MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 26, 2025

REVIEW by Gianni Di Poce

 President Donald Trump’s push for mineral rights in Greenland may be the latest play in long-standing U.S. efforts to block China from accessing rare earths on the world’s largest island. … Trump has disclosed few details about the Greenland framework deal that he announced after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday. But he told CNBC that it includes mineral rights for the U.S. and other partners, presumably NATO allies, though it is unclear at this stage.

— Spencer Kimball, “Trump’s Push for Greenland Mineral Rights Could Block China’s Access to Rare Earths,” CNBC, January 23, 2026.

U.S. stocks finished lower across the board last week, but the Nasdaq was down the least. The tech sector, especially the “Magnificent Seven” stocks, rallied hard on Friday, helping the Nasdaq recover some ground, despite the emerging strength in the energy sector.

European markets were also lower last week, with the London FTSE, the Amsterdam AEX, the German DAX, and the Zurich SMI all finishing lower. This happened even as the Euro saw a significant bid in its value. Money is pouring into Europe, but evidently not into the stock markets right now.

Most of this weakness persisted in Asia and Oceania as well. The Nikkei was down but finished well off the lows of the week. The Australian All-Ordinaries was also down, and ended well off of the weekly low, too. The Shanghai Composite, however, was the exception – it finished higher and near the highs of the week.

Over in precious metals land, the historic rally in Gold and Silver is still underway. Silver eclipsed $100, and Gold is nearing $5,000 now. A metal mania is very fitting for Neptune’s upcoming ingress into Aries.

Cryptocurrencies are still struggling to maintain any sort of bids. Both Bitcoin and Ethereum finished lower, as longer-term cycles continue to weigh on these markets.

Commodity markets saw a healthy rally, with Crude Oil leading the way. Grains also saw strong rallies, with Wheat especially coiling into some interesting price action.

 SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

It’s an extremely Uranian period right now. Aquarius season just started, and all the personal planets are in orb of a conjunction to Pluto. It’s a volatile period filled with surprises, and markets have followed suit with notable intraday price swings.

However, when you zoom out over the past few months, some stocks, particularly in the tech sector, have been trapped in a rather narrow range. The tech sector is very important to the U.S. market, accounting for roughly 30% of the S&P 500.

If anything is going to break this sector out of its multi-month funk, it could easily be all of these aspects and conjunctions taking place in Aquarius. This Uranian/Aquarian period culminates on February 8 when Venus squares Uranus. This is a notorious signature for breaks of short-term support or resistance zones.

Plus, this week starts out with the final ingress of Neptune into Aries. The romanticization of conquest and pioneering is only going to accelerate from here. More on this below, especially as it ties into the conjunction with Saturn in February.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will make its interest rate decision. The market isn’t expecting a rate cut, but with the Moon in Gemini that day, Mercury is the ruler. It just so happens that the Moon will be trine both Mercury and Venus within 30 minutes of each other, and the trine to Mercury will be in effect just as Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to give his testimony.

Remember, Mercury is in Aquarius right now, and it’s the planet of messaging. Of course, with the Moon in Gemini, it could be another traditional case of central banker double-speak, but don’t be surprised if Powell surprises us all and tells the market exactly what it wants to hear. It could lead to a long-awaited breakout in stocks. Still, if instead he disappoints, we’re late enough in numerous cycles where an implosion begins as we head into the Saturn-Neptune conjunction of February 20.

 LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS (AND OPINION)

 TikTok announced Thursday that it has finalized a historic deal to launch a majority American-owned joint venture, a move aimed at averting a potential U.S. ban on the popular social media app.

— Bonny Chu, TikTok avoids U.S. ban by finalizing historic Trump-backed American majority ownership deal. Fox Business, January 23, 2026

There are decades where nothing happens, and then there are weeks where decades happen.

– attributed to Vladimir Lenin.

Take a moment to think about how we’re now closer to 2030 than 2020. For many, 2020 marked a fork in the road. The old way of doing many things metaphorically died that year, and a new dawn for humanity began. The geocosmic backdrop in 2020 was very fitting, given the respective conjunctions between Saturn and Pluto and Jupiter and Saturn that took place.

But there hasn’t been a major conjunction between Saturn and another outer planet since then. That’s set to change here shortly with the conjunction to Neptune on February 20.

I shared the quote about time accelerating, which is often attributed to Vladimir Lenin because he was a pretty important figure during the Saturn-Neptune conjunction of 1917. Given Saturn’s rulership of time, and Neptune’s rulership of the dreamworld where time operates under different rules, an acceleration of the sorts between these two realms is upon us.

