MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JULY 20, 2026

 REVIEW by Guest Contributor Pouyan Zolfagharnia

“Oil prices are on track for a weekly gain of more than 10% as rising U.S.-Iran tensions raise concerns about broader upheaval.”

— Giulia Petroni, “Oil Headed for 10% Weekly Gain on Escalating U.S. –Iran Attacks,” The Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2026.

Renewed U.S. strikes against Iranian infrastructure and Iranian attacks on U.S. facilities revived fears that the fragile ceasefire and reopening arrangements around the Strait of Hormuz are deteriorating. With Brent crude hovering above $88 and WTI over $82 on Friday, the biggest moves of the week were once again dominated by the escalation in the conflict. Refined products were even more sensitive. U.S. diesel futures had risen about 20% from the beginning of the previous week, while U.S. diesel inventories approached levels not seen since the early 2000s. Diesel is embedded in freight, farming, mining, and construction costs. A persistent refined-product shortage could therefore reverse part of the recent improvement in inflation and constrain the Federal Reserve’s room to ease policy.

Gold remained weak with a low of 3963 on Friday, testing the June 30 low of 3955.40. Gold’s weakness during military escalation may initially appear counterintuitive. However, the market treated the conflict primarily as an inflationary energy shock that could keep interest rates higher. Rising real or nominal yields and a firmer Dollar during parts of the week outweighed safe-haven demand. Silver did put in a new low at 5500, signaling a case of intermarket bullish divergence.

The U.S. equity markets were all down this week, with the NASDAQ leading the sell-off as the semiconductor decline was no longer an isolated correction in one industry. It became a global reassessment of the valuations, capital expenditures, and profitability assumptions underpinning the AI investment boom.

The release of a new model by China’s Moonshot AI added another concern: that increasingly capable Chinese systems could weaken the assumption that a small number of U.S. companies will capture most of the economic returns from AI investment. This is a critical shift in market psychology as good earnings are no longer enough. The market is demanding evidence that AI investment will generate returns commensurate with valuations and capital expenditure.

Semiconductor-heavy markets in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea experienced much steeper declines than traditional European indices. Taiwan fell more than 6% on Friday, Japan fell approximately 4%, and the Nikkei stood around 12% beneath its recent high.

European indices outperformed Asian and U.S. tech-heavy markets but remained vulnerable to the combination of higher imported energy costs, a cautious ECB, and weaker Chinese demand. Therefore, the European markets also remain below their all-time highs.

We also saw a rally in the grains driven by hot and dry weather conditions and energy-related input costs. The most important fundamental link was the rise in diesel and fertilizer costs. Persistently high energy prices can raise planting, harvesting, transport, and fertilizer costs even when grain demand is not accelerating. This is all assuming that we don’t get crop damage or drought affecting supply (which, as explained in prior reports, the geocosmics are indicating).

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

Over the past week, we had a New Moon in Cancer on July 14. In traditional astrology, Cancer and the Moon rule over Silver as a commodity. It is interesting to see that Silver is now making a new low for the year, accompanied by bullish oscillator divergences. These are technical indicators for a low. However, we have to be careful as Mercury is still retrograde until next week (July 23), and we find that technical signals provide false indicators when the trickster is active.

We are also currently in the July 17–20 three-star geocosmic Critical Reversal Date (CRD), one of our leading indicators for reversals in markets. Over the coming week, we have several important outer planetary aspects forming in a tight orb. It starts with the Uranus–Pluto trine on July 18, followed by the Jupiter-Neptune trine and the Jupiter–Pluto opposition on July 20. The Sun will then make its ingress into Leo on July 22, before Mercury stations direct on July 23. We will then end the week with Saturn stationing retrograde on July 26. Therefore, this is a powerful CRD incorporating numerous potent geocosmic signatures.

This is how I described the following two weeks, from the New Moon of July 14 until the Full Moon of July 29, when writing the seasonal ingress reports in Forecast 2026, written last autumn:

“After February’s Saturn–Neptune conjunction, this is likely to be the next most significant period of the year. We would expect to see major reversals in the financial markets and significant decisions made regarding global affairs during this time.”

