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Comments for the Week Beginning January 26, 2009

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 Last week we posted a copy of our special market alert issued January 10 to all MMA subscribers, in place of this normal free weekly report. Since many of you may have missed that, we will leave it up for another week on our web site at www.mmacycles.com.

 This prior week was significant for many reasons. But most important, perhaps, was the inauguration of Barack Obama as the new USA President. His official duties began at 12:00 PM, January 20, 2009, Washington, DC. I am not exactly sure why, but he apparently held another inauguration at 7:35 PM, on January 21, 2009, Washington DC. Astrologers may have been pleased with the “elected” date of second inauguration, for the moon moved from its “void of course” position at 29 degrees of Scorpio on January 20, into the middle of Sagittarius on the evening of January 21. However, the new chart was ‘elected” when the Ascendant was at 0 degrees of Virgo, which creates another set of challenges to Mundane Astrologers, since the ruling planet would then be Mercury, and Mercury is in retrograde motion. But regardless of which chart is correct, Obama perhaps performed the most eloquent dismissal of the prior president and his policies of the past 8 years that one will ever witness from an incoming president. It was a textbook lesson on how to give thanks graciously for something that apparently conflicted with his (and many Americans) deepest values.

 Immediately following his inauguration, stock markets around the world sold off sharply, consistent with our special stock market alert sent out January 10. But now we are in the geocosmic critical reversal zone of January 23, +/- 3 trading days, with the second passage of the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition cycle to follow in the first week of February.

 As we enter this reversal zone, we see many global equity indices making new lows for this new year. So far these are holding above the multi-year lows of October or November, which keeps alive hopes for the bulls. In other markets, Crude Oil dropped to a low of 32.70 on Tuesday, re-testing its 32.40 low of December 19 for a double bottom bullish formation. By Friday, it was as high as 47.00, a gain of over 43% in just 3 trading days. Does this sound like Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus in mutual reception? The answer is yes, as both Jupiter and Neptune rule crude oil, and Uranus represents very sharp price swings in very short periods of time. Gold and Silver also rallied strongly last week, to their highest levels of this new year, with Gold exceeding 900.00 and Silver 1200 during the day on Friday.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Mercury remains retrograde through February 1. In fact, the last two weeks represent what may be considered the “frustration” part of the Mercury retrograde zone, when confusion and uncertainty about financial markets are at their height. This usually coincides with conflicting economic date reports, or messages from world political leaders. This has a tendency to cause traders to vacillate back and forth between bullish and bearish sentiment.

 Still this is a most important geocosmic period for many other reasons as well. For one, the Sun is conjunct Jupiter on Saturday, January 24. For another, there is a solar eclipse on Monday, January 26. Many Financial Astrologers give great importance to both of these signatures, but more relevant to market reversals is the translation of Venus to the developing Cardinal Climax planets of Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. These three planets are moving towards an 80-90 year T-square configuration with one another. From January 22 through February 5, Venus will first conjunct Uranus (January 22), then form an opposition to Saturn (January 24), and finally a square to Pluto (February 5). As demonstrated in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles,” the Venus-Uranus conjunction and Venus-Saturn opposition are both “Level One” (strongest) types of signatures. So is Venus square Pluto, but the one we are most interested in right now is Venus in opposition to Saturn, because any market that is declining into a hard aspect to Saturn is oftentimes a candidate to make a low and reverse back upwards. Stocks and currencies are related to Venus, and both of these markets are making lows (European currencies against the U.S. Dollar are making lows). Thus these markets either reverse in this time band, or else they break down and enter a “panic” phase, which has been the pattern with these translation periods in about 80% of cases in the past year. That is also the downside possibility of the Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune mutual reception. It is both very optimistic and bullish, or it is exaggeration that is given towards hysteria and panic.

Longer-Term Thoughts

  The second of five Saturn-Uranus oppositions is coming up February 5. The first of these five passages occurred on Election Day, November 4, which was time that many stock indices around the world made their last “highest price.” That is, markets have been considerably lower since that crest. In fact, they sold off immediately afterwards to lows on November 21, as the fifth passage of the trine between Jupiter and Saturn took place (note: not all trines correlate with crests, as some in Financial Astrology would want to believe).

 So what will the second passage of this 45-year planetary cycle produce? Will it be a high, as it was on November 4? Or will it be a low? Or neither? Will it be the end of a horrendous sell-off, or the beginning of one, as Saturn-Uranus in opposition can represent the dynamic of a serious crisis? For sure, no one really knows the answer to these questions just yet, but there are several things to keep in mind. First, we are not out of the woods yet where the possibility of another episode of financial crisis is concerned. Saturn won’t finish its opposition passages to Uranus until July 26, 2010.

 But even shorter-term, we have to prepare for the period coming up in the first half of March when two additional geocosmic events unfold. The first is the full moon of the week beginning March 9. This full moon falls on the Saturn-Uranus opposition, just as it did September 15, 2008. That is the date that the financial community officially (in my view) entered its state of economic crisis, following the “reassurance speech” by former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson that the USA economy and banking system were sound and resilient. Within hours, several banks and financial institutions collapsed, and he was forced to demand that Congress immediately pass an economic bailout package for other troubled banks. Second, Venus (currencies, stocks, and interest rates) will turn retrograde around that same time (Friday, March 6). This geocosmic event has one of the highest correlations to impressive reversals in equity markets, according to the Stock Market Timing studies mentioned above, given an orb of 10 trading days.

 No, we are not out of the woods yet, despite the approaching Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Aquarius, which will be at its peak May through July 2009. Before that dream-like fairy tale starts to manifest, we have the reality of some serious experiences still ahead. The good news is that there will likely be some exceptional trading opportunities in the next few weeks. The not-so-good news is that these opportunities may be generated by some rather disturbing and unexpected economic, geopolitical, and even military-related events. Welcome to the White House, Mr. Obama. The prayers of sane people all over the world are with you as you lead us into this new era.

 

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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