Weekly Preview Comments for the Week Beginning March 23, 2009 
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| Comments for the Week Beginning March 23, 2009 |
Review and PreviewThe “Sagittarius Factor” of last Monday through Wednesday corresponded with huge price swings in many financial and commodity markets, most notably Treasuries, currencies, and precious metals. Gold, for instance, was trading at 882 on Wednesday, its lowest level since January. By early Friday, it was up to 967.80, an appreciation of 10% in less than 48 hours. Silver’s move was even more spectacular, as it fell to 1189 the same day, also its lowest level since January. At the close of trading on Friday, it was up to 1384, a gain of 16.4%. But if you are a currency trader, you had to be stunned by the surge in the Euro currency and Swiss Franc against the U.S. Dollar. Since its low of 1.2455 on March 4, the Euro currency soared to 1.3737 on March 19 (last Thursday). The Swiss Franc surged from a low of .8356 against the U.S. Dollar on March 12 to a high of .8980 just one week later. These are huge movements for currencies. Similar moves were noted in the longer-term Treasuries and Notes. Grains and Crude Oil also enjoyed healthy price increases last week, with Crude trading above 52.00 for the first time since November. This fits with last week’s report, which stated, “For this coming week, the most notable celestial event we take interest in is the “Sagittarius Factor” of Monday-Wednesday. It oftentimes coincides with very sharp price movements – and reversals – in many financial markets, but especially in precious metals, currencies, and Treasuries.” Yet the amplitude of these moves was even more impressive than expected, for reasons discussed below. Equity markets were not quite as exciting. The rallies which started from the lows of March 6-10 (as Venus turned retrograde) continued into last week. After rising 10-20% in that brief amount of time, many of these indices started pulling back as the week wore on. In the case of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, the low of March 6 at 6470 stalled out last Wednesday, March 18, at 7571. That represents an impressive gain of 1100 points and 17% in just 8 trading days. But by Friday, it had given back 300 of those points. We now wait for next week to see if this will be just a “normal” corrective decline in a new bull market, or the resumption of the bear market. Short-Term GeocosmicsWe are out of the dream-like, surreal, period of Pisces. It’s officially springtime now. As discussed a few weeks ago, this new season may come in with a bang. After all, the first non-lunar aspect made as we begin spring will be the Sun square Pluto on Monday, March 23. This will also end the “translation” of the Sun to the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto developing T-square, which was in force March 8-23. Once again, this translation wasn’t as bad for stocks as was the case in 2008. In fact, equities have been mostly higher during this period. The question is: will they continue to rally? Or will they reverse sharply down now that the “translation” is ending? The answer may be influenced by Venus retrograde, which is also in effect now. In fact, it lasts much longer, since it started March 6 and doesn’t end until April 17. It is not unusual to see a market making a multi-month high or low nearby to Venus turning retrograde, and then reverse in the opposite direction until the time its motion returns direct. If the Venus retrograde is more powerful than the Sun’s translation to the Saturn-Uranus-Pluto T-square, then the market should continue its rally for a few more weeks before taking out the low of March 6-10. If not, we may see the bear market resuming. With Pluto in the picture as the spring equinox begins, the focus is once again on debt, for Pluto rules debt, death, and taxes. The aspects that are present at the time of seasonal change tend to describe themes that are most highlighted for the whole of that season. This week is not only the start of the new season, but also a new moon, which will form the same square to Pluto. Spring is supposed to be the season of romance and love, and bright new hopes for the future. But with Pluto so prominent, it may be more like “tough love.” Such a geocosmic set up can be prone to serious power plays in which there is little mercy for the weak. This is not a time when the “weak shall inherit the earth.” What they inherit may be more debt, and more demands to pay up (like the AIG executives who received those bonuses). They are more prone to be forced into foreclosure or bankruptcy, and sudden changes of life style they didn’t plan for. Longer-Term ThoughtsThe Venus retrograde effect was in full force last week. Not only did the stock market continue its rise from March 6, but the Central Banks did indeed announce new policies that had a direct impact on all interest-rate related markets (i.e. Treasuries and currencies). This is what generally happens during Venus retrograde - central banks make new policies or change old ones, and markets react with great volatility and large price swings. One week ago, the Swiss Central Bank lowered its key interest rate, and the Swiss Franc feel to a new three-month low against the U.S. Dollar (the Euro currency did not, for a case of intermarket bullish divergence). Then this past Wednesday, March 18, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a plan to purchase $300 Billion in Treasuries, which forced the long-term bond rate to levels not seen in decades. The 10-year Treasury Notes dropped form 3+% to 2.53% and 30-year mortgage rates fell to 4.75%. At the same time, the value of the U.S. Dollar plummeted, as other currencies surged up against it. The Fed is printing money with a zeal seldom – if ever – seen before. In all, the Fed will stimulate the economy to the tune over $1 trillion more, on top of the White House’s massive multi-trillion spending programs already launched in the past few weeks. Yes, they are serious about getting this economy back on strong footing. But they also risk the dark side of the forthcoming Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, which is inflation. You may remember last summer the Federal deficit was projected to be $500 billion this year. Then it was raised to $800 billion towards the end of last year, and then $1.2 trillion early