MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
August 29, 2025
NOTE: U.S. markets will be closed on Monday due to the Labor Day holiday.
REVIEW
President Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook is the most dramatic step yet in his effort to take control of the independent central bank and its vast authority over interest rates.
—Matt Grossman and Greg Ip, “‘Uncharted Waters’: Trump’s Attempt to Take Charge of the Fed,” Aug 26, 2025, www.wsj.com.
Many global stock indices continued making new highs early last week despite being late and overdue in their primary cycles. This distortion of non-stop bullishness may be related to the unusual planetary configuration involving the Saturn/Neptune conjunction in harmonious sextile to both Uranus and Pluto, the latter two of which form a favorable trine aspect to one another. When aspects involving longer-term outer planets form, longer-than-usual rallies or declines in financial markets can also unfold. It appears that many global indices have been enjoying prolonged rallies since April 7 despite growing anxieties regarding the uncertainty connected to global economic and political events. There seems to be no breakage of the underlying trend. The explosions to new highs may also be related to the August 24 cosmic setup with Jupiter midway in a semisquare to both the Sun and Uranus, which were square to one another. Whenever Jupiter and Uranus are involved in a tight orb aspect, breakouts of nearby support or resistance are common and tend to last up to 8 trading days.
In Asia and the Pacific Rim, a new all-time high was notched in Australia’s ASX index. China’s Shanghai Composite soared to its highest level in ten years, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong soared to its highest mark since October 2021. Japan’s Nikkei had made a new all-time high on August 19. India’s stock market, the NIFTY, was not so fortunate following President Trump’s levy of 50% tariffs on U.S. companies importing goods from India.
The week was mixed for European stocks. Most ended modest rallies right into our August 22-25 CRD (critical reversal date and the midpoint of a TUMDI signal). The Zurich SMI index was the most bullish, rising to a ten-week high. But each of the European indices then declined into the end of the week, which is the norm under a strong geocosmic CRD, which is why they are valuable market timing indicators.
The indices of the Americas exhibited very interesting performances last week. Brazil’s Bovespa has just exploded out of its primary cycle trough of July 28 and made a new all-time high at the end of last week. In the US., the S&P made a new all-time high on Thursday, August 28. However, the all-time high in the DJIA was the prior week, on August 22, and right in the middle of the powerful CRD. In the NASDAQ, the all-time high (ATH) was two weeks ago, creating a rolling case of intermarket bearish divergence surrounding the August 22-25 CRD zone. This could be a sign that a serious correction might be starting. It is overdue, as indicated in the introduction, and intermarket divergence is often a trigger preceding sharp reversals.
The highly charged geocosmic month of August was not limited to stocks. Bitcoin, for instance, made a new ATH right in the middle of the month, on August 14, at $124,480. But two weeks later, on Friday, August 29, it was below 108,000, a loss of over 13% and its lowest mark in a month. Ethereum, however, made its ATH one week later on August 24, once again right in our most recent three-star CRD zone, for yet another case of intermarket bearish divergence in a related market. Like Bitcoin, Ethereum also sold off into the end of last week, but not yet below the low of the prior week. Given that a major cycle low is due, and the Moon is currently in Scorpio (more often bearish for BTC), this could become a case of intermarket bullish divergence in an important geocosmic zone (a lunar cycle correlate in this case).
In precious metals, the nearby December Silver contract blasted off to $40.85, another new 13+ year high. Gold was also quite bullish, with the December contract rising once again above $3500, but still slightly below its all-time high of 3534 registered during our prior CRD of August 8-11.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
Inflation uncertainty risk increases the real borrowing cost for the government, which makes reducing deficits and debt levels more difficult. It increases real borrowing costs for the corporate sector, affecting investment and thus growth. It also increases real borrowing costs for households, affecting consumer spending (and potentially housing). Finally, because investors are naturally risk-averse, once introduced, inflation uncertainty risk can take years to remove from the economy. The inflation uncertainty originating in the 1970s took over 20 years to be removed.
—Dr. Paul Donovan, “Why is Inflation Uncertainty Important?” UBS Weekly Blog, www.ubs.com/, August 29, 2025.
