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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning February 16, 2009

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 What a difference a week makes.

 At the end of last week, everything looked positive for the stock indices of the world. The Venus translation to the forthcoming “Cardinal Climax” planets of Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto had ended without a major market collapse. The technical picture looked strong, and even the geocosmic picture looked promising as we ended last week. The equity markets of the world started out strong enough last week, as the world awaited newly elected President Obama first major press conference on Monday night. It went well enough, and the excitement built as he prepared everyone for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s detailed description of the next step in the economic rescue plan for Tuesday. Geithner, like Secretary Paulsen before him, spoke – and disappointed everyone. All the gains of the previous week evaporated, and in place of hope and confidence came confusion, uncertainty, and disappointment. By Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was back to its lowest level since the crisis days of last November and doubts were growing by the minute about the Obama economic stimulus plan.

 The doubts, however, were not as extreme in other parts of the world. In Europe, all indices we track topped out early last week and pulled back, just like in the USA. But the declines were not nearly as severe. None of these markets made new monthly lows by the end of the week as the DJIA did.

 The same was true in Asia and the Pacific Rim. None of these markets made new monthly lows either, although the Japanese Nikkei came close. In Australia and India, the major indices actually rallied to close out the week.

 In fact, the greatest carnage in the Americas was only in the DJIA. The NASDAQ Composite was fairly strong last week, and neither the Merval of Argentina nor the Bovespa of Brazil sold off too much after their highs early in the week. Still, very few indices closed the week that strongly, and the DJIA did make a new low for this stage of the cycle, which is a concern as we go forward.

 In other markets, Gold and Silver were on fire, both soaring to their highest levels since last summer. But grains and Crude Oil were weak. Crude Oil once again tested the low 30’s at the end of last week, even though it bounced up smartly on Friday. This is an important period for Crude Oil, for as stated last week, “This week (of February 9) will find a full moon in effect on Monday, followed by the Sun-Neptune conjunct on February 12 and a Mars-Jupiter conjunction on February 17. As stated many times in this column before, Jupiter and Neptune co-rule Pisces, the sign that has rulership over crude oil.” It is possible that a low of importance is forming now in Crude Oil, based on these signatures. Our biggest concern, however, is that Jupiter is approaching a conjunction to Neptune May-July 2009. There now appears to be too much oil available, and that supply-side condition may not end until this conjunction is completed.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 The Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Aquarius starts off this holiday week. As indicated last week, this aspect can act as a boost for stock prices. By itself, one would think that is a harbinger of some good news, for Mars stimulates, and Jupiter is by nature optimistic. Surely the completion of the “Economic Stimulus” package falls into this category. Or does it? Mars can be combative, and Jupiter can be exaggerative too, and once again, we see the politics of Washington becoming more and more divisive. Instead of working on “good will” and a spirit of cooperation (the positive side of Mars and Jupiter conjunct in Aquarius), we are instead witnessing antagonism and an entrenchment of both sides in their beliefs that they are “right.”  This is the downside of Aquarius: an arrogant sense of being right about one’s beliefs, and anyone who disagrees is not only wrong, but “morally wrong.” This is not a good climate for honest debate. Such debates may take on even greater exaggeration and tones of “moral righteousness” as heliocentric Mercury starts its 10-day trek through Sagittarius on Friday, February 20. Not only are one’s opinions expressed with exaggerated urgency, but so too are price swings in many financial markets, especially precious metals, during this period. Yet none of this compares with the strength of the geocosmic signatures coming up March 6-12, when Venus turns retrograde, and the full moon will take on the same degrees of the zodiac as the Saturn-Uranus opposition. Everything is building up into that time frame, like the pressure in a boiling pot of hot water. Everybody’s talking (shouting) but nobody is listening. And that can result in sharply falling stock prices, unless the mood and intention change quickly.

Longer-Term Thoughts

 This was an erratic week for the new President. Transiting Pluto is in opposition to his natal Venus, and he must be wondering: “What do I have to do in order to get everyone working with me?” As recent financial and TV news reports stated, “Dude! They are not into you!” Which, of course, means the Republicans. They are not into giving Obama the love he wants, which is one of the messages of Pluto in opposition to one’s Venus. Venus is love, but Pluto is rejection. No matter how much you try to bring peace and harmony, they “aren’t into you, dude.” They are more likely to reject the more you offer.

 As if that is not enough, transiting Uranus is opposite Mr. Obama’s Mars too – all year! This is a test of his “Mr. Nice Guy” image. As indicated before, Mars can pertain to one’s aggressive and combative side. When Uranus transits in opposition to one’s natal Mars, one can suddenly let loose with anger built up from the frustration of trying and not being accepted. The problem is that if anyone has “buttons that can be pushed,” this is the time in which they are indeed pushed. Obama’s buttons are sensitive right now. Indeed, this is a time that his patience is being tried, and it will take all his inner strength to remain calm and not give in to the temptation of expressing his anger at …. what? Not being loved? Not getting what he wants the way he wants it? He needs to be especially careful with how he reacts during these next two months.

 Not only is Obama’s Mars being hit by Uranus (and Saturn), but so is the USA’s natal Mars at 20 Gemini. It’s bad enough the President is struggling with his own countrymen (i.e. Republicans). But directly ahead may be a confrontation with the country’s enemies. Is the honeymoon already over? No. Jupiter is still coming up to Neptune. The allure of Camelot is still very much alive, even if this rendition is off to a rocky start. He is still the star, still the sheriff, and still holds the hope of being the hero to many. He could use some help, however. He can’t do it alone forever. A good start would be for the Treasury Secretary to start living up to Obama’s hype, instead of his predecessor’s example. The thing is, the next full moon (March 12) will be an astrological repeat of the September 15 full moon, when former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen made his infamous economic and banking reassurance speech. That started the economic collapse and crisis last fall. Geithner and Obama have a chance to correct that and get it right on the next full moon in early March. And if they can do that, the fairy tale doesn’t have to end so quickly.

 

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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