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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning May 4


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 Equity markets across the world rallied last week, with many posting new post-Venus direct highs. In Europe, the German DAX, London FTSE, and Swiss SMI indices all soared to new highs on Thursday, as most markets were closed Friday for the holiday. However, the Netherlands AEX fell just shy of its monthly high on April 17, the day Venus turned direct.

 In Asia and the Pacific Rim, none of the four indices we track made higher highs than that recorded around Venus direct. However, all rallied into the end of the week, so they may be poised to do so next week.

 In the Americas, all the markets soared to new monthly highs last week. The most impressive were the Bovespa of Brazil and the NASDAQ Composite, which have both now exceeded their highs of this new year.

  In other markets, the big news was in the agriculturals, where Corn and Soybeans staged very impressive rallies. Food prices are rising, in line with our projections made in the Forecast 2009 book. (By the way, there are less than 10 Forecast 2009 books left. The price of those not sold at Saturday’s presentation will be increased substantially as of Monday, for I am certain they will be offered at over $100 on Amazon.com immediately). Crude Oil also had a good week, reaching 53.65 on Friday, which was quite an improvement from the 43.83 low of the prior week. It looks very much like the forthcoming Jupiter-Neptune conjunction is alive and well. Both are the co-rulers of Pisces, which has dominion over Crude Oil.

 Speaking of Jupiter and Neptune, one of the big news stories last week was the sudden escalation of the swine flu outbreak. Everyone wants to know if this will become a pandemic, serious enough to shut off travel and commerce. Jupiter and Neptune are principles that can coincide with hysteria and panic, and not reality. This would suggest it will not become a pandemic. However, both of these planets will also conjunct Chiron, which is believed to relate to physical or emotional danger, as in “wounded.” That implies (to me) that the “wound” is a direct result of a conflict with someone in particular. But I don’t know enough about the influence of this 50-year cyclical orbit to give an informed opinion as to its correspondence to something affecting the collective like a major flu outbreak. Chiron’s pain seems more personal.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Our primary focus is on one geocosmic signature that begins next week: Mercury retrograde. Yes, it is that time of the season again. Starting on Thursday, May 7, and lasting through May 30, this “trickster” will probably be in full form this time around. That is, I expect many decisions to be made that are questionable and will require modification or regret. I expect many bullish and bearish technical signals to be negated, and I expect a lot of “fake outs” as prices run above resistance and below support, only to reverse again. I expect markets to move in a direction for 1-4 days, pause about 20 minutes, and then swing the other way for 1-4 days.

 But I will be most focused on the weekend period of May 15-18, for that is when three things happen. First, that will be around the middle of the retrograde period, when sudden reversals happen. It is more important than usual this time because 2) Saturn will be turning direct that weekend (May 16) and 3) heliocentric Mercury will be entering Sagittarius (May 18-30). Last week I reported that subscriber Lindsay Holt did a study showing that Saturn stations in bear markets in equities corresponds with highs. He could be right this time. Heliocentric Mercury in Sagittarius also tends to correspond to sharply rising prices in precious metals and currencies, and declines in stock prices. Of course, the other thing we know about Mercury Rx is that whatever you think is suppose to happen, usually doesn’t. Many things go exactly the opposite of what you anticipate. So our rule still holds: take profits too soon. This will not likely be a position trader’s market for much of this month. It is more likely to be short-term and even day trading heaven.

Longer-Term Thoughts

Last week’s Short-Term Geocosmics section ended with, “Let us also not forget that the Venus-Pluto square of April 4-May 3 is still in force. As long as it is present, there remains the possibility of another large corporate bankruptcy or failure, another “takeover” by the U.S. government (or any government). Maybe it is General Motors or Chrysler that defaults”

It happened. Last week, Chrysler Corporation was forced to file for bankruptcy. But how it happened is noteworthy because it supports the forecast made in 2006 by Financial Astrology colleague Manfred Zimmel of Austria (www.amanita.at), that Capitalism is in danger of coming to an end. As stated in Friday’s Detroit Free Press, in an article by automotive columnist Tom Walsh “By forcing Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy, president Barack Obama fired an unmistakable warning shot towards General Motors Corp., its bondholders, dealers, suppliers, unions and anyone else who didn’t think he had the resolve to impose his will on domestic automobile industry… some will gasp in dismay at this telltale sign that Obama is destroying the free enterprise system (by requiring that Fiat-Chrysler build a 40-mpg car in the United States… as a) condition of Fiat boosting its stake in Chrysler from 20% to 35%.” The article goes on to say, “… despite Obama’s protestations that he has no interest in running auto companies, it’s clear that – with huge sums of federal tax money sunk into Chrysler and GM – he will be very hands on.” OK. So now we know that bondholders have no safety in realizing what is supposed to be “the safest form” of investment in one’s portfolio if there is any “rescue” monies given to that company by the US.

Today it is Chrysler and their bondholders. Tomorrow it could be GM and its bondholders. And soon after that it could be the banks. All these bondholders may be in trouble, as one of our traditionally “safest” investment vehicles is now threatened with defaults – and especially defaults the government steers them towards after getting itself (us) involved. There is an old adage that “What goes around comes around.” So what happens as the government takes over all these previously private enterprises, sinking billions of taxpayer dollars into “rescuing” them and then assuming control and forcing them into bankruptcy where all their lenders are left holding the bag? And in the process of taking over all these “badly run” companies, the government itself takes on a whole load of debt? It’s a gamble. The dice are being rolled again and once more it is “double or nothing.” If this turns out to save and create new jobs, Obama can end up as one of the greatest leaders of all time for his courage to take such a large risk and win. But if it fails, and the government itself is forced to go into bankruptcy as a result, the losses by holders of U.S. Government bonds will be much more serious than those of GM and/or Chrysler. With the Saturn-Uranus opposition moving ever closer to the T-square with Pluto in Capricorn (debt and government) in 2009-2011, it is not just the American and free enterprise system that is at risk. There is a lot more of the world at risk. And of course with risk such as this, comes opportunity - but only if the free markets and capitalism survive.

House Speaker Nancy Polosi was fond of saying “We are mortgaging our children’s future,” in concern about former President George Bush’s fiscal policies. She was right. But now it seems we are filing for a second and third mortgage on the future of our children.

 

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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