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Comments for the Week Beginning September 10, 2007

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As stated in last week’s column, “… the geocosmic picture may (now) give cause to reassess all this wonderful news and bullish studies. The aspects between September 3 and September 9 are amongst the most powerful geocosmic correlates to trend reversals… Accordingly, this period becomes vulnerable to a possible sudden and huge sell-off… It could be another financial panic, or a natural disaster, or something completely unexpected and shocking.” Well, the U.S. markets indeed experienced a sudden financial shock on Friday, following the much-weaker-than expected payroll reports. For the first time in 4 years employment actually fell by 4000 jobs in August, when economist were expecting a rise of about 110,000. What a difference - and shades of Uranus! After all, from September 3-9, the Sun was transiting in T-square to Jupiter (large moves) and Uranus (unexpected surprises).

 The jobs report came out just before U.S. stock market opened, and so the impact was felt mostly in the U.S.A., and towards the end of the day in Europe. After rallying last Tuesday to 13,494, its highest level since the panic low of August 16, the DJIA fell sharply on Friday to test the 13,000 level again, closing at 13,113. The NASDAQ Composite also made a high on Tuesday, at 2644, before selling off to 2556 intraday on Friday. 

 In Europe, the Netherlands AEX peaked at 531.75 last Tuesday, but closed near the lows of the week at 517.43. The German DAX index also topped lout Tuesday at 7725, then closed the week at 7436, slightly off the lows of the week. The London FTSE topped out on Wednesday at 6390 and closed the week about 200 points lower, at 6191. The Swiss Index behaved in similar fashion, peaking at 8974 on Tuesday, and ending near the weekly lows at 8676.

 The damage was not nearly so severe in the Pacific Rim and Asia, where the markets were closed by the time of the U.S.A. jobs report. The Hang Seng Index of Hong Kong made yet another new all-time high on Wednesday at 24,283 and closed very near those highs on Friday. The Australian All Ordinaries also made their high of the week on Wednesday at 6358, and then sold off the next day before rebounding again Friday, but still down considerably from their all-time highs of July 13 at 6469. Japan’s Nikkei Index made anew high also early last week (Monday) at 16,576, before dropping back below 16,000 temporarily on Thursday. It did not look too strong by Friday’s close. And the NIFTY stock index of India continued rallying all week, touching 4547 on Friday, just slightly below its all-time high of 4647 back on July 24. The Hang Seng and Nifty still look strong, compared to the All Ordinaries or the Nikkei. But again, this past week was a critical reversal zone, and each market made new multi-week or longer highs, so there is concern about how these markets will open on Monday.

 In other markets, Gold broke away from stocks and soared late last week, closing over 700.00, a mark that has proven to be resistance all year for highs. It looks like it wants to go even higher, perhaps up to the 20+-year high of May 2006 when it tested 740.00. Silver also had a good week as it tested the 1280 mark on Friday, up over 13% from its 55.5-week low in the low 1100’s just three weeks ago. Crude Oil also continued it march upwards towards the forthcoming Jupiter-Uranus square of October 9. It reached 77.43 on Thursday, coming closer and closer to its all-time high of 78.77 recorded on August 1.

 Will these new trends last as we start the new week? Venus now turns direct September 8 after being retrograde since July 27. This is a powerful Level One geocosmic signature.

Short-Term Geocosmics

This week will find a partial solar eclipse on Tuesday, September 11, followed by Mercury in a harmonious sextile to Jupiter on September 13. So, are we going into a recession, or is this just another temporary panic? It will take some time to determine that for sure. The fact that all this happened during the Venus retrograde cycle (July 27-September 8) provides an argument that these conditions may end very soon, even this coming week. But the forthcoming conjunction of the Moon’s South Node with Saturn, along with the third and final passage of the Jupiter-Uranus square (say October 9-27) suggests that the fear of further significant sell-offs (and other problems) is not completely over for a few more weeks. If the markets continue down this week, then we may be looking at another financial selling panic as the 4-year cycle continues to unwind. But if the markets find support above the lows of August, it may be due to the intervention and coordinated efforts of both the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury departments. This is entirely possible, for as discussed before, neither of our fire sign financial wizards (Bernanke or Paulsen) want a recession on their watch. But they may not have much choice to stop a severe sell-off of equities and other assets as Jupiter approaches its square to Uranus in about 5 weeks. This implies continued volatility and risk to very sharp sell-offs. Yet with Jupiter continuing through Sagittarius until December, these sell offs maybe relatively short-lived, albeit very sharp. Remember that the minimum criteria for the decline to a 4-year cycle low is 10% and we reached that August 16. But in 85% of historical cases, the sell off to that low is at least 20%, so there may be a lot more to go before this time band ends in November.

