NOTE: There will be no weekly column next week. This will be our last column of 2023. I will be sending out a letter of thanks and appreciation to everyone on our list, discussing a lot of things that are on my mind as we enter the critical election year of 2024. And approach the Aries Vortex of 2025-2026.
REVIEW
“If Trump is kept out of office through judicial fiat rather than being defeated in a fair election…his country will become ungovernable. It’s time to trust the voters. It is up to the people to decide who the best candidate is. Not the courts. The people. That’s Democracy 101. When any candidate is deprived of his right to run, the American people are deprived of their right to choose.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “RFK Jr. Issues Stark Warning After Colorado Court Blocks Trump From Ballot.’” Danielle Wallace, Fox News, December 21, 2023.
Mr. Trump’s behavior after the 2020 election through Jan. 6 was disgraceful, and it is one of several reasons not to trust him with so much power again. It was an attempt to obstruct the counting of electoral votes. But the evidence is unpersuasive that this amounted to an insurrection or rebellion under the statutory or constitutional meaning of those terms. “ Wall Street Journal Editorial, “The Folly of Colorado’s Trump Disqualification,” Wall Street Journal, December 21, 2023.
Makes you question: Who is really the party or person undermining democracy in the U.S.? Is it the Trump-supported Republicans heeding Trump’s call to obstruct the election verification process on January 6, 2021, or the Biden-supported Democrats who want to remove Trump from the ballot while at the same time also removing every Democratic contender from primary ballots in as many states as possible?
Pluto moving back and forth between Capricorn and Aquarius between now and the 2024 U.S. Election will have something to say about this. Pluto in Capricorn will likely be obsessed with doing whatever it can to maintain control and power – even if it involves violence and murder of its/their own people, per the behavior of Russia and Hamas in 2023. Pluto in Aquarius, however, is the surge of “Power to the People” and the unrelenting drive of the masses to attain basic human rights that reflect the underlying virtues of democracy and consensus by the majority. This makes this election especially interesting because the majority of Americans do not want either Trump or Biden to be their only choices.
This is a subject I delve deeply into with this year’s Forecast 2024 Book. And it is remarkable how the geocosmic signatures are already unfolding as described. For instance, Donald Trump’s progressed Mars (attack) is 14° Libra. His natal Chiron (wounding) is 14° Libra. The U.S. natal Saturn (government and law) is 14° Libra. Who will win this War of the Titans meeting in the sign of the scales of justice? It’s covered in the book, but justice is on trial, along with democracy and the will (consensus) of the people. The conjunction is the powerful end and beginning of a cycle related to the nature of the planets and signs involved in the charts of those affected, which are delineated in this year’s almanac.
Despite these disturbing trends in the geopolitical situation of the U.S. and the world, the world’s stock markets were mostly higher again. Several made new all-time or multi-year highs again last week, such as in the United States, Brazil, India, and Japan. China’s SSE index, on the other hand, is on the verge of dropping to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Gold and Silver also rallied nicely, but not to new monthly highs yet. Crude Oil continued its march higher following its multi-month low on December 13, the day Mercury turned retrograde, and it is right in line with Derek Panaia’s options strategy presented in our recent special webinar on options. Bitcoin and Ethereum tested their recent yearly highs again as the week drew to a close, and speculation about a new Bitcoin ETF is generating excitement.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
“There were deals on the table to share the land called Palestine in 1947, ’93, ’95, ’98, 2000, 2008, and East Jerusalem could have been the capital of a Palestinian state that today might look more like Dubai than Gaza… The Palestinian people should know, your leaders, and the useful idiots on college campuses who are their allies, are not doing you any favors by keeping alive the ‘River to the Sea’ myth.” Continuing his monologue by comparing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to other global conflicts, Maher heralded Mexico as an example of building a vibrant economy, rather than investing in terrorism. “They got real… because they knew the United States wasn’t going to give back Phoenix any more than Hamas will ever be in Tel Aviv.” The State of Israel is here to stay, and the Palestinians will need to “get used to it.”- Bill Maher, HBO “Real Time,” Dec 15, 2023. Click here to see the YouTube video.
