Menu Content

Merriman Market Analyst

Home arrow Weekly Preview arrow Comments For The Week Beginning August 4, 2008
Advertisement
Please note:
This is not the same as our service titled
"MMA Weekly Comments and Recommendations on Financial Markets"
which is available by subscription only.
Flowchart on MMA Products and Services
Comments For The Week Beginning August 4, 2008

Review and Preview

The volatility associated with the Mars-Uranus opposition influence was very prominent last week with several triple digit days in succession in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. On Monday, July 28, the DJIA was down 239 points, followed by a 266-point up day on Tuesday, 186 points up on Wednesday, and then down 205 points on Thursday. Similar volatility was observed in precious metals. Gold and Silver both fell to their lowest levels in a month last Wednesday, then staged rather strong rallies into Thursday, only to give much of it back on Friday. The Euro currency likewise fell Friday to its lowest level in a month, after just attaining a new all-time high two weeks ago on July 15. Corn and Soybeans also fell hard last week, but also experienced sharp rallies in between these sell-offs.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 We are in a geocosmic critical reversal zone right now. As stated last week, “From July 26 through August 6, there will be four major geocosmic signatures present. The middle of that period coincides with the solar eclipse of August 1, so there could be a strong “eclipse-effect” upon world financial markets within one trading day. August 1 also coincides with the release of the Unemployment and Payroll reports in the USA. The combination could be dramatic, especially given that it is a solar eclipse in the sign of Leo, the sign of drama. Oftentimes this type of eclipse also has a correspondence to big price swings in grain prices.”

 The drama does not end on August 1. On August 6, that extremely powerful Mars-Uranus opposition unfolds. Within 10 trading days, this signature has one of the highest correspondences to primary or half-primary cycles in U.S. stock indices. Both Mars and Uranus are highly volatile. In Mundane Astrology, Mars pertains to conflicts and the threat of aggressive military actions. Uranus can pertain to terrorism. Together they represent a high potential for conflict, combat, and aggression, as well as accidents. However, the accidents can be either man-induced or part of nature, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcano eruptions, and fires. It is not a time for important summit meetings designed to foster cooperation and agreement, as witness by the breakdown of last week’s free-trade talks (DOHA). It is also indicative of a return to negative attack politics, as also witnessed last week between McCain and Obama (especially negative on the part of Senator McCain, a move that could backfire on him). The influence of this Mars-Uranus signature is thus already in force, and it may become even more bitter and aggressive this week. In fact, most of the month of August may be difficult in this regard, for Mars will form another antagonistic aspect to Pluto at mid-month. This too suggests a period of danger and more negative attacks upon the character of one’s opponents. It tends to be a “no-win” situation, by choice, but the consequences of not seeking respectful dialogue and engagement could backfire.

 So what does all this say about the equity markets this week? If they rally to a new multi-week high, it suggests a dramatic reversal could follow. If equity indexes instead fall and re-test the lows of two weeks ago, it could be followed by a dramatic rally. But the study of cycles suggest that a decline right now will not take out the lows of July 15-16 in the DJIA before first taking out the highest price that followed the lows of July 15-16. The lunar cycle phasing of August 5-6 also suggests the same. But of course, under Mars-Uranus, any market can do the unexpected, which is why we will closely monitor technical conditions in our subscription reports to guide traders through this tricky geocosmics week.

Longer-Term Thoughts

In the last several weeks, I have written about the correlation of planetary and rhythmic long-term cycles to the platforms of the two USA Presidential candidates. As illustrated, there are valid studies to support the presidency of both candidate, from cycles related to the economy, value of the U.S. Dollar, interest rates, taxes, the stock market, and threat of war. Now I would like to analyze it from a purely classical astrological point of view. First, I would once again like to point out the excellent book on “Political Astrology” by Michael O’Reilly (2005, WingSpan Press, Livermore, CA, USA), wherein he writes about the Mars Factor in U.S. Presidents. Ten of the 42 U.S. Presidents have had their natal Mars in Leo, far more than any other planet-sign combination. John McCain has this position, whereas Barack Obama has Mars in Virgo, a placement that has an “average” rate of frequency of five historical cases, including current President George W. Bush. One would have to give this advantage to John McCain.