Any short-term inflation effect from higher tariffs will likely not be sustainable, given the longer-term effect is deflationary, in the sense of the negative impact on consumers of what is effectively a tax hike. Meanwhile, the primarily retail-driven 33.8% rally in the S&P500 off the tariff-triggered 7 April low makes it clearer than ever that the stock market has become almost more important for the consumption-driven US economy than the economy itself.
—Christopher (Chris) Wood, “The Stock Market is Eating the Economy,” August 27, 2025, grizzleresearch@substack.com.
We are right in the midst of TUMDI, our newly introduced market timing signal. “TUMDI” stands for the “Trump Uranus Market Disruption Indicator”. It occurs whenever Uranus is prominent in aspect to other planets or stationary, and tends to coincide with sudden, unexpected policy announcements, decisions, or statements by President Trump that rile financial markets. On August 24, the Sun squared Uranus, and midway between the two was Uranus, forming a semisquare with both. On September 6, Uranus will turn retrograde at 1° Gemini, another powerful TUMDI signal. The entire period is highlighted as a potential time band of disruptive announcements. So far, TUMDI has not disappointed.
In the past week, Trump announced a 50% tariff on India, a major trading partner and the most populous country in the world. He fired Fed Governor Lisa Cook for a technical violation of banking (mortgage) laws, similar to allegedly false statements he himself has made in applications for bank loans involving his own real estate dealings. He has threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago and New York City to quell violence when city leaders argue that crime is already declining. He is courting the idea of imposing tariffs on furniture and mail deliveries of goods into the United States from abroad, which will escalate regulatory chaos for U.S. businesses. And then there is the John Bolton house raid. Why, really?
Financial markets are reacting. The rally in the DJIA halted as of the August 22 CRD. A sharp decline in Bitcoin is underway. Gold and Silver are rising sharply from trading cycle lows of August 20.
This time band of disruption (TUMDI) is not over. It continues this week as Uranus turns retrograde on September 6, two days after Mars squares Jupiter and one day before a powerful lunar eclipse. This combination can be potent, as in a major reversal in trends, and a culmination of primary cycles (low or high, depending on the market). Consider: Uranus is the planet of sudden and unexpected events or decisions. Jupiter is the planet of exaggeration. Mars is the planet that activates, or triggers actions. A lunar eclipse (Full Moon where the Earth blocks out the view of the Moon), which in mutable signs, corresponds to emotional outbursts, pettiness, and flip-flops on past promises. And for the next two weeks, transiting Chiron (the wounded healer) will be retrograde and in conjunction with Saturn on the NYSE chart, opposite its Neptune. When Chiron activates a chart, there is often pain that is followed by healing.
The bottom line indicated by the geocosmic picture is this: the U.S. and other world stock markets are vulnerable to a sharp decline. It is possible their primary cycles are also in late stages when reversals are due. But so far, the chart patterns remain strong, suggesting that the longer-term trend still remains bullish. This may be one of those times when aggressive contrarian traders can make a substantial profit from the short side quickly. But as of yet, it is not a sign that the longer-term bull market is over.
LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS (AND OPINION)
The Trump era is marked by concentrating federal power in the Oval Office. “I have the right to do anything I want to do,” Trump said Monday.
—Josh Dowsey and Annie Linskey. “In Trump’s Second Term, a Bolder President Charges Ahead Unchecked,” www.wsj.com, August 28, 2025.
Mr. Trump even suggested reinvestigating former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over the 2013-14 hoopla of Bridgegate, “…for the sake of JUSTICE” and because “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!” … This Trump “skill” not only is nothing to be proud of, it’s a broken campaign promise. Mr. Trump passionately decried the legal campaigns against him and vowed to put an end to lawfare if elected. He insisted that his “retribution” would be through winning office and making “our country successful.” What turns it into lawfare is the singling out, the public broadcasting of accusation and investigation to pressure, threaten, disgrace, force concessions or require massive financial outlay to defend against. That, and making a “crime” out of what is actually a political offense. The rejoinder from Trump loyalists is always one word: “accountability.”
—Kimberly Strassel, “Trump Triples Down on Lawfare,” www.wsj.com, Aug 28, 2025.