The overwhelming majority of Palestinians blame Israel for the death, destruction and dislocation caused by the war. Yet many Gazans say that Hamas is also responsible for the suffering, and that those voices are getting louder. Margherita Stancati and Abeer Ayyoub, “Gazans Are Starting to Blame Hamas for Wartime Suffering,” Wall Street Journal, Dec 21, 2023.
We end the year trying to be positive and hopeful in a nation and a world unable to contain the authoritative advances of bad actors throughout the world and even the nation. We look ahead and see more aspects of aggression and the use of such means as murder, rape, and kidnapping as part of the “business model” by several world leaders as Chiron and the Lunar North Node conjoin (solar eclipse) in the sign of Aries in March-April. In a large number of cases, this erratic planetary cycle has coincided with recessions within nine months, sometimes very severe, as in the case of the 1930’s Great Depression. I don’t know if this will be a “big one” or not in 2024. I am more inclined to think it happens with the Aries Vortex in 2026 +/- one year, which is when the Lunar North Node gets to Aquarius-Capricorn (see discussion in Forecast 2024 Book).
Shorter-term, “the Trickster” (Mercury retrograde, Dec 13-Jan 2) is still active. Its midpoint will be this weekend, December 23, which could coincide with reversals in some financial markets that did not reverse near the retrograde date itself of December 13.
Additionally, Venus is in opposition to Uranus as of December 21, which is another reversal signal +/- 4 trading days. And, as stated last week, “A continuation of the rally to new highs can’t be ruled out either because, in the last week of the year, Jupiter will be highlighted. It will be in a trine aspect to the Sun on December 27, then turn stationary direct on December 31. That is generally a hopeful signature for the future.” The New Year will begin with Venus square Saturn on January 1, the day before the “Trickster” goes direct again. One of the basic rules is ”Any market declining into a hard Venus/Saturn aspect is a candidate for a buy.” So, we want to be alert to such a setup by the time we return in two weeks.
LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS
It’s the last column of the year, so I want to share some thoughts even though I am going overtime now.
Lately, I have been thinking about the importance of market analysis and market trading and the difference between these two skills. In trading, we often say it is more important to make money than to be right, which means you can have several misses, but if you trade properly, you can and will still be profitable. But as a market analyst, we know it is more important to be right. It is a prerequisite to making money. If you are more wrong than right in your forecast of market behavior, you will lose subscribers. No one wants to subscribe to a market report where the analyst is more often wrong than correct. It is hard to construct a profitable trading plan if the analysis – the time – is off. Losses are part of the lot of a successful trader. However, too many losses due to inaccurate analysis become overly frustrating and require a different trading advisor whose methods are more accurate.
I like to think of market analysis and timing as akin to solving a puzzle. Markets, like life, follow a “pattern matching” sequence. That is if you figure out where this piece goes – where and when this market is going to reverse – the other pieces begin to fit nicely into a pattern. This is what a market analyst does, and a market timer has to do well to be successful.
Trading, on the other hand, is like a game of chess. You see a variety of possibilities a market might take. But you are never certain which path it will follow in the short run. Is the bottom in, or is it still possible to form? If it is in, you have the go-ahead to buy. If you are pre-mature, you get stopped out. However, even in being stopped out, there is value in having taken the trade because you now have a better idea of which path it is following. The low didn’t form then. It is more likely forming now, and so you can buy at a better price. It is like giving up a pawn for the bishop or even the queen. Checkmate! And so traders are willing to take manageable risks and small losses in order to 1) be on the right side if the move has started and not miss it, or 2) risk being stopped out for a better play that eliminates one of the options.
Trading and advising are challenging and exciting. And anyone who knows with certainty what a market is going to do doesn’t know s(he) doesn’t know. That is the kind of advisor you want to avoid. Better to find someone who has a record of high-probability results with their forecasts and trading strategies based upon those forecasts with which you can work. We try to provide these for our subscribers. After 40+ years as a CTA (Commodities Trading Advisor), I think we are doing a good job. It wasn’t always easy, especially in the beginning. However, our research studies kept improving, and our understanding of markets and the times that offer the highest probabilities of identifying tradeable reversals or long-term positioning continues to be extremely valuable.