 The next consideration has to do with the chart of Election Day. The election begins at 12:01 AM, November 4, in Dixville, New Hampshire. At that moment, the Moon is in Capricorn, conjunct Jupiter. As written in the “Forecasts for 2008” book, written in November 2007, long before Obama was considered a serious contender "… the Moon and Jupiter are conjunct in Capricorn on Election Day, and both form a trine to Saturn and sextile Uranus. The people want somebody who is an outsider to the Washington political establishment, but they also wish a conservative element, someone who gives the appearance of being in control, an authority that can command the respect of others. It may indicate the older candidate wins, if there is a substantial age difference. They do not vote for a total banishment of the “old guard.” They demand change, but they still vote conservatively on Election Day. That the nation is conflicted about the War in Iraq and the threat of other possible military campaigns is also shown by Mars in Scorpio (the “hawks”) in square aspect to Neptune (the “doves”).” The Moon in Capricorn not only represents the older candidate, but the one with more experience in the minds of voters, who tend to be in a more conservative mood than a risk-taking one. Once again, I would give the astrological edge here to McCain.

 I also pointed out that the transits on the day of the New Hampshire primary in early February were very similar to those of Election Day. Most notably, the Moon and Jupiter were conjunct again in Capricorn, nearby to their positions on November 4, 2008. My comment at the time was that the one of the victors of this primary would also be the likely winner of the November 2008 election. Readers may remember that this primary was one week after the Iowa primary, which was won by Michael Huckabee and Barack Obama. They were favored to repeat in New Hampshire. However, to the surprise of many, neither won. Then winners of New Hampshire were Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Only McCain is still standing.

 Or is he the only one still standing? There is now the matter of selecting a vice-president. Interestingly enough, Hillary Clinton could be Obama’s running mate and she too not only 1) won New Hampshire, but also is 2) perceived to be a candidate with experience, and hence indicative of Moon in Capricorn, and 3) she has natal Mars in Leo, the highest correlation of planetary studies to U.S. presidents. Yes, I know this is only for the post of vice-president, but she is a Scorpio, and this is a two-year period when the powerful 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition occurs, so unexpected things can happen. Of course, this major geocosmic signature can affect John McCain and his running mate too. Both Rudy Giulani and Mike Huckabee also have Mars in Leo. Mitt Romney has Mars in Pisces, a placement that no prior U.S. President has had.

 According to these purely astrological studies, Obama’s best chance of winning the presidency may lie with the choice of Hillary Clinton as his running mate, assuming she would accept such an invitation. As a result, we anxiously await the Democratic convention later this month to see if these astrological considerations, which I place great importance upon, will move from a strongly biased McCain election victory to one that will put the contest back into a more balanced astrological duel.

 

Announcements

A new MMA Cycles Report, and a New Special Offer!!! Good until June 2010 (but the special perks are greatest in March!). The special offer is this: all new one-year subscriptions to the MMA Cycles Report will also receive free the SOS Global Markets Report through June 2010! That’s an additional value of $115.00 for the next 4 months. Why? Because June 2010 will mark our last publication of the “SOS Global Markets Report.” We are instead starting up a new report for our European subscribers that will be called the “MMA German-Swiss Stock Market Cycles Report.” It will be a 2-4 page report issued monthly, 1-2 days after the MMA Cycles Report. It will contain detailed cyclical, geocosmic, and technical analysis of the German DAX and Swiss SMI stock indices. The cost of this new report is $195.00/year, $95.00/4 months, or $50.00/2 months, with automatic renewal options. BUT…. All new one-year subscriptions to the MMA Cycles Report will also receive free introductory issues of this new MMA German-Swiss Cycles Report through June too!!! That is an additional value of $95.00 for this special offer. Order one year of MMA Cycles of $295, and you will receive the next 4 months of SOS and the first 4 months of the new MMA German-Swiss Market Cycles report too for free! For more information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com. Or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Don’t delay! Sign up now and save big bucks!!!