I am in Europe now for the summer. This is the 30th consecutive year I have traveled/lived in Europe for much of the summer. And, I must say, the degree of fear about the current world situation here is at a level I have never experienced before. This year is different. And the source of this fear is clearly the change in direction conducted by the current U.S. leadership. Europe, it seems to me, feels betrayed, abandoned, and bullied, no longer supported or trusted by the U.S. In turn, Europe no longer trusts the U.S. on its word and “goodwill.” The U.S. is losing a valuable strategic partner, both politically and economically. The U.S. administration has stated that many world leaders have expressed their admiration and awe at what its leadership has accomplished since the beginning of the year. But that is not the reality I am experiencing on the ground here. To the contrary, the overwhelming sense is one of fear to speak out, and apprehension about the future related to the new policies being enacted, rather than admiration. Europe has seen elements of this play many times in its history. The U.S. has not.
This eruption of fear and insecurity is classic Saturn conjunct Neptune, especially as it crosses the world point of 0° Aries, ingressing from the last sign to the first sign of a new celestial order. Specifically, Saturn is associated with fear, and Neptune with imagination and fantasy, even hopes and dreams. So, one is justified in asking: Are these fears real or imagined? Is this a dream of hope for the new world emerging, or a nightmare that will cause immense suffering for the multitudes of people throughout the world?
I have an astrological theory on this question. When two planets are headed into a conjunction, the faster-moving body assumes dominance in the fight to integrate – to express – the two principles. In this theory, Saturn is now the dominant planet as it approaches and will soon cross in front of Neptune, which technically will happen on February 20, 2026, in the geocentric model (as seen from Earth). In this stage, Saturn (fear) “blocks out” the presence (expression) of Neptune (hope). Everybody knows something is awry, unreal, but no one is able to stop it. Neptune “blocked” behaves like paralysis. It becomes passive out of fear (Saturn) of what might happen if it isn’t allowed to be kind, gentle, compassionate, and caring for others (Neptune). It is interesting that some well-known leaders now consider empathy (Neptune) a weakness, even a form of psychological dysfunction. This is especially pronounced as Saturn is in Aries, a combination lending to the idea that “might is right,” and can often express itself as “the bully,” coercing others who are less powerful to its will. “I have the right to do anything I want to do” is a classic expression of this signature by those in power who are detached from reality. The corollary to that is that “Only I am above the law. Everyone else must be held accountable.”
However, in the theory I have presented here, Saturn will soon pass, or separate, from its conjunction to Neptune. Its shadow over Neptune will give way, and Neptune’s qualities will again begin to regain their power. It won’t happen all at once and may not even be apparent until Saturn leaves Aries, the sign it shares with Neptune, until April 2028. The question then is: Can the world order and global alliances as we know it, and which is being radically altered now while Saturn in Aries is so dominant, last until then?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! The ANNUAL MMA FORECAST 2026 PRE-PUBLICATION SALE is now underway through October 31 and features our once-a-year discounts on both the annual Forecast book and MMA subscription reports. Become a subscriber today for as low as $35 to gain access to the best price possible. Check out our video where we explain how to secure the lowest price possible on Forecast 2026 by becoming a subscriber this month! ~250901
During this pre-order period, the Forecast 2026 print edition will be available at a discounted price of $55, and the eBook version at $45. And the best deal on MMA subscription reports is also offered at this time! Save 10% on any subscription of $275 or more with the purchase of Forecast 2026. After the pre-publication period ends on November 1, the retail price of the Forecast 2026 print edition increases to $66, and the eBook to $55. Subscription reports will also return to their regular prices. Order now and save big bucks!
MMA will also offer a special bundle discount for those who wish to order both the eBook and printed editions of Forecast 2026 for $75. The eBook typically becomes available one to two weeks before the print edition, avoiding delays caused by the postal system — especially for those living overseas. However, many readers prefer the print edition, so ordering both through the Forecast 2026 Bundle makes sense. You will receive the Forecast 2026 eBook on December 15, and your print copy will be mailed in mid-December.
