MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING AUGUST 17, 2026

REVIEW by Guest Contributor Pouyan Zolfagharnia

Two straight days of soft inflation data lifted the S&P 500 index to an all-time high.

—Jack Pitcher, “Cool Inflation Data Propels Stocks to Fresh Records,” The Wall Street Journal, August 13, 2026.

It’s been a relatively muted week across much of the equity markets as hopes that Iran and the U.S. would reach an arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz faded, leading to a 6% increase in Crude Oil prices. Yet the S&P 500 rallied to a new all time high (ATH) as benign inflation data reduced the perceived urgency of another Federal Reserve rate increase. This set us up for a case of intermarket bearish divergence, as the Nasdaq and DJIA both failed to make new highs. However, we are early in the primary cycle, and there is still plenty of time for them to catch up.

It was a pretty benign picture across international markets from Europe to Asia and South America, with the Japanese Nikkei as the outlier with a 5% gain for the week. The key factor to note is that equities are starting to decouple from geopolitical inflation risk as the VIX index is headed for a fourth weekly decline. We had little movement in the precious metals or cryptocurrencies.

The stars of the week were grains, with Wheat gaining 8%, Corn up 5%, and Soybeans just under 3%. The rise in Wheat prices was driven by disruptions to Black Sea exports; more on this below.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

We are now in the most intensive period of the eclipse season, with important events due to occur between the Solar Eclipse of August 12 and the Lunar Eclipse of August 28. During eclipse seasons, I am on the lookout for natural disasters, especially in the region of the Sub-Solar Point (near the Caribbean and into the northern regions of South America) or across the path of the eclipse (from the North Pole, through Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain). These are the events that dominated the week:

• The Colombian earthquake: A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, causing extensive destruction in Cali, Pereira, and areas of Chocó and surrounding areas. This was right within the Sub-Solar zone I had highlighted within the July edition of the MMA Monthly Addendum Report Plus+.
• Extreme heat and wildfires across Europe: Europe’s prolonged heatwave developed into a continent-wide wildfire emergency. The fires were geographically dispersed but together formed one of the week’s largest continuing stories. Spain, which was on the path of the Solar Eclipse, has been the worst-affected EU country.
• Typhoon Dolphin and widespread Chinese flooding: The typhoon moved from Japan’s southern islands into eastern China, becoming the strongest cyclone to strike China so far this year. More than one million people were evacuated, and winds approached 150 km/h.
• Record rainfall and flooding around Tokyo: Unprecedented rainfall struck the Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. More than 360 mm fell within 24 hours, flooding roads, homes and railway lines.
• British Columbia wildfires: The Bald Range wildfire became Canada’s most prominent disaster story, with approximately 18,000 people ordered to evacuate and the fire burning more than 10,300 hectares.

As noted in my column from two weeks ago, “This list should grow in number and intensity, with the most important events occurring within a 3-day orb of the solar eclipse (August 12)  and the lunar eclipse (August 28). Make a note of the themes that are triggered by the eclipse, as we should see them reappear in early November as Mars transits and triggers the eclipse degree.”

Over the coming week, the Sun will transit the final degrees of Leo, before entering Virgo on August 22. The Mean Lunar North Node will commence its 18-month transit of Aquarius from August 18. We also have the Venus–Saturn opposition on August 21. The MMA rule of thumb is to buy any assets dropping into a hard aspect between Venus and Saturn. Keep up to date with the MMA weekly and daily reports to track the upcoming opportunities.

LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS AND OPINION

Continuing with the eclipse theme, I wanted to go beyond identifying regions where natural disasters might occur and consider which countries are most directly affected by the eclipse. India and Pakistan gained independence on August 14 and 15, 1947, when the Sun was at 20° to 21° Leo. Bahrain also gained independence on August 14, 1971, with the Sun at the same degree. These countries may therefore experience significant new developments and warrant close watching.

The eclipse will affect each of us to some degree. To understand how, we must locate it in our natal chart and identify the house in which it falls. This can indicate change and new beginnings in the areas of life governed by that house. Its influence is likely to be considerably stronger when it forms a close conjunction or opposition with a natal planet or one of the chart’s principal angles.

Looking at the charts of global leaders, it was interesting to see that the eclipse falls on the MC of Vladimir Putin (using the Scorpio rising chart versus the Capricorn rising preferred by some), between his natal Pluto and the South Node. It also falls on the IC of Zelenskyy, and in orb of his natal Moon. In Putin’s case, regardless of which chart one uses, the eclipse conjoins his natal Pluto.

