REVIEW AND PREVIEW
The Federal Reserve is likely to keep interest rates elevated through 2023, dashing Wall Street’s hopes for rate cuts in the second half of 2023 and almost guaranteeing a recession. – Megan Henney, “Fed To Keep Interest Rates High All Next year, Making a Recession Very Likely: Survey,” December 9, 2022, www.foxbusiness.com.
“When Donald Trump won in 2016, he said we were going to get so tired of winning we would ask him to stop winning so much,” Christie told a gathering of Republican governors, noting the party lost House seats in 2018, the White House in 2020 and winnable Senate races in 2022. “I’m tired of losing,” Christie added. – Brett Samuels, ”GOP Tired of Losing,” The Hill, November 18, 2022.
Last week’s financial markets were a tug of war between the aggressive symbolism of a full Moon conjunct Mars (it was even an occultation, a lunar eclipse of Mars) on December 7-8, caught between the passivity inclination of Neptune turning direct on December 3, squared by Venus on December 4, and squared by the Sun on December 14. In other words, markets wanted to do something – go somewhere – but they didn’t quite know what or where. They are looking for a reason to go up as they usually do in the third year of a presidential term in the U.S. But they also fear a recession is on the way due to rising rates to fight inflation, and the reliability of an inverted yield curve in predicting recessions. How can the market go up if there is a recession where unemployment starts to rise? But so far, unemployment has not been a problem, despite the Fed’s “hike-hike-hike” policies designed to make it a problem to solve the inflation problem. So many problems with no clear solutions except to create another problem. It’s the way of Neptune under a Mars attack.
Another push-pull dilemma is present in the recent election results. Once again, the Trump-backed candidate lost the Georgia run-off for Senate last week. The Senate now has a Democratic majority of +2. The House, on the other hand has a Republic advantage of +6. It’s a stalemate suggesting that not much gets done, which may actually be favorable for equities. Then again, it may result in the inability to pass any budget proposal, possibly resulting in government shutdowns, which could then lead to layoffs of government workers, giving the Fed a little more leverage to stop the rate increases.
Most of the world equity markets formed cycle highs December 1-2 as Neptune turned retrograde, then fell into the full Moon conjunct Mars on Dec 7-8. Another selloff happened on Friday in the DJIA, London FTSE, and India’s NIFTY indices.
In other markets, Silver rallied to its highest level on Friday since April. Crude Oil finally came down to the 70.00 area on Friday, This is into Trader Joe’s “promise-to-buy” range of 67-72 on Friday for refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that was drained in an attempt to bring fuel pump prices down prior to the mid-term election. But there was no sign of any major buying taking place. T-Notes were also interesting last week, rising on December 7 to their highest levels since September before starting another retreat into Friday. This fits well with the full Moon in Gemini conjunct Mars rally, followed by a selloff. It’s difficult for most investors when both equities and Treasuries fall, as has been the case most of 2022.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don’t; give way to the seven, you are patient, and then you will soon understand all manner of things, and you will be in harmony with eternity. James Clavell, “Shogun,” Delacorte Press, 1975, U.S.
The American Psychological Association calls it (psychopathy) a chronic disposition to disregard the rights of others. Manifestations include a tendency to exploit, to be deceitful, to disregard norms and laws, to be impulsive and reckless, and, most important, to lack guilt, remorse and empathy… We need better consciences. If we got them, we’d have fewer psychopaths. Peggy Noonan, “Psychos in the C-Suite,” Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2022.
He says, it’s three a.m., there’s too much noise
Don’t you people ever wanna go to bed?
Just ’cause you feel so good, do you have
To drive me out of my head
I say, hey (hey), you (you)
Get off of my cloud
- Mick Jagger, Keith Richards “Get Off of My Cloud,” Mirage Music Int’l, 1965
The haze of Neptune continues to cloud investors’ outlook this week as the most prominent aspect will be the Sun square Neptune on December 14. This is one day after the next CPI (inflation) report in the U.S., a reading that is very likely to finally move markets off their cloud (or is it fog).
The Sun/Neptune square has a strong correlation to reversals in the DJIA within four trading days. Like all aspects with Neptune, this one too can correspond with hopes and wishes about the future of equity prices. However, if it corresponds with a high, or secondary high to the crest of December 1-2, it could lead to a sharp reversal down into and beyond the Jupiter/Uranus semi-square of December 23. In the past two passages of this aspect (May 11 and September 28), the stock markets of the world were engaged in sharp selloffs. Maybe it’s different this time with Mars retrograde (October 31-January 12), but it would be wise to be alert just in case it does repeat a third time.
