REVIEW
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose on Friday, as the major averages notched a four-week winning streak. The moves come as Treasury yields this week hit multi-month lows on hope inflation is cooling and the Federal Reserve may be done raising rates. The benchmark rate was up 6 basis points at around 4.476% on Friday. – Hakyung Kim, Fred Imbert, “Dow Closes 100 Points Higher Friday as Major Averages Rise for a 4th Straight Week,” www.cnbc.com, November 24, 2023.
In the shortened holiday week, U.S. stock indices continued an impressive rally that began from their 50-week cycle low on October 27. Multi-week or multi-month highs were also notched in other world stock indices, except in Australia, the UK, and Hong Kong. Perhaps the most impressive stock market was Japan, where the Nikkei soared to its highest level since its all-time high in late 1989 and early 1990.
Bitcoin was a star again, crossing the 38,000 mark on Friday for the first time in 18 months. It then promptly gave back nearly $1000 an hour later. Gold and Silver also enjoyed healthy rallies. Silver rose to its highest mark since early September. Gold, however, was not able to make a new monthly high, creating a potential case of intermarket bearish divergence. Crude Oil had an inside week as it continues to trade near five-month lows. That may change December 6-17 when Neptune turns direct and will form a square aspect with the Sun. Neptune and Pisces co-rule Crude Oil in our work.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS AND LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS
“An irony of any period of technological change is that economic success does not depend on technology. Economic growth depends on how the technology is used, which means that people are what matters. The mantra for corporate and economic strength in a rapidly changing world is “right person, right job, right time.” This rise in prejudice politics undermines economic growth. If the right person for a job is deemed to come from the wrong social group and denied employment, their skills are lost to the economy. That economic underperformance can, of course, fuel further prejudice and economic nationalism. – Dr. Paul Donovan, “The Threat of Prejudice Politics,” UBS Weekly, November 27, 2023.
In case you’re worried that you are too old to pursue your dreams… Frank Lloyd Wright completed 1/3 of his life’s work between the ages of 82-90… Wright’s career spanned an impressive seven decades, a time period over which he developed his distinctive point of view and style. Wright saw architects as the poets of their time — an artistic historian of sorts. He believed in creating structures that lived in harmony with the natural world, a point of view which he called “organic architecture.” – “Forever Modern,” https//www.optima.inc.
The Sun is now in the optimistic (and sometimes overly optimistic) sign of Sagittarius as of November 22. As expected, equity prices moved higher. Mercury and Mars are also in Sagittarius, supporting the bullish influence of global and U.S. equity markets. But that will begin to shift when Mercury ingresses into the more skeptical sign of Capricorn, December 1-23. Along the way, Mercury will turn retrograde on December 13, lasting through January 1, which indicates end-of-the-year trading may be “tricky.” That’s why we call Mercury retrograde the ”trickster.” Prices will often move below support or above resistance, only to reverse right after giving a false buy or sell signal.
At the moment, the Sun and Mars in early Sagittarius are forming a square aspect to Saturn in early Pisces, November 23-25. These are moderately strong aspects, and given that the U.S. stock market typically runs up into the Thanksgiving holiday, a corrective retracement of the rally over the past four weeks would not be out of line. Plus, it is two weeks now since the Sun and Mars were in opposition to Uranus on November 11-13, which coincided with the upside breakout in U.S. equity indices on November 14. Typically, upside breakouts under a strong Uranus period will pause after 2-3 weeks.