As these two men continue to lock horns in the geopolitical arena, their confrontation appears to be mirrored in the geocosmic picture, with the eclipse triggering the following angular cusps:

Putin: The eclipse triggers themes concerning power, command, reputation, leadership, and legacy. A solar eclipse here with the influence of Pluto, as lord of the 1^st house, signals that the existing public role cannot continue unchanged. It can coincide with a change in status, a crisis of leadership, a redefinition of authority, or the beginning of a new political chapter. However, Pluto does not always mean loss of power. It can produce further concentration of power through crisis. Whatever happens is unlikely to be superficial.

The presence of the South Node makes the contact more suggestive of depletion, culmination and consequences arising from the past. It indicates that an established method of maintaining control has reached the end of its usefulness. Putin may be forced to relinquish something connected with status, position, territory, personnel or prestige.

Zelenskyy: The eclipse triggers themes concerning homeland, territory, population, security and emotional foundations. The eclipse places the emphasis upon Ukraine itself as the homeland and place of belonging, rather than primarily on Zelenskyy’s international status.

The presence of the natal Moon reinforces this. In a national or leadership chart, the Moon can signify the people, public mood, families, women and children, displacement, food and shelter, as well as the leader’s emotional relationship with the population. The Moon is also lord of the 2^nd and 3^rd houses, suggesting a change or transition with neighboring nations, trade, and finances.

Because the eclipse is in Leo, the conflict also concerns sovereignty, honor, and each leader’s personal identification with his nation. Both may be confronted with the question of what can be surrendered without appearing to surrender the right to rule.

If a settlement emerges under this eclipse, it is unlikely to be a simple diplomatic compromise. It would probably involve painful questions of territory, sovereignty, prestige and historical judgment. If the war escalates instead, the same symbolism suggests that events on Ukrainian soil could rebound directly upon the stability of Putin’s command. The outcome remains open, but I expect the meaning of this eclipse to become clearer by early November, when Mars activates the eclipse degree.

Two developments around the eclipse reflected these themes. Russia moved to include occupied Ukrainian territories in its parliamentary elections, linking Putin’s authority with the Plutonian control of land taken by force. Ukraine declared the proposed voting illegal on August 13.

That same day, Ukraine proposed a halt to attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea after strikes on Odesa and other ports that have contributed to a 76% fall in grain exports. This echoed the symbolism of Zelenskyy’s Moon through its association with the sea and food, as well as its rulership of trade, finances and national income.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: ONE MORE WEEK!!! THE NEXT “SPECIAL MMA OPTIONS WEBINAR” WITH DEREK PANAIA AND WYATT FELLOWS, HOSTED BY RAYMOND MERRIMAN, WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, AT 12:00 PM EDT.

 Here’s how it works: Ray will start with an overview of the forthcoming MMA geocosmic critical reversal dates (CRDs), using the geocosmic calendar graph and MMA tables of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 geocosmic signatures that will be in effect into the Venus retrograde period of October 3–November 13. Wyatt will then provide his outlook on the cycles due at these geocosmic turning points across five markets (the S&P, Gold, Crude Oil, T-Notes, and Bitcoin). Derek will then provide options strategies with the best risk/reward potential based on this analysis and additional factors from his own analysis. Ray will ask questions and provide additional input or clarification, as necessary.

This Options Webinar will last approximately 2.5–3 hours. The cost is $125. However, there is no cost for current subscribers to the MMA Daily Options Report as of August 21. The new MMA Daily Options Report has been very profitable since it first launched on January 15, including its recent long call spreads in Gold and stock indices right near the time of their recent primary cycle lows last month. The MMA Daily Options Report is the perfect complement for active traders who also subscribe to the daily and weekly MMA reports, as it builds on their outlooks and monitors the markets on a daily basis to identify optimal option trades that arise intraday or intraweek within those forecasts. Derek will guide subscribers through the strategy behind each trade as it develops. It is an excellent way to experience MMA’s methodology operating in real time!

To register for the August 23 MMA Options Webinar, click here. To subscribe to the MMA Daily Options Report with Derek and Ray and receive the August 23 webinar for free, click here.

Note: Keep in mind that options trading is speculative. This webinar and the subscription service are designed for speculators who have a basic understanding of options. For those who do not, MMA offers a recording of Derek’s webinar on the principles of options trading, available on its website.

