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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning October 26, 2009
Written by Raymond Merriman   

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    It was a mixed bag for world equity markets last week. Some made new yearly highs, such as the German DAX, London FTSE, and Swiss SMI in Europe. In Asia and Pacific Rim, new yearly highs were recorded in the Hang Seng in Hong Kong, and the NIFTY of India. In the Americas, all the indices we track made new yearly highs. But these new highs were not the result of explosive rallies as in the past few weeks. In most cases, they were just slightly above the prior week’s high. Furthermore their closes were not that impressive from a technical stand point. The combination of intermarket bearish divergence in many of the regions, with weakening momentum indicators at the close of the week, is yet another cautionary sign. However, the closes of last week were not serious enough to rule out the possibility of yet another rally, especially given the geocosmic outlook for the next few days.


    The momentum also slowed in the impressive rally in precious metals of the past few weeks. Neither Gold nor Silver took out the highs of the prior week. Yet here too, neither sold off so much as to rule out the possibility of another rally, especially given that both Crude Oil and the European currencies rallied to new yearly highs in terms of the U.S. Dollar.


Short-Term Geocosmics


    Last week’s new highs in many markets was not surprising form the study of geocosmics. We outlined the signatures present in last week’s column, and concluded, “When markets are rising, these factors can also correspond to a peak, for Jupiter and Sagittarius represent the principle of optimism, particularly with Venus in Libra. With earning reports still coming out, there can be more “good news” under these combinations.”


    Venus remains in Libra for the next two weeks. Additionally, Venus will form a trine to the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction October 28-November 2. This favorable “translation” can keep up the optimistic outlook for the stock markets of the world, regardless of whether the news is good or bad. In other words, the sense of “hope” is strong, and it may not seem rational. That’s because traders and investors are chasing short-term profits and they don’t want to miss the boat. The tide is uplifting this market right now, but the problem is that tides also ebb. I use the symbology of tides, because in the next 1-2 weeks, there will be a pre-dominance of Neptune’s influence, and Neptune rules the sea. It also rules rumors, gossip, deception, fraud, and the quest for an ideal state of being, as in a religious or spiritual sense. Markets seldom fall hard under Neptune’s reign. But as Neptune’s influence drifts away, we will sail smack into the first of three Saturn-Pluto squares on November 15. Talk about a wake-up call. This could be like a parasailing adventure, gently cruising in the clouds, but then suddenly – when it is time to come down - the rip cord is found to be missing.


The clouds may start to gather this week, as both Mercury and the Sun leave the gracious and agreement-loving sign of Libra, and begin their month-long trek through the more foreboding – and sometimes forbidding - sign of Scorpio. Unlike Libra, Scorpio tends to demand more accountability of leaders. It is the sign of audits, debt, taxes, and the understanding that sacrifices have to be made in order to achieve balanced budgets. And if others don’t cooperate in this sacrifice, then watch out, the fingers will point to those who obstruct progress. They will be exposed. It could be a time of some humiliation. With Neptune so prominent in the first days, the message – and the threat - may fail to be appreciated early on. But it would be unwise to ignore it.


Longer-Term Thoughts


    “We’ve got to make it cool to be in business again. We really have to polish the value of what business brings to mankind.” – Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Co. CEO and president, from the Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2009.


    Mulally may be one of the few people in business who “gets it” right now. Ben Bernanke may be another. I am referring, of course, to the symbolism of Pluto in Capricorn, 2008-2024, which infers that those in banking, business, and government can only succeed if they are aware of their need to be completely honest and open about all of their dealings that affect those in their community. This is not a favorable time in history to be secretive, dishonest, or power-hungry. This is a time of purging those individuals who behave in a manner that enhances their gains at the expense of those in the community whose support they need in order to succeed. Pluto in Capricorn is indeed a time when it is necessary to polish the value of what business brings to mankind. The same can be said for government and banks too, for Capricorn relates to all three.


    One of the characteristics that play into this “movement towards honesty and accountability” is Neptune. As stated earlier, Neptune rules ideals and the quest for a world of beauty and peace. In business, it pertains to advertising, or marketing, which is the art of creating an image in people’s minds, one that is attractive and agreeable regarding one’s product or service. The problem arises when the image being created is not honest. Neptune can rule deception and fraud. It can be intentionally misleading. And in its quest for profits and success, it behaves without any concern for how one’s actions may harm another. In its most sinister expression, Neptune can be a liar, cheat, and thief. In fact, the three are related because lying or cheating is actually stealing another’s right to know the truth in order to make the best decisions possible for their life.


    Presently the transit of Neptune is stationary. That is, it is about to change from its retrograde motion to its direct motion on November 2. As it does so, its station is forming an exact conjunction to the natal Pluto in the New York Stock Exchange chart (May 17, 1792, in New York City, time unknown, but probably morning). That is, Pluto in the NYSE chart is at 23 Aquarius, the same position that transiting Neptune now occupies. Furthermore, the natal Mercury in the NYSE chart is posited at 23 Taurus, exactly 90 degrees (square) from transiting Neptune and natal Pluto. This is a signature that pertains to the temptation of fraud and dishonesty regarding the ethical rules of behavior in the U.S. stock market. In other words, the possibility of market manipulation and dishonesty regarding stock trading and information on the NYSE is extremely high right now. It is no coincidence, according to the principles of Financial Astrology, that the biggest insider trading scandal in decades was alleged last week against hedge fund giant Galleon Group. What may be more surprising is that this maybe just the tip of an iceberg, for usually under such transits, the revelations are not exposed until 1-2 years afterwards.


    As we look at the impressive gains in the stock market over the past 7 months, we may soon come to realize that these gains have not been so much the result of great corporate earnings and stellar sales and revenues, or even wonderful government policies that have turned our economy around from the threat of financial ruin. With transiting Neptune sitting on the NYSE Pluto, squaring its natal Mercury, it may be as much a result about something that never existed, or was misrepresented for reasons that enhanced one person’s – or one’s company or one’s government – well-being at the expense of others who had no clue. And with Pluto in Capricorn, such behavior will likely be exposed, driving home the idea that long-term success is not built upon short-term, and especially immediate-term, gratification. Nobody gets away with anything under Pluto in Capricorn. It all gets revealed and purged, and your only hope is to be completely honest.

 

 

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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