MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING AUGUST 25, 2025

NOTE: MMA Analyst Pouyan Zolfagharnia will write this week’s free weekly column. Pouyan is the editor of the MMA Cycles Plus Monthly Report, which will be issued this week and covers Gold, Silver, NASDAQ, and Crude Oil.

REVIEW

“JACKSON HOLE, Wyo.—Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell opened the door for the central bank to cut rates as soon as its meeting next month when he said the prospect of a sharper slowdown in the job market might reduce concerns that cost increases due to tariffs will fuel inflation.”
– By Nick Timiraos, “Powell Highlights Job Market Worries, Opening Path to Rate Cut” The Wall Street Journal, August 22, 2025.

The markets got the much anticipated boost with the green light from the Fed Chair for rate cuts as early as next month. Given the rally that pursued, it was clear that the markets were certainly not pricing in this decision. The US markets reversed the weekly downward trend, sending the DJIA to a new ATH, whilst the S&P 500 and NASDAQ were not able to take out their respective highs from the prior week, retaining the bearish intermarket divergence.

We are seeing the theme of bearish intermarket divergence in other markets too. In Europe, the UK’s FTSE is putting in new ATHs, whilst the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and the Euro Stoxx 50 and have failed to take out prior highs. A similar picture is present in Asia, with Japan’s Nikkei, the Australian Stock Index (ASX 200), and China’s Shanghai Composite Index (SSE) recording new ATHs, whilst China’s Hang Seng and the Hong Kong 50 remain below last week’s high. India’s Nifty continues to remain as the underperformer as it fails to take out the ATH of September 2024 and is forming lower highs under the pressure of US tariffs on Indian goods that will fall into effect August 27. The markets in the Americas are not doing well either, with Argentina’s Merval continuing within a bearish pattern following a liquidity crunch under tight monetary policy and political uncertainty. Brazil’s Bovespa index has not been able to take out the ATH of July following the 50% tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Commodities were in the green following the news of potential easing from the Fed, but the real winner was the crypto market, as tipped off by our resident analyst Derek Panaia during this week’s MMA YouTube interview with Gianni Di Poce. Derek discussed the setup for a rally in the crypto market which has sent BTC rallying over 4% and ETH over 15% on Friday. With the Dollar continuing to consolidate around its lows, it has kept precious metals consolidating around their respective highs. Silver and Gold continue to show signs of bearish intermarket divergence and are expected to form their respective intermediate troughs any time before the year end. Crude Oil has remained relatively dormant given the lack of geopolitical activity; however, we are in the early stages of a primary cycle and the geocosmics remain tense all the way into 2026. The grains look like they have formed their primary cycles too, with Soybeans bringing the week to a close having hit Wyatt Fellow’s price target in the weekly report!

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

“Yet by acting as if America remains the axis of world trade, Mr. Trump may be accelerating its shift elsewhere. The world’s biggest market is less central in global trade today than it once was. At the start of the century, America accounted for a fifth of global imports; today it makes up just an eighth. Even as countries strike tariff deals with Mr. Trump to secure market access, they are drawing up alternatives. As one South Korean official puts it, “The first step is to make concessions to America. The second is to look elsewhere”… Mr. Trump wanted America at the centre of world trade. Things are not going to plan.”
– “Hedging Against America: Trump’s trade victims are shrugging off his attacks and China is gaining in the process,” Economist, August 20, 2025.

It would appear that the US tariffs are having a side effect of boosting trade between the BRIC members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE). China stands to be the biggest winner, with its exports to the BRIC members doubling since 2015. Who will be the true winner of this trade war, and who will bear the price? How do empires begin to falter? History has shown us that there is a pattern. It is commonly accompanied by rising debt, inflation, and trade imbalances that weaken resilience. Overextension as maintaining vast military, political and economic dominance strains resources. Erosion of economic primacy as rivals catch up technologically. Domestic instability characterized by political polarization. This is usually followed by trade disruptions and warfare, as one empire is replaced by another. As we head towards the end of the 18-year economic cycle, President Trump’s current term may be recorded in the Annals of History.