 NOTE 2: THE AUGUST ISSUE OF THE MMA MONTHLY TECH REPORT BY WIEBKE HELD WILL BE RELEASED THIS WEEK, ON AUGUST 18–19. Wiebke nailed it again with her call last month on September NASDAQ futures, stating “Probe the short side at current prices and place your stop loss above the June 30 trading cycle crest, or above the June 3 high of 31,100… Exit the full position at the primary cycle trough price target of $27,142 (+/– 934) in the NQU.” The primary cycle low was 27,201 on July 29! Each report provides a clearly organized outlook, with strategies for the NASDAQ, the QQQ ETF, NASDAQ futures, and specific technology stocks, including Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple. It also includes CRDs specific to the NASDAQ, based on Wiebke’s meticulous research. Focusing on the NASDAQ is crucial because of the outsized role technology will play in financial markets, especially with Pluto now in Aquarius for nearly two more decades and Uranus in Gemini for nearly seven more years. If you would like to try a one-month subscription, you can sign up for the August report for only $35 — or save by ordering a three-report or twelve-report subscription.

 NOTE 3: IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! THE “ANNUAL MMA FORECAST 2027 PRE-PUBLICATION SALE” STARTS NOW!!! The sale runs through October 31 and features our once-a-year discounts on both the annual Forecast book and MMA subscription reports.~

During this pre-order period, the Forecast 2027 print edition by authors and analysts Ray Merriman and Pouyan Zolfagharnia, with additional market analysis by Gianni Di Poce, Wyatt Fellows, and Ulric Aspegrén, will be available at the discounted price of $55, and the eBook version will be available for $45. The best deal on MMA subscription reports is also offered at this time! Save 10% on any subscription of $275 or more with the purchase of Forecast 2027. After the pre-order event ends, the retail price of the Forecast 2027 print edition will increase to $66, and the eBook will increase to $55. Subscription reports will also return to their regular prices. Order now and save big bucks!

MMA will also offer a special bundle discount for those who wish to order both the eBook and print editions of Forecast 2027 for $75. The eBook typically becomes available one to two weeks before the print edition and avoids delays caused by the postal system — especially for those living overseas. However, many readers prefer the print edition, so ordering both through the Forecast 2027 Bundle makes sense. You will receive the Forecast 2027 eBook on December 15, and your print copy will be mailed in mid-December.

MMA’s annual Forecast book is an astrology-themed almanac that has served students of cycles and markets since 1976. It provides a cyclical outlook on collective world psychology, the national economy, geopolitical developments, sociocultural trends, and potential weather events and natural disasters — as well as financial market projections for the U.S. stock market, U.S. Treasury market, interest rates, Gold and Silver, currencies (the Euro, British Pound, Swiss Franc, and Japanese Yen), Bitcoin, Crude Oil, and Grain markets.

Its extraordinary market timing forecasts are based on the historical correlation between market cycles and geocosmic planetary cycles. Additionally, the book includes three-star critical reversal dates for each market throughout the year — dates that have demonstrated over 80% accuracy in identifying trading cycle highs and lows within an orb of three trading days. The book is approximately 200 pages, measures 8.5″ x 11″, and has set the standard for all astrological almanacs written today.

Current subscribers should check their email for instructions on how to pre-order Forecast 2027 at special pre-publication rates.

 NOTE 4: THE BOOKS ARRIVED TODAY AND ARE NOW BEING SENT OUT!!! RAY MERRIMAN’S NEW BOOK, JUPITER AND SATURN TRANSITS: MASTERING THE CYCLES OF LIFE, IS HERE! This is Book One, the first of five books that will be written over the next four years on the outer planets transiting through the natal chart. Nothing like this has ever been done before in the history of astrology. This first book, covering the transits of Jupiter and Saturn, is 420 pages long and includes all the major transits of Jupiter to one’s natal planets and angles, including interpretations of the opening and closing sextile, square, and trine aspects. The Saturn section also includes the opening and closing semi-square and sesquiquadrate transits to all natal planets and angles, plus the “Business Cycle” of transiting Saturn through the natal chart. Each transiting aspect is also ranked on a scale of –3 to +3 in terms of trading and investment potential, which alone is worth the price of the book.

Transiting aspects to natal planets and angles are the most important astrological tools for forecasting an individual’s current and future conditions with accuracy. It is these aspects that trigger events, crises, conflicts, awareness, and the decision-making processes that alter the current trend of one’s life. This book will provide the timing and insight needed to navigate these critical periods and assist readers in mastering the cycles of life.

— Raymond Merriman

To learn more about this new book, tune into Ray’s recent podcast interview with Adam Sommer (click here) or his YouTube video interview with Thomas Miller (click here).

To see the rave reviews by several leading professional astrologers, click here. The list price is $39.99. However, those who order before September 15 (we have extended the cutoff date by one month) will receive the special pre-publication price of $33.00 (plus postage for the print edition; the eBook requires no postage). To order at the pre-publication price, click here.