 The monthly SOS Global Stock Market Cycles Report comes out this week. As noted above, this report will be discontinued after June 2010. But you won’t want to miss these last special issues, which cover the long-term cyclical outlook of major world stock indices, including DJIA, NASDAQ, DAX, AEX, Hang Seng, All Ordinaries of Australia, and the XAU Gold and Silver Mining index. It also covers short-term analysis with a generous discussion on forthcoming geocosmic signatures. As you read above, you may receive these last four issues for free if you sign up for a one-year subscription to the MMA Cycles Report. You will also receive free the first four issues of the new MMA German-Swiss Stock Market Cycles Report. This is a great deal you will not want to miss if you have been thinking of subscribing to the MMA Cycles Report.

 Please note that I will be giving two lectures in Arizona in March. The first will be Friday, March 12 in Tucson, 7:30 – 9:00 PM. Please contact 520-625-5762 or gaelchi@dishmail.net for reservations and location information. The second will take place in Scottsdale, Friday, March 26, 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Contact 602-952-1525, or as aboard@azastrology.org for reservation and location details. The title of the presentations will be “FORECASTS 2010 AND THE USA ECONOMY.” These presentations will discuss the importance of the “Cardinal Climax,” an unusual planetary pattern that will be in force 2008-2015, with its strongest astrological set up taking place in the summer of 2010. This set up affects the charts of the USA, Barack Obama, and the Federal Reserve. As each of these entities undergoes radical changes, it will also correspond to powerful movements in financial markets and the world economy. This is a year in which tremendous profits, or losses, can be realized, related to Jupiter conjunct Uranus cycle which begins in 2010.

 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, go to http://www.heavenandearthworkshops.com/financial.html.

 

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, 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, 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, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, 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, MP3’s, DVD’S, and webcast viewing of the Forecast 2010 speech will be available in about a week. The Forecast 2010 Webcast Speech took place December 20, 2009. We are offering a CD or MP3 download that contains the audio only. You can also view the webcast again in it’s entirety as a one-time download from Vibation until January 25, 2010. And it will be available in a DVD edited edition too. The cost for any of these recordings will be $45.00 and an additional postage charge if ordering in audio CD or edited DVD format. For further information, go to our website at www.mmacycles.com (it will be up sometime this week). Or drop us an email (ordersmma@msn.com) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. “Thank You - it’s very thoughtful and thanks you for sharing your knowledge. A whole new world opened for me.” Attendee to the Forecast 2010 webcast.
 
  The Forecast 2010 book are out!!! For more information, visit our web site at www.mmacycles.com. “Kudos… the 2010 forecasts – you’ve outdone yourself - I see Jupiter is playing a role not anticipated (if I recall correctly) last year .... it all clicks.” RR, Santa Fe

The MMA Catalogue of products and services for 2010 is now out!!! You can download it in PDF at http://www.mmacycles.com/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,161/Itemid,63/. The ordering page is the last page of the catalogue. This is especially useful for those outside of the USA, since we do not send these by snail mail unless requested.

MMA is currently preparing a listing of astrology books on its web site for readers to consider in their education of this unique study. The initial offering can be seen on our web site at www.mmacycles.com, under Astrology Books.

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.

Copyright MMACycles 2007; you may link to this site or page, but you may not distribute these texts in any way (by email or otherwise).

Archives

Previous weeklies (2006) are archived at www.olmta.com

For other language editions of MMA´s weekly comments:


Owners of websites:

This Weekly Market Climate is available for co-branding. Call 1-800-662-3349 for details.