Looking further ahead, we note a series of strong geocosmic signatures related to market reversals arriving December 6 (Neptune direct) through December 21 (Venus opposition to Uranus). This might be a most volatile time with larger than normal price swings, especially given that it will also occur nearby to Mercury turning retrograde (the “trickster”), which also tends to coincide with large price swings,
On a socio-cultural issue, the current aspects of Saturn can bring to light issues of discrimination, especially regarding age. Saturn rules both discrimination and age-related matters. In my earlier social activism days of the 1960s, we used to have a saying, “Never trust anyone over 30.” Now, the saying goes, “Never trust anyone under 30.” Both cases are a sign of age discrimination, for age – like height, skin color, and sexual gender at birth – are things that cannot be changed (although that reality may be negotiated in the latter case). To devalue someone based on any of these characteristics is discriminatory and will likely have less of a place in social-cultural mores as Pluto moves more fully into the sign of Aquarius (2023-2043) and especially when Uranus trines Pluto in air signs, 2025-2028.
For now, though, it would be wise (and healthy for society and world economies) of the world (and America) to evolve through the focus on diversity as something that separates and divides us according to age, skin color, or sexual gender, to the larger picture of unity where the focus is on deeper qualities that we share in common, unite us, and are necessary for our survival and peace. Think in terms of “diversity within unity” rather than “unity within diversity.” Or diversity as a subset of unity, rather than diversity as the “whole” and unity as a “part.” Older and younger people are subject to discrimination in the workplace (hiring), education (admissions), social groupings, etc., just because of their age, which has adverse consequences not only socially but also economically for communities and nations in the long run.
In the words of legendary baseball pitcher Satchel Page, who refused to give his age because he thought major league teams would not sign him, especially during the time that MLB was just beginning to cross its color barrier (he had to fight through two levels of discrimination), “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” It is said that he pitched until he was 59 years old. If you have passion for what you do and take care of your health, there is no reason why you can’t achieve great things well into life, just as Satchel Page and Frank Lloyd Wright did.
Q & A With Ray
Q What is your process or favoritism when charting futures? Specifically, as it relates to trendlines.
For example, a continuous contract chart, normal or adjusted, rarely ever matches the front contracts trendlines… i.e… channels and etc. With that being said, have you found that one or the other gives more reliability over the other, over the years? J. O., trader
A: That’s a good point and a reason why I use “cash charts” whenever possible, such as DJIA, or Euro. Trendlines are not my most favorite charting technique for this reason on daily charts, but they still work quite well on monthly charts and often weekly charts, too.
If there are three points on a trendline and at least one contains a primary cycle (approximately 18-week cycle, low to low), I do consider it important. Otherwise, the chart patterns I prefer most for decision-making are double tops and bottoms, especially when the second low or high is accompanied by a case of bullish or bearish divergence with a related market (intermarket divergence, where one market makes a higher high or lower low and the other does not) ) or an oscillator (i.e., the price makes new low and secondary bottom but the oscillator is higher, or vice-versa for high). I also pay attention to whenever a secondary low or high forms 4-9 trading days later and doesn’t take out the previous high or low but comes close. When that’s a low, it’s also called a “Lendahl Wiggle.” These are my favorite chart setups when primary cycle lows or highs are due. But the expert on a variety of chart patterns is Gianni Di Poce, who teaches a class on that in Course 6 of the MMTA program.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: Great News! Thanks to the genius of Thomas Miller, an Abridged Edition of Forecast 2024 will be available as an Audiobook this year – maybe as early as next week! This shortened MP4 audio edition, narrated by Thomas Miller, will include all chapters except the financial markets and the calendar/ephemeris pages in the back of the annual book. The abridged edition will include 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 in 2024 related to the election outcome are given. The audiobook will also include the retrograde time bands of Mercury, and Mars and their importance in 2024.
Offering the Forecast 2024 Audiobook at a very affordable price is something new for MMA, and an excellent choice for those who enjoy listening to books while driving, walking, or working out. The narrator, Thomas Miller, is a well-known astrologer and podcast host of “Fun Astrology” (but it is also serious astrology, at https://funastrology.com). Thomas has an excellent voice from years in radio broadcasting. The cost of the Forecast 2024 Audiobook is $29.99. If you already pre-ordered the print or eBook edition of Forecast 2024, check your inbox, as you will receive a special coupon code to SAVE $10 on the Forecast 2024 Audiobook. The audiobook will be ready before the print edition (before December 15). For more information or ordering, please click here.