MMA’s annual Forecast book is a cycles and astrology-themed almanac that has served students of cycles and markets since 1976. It provides a cyclical outlook on the collective world psychology, the national economy, geopolitical developments, socio-cultural trends, and timing of potential weather and natural disasters — as well as financial market projections for the U.S. stock market, U.S. Treasury market, interest rates, Gold and Silver, currencies (the Euro, U.S. Dollar, Swiss Franc, and Japanese Yen), Bitcoin, Crude Oil, and Grain markets (Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans). A scorecard of the 2025 forecasts is posted on the MMA website as of August 27. Of note is that the seven critical reversal dates (CRDs) for the U.S. stock market, and nine CRDs for the Soybean market, have all been accurate within three trading days — most within only one day!
The print version of the book is approximately 225 pages, 8.5″ x 11″, and includes several charts, setting the standard for all astrological almanacs written today.
The pre-publication ordering period just began mid-August, and one of the first orders we received came with this note of gratitude:
I ordered the Forecast 2026 book — this time in print — as I would like to have this 50th edition as a souvenir to remind me of the great insights I’ve received since reading your analysis and, more importantly for me, your view on life. — R.D., Netherlands
To pre-order this year’s special 50th-year edition, click here.
NOTE 2: ONE MORE MONTH!!! THE TWO-YEAR MERRIMAN MARKET TIMING ACADEMY (MMTA4) BEGINS SEPTEMBER 27!!!
This highly valuable two-year educational training program, created by Raymond Merriman (CTA), is an experience that will change your life and the way you view financial markets.
MMTA is an eight-course program that includes over 100 hours of live instruction and interaction, led by instructors Wiebke Held and Raymond Merriman, with special guest appearances by MMA analysts Pouyan Zolfagharnia, Gianni Di Poce, Ulric Aspegrén, Wyatt Fellows, Derek Panaia, and Kat Powell.
Classes for Courses 1-3 and 5-7 will meet on Saturdays, approximately 20 times per year, at noon Eastern Time, starting on September 27, 2025. There will be one-month breaks between each course and a three-month summer break between Courses 4 and 5. These eight courses cover MMA’s market timing methodology for long- and intermediate-term investing, as well as position and aggressive short-term trading. There is nothing else as comprehensive in the field of market timing as MMTA’s two-year program!
Acceptance into MMTA requires a 20-minute interview before enrollment. If you are interested in exploring whether MMTA is right for you, schedule your interview now. If you schedule your interview before September 1 (see below), you will still qualify for substantial “early bird” savings.
The cost for the entire two-year program is $25,000, with early registration discounts available for those enrolling in the full program or one year at a time. A tuition payment plan is also available for those who prefer to take Course 1 first (at full price) and decide later whether to commit to the remaining seven courses, which will then be offered at a substantial discount.
To register or inquire about the MMTA4 program, click here. Yearly subscribers to MMA’s weekly and daily reports receive additional discounts. Other payment plans are available upon request.
Here are just a few of the many very positive reviews from graduates of prior MMTA programs:
I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for generously sharing your knowledge and teaching it. As you know, I am fairly new to trading and joined MMTA3 to learn a system to approach the stock market. Starting the year, I set myself the goal of doubling the money that I had in my trading account, thinking at the time that this was impossible to do. Thanks to the knowledge and tools MMTA3 teaches, I was actually able to accomplish this goal! In fact, I even exceeded it. —W.H., Germany.
Thank you, Ray and Gianni, for the fantastic course material and support. I have made money, and every dollar for the courses was paid back and more! — J.L., Netherlands
This course was truly mind-blowing! I learnt in abundance. Thank you all for sharing the excellent trading data and knowledge. This course is worth more than a college degree — and at a fraction of the price, too. — K.L., Australia.
My perspective on the markets — and perhaps life — has changed dramatically since taking MMTA. I am extremely grateful for having been given the opportunity to learn directly from you. — K.M., USA
Doing these research projects and really dissecting the markets during this course has allowed me to trade very successfully over the past year. It is extremely rewarding to do the work and then watch it unfold according to plan. — W.F., USA
To watch a recent informative video interview with Wiebke Held and Raymond Merriman, conducted on June 26 and discussing the MMTA4 program, click here.
