Listen on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon
Watch on YouTube
REVIEW
The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated on Friday as investors followed the latest news about a potential government shutdown and ended what has been a tough month for stocks. – Alex Harring, Sarah Min, and Pia Singh, “S&P 500 and Nasdaq Wrap Worst Month in 2023,” www.cnbc.com, September 29, 2023.
This was the week that Venus made its third and final square to Uranus (Friday, September 29). One of the outcomes of a hard aspect between Venus and Uranus can be either a breakout of multi-month support/resistance, or a reversal. In this passage, it is coinciding with breakouts so far. Last week witnessed several global stock indices break one support after another. The same happened with Gold, which fell to a low of 1862.30 on Friday, its lowest price since early March.
In terms of the stock market, this column and the MMA subscription reports forecasted that once this current primary cycle tops out, the largest decline of the year would likely commence. So far, the sharpest decline of the year in the DJIA has been nearly 3000 points from the high of January 14 (34,342) to March 15 (31,429). The reason for our forecast was based on the idea that this is the third primary cycle since the longer-term cycle trough of October 13, 2022, and third primary cycles often correlate with 50-week cycle lows. This is also the time band of the “Pre-Presidential Election-Year Cycle Trough” that we introduced to readers of our annual Forecast Books several years ago, where the market exhibits a pronounced decline into September-March the year before the U.S. election.
Additionally, there is a Sun/Mars conjunction approaching on November 18. As discussed in our last MMA Cycles Reports, this aspect has a strong correlation to 8% or greater declines in many global stock indices when it is within 8° of exactness. It is within 15° now, and so far, the decline has been 6.6%. It will enter this degree range in about 3 weeks and last well into December. In other words, the decline now underway isn’t likely to end very soon. However, the good news is that once it does end, the strongest rally in over a year is likely to commence.
There is a similar pattern setting up in the Gold market. I discussed this setup in our “X” (formerly Twitter) feed last week. If you don’t follow us on Twitter, I suggest you do so because that is where I discuss many ideas in real time as I see markets behave. Soon, these alerts may be offered as a special subscription service via ‘X’ as they arise and not only when a report is scheduled to be released. You can locate us on ‘X’ as Merriman Market Analyst(@mmacycles).
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
The breakouts associated with the Venus/Uranus square generally end within two weeks. This fits well with the fact that there are no other major aspects unfolding until the week beginning October 9, when Mars will square Pluto, which can be an intense, war-like, threatening dynamic. That might be especially intense this time because Pluto will also turn direct the next day (October 10), while Venus is also in opposition to Saturn. Just as important, Mars will enter Scorpio on October 12, lasting through November 24, likely an equally intense period since Scorpio is the natural home to both Mars and Pluto.
Pluto and Scorpio share many psychological characteristics: intensity, relentlessness, exposures, and revelations, the urge to transform and change. And this can lead to violence. Additionally, both relate to the 4 D’s of the financial world: debt, deficits, downgrades, and defaults. Taxes are also included in its arsenal of possible changes in laws related to the economy.
Pluto and Scorpio give no ground based on the mercy principle. It’s all or nothing. You are either all in or out. This will be a period when one needs to be strong and focused. Complacency or inattention can lead to losses, whereas focus and concentration can lead to great gains. Make the choice and go for it.
LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS
Joe Biden is old, but policy is his problem. I believe the majority of Americans don’t like current Democratic policies on major issues. They don’t like the party’s position on crime, which comes down to the idea that crime is bad, but we can’t just arrest people and throw them in prison if they’re convicted, it’s more societally nuanced than that. – Peggy Noonan, “Biden’s Trend Line Points Downward: Voters Don’t Miss Trump, but They Miss 2019, and They Worry About Crime, Immigration, and Inflation,” Wall Street Journal, September 30, 2023.
Donald Trump has portrayed every campaign of his short political career in one of two ways: He either won, or the election was stolen. – Scott Patterson, “For Trump, ‘Stop the Steal’ Campaign Never Gets Old,” Wall Street Journal, September 25, 2023.
I am in Los Angeles, California, this week, and I am stunned by the rapid increase of violence and theft in both residences and businesses here. My son has a friend whose aunt and uncle own a home in a supposedly safe section of Los Angeles (Brentwood). Their movements were being tracked by a group of people. When they went out on errands recently, the group broke into their home, burglarized it in daylight in a short time, destroyed many items, and then sped off with many valuables. It was all recorded on a home security system. Nothing was done. I was told this is a common occurrence now in L.A.
The travails of San Francisco and Oakland’s crime spree have been well publicized, too. Looters break into a retail business and take whatever they want, destroying property and products along the way with no consequences afterward unless the owner beats them with a stick – and then the owner has to pay the consequences for defending his/her property or that of their boss.