this year. This week, it is now estimated to rise to $1.8 trillion. This phenomenon where the budget deficit “…will rise much greater than anyone expects” was discussed in detail in the year’s Forecast 2009 Book, along with the likely ramifications. Jupiter and Neptune are in Aquarius, and Uranus is in Pisces, creating a very rare astrological phenomenon known as a mutual reception. It has only happened twice in the past 3000 years, the last time being 1843. With Jupiter and Neptune together (May-July 2009 is the strongest part of this aspect), the dynamics tend to be inflationary. But with Uranus involved, the risk is not a “gradual” return to inflation, but a Uranian “sudden and unexpected dramatic” return. Is there really a risk here? Chairman Bernanke recently said there is no risk of inflation in the foreseeable future. But remember: he has the Sun-Jupiter opposition natally at 21 Sagittarius-Gemini. Transiting Uranus is hovering around 21 degrees of Pisces, in T-square to his Sun-Jupiter opposition, and all in mutable signs. This is not a signature usually related to accurate forecasting skills, or good judgment. The risk is over-estimating (or grossly under-estimating) the effect of one’s actions. That is why transiting Uranus in hard aspect to natal Jupiter is one of the classical bankruptcy aspects in astrology. It is not that one cannot make money during these times, for often one makes a lot of money. But when and how these individuals choose to spend or invest (or speculate) their money oftentimes involves a risk that is far more serious than they thought, and it results in larger losses than expected. In this case, the decision could quite easily result in a sudden increase in inflation that was not foreseen, with the next result requiring a sudden jump in interest rates that thwarts the economic recovery. In terms of time, this all looks good right now, and maybe it will last through the summer. But sometime after August, as we come into orb of the Saturn-Pluto waning square, there may be a consequence to pay for all this money being printed, and all this debt being accrued, not to mention the shift of policy by the Fed to risk losing its independence by purchasing such a huge sum of U.S. Treasuries (i.e. U.S. debt). It is now in league with the government itself. Everybody worries about the U.S. government nationalizing the banks and private companies. Maybe the Fed is on the verge of privatizing the U.S. government. |
Announcements
The “Forecast 2012” webcast will take place on Sunday, February 19, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM PST). Via the modern technology of our webinar host, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2012, in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live presentation and slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. If you are interested in being part of this unique live webcast, just register at the MMA Website (www.mmacycles.com) and scroll down the opening screen for the announcement. Or drop us an email (ordersmma@msn.com) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log into this event will be sent upon making reservations. Reserve early (before February 17), for space will be limited.
Many of you have asked about DVD’s or CD’s on the “Forecast 2012 Mini-Congress on January 21 in Amsterdam that I participated in. On the program were also three other excellent speakers on the subject: Irma Schogt of Schogt Market Timing in Amsterdam, plus world renowned astrologer Katen Hammaker-Zondag (specialist in the future of the Euro zone and Euro currency) and Antonia Langsdorf, of Cologne, Germany, who wrote “The Eye of the Storm,” a best-selling rendition about the year 2012 from the point of view of Mayan schools and astrologers. These recording will soon be available through Irma Schogt. We will announce when they will be available, probably within the week. You check in with us next week, or contact Irma directly at www.markettiming.nl.
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 $712,000 (now $850,000). Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.
Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too. The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 4S, and the iPad, and also Amazon.com Kindle. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries (USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.
“After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.”
W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.
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:
February 19, 2012: “Forecast 2012 Worldwide Webcast!!!” This is our annual speech to viewers the world over. It will be the latest update on Raymond Merriman’s annual Forecast Book. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this speech will focus on the current state of the economy, political situation in Washington, DC, and in particular, the financial markets, including: the U.S. stock market, interest rates, the U.S. Dollar, Gold, and Silver. This will be a telecast of the live presentation taking place at the Michigan Education Conference Center in Troy, Michigan on Square Lake Road. The webcast and speech will start at 1:00 PM, EST and last two hours. Cost to participate in the webcast, or to attend in person in Troy, is $45.00. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-february-19,-2012!!!/ for more information.
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com. A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3. You must reserve your space for this meeting with MMA.
March 9-11, 2012: The 12th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org. +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org.
April 19 and 21, Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com. Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
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 or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Price of Gold” Details to be announced shortly, but mark your calendars 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!
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 14-15, 2012: San Diego: Lecture on world economy and national election, and then a workshop on Financial Market Timing. More details shortly.
details soon.
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.
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