MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING AUGUST 24, 2026

REVIEW by Ray Merriman

 Gross U.S. debt has surpassed $40 trillion, a new milestone in the country’s struggle to control its finances. Reaching that threshold carries symbolic weight, but isn’t, by itself, economically significant. Most investors and economists care less about raw figures than other measures, like the ratio of debt to gross domestic product, which provides a better sense of an economy’s borrowing capacity.

—Sam Goldfarb and Matt Grossman, “U.S. Debt Just Topped $40 Trillion: How We Got Here,” The Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2026.

It was another remarkable week for financial markets as the U.S. Treasury announced an unexpected expansion of its debt buyback policy. On that announcement, Bitcoin, Ethereum, precious metals, and foreign currencies shot straight upward through multi-month resistance levels.

Strangely enough, longer-term Treasuries rallied for only one day after the buyback announcement, and stock indices were mostly down for the week across the globe. Maybe this strange disconnect was related to the passive-aggressive nature of the Mars square Neptune aspect that started the week, probably correlating with the rally in Crude Oil. Maybe the decline of stocks and bonds into early Friday was related to Venus in opposition to Saturn, a signature that we like to use as a buy signal for markets that decline into it. Maybe it’s part of the eclipse season (August 12–27) during which the Lunar North Node changed signs from Pisces to Aquarius, signaling the renewed highlight on the principles of Uranus, ruler of Aquarius. Uranus will come smack into view as it T-squares the lunar eclipse on Thursday, August 27. It’s the start of big surprises and unexpected developments that could climax into mid-September and even early October when Venus turns retrograde. In any event, it should be noted that the geocosmic cycles worked quite well last week, even if they didn’t line up as well with market cycles and trends as we usually like to witness.

The vast majority of world stock indices were in a corrective decline for most of last week, bottoming on Thursday or Friday, August 20–21, right in line with the Venus/Saturn opposition. But it was a completely opposite story with Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin, which just exploded higher into Friday. Bitcoin broke above an important downward trendline connecting the highs of January and May. This strongly suggests the 4-year cycle trough bottomed on July 1. It was due in October +/- 2 months, but a 4-year cycle can have an allowable orb of up to 8 months, even though it has historically unfolded over a range of 4 months. Gold and Silver also broke to their highest levels since May and June, respectively, suggesting Gold’s 47-month cycle may have also been completed with the double-bottoms of June 30 and July 16, around 3955.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

 Long-term Treasury yields fell on Wednesday after the Trump administration doubled down—at a minimum—on debt buyback operations. The move lit a fire under the Gold price. The signal that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is ready to step in to quell debt market pressures should keep the bond market from getting unruly at the long end. That’s in keeping with the dollar debasement theme that, along with central bank buying, is key to the bull case for Gold.

—Jed Graham, “Treasury Yields Fall, Gold Jumps on Bessent Buyback Plan,” Investor’s Business Daily, August 19, 2026.

 It’s like déjà vu all over again.

—Yogi Berra.

 Everything changes suddenly whenever Uranus is highlighted. And the planet of experimentation, invention, disruption, and chaos that brought us the radical quantitative easing and buyback programs for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities during the Financial Panic of 2008–2010 appears to be having a comeback. It’s not exactly the same in form, but it is similar in terms of urgency of response.

So far, the biggest beneficiaries of this renewed “economic rescue” policy are foreign currencies and precious metals, as this redirection revives the dollar-debasement theory. When the U.S. Dollar goes down, currencies and precious metals go up. But the heavenly fireworks are just beginning.

We are in the eclipse season, starting with the Solar Eclipse of August 12 and ending with the Lunar Eclipse of August 27. Eclipses add extra drama to whatever else is happening in the cosmos. This period is especially dramatic because it coincides with 1) the Mean Lunar North Node in Aquarius (August 18, 2026 to March 7, 2028) and 2) a Lunar Eclipse forming a powerful T-square with Uranus in mutable (reversal and change-driven) signs. But Uranus influences don’t end there. In fact, they extend to September 10 when the god of electricity, earthquakes, and high winds changes direction. And right in the middle of all are several aspects such as Jupiter trine Saturn (usually an omen of stability) and Mars square Saturn (hardly an omen of stability, but more often one of hostility and war threats). This reversal of trend may even continue into early October, when Venus turns retrograde, which we will address in future columns as we get closer.

These crosscurrents over the next two to three weeks can make forecasting and trading very challenging. It’s also a period we have referred to in the past as TUMDI—the “Trump Uranus Market Disruption Indicator.” That’s because the president is such a strong Uranian type of personality, given to sudden bouts of unexpected and disruptive announcements (i.e., social media posts) that lead to equally sudden reversals in financial markets. With Mars square Saturn right in the middle as well on September 1, the frustration of not getting what one wants can also lead to aggressive outbursts. Mars square Saturn is also a weather-related signature, usually associated with hot temperatures and droughts, which in turn can correlate with rising grain prices +/- two weeks. This is something already underway. Temperatures are hot, both in nature and within one’s own nature.

