low. The cost for this new report is $1500/year or $150/mo, but it is included in the MMA Daily subscription report too, along with 10 other markets (stock indices, Gold, Silver, Euro, Yen, and T-Notes). The reason we like Bitcoin for traders is because 50+% moves seem to happen every couple of weeks. Also, we like it because it seems to have its favorite solar/lunar combinations for reversals. It is a great market for speculators and aggressive traders, who understand how to manage the risk (don't trade more than your life style can afford to lose). We use the current nearby futures contract as the basis for our analysis, which can easily be used by those who want to actually own bitcoins (or its relatives, like Ethereum and Lite Coin). For those who sign up this week, we will also provide a FREE COPY of our recent March 8 webinar for subscribers ("Q&A with Ray"), which includes the tables on our initial research results of daily bitcoin reversals of 10% or more related to lunar movements since July 2014. The initial results are impressive! To sign up, please go to the front-page banner at www.mmacycles.com and click the Bitcoin image. Or, call us at 1-800-662-3349 or 1-248-626-3034. Or email us at cusatomeservice@mmacycles.com.

NOTE 4 : The next MMA Webinar will be a 2018 Second Quarter Update on markets. It will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at noon, PDT (3 PM EDT). Markets to be covered will include the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, the Euro, Treasuries, Crude Oil, and Soybeans. If time allows, there will be a Q&A at the end. Attendees who have questions are encouraged to send them in at least three days prior to the Webinar. The Webinar will last two hours. Cost is $45 and includes a copy of the slides that are used as well as a recording of the Webinar that will be available two days following the live event. To register, please visit www.mmacycles.com Products> Events> Webinar - 2018 Second Quarter Forecast Update Webinar.

The EBook of Forecast 2018 and the print editions of Forecast 2018 are now completed and sent out to all who have pre-ordered! EBooks have been received, and print editions should be received in the next week - before Christmas. If not, call us. We have also received the printed copies on Friday, so we can now fill new orders with remaining copies. Order now and get your copy. It is relevant right now !.

The third edition of The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 1 : Cycles and Patterns in the Indexes is now out as of Friday, September 8! This is the most comprehensive book ever published on the cycles of the stock market (DJIA and Nikkei), with analysis going back to the British stock markets of the 17 th century. This is a must-have book if you are a serious investor, trader, or student of cycles. There is nothing else like this book available today. The cost of this book is $125. There is also a special $25 discount for those who also pre-order the Forecast 2018 Book . Call us to get this rate. The new material and tables on long-and intermediate-term cycles in the U.S. and Japanese stock markets are worth the cost of the book alone. For more information, go to visit the MMA website at www.mmacycles.com, or here and check it out. You can also order now by e-mail to ordersmma@msn.com or calling 1-800-662-3349, or 248-626-3034". The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing : Cycles and Patterns in the Index" is literally the ultimate book on the analysis of the stock market. We are especially impressed with various waves of long-term cycles for more than 200 years, which we have never seen : T. Kaburagi, Toshi Nippou Ltd (Japan's major commodity newspaper).

Our monthly MMA Cycles : The monthly edition of the MMA International Cycles Report (ICR) and its companion MMA Japanese Cycles and MMA European Cycles reports went out last week. If you are subscriber to any these monthly reports and did not receive it, let us know at once via our email.

- This report covers our long term analysis of the stock market (DJIA and S&P futures), Gold, Silver, T-Notes, Euro and Swiss Franc currencies, grains and crude oil. It also provides the list of geocosmic and solar-lunar reversal zones for the 1-2 months. This report comes out Monday night to subscribers.
- The MMA Japanese Markets Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen.
- The new MMA Europe Cycles report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX stock indices, each in english only and will be available on Wednesday.
Two-issue trial subscriptions are available for this service for $55.00, which includes the current issue and the next month's as well.
For subscription information, please go to our web site, or call us at 1-248-626-3034. If you are not a subscriber, you can check this service out on a 2-month trial basis for only $55.00.

MMA's annual Forecast Book : MMA's annual Forecasts Book, written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecast book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. Specific markets analyzed for the next year(s) include: T-Notes and interest rates, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Gold, Silver, Currencies (U.S. Dollar, Euro, Yen, Swiss Franc, and British Pound), Crude Oil, Grains and Weather. Each market contains the important geocosmic three-star critical reversal dates for 2018. Special sections also include the USA and world economy, the USA and world politics, the USA and its President. A 2018 ephemeris and calendar (one month per page) with geocosmic signatures is included, as well as descriptions of the Mercury, Venus, and Mars retrograde periods for 2018. This is a book with an impressive background for insightful accuracy into world economic and financial market conditions that you will not want to miss! For further information, go to www.mmacycles.com and click the banner.

