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Comments For the Week Beginning December 8, 2008

Please note that the Forecast for 2009 book is now completed and at the printer. It will be delivered this Wednesday to all pre-publication orders that are received by noon this Monday. Those received after noon will be delivered by December 15.

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Stock markets around the world traded in relatively narrow range last week, compared to what we have been experiencing since last September. However, within the weekly range, there were at least three sharp short-term reversals. Early in the week, the indices made a low. They then rallied sharply into a high Wednesday-Thursday. They then fell again sharply on Friday. For those that remained open until the close in the United States, there was then a sharp rally into the close on Friday. The S&P contract, for example, made its high of the week at the end of the day on Friday, after testing the weekly low earlier that day. Unlike the prior week, this past week was volatile and composed of very sudden changes, which continues to be a characteristic of strong Uranian influences. They have been present since last January, and they are likely to remain mostly present for another two years. We are in a New Era of volatility. The key to success will not be the “buy and hold” strategies of last century. It will be a result of one’s ability to be quickly adaptable to sudden changes, and to spot trading opportunities as they arise.

Other markets were more remarkable last week. The grains, for instance, continued an incredible plunge from their all-time highs of last spring and summer. Remember when bakers were complaining about the high cost of Wheat last winter and spring? It was selling at $13.34/bushel. On Friday, Wheat was trading at $4.55/bushel, down over 65% now. Corn was testing $8.00/bushel in late June. On Friday, the nearby contract was down to $2.90. Soybeans recorded their all-time high at $16.63/bu on July 3. On Friday, the nearby contract was down to 776. Or how about our old friend, Crude Oil? After making an all-time high of $147.27/barrel on July 11, it was down to $40.50 on Friday. Other notable markets last week were T-Bonds and Treasuries. They soared, with the former making a new all-time high on Friday’s dismal employment report. They went up to 136/03 intraday. And the Dollar continues to plummet against the Japanese Yen, testing its lowest level in 13 years. But strangely enough (there is that Uranus word again), the Dollar continues to be strong against the Euro currency.

 Short-Term Geocosmics

 The principles associated with Uranus will be in full display during the next 1-2 weeks. On Friday, December 5, the Sun formed a conjunction to Mars in the potentially explosive sign of Sagittarius. From December 10 through December 15, both the Sun and Mars will form a square to the Saturn-Uranus opposition (T-square). This is known as a “translation” of the faster moving bodies (Sun and Mars) to the longer-term planetary cycle (Saturn in opposition to Uranus). If the last year is any guide, we should expect a sudden downturn in the equity markets, either going into the aspect, or right as it begins. How long the downturn will last is anyone’s guess. The last time we had such a translation was when Venus translated by square to the Saturn-Uranus opposition, the day before the U.S.A. Presidential Election (November 3). That was a high in the stock market that has not been seen since. In fact, many equities markets plummeted to new multi-year lows from November 4 through November 21. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for instance, fell from 9654 to 7449 in those two weeks. It could happen again, especially if there is some sudden surprise event that rocks the world. With Uranus, you never know what the event will be, but only that it is sudden and perhaps shocking. Uranus rules earthquakes, but in these aspects, it also rules terrorist attacks, accidents, and maybe fires. Do not expect things to unfold according to plan these days. It is a not a time to achieve consensus with world leaders. It is a time that suggests disputes and disagreements, so maybe it is a good idea that lawmakers take off for the holidays. Otherwise they may say and do things they regret almost immediately. On the positive side (yes, there is also a positive antidote), it can enhance brilliant, innovative thought.

 We should also note that Pluto is now back in Capricorn, and headed to the Sun of the Federal Reserve Board chart, and in opposition to its own natal Pluto. Earlier I pointed out that Bonds were at an all-time high, which means interest rates and yields are at historic lows. If you need a loan or mortgage, and can get it, lock it in now. I don’t think you will be seeing these levels again in this lifetime. Why? Everybody talks of deflation. But the only way I can see out of this economic free fall is to create more money and inflate. With Pluto in such a prominent position to the FRB chart (Dec 23, 1913, time unknown) during all of 2009, and Saturn and Uranus both coming up to form a grand square to its natal Sun-Pluto opposition the year after, I don’t think this entity will have the power it has today. Or else it will have more power than is healthy for this society. Huge changes are likely in store for the FRB, its leader, and consequently for the people of the United States regarding the value of money.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 This past week, the National Bureau of Economic Research proclaimed that the United States entered a recession one year ago, in December 2007. I find this choice of commencement quite interesting in view of both Financial Astrology and Technical Analysis, or Chart Analysis. How is it that one year afterwards, you can step back and say that is when it started, especially since it doesn’t follow the previous definition of a recession, which was two consecutive quarters of negative GDP readings? It seems sort of like this group of Astronomers two years ago who made the proclamation that Pluto was really not a planet, but rather a planetoid, or a dwarf star, or anything but what almost every astrologer believes: it is – or acts like – a planet.

 Here is what is interesting about proclaiming December 2007 as the start of a recession, which continues today, 12 months later. If we accept this determination, it is already the 3rd longest recession since the 13-month one that began in May 1937. The recessions of November 1973-March 1975 and July 1981-November 1982 were 16 months long apiece. The longest one was 43 months, beginning in August 1929. This current one is four months shy of being the second longest recession. I don’t know if this will end up being the longest one or not, but I think the 56 months of the two consecutive ones that started in August 1929 and June 1938 could be challenged between this one and the next one.