So, I was thinking: what is the astrological correlation to this trend of violence and destruction/robbery of businesses and residences in major cities in California, New York, Illinois, and elsewhere? I was wondering how can California’s Governor Newsom be a serious candidate for the presidency. If the basic responsibility of a state or national leader is the protection of its citizens then in regards to that duty, he and other leaders seem to be failing. And when will this trend of violence and disregard for another’s property end? I have some thoughts to share on this national phenomenon.
First, how does this show up in astrological charts? I think it shows in the founding chart of the U.S., which is not only still undergoing its Pluto return (violence and crime wave), but also in the July 2, 1776 chart that I prefer. Pluto is still within orb of influence to its founding Moon in Capricorn, which conjoins natal Pluto. The Moon is the home, the small businesses, and the personal property of citizens. In Capricorn, these violations can connote fear for one’s safety, which in turn produces anxiety and stress. Pluto, as a transit, also has an incubation effect. The problems are established as the aspect begins, but they don’t reach their height as serious issues requiring dramatic reform until 1-3 years later. The aspect is exact in 2021-2023, but the manifestation of the events (crimes) may not peak until 2024-2026. Then, solutions that work to reduce this trend significantly may be introduced and put into action.
What indicates a possible solution to this trend of destruction and theft? I think it will be the “Aries Vortex” (thanks to Astro researcher Daniel Gordon for helping to come up with a term to describe this forthcoming astrological pattern). This is when Uranus trines Pluto, and the midpoint will be at 0° Aries, which is also where the Saturn/Neptune conjunction takes place in 2025-2026. Uranus, in trine to a planet, represents innovative solutions to problems. Pluto pertains to the problem of crime, such as burglaries and destruction of property. So, this issue will likely be addressed with a greater sense of urgency, which is to protect American citizens and make cities and their business communities safer in 2025-2026.
Saturn/Neptune can also represent efforts to enact harsher laws, increase security forces, and actively create an environment of safety, which is something Neptune dearly wants (peace, not fear and anxiety). Saturn/Neptune can also suggest an increase of new jails, prisons, and security forces under the banner of increasing safety. But if not monitored well by people of trust, it can also indicate corruption and theft of funds raised that were designed to address the crime wave. Hopefully, given the cosmic potency of the “Aries Vortex,” the choice will be to solve the problem, rather than to use the problem as an excuse to embezzle or misuse the funds for other illegal activities. Politically-speaking, I believe this will be a major issue in the 2024 election: which candidate can best make people feel safe again in their cities?
I’m going for the positive solution because the Saturn/Neptune conjunction also makes a favorable sextile to the Uranus/Pluto trine in 2025-2026. I think leaders will take crime seriously and implement new, innovative efforts to reduce crime in large American cities. Once that happens, I also think a positive trend in national economics and the small business sector can begin. Cities will be reborn, and people will feel safe visiting and supporting their local businesses. Until then, many may seem like ghost towns as businesses leave and people have nowhere to purchase goods conveniently and safely as they used to.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: The “Annual Forecast Pre-Order Event” is underway!!! The sale will run through October 31 and will include our once-a-year sale discounts on both the annual Forecast Book and MMA Subscription Reports. You may pre-order Forecast 2024 Print at the discounted rate of $55, or the eBook at $45. And the best deal on MMA Subscription Reports is also offered at this time! Save 10% off any subscription ($275+) with purchase of Forecast 2024.
After the pre-order event ends on November 1st, the retail price of Forecast 2024 Print increases to $66, and the eBook increases to $55.
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.
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/
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 2: THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, will be issued this 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 copy of the MMA Cycles Report and the MMA Cycles Report Plus+ addendum coming out this week. Please note that subscription rates for this report will increase as of January 1, 2024. Sign up now and save big bucks! For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.
NOTE 3: Special Offer this season!!! MMA’s newest monthly report, “MMA Monthly Grains Report” by Grains Analyst Wyatt Fellows. The cost of this subscription is normally $325, but on sale now for only $300 for a 1-Year subscription. If ordered together with the Forecast 2024 Book, there will be a further 10% discount bringing the cost of the report down to only $270 for a 1-Year Subscription! To order, click here. The next Grain Cycles Report will be issued next week.
Note 4: 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! Tune in on Wednesday evenings to hear Gianni and his guests update financial markets on YouTube! For this week, September 27, the special guest was Ulric Aspegrén, MMA Currency Analyst from Switzerland, who gave an excellent outlook for currencies.
NOTE 5: 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, MMA- Merriman Market Analyst Podcast and on YouTube, Merriman Market Analyst. It makes for great listening!
EVENTS
February 18, 2024, MMA’s Annual Forecast 2024 World Webinar. Details and reservations will be opened after January 1. Save the Date!
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.