In summary, buckle up over the next two to three weeks because the roller-coaster ride is about to begin its steepest descent from the highest point of the climb. Enjoy the thrill, if you can. Or step aside and watch from a safe distance—but don’t stand in front of a train that may have lost its brakes. Watch the VIX.

Longer-term, this might also start to play out in line with the history of the 19-month Lunar North Node in Aquarius, when the economies and stock markets of the world often hemorrhage. The declines can happen suddenly, and be very sharp and brief, or stretch out over much of the entire period. The last time this passage occurred was–guess what?—January 7, 2008, through July 26, 2009, during the Great Recession, when the Federal Reserve Board began QE and ZIRP policies. It created the climate for radical central bank and political responses. Here we go again, 18 years later.

So, as Yogi Berra said: “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: THIS SUNDAY!!! THE “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 through 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 and experience with options. For those who do not, MMA offers a recording of Derek’s webinar on the principles of options trading for sale on its website.

 NOTE 2: THE AUGUST ISSUE OF THE MMA MONTHLY CYCLES REPORT PLUS+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, will be issued this week. This market letter is a very popular addition to the MMA Cycles Report (it is less technical, more visual, and contains horoscopes of current importance, high-quality analysis, and updates on MMA Cycles Report markets). The mid-month addendum to the MMA Cycles Report covers Pouyan’s outlook on Gold, Silver, NASDAQ, and Crude Oil. It has stunning graphics and charts (people love it!) and is very readable. It contains more illustrations and references to geocosmics than most MMA Cycles Reports and is only available by subscription to those who also subscribe to the MMA Monthly Cycles Report. If you wish to try this month’s addendum, along with the latest issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report, sign up online at the link above. A subscription for a monthly copy of both reports is $55. That will give you both the most recent August copy of the MMA Cycles Report and the monthly MMA Cycles Report Plus+ addendum coming out this week. For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.

NOTE 3: THE MONTHLY MMA GRAIN CYCLES REPORT BY WYATT FELLOWS WILL BE ISSUED THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26. With grain prices now starting to break out to the upside while Saturn and Neptune are still within one year of their 36-year conjunction, this rally is expected to continue. Historically, Saturn–Neptune conjunctions and oppositions have correlated with large moves in grain prices, and Jupiter’s entry into the fire sign of Leo on June 30 reinforces this outlook, making this an excellent time to consider subscribing. Wyatt’s analysis has been very accurate, and his writing style is very clear. Truly, if you are a grain trader or producer, this is an exceptional monthly report to read. To order a copy of this excellent report, please click here.

 NOTE 4: 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 price of 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. For a more personal overview of the Forecast 2027 book, see the recent video featuring Ray and Pouyan in an interview with Alie Schneider on MMA’s YouTube channel by clicking here.

The book’s extraordinary market timing forecasts and insights are based on the historical correlation between market cycles and geocosmic planetary cycles. Additionally, it 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 (last year’s was 240 pages), measures 8.5″ x 11″, is perfect-bound with a glossy cover, 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 even steeper special pre-publication rates.

 NOTE 5: THE BOOKS ARRIVED 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 as they transit 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 interpretations of 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 its trading and investment potential, which alone is worth the price of the book.

Ray Merriman’s book reads like the work of a seasoned authority, and its final line—“A new level of mastery awaits you”— feels entirely earned. Drawing on more than fifty years of experience in chart interpretation and the study of planetary transits in relation to financial cycles, Merriman demonstrates an impressive command of planetary timing. What makes this book especially valuable is not only the depth of its insight but also the clarity with which complex ideas are presented. His discussion of applying and separating aspects is particularly lucid, while his treatment of derivative houses stands out as both exemplary and distinctive. Although the book places a strong emphasis on financial astrology, its analysis extends well beyond money, offering thoughtful observations on many dimensions of human life. Traders, investors, and astrologers alike will find it highly rewarding, and even readers with extensive astrology libraries are likely to feel that this volume deserves a place on their shelves.

• Christeen Skinner, acclaimed financial astrologer, speaker, and author of The Financial Universe, Exploring the Financial Universe, The Beginner’s Guide to the Financial Universe, and Navigating the Financial Universe.

To learn more about this new book, tune in to 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 (the cutoff date has been extended 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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: This Sunday!!!! The next Options Webinar with Derek Panaia, Ray Merriman, and Wyatt Fellows. 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 workshop offers a very affordable opportunity to learn! In addition to the workshop, Ray will present another lecture during the 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 to experience it through 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 in each of 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.