NOTE 2: THE ANNUAL FORECAST 2024 BOOK IS COMING DECEMBER 15!!! Pre-publication orders can be secured by clicking here.
This will be the 48th year of publishing this popular annual astrological almanac by Raymond Merriman. Approximately 200 pages; the yearly Forecast Book projects the 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 analysis of mundane cycles, this book also provides our outlook on the Stock Market, Gold, Silver, Copper, 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, and the eBook is $55. The print edition is limited based on the number of pre-orders received by December 1. When they sell out, they are gone. There are no reprints. This book has sold out in six of the last eight years, so order now and make sure you receive your copy of Forecast 2024!
MMA will also offer a special “bundle” discount rate for those who wish to order both the eBook and print editions of Forecast 2024. The eBook usually comes out 1-2 weeks before the print edition, and avoids delays caused by the postal system, especially if overseas. Yet many readers prefer the print edition, so ordering both via the Forecast 2024 Bundle makes sense. You will receive the eBook on December 15th, and your Print copy will be mailed mid-December. The cost of the bundle is $86.00, which is a savings of $35.00.
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/
For more information on this year’s Forecast Book, please view our recent YouTube Video Interview with Ray and Alie at the Merriman Market Analyst YouTube channel, or by clicking here.
We created an updated list of our most common Forecast FAQs to help this Forecast season.
The Forecast 2023 Scorecard of the Forecast 2023 Book can now be viewed by clicking here.
NOTE 3: SPECIAL “INTRODUCTION TO OPTIONS” WORKSHOP, December 10. On September 30 and October 7, veteran options trader and MMTA student Derek Panaia gave a presentation to MMTA students on how to use options and option spreads to trade big moves in Gold as suggested by MMA market timing methods. The strategies presented during these two presentations resulted in gains exceeding 500% in less than 2 weeks. By popular demand, the students have requested a full three-hour Zoom workshop on his methods, and MMA will sponsor this workshop on Sunday, December 10, open to all readers of MMA reports and this column.
In this workshop, Derek will discuss the nature of options, terminology, and calculations of Delta and other Greeks to determine the best value options to trade at the given time. He will also cover simple option strategies with limited risks, like bull and bear spreads when large price moves are anticipated. His strategy to buy Gold calls and bull option spreads in early October has already resulted in exceptional profits for MMTA students. He will revisit this trade and discuss new strategies in other markets that look attractive for options trading in early December. The cost will be $195.00 if registered before December 1, and $250 afterwards. Registration for this workshop is now open. Click here for more information and registration.
NOTE 4: THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, was issued last 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 update 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 subscriptions rates for this report will increase as of January 1, 2024. By ordering this week with Forecast Book, you save Big Bucks!!! For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.
NOTE 5: The October issue of the MMA Monthly Grain Report by MMTA Graduate Wyatt Fellows was also issued this week. This is an exceptional report by a top MMTA graduate who is also the owner of a large family farm operation. Wyatt knows the farming business and grain markets from both a cyclical and fundamental point of view. This report is an in-depth look at long-and short-term cycles in Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans. The MMA Monthly Grain Report has been extremely accurate in its first editions that began in January. If you trade grains or are in the farming business and wish for accurate timing and understanding of when to hedge your crop, this report is not to be missed! To order, click here.
NOTE 6: 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 7: 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!
EVENTS
December 10, 2023: SPECIAL “INTRODUCTION TO OPTIONS” WORKSHOP. The cost will be $195.00 if registered before December 1, and $250 afterwards. Click here for more information and registration.
January 12, 2024. “Trends for 2024,” sponsored by AstroData of Zurich, Switzerland. Speakers to be announced shortly, but will include Ray Merriman giving 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.
February 18, 2024, MMA’s Annual Forecast 2024 World 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 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 (and others to be invited) live and hear their 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!
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.