Whilst Powell appears to have yielded to pressure from the White House to lower rates, is it possible that he may be underestimating the impact of the tariffs on inflation? Our geocosmic studies show a correlation between inflation and the transit of Neptune through fire signs. For a more in depth analysis, I would encourage you to read the monthly MMA Monthly Cycles Plus+ Report which will be coming out on Tuesday.

We are currently in orb of the August 25-26 CRD and were looking for sharp reversals. The Sun is in waxing square to Uranus this weekend, and Uranus is the ruling planet over tech Stocks and the Crypto market. With Uranus activated I would like to see the NASDAQ and S&P 500 to break out to new ATHs. Over the coming week, Venus (the ruling planet over money and the markets) will enter Leo, forming a harmonic trine to Saturn and Neptune on the 25-26th , before the more abrupt opposition to Pluto on August 27th.

LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS AND OPINION

This week I had the privilege of working with Ray on the 2026 Forecast Book, due for release in December (see the notice below for the advance sale). When I first studied astrology, my teacher stressed the importance of reviewing past forecasts to refine one’s skills. With that in mind, I’d like to revisit Ray’s analysis of the Summer 2025 Ingress Chart—both to showcase the work of a Master Astrologer and to introduce a new feature I plan to add to this section of the book: the use of astrocartography maps to show which regions are most likely to be activated by the planetary energies at play (Source: Solar Fire).

Before we get into the details, remember that the most important outer planetary aspect that is active this summer is the Saturn-Neptune conjunction, which is within 1 degree of being exact. When analyzing Solar Ingress charts, we also pay close attention to the Sun.

Now let’s have a look at what Ray thought would transpire during this period:

“As spring comes to an end, new conflicts may arise that test the wish for stability and peace suggested by the sign placements of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter. From June 15 through June 19, the aggressive, war-like Mars will square Uranus, a planet of destruction and surprises.”

• June 13: Israel launched a surprise attack on Tehran. The Saturn–Neptune conjunction fell directly on Tehran’s Midheaven, underscoring the event. At the same time, Iran is enduring a record hot, dry summer, with drought driving water reserves to historic lows. Israel also had the Sun-Jupiter conjunction on its Ascendant.

“It appears that the leader of the nation is having a good time! Much celebration and partying is in the air… There may be big plans for large and grandiose summit meetings, too. The emphasis is on goodwill, mutual enjoyment, entertainment, education, creativity, and young people.”

• August 15: The Alaska Summit occurred in close orb to the Venus–Jupiter conjunction (Aug 12), a classic signature of peace and unity. Notably, the Saturn–Neptune conjunction fell on Anchorage’s IC, Venus (peace) on the Descendant, and Mars (war) firmly at center stage on the Midheaven during the Summer Solar Ingress. Following the summit, Trump went on to host European leaders at the White House on (Aug 18) with the hope (Jupiter) of achieving peace (Venus).

“With Saturn/Neptune squaring the Sun/Jupiter…There may be a conflict about restrictions wanting to be imposed and limitations to freedoms via new acts that legislators enacted into laws.”

• The National Guard was deployed in Los Angeles (June) and Washington, D.C. (August). Over the summer, ICE agents (Saturn) intensified enforcement against unauthorized—and in some cases, legally present—immigrants (Jupiter), operating with notable force and impunity. Los Angeles had the Sun conjunct Jupiter on the Descendant, and Washington D.C. had Pluto on the Ascendant.

“The dangers represented by technology are also shown in the position of Pluto, rising on the ascendant in Aquarius. Here, we see the symbolism of threats to life through technology being used as a weapon for destructive purposes. It can also be a threat of a nuclear attack.”

