Review and Preview

    It was supposed to be a quiet pre-holiday week. And it was a quiet pre-holiday week until Friday morning, when Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke announced that the Fed stands ready to provide additional monetary stimulus (i.e. quantitative easing III) if needed. At first the market was disappointed because he didn’t announce a new bond buying program to start right now. But that disappointment lasted about ten minutes before market players figured out that the Fed will do whatever it takes to make sure that Treasuries and stocks don’t fall off the cliff that still looms ahead on January 1 for the economy itself. So consistent with every other time in the past 100 years when Jupiter was in Gemini, coincident with a hard Uranus-Pluto aspect, the stock market still holds out the possibility of soaring yet to new all-time highs. And so do precious metals. Apparently the Fed is willing let the metals explode upwards, if that is the corollary to keeping equity prices high.

    As bullish as the news was for stocks on Friday, it was even greater for Gold and Silver. Gold was up nearly $40.00/ounce as it tested 1700 for the first time since March. It is nearing the price target zone given at the special Gold workshop held in Amsterdam on June 23. Silver tested $31.80/ounce on Friday, its highest level since April. It’s all part of the Mars-in-Scorpio geocosmic correlation discussed in the Forecast 2012 Book as well as in our subscription reports of the past two months. This signature is in effect August 23-October 6, and has a 70+% correlation to large rallies in Gold, following a low that would occur to a time band coinciding with August 2-23 this year. That low occurred in two places. First, on August 2, and then again on August 15, as Mars and Saturn formed their two-year conjunction in late Libra. When Mars and Saturn form a hard aspect in the summer months, it also coincides with sharply rising grain prices. That has been the case this summer as both Corn and Soybeans soared to record highs in August, a projection also covered in detail in the Forecast 2012 Book.

Best Trades of the Past Week

There were no new positions opened last week. Our programs remain long precious metals, Euro currency, and T-Notes as our best open trades from the prior week(s).

Short-Term Geocosmics

    The markets will be closed in the USA on Monday, September 3, in observance of Labor Day. Nevertheless, geocosmic signatures will be in effect next week that could coincide with market reversals.

    On Monday, September 3, Venus will form a waning square to Saturn. Since Venus rules matters of value, and Saturn in a hard aspect can represent a depression of those values, it suggests some anxiety about the world’s financial future again. This can also correlate with a downturn in equity values. In many stock markets, such an aspect coincides with a reversal within 4 trading days.

    On Friday, September 7, the Sun will form a waxing square to Jupiter. This is a signature of exaggeration and possibly over-exaggeration. But it also a very high historical correlation (79%) to sharp swings in equity values, again within 4 trading days. It appears that when investors return from the holidays, they will be ready to initiate new positions in various financial markets.

Longer-Term Thoughts

    “President Obama promised to slow the rise of the oceans and to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family.” Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, August 30, 2012, Tamp, FL.

    “But with the Moon on the Galactic Center at 27° Sagittarius, the pro-life versus pro-choice issue may claim a front row seat as well. Women’s rights play a stronger role in this election than expected, and that issue may actually turn the corner for one of the candidates. One of the parties wants to regulate the boardroom (the business and banking industry), the other wants to regulate the bedroom (social rights). My guess is that this issue would favor Obama… for most independents want the government out of their pockets and bedroom, and this election will likely swing on the votes of the independents.” – Forecast 2012 Book, Specific Seasons – Fall, Autumnal Equinox chart, written in November 2011, nearly one year ago (Raymond Merriman, Seek-It Publications, W. Bloomfield, MI).

    As the statements above suggest, the USA election will be a clear choice on the difference in ideology between the platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties. The sideshow will be the series of mean-spirited and negative ads that focus on each candidate’s alleged character deficiencies, which is really unnecessary to an intelligent electorate. The election can – or should be able to - stand on the issues and the records of both Romney-Ryan and Obama-Biden.

    However, we are in the midst of the long transit of Uranus in waxing square to Pluto, June 2012 through March 2015, and that is a combination that will spare no punches in its drive for victory. It is true that Uranus and Pluto can also pertain to important issues of the day, such as pro-choice versus pro-life, energy independence, taxes, and the 4 D’s (debt, deficits, downgrades, and default). But it is also true that any hard aspect involving Pluto can represent an underhanded grab for power and control by unexpectedly (Uranus) trying to destroy the reputation of an opponent through mudslinging.

    As we approach the second of the seven Uranus-Pluto square passages on September 19, the ideological differences between the two candidates and their party’s platforms are apt to become even clearer. I don’t think there will be many undecided voters in this election, for the chasm between the two is just too great. The presidential debates are scheduled for October 3, 16, and 22 and the election is on November 6.

    For astrologers, the issue will be whether or not Uranus represents a 180-degree change of leadership, as it did in 2008 when Uranus was in opposition to Saturn. Or will it represent the candidate who appears the most forward-looking and progressive, as it also did in 2008? Uranus symbolizes ”change.” In 2008, Obama won the election when he convincingly seized the mantle of “change” and made McCain the failed guardian of the status quo. He can’t make the same claim this time, for he has now built and become the status quo. But he can frame a vision for the future that will try to convince voters that he is more futuristic and positive. Will he do that, and if so, will the voters buy into the idea that he can deliver that promise these next four years after what they have experienced the past 4 years? Or will this election season continue to be more mired in the mud, expressing the very lowest side of Pluto in Capricorn?

    I know I am supposed to be answering these questions, not asking them. But whenever Uranus is involved, I – and all Financial and Mundane Astrologers – know that the climate is just too heavily charged to issue any kind of statement with certainty. Uranus corresponds to periods of unexpected and sudden surprises, as well as penetration of long-term support and resistance zones in financial markets. No one knows what the outcome will be, and more importantly, no one knows what the outcome of the election outcome will be. We have an idea, but the future is not secure or certain. Change is coming in one form or another, and not necessarily by the choices of the majority. Disruptions by external forces or actions by the minority may make the day in many cases. I wish, as Clint Eastwood said, it would “Make my day.” But it won’t. And in the process of this event and radical behaviors, powerful reactions by others may follow. I know it sounds cryptic. But that is also the nature of Uranus and Pluto being in contact with one another. We are still in a modern-day “Twilight Zone,” and I suspect we will remain so for another 2-3 years.

    Of course, this type of period can be extremely exciting too for those who are not attached to any outcome or plan.