NOTE 3: A MICRO-WEBINAR BY RAY MERRIMAN ON BITCOIN, GOLD, AND SILVER will be presented on Sunday, September 14, at noon EDT. Big moves in Bitcoin, Gold, and Silver are due this fall, according to our cycle studies — and we want to be ready. This micro-webinar (lasting 60-90 minutes) will update webinar attendees on Ray and Wyatt’s latest cycles and geocosmic timing projections related to Bitcoin and Gold, which are entering historical time bands when long-term cycles are due. Silver will also likely be affected. This means new cycles —and trends—are poised to follow. Be prepared! These new trends are expected to unfold between September and January, with the “sweet spot” being between September and November. Click here to register!
NOTE 4: 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 wishing to deepen their astrological knowledge. The cost for these six introductory lessons, which last 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 5: THE JUPITER REPORT — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY — IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR UODATES. This report is written by Raymond Merriman. It 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 14 months (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?
The Jupiter report was first introduced one year ago in September 2024. It may be time to update your outlook for the next year if you were one of the first to order then. The cost for your 14-month Jupiter Report remains $69. Click here to order!!!
Here is a recent letter from our options expert, Derek Panaia, to the Options+ group, which just closed out exceptional gains on five option trades presented in the July 13 webinar:
On a side note, I started using MMA’s Jupiter Report this year, so I only have a few months of history with it. But my first positive Jupiter aspects came in March/April this year. I was trading copper and had made a nice long trade, and started buying puts for a dip. The puts did nothing for a week or so, then copper prices collapsed, and my puts went up sharply in one week. This started exactly on the same day my Jupiter Report showed a positive aspect. Well, fast forward a few months, and I have copper put spreads (the same put spreads you guys bought), and yesterday copper prices collapsed, and the puts made a lot of money. And guess what? This was one day before my Jupiter aspects started positive again. For me, it is amazing how accurate this report has been. I just wanted to share this, FWIW. The Jupiter Report from MMA is not very expensive, so if you guys use astrology in your trading, you might want to check it out.
NOTE 6: The MMA Solar-Lunar App now provides reversal signals on 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.
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 14, 2025: A MICRO-WEBINAR BY RAY MERRIMAN ON BITCOIN, GOLD, AND SILVER
We will be preparing for big moves in Bitcoin, Gold, and Silver this fall, according to our cycle studies — and we want to be ready. This micro-webinar (only 60-90 minutes) will update you on our latest cycles and geocosmic timing projections related to Bitcoin and Gold, which are entering historical time bands when long-term cycles are due. This means new cycles—and trends—are poised to follow. Be prepared! These cycle turns are expected to unfold between September and November. Click here to register!
NOTE: THE CHINESE VERSION OF THIS MICRO WEBINAR ON GOLD AND BITCOIN WILL BE PRESENTED ON SEPTEMBER 11, AT 8 PM BEIJING TIME, AND 1:00 PM CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME. It will be presented in English by Raymond Merriman, and translated into Chinese, and thus the event will last closer to 2-3 hours. For more information and registration, contact https://www.nodoor.com.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: CYCLES AND PATTERNS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS. This is a comprehensive eight-week course taught by Wiebke Held and Ray Merriman, with special presentations featuring various MMA market analysts. It also serves as Course 1 of the 2025-2026 MMTA market timing program, but is an important standalone course in its own right. Therefore, it will also be open to a limited number of non-MMTA students. The course will be conducted live via Zoom every Saturday at noon Eastern Time for eight weeks with each class lasting approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. Each class will be recorded and made available by the following Monday for those unable to attend the live sessions. The cost is $3600, which may be applied toward registration (with further discounts) for Courses 2-8 of the MMTA program that will follow.
Cycle studies are the foundation upon which MMA’s market timing methodology is built. Once you know where a market is in terms of its primary or longer-term cycles, you will also know which investment and trading strategies to apply. Understanding when a cycle (or one of its phases) is due is essential to recognizing both the strength and the narrowing of a cycle time band, especially when correlated with geocosmic signatures. However, without first understanding cycles and their patterns, the effective use of geocosmics is limited. Together, they offer a powerful method for timing significant tradable lows and highs in financial markets. If you are truly interested in becoming proficient in market timing skills for the purpose of trading or investing success, this course is a must to start this journey.
Registration details for signing up for this course will only be available shortly. You may also contact us at customerservice@mmacycles.com or call 248-626-3034.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2025: MMTA4 begins!! Special rates apply for those who schedule a 20-minute interview before September 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 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.