REVIEW
“Quiet.” “Stealthy.” “Surprising.” Gold prices are hitting record highs, and Wall Street analysts say they have been caught off guard. The precious metal is traditionally seen as a haven in times of volatility and geopolitical risk. This time, its ascent is coinciding with investor optimism about the U.S. economy, which has sent riskier assets like stocks to new highs. Even bitcoin has surged past its previous record.
—Bob Henderson, “Big Gold Rally Surprises Wall Street,” Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2024.
The overall spending numbers fly in the face of fiscal reality. Mr. Biden proposes spending of $7.3 trillion in 2025, which is an increase of $1.1 trillion in two years. For those scoring at home, that’s 18%. Mr. Biden’s deficits mean that debt as a share of the economy also keeps rising… Covid spending by Donald Trump and Mr. Biden caused the debt to explode to levels not seen since the end of World War II. But unlike after that war, Mr. Biden is making no attempt to control the debt. This is a budget for a world that doesn’t exist…”
—The Editorial Board, “Biden Offers a Budget Fantasy,” Wall Street Journal, March 12, 2024.
In the absence of any major planetary aspects last week, financial markets that had been making new all-time highs started to pull back modestly. That doesn’t mean the Jupiter/Uranus express headed to its major destination on April 20/21 has been derailed. It just means there is a pause as Venus will first conjoin Saturn on March 21, followed by a powerful solar eclipse, and Mars conjoining Saturn, April 8-10.
It may get a bit rocky short-term, but the magnetic pull of Jupiter and Uranus is still poised to outweigh other cosmic forces. After all, there is probably no greater cosmic symbolism of a breakout to new all-time or multi-year highs than Jupiter interacting with Uranus. Uranus doesn’t like restrictions such as support and resistance and is driven to break beyond them, whereas Jupiter likes to do things in a big, grandiose fashion. Those dynamics aren’t over yet. Furthermore, they may show up in other sectors of human activity besides financial markets, such as boasts (over-confidence) and over-estimation of perceived factors in decision-making by world leaders, which could lead to critical strategic errors.
The number of new highs by global stock indices was less than the previous week. The German DAX remained strong, posting yet another new all-time high on March 14 at 18,039. The Zurich SMI soared to its highest level since May 2022, while the London FTSE made a new 9-month high. The Netherlands AEX failed to take out its all-time made the prior week, for a case of regional intermarket bearish divergence.
In ASIA and the Pacific Rim, India’s NIFTY made a new all-time high, but it was early in the week, after which it faded. The China and Hong Kong markets were strong with each positing their highest marks since November. The Japanese Nikkei took a turn south, dropping 2200+ points from its all-time high of the previous week. Australia’s ASX failed to take out its high of the prior week (though it tried) and then sold off into Friday, March 15.
No U.S. index made a new all-time high last week. The highs of March 8 in both the NASDAQ and S&P remained intact. Each index, including the DJIA, made a secondary high mid-week, but closed down by Friday, suggesting weakness heading into next week.
Silver was a star last week, continuing its surge to $25.42 on Friday, its highest price since its last primary cycle crest of December 4 (at 26.34) and in line with our call made in last week’s monthly MMA Cycles Report. Gold, however, did not exceed its all-time high of 2202 made the prior week on March 8.
Bitcoin made another new all-time high on Thursday, March 14, at 73,803. However, by Friday, one day later, it had dropped over 8000 to 65,564. Crude Oil had a good week, rallying to a high of 81.62 on Thursday, its highest price in four months.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
Vladimir Putin warned publicly for the second time in less than two weeks of the possibility of nuclear confrontation with the West, a saber the Russian president is rattling with increasing frequency ahead of presidential elections this weekend.
—Ann M. Simmons, “Putin Rattles Nuclear Saber Ahead of Presidential Elections,” Wall Street Journal, March 14, 2024.
…Don’t go around tonight
Well it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise.
—John Fogerty & Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bad Moon Rising, Concord Music Publishing LLC, 1969.
