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Comments for the Week Beginning November 16, 2009
Written by Raymond Merriman   

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 Last week witnessed a combination of irrational exuberance, confusion, and an inclination towards panic, all of which were consistent with the dynamics of geocosmic signatures in effect currently. If you watched the U.S. Dollar market, you saw signs of panic starting to emerge. The front page of Thursday’s Wall Street Journal reported that “Governments around the world stepped up efforts to stem the U.S. Dollar’s slide, as officials grow increasingly concerned” about its impact on their economic recoveries. Even more alarming was the new proposal to initiate sweeping new restrictions over the powers of the Federal Reserve Board, formally introduced by Senate Banking Chairman Christopher Dodd. But this new proposal is at odds with a proposal currently in the House of Representatives which would expand the powers of the Fed, as supposedly supported by the White House and Treasury Secretary.

Mixed signals were also observed in world equity markets, where some stock markets soared to new yearly highs late last week, and others failed to do the same. Another yet – the Japanese Nikkei – declined to re-test its recent lows. Yet all of these developments fit with principles of Financial Astrology. As stated last week, “But now we enter a very challenging couple of weeks… First the Sun will ‘translate’ in a square aspect to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, November 10-15… And at the end of that period, on November 15, the first of three waning square passages between Saturn and Pluto will take place. That is a lot of powerful crosscurrents in effect at once, so don’t be surprised if traders and investors act fickle as this all unwinds at once. The “translation” of the Sun in square to Jupiter and Neptune can imply many confusing or even misleading reports…. Whenever Jupiter and Neptune are both involved at once, there is a tendency towards ‘irrational exuberance,’ false hopes, or hysteria and panic.” It makes one wonder if the White House and Treasury really support expanding the powers of the FRB? Or will they switch to support Senator Dodd’s proposal? With the new moon in secretive Scorpio, square the potentially deceptive and misleading Neptune, there may be a lot more behind these news items than meets the eye.

In Europe, the London FTSE finally climbed over the 5300 mark for the first time this year at the end of last week. However, neither German DAX, Netherlands AEX, nor the Swiss SMI did the same. They all rallied from the lows of November 3, but only the FTSE made a new yearly high – so far. In Asia and the Pacific Rim, the Hang Seng soared to a new yearly high last Thursday, but the rallies in the Australian All Ordinaries, Indian Nifty, and Russian Micex all fell short. In the case of Japan’s Nikkei, prices actually fell on Friday to a double bottom low for this primary cycle. In the America’s, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite made new yearly highs, but Brazil’s Bovespa and Argentina’s Merval indexes fell short. Unless all these market rally to new highs quickly, this will become a classic case of intermarket bearish divergence throughout the world. These signals are most important when they occur on geocosmic critical reversal dates, which is in effect now.

In other markets, Gold soared to a new all-time high of 1123 on Thursday, while the Euro and Swiss Franc currencies re-tested their yearly highs on Wednesday. Crude Oil, on the other hand, fell to multi-week low, down below 76.00 on Friday.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Monday, November 16, is an important new moon, because it occurs in Scorpio, will square the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, and takes place within hours of the Saturn-Pluto waning square. Both Scorpio and its ruler Pluto pertains to the debt issue and taxes. Indeed these themes have been in the headlines this week. In Thursday’s Wall Street Journal was a promising report titled, “White House Aims to Cut Deficit With TARP Cash.” Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal also ran a report titled, “Merkel (German Chancellor) Vows to Cut Taxes Despite Rising Job Losses.” There are two things to consider here in light of the new moon square to Neptune. First, is it too good to be true? To my way of thinking, these would actually be rational ways to deal with the current economic uncertainty, which of course is not the usual reality of a hard aspect to Neptune from planets in Scorpio. Secondly, why would cutting taxes be a bad thing to do in Germany when job losses are rising? Cutting taxes will put more monies in the hands of the consumer, who just might spend it and boost the economy. Cutting taxes is also a way to encourage small businesses to hire people, which just might be the answer to long-term job creation. Yet Merkel is being criticized for this sane longer-term economic stimulus proposal. Merkel, to her credit, is one politician who seems willing to break from the historical pattern of the waning phase of Saturn-Pluto cycle that consistently leads to economic recessions, as discussed previously in this column. This is the 16-20 year cyclical phase where federal deficits, government spending, and taxes go up, followed by a stagnant, non-growth economy where recessions last longer and longer, and go deeper and deeper. If you want to change the outcome, you need to change the policies that lead to it. Merkel is perhaps the first world leader who is attempting to do this. Maybe Germany is a place to think about moving some investment monies to.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 We are starting the first of three Saturn-Pluto waning squares this weekend. Both are in the first degrees of cardinal signs, which is also where the Sun and Pluto are posited in the Federal Reserve Board chart. This is the combination which poses a threat to the very survival of the Federal Reserve Board. At the very least, it is likely to transform the role, and strip away the powers, of the U.S. Central Bank. But think about it: would the people be better served with the nation’s monetary and banking regulation authority placed into the hands of elected government leaders and their committees and/or new “czars?” Taking away the independence of the Fed may sound good in theory. As Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States believed, the people’s money should not be in the hands of bankers, but rather in the hands of the officials who the people elect to represent it. On this argument, he succeeded in abolishing the first U.S. central bank in 1834. Within 8 years, the U.S. was mired in the worst Depression since the Revolutionary War. So in theory, it sounds good. But in reality, it will probably lead to a greater disaster. The key, of course, is the integrity of the person who is in charge of the nation’s banking. Right now, that is Ben Bernanke, and according to most polls, the majority of the people believe he is doing a good job. They seem to trust him, and he seems to care about the economic well-being of the country.