The Saturn-Neptune conjunction of 1917 was in the sign of Leo, and it corresponded to the fall of the Tsarist monarchy (Leo) in Russia. Lenin was a key figure in the Russian Revolution. Then there was the conjunction in 1952 in Libra. The Cold War was in full swing, and so was McCarthyism in the United States. The Civil Rights movement also began around this time, with landmark Supreme Court rulings (Libra) such as Brown v. Board of Education. Then there was the conjunction of 1989 in Capricorn, when the Berlin Wall fell and opened up new markets and business (Capricorn) opportunities in the former Soviet bloc. It’s obvious from these examples that this synodic cycle has some sort of unique connection to Russia, but how differently could it play out this time around?

Now, we have the conjunction taking place in Aries, which rules war. One of the recurring themes of Saturn conjunct Neptune is the implosion of some sort of illusion or the dissolving of an authoritative entity. This time around, NATO could very well be in the crosshairs of Saturn and Neptune.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., by 12 founding members: the United States, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. It was born in the early Cold War era and aimed to deter Soviet expansionism, prevent the resurgence of nationalist militarism in Europe, and enable transatlantic security cooperation through collective defense.

Do yourself a favor and take a look at NATO’s natal chart. There’s a stellium in Aries featuring all of the personal planets (Mercury through Mars) and the North Node. Neither Saturn nor Neptune is exactly “at home” in this sign. Saturn is too methodical and calculated for the “do first, think second” temperament of Aries, while Neptune in Aries is like pouring gasoline on fire. Also, with Neptune in Aries, don’t be surprised if romanticization of warfare increases in popularity in the next decade. Although NATO may be in the crosshairs of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction, Neptune’s transit through Aries is likely to be very lucrative for the military-industrial complex in time. Perhaps President Trump’s new “Board of Peace” has something to do with it, too, or perhaps it’s something more deceptive – are Greenland negotiations a bargaining chip Trump is using to increase the U.S.’s support within NATO to aid the Ukrainian conflict?

Now, for monetary matters related to Saturn conjunct Neptune. The conjunction will be taking place right on the Federal Reserve’s Midheaven. The Fed is in its most dangerous position since it came into existence in 1913.

Saturn, conjunct Neptune on its Midheaven, could shatter the illusion of its independence or even authority on monetary matters. It’s no secret that President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are at odds with how the Fed has handled inflation and rate cuts.

Regardless of how the Fed proceeds here in the coming months, it’s a lose-lose. If rates stay high to keep inflation in check, they’ll be blamed for the federal debt issues. If rates are cut and inflation returns, they’ll be blamed too.

With Saturn conjunct Neptune, the dividing line between fact and fiction gets blurred, and it can easily turn hostile. Restrictions (Saturn) on social media (Neptune), or at least what it was perceived to previously be, are in play.

Vegetius once said, “Si vis pacem, para bellum.” This translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war.” I think this is a very fitting quote for the Aries-Libra axis, which will be front and center for this Saturn-Neptune conjunction.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: THE MMA DAILY OPTIONS REPORT WITH DEREK PANAIA HAS BEEN UP AND RUNNING SINCE JANUARY 15. This new daily options service focuses on the S&P, Gold, Copper, T-Notes, Soybeans, and Bitcoin, plus other markets when special situations arise that would benefit from options strategies. The service includes intraday updates as necessary, sometimes multiple times per day, depending on market conditions. Ray Merriman will also provide commentary within this new daily service. In fact, this is where Ray will be spending most of his time on trading strategies in 2026. 

The cost is $360 per month or $3600 per year until June 30, when the special launch price will end. For those who already subscribe to the current MMA Daily Report, which is issued at the end of each trading day for the next trading day, the cost of adding Derek’s new Daily Options Report is only $140 per month. For more information on this new service, or to pre-register, click here. Order now at the special launch price to get in on the action of options trading if you are an active trader!

 NOTE 2: MMA’S 2026 TRADERS’ RETREAT WILL TAKE PLACE MAY 20–24 IN LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA!!! This special four-day event will focus on trading strategies for position and short-term traders for 2026. It will cover the unique, evidence-based MMA methods for identifying primary, half-primary, major, and trading cycles. It will then apply those market-timing techniques (cycles and geocosmic studies) to the current situation in stock markets, Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, currencies, interest rates, and Grain markets, with strategies for each on both a short- and intermediate-term basis.

There will also be special presentations and interactive discussions on current and future world conditions that are likely to affect financial markets. These presentations will be led by world-class mundane astrologers Claude Weiss (Switzerland), Christeen Skinner (UK), Christof Niederwieser (Germany), Pouyan Zolfagharnia (UK), and Raymond Merriman (USA). Joining them on MMA timing methodology and trading strategies will be MMTA director Wiebke Held (Germany), and MMA analysts Wyatt Fellows (USA), Ulric Aspegrén (Switzerland), Gianni Di Poce (USA), and MMA Trading Coach Rita Perea (USA).