“Only by living at the edge of death can you understand the indescribable joy of life.”
—James Clavel, Shōgun, 1975.
We are on the edge of a very passive-aggressive collective mood for the next three weeks. The passivity is shown by the Sun conjunct Neptune of March 17 in Pisces. It is supported by the frozen Venus/Saturn conjunction, also in Pisces, on March 21. In market-speak, that means traders may want to believe the raging bull markets will continue, but now there is some doubt and confusion. They may choose to “wait and see” if voices such as the Fed will come out and reaffirm that short-term interest rates will be reduced, as they suggested a few days ago. This is in light of the fact that last week’s inflation numbers showed a slight rise—and hence the pause in market rallies (i.e., stocks, Gold, and Bitcoin). Our rule remains the same as given before: any market declining into a hard Venus aspect (like we see on March 21) is a candidate to buy.
And once we pass through this fog of uncertainty, confusion, and passivity (or paralysis to act), we head into the eclipse season, with the Sun, Lunar North Node, and Chiron all in the potentially combative and aggressive sign of Aries. It’s another “Flip the Script” sequence. On top of that, Mercury will turn retrograde on April 1, which means instead of “flipping the script,” the script may “flip flop” (not much difference, except the flip flop means more confusion again). Financial markets could get rather rowdy and disorderly as we creep closer and closer to Jupiter conjoining Uranus on April 20.
It goes like this: first, there is a lunar eclipse on Monday, March 25. Lunar eclipses are Full Moons that find the Lunar Nodes nearby to both the Sun and Moon. Their “influence” prevails about three weeks before the eclipse and can continue approximately three months later in time. In Aries and Libra, this portends conflict between acts of aggression and strategies of diplomacy. Negotiations have a chance, at first. However, things could unravel quickly once Venus ends its conjunction with Neptune in Pisces (April 3) and enters Aries (April 4).
By April 8, one of the most powerful solar eclipses to darken a path across the United States will command awe and attention. Everyone will be asking: what does this event—these few minutes of total darkness—mean? In Aries, the Nodes and Chiron are also nearby, which means there is danger of harm. With Mars conjoining Saturn two days later, it can signify war threats or threats from nature (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, extreme heat or cold). With Pluto in Aquarius, it can be a threat of nuclear actions.
Putin just rattled the saber—again, just as we pointed out, nuclear tensions could escalate when Pluto (threat to human lives), god of the underworld, went into Aquarius. He confirmed his threat again last week, which should not be taken lightly. It doesn’t mean he will definitely act on this threat or that if he does, it will happen in April. A solar eclipse can continue its promise or threat for approximately 18 months afterwards, and it can start up to three months before (different astrologers will have different opinions on this, but this is my observation). Thus, it would be unwise to assume Putin will not act on this threat if he personally feels threatened. And with his natal Sun-Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Libra opposite the eclipse, he may be paranoiac to the extent of having delusions of persecution. This may heighten his fear of threats—and acting upon them. We should be cognizant of this.
The path of the April 8 eclipse will follow a trajectory from Mexico, up through Texas, into the Midwest Corn belt, and along the U.S. Canadian border from Lake Erie up through Maine. Any country under the path of an eclipse is vulnerable to major changes in its leadership. It is vulnerable to a major reversal of its current policy initiatives.
What should we do? How should we approach this as individuals in our own life? Understand that the symbolism is that of the Moon (emotions, the past) blocking the path of the Sun (the future). A new path is being birthed, which means any path tied to emotions of attachment has to be transcended. If things are not working out well in relationships, work, or health, it is time to visualize and then initiate actions to forge a new path. Allowing matters and thoughts that are unhealthy to persist will raise the possibility that changes will be forced upon one. Detachment from that which is familiar may not be simple if one does not accept or make changes voluntarily.