NOTE 5: THE MMA SOLAR-LUNAR APP OFFERS REVERSAL SIGNALS FOR THE DJIA, NASDAQ, GOLD, AND SILVER. It is an ideal tool to have in your back pocket if you are a short-term swing trader looking for high-probability dates that identify isolated lows and highs in these markets. Please note that this should not be used as a standalone system. It works best as an adjunct tool when cycle lows or highs are due, when a market is in a technically overbought or oversold condition, or when it is exhibiting bullish or bearish intermarket divergence relative to a related market. The app is currently available only on Apple devices (iPhone and iPad). HOWEVER, IT WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE BY SUBSCRIPTION ON THE NEW MMA WEBSITE TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING USERS OF ANDROID PHONES! To learn more about the MMA app, click here. To download it to your iPhone, go to the Apple App Store and search for Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

 NOTE 6: THE JUPITER REPORT: YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY! The Jupiter Report is written by Raymond Merriman. It is a 30- to 40-page report that all traders (and even non-traders) will find highly valuable. It identifies the times during the year when Jupiter transits are highlighted in your natal chart and explains the meaning of Jupiter’s transits to your natal planets and angles over a 14-month period (including one month before your order date and one month after the year ends). As an added bonus, each transit is ranked on a scale from –3 to +3 in terms of favorability for trading. Traders may find this especially valuable! Would you like to know if you are under a +3 transit and therefore most likely to experience trading success? Or a –3 transit, with a stronger-than-usual potential for misjudgments that can be costly? The price for a personal 14-month Jupiter Report based on your birth data is $69.

NOTE 7: The MMA Weekly YouTube show, “Geocosmic Week in Review and Look Ahead,” with Gianni Di Poce, is conducted on Wednesday evenings! Each 5- to 20-minute FREE episode reviews the previous week’s market activity and the geocosmic signatures that will be in effect for the coming week and beyond.

NOTE 8: MMA’S FREE WEEKLY COLUMN PODCAST IS AVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY, APPLE, and AMAZON! Now you can listen to a podcast of this weekly column by Thomas Miller on Saturdays! Thomas has an excellent voice and brings the weekly column to life in a personable and, at times, humorous fashion. Just follow Merriman Market Analyst on Spotify or Apple to listen to all our episodes. A new podcast episode will be released every weekend. This is a FREE service and is available to everyone. Check out our podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music. It makes for great listening!

 EVENTS

 AUGUST 23, 2026: The next Options Webinar with Derek Panaia, Ray Merriman, and Wyatt Fellows. Save the date! For details, click here.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026: A UAC PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ON FINANCIAL MARKET TIMING BY RAYMOND MERRIMAN, 1:00–5:00 PM. This workshop will take place at the United Astrology Congress (UAC), the largest astrological conference in the world, which is held every four to eight years. More than 150 world-class astrologers will be presenting, and over 1500 attendees will be on-site. The conference will be held at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel. In this workshop, Ray will cover how to use cycles to identify high-probability time bands for financial and commodity markets, such as the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin. He will then explain how to overlap these cycles with specific geocosmic signatures to enhance the timing of major trend reversals, both long-term for investors and short-term for traders, and why these studies provide that “extra edge” that all traders seek. If you want to see how financial astrology is one of the most valuable tools used by traders worldwide and learn how to apply it, this is a very affordable workshop and opportunity to learn! In addition to the workshop, Ray will present another lecture during this congress on mundane astrology, titled “What Is Happening in the World Today (and in the Future) from an Astrological Viewpoint,” on September 5. For more information, visit www.uacastrology.com.

 MAY 12–17, 2027: THE MMA INVESTMENT RETREAT IN LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA. Save the date and plan to attend! Yes, we are going back to beautiful Lake Bled one more time. If you have never seen this wonder of the world, this might be your last chance via an MMA retreat. Future MMA Investment Retreats are expected to alternate, beginning the following year, between the U.S. and Europe. More details and registration steps will be forthcoming by year-end, but plan to register early, as our room allotment has sold out for the past two years.

 Disclaimer and statement of purpose:

 The purpose of this column is not to forecast 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 of educating the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they occur. In this regard, this report will often cite what happened in various stock and financial markets throughout the world in the past week and discuss those movements 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, month, or even years, and the author’s understanding of how these signatures may affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from the perspective of a cycle analyst looking at the military, political, economic, and 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 to the psychological climate we are in from an astrological perspective. The hope is that it will help the reader understand the psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) news events and their potential effect on financial markets.

 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 of this column assume any responsibility whatsoever for anyone’s trading or investment decisions. Readers of this report should understand that commodity futures and options trading are considered high risk.