Registration is now open with special discounts for early bird registration. The presentations will also be available via Zoom for those unable to attend in person, and recordings with PowerPoint slides will be available immediately after each day’s presentations to all who attend. For schedule, registration, speaker bios, topic descriptions, and hotel information, please click here. The MMA Annual Investment and Traders’ Retreats are incredible events! Don’t miss it if you can make it.

 NOTE 3: THE JANUARY ISSUE OF THE MMA MONTHLY TECH REPORT WAS RELEASED ON JANUARY 20. Wiebke’s excellent research papers at MMTA3 were based on extensive studies of long-, intermediate, and short-term cycles in the NASDAQ spot index. This new report, drawing on those studies, provides an outlook not only for the NASDAQ but also for the QQQ ETF, NASDAQ futures, and specific technology stocks, including Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple. It also includes CRDs (critical reversal dates) 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 already in Aquarius for the next nearly 20 years and Uranus re-entering Gemini on April 26, 2026, for nearly seven years.

If you would like to try a one-month subscription, you can sign up for the January report for only $35 — or save by ordering a three-report or twelve-report subscription.

 NOTE 4: FORECAST 2026 IS NOW OUT! ORDER WHILE COPIES LAST! This year’s book is 240 pages (our largest ever because it’s the special 50-year anniversary edition) and measures 8.5″ × 11″. The price of the Forecast 2026 print edition is $66, and the eBook is $55. To order this year’s 50th-year anniversary edition, click here. It’s special!

NOTE 5: MMA’S ANNUAL FORECAST 2026 WORLDWIDE WEBINAR WITH RAYMOND MERRIMAN WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, STARTING AT NOON EST. From the comfort of your own home or office, you can tune in to this live event. This broadcast will address the major themes from this year’s Forecast 2026 book, with updates on financial markets since the book was written in November 2025. This presentation will include trading plans for various financial markets, including the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin. Ray’s special guest will be Wyatt Fellows, MMA’s new president, who will speak on the outlook for grain prices for 2026 based on his Saturn-Neptune studies. If you are unable to attend live, the video recording will be available the following day. The cost of this special three-hour webinar is $60. Registration for the Forecast 2026 webinar is now open. Save the date! Sign up now!

 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 when 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 and losses? The cost of a personal 14-month Jupiter Report based on your birth data is $69.

 NOTE 7: 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 intermarket bullish or bearish divergence relative to a related market. The app is currently available only on Apple devices (iPhone and iPad). To learn more about the MMA app, click here. To order, go to the Apple App Store and search for Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

 NOTE 8: 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 supported 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 began on September 27, or for anyone wishing to deepen their astrological knowledge. The cost for these six introductory lessons, each lasting about two hours, is $300. This is a great opportunity to learn basic astrology from a master economic astrologer! Click here to order now!

 NOTE 9: THE NEW AUDIOBOOK OF EVOLUTIONARY ASTROLOGY: THE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL THROUGH STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS, by Raymond Merriman, written in 1993, is now available! It is narrated by Thomas Miller, who has a great voice and also broadcasts MMA’s free weekly column. The first edition of Evolutionary Astrology, originally published in 1977, introduced this remarkable subject to the astrological community, where it has since become one of astrology’s major branches of study. Get ready to listen to the original work on Evolutionary Astrology that brought a spiritual perspective to the study of astrology from the late 1970s through today. To order the book (hardcover or eBook) or the audio recording, please click here.

NOTE 10: THE JANUARY ISSUE OF THE MMA MONTHLY CYCLES REPORT PLUS+, EDITED BY POUYAN ZOLFAGHARNIA, WILL BE RELEASED THIS WEEK. The mid-month addendum to the MMA Monthly Cycles Report regularly features Pouyan’s outlook on Gold, Silver, NASDAQ, and Crude Oil. It includes visual graphics and charts (people love it, and this month’s graphics were especially stunning!). 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 December issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report and this week’s MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+ addendum. For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.

 EVENTS

 FEBRUARY 22, 2026: MMA’S ANNUAL FORECAST 2026 WEBINAR WITH RAY MERRIMAN. Details above.

 MAY 20-24, 2026: MMA’S NEXT INVESTMENT RETREAT, LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA. SAVE THE DATE!!

Registration is now open, with a special early bird discount for those who register by March 1st. The presentations will also be available via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. The theme of this event will focus on market timing and trading. It’s going to be great!

SEPTEMBER 3, 2026: A UAC PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ON FINANCIAL ASTROLOGY 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 4–8 years. More than 150 world-class astrologers will be presenting. The conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Chicago. In addition to the workshop, Ray will present two lectures during the six-day event: one on mundane astrology (“What Is Happening in the World from an Astrological Viewpoint”) on September 5, and another on “The U.S. Stock Market: Timing Tools and Outlook” on September 7 (Labor Day). Discounts are available for those who register by January 20. For more information, visit www.uacastrology.com.

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 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 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.