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Comments for the Week Beginning November 24, 2008

Please note that until the Forecast for 2009 book is completed, there will be no “Longer-Term Thoughts” section in this column. We expect to resume this feature of the weekly column in the first week of December. Therefore this column will be presented in abbreviated format until then.

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This will be a shortened holiday week in the United States, in observance of Thanksgiving. I believe investors will welcome the break after the havoc witnessed in the past three months. The volatility has been stunning, and this continues to be a very short-term traders’ market in stock indices everywhere. It would nice if a calmer, position-trading market would return where all the cyclical, geocosmic, and technical signals were in alignment. But given that we are now in the midst of the very explosive environment of the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition, those weeks may be few and far between for awhile. Of course, very short-term traders will thrive in this type of environment, where such large price ranges are experienced nearly every day now.

Last week’s market behavior offered a stark contrast between the depressive mood associated with the current administration and its governance in America, and the desperate hopes of the populace for a new and brighter future. On Thursday, our reliable bearish indicator – Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson – gave yet another boring and impossible to comprehend speech on television, trying once again to explain what he is doing and why he is doing it. Just prior to his explanation of the status of the ever changing economic bailout package, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over 200 points. Within 1-2 hours afterwards, it closed down over 400 points. This is not the first time the market has immediately dropped at least 500 points right after he publically speaks. In fact, it is almost like clock-work: Paulson speaks, the market tanks. Unfortunately the same thing happens when George W. Bush speaks. There is no confidence by the investment community in what the current administration represents. The stocks markets of the world continued in decline into Friday until late in the afternoon, when newly elected President-to-be Barack Obama announced his choice for Treasury Secretary. Just the fact that Obama spoke out caused a stir in the market, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average instantly rallied 600 points from the low of the day, which was its lowest level since March 2003. The country and the world are craving for new leadership, and when it steps forward, there is a sense of hope. Everybody in the market desperately wants some hope to cling to, and right now the only thing that offers hope is a change from the old leadership to the new.

There were some encouraging signs late last week, as Jupiter formed the last of its five transiting trine aspects to Saturn on Friday, November 21. Prior to Obama’s announcement, many markets were plunging to their lowest level in 4-5 years. There truly was a sense of panic and hysteria, which last week we associated with the ingress of Mars into Sagittarius. It would be a time of either hope or panic, and we had both – in reverse order. In Europe, the Netherlands AEX and Swiss SMI indices fell to their lowest levels since 2003. However, both the German DAX and London FTSE held above their lows of October 2008, for a clear case of intermarket bullish divergence.

In the Far East and Pacific Rim, we witnessed the same pattern of intermarket bullish divergence as the All Ordinaries of Australia sank to its lowest level since 2003, but neither the Japanese Nikkei, Hang Seng of Hong Kong nor the NIFTY Index of India took out their lows of late October.

In America, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite made new 5-year lows, and so did the Merval Index of Argentina. But the Bovespa of Brazil held above its lows of October, for yet another case of regional intermarket bullish divergence. And it occurred right on the day of a long-term geocosmic aspect – the Jupiter-Saturn trine.

In other markets, Crude Oil fell below $49.00/barrel, its lowest level since May 2005, and now it has fallen nearly $100 off its all-time high of July 11, 2008. This represents a loss of over 67% in less than 5 months, and validates our earlier point that bubbles form – and burst – in sectors ruled by the sign Uranus transits through. Uranus has been in Pisces since 2003 and leaves in 2011. Our earlier reports suggested that a 50-90% loss in Crude Oil prices would occur from high that formed prior to February 2009, and ideally close to May 2008, before Uranus left Pisces. Bingo.

As Crude Oil prices fell, however, God prices rallied strongly, and went back above 800 briefly on Friday for the first time in a few weeks after trading down as low as 680 in October. But other commodities, like Corn and Soybeans continued falling. In fact, all grains are now down more than 50% from their highs of the year. It is hard to believe that just a couple months ago they were each making all-time highs, and users of grains were complaining about their low profit margins due to these record high prices. Conditions change really fast under the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition, which is now in effect through July 2010.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Don’t expect the volatility to recede this week, even with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. Both the fiery planets of Mars and the Sun are in the fire sign of Sagittarius now through at least the first three weeks of December. And both heliocentric and geocentric Mercury join them this week. As if that wasn’t enough, Uranus turns stationary direct on Thursday and the new moon is in Sagittarius (known as the “Sagittarius Factor”) on Thursday and Friday. Each of these geocosmic and lunar signatures can correlate with large price swings and reversals of more than 4% in equity and precious metals markets. Once upon a time, 4% short-term swings were considered quite large. Moves of 10% or more each week are more common since September, so these moves may be much more than 4%.

 The thing to watch in the next ten days is whether hope has really returned to the markets under all these Jupiter and Sagittarian influences that are now in force. Or will panic and hysteria come back quickly, especially given that Uranus is going stationary direct on Friday, November 28? It probably depends upon who is speaking to the press in the next two weeks: the reminders of a leadership that has failed to generate any confidence in its economic rescue programs, or the incoming leadership that offers hope to a very frightened world that is on the verge of panic and hysteria to a degree never seen before in our lifetime. If hope is dominant, then the stock markets can soar in spectacular fashion. We could even have a sense of Greenspan’s “irrational exuberance” again going into the holiday season. But lacking that visibility, then the market could easily break the 7000-7500 level of support in the DJIA and fall yet another 1000-2000 points quickly. I am ever the optimist.
 

 

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.

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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