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Comments For The Week Beginning August 6, 2007
Written by Raymond Merriman   

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Stock indices throughout the world continued lower into last week. They tried to rally towards the end of the week, but started falling again as the week ended. In the case of U.S. stock indices, the sell off as Friday closed was very sharp.

In Europe, all indices we track were well off their recent highs. The AEX of Netherlands fell to a new low for this cycle at 521.75 on Wednesday, well off its multi-year high of 563.88 back on July 13. The German DAX index was down below 7400 late last week, well off its all-time high of 8151 achieved back on July 13 also. The FTSE of London was also well off its multi-year highs of 6754, also recorded back on July 13. Last week it spent some time below 6200. And the Swiss stock index closed at 8775, well down from its all-time high of 9548 recorded back in early June.

In the Pacific Rim, the All Ordinaries of Australia fell from its all-time high of 6469 on July 13 to 5952 on Thursday, August 2. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong did likewise, falling to 22,144 on August 2, well off its all-time high of 23,557 back on July 26. The Japanese Nikkei fell all the way back to test its lows of last March, plummeting to 16,652 on Thursday, after being above 18,000 just the week before.

In the Americas, The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued falling to a low of 13,132 last Wednesday, August 1, well of its all-time high of 14,022 back on July 17. The NASDAQ Composite also fell sharply, down to 2525 on August 1, more than 200 points off its six-year high of 2724 recorded back on July 19. As of the close on Friday, the DJIA was almost back to the weekly lows, closing at 13,182.

Each of these indices bottomed within three trading days of the July 31 critical reversal date as identified in our MMA Cycles report. In fact, most were only one day off. But the rallies that followed have not been sustained as the week ended, leaving some doubt as to whether or not they will hold next week. On the bullish side, the daily momentum indicators are oversold and making a pattern oftentimes seen at new cyclical lows. On the not-so-positive side, Venus continues retrograde through early September, and most of these multi- and all-time highs were posted within 12 trading days of that event (July 27), a time when we anticipated that long-term cycle highs in many stock indices would culminate.

In other markets, Crude Oil managed to make a new all-time high on Wednesday, August 1, reaching 78.77. But then it started to sell off, which is not so unusual, especially given that this is right within the same critical reversal period, and prices were testing the previous all-time high. Gold and Silver had modest rallies last week, after bottoming right on the Venus retrograde date the week before. The possibility thus exists for more rallies to come as the Venus retrograde period continues into early September.

Short-Term Geocosmics

The major geocosmic signature in effect right now is the Venus retrograde, July 27 through September 8. Typically we look for a long-term cycle high or low to form within 12 days of the retrograde event, and then for many markets to embark on counter-trend moves into the direct period, +/- 10 trading days. As stated in last week’s column, “For the short-term, the high of the 4-year cycle could very well have been put in on July 17 when the DJIA topped out at 14,022. That was within 12 trading days of Venus turning retrograde, when primary or greater cycles unfold with 78% regularity (that’s huge!).” We also note that on July 27, Gold and Silver made a successful re-test to their primary cycle lows of late June. If Venus retrograde holds as it has oftentimes in the past, then those lows of July 27 should act as strong support on any downturns.

But the next two weeks should be very interesting. First, there are two Jupiter transits of some importance in effect right now. On August 2, the Sun formed a trine to Jupiter, and on Monday, August 6, Jupiter will turn direct. These are usually indicative of rallies in stocks, but they are not that strong in terms of cycle types that form. In other words, rallies into these periods may be corrective in nature, for they only rank as “level 3” and “level 2” types according to our studies reported in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.” Venus retrograde, on the other hand, is a powerful “level 1” type, the most powerful type of correlation to a primary or greater cycle in U.S. stocks. Thus we saw some attempts to rally off the lows last week, and there were times that the rallies were quite strong. But they didn’t last, which suggests there could be further declines this coming week, and possibly even into early September. In fact, it is even possible that if the market declines into Venus direct, the amount of the decline could eventually reach 10% and maybe even 20% from the July 17 highs, for it may even coincide with the 50-week and 4-year cycle troughs. Both of these are due any time by the end of this November – unless they already occurred in either October 2005 or July 2006. As discussed before, I don’t think they bottomed then because those declines were only 7.5 and 8.5% respectively, whereas historically there have been no cases of such 4-year cycle declines being less than 12%. Thus the most logical question is: will the decline end by the time Venus turns direct, or will it extend out to October-November?

Many analysts think the market is ready for a powerful reversal and will rally right now, probably based on the technically oversold condition of the market. They may be right, but with Venus retrograde, technical studies have a tendency to be unreliable, just as when Mercury is retrograde. We may know the answer to this between August 13 and 27, when both the Sun and Venus conjunct Saturn, and form an opposition to Neptune. You may remember prior columns dedicated to the 36-year Saturn-Neptune opposition, which finally ended June 25. Well, the themes of that signature are still with us while Mars, Venus, and Sun still transit in aspect to these two planets. Mars has just finished that “translation” this past week, and the market did make low, albeit possibly only a temporary low. But the Sun and Venus now follow in 1-3 weeks, which leaves open the possibility of another slam down during that period. On the one hand, they could also produce a reversal (i.e. rally) since the market is indeed oversold. At the very least, the same depressing themes that dominated the entire last year under Saturn-Neptune opposition, return to the news: ethics violations and cover-ups by our leaders, denial of responsibility, efforts to harm the reputation of others by creating false impressions based on inaccurate or misleading facts, and of course problems with sub-prime lenders. The wish for honor and accountability remains very strong, and without it, politicians and business leaders continue to languish in the distrust (and disgust) by the public.

