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MMA Comments for the Week Berginning December 29, 2008

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It was a quiet week for equity markets around the world, which is typical for this time of the year. However it wasn’t so quiet in the commodity markets, especially the grain markets. In response to the weaken U.S. Dollar over the past three weeks, Corn prices have soared over 35%, from a low of 305 in the March contract to a high of 414 on Friday’s supposedly “quiet” trading. During that same time, the March contract in Soybeans has rallied from 811 to 966, as Wheat from 471 to 602. Gold also had a nice rally from a low of 829 on Tuesday to a high of 874 on Friday. Not bad for a low volume, holiday market. We can expect continued low volume and possibly narrow trading ranges in equity markets again next week, going into the New Year holiday.

Short-Term Geocosmics

 Even though financial markets may be relatively quiet in observance of the holidays, the geocosmic picture is anything but quiet. This means there may be plenty of news, which under normal market conditions would probably result in more impressive price changes. The last week ends with Mars entering Capricorn on Saturday, December 27. This is one of the more important planetary ingresses, because it conjuncts the Sun, and is opposite Pluto, in the Federal Reserve Board chart. This usually coincides with changes in Central Bank policies, directly affecting prices of Treasuries and indirectly currencies. This next day, Mars conjuncts Pluto in the skies. This amplifies the ingress of Mars into Capricorn considerably. After all, we are just in the beginning stages of the 15-year transit of Pluto through Capricorn, a time frame that promises sweeping changes in the world economy and the governments - and even boundaries – of many nations. But beyond that, Mars conjunct Pluto is a potentially dangerous aspect to human lives. Mars pertains to aggression and combat, while Pluto relates to threats of safety. It can be a natural threat, such as severe cold, hot, or volcano eruptions and the like. Or it can be man-made, such as an act of terrorism.

 The week will end with Saturn turning retrograde on December 31. When a planet turns retrograde, its principles are highlighted considerably in terms of human activity. Saturn is cold, in terms of weather. That is why the Mars-Pluto conjunction during the same week could coincide with severe cold temperatures, avalanches, and other acts of nature posing a threat to human life. In terms of financial markets, our rule is to look for any market that is declining into this retrograde of Saturn, give or take two trading days, for Saturn’s nature is to depress and push down. Once it is over, conditions rebound. That is, if prices have been depressed going into a Saturn stationary period, look for them to rally immediately afterwards. This could be the case with stocks, which have been trending more down than up in the past 10 days.

Longer-Term Thoughts

There are three major planetary signatures (at least) in 2009, and they seem to suggest guideline for what to expect in the New Year.

We enter the year in a crisis mode with the 45-year opposition of Saturn and Uranus already in effect. Saturn represents our sense of foundation, and integrity to the structure. It is our belief that things will continue to stand if they have existed a long time. Uranus, on the other hand, is the “shock that rocks” that stable foundation. It is the unexpected, usually an external event that no one is prepared for and results in a shattering of expectations. Plans are forced to be altered. There are probably no two planets that represent the potential for “crisis” and “panic” as a hard aspect between Saturn and Uranus. This particular 45-year cycle unfolds in a five-passage series, starting November 4, 2008 and lasting through July 26, 2010. The actual “influence” of this signature can begin 11 months before the first passage, and last up to 11 months after the final passage. So we are clearly in it now and especially following the full moon of September 15, 2008, which passed over Saturn and Uranus and gave us a preview of what was to come. The world began the current “panic” on that day. Together, these two planets in opposition can coincide with a period of greater than normal “fear” – as in “fear of the unknown” – as in “what is going to happen next?”

The second major signature to unfold in 2009 will be the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in Aquarius, and both in mutual reception to Uranus in Pisces. That is, both Jupiter and Neptune co-rule Pisces, and Uranus co-rules Aquarius. Jupiter and Neptune are in Uranus’ home sign, and Uranus is in their home sign. A mutual reception operates like a big conjunction. So the effect is like a Jupiter-Neptune-Uranus conjunction. In terms of collective psychology, this can seem like Camelot, a “fairy tale come to life.” Jupiter is exaggeration and hope, Neptune is romance and idealism. Uranus in this case relates to 1) the masses and 2) something very unique and extraordinary, something that has never happened before, at least not like this. I don’t think I would be off-base to suggest that Barack Obama is the current archetype of this part of the celestial drama. That is, he is the new leader of the free world (Uranus, Aquarius), he inspires hope for the future (Jupiter and Uranus), and many people believe he will solve the problems of the world, especially the economy. In other words, he is looked upon as a “savior” (Neptune). Another economic manifestation of Jupiter-Neptune-Uranus can be extraordinary new programs requiring a much greater than anticipated spending effort. In other words, the Federal deficit could rapidly expand, along with monetary inflation followed by price inflation. It can happen very quickly once it starts – probably around the time Jupiter and Neptune conjunct one another (May-December 2009). In this climate of prolonged and suspended “belief that things are going to get better,” all assets can rally in prices, from stocks, to precious metals, to crude oil, etc. The only thing that will fall is the value of the U.S. Dollar.

And then the third major aspect hits. This is the Saturn-Pluto waning square, November 2009 through August 2010. Pluto represents death, debt, and taxes, and the need for a major overhaul. As I see it, the current 0.25% interest rate, combined with another forthcoming $150B+ stimulus package, will cause the economy to spring to life very suddenly (Uranus, Aquarius). Things will start to improve and people will start to have hope again (Jupiter and Neptune conjunct in Aquarius). For a couple of months (maybe 2-8 months) it may seem like the economy is turning for the better. But the economy doesn’t stabilize. It heats up too fast, and instead of deflation, we start to see large jumps in inflation numbers.

As we move from deflation to inflation, two things may happen, first politically and then monetarily. First, the new administration may raise taxes. Not income taxes, for that would be a violation of the campaign promise to reduce taxes for 95% of the population. That would be politcal suicide for Obama, just as it was for George Bush Sr. after the election of 1988. Obama will not make that same mistake (I don’t think he will, anyway). Instead we may see what Europe and other nations have already instituted, which is a consumption tax (VAT, or Value Added Tax). This allows Mr. Obama to keep his campaign promise. However, by creating a new consumption tax, the net result is to raise more monies to pay for the increased spending programs and give the appearance of tackling the out-of-control budget deficit. By the time all the numbers are added up, people may realize that their taxes just went up a lot more than if the income tax was raised. The monetary changes, however, may be more debilitating than the political ones. The Treasury and Federal Reserve Board have no where to go with interest rates in the face of rapidly heating economy and inflation, except up. The Treasury will be forced to offer higher yields on notes and bonds in order to attract buyers for all the cash the USA will need to raise in order to meet its deficit and spending efforts. Interest rates will rise and so will taxes, in line with Jupiter-Neptune rising deficits and inflation, and Pluto’s tendency to raise rates. The result is that assets which had been rising – stocks, commodities, and currencies against the dollar – will suddenly (Uranus again) reverse with a vengeance. They will all start to fall. The result will be what Financial Astrologers would expect from a T-square of Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto, the somewhat like it was the last time there were in such a position (1929-1934). Unless this tendency suggested by Financial Astrology is averted, it looks like we just completed the first leg down in a new bear market, we will now recover, and then we will nave another powerful leg down following that. Plan accordingly. That will be the guideline we will be following in developing our plans for traders and investors in 2009, until proven otherwise.

 

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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