 But let’s back up a minute and examine how December 2007 correlates with Financial Astrology and market history. Saturn and Uranus entered opposition November 4, 2008. Historically, major stock market cycles would culminate within 10 months of one of these passages. That implies there is some kind of “orb of influence” to this cycle that can be noticed up to 10 months before this passage, which would equate to January 2008 (one month after the arguably designated recession starting point of December 2007). It so happens that it was around January 10, 2008 that the DJIA broke below 12,500. Technically speaking, this was an important point in the support of the stock market, which is likely to have a direct relationship with the economy. As stated in the Forecast 2008 book, “I would give this outlook (bearish) more validity if the DJIA breaks under 12,500. If so, then look for a decline into 2008 (or even late 2007) to 11,738 +/- 288, or even a re-test of the July 2006 lows at 10,683, before prices exceed the 14,198 high of October 11, 2007. It could be even more if the long-term cycle topped out in October 2007. We could be in a new bear market.” This was written in November 2007. Those original price targets of support seem so far away now. But back then, they seemed quite safe.

 But what about the idea that the stock market is a leading indicator of the economy by about 3-9 months? How could that be if the all-time high was in October 2007? That would suggest the economy would not top out until January-July 2008. Well, one could argue that maybe the recession didn’t really get underway until after May 2008. After all, the DJIA rallied for four months after that low on January 22. The DJIA made its yearly higher (after January) on May 19, 2008, during the historic UAC (United Astrological Conference) gathering, at 13,136. By July 15, it was down to 10,800 areas, testing that 10,683 low of July 2006, as described earlier. But it still wasn’t a full fledged crisis yet. That wouldn’t happen until the full moon, which conjunct the Saturn-Uranus opposition, on September 15. That, to me, was the official commencement of the great economic crisis of 2008. Interesting enough, we have another important full moon happening this coming Friday, forming a grand square this time to the Saturn-Uranus opposition. In other words, what happened on September 15 has a connection to what is about to happen around December 12-15. They are three months apart, and the same solar-lunar, Saturn-Uranus relationships. If you are trading, you better be very nimble.

 We should also note that Pluto is now back in Capricorn, and headed to the Sun of the Federal Reserve Board chart, and in opposition to its own natal Pluto. Earlier I pointed out that Bonds were at an all-time high, which means interest rates and yields are at historic lows. If you need a loan or mortgage, and can get it, lock it in now. I don’t think you will be seeing these levels again in this lifetime. Why? Everybody talks of deflation. But the only way I can see out of this economic free fall is to create more money and inflate. With Pluto in such a prominent position to the FRB chart (Dec 23, 1913, time unknown) during all of 2009, and Saturn and Uranus both coming up to form a grand square to its natal Sun-Pluto opposition the year after, I don’t think this entity will have the power it has today. Or else it will have more power than is healthy for this society. Huge changes are likely in store for the FRB, its leader, and consequently for the people of the United States regarding the value of money.

 

Announcements

We are now accepting orders for the Forecast 2011 book now via phone (1-248-626-3034), fax (1-248-538-5296), email (ordersmma@msn.com), or through our shopping cart online (www.mmacycles.com). We are pleased to announce the price will remain the same as last year. That is $55.00 if ordered after October 31, and $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 go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down to about the third or fourth article on the opening screen. Or go directly to http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecasts-2010/.

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, 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. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, call our offices at 1-248-626-3034, or go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services. 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.” Order now with the Forecast 2011 Book and receive a special 10% rate reduction on these services through October.

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – went out last week. If you are a subscriber and did not receive it, contact us at once. 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 SERVICES at www.mmacycles.com.

CD’s DVD’s, and MP3’s 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 was right before the astrological midpoint of the Cardinal Climax, which is taking place now. 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. It is interesting to see how the stocks, grains and currencies moved right up into this time band, as outlined in this presentation. You won’t want to miss this. Order now, because most of the trading opportunities presented are in effect mainly from July 21 through October 8, 2010!!!

ForumOnAstrology.com is holding a three-day video conference on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 1st, 2nd, and 3, 2010. This pioneering Internet astrological conference features dozens of internationally known speakers.  Very economically priced, all participants have access to all live broadcasts with the ability to replay them from the archives for up to three months. Call (212) 929-4507 or email Inquiries@ForumOnAstrology.com.

I am oftentimes asked for recommendations of a money manager who uses my methods, since I won’t manage other people’s money. That is especially true now with the uncertainty in the market place as of late. 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 Capstone Capital Wealth Management, Boulder, Colorado. He can be reached at dukeoneil1@gmail.com, or 1-(303) 247-0600. 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 exactly when to enter and exit any market. 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.

 

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 at astrologycr@gmail.com, or visit our web site at www.mmacycles-spanish.com. If you only speak Spanish, go to www.astrologiamundana2010.blogspot.com. 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 astrologiafinanceira@gmail.com. We may host a special gathering for MMA Subscribers on Sunday, October 3, the day of Brazil’s elections, if enough subscribers request such a meeting.

January 14-16, 2011, Zurich, Switzerland. “Forecasts 2011” symposia featuring top mundane and financial astrologers, plus one day workshop on Financial Market Timing with Ray Merriman, to be followed by a special meeting with MMA Subscribers (at no cost). 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. This will be the next Financial Astrology workshop in the United States.

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

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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