• June 22: The U.S. deployed seven B-2 bombers against three Iranian nuclear sites, including one deep underground, in an operation named “Midnight Hammer.” Astrologically, Washington had Uranus (bunker-busting, technology) on the IC (midnight), while Pluto rested on the Ascendant—reflecting the U.S.’s transformative role in destroying (Pluto) Iran’s nuclear facilities (Uranus). Uranus in Taurus on the IC further echoes the imagery of Uranium or nuclear facilities (Taurus as an earth sign) buried deep underground.

“Pluto rising in Aquarius also is squared by the Moon in early Taurus. In terms of natural calamities, Pluto rising in Aquarius, square the Moon, may indicate volcano eruptions, earthquakes, or some other life-threatening force of nature, such as heat and lack of moisture where it is most needed for the crop cycle.”

• July 30: A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings for Japan, Hawaii, and the U.S. west coast. According to the BBC, it ranks among the strongest quakes in recorded history. Astrologically, the Sun fell on the midheaven and Pluto on the IC of this region during the Summer Ingress, drawing global attention. Japan was also hosting Expo 2025 Osaka and marking the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, attracting visitors and dignitaries. The economy received a boost, particularly after a U.S.–Japan trade deal pushed the Nikkei to new ATHs.

“The rains and other natural calamities don’t stop, as another bout of possible floods arises July 4-7 +/- 1 week.”

• Jul-Aug: Flash floods wreaked havoc across Central Texas, New Mexico, New York, South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Ireland, and Pakistan.

I will draw this column to a close with Ray’s forecast for the end of this summer period. Does it suggest President Trump may be able to broker a peace deal over the coming weeks?

“The summer ends with the Sun and Mercury entering Libra [partnership and relationships], while Venus [peace] enters Virgo [losing dignity in its fall] and Mars [war and aggression] enters Scorpio [gaining dignity in its own domicile], September 18-23. That’s a lot of planets changing signs, which means a lot of changes of direction in politics, economics, and financial markets. The Sun will be in opposition to both Saturn and Neptune on the day of the solar eclipse (September 21), so matters are reaching a point of climax when decisions have to be made and commitments have to be secured. This is a time that will test the power and strength of some world leaders.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTE 1: IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! The ANNUAL MMA FORECAST 2026 PRE-PUBLICATION SALE is now underway through October 31 and features our once-a-year discounts on both the annual Forecast book and MMA subscription reports. Become a subscriber today for as low as $35 to gain access to the best price possible. Check out our video where we explain how to secure the lowest price possible on Forecast 2026 by becoming a subscriber this month!

During this pre-order period, the Forecast 2026 print edition will be available at the discounted price of $55, and the eBook version at $45. And 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 2026. After the pre-publication period ends on November 1, the retail price of the Forecast 2026 print edition increases to $66, and the eBook to $55.

MMA will also offer a special bundle discount for those who wish to order both the eBook and printed editions of Forecast 2026 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 2026 Bundle makes sense. You will receive the Forecast 2026 eBook on December 15, and your print copy will be mailed in late-December.

MMA’s annual Forecast book is a cycles and astrology-themed almanac that has served students of cycles and markets since 1976. It provides a cyclical outlook on the collective world psychology, the national economy, geopolitical developments, socio-cultural trends, and timing of potential weather 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, U.S. Dollar, Swiss Franc, and Japanese Yen), Bitcoin, Crude Oil, and Grain markets (Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans). A Scorecard of the 2025 forecast is available on the MMA website as of August 11. Of note is that the seven critical reversal dates (CRDs) for the U.S. stock market, and nine CRDs for the Soybean market, have all been accurate within three trading days — most within only one day!

The pre-publication ordering period just began this month, and one of the first orders we received came with this note of gratitude:

I ordered the Forecast 2026 book — this time in print — as I would like to have this 50th edition as a souvenir to remind me of the great insights I’ve received since reading your analysis and, more importantly for me, your view on life. — R.D., Netherlands

To pre-order this year’s special 50th-year edition, click here.