 On a more personal note, the Venus and Pluto changing directions this weekend (September 7-8) can bring about a process of healing and forgiveness in intimate relationships. If you have been encountering more than the usual conflicts with someone you love – even to the point of breaking up - the next few days may offer a path to correct your behavior, seek forgiveness, and get the relationship rekindled. The same might be possible for financial crises, both personal and market-wise.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

 The front page of last Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal reported, “Bush is unlikely to order more than a symbolic cut in troops before year end, officials said, and appears set on hewing to his current strategy.” This is entirely consistent with prior astrological analysis given in this column, based on Mr. Bush’s natal and progressed chart. It doesn’t matter what the various commissions that he himself appoints are advising - from the Baker-Hamilton Commission of late 2006, to the updated report due to Congress next week. Mr. Bush has progressed Mars (planet of war, combat, offensive) conjunct his natal Jupiter (planet of expansion and exaggeration) through the end of his term. This is a signature of one who believes victory is possible, and only attainable with an increase of aggression and offense, not a decrease. Defeat is not a choice to one with this set up (combined with other signatures presently in his chart). Victory is the only option, and the strategy of overwhelming the enemy with more and more troops is the means to that end – in this set up. Will it work? And what is the consequence if it doesn’t work or if the U.S.A. pulls out?

 It seems the administration is very adamant that the Iraqi conflict is not at all comparable to the Viet Nam experience. Yet to an astrologer, the parallels are uncanny, which suggests the results could also be similar. During the View Nam conflict, the 248-year cycle of Pluto was transiting in the later third of Virgo (a mutable sign) for several years, forming a hard aspect to the Mars-Neptune square in the U.S.A. chart at 20 and 22 degrees of Gemini and Virgo respectively. This combination can correlate to the commencement of a conflict based on faulty, false, or misguided information. It can also pertains to incorrect assessment of the capabilities of the enemy, and questionable strategies for combating that enemy. In the end, the public grew very weary of this war. They did not understand or accept the rational for engaging in this conflict and became suspicious of the administration’s handling of it. It became the source of great national distrust of the government’s leadership. The president became very unpopular and more and more distant from the populace that he presided over.

 In the first half of this decade, as the Iraqi conflict erupted, Pluto was in the later third of Sagittarius (a mutable sign again), and again in hard aspect (opposition and square) to this same Mars-Neptune arrangement in the U.S.A. chart. Due to the slow movement of Pluto, this is the first time since the 1960’s that Pluto has entered into hard aspect to the Mars-Neptune natal square. Unless I am missing something, the same issues I just listed above are indeed present with this conflict. And the similarity indeed seems uncanny, and they are indeed in line with the principles associated with transiting Pluto in hard aspect to a country’s natal Mars and Neptune. I think this does give us a clue about what to expect for the future.

 Secondly, in the mid-late 1960’s, the 45-year Saturn-Uranus opposition took place (with Pluto conjunct Uranus). That opposition is now returning in 2008-2010 (and forming a T-square with Pluto during that period). The main difference is that in the middle to late 1960’s, the conflict was just beginning. In 2008-2010, the conflict will be well underway, and perhaps even ending. But there is another long-term geocosmic signature that will be present this time that was not present in the 1960’s. Pluto will start its 16-year trek through Capricorn (2007-2023). This is a period that I will be referring to as “The Good and the Bad, Even Worse, and then Redemption.” Will things get worse in Iraq if the U.S. withdraws? Of course. Will they get worse if the U.S. stays? Probably, judging by the nature of these aspects. That’s the problem. Will things ever get better in that region? To that we can also say, “Of course.” But astrologically-speaking, it seems that the situation will enter a period where it gets perhaps as bad as anyone can imagine (“the worst”). And then it gets better. All this over the course of the next 16 years. As I see it, the very bottom can take place anywhere in that 16-year period and the “redemption” (healing) can also take place within that 16-year period too. Exactly “when” depends on the choices these leaders make, or the choices the people make as to who their leaders will be. And based on my understanding of the Saturn-Uranus opposition that begins on the very day of the 2008 election, the U.S. public will vote for a dramatic change of direction in its leadership. That force of change may also affect the Federal Reserve Board, for the Saturn-Uranus opposition forms a grand square to the chart of Chairman Bernanke.

 

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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