For more information, visit www.mmacycles.com or call 1-800-662-3349 or 1-248-626-3034.

This year's printed version of Forecast 2018 will also available in these languages:
Dutch : at www.markettiming.nl
German : at http://www.mma-europe.ch
Japanese : at http://merriman.jp

MMA's weekly and daily subscription reports have been extremely accurate and profitable lately, catching the lows in metals, stocks, crude oil, soybeans, and currencies. If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or Daily Market reports. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF's). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF's (Exchange Traded Funds). And since early December, these reports have been extremely profitable. As subscriber and trader R.B. of Albuquerque, NM writes",You have been on an incredible run for a while ; I have never seen anything like it". Well, when everything lines up just right...

If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with short-term trading recommendations, (see a sample there, of the weekly). It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis, as I no longer offer personal consultations. 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, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Soybeans, Crude Oil, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report.
If you want more information call our offices at 1-248-626-3034.
These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF's (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers : I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $712,000. Thanks for your excellent publications. - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

Upcoming Events :

May 23-29, 2,018 : The UAC (United Astrology Congress), Chicago, IL. The largest and most exciting conference for astrologers in the world take place then. 15 tracks, over 200 of the world's top astrologers making presentations. For more information, go to www.uacastrology.com.

June 21-24, 2018 : AAGB (Astrological Association of Great Britain's) 50 th anniversary conference. Ray Merriman will be presenting a morning and afternoon workshop on "Cosmic Cycles are Forever" - valuable tools for timing trends and changes of trends in financial markets. In this masterclass, the historical correlation of currency and gold prices to certain planetary cycles are present in today's cosmos will be examined, with an eye on what to anticipate between 2018 and 2020. For more information, or email office@astrologicalassociation.com. or, visit and register before February 28 for only £199 and save big bucks !.

July 12-15, 2018 : GLAC (Great Lakes Astrology Conference), Ann Arbor, MI. I will be there, conducting a special pre-conference workshop on "Mundane Astrology and The Great Reset". Plus, the Keynote speech.

September 15-18, 2018 : 3 RD MMA INVESTMENT RETREAT, Majorca, Spain. Tentatively being planned. Details to be announced soon.

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 theBest 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.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of Egon von Greyerz to MMA Investment Retreat faculty of presenters. I met Egon last week in Girona, Spain, at a special gathering attended by MMTA Graduates Nitin Bhandari (India), Philipp Beyer (Germany), Henry Canciglia (USA) and myself. Egon is an expert on Gold. He owns Matterhorn Asset Management, a Swiss Asset Management company specializing in wealth preservation, located in Zurich ( www.goldswitzerland.com). He was also the person who initiated the "Save Our Swiss Gold" Act in Switzerland late last year, which would have required the Swiss National Bank to back up their assets with 20% Gold holdings. The initiative failed, but his reasons for initiating this effort are still valid. Egon is very interested in MMA cycles' work, and will share his outlook on Gold and the world debt. This is a real treat!

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 identifiesBig 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 thatextra edge. And Silver is a great market to trade now. The cost is $125.00. For ordering on line.

The new book titled Solar-Lunar Keys to Gold Prices : Secrets of a Gold Trader , is now out. The long awaited sequel to the Secrets of a Silver Trader is due out in late October (maybe before)!!!
Now, GOLD as you have never seen it by night or day. The studies for the soon-to-be-released book are now completed and the results are now being used in the weekly and daily MMA subscription reports for short-term trading strategies in Gold. That's right... historically tested Solar-Lunar Correlations to trading reversals in the Gold Market - as only available from Raymond Merriman. The studies cover over 40 years of daily Gold, starting from December 31, 1974 through April 2015. The book will change how you approach trading Gold using these leading solar-lunar indicators, with very clear instructions as to "when" to expect 3%, 4%, or greater reversals in Gold prices and how to trade them. It will be a valuable guide for short-term traders of Gold, GLD, and other ETF's involving Gold prices. You may call 1-248-626-3034 or email ordersmma@gmail.com and place your pre-order now. It is also now available for purchase on the MMA web site at www.mmacycles.com. Order now and get the first printing of this new book on trading Gold!

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.

Valeur des terres Robert Loquet - Conseiller général

Top of the page