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MMA Comments for the week Beginning May 3, 2010
Written by Raymond Merriman   

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    The Saturn-Uranus opposition of last Monday, April 26, coincided exactly to the date of a new bull market high in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and some other world indices, like the NASDAQ Composite, Netherlands AEX, and German DAX. All other indices we track failed to make new highs, and many made new multi-week low instead last week. But after rallying into the Saturn-Uranus opposition of April 26, the DJIA suffered its greatest one day loss in nearly three months, as it plunged 213 points. After a triple digit rally Thursday, it then fell another 158 points on Friday, closing near the low of the week. It was a typical Mercury Rx week.


But it was also typical for the atypical Saturn-Uranus opposition aspect. This was the fourth of five passages of this 45-year configuration. The first three passages also coincided with important crests, followed by substantial declines. The first two instances were during the bear market that ended March 6, 2009. Those crests (November 4, 2008 and February 9, 2009) were followed by declines of over 1500 points in the following month. The third passage was in mid-September 2009, well after the bull market was underway. Again it coincided with a crest. But, since it was now a bull market, the ensuing decline lasted only two weeks and covered less than 500 points. Now we wait to see what correspondence this recent passage will pertain to. Up until last week, it was still a bull market. But the 11,258 high of last Monday was nearly an exact Fibonacci 61/8% retracement of the entire bear market decline from the all-time high of 14,198 on October 11, 2007, to the bear market low of 6470 on March 6, 2009, when Venus turned retrograde. Market technicians grant a great deal of importance to support or resistance zones that represent corrections of Fibonacci ratios, like 38.2 and 61.8%.


    The cause of the stock market decline, as well as of currencies against the U.S. Dollar, was the rating downgrade of Greece’s debt to basically junk bond status. Yields on Greek treasuries soared last week, to over 15%. That was about three times the yield of the prior week. The same day the Senate conducted its grilling of Goldman Sachs executives over their role in the financial “Panic of 2008.” Goldman Sachs execs gave a woeful defense, and if anything, looked at least highly unethical as a firm that is suppose to care about the integrity of the financial community, let alone its own customers. It simply added fuel to the Congressional and White House desire to enact Senator Chris Dodd’s Financial and Banking Reform Overhaul bill. In the spirit of Saturn and Uranus in opposition, change is coming. It’s been coming, and it’s not about to let up.


    In other markets, the Dollar soared last week. Yet in another example of Saturn in opposition to Uranus, Gold did not go opposite the Dollar. Typically Gold will go in the direction of currencies against the Dollar, because it is sold in U.S. Dollars throughout the world. But not this time, and also not with Mercury retrograde. With Uranus involved, and Mercury retrograde, nothing goes as expected, and things happen that are unexpected. Gold and the value of the U.S. Dollar are de-coupling their historic inverse relationship as the yellow metal rises against all currencies now, including the U.S. Dollar. This simply points to another fact supported by the principles of Saturn in opposition to Uranus: world finances are in a state of crisis. Gold performs well in such a crisis. It is approaching the $1200 mark again as the week ended, not that far from its all-time high of $1227.

 

Short-Term Geocosmics


    We are now right in the middle of the three-week Mercury retrograde time band of April 19-May 11. As stated last week, “The middle of that period can also coincide with a market reversal, +/- 2 trading days. That equates to Friday, April 30. The rule is that any market that did not reverse around the time of the retrograde date will usually have a sudden turn around the middle of the retrograde period. It is very rare that a market makes it all the way through Mercury retrograde without a reversal of some importance.” As we look at various markets, we will note that currencies against the U.S. Dollar have been in a down trend and U.S. Treasuries and Gold in an uptrend. However, in the case of Gold, it did make a reversal from a low right at the time of the retrograde, so it need not be affected by the mid-Mercury reversal phenomenon.


    Another geocosmic factor to watch for this week is the entrance of heliocentric (not geocentric) Mercury into Sagittarius, May 6-17. This is a signature of sharp price moves, especially in precious metals, and usually upwards, for at least 3-9 trading days. Usually it is not so bullish for stocks.

 

Longer-Term Thoughts


    On the basis of Financial Astrology, one has to question whether or not Financial Regulatory Reform will be passed before the end of May, or even before the end of July, if at all. The Senate hearings of last week, and the SEC charges of fraud against Goldman Sachs, have all occurred during Mercury retrograde. This is a time when plans are proposed, but require some significant adjustments before passage. Or, if no changes are made before passage, then it turns out that the agreement does not work out the way it was intended, and there are harsh consequences to bear for the lack of correct foresight


    But more important than Mercury retrograde (to a Financial Astrologer) is the fact four of the five major (slower moving) planets in our solar system (which includes Pluto) will be in early cardinal signs in late July. Right now three are still in the later degrees of mutable signs. Cardinal signs – Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn - are the signs of action. Mutable signs – Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and especially Pisces – are the signs of ideas and plans being hatched. Think of mutable signs as indicators of debate and discussion, of fine tuning something before it is launched. The launch itself is cardinal. But during the debate period, sides can become very polarized as a middle ground or compromise is sought. If attained, then the project gets life as the planets move into cardinal signs, If compromise and a “middle ground” is not achieved by the time planets go into cardinal signs, then the polarity escalates into dramatic action, even conflict and/or war.


    In late May and early June, Jupiter and Uranus both move from Pisces into Aries. In late July, Saturn moves back in the cardinal sign of Libra from mutable Virgo. They will each be within a couple of degrees from a T-square to Pluto, already in early Capricorn. In terms of the political climate, this is apt to be a very hot summer. At its best, innovative and new solutions will be proposed that will end the gridlock over the acceptance of many bills before Congress, like Financial Regulatory and Immigration Reform (remember, the USA Jupiter is also in early Cancer, which pertains to relations with other nationalities, and it is being hit in grand square by the Cardinal Climax planets). In terms of weather conditions, it may also be a very hot summer, for there are no planets in water signs after late July through much of August (no water signs, no water). In terms of stock markets, equity values may explode upwards like a hot air balloon (or bubble). A lot of money can be made, and lot can be lost this summer, depending on one’s skills as a market timer.


Which brings it all back around to the value of Financial Astrology. For despite the fact that it is not a 100% correlation to stock market highs and lows, there is still nothing more reliable or more consistent as a leading indicator of reversals in the majority of financial markets that I have found through my years of personal experience. Did any other market timing study correctly forecast last week’s turning point of April 23-26 as a high in the U.S. stock markets? Financial Astrology did it via geocosmic aspects as well as lunar cycles. Financial Astrology (in fact, all of astrology) is literally a gift from heaven.


 

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, 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.” Order now with the Forecast 2011 Book and receive a special 10% rate reduction through October.

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 1-3, 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. 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 MMA 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. 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, you may contact him through www.brunnerinvest.ch.

OK. You’ve asked about classes in Financial Astrology, and I am giving two in great South American cities in 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 – 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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