 But this is Pluto in Capricorn time, and with Saturn now in square to Pluto, and both making a powerful T-square to the Sun-Pluto opposition in the FRB chart (created on December 23, 1913, 6:02 PM, Washington, D.C.). It makes you wonder what will happen between May 27 and August 14, 2010, when Uranus – planet of sudden changes and “reinventing oneself” - will enter Aries briefly, making it all into a Grand Square. This is like speeding in a Ferrari at night, when suddenly the headlights go out and the accelerator won’t release. Once again: who do you want in the driver’s seat of that car? Bernanke or someone beholden to elected officials in Congress?

 For those who think the danger of economic and banking crises are behind us, think again. We are still in the early stages of the Cardinal Climax. And this is still the Twilight Zone. Can we come out of it? Sure. Anything is possible and nothing is certain - yet. Angela Merkel, a world leader acting like a maverick (Uranus) who seems to understand economic history (as it correlates to the waning phase of Saturn and Pluto), may be a sign of hope for a longer-term, positive “exit strategy” to today’s economic turmoil.

 

Announcements


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, 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), 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, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. 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.”

CD’s DVD’s, MP3’s, and “On-Line Streaming Video” 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 is right before the astrological midpoint of the Cardinal Climax, which takes place late July through early August. 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. You won’t want to miss this presentation. Order now, because most of the trading opportunities presented are in effect from July 21 through October 8, 2010!!!

Any remaining copies of the Forecast 2010 book will be available for $30.00 (plus postage), now as long as supplies last. This year’s book was an incredible publication, as almost everything forecasted in it has come out as described. All the themes outlined, and almost all the financial markets are unfolding as indicated with one exception: there has (as of yet) been no sign of excessive speculation in stocks or precious metals. Instead, frightened investors are flocking to U.S. Treasuries. Everything else, however, has been spot on, and there is still time for this to happen in stocks and precious metals into mid-2011. We now offer a complimentary copy of this year’s book to any new or renewing subscriber of a one-year subscription to the MMA Cycles Report, our new MMA European Cycles report, or any subscription to a MMA daily or weekly report, as long as books are still available. See special offer on the opening page of www.mmacycles.com.

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – came out this week, Monday and Tuesday, via posting on our web site, and attachment via direct emails, for subscribers. W also sent an update to subscribers on Wednesday. If you subscribe to these reports and did not get them, let us know 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. New yearly (or renewing) subscribers to these reports will receive a free copy of the Forecast 2010 book while supplies last (see below). For subscription information, please go to SERVICES at www.mmacycles.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 volatility 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 to exactly when to enter and exit any market.

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 may 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 will host a special gathering for MMA Subscribers on Sunday, October 3, the day of Brazil’s elections!!!

January 5, 2011: Forecast 2011! Speech and live webcast from Birmingham, MI. Details to be announced soon.

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.

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

The MMA Catalogue of products and services for 2010 is available for download in PDF at http://www.mmacycles.com/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,161/Itemid,63/. The ordering page is the last page of the catalogue. This is especially useful for those outside of the USA, since we do not send these by snail mail unless requested.

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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