After the Mars retrograde in January, our focus will shift to March 2023 when Saturn enters Pisces (March 7) and Pluto enters Aquarius (March 23). Planets in signs represent psychological states of being, attitudes, and maybe even belief systems. There are probably more terms used in the study of psychology that relate to Saturn and its ruling signs of Capricorn and Aquarius, as well as to Neptune and its ruling sign of Pisces. Saturn in Pisces, for instance, can symbolize paranoia, especially delusions of persecution where one can easily fall into the trap of victimization. Or, it can represent spiritual (Pisces) mastery (Saturn). It’s all a matter of how one trains their mind. In terms of the economy, Saturn tends to depress or indicate a lack in whatever sector or commodities it rules. In this case, Pisces is associated with inflation, so inflation may very well come down. Pisces also has to do with Crude Oil, so either the price of Crude Oil comes down, or the availability of supplies dries up again, as seems to be the case with the Strategic Petroleum Reserves of the United States unless the president gives the OK to replenish those supplies that he emptied last year, putting the U.S. in a vulnerable geopolitical situation in the event of a war.
Pluto in Aquarius may show an escalating threat of war, especially when one considers the last time it made its 20-year transit through Aquarius (1777-1797). It coincided with major revolutions in the world, including the U.S. and France. Furthermore, Aquarius is a sign of detachment, and alienation, and if taken to extremes, it can exhibit psychopathic behaviors. On the other hand, Aquarius is also the sign of invention, discovery, and a sense of “brotherhood” or “sisterhood” with the masses. As Pluto moves towards it trine with Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) in Gemini in 2026, this heightened awareness and inventiveness can lead to a renaissance in communications, science and the arts.
Thus, we have two parallel but competing paradigms unfolding for humanity over these next three years. One track is that of destruction and loss led by leaders of the world who may suffer from paranoia and exhibit psychopathological characteristics that pose a danger to the masses, even to the point of wars. The other is a path of saintliness and virtue (altruism) led by other leaders who are able to exhibit great discipline and mastery over their behaviors (with great patience) and propel the world into an era that may be likened to a renaissance. The challenge will be identifying those who are authentic versus those who are delusional and fraudulent. Both are amongst us, maybe even within us.
In 2023-2024, Pluto will cross 0 degrees of Aquarius five times. You may remember that as the “super-charged degree” of the “New Aira,” which began when the 20-year synodic cycle of Jupiter and Saturn conjoined in that degree on the winter solstice (December 21) of 2020. As far as how that may affect financial markets, consider Pluto as the termination, the end, and the transformation of current forms of energy sources and the discovery of new forms of energy (Aquarius). There are other investment opportunities suggested here too, like artificial intelligence, space exploration, and electric vehicles. But first, we have to ensure our survival against those in power who threaten to destroy humanity via war.
It may sound heavy, ominous, and risky. But that is what Pluto in Aquarius is all about. With Pluto, there is no middle ground or appeasement. There is no gain or victory without risk. You are either all in or all out when Pluto is highlighted, as it will be 2023-2026. You either choose a path of invention and creativity, or one of destruction. In the end, creation always wins out over destruction.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report will be released this week! This will be a special issue because it will share revised and new insights about the 4-year stock market cycle – where we are and what to look for next year. This is yet another very important market timing period for many financial markets because of the December 23 Jupiter/Uranus semi square. Every issue provides an intermediate-term investors’ and near-term traders’ outlook for the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Copper, Treasuries, Euro Currency, Crude Oil, and Soybeans. Each issue also contains MMA’s original geocosmic critical reversal dates (CRDs) and Solar/Lunar reversal dates over the next several weeks for DJIA, Gold, and Silver, complete with trading strategies for position traders during the next month. If you are not a subscriber to the monthly MMA Cycles Report and would like a copy of MMA’s outlook for financial markets, consider trying the December issue for only $35. For an additional $20, you can also receive the next issue, due in two weeks, of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+ edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, which has become a very popular addition to the MMA Cycles Report (less technical, more visual, high-quality analysis and update on MMA Cycles Report markets). And by ordering this month’s issue, you will also receive the transcript of last week’s very interesting interview with Radio Tokyo and Ray (see the next note below).
NOTE 2: Last week, subscribers of MMA Reports received a paper on an interview with Ray Merriman conducted by Radio Nikkei. They asked very interesting questions about the financial markets (Nikkei, DJIA, Gold, Silver, currencies, grains), mundane indications via geocosmics (elections, central banks, natural disaster possibilities), and of course the most important geocosmic time bands next year for potential trend reversal in financial markets (our specialty as market timers). They also ask how Ray would approach the year 2023 in terms of investing and trading. If you subscribe to any MMA Cycles Reports and didn’t receive this paper of the interview, or if you would like to subscribe to any report and get a copy of that interview, let us know at once at customerservice@mmacycles.com.
NOTE 3: FORECAST 2023 is completed and the eBook (English) version was sent out last week. It’s early! The print edition is still on schedule to be sent out late this week, December 15. You can still pre-order the print edition prior to December 8 to ensure the fastest delivery. Or, if you want the book now, it is available in eBook format. And we have to say: this year’s book may be the best one yet. Each year gets better and better.