Many thanks go to our MMTA students who have conducted exceptional research studies over the past few years that have greatly facilitated our ability to “pattern match” the rhythmic cycle of markets with the orbital cycles of the planets corresponding to them. Their work continues to be amazing, and I am so looking forward to working with many of them in their last year of studies with MMTA coming up in 2024.
May 2024 bring each of you good health, safety, happiness, profitability, and inner peace. And keep your trading plan focused on the April-June period of 2024 when Jupiter conjoins Uranus (April 21), sextiles Neptune (May 23), and trines Pluto (June 2).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: FORECAST 2024 IS NOW OUT IN ALL FORMATS – PRINT, EBOOK, AND AUDIO!
This is the 48th year of publishing this popular annual astrological almanac by Raymond Merriman. This year’s book is 200 pages and provides projections of major social, political, mundane, and economic issues of the next year as seen through the lens of rhythmic and planetary cycle studies. This is critical at this time because 1) we are approaching the Aries Vortex in 2025-2026, which itself is the middle of the “New Aira” period of 2020-2032, and 2) the U.S. presidential election is taking place in 2024. This year’s book gives an in-depth view of this election. In addition to an analysis of mundane cycles, this book also provides our outlook on the Stock Market, Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, Currencies, Crude Oil, Treasuries and Interest rates, and Grain markets. The back section contains an ephemeris and geocosmic calendar outlining planetary aspects and lunar ingresses in effect every day of every month from January 2024 through March 2025.
The retail price of the Forecast 2024 printed edition is $66 (while supplies last), and the eBook is $55. Order now before they sell out (six of the last nine years have sold out, including last year).
This year’s printed and eBook versions 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 2: Each foreign translation of Forecast 2024 has a section on that nation’s stock market that is not in the English or other nations’ Forecast Book. Yet we are aware that some readers and investors may be interested in the stock markets of these other nations, but do not wish those editions in the other nation’s language. Therefore, we make those stock market outlooks available in English as a separate service for $35.00 each. The overseas market reports for 2024 that are available separately in English include: Japan’s Nikkei, China’s Shanghai Composite, and the German DAX plus Zurich SMI indices. Each is available in PDF format. Each report contains their monthly charts as of December 13, 2023, and a list of their critical reversal dates for 2023.
NOTE 3: The Abridged Edition of Forecast 2024 is also now available in an audio format this year! This shortened MP4 audio edition, narrated by Thomas Miller, includes the first nine chapters on the Mundane Astrological outlook for the year (and the next eight years) based on the long-term planetary cycles and their historical themes over the past several centuries. This will include “The New Aira,” The “Aries Vortex,” Cycles of War and Renaissance, Living in “The New Aira,” The World and National Economy, and The U.S. Presidential Election in 2024. Original and special studies conducted on the history of the major aspects of 2024 related to the election outcome are given. The audio edition will also include the retrograde time bands of Mercury and Mars and their importance in 2024.
The Forecast 2024 abridged audio edition is an excellent choice for those who enjoy listening to books while driving, walking, or working out. The cost of the Forecast 2024 Audio version is $29.99. If you already pre-ordered the print or eBook edition of Forecast 2024, check your inbox, as you were sent a special coupon code to SAVE $10 on the Forecast 2024 Audiobook. The audiobook is now out! For more information or ordering, please click here.
NOTE 4: THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly ETF Report by Gianni Di Poce was issued this week. Written by MMA market analyst Gianni Di Poce, the ETF is a monthly newsletter that everyone trading ETFs is encouraged to read, especially those that seek less risky trading venues than futures. This report covers 8 ETFs on a monthly basis for readers. The ETFs include: SPY (S&P 500), GDX (gold miners), BITO (Bitcoin), TLT (+20-year Treasuries), USO (Crude Oil), XLV (healthcare), XLK (technology), and XHB (homebuilders). This is a report that was requested by popular demand, and Gianni’s insights and strategies are excellent. For further information, click here.