Long-Term Thoughts

I will make this very brief this week. I note that Hillary Clinton’s campaign is growing in popularity, according to surveys reported in several newspapers this past week. You may remember that almost two years ago, this column suggested that she would make a strong bid to become the next president, and based on the U.S.A. Mars turning retrograde in its progressed horoscope, she might very well succeed. Mars is a masculine planet, and a planet ruling combat and war too. The idea was that the U.S. would start to move into a less militarily aggressive mode over the next 72-80 years (starting in 2008-2009) preferring to build and secure its own borders rather than to engage in the conflicts of other nations on their soil. But there is something simple to realize about Hillary Clinton, based on the fact that she is a Scorpio sun sign (October 26, 1947, about 8:00 AM, Chicago, according to C. Longacre, from questioning her mother). There are basically two types of world leaders: those who actually lead, and those who manage. Based on my understanding of astrology, Hillary falls into the later category. She is manager. The question voters will be asking themselves in the next election is: do we need a leader, or do we need someone who can manage the situation well? All the candidates seem to be trying to convince everyone that they are “leaders.” George W. Bush was a “leader.” But was he an effective “manager?” Hillary, in my opinion, is not a “leader,” but rather a “manager.” As a Scorpio, she will be sensitive (maybe oversensitive) to other people’s values. She (like her husband Bill) will always want to know what others think… what do the polls say… and will likely adjust her decision-making around those polls, which is what effective managers oftentimes do. So this question is: will she be an effective manager, or someone who gets lost in the conflicts oftentimes posed by polls that reflect incompatible positions on various issues?

 

Announcements

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – will come out this week, Monday and Tuesday, via posting on our web site, and attachment via direct emails, for subscribers. This report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, Treasury Notes, grain markets, and now GLD and SLV – the ETF’s of Gold and Silver. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/, for further information and subscription.

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing is now available!!! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining the forthcoming Venus retrograde period (May 15-June 27), the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD workshop is $180.00 plus postage. To order, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/. Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

 

June 23: A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver, or call 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at 31 (02) 294-415-918 to register for an exciting event in one of the world’s most exciting cities at the most exciting time of the year: the first Uranus-Pluto square will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!

Raymond Merriman’s “On-Line Market Timing Academy” (OLMTA) will offer a pre-training course on “Beginning Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing,” September 15-16, in Troy, Michigan, at the Management Education Center of Michigan State University. This 10-12 hour course may be attended live, in person, or via webcast televised to your computer. A DVD will be available afterwards as well. This workshop will basically train non-astrologers in the use of reading an ephemeris, the table of planetary positions for any given day. This is essential to anyone who wishes to understand how to find a geocosmic critical reversal date for financial markets. This course (or audit of it) is a pre-requisite for anyone entering the OLMTA market training course, as developed and instructed by Raymond Merriman. The OLMTA two-year training course will begin in March 2013, and will involve 8 weekends of study – 4 weekends each in 2013 and 2014. For more information and registration, please go to www.mmacycles.com (front page, near bottom). We will make announcements as this training program unfolds. The cost for the September 15-16 pre-training workshop is $395.00 ($300 for MMA subscribers). This cost will be deducted from the fee of the two-year training course to those who apply and are accepted into OLMTA by late October 2012.

 

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 position trading and aggressive 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), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, 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. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or 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 $850,000.  Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

NEW! Now available Mini-Congress ‘Outlook for 2012’ on CD!!! Recordings of the congress “Outlook for 2012,” held January 21, 2012 in Amsterdam, are now available on CD, with audio and PDFs of PowerPoint slides. All lectures are spoken in English. The following presentations are included on this CD:  “2012 End Time of Dawning” by Irma Schogt (20 minutes);“Happy New Year” by Drs. Karen Hamaker-Zondag (20 minutes , regarding ECB and Federal Reserve Board); “2012: The Center of the Storm” by Antonia Langsdorf (20 minutes, regarding Mayan calendar and astrology); “Forecast for 2012” by Raymond Merriman (1 hour). Total length 2 hours, with PowerPoint slides sent online in a PDF document.  Cost is $55.00 plus postage. Please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/cd%27s-now-available-on-the-forecast-2012-mini%11congress-in-amsterdam,-january-21,-2012/, or www.mmacycles.com for ordering info.

Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63.

EVENTS:

May 24-29, 2012: UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com. There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday evening on the top floor of the Marriott. If you are interested in attending, please contact us and reserve your space! No cost to subscribers! Otherwise $95.00 to participate.

June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is € 345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver for an exciting event in one of the world’s most exciting cities at the most exciting time of the year: the first Uranus-Pluto square will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special. You may also register by calling 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at 31 (02) 294-415-918. Register now as seating is limited!

August 2-6, 2012: Midwest Astrology Conference, in Ann Arbor, MI, Holiday Inn. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology, Thursday, August 2, with Raymond Merriman. More details soon.

 

September 15-16, 2012: Troy, Michigan. OLMTA – the On-Line Market Timing Academy – will conduct it pre-curriculum introductory workshop on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing.” This will be an introductory course on how to read an ephemeris and how to calculate a critical reversal date. It is open to anyone, but understanding this material is mandatory for anyone entering the MMA mentor-apprenticeship program that will officially start in March 2013. This introductory workshop will be available as a live webinar too. The cost is $300 to subscribers of any MMA subscription report, or $395 to others. For further information, please contact mmacustomerservice@gmail.com or ordersmmma@msn.com.Or go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down to the bottom of the first page.

 


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).

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