NOTE 2: The August issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, will be released this week. This mid-month addendum to the MMA Monthly Cycles Report features Pouyan’s outlook on Gold, Silver, NASDAQ, and Crude Oil. It includes stunning graphics and charts (people love it!). The report contains more illustrations and references to geocosmics than most MMA cycles reports and is available only to subscribers of 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. This includes the most recent July issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report and the August MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+ addendum coming out this week. For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.

NOTE 3: THE MMA GRAIN CYLES REPORT BY WYATT FELLOWS WILL BE ISSUED THIS WEEK. Wyatt’s analysis has been very accurate, and his writing style is very clear. If you are a trader of grains or a producer, this is a wonderful report to read every month, especially now that the very important long-term cycle of Saturn and Neptune is in effect 2025-2026, correlating with a large move in grain prices historically. Wyatt is an exceptionally gifted analyst of Wheat, Corn, and Soybeans. To order a copy of this excellent report, please click here.

NOTE 4: THE TWO-YEAR MERRIMAN MARKET TIMING ACADEMY (MMTA4) BEGINS SEPTEMBER 27!!!

This highly valuable two-year educational training program, created by Raymond Merriman (CTA), is an experience that will change your life and the way you view financial markets.

MMTA is an eight-course program that includes over 100 hours of live instruction and interaction, led by instructors Wiebke Held and Raymond Merriman, with special guest appearances by MMA analysts Pouyan Zolfagharnia, Gianni Di Poce, Ulric Aspegrén, Wyatt Fellows, Derek Panaia, and Kat Powell.

Classes for Courses 1-3 and 5-7 will meet on Saturdays, approximately 20 times per year, at noon Eastern Time, starting on September 27, 2025. There will be one-month breaks between each course and a three-month summer break between Courses 4 and 5. These eight courses cover MMA’s market timing methodology for long- and intermediate-term investing, as well as position and aggressive short-term trading. There is nothing else as comprehensive in the field of market timing as MMTA’s two-year program!

Acceptance into MMTA requires a 20-minute interview prior to enrollment. If you are interested in exploring whether MMTA is right for you, schedule your interview now. If you schedule your interview before September 1 (see below), you will still qualify for substantial “early bird” savings.

The cost for the entire two-year program is $25,000, with early registration discounts available for those enrolling in the full program or one year at a time. A tuition payment plan is also available for those who prefer to take Course 1 first (at full price) and decide later whether to commit to the remaining seven courses, which will then be offered at a substantial discount.

To register or inquire about the MMTA4 program, click here. Yearly subscribers to MMA’s weekly and daily reports receive additional discounts. Other payment plans are available upon request.

Here are just a few of the many very positive reviews from graduates of prior MMTA programs:

I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for generously sharing your knowledge and teaching it. As you know, I am fairly new to trading and joined MMTA3 to learn a system to approach the stock market. Starting the year, I set myself the goal of doubling the money that I had in my trading account, thinking at the time that this was impossible to do. Thanks to the knowledge and tools MMTA3 teaches, I was actually able to accomplish this goal! In fact, I even exceeded it. —W.H., Germany.

Thank you, Ray and Gianni, for the fantastic course material and support. I have made money, and every dollar for the courses was paid back and more! — J.L., Netherlands

This course was truly mind-blowing! I learnt in abundance. Thank you all for sharing the excellent trading data and knowledge. This course is worth more than a college degree — and at a fraction of the price, too. — K.L., Australia.

My perspective on the markets — and perhaps life — has changed dramatically since taking MMTA. I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to learn directly from you. — K.M., USA

Doing these research projects and really dissecting the markets during this course has allowed me to trade very successfully over the past year. It is extremely rewarding to do the work and then watch it unfold according to plan. — W.F., USA

To watch the most recent informative video interview with Wiebke Held and Raymond Merriman, conducted on June 26 and discussing the MMTA4 program, click here.