The price for the printed edition of Forecast 2023 is $66 as long as supplies last. And the price for the eBook edition is $55, and will be available even if the printed edition sells out as it did last year.
AND NEW – An Abridged Edition of Forecast 2023 will be available via eBook and Audiobook on Amazon.com this year! This shortened edition will sell for $15.00 and will include all chapters except the financial markets and the calendar/ephemeris pages in the back of the annual book, or about half the size if the full edition. In other words, the abridged edition will include the 8 chapters on the Mundane Astrological outlook for the year (and the next 5 years) based on the long-term planetary cycles and their historical themes over the past several centuries. It will also include the retrograde time bands of Mercury, Venus, and Mars and their importance in 2023, as well as projections for each of the seasons in 2023 based on their cardinal ingress charts. Doing an Abridged Edition of the Forecast Book at a very affordable price in eBook and especially audio format is something new for MMA, and an excellent choice for those who enjoy listening to books while driving, walking, or working out. The narrator is Thomas Miller, the well-known astrologer and podcast host of “Fun Astrology” (but it is also serious astrology, at https://funastrology.com). Thomas has an excellent voice from years in radio broadcasting. Stay tuned for how to order the Forecast 2023 Abridged Edition in eBook or audiobook format next week.
This year’s printed and eBook versions of the full Forecast 2023 Book will also be available in these languages:
German: www.mma-europe.ch/ or email at info@mma-europe.ch
Japanese: https://www.toushinippou.co.jp/
Chinese: www.nodoor.com/
NOTE 4: Trends for the Twelve Signs 2023 is now available at Amazon.com as an eBook in English and German!!!. Click here to order from Amazon. And soon (next week?) it will also be available as an audiobook via Amazon.com, narrated by Thomas Miller! There are a lot of excellent sun sign books available each year. However, we don’t think you will find a more insightful and well-thought out book dedicated to the yearly trends for the twelve individual sun signs than this one. It is, in our opinion, the finest of all the 2023 sun sign books. Period. The book, Trends for the Twelve Signs 2023, is written by Antonia Langsdorf-Merriman and Raymond Merriman and is also available directly through MMA, print or eBook edition. The format of this year’s book covers the outlook for health, relationships business, career, finances, and overall psychological factors of each sign for the year. It includes specific birthdates that are affected by the major geocosmic transits within and to each sign. The cost of this unique book is $25-30 (eBook versus print edition), with a further discount if ordered together with the Forecast 2023 Book. For more information, check out this video of Alie and Ray opening the boxes of Trends for 2023 that just arrive
NOTE 5: TUNE INTO MMA’S WEEKLY YouTube Channel on the geocosmic climate related to financial markets hosted by MMTA Educational Director Gianni Di Poce. These 5-15 minute video presentations review market activity of the past week and offer a preview of the geocosmic signatures in effect for the next week and beyond. You may subscribe to MMA’s YouTube Channel today at no cost and get announcements when each geocosmic market review is ready for viewing! To view this week’s MMA YouTube episode, click here.
EVENTS
January 6, 2023: MMA CHINA WEBINAR FORECAST 2023 WEBINAR! Financial markets review for the China SSE stock index, Gold, Crude Oil, DJIA and Bitcoin: Details and registration will be announced next week.
February 19, 2023: ANNUAL MMA FORECAST 2023 WEBINAR with Ray Merriman. Details and registration will be announced soon.
March 18, 2023: The third MMTA (Merriman Market Timing Academy) since 2013 will commence. This two-year educational and training experience will change your life and how you view financial markets. With this course you will know where the market is at any given interval of time, and the trading or investing strategy to employ. These 8 courses consist of 6-7 zoom meetings each over a two-year period, on Saturdays, with 1-2 month breaks in between each course. There is nothing else like this course available anywhere. It covers our market timing methodology for long-term and intermediate-term investing, plus position and aggressive short-term trading. Watch for details soon on cost, discounts for early application, and how to enroll. Below are just a couple of the many comments received from MMTA 2 graduates. More to come.
“My perspective on the markets, and perhaps life, have changed dramatically since being gifted the privilege of joining MMTA2. I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to learn directly from you.” – Kyle M, MMTA2 graduate, North Carolina, programmer, trader, and high school math teacher.
“Attached is my final research project on the cotton market…as always critiques are welcomed!! Doing these research projects and really dissecting the cotton market during this course has allowed me to trade cotton very successfully over the last year. It is extremely rewarding to do the work and then to watch it unfold according to plan.” – Wyatt F, Wisconsin, MMTA2 graduate, Owner of large family farm operation, and now as MMA analyst.
”Thank you for all your help through MMTA2, it was one of the best things I have ever done.” – Renato R, Australia, MMTA graduate.
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 to educate the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they are happening. 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 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 may affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from the perspective of a cycles’ 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 the psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the 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.