Note 5: THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, will be issued this week. This market letter has become a very popular addition to the MMA Cycles Report (less technical, more visual with horoscopes of current importance, high-quality analysis, and updates on MMA Cycles Report markets). The mid-month addendum to the MMA Cycles report 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 for 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. The cost for a monthly copy of both reports is $55. That will give you both the most recent June copy of the MMA Cycles Report and the June MMA Cycles Report Plus+ addendum coming out this week. Please note that subscription rates for this report will increase as of January 1, 2024. For further information and ordering instructions before rates increase, please click here.
NOTE 6: Raymond Merriman was interviewed recently in another very interesting and entertaining 45-minute discussion on the most important themes of the Forecast 2024 Book. The interview was conducted by Thomas Miller, who was also the narrator of this year’s Forecast 2024 Audio version. For more in-depth and up-to-date thoughts on 2024, please to listen to this most recent interview. Click here
The were two other insightful interviews earlier this month. The first interview was conducted by Callum Wilkinson of Kepler College on November 30, as part of the Kepler series called “Leaders in Astrology.” It is available for viewing by clicking here.
The second interview was conducted by Volker Schendel of Germany in his series on “Astrology in the 21st Century.” Click here.
Both interviews delved into Merriman’s background and history as an astrologer and financial market analyst, ranging from his original work on Evolutionary Astrology to Financial Astrology to his 50 years in community service to Astrology and his role as President of ISAR and founding of AFAN and UAC, as well as the creation of the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It includes discussions on his research studies in astrology as well as his vision for the future of astrology as it connects with his involvement on the transformation of astrology from a hobby to a profession.
NOTE 7: THE MMA WEEKLY YouTube show, Geocosmic Week in Review and Look Ahead, with Gianni Di Poce, is now conducted on Wednesday evenings! Each 5-15 minute FREE episode reviews the market activity of the past week and offers 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 alerted when a new weekly episode is released!
NOTE 8: MMA’S FREE WEEKLY COLUMN IS NOW ON SPOTIFY, APPLE, AND AMAZON PODCAST! Now you can listen to a podcast of this weekly column by Thomas Miller on Saturdays! Just follow Merriman Market Analyst on Spotify or Apple to listen to all our episodes. New Podcast episodes will be released every weekend. This is a FREE service and is available to everyone. Checkout out our Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and Apple Music. It makes for great listening!
NOTE 9: MMA’S Daily and Weekly Subscription services continue to be very hot, especially with stock indices, metals, and Bitcoin over the past several weeks. For instance, these reports have been long Gold since the lows of October 6 (below $1840), stocks since right after their low of October 27, and Bitcoin for several weeks as well. To order any of these subscription reports, please click here.
EVENTS
January 12, 2024. “Trends for 2024” is sponsored by AstroData of Zurich, Switzerland. Speakers are to be announced shortly, but will include Ray Merriman, who will give his outlook on 2024. This event is in German, and Merriman’s presentation will be translated from English to German. For further information, contact www.AstroData.com.
January 19, 2024: Forecast 2024 – Chinese stock and currency markets, plus Gold and Crude Oil. This 3-hour webinar will be presented in English by Ray Merriman, but translated into Chinese by NoDoor School of Astrology in Beijing. For information and registration, please contact NoDoor at www.nodoor.com/.
February 18, 2024, MMA’s Annual Forecast 2024 World Wide Webinar. Details and reservations will be opened after January 1. Save the Date!
April 20, 2024: “FORECASTS 2024 AND THE APPROCHING ARIES VORTEX,” Nova Southwestern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with Ray Merriman. An in-person live event and workshop, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM with a 90-minute lunch break. Cost $95.00. This event will not be broadcast via Zoom, but recordings will be made available for sale a few days afterwards. For further information and registration, please click here.
September 19-22, 2024: SAVE THE DATES!!! This will be the next MMA Investment Retreat! Negotiations are currently underway to bring this exciting gathering to a destination location in Europe for the first time since 2015. Once the agreement with the hotel is finalized, we will make a formal announcement, but for now… SAVE THE DATES! You won’t want to miss this chance to meet with the top MMA analysts (plus special guest speakers Claude Weiss and Aleksandar Imsiragic) live and hear strategies for long-term investments and wealth-building ideas using MMA market timing methods. There is nothing quite like a life-altering MMA Investment Retreat! This one will be very special, and our first Investment retreat in Europe since 2015!
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.