NOTE 5: RECORDINGS OF MMA’S SPECIAL SIX-WEEK COURSE ON “THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GEOCOSMIC STUDIES FOR FINANCIAL MARKET TIMING” ARE NOW AVAILABLE!!! Led by Gianni Di Poce and backed up by Ray Merriman, this course is designed to teach students the basic principles of planets, signs, and aspects (including retrograde and direct stations) as used in MMA’s market timing methodology — one of its most important tools. The course explains which planets and signs rule the various sectors of the economy and financial markets. In addition, it covers how to use an ephemeris and astrological software (Solar Fire) for important routines such as calculating charts, generating transit “hit lists,” and identifying signs, ingresses, planetary stations, and aspects — the essential cosmic features necessary for determining market reversal periods.

The course is especially useful for those interested in taking the MMTA4 program, which begins on September 27, or for anyone wishing to deepen their astrological knowledge. The cost for these six introductory lessons, which last about two hours each, is $300. This is a great opportunity to learn basic astrology from a master economic astrologer! Click here to order now!

NOTE 6: THE JUPITER REPORT — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY — IS NOW AVAILABLE. This new product, written by Raymond Merriman, 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 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 when you are under a +3 transit and, therefore, most likely to experience trading successes? Or a -3 transit, with stronger-than-usual potential for misjudgments and losses? You betcha! The cost for your 14-month Jupiter Report is $69. Click here to order!!!

Here is a recent letter from our options expert, Derek Panaia, to the Options+ group, which just closed out exceptional gains on five option trades presented in the July 13 webinar:

On a side note, I started using MMA’s Jupiter Report this year, so I only have a few months of history with it. But my first positive Jupiter aspects came in March/April this year. I was trading copper and had made a nice long trade, and started buying puts for a dip. The puts did nothing for a week or so, then copper prices collapsed, and my puts went up sharply in one week. This started exactly on the same day my Jupiter Report showed a positive aspect. Well, fast forward a few months, and I have copper put spreads (the same put spreads you guys bought), and yesterday copper prices collapsed, and the puts made a lot of money. And guess what? This was one day before my Jupiter aspects started positive again. For me, it is amazing how accurate this report has been. I just wanted to share this, FWIW. The Jupiter Report from MMA is not very expensive, so if you guys use astrology in your trading, you might want to check it out.

NOTE 7: The MMA Solar-Lunar App now offers reversal signals on the NASDAQ to all subscribers! The app provides daily weighted values for four markets: 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. The app is currently available only on Apple devices (iPhone and iPad). To learn more about the MMA App, click here. To order it, go to the Apple App Store and search for Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

NOTE 8: MUST READ!!! A NEW BOOK, ESOTERIC ECONOMICS BY GIANNI DI POCE, IS NOW AVAILABLE!!! This is an excellent introduction to the correlation between geocosmic studies and the fields of economics and financial markets. In many ways, it is the perfect book to launch one’s journey into the world of financial astrology — but it is more than that. Esoteric Economics offers a clear and accessible explanation of how economics and financial markets work, then beautifully ties these fields together through an esoteric lens. It is ideal not only for those beginning this journey but also for readers seeking a deeper understanding of how economics operates on both a practical and esoteric level.

Gianni Di Poce is a well-respected MMA analyst and served as the director and lead instructor of the MMTA2 and MMTA3 (Merriman Market Timing Academy) programs from 2021 to 2024. He also holds an MBA in economics from the University of Michigan. The cost of this excellent 288-page book is $55 for the softcover or $60 for the hardcover (plus postage). It is also available as an eBook (no postage). To order, click here.

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, narrated by Thomas Miller, every Saturday! 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 episode is 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!

NOTE 10: 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 offers a preview of the geocosmic signatures in effect for the coming week and beyond.

EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025: A MICRO-WEBINAR BY RAY MERRIMAN ON BITCOIN, GOLD, AND SILVER. We will be preparing for big moves in Bitcoin, Gold, and Silver this fall, according to our cycle studies — and we want to be ready. Click here to register!