REVIEW AND PREVIEW
President Donald Trump said Friday that he does not want the aid deal to bail out Democratic states. The major averages fell to their session lows on those remarks… Several market experts and economists, including Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, think it is imperative that lawmakers reach a deal on another stimulus package. – Fred Imbert, “Dow Falls on Concern About Stimulus as Wall Street Heads for Weekly Loss,” www.cnbc.com, Oct 23, 2020.
The latest good news was Thursday’s report that continuing jobless claims for the week of Oct 10 declined by nearly one million, and by 3.6 million in the last three weeks. Employers are also raising wages. Third quarter median weekly earnings increased 8.2% year-over-year and 9.2% for the bottom 25% of workers. – “Red and Blue States of Recovery,” Wall Street Journal Opinion page, October 23, 2020.
It is the middle of the Trickster’s retrograde cycle. And this time, Mercury has a companion, for during this same period, Mars is also retrograde (September 9-November 14). What do we know about Mercury and Mars in retrograde? Not much. There is not a high correlation to a trend when either of these lords is retrograde, except when Mars ends its retrograde motion (November 13-14). Market reversals happen then. But in between the start and end of the retrograde motion of either of these two planets, financial markets are more apt to just tread water, going back and forth every 1-4 days. Yes, there have been exceptions to this rule, but in well over half of the historical cases studied in U.S. stock indices, the rule has been …. the rule. You may ask, why? Possibly because Mercury rules decisions and Mars rules actions, and when they are retrograde, making clear-headed decisions is a chore, and taking decisive, well-thought-out action is an even greater chore. And so it was last week. Will there be another stimulus package or not? Will there be a vaccine by the end of the year or not? Are we turning the corner on COVID-19 or not? Is Google a monopoly or not? There are so many questions, so few clear answers.
Most world stock indices declined last week, but not seriously enough to confirm a new bearish trend, except perhaps in Europe so far. What stands out is that most indices made new cycle highs or secondary highs October 9-13 as Mercury turned retrograde and Mars reached the midpoint of its retrograde motion, making a T-square with the Sun in Libra and the Capricorn stellium (Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter). We expected a turn then. But the reversal has not been nearly as severe as it was when Mars conjoined the Capricorn stellium in late March. However, until equities can take out those highs of the last two weeks, the decline may not be over. In the meantime, expect conflicting narratives from the political and economic arena. One side says we are doing very well and the other says we are hurting badly. Reality continues to be negotiable, and the truth continues to be elusive. That’s the way the Trickster plays it.
In Europe, stocks indices fared poorly last week. The Netherlands AEX fell to a new three-week low, the German DAX to a 4-week low. But it was worse in Switzerland and the UK, where the SMI dropped to its lowest level in five months and the London FTSE its lowest mark in 6 months.
Asia and the Pacific Rim were a mixed bag, but much more positive than Europe. The Australian ASX soared to its highest level since the pandemic crisis of last March. The Japanese Nikkei and Indian NIFTY indices rallied to test their highest marks since the pandemic crash. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong rallied to a new monthly high. In China, the Shanghai Composite made a secondary high last Monday but then fell to a two-week low by Friday.
The DJIA and NASDAQ indices of the U.S. were mostly down last week, with two-week lows being recorded on Thursday, October 22.
The real stars of last week were Bitcoin and the grain markets, which bucked the stagnancy of Mercury retrograde observed in the stock and precious metals markets. Bitcoin soared above 13,000 for the first time since June 2019. Corn exploded to 420 for the first time in over a year. But Soybeans and Wheat were more impressive. Soybeans soared to their highest price in over 4 years, while Wheat to its highest price since December 2014. It appears inflation is on the way, as indicated also by the falling T-Notes market (long-term rates are going up, just as described via the Saturn/Pluto cycle in the Forecast 2020 Book). We may not see rates as low in our lifetime as we witnessed this past summer. But don’t panic. They aren’t likely to accelerate to a level of financial intolerance for a couple of more years either.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS AND LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS
You wouldn’t be saying much either if you were going into the final presidential sprint carrying as much baggage as the former vice-president – a Democratic party gone too far left to talk about, the Hunter Biden darkness… At its finish, this presidential election is of a piece with everything else in 2020 – the desire that some things just go away. So, which is it? Donald Trump or the Democratic Party?– Daniel Henninger, “Trump, Biden, Hunter, Chaos,” Wall Street Journal, October 22, 2020.
“It’s not about his family and my family. It’s about your family, and your family is hurting badly.” – Joe Biden, October 22, 2020, in the debate with President Donald Trump.
The latest polls from Real Clear Politics show Biden leading Trump by 7.9% down from 8.9% last week and over 10% the week before. And the Rasmussen poll that I watch most closely shows Biden’s lead has shrunk from 12% two weeks ago to 3% as of Wednesday, October 21. In next week’s column, I will review the history of long-term planetary signatures and the outcome of elections as it pertains to 2020.
