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Comments For the Week Beginning October 13, 2008


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The giant “fire sale” in equities signified by Financial Astrology continues. It fact, it is happening much faster than expected, as many stock indices throughout the world are already experiencing the 50-90% decline form their all-time highs as forecasted several years ago for this very time frame.

The unrelenting force of the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition cycle is upon us. This is just the first leg down of the Cardinal Climax. Two things are unfolding this year. First, Pluto moved into Capricorn on January 26, 2008 for a brief time (until June 13). It will re-enter it for 15 years beginning on Nov 26, 2008. The second  is that a five-fold passage of Saturn and Uranus begins in 2008. The first passage happens right on Election Day, Nov 4, 2008, and that will continue through July 26, 2010. However, it is apparent that the headwinds of this powerful 45-year planetary opposition, as well as the 248-year Pluto-in-Capricorn cycle, are happening right now. My “best guess” is that we do not hit the peak of the Saturn-Uranus opposition cycle until the middle of its time band, or around September 2009, +/-4 months.

All of the principles of these two signatures are already manifesting, however, almost two months before the aspect technically takes place. I believe the advent of this crisis reached the “birthing phase” on the full moon of Sept 15, which conjunct Uranus. Everything before that was conception and gestation. That was the end of the “translation phase” of the Sun to Saturn-Uranus, September 3-12, but the full moon also translated Saturn and Uranus exactly on Sept 15. That was the day Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen made his infamous “reassurance speech” on national television about the strength and resilience of the economy, thereby setting into motion a stampede to divest assets for cash, which had suddenly dried up. Now, three weeks later, I don’t think anyone doubts that a crisis - a financial panic, if you will - has hit the world. This is exactly the type of psychological climate that corresponds to Saturn in opposition to Uranus.

For all intense and purposes, we are fully living the Cardinal Climax now. And we are still building up to only the first passage of the Saturn-Uranus opposition. Uranus, the planet of change, revolution, winds, and freedom, is colliding on a plane with the principles of Saturn, the planet of traditions, boundaries, cement, earth, and conservatism. Every thing with a form is vulnerable to change, and nothing – perhaps only “nothing” - is permanent. And if you think it is, Pluto in Capricorn will soon convince you otherwise.

There is no need to review what happened last week in the world equity markets, except that on Friday the DJIA fell to a  new 6-year low of 7882 intraday. This is nearing the target of our first leg down, which is 6500-7500. Stock indices around the world collapsed all week in one of the largest sell-offs in history. Crude Oil, Silver, and grains also broke down sharply, as did the currencies against the U.S. Dollar. Nothing was spared, which is one of the characteristics of Saturn in opposition to Uranus. It is not just like an earthquake, which these two planets in hard represent. It is more like a nuclear explosion. But it can also be a time of incredibly brilliant awareness. Let’s hope the potential for enlightenment soon strikes our economic and banking leaders, and they find the way out of this black hole vortex we have fallen into.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 The middle of this retrograde period produced a sharp rally that lasted less than one day last week in equity markets. Other markets, like Gold, grains, and currencies, had a bounce that lasted 1-4 days, which is more typical of the middle of the retrograde zone. But then they too resumed their downturn.

 For this coming week, we find a full moon on Tuesday October 14, followed by the return of Mercury to its direct motion the next day. Astrologically this could correspond to a temporary end of the painful first leg down of the bear market in equity prices. However, Mercury changing directions is minor in comparison to the force of the Saturn-Uranus opposition which is still approaching, and not due for its first hit until November 4. It feels like a hurricane watch, with headwinds already wreaking great damage before the center of the storm reaches land.

 On a somewhat positive note, Venus ended its sextile-trine to that Saturn-Uranus opposition on Friday, October 10. That too could correspond to some relief, however temporary. I realize everyone would like to believe the bottom of this plunge is happening right now and things will return to normal. However, I cannot make that statement from my knowledge of these geocosmic factors. This is a debt crisis, and in case no one realizes it, that is what money has become. It is a medium of “debt” (Pluto). Now we leave Pluto (debt) in Sagittarius (expansion). For the next 15 years, it will be Pluto (debt) in Capricorn (contraction). It is a whole new playing field. Save your money, protect your capital, pay off your debt and let the banks figure out what they have to do to save their souls from their inane accounting practices of the past 35 years that considered debt as a measure of worth. Maybe with Pluto in Capricorn they will back up their “worth” with something tangible again, instead of as percentage of how much debt they can put on their books.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 Last week I shared a quote from the “Forecasts for 1996” book that described the times we are now entering. This week I refer to the Forecast for 1998 book, two years later, which not only describes the times we are now entering, but especially an industry that defines the part of the world I come from: Detroit, the automobile capital of the world. We use to say, “Whatever happens to GM happens also to the USA as a whole.” Once again, this has proved to an accurate precursor to the times the USA is entering now. The entire country is now experiencing what the auto companies have been going through for several years.

 “The magnitude of each crisis depends upon the phase of the longer-term cycle of which it is but a part. 1998-2000 may represent one of those crises points from the study of the Kondratieff Cycle and Astrology. However, it is smaller in magnitude than one that is due to arise 2008-2014…  It will also represent a time in which Pluto will enter the constellation of Capricorn and in T-Square to Uranus entering Aries and Saturn Libra (2008-2011). But during that time and extending an additional three years to 2014, each of these planets will enter into a T-Square with one another. The last time these three planets were involved in a T-Square in Cardinal signs was 1930-33, in the midst of the “Great Depression.” The difference in terms of cycles is that 1930-33 was at the end of the Kondratieff wave cycle, whereas 2008-2014 will mark approximately the first one-third point of the cycle. The 2008-2014 phase is still the birthing point of the longer-term cycle. It probably represents a time of leaving its “innocence” phase. Technology matures and thereafter may become the undisputed foundation of the world’s economy, for better or worse. Manufacturing and industry must be re-tooled, or relegated to a less important position in the survival of the Human species.” Forecasts 1998, written in October-November, 1997.

 To view all quotes in Forecasts Books from 1994-2008 that specifically reference 2008 as the start of the critical geocosmic time, please feel free to visit the first page of our web site, where we have just posted all of them. www.mmacycles.com. These references are not only interesting, but also instructive on how to understand these current times.

 It has now been one month since I ceased reporting my observations on the USA political election. I ceased reporting these correlations between astrological factors and the candidate’s platforms because no matter what I reported, it would elicit several replies that were too personal. It was no longer possible to be objective. Correlations that favored Obama would be followed by replies from conservatives that I was obviously promoting my far-left liberal agenda. Correlations that favored McCain would be followed by emails attacking my character and credibility as a professional astrologer (i.e. I didn’t really know astrology, or I was using it to promote my obviously far right-wing agenda, and more than one reader assumed I had crossed over to “the dark side”). However, since that time I have been flooded with email letters from readers who wish to know what I think now. I will share these correlations, and my interpretation of them pertaining to this election, one more time next week. In view of the financial disaster that is taking place since mid-September, it does change my interpretations of some of these factors.

 

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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