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Comments For The Week Beginning July 30, 2007
Written by Raymond Merriman   

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When we hit it, we hit it big. And when big signatures unfold in the heavens, we are usually right there to witness something big unfolding in the financial markets. The end of last week was such a period, and one of the four periods listed on page 41 of  “Forecast for 2007” when something significant would likely happen in stock markets, based on transits to the New York Stock Exchange chart (founded May 17, 1792). The dates given therein were: February 15-26, March 27-April 4, June 13-25, and July 26-August 2. On Thursday and Friday, the DJIA fell 311 and 208 points respectively. In our Wednesday night letter to daily subscribers, we wrote, “It is looking more like another sell off into at least Friday based on the transit of Mars to 23 fixed signs… There could be another steep decline by Friday’s close... Aggressive traders may want to sell for a 1-2 day decline. I would look for the break to start in China. Friday could be nasty.”

But the end of this past week (and early next week) is not solely the domain of a Mars transit. It is also the time in which Venus turns retrograde and the full moon takes place with the Sun in Leo. As stated in last week’s column: “On July 27, Venus will reverse its apparent direction through the heavens from 2 degrees of Virgo. It will remain in retrograde through September 8. Within 12 trading days of Venus turning retrograde, the U.S. stock market has had a 78% correlation to primary or greater cycles from which prices reversed substantially. But it is not only equities that are affected by this geocosmic event. All markets can experience major turns around this time, for Venus rules values and assets of all kinds.” Indeed, it wasn’t only stock indices of the world that went ballistic. Precious metals also took a big hit, with Silver falling nearly a whole dollar from its monthly high on Tuesday at 1358, to its low on Friday at 1265. Gold fell from a two-month high of 688 on Tuesday down to 657 intraday on Friday. Crude Oil, on the hand, soared to 77.24 on Thursday, just slightly below its all-time high of 78.40 attained one year ago. Likewise the Treasuries also soared last week, with T-Bonds and Notes reaching their highest level in two months.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Venus rules relationships, but it also rules correlations, or associations between areas which appear to have an affect on one another. For instance, it is said that the precious metals have a relationship to currency prices. Since they are traded in U.S. Dollars, the conventional wisdom holds that Gold and Silver prices appreciate as the value of the Dollar depreciates against other currencies. When Venus turns retrograde, as we note is happening now through September 8, it is oftentimes assumed by astrologers that relationships of love from the past re-appear. Or, we note that psychologically inhibiting patterns that have their roots in the past in regards to how we behave in relationships arise again. We may have thought we transcended these issues, like jealousy. But something happens, and we start to exhibit those same types of behaviors again that led to problems in previous relationships. But in terms of markets, we notice something different: the correlations that we have come to expect between various financial markets, like precious metals and currencies, may no longer seem to work. They seem to operate independently of one another. Traders need to be aware of this possible switch in association between previously related markets over the next 6 weeks. Otherwise, this period can be extremely frustrating, for things just don’t seem to “make sense.” Markets don’t behave like we thought they were supposed to behave. We may already be seeing this in the concept of the “Yen Carry-Trade,” which has basically been a “free lunch” for traders who have been buying U.S. stocks and selling the Japanese Yen to take advantage of a discrepancy in interest rates between the central banks of the two countries. In fact, one of the common occurrences noted historically during the times of Venus retrograde is that (some) Central Banks suddenly reverse their policies, and start floating messages that they will switch from being accommodative to restrictive, or vice-versa.

So where does this leave us in terms of cycles in stock indices? Has the 4-year cycle finally topped out? Or is this just another “fake out,” to be followed by another rally to new highs in the next few weeks? Time is running out for the 4-year cycle. It has to happen in this primary cycle, or else I will have to concede that for the first time since I have been a market analyst (approximately 30 years), I missed the 4-year cycle. If we don’t get a 10+% decline by the end of this November, then we will have to re-label our cycles to reflect that the 4-year cycle bottomed in either October 2005 or July 2006. If that is the case, it will be the first time in the history of the DJIA that the index did not fall at least 12%. Those two lows represented declines of only 7.5% and 8.5% respectively. In over 85% of 4-year cycles dating back to 1893, the decline has exceeded 20%. It is still my bias that this market will fall at least 10%, and perhaps more than 20%, by the time this new primary cycle ends. 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!). However, this is a geocosmic reversal zone right now, and a rally is likely to unfold. If the rally is powerful and carries into Venus direct, we could still see new highs before an even more powerful decline unfolds. But if the rally is only corrective in nature, the decline to the 4-year cycle trough is already in process and probably won’t end before October-November, when this currently primary cycle is due to expire.

Long-Term Thoughts

Personal judgment cycles. When are we more apt to make errors in judgment? When is it more likely that our assessment of a situation – of what will happen – is completely wrong? What does astrology say about that, and how might this issue affect financial markets and the political landscape over the next few years?

In last week’s column, I wrote about the forthcoming transits to the chart of FED Chairman Ben Bernanke. I can now confirm that he was born December 13, 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, around noon, thanks to colleague and market analyst Garrett Jones. I pointed out that in 2008-2009, Uranus would cross his natal Moon, in a T-square to his natal Sun-Jupiter opposition at 21 Sagittarius and Gemini respectively. Around the time of the U.S.A. presidential election in November 2008, transiting Saturn will be in opposition to Uranus, and thus form a grand square to these three natal planets (Moon, Sun, and Jupiter). The point that I wish to add to last week’s column is that such transits from Uranus can indicate a period of time in one’s life where things do not unfold as expected. It is as if one is completely surprised by the way things are developing, and sudden changes in direction are necessary, or even forced. In the end, it appears that one completely misjudged the situation. As astrologers, we say this is usually an exciting time in one’s life, and things can work out well if one is completely flexible and willing to change quickly. But in reality, as astrologers, we know this is usually an unstable time when one’s plans have to be altered quite significantly. Consider that Uranus rules earthquakes and divorces.

Uranus is not the only long-term transit that correlates with either poor judgment or inaccurate assessment of a situation. Transiting Neptune in hard aspect to sensitive natal points may be even more troubling. Here one is more prone to wishful thinking, over-optimism, or even delusional thinking. As an example, note that Mr. Bush has been under one hard aspect of Neptune after another to his natal planets ever since February 2001 (Neptune opposite Ascendant), and they don’t end until January 2009 (Neptune in opposition to his Venus). In other words, the nearly entire term of his Presidency has been under hard Neptune transits. Although his idealism and patriotism may be applauded by many, his judgment in decision-making, and his assessment of current and future situations, has been under constant criticism as being “wrong,” and is the source of his extremely low approval ratings. The concern is this: will Mr. Bernanke go through a similar experience when his natal chart is hit by transiting Uranus? And if so, where did he misjudge the situation, and how will this be reflected in financial markets? Mr. Bernanke is one person we really don’t want to see make a serious misjudgment.

 

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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