Eclipses can be very Plutonian (in the language of astrology). It may seem like a ”bad moon is rising,” but it need not be, especially as this Eclipse is conjunct with the North Node of the Moon (as opposed to the Moon’s South Node). The important lesson to apply is the choice to detach oneself from habits, activities, and emotions that are blocking one’s future. If it isn’t working, fix it or change it. If it is working, don’t break it. Just be patient if you believe in yourself and your plans. And most of all, cause no harm to others, for with an eclipse like this, efforts to harm others could backfire in ways that are unexpected. Think of helping others and allowing them to help you (Mars/Saturn in Pisces), as opposed to a paranoid feeling of a need to punish others based on an assumption that they are trying to harm you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report was released last week. This issue outlined markets that we think are exhibiting—or setting up—breakout moves into the important April 20/21 Jupiter/Uranus conjunction date, as outlined in this year’s Forecast 2024 book. Each monthly MMA Cycles Report gives an overview of what to expect for the next month and even year and includes MMA’s proprietary CRDs (critical reversal dates) for the next month. Presently, we are focused on the status of the 4-year cycle in stocks (when might they top out?) and the 31.33-month cycle in Gold (when might it top out?), as well as the 44-month cycle in Crude Oil (has it already bottomed?) and other long-term cycles due in Copper, the Euro, T-Notes, and Soybeans. Each issue provides key time bands and price ranges when primary cycles and/or their phases are most likely to culminate—and reverse. In addition to MMA’s original geocosmic critical reversal dates (CRDs), each issue also lists MMA’s solar/lunar reversal dates over the next several weeks for stock indices, Gold, Silver, and the Euro. If you want to try out one month of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report, you can sign up for the March 11 Report for only $35!
NOTE 2: TOMORROW! OPTIONS STRATEGIES FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS, March 16, 2024, 1 PM EDT, presented by Derek Panaia and Raymond Merriman. This event is timed to identify top candidates for potentially big price moves into the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction of April 20/21. We think the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction could be explosive for some financial and commodity markets, and it is thus worthy of a limited but favorable risk/reward options strategy if correct. The markets to be covered have now been determined: Gold, Soybeans, T-notes, and a stock index (and maybe Crude Oil if time permits). The cost to attend is $95. Note: All participants should have a basic understanding of options before attending this presentation. To register, click here.
If you do not have a basic understanding of options, we recommend that you purchase the recording of the Workshop “Introduction to Options” webinar Derek gave on December 10, 2023. The cost of the 3-hour workshop recording is $250. However, you can sign up for the BUNDLE of both the upcoming March 16 workshop and the December 10 Introductory Course recording for $225 (a savings of $120) by clicking here.
NOTE 3: THE MONTHLY MMA CHINESE SHANGHAI STOCK MARKET (SSE) REPORT will be issued this week. It looks like the SSE has completed its 5.5-year cycle low earlier this year with its lowest price since January 2019. And as of last week, SSE has soared nearly 17% in the past month. For information on subscribing to this report and the ETF that follows it, click here.
NOTE 4: 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 5: 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! 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
April 20, 2024: LIVE! IN PERSON! “FORECASTS 2024 AND THE APPROACHING 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. We will also update financial markets that are likely to be at critical stages in their cycles then, which is pertinent since this is also the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction date. The cost is $95. This is one of the few live in-person events Ray will give this year. It will not be broadcast via Zoom, but recordings will be made available for sale a few days after the event. For further information and registration, please click here.
September 19-22, 2024: MMA’s 2024 Investment Retreat. SAVE THE DATES!!! We will be hosting our 2024 Investment Retreat in Europe for the first time since 2015. 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 our long-term investment and wealth-building strategies using MMA market timing methods. There is nothing quite like a life-altering MMA Investment Retreat! This one will be very special, and it will be our first investment retreat in Europe since 2015! The location is the beautiful Lake Bled, Slovenia, a premier (and affordable) destination in the Julian Alps with a historic castle nestled in the mountains. More information and the opportunity to sign up early will be released in two weeks. The cost is $3500, but only $3000 if you register early. Registration will open in about one week. The event will be available in person or online, but registration is limited for those who want to attend in person. Sign up early if you wish to attend in person to secure your room at the fabulous hotel that will be the site for this event.
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.