In the meantime, there are a couple of important geocosmic periods coming up shortly that correlate with historical market activity, and perhaps collective psychology. On Tuesday, October 27, Mercury will retrograde back into Libra through December 1. That’s a fine aspect for trying to work out conflicts. However, it will be in a square aspect twice to Saturn, November 1, and 6, as it turns direct. That is not such a favorable aspect for agreements and resolving conflicts. It can indicate a delay in reaching a decision, a count, and this is right in the middle of the U.S. election.
Venus will also enter Libra on the same day as Mercury, October 27. It will remain there through November 21. This is also a fine combination for coming to agreements, but oftentimes it can also be indecisive in its wish to please all parties. More importantly to us, it also correlates with major reversals in the Silver market.
The month of October ends with a powerful full Moon conjunct Uranus on October 31. Things change abruptly. People change their minds, and it creates an unexpected disturbance. It could coincide with a brief but sharp bout of collective hysteria, sort of like an earthquake (figuratively or literally).
However, the major time band to prepare for next is the one that occurs November 9-19, when two powerful geocosmic forces unfold. First, the transit of Venus will form an opposition to Mars and square to the Capricorn stellium (Pluto, Jupiter, and Saturn). This is known as a cardinal T-square and affects all things financial, especially currencies, but grain markets too. Second, Jupiter will make its third and final conjunction with Pluto on November 12, and Mars will turn direct on November 13-14. These are two of the most powerful Level 1 geocosmic signatures correlating with primary cycles in U.S stocks, as reported in studies reported in The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.
In closing, bear in mind that we are now in the season of Scorpio, a time when matters tend to get intense and financial markets can get easily roiled. But it is also a period of secrets and discoveries, especially for those who love to do research. If there is something you want to know, now is the time to dig deeply and find it. But be careful. You may also discover some things you did not want to know or weren’t meant to know about. Think of this as “the season of the witch,” or the discovery of Pandora’s Box – or Hunter Biden’s hard drive, or Donald Trump’s adventure in the dressing room of an upscale clothier in New York City a few years ago with a well-known female writer. If the lid isn’t put back on quickly, before the full Moon next week, these allegations could get nasty (nastier). There is so much more beneath the surface likely to be revealed between now and the election. Scorpio’s season has just begun.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: ONLY 1 WEEK TO GO! The Forecast 2021 Book will end its Annual Forecast Pre-Order Event in just 12 days. Our preliminary outlook is that 2021 will be another very important year with the long-term Saturn/Uranus square aspect taking place. Although 2020 is not yet over, several forecasts made in the 2020 book have already unfolded. For a review of the Forecast 2020 Book so far, please visit our Scorecard.
This pre-publication period will be in effect 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 2021 at the discounted rate of $45. After the pre-order event ends, the price will increase to $55 on November 1st. Order both an eBook and print book (Forecast 2021 Bundle) for only $65, a savings of $45 off the standard rates. Save 10% off any subscription ($275+) with purchase of Forecast 2021. Use code SALE2021 at checkout to receive the subscription discount.
In addition to this year’s Forecast book, we are offering a separate publication for those who enjoy the yearly trends for the twelve individual signs. It is titled “Trends for the Twelve Signs 2021,” and will be written by Antonia Langsdorf-Merriman and myself. Antonia has written an annual Sun Sign book in German for the past several years, based on interviews conducted with me beforehand. We will follow that same format for the Trends for the Twelve Signs 2021 book. The cost of this book will be $25, with a further discount if ordered with the Forecast 2021 Book.
This year’s printed and/or e-Book versions of Forecast 2021 and Trends for 2021 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/
ORDER NOW – THIS WEEK – AND SAVE BIG BUCKS!!! SALE ENDS NEXT WEEKEND.
NOTE 2: THE MERRIMAN MARKET TIMING ACADEMY (MMTA) will offer its next series of courses starting January 16, 2021! This is only the second time it has been offered since the first class graduated in 2014! This is an intensive two-year program in the MMA Market Timing methodology of analyzing and trading financial markets as developed by Raymond A. Merriman, C.T.A. (registered Commodities Trading Advisor with the National Futures Association since 1982). There will be 8 courses, each consisting of 6-7 classes, lasting 2-3 hours each, on Saturday afternoons, starting at 1:00 PM, EST. There will be a one-month break between each course, and a 3-month break between the first and second year of courses. The classes will be offered live online via Zoom. The course will be taught by Gianni Di Poce, MMTA graduate and apprentice, and Raymond Merriman. The cost for the two-year program is $12,000, with a 10% discount if registered by December 14, 2020. It is also possible to sign up for one year ($6600), or even one course ($1800) at a time. For more information on registration and requirements to be accepted, please visit our MMTA page to learn more about this opportunity to learn market timing the MMA way.
The future of education and career development, as well as personal control of your financial assets, will be greatly influenced by the outstanding opportunities to be afforded by online studies over this decade. The future of education (Jupiter conjunct Saturn in air signs now for the next 140 years) will be changing dramatically. This means the future of career development and financial management will be changing too, all as a result of the new era (we call it the “New Aira”) in human activity that is now underway, related to the Grand Conjunctions of 2020. Life as we knew it will never be the same in so many areas. Yet the opportunities to succeed are unfolding now as education and training shift rapidly to online learning venues. The MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA) has a niche and a methodology of understanding and timing markets that no other company or online school can match. Don’t miss your opportunity to get in on the ground floor of MMTA’s educational and training models if you are truly interested in learning the principles and value of financial market timing. There is nothing else like this available today.