As a reminder of where this event may unfold, I showed the astrocartography chart for the Summer ingress chart, which has the Sun dominant on the MC over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS AND OPINION

Over the past two weeks, we have been under the influence of the Mars–Uranus conjunction that took place on July 4. In Forecast 2026, this is what I wrote in relation to this signature in the seasonal ingress chart:

Just above the horizon, Mars is applying to a conjunction with Uranus in the final degrees of the twelfth house and within orb of the ascendant. This is a troubling signature, suggestive of hidden enemies, sudden crises, disruptive attacks, sabotage, or cyberwarfare. Mars, as lord of the twelfth house, is indicative of hidden enemies and clandestine activities intended to cause mischief. Uranus, as lord of the tenth house, points to sudden shocks to the leadership or the president. This configuration could manifest as an assassination attempt, terrorist incident, health scare, military miscalculation, or intelligence crisis. It symbolizes a destabilizing shock undermining the national leader late in the summer of 2026.

The Mars–Uranus conjunction is at 3° Gemini, which is within orb of a conjunction to the natal Moon (6° Gemini) of Ukraine (1918 chart), so this event may have repercussions for the Ukrainian people. With regard to global leaders, this conjunction is also within orb of a conjunction to the natal Moon of Vladimir Putin (2° Gemini) and the natal Mars of Ursula von der Leyen (president of the European Commission)….

In astrometeorology, Uranus and other high-pressure planets are suggestive of dry climates. The Mars conjunction will bring the extreme heat conducive to drought during an abnormally hot summer.

Over the past week, the U.S.–Iran conflict has reignited, sending Crude Oil prices rallying again. Wildfires are burning out of control across North America and Europe. But most importantly, there have been several important assassinations, assassination attempts, and health-related issues, such as:

• June 29 – Monaco parcel-bomb attempt against Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev.
• July 7 – Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, wanted over the June 29 parcel bomb, was found dead near Kyiv with several gunshot wounds to the head. Two men, including an officer from Ukraine’s military intelligence service and a former police officer, were detained.
• July 8 – Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson, was fatally attacked at her home.
• July 9 – Israel reportedly passed intelligence to the United States indicating that Iran was considering a fresh plan to assassinate President Trump. The information reportedly affected Trump’s travel and aircraft-security arrangements.
• July 11 – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly at his Washington residence shortly after returning from Ukraine. His death generated widespread speculation online that Russia, Iran, or Israel might have assassinated him.

What we have yet to see is the influence of this signature on Putin’s natal Moon. Bear in mind that the Saturn–Neptune conjunction has a high correlation with the implosion of the Russian state and its leader. Also note that the Sun in position on the Midheaven (MC) over Iran also runs through Russia. I will leave you with my thoughts on this signature from Forecast 2026:

“The Moon in Putin’s chart symbolizes the people, the homeland, emotional instincts, and public mood. With the Mars–Uranus conjunction on his natal Moon, we could see sudden unrest or volatility among the Russian people—possibly protests, strikes, or a rapid change in public sentiment. There is also the potential for an emotional or instinctive overreaction by Putin, leading to impulsive decisions. The Moon also rules personal security and health, so it could signal instability in his personal life or well-being.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: THE JULY 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 (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 July 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. ~260720

NOTE 2: THE MONTHLY MMA GRAIN CYCLES REPORT BY WYATT FELLOWS WILL BE ISSUED THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 22. With Saturn and Neptune still within one year of their 36-year conjunction, which has historically correlated with large moves in grain prices, and with Jupiter having entered the fire sign of Leo on June 30, this is 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 trader of grains or a producer, this is a wonderful report to read every month. Wyatt is an exceptionally gifted analyst of Wheat, Corn, and Soybeans, which may now be on their way higher. To order a copy of this excellent report, please click here.

NOTE 3: DUE OUT IN 2–3 WEEKS!!! RAY MERRIMAN’S NEW BOOK, JUPITER AND SATURN TRANSITS: MASTERING THE CYCLES OF LIFE. This is Book One, the first of five books that will be written over the next four years on the outer planets transiting 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 the opening and closing semi-square and sesquiquadrate transits to all natal planets and angles, plus the “Business Cycle” of transiting Saturn. Each transiting aspect is ranked on a scale of –3 to +3 in terms of trading and investment potential, which alone is worth the price of this book.

