Merriman Market Analyst

Review and Preview

 The majority of world stock markets ended their corrective decline early Monday, and then soared to their weekly highs on Friday. This was right in line with one of the two basic patterns described last week, based on the principles of Financial Astrology. As stated in last week’s column, “There are no major geocosmic signatures in effect this coming week that have a high correlation to reversals in financial markets… This means one of two things: either the move down that started last week will continue into the following week, or the move down ended Friday (April 11) and the market will start another rally immediately this week, and continue rising into the following week.” It looks very much like this later pattern was –and is still - operative.

 In Asia and the Pacific Rim, the four markets we track made their weekly low on Monday. In the case of Australia’s All Ordinaries, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, and the Japanese Nikkei stock indices, each put in their high of the week on Thursday. But none sold off much on Friday. In India, the NIFTY stock index also made a weekly low on Monday, but continued rising into Friday. Of all these indices, India’s again looks the strongest headed into the new week.

 In Europe, the pattern was similar. Each of the four indices we track made weekly lows on Monday. In the case of the London FTSE index, the weekly high unfolded Wednesday, but Friday was not that far off. In the other three indices – Netherlands AEX, Germany’s DAX, and Switzerland’s SMI index - the high of the week was not until Friday. They are all pointed up heading into next week’s powerful cluster of geocosmic signatures.

 The U.S. stock markets performed slightly different. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite bottomed early Tuesday (instead of Monday), and then soared to their highest levels of the year on Friday’s huge up day. It is looking more and more like that low of January 22 in the DJIA was the 4-year cycle trough.

 In other financial and commodity markets, the Euro currency made yet another new all-time high on Thursday, while Crude Oil closed well above $116/barrel for the first time ever on Friday. The Euro started a sell-off after that high on Thursday, and I still expect Crude Oil to top out by the end of May (Jupiter sextile Uranus), and then begin a decline that could surprise many people. If it doesn‘t, it will surprise me. And isn‘t Uranus known for surprises? In this case, the surprise would pertain to the greater number of people, and not to me, the individual.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 This forthcoming week is one of the most intense weeks of geocosmic activity this year.

 After the Sun enters Taurus this Saturday, April 19, there are six major aspects between planets the following four days. It starts with the Sun making a grand trine to Saturn and Pluto on April 20-21, which could coincide with news that an agreement has been reached (or proposed) to resolve the sub-prime debt crisis. The feeling that “the worst is behind us” may be on the increase. Friday’s big up day in the stock market is a step in that direction, and it might continue to lead to higher equity levels as we start the new week.

On Tuesday, April 22, Mars will form a waxing trine to Uranus. This is a powerful Level 1 signature, according to our work published in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.” It has a 70% correlation to primary cycles within an orb of 12 trading days. And then on Wednesday and Thursday (April 23-24), Venus will form a cardinal T-square to the Mars-Jupiter opposition. On a personal level, this can correlate with big attractions and/or disputes in love. It is sort of like falling in – and then out – of love. On a Financial Astrology level, this can correlate with a big price swings in the equity markets. It is sort of like falling in – and then out – of love for your portfolio (or broker).

  On top of all that, we will go through another Sagittarius Factor period (Moon is Sagittarius) Tuesday-Thursday. This typically is a lunar phase that can correspond to be very large price swings as well, especially when Mars, Jupiter, or Uranus aspects are involved. And as you see, they are involved with one another in the middle of this week. Just watch out who you are involved with this week! Everything (or someone) looks good. But are you ready for the ride of your life? Use your brakes, your clutch, and whatever other means of support you have at your disposal if you don’t want to overshoot the “Cliff Up Ahead!” sign. Ah, spring.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 There is another primary election taking place this week, on April 22, in Pennsylvania. The Moon is in Scorpio that day, which would seem to give an advantage to Hillary Clinton. But despite the results of that primary, Mundane Astrologers are going to have a difficult time successfully forecasting the victor of this year’s USA Presidential race. Oh, I am certain that after the election is over, many will loudly announce their correct call of this election. But I can honestly say that right now, I still can’t tell who will be the next President based on astrology alone.

 I look at the transits of that day, and like every other Mundane and Financial Astrologer, I see the first passage of the Saturn-Uranus opposition. But what does it mean? It certainly means a new course, a new direction of leadership with anything that is decided around that time. On the surface, that would seem to mean a Democrat will win, for isn’t John McCain (the Republican candidate) suppose to be the same direction as George W. Bush? Well, yes, and maybe no.

 If we think of Saturn and Uranus as the opposite ends of the spectrum between the old (Saturn) and the new (Uranus), the liberal (Uranus) and conservative (Saturn), experience (Saturn) versus someone who is perceived as original and not so experienced (Uranus), we can see a choice in which the candidates are truly different this time. There is a clear distinction between the two sides. But which one wins? Saturn or Uranus?

 There are five passages of this aspect between November 4, 2008 and July 26, 2010. On this first passage, the Moon and Jupiter will be in Capricorn, the sign that Saturn has dominion over. This would seem to suggest that the Saturn principles (old, conservative, and experienced) would prevail. But on the other hand, Saturn in opposition to Uranus also implies many surprises still be in store for the nation - for the world - going right into the election. Perhaps Saturn is highlighted because it is being “hit” in a candidate’s chart and (s)he has a change of status in life even nearby to the election. One might note that John McCain is a Virgo (August 29, 1936, 9:00 AM, Panama City, but this is not confirmed data). If he wins, he would be the oldest person ever to be elected to this office (72 years young). That certainly fits with Saturn being emphasized, especially with the Moon in Capricorn on Election Day. But Saturn is transiting through Virgo all year, and he is a Virgo. What can happen to someone who runs a grueling campaign, with Saturn on his Sun? It depends on his health and vitality of course, but Saturn on anyone’s Sun, let alone one who is already past 70 years of age, is not a time when one is advised to “push the limits” of what might be needed to conduct a successful campaign. I realize that some astrologers are reading this as a time when one takes on more responsibility in his/her life, and therefore he is the candidate to win because of this very condition of Saturn on his Sun. Perhaps. But he also has his natal Saturn at 20 Pisces, right where Uranus is passing back and forth all this year. And that natal Saturn is opposite his Venus-Neptune conjunct, with Venus ruling the probable ascendant (Libra). Transiting Saturn is there too, on his natal Venus-Neptune, opposite his natal Saturn). So this Saturn-Uranus opposition that is transiting in the heavens denotes sudden and unexpected changes along the way towards this election, towards the assumption of this office by next year. And it falls on very critical points to Senator McCain’s chart.

 Can he win on the basis of Astrology? Yes, of course he can. In fact, on the basis of astrology alone, I would say McCain has the advantage. The Moon – Jupiter conjunction on Election Day implies the country does not want to make a change, and that they do want someone in the office who has experience and represents the idea of “safety to the nation.” It favors the older man, the one with more experience, in my way of looking at things.

 But it could also be interpreted to favor Senators Clinton and Obama too, because they represent Uranus – especially Obama (youth). If the youth come out in large numbers, they could produce the classical theme of “change” (or upset) that goes with Uranus in opposition to Saturn. Or something else can happen along the way that derails the whole process, prior to January 20, when the new president is sworn in. And if that happens, you can be certain it would open up a whole new realm of conspiracy theories, especially if it means the current Administration has to stay in office beyond that date, which - after all – isn’t that what many conspiratorial theorists are suggesting anyway? It could happen, and it may not be the result of a dark conspiracy. Or, maybe it is. In any event, this signature promises one thing for certain: nothing is certain. Anything can happen with this election, and even right afterwards.