To view a video of statements by graduates of the first MMTA course offered in 2013-2014, please visit the MMTA video and keep in mind this was filmed 7 years ago.
NOTE 3: SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL MMA SUBSCRIBERS:
1) MMA Active Subscriber Club: This week, all Active Subscriber Club (ASC) members received the recording of Ray’s presentation from October 3rd at Astrology University’s virtual summit on “Super Charged degrees and Pandemics.” If you want to know about Covid-19 and how Astrology has correlated with pandemics in the past, then you will want to see this Webinar. You can only gain access by becoming a subscriber. Our ASC members were invited to last weekend’s live virtual Q&A with Ray for free. Plus, all ASC members and Forecast Fan Club members were sent an early released Chapter from Forecast 2021 on the coronavirus. Even if you sign up for a one-month subscription, you’re still part of the Active Subscriber Club for that month and enjoy all the added benefits. Unsure of which subscription to sign up for? Read note 3 below!
2) Forecast 2021 Early Released Chapter: All members of the Active Subscriber Club, Forecast Fan Club, and those who have pre-ordered Forecast 2021 received an early released Chapter from Forecast 2021 on the coronavirus. If you want access to this 20-page chapter where Ray describes how he sees Covid-19 playing out into 2021, pre-order Forecast 2021 today, or become a subscriber. This chapter covers the deadliest pandemics in world history and how the Tier One synodic cycles create “Super-Charged Degrees,” and how they were activated at the onset of COVID-19. This chapter describes when this signature passes out of effect and when the next one is due to arrive.
3) We have THIRTEEN FREE REPORTS available now: You know that now is the best time to sign up for a subscription because this is the only time of the year where you can get 10% off any subscription ($275+) with the purchase of the Forecast 2021 Book. If you are unsure of which subscription you want, start by viewing and downloading FREE sample reports from this summer to each of our thirteen subscriptions, through our website under each subscription’s product description. We also have a Subscription Matrix available to compare which markets are covered in each report.
MMA offers reports ranging from Daily, Weekly, and Monthly subscriptions. Each report can be subscribed to in one-month, three-month, or one-year increments. We offer both one-time-payment and auto-renewal options, so there is no long-term commitment. We also have a special write up from Gianni Di Poce on the Crude Oil report and why we feel that this commodity is more exciting than ever RIGHT NOW! Plus, Mark Shtayerman breaks down two ICR reports from this summer and shares what has unfolded since their publication. Normally, both of these write-ups are only shared with subscribers, but during our 10% off sale, we are making these special updates available to all readers of our Free Weekly Forecast. Enjoy!
NOTE 4: The ICR (International Cycles Reports) was released last week, October 20. If you subscribe to either of these reports and did not receive them, let us know at once. The ICR Financials includes analysis on ASX (Australian Stock Index), RUT (Russell 2000), SSE (Chinese Shanghai Stock Composite), HSI (Hang Seng Index), AUD (Australian Dollar), DXY (US Dollar), and GBP (British Pound). The ICR Commodities Report includes analysis on LC (Live Cattle), MJ (Cannabis), XAU (Gold and Silver), KT (Coffee), KA (Sugar), C (Corn), and W (Wheat). These reports are written by MMA Analyst and editor Mark Shyterman (metals, stock indices, and soft commodities), MMA President Raymond Merriman (China’s Shanghai Composite Index), MMA Analysts Ken Liao (Hang Seng) Ulric Aspegren (Currencies), Isabella Suleymanov (Grains), and Gianni Di Poce (Australian ASX and Dollar, Cannabis (MJ), and Live Cattle). Order now to make sure you get this month’s report! Consider a one-month trial for only $35.
NOTE 5: MMA is pleased to announce that it is publishing a new book titled Great Conjunctions: Shifting Times, by one of the world’s leading Mundane Astrologers – Chris McRae of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This a fascinating book on the history of Great Conjunctions involving the outer planets throughout history. It is especially appropriate today because 2020 was such a year exhibiting Great Conjunctions. In fact, the grandest of all outer planet conjunctions – the Jupiter/Saturn synodic cycle – will take place on December 21, 2020, so this book is timely. The insights that McRae provides on these rare but remarkable configurations will make this one of the most valuable additions to the field of Mundane Astrology. The book is due to be released by January 2021. The cost will be $24.95, but you may pre-order it at the pre-publication price of $19.95, starting now.
EVENTS
January 16, 2021: The first class of the 2-year program of the Merriman Market Timing Academy begins! For details, see the above announcement, or visit MMTA.
February 14, 2021: The Annual MMA Forecast 2021 Webinar. More on this later, but Save the Date for now. It is a Sunday.
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 a 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 hence potentially affect 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.