Here are early reviews by two of the world’s leading astrologers after receiving an early draft of this book:

Ray Merriman surprises us with a new book on transits. The book covers the delineation of planetary aspects of two of the most important traditional planets: the classical, supportive, and encouraging Jupiter aspects on the one hand, and the restrictive but also stabilizing Saturn aspects on the other. The descriptions of transits by an experienced and renowned astrologer are, together with his recommendations, of immense value. Going beyond the symbolic meaning of planetary combinations, Ray Merriman draws on his rich experience with planetary transits to provide the reader with practical interpretations and useful recommendations, with the aim of helping readers deal appropriately with the various transits of Jupiter and Saturn. To these, he adds advice for investors and traders in order to enable them to make the most of specific constellations. A highly recommendable and easily understandable book about transits for modern readers interested in the way astrology works in daily life. The depth of the interpretations provided should also serve as a source of inspiration for professional astrologers.

—Claude Weiss, owner of Astrodata, Zurich, Switzerland, author of several books on astrology, and one of the world’s top mundane astrologers.

Ray’s Jupiter and Saturn Transits: Mastering the Cycles of Life is a fabulous, comprehensive guidebook rich with humanistic wisdom for astrologers. This book is amazing… exceptional in every way!! Articulating the Saturn and Jupiter transits to natal planets and angles, Ray offers special emphasis on delineating the waxing and waning aspects. His house–by–house interpretation of the powerful astrological energies and influences brilliantly combines useful tips and insightful keywords. Ray also shares his valuable expertise in financial astrology by including the Financial Ranking for trading with the transits, which makes this book very special!

 —Kathy Rose, renowned, full-time consulting astrologer and curator of Rose Astrology with over 40 years of professional practice.

The book JUPITER AND SATURN TRANSITS: MASTERING THE CYCLES OF LIFE is now at the printer. The list price is $39.99. However, those who order prior to August 10 will receive the special pre-publication price of $33.00 (plus postage for the printed edition; the eBook requires no postage). To order at the pre-publication price, click here.

NOTE 4: THE SIX-WEEK SUMMER SCHOOL COURSE ON ESOTERIC ECONOMICS: THE HIDDEN ARCHITECTURE OF WEALTH, BY GIANNI DI POCE, WILL HOLD ITS SECOND CLASS THIS SUNDAY, JULY 19. There is still time to sign up and join. This immersive, six-week online course is the complete companion to Esoteric Economics, the financial astrology textbook by Gianni Di Poce. The course touches on conventional economics, but it also reveals the deeper, often invisible currents that truly govern wealth: archetypal forces, temporal rhythms, capital flows, and the ancient principles that have shaped civilizations for millennia. The course blends rigorous historical and technical analysis with esoteric insight, practical tools, and visionary thinking. You will not simply study economics—you will be initiated into its hidden language and learn to navigate it with clarity, confidence, and creative power. The cost of this six-week course is $300, and registration is now open! Click here to register.

 NOTE 5: 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). 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 order on your iPhone, go to the Apple App Store and search for Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

 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 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 7: 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. Last week’s special guest was Crypto Damus (Robert Weinstein), a well-known market analyst specializing in cryptocurrency, with an interesting outlook on Bitcoin.

NOTE 8: 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

 JULY 12, 2026: The Esoteric Economics course with Gianni Di Poce began on July 12, but it’s not too late to join. The six-week course costs $300 and runs through August 16. See above for further details. Click here to register.

AUGUST 23, 2026: The next Options Webinar with Derek Panaia, Ray Merriman, and Wyatt Fellows. Save the date! Details will be announced soon.

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 four to eight years. More than 150 world-class astrologers will be presenting, and over 1500 attendees will be present. The conference will be held at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel. In addition to the workshop, Ray will present another lecture during the six-day event on mundane astrology, titled “What Is Happening in the World from an Astrological Viewpoint,” on September 5. 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 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.