MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JULY 28, 2025

NOTE: This week’s free weekly column will be written by MMA Analyst Pouyan Zolfagharnia. 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

U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick suggested U.S. rates should be cut now, and Federal Reserve Chair Powell should resign or be fired. Do investors want to live in a world where Fed independence is compromised and Lutnick influences policy? To judge from the dollar’s reaction, the answer is “no.”

— Paul Donovan, “Can the Fed Be Saved?” UBS Morning Audio Comment, July 24, 2025.

Under the heavy shadow of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction, which will go exact in February 2026, we are getting a prelude to the key themes that are likely to be at play. As highlighted in the annual Forecast Books over the past few years, Ray was calling for a threat to the independence of the Federal Reserve. Since the two planets are under a degree apart this summer, we are feeling the impact of their influence. As the president persists in trying to force a rate reduction, the only asset that appears to be feeling the pressure so far is the US Dollar. This could be the calm before the storm as we head into an important week, with numerous central banks announcing interest rate changes, and most importantly, the August 1 deadline for reciprocal tariffs.

The impact of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction is weighing heavily on the micro and macro levels. With feelings of disorientation, disillusionment, anxiety, and fear growing at the individual level, it is no wonder that global affairs and financial markets are also in disarray. The astrology suggests that the intensity of these underlying energies will only intensify over the next two weeks, as Mars triggers the Saturn-Neptune conjunction, by opposition between August 6-9, during the period of Mercury retrograde.

Another facet of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction is the risk of extreme weather patterns, which can result in simultaneous droughts and flash flooding. Both planets are associated with powerful low-pressure weather systems, and having them placed over the world axis magnifies their influence, along with the fact that Jupiter (the planet of monsoon-style rainfall) is in the water sign of Cancer. Over the past month, flash floods have caused havoc in Central Texas, New Mexico, New York, South Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Ireland, and Pakistan. At the same time, droughts have been declared in the UK, Europe (Central/Eastern), Serbia (Western Balkans), India (Assam), and most significantly in Iran. The interesting point about Iran is that the Summer ingress chart also had the Saturn-Neptune on the MC of Tehran, just as the Twelve Day War was in full swing. It will be interesting to see how this aspect may disrupt the weather patterns affecting the grains market, which is currently consolidating around multi-year lows.

Ironically, sentiments remain strong with all major US indices up during the week. Over the past week, just as the earnings reports began to show signs of weakness due to higher tariffs, President Trump announced a trade deal with Japan, which gave a boost to the markets of both nations. Yet, the DJIA has still not been able to take out the high of December 2024, continuing the intermarket bearish divergence with the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ, which both managed to record new All-Time-Highs (ATH) on Friday. Yet just as our realities and perception of the world and macroeconomics are getting tugged and stretched under the Saturn-Neptune aspect, there is a risk that the cycle counts may also be prone to distortion. Sooner or later, in the equity markets, we are due for a correction, marking the primary cycle trough.

We are seeing bearish intermarket divergence in Europe too, with the UK’s FTSE (which now has a trade deal) and German DAX also forming new ATH, whilst the Euro Stoxx 50 and Swiss SMI have failed to take out the high of March. This spells trouble for the DAX as Europe has failed to reach a deal so far.

In Asia, the Nikkei was the star of the week, rallying over 6% and just short of last summer’s ATH, following the announcement of the trade deal with the US. The Chinese markets also fared well, continuing their rallies to multi-year highs in the Hang Seng and the Hong Kong 50. Australia was not able to take out last week’s ATH, and India’s Nifty continues to underperform as it fails to take out the ATH of September 2024. Markets in the Americas are not doing as well, with both Brazil’s Bovespa index and Argentina’s Merval continuing within a bearish pattern.

Commodities generally do well with a weakening Dollar; however, the precious metals are also late in their respective primary cycles. They are also showing signs of bearish intermarket divergence, with Silver recording a new multi-year high of 3991 on Wednesday, whilst Gold only tested the descending trendline connecting its prior highs and has failed to take out the ATH of 3509.90 on April 21. Both Silver and Copper are showing strong signs that their respective primary cycle crests may be in, as indicated by the bearish oscillator divergence present in the CCI. Crude Oil has remained relatively quiet given the lack of geopolitical activity; however, this can suddenly change, especially with the presence of the tense aspects discussed over the next two weeks. Cryptocurrencies have experienced a minor pullback this week, following the spectacular rally seen over the past two weeks, particularly in Ethereum and the altcoin markets.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to meet Sunday during the U.S. president’s visit to Scotland, raising hopes that the U.S. and Europe are close to a trade deal that would avoid a trans-Atlantic trade war.

— Max Colchester and Kim Mackrael, “Hopes Rise for U.S.–Europe Trade Deal as Trump Visits Scotland,” Wall Street Journal, July 25, 2025.

There is still hope for a deal, although I wouldn’t sign one under Mercury Retrograde. With the New Moon in opposition to Pluto, this signature could mark the trigger for new beginnings, powerful transformations, and change. Yet, it’s happening in the fixed signs of Leo and Aquarius, which could either result in long-lasting cooperation or destructive stubbornness. With Uranus (the planet of disruptions) now in Gemini (the sign for trade), I would lean towards the latter outcome. Either way, even with a deal, all trading partners are being hit with high tariffs, regardless of how they frame it. Sooner or later, despite the rhetoric coming from the Trump administration, the impact of these tariffs will inevitably be felt. History has shown that the heavy cost of trade wars is most often ultimately borne on the shoulders of the consumers of the “free world”. It doesn’t feel free or liberating under the heavy and manipulative influence of Saturn-Neptune.

Looking ahead, the Venus waxing square to Saturn and Neptune on August 1 may mark a turning point in key markets, signaling potential reversals in what may prove to be an eventful week. With volatility likely to rise in the coming fortnight, I’ll be watching closely. Until then, stay well—and may the stars (and markets) align in your favor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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The eight-course program includes five to six Zoom meetings per course — over 100 hours of live instruction and interaction — with instructors Wiebke Held and Raymond Merriman, along with special guest MMA analysts such as Pouyan Zolfagharnia, Gianni Di Poce, Ulric Aspegrén, Wyatt Fellows, Derek Panaia, and Kat Powell.

Classes will meet on Saturdays, approximately 20 times per year, at noon Eastern time, starting on September 27. There are one-month breaks between each course and a three-month summer break. There is nothing else as comprehensive in the subject of market timing as the MMTA program! It covers MMA’s market timing methodology for long- and intermediate-term investing, as well as position trading and aggressive short-term trading.

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Note: All interview appointments before August 1 have now been filled. However, if you schedule your interview before August 1, you will still qualify for the huge early-bird discount.

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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 2: The July 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 July 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 WEDNESDAY, July 30. 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 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!!!

 NOTE 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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.

NOTE 9: 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 who wishes to deepen their astrological knowledge. The cost for these six introductory lessons, lasting 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 10: The NEW monthly MMA Technology Cycles Report by Wiebke Held was issued last week, on July 22. 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, based on her studies, provides an outlook not only for the NASDAQ but also for 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 Held’s meticulous research. Focusing on the NASDAQ is crucial because of the outsized role technology will play in financial markets — especially with Pluto in Aquarius for the next 20 years and Uranus in Gemini for the next seven years. If you want to receive the next issue of this new report, sign up now by clicking here.

 EVENTS

 SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: MMTA4 begins!! Special rates apply through August 1. Click here for details.

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’s 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.