REVIEW AND PREVIEW
“This did not start as a financial crisis, but it is morphing into a major economic crisis, with very serious financial consequences,” World Bank Chief Economist Carmen Reinhart told Bloomberg. “There’s a long road ahead.” – Brie Stimson, “Top World Bank Economist Says Coronavirus Pandemic Morphing Into ‘Major Economic Crisis,’” www.foxbusiness.com, October 16, 2020.
The World Health Organization said Friday that Europe’s coronavirus outbreak is “concerning” as the number of available intensive care beds continue to dwindle and near capacity in some regions. When adjusting for population, the number of new coronavirus infections in Europe has now overtaken the United States. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., “WHO Concerned About Europe’s Coronavirus Outbreak as ICU Beds Near Capacity in Some Regions,” www.cnbc.com, October 16, 2020.
The Trickster has returned. Mercury turned retrograde last Tuesday, October 13. His movements related to financial markets or political messaging might be more wily and difficult to predict than usual this time because his retrograde cycle overlaps with that of Mars (September 9 through November 13). Within a week of Mars turning retrograde, many stock markets of the world made multi-year or all-time highs, including the S&P and NASDAQ, on September 2. Last week, within a day of Mercury turning retrograde, many of these same markets have made a secondary high.
There are other geocosmic factors coinciding with the highs of both early September and October 12. In early September, Jupiter also turned retrograde, in a trine aspect to the Sun. Last Monday, October 12, as the DJIA, S&P, NASDAQ and so many other markets of the world made secondary highs, Jupiter was sextile to Neptune. Jupiter and Neptune are the planets of euphoria. Neptune is the planet associated with irrationality. Together they coincide with periods of irrational euphoria in the stock market.
What is most interesting – and perhaps a little irrational – is that the stock markets of the world are rising in tandem with an increase in cases of COVID-19. The highly anticipated and feared “second wave” of COVID-19 is underway. From a geocosmic standpoint, this is right on time, for not only is Mars retrograde, but it is making a waxing square aspect to Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter from September 28-October 19. This is the first quarter phase of the Mars synodic cycle to these same three planets (known as the Capricorn Stellium, or Grand Conjunctions) that occurred March 20-31, the peak of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and global stock market panic.
The pandemic has returned, but the stock market panic has not – at least, not yet. But note that as world equity markets made a secondary high early last week when Mercury turned retrograde, it was also the midpoint of the current Mars retrograde cycle. That high now serves as important resistance and marks a potentially important critical reversal date, which just happened to also be MMA’s 3-star CRD (critical reversal date). Stock markets declined the next three days into a low on Thursday and then rallied again on Friday’s new moon in Libra. The battle lines are thus drawn between last Monday’s high and Thursday’s low in U.S. stock markets.
Other world indices topped out anywhere from the Friday before (October 9) through Wednesday of last week (October 14). It doesn’t matter. This is all within two trading days of Mercury turning retrograde and the midpoint of Mars retrograde. It is also the midpoint of the period when Mars retrograde formed its waxing square to the Capricorn stellium. It is the center of tension and stress for much of the world’s population It is also a time that requires control of one’s primal impulses for, under Mars retrograde, the aggressor is usually the loser. And under Mercury retrograde, decisions are often made that are pre-mature and will require revisions afterward. Financial markets are often indecisive due to contradictions between political announcements and economic reports. What was “on” is now “off” (debates). What was “off” is back “on” (stimulus talks and news about COVID-19 treatments and/or vaccination development). With the Trickster, the focus of attention changes quickly.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS AND LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS
If President Trump loses on November 3, one reason will be his failure to understand when someone who disagrees with him is acting on principle. He views everything in politics as personal – it’s always about him. – “Trump’s Misguided Swipe at Bill Barr,” Review and Outlook, Wall Street Journal, October 12, 2020.
He (Biden) turned introspective when asked what it would say if he lost. “It could say I’m a lousy candidate, that I didn’t do a good job. But I think, I hope, that it doesn’t say that we are as racially, ethnically and religiously at odds as it appears the president wants us to be.” – Jonathan Lemire, Will Weissert, and Darlene Superville, “Trump, Biden Go At It From a Distance in Town Halls,” Associated Press, October 16, 2020.
When I look over my shoulder
What do you think I see
Some other cat lookin’ over
Over his shoulder at me
He is strange
Very, very, very strange
You’ve got to pick up every stitch
That punk’s out to make it rich
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
– Lyrics from a song by Donovan, Columbia Studios, 1966.
It is hard to believe that this election will end in two weeks. It is hard to believe because it seems as if it has been going on for years. It is hard to believe because both Mercury and Mars are retrograde going into Election Day on November 3 (Mercury turns stationary direct that day). With Mercury and Mars retrograde, or with hard aspects involving Neptune, you cannot believe what you read, see, or hear. It is also hard to believe that the election results will even be known on Election Day because of the retrogrades. It may take time to get anything close to an accurate and complete count. Mail-in voting under Mercury retrograde could be even more challenging than even Trump predicts.
The latest polls from Real Clear Politics show Biden leading Trump by 8.9% as of last week, down from over 10% the week before. And the Rasmussen poll that I watch most closely shows Biden’s lead has shrunk from 12% a week earlier to 5% as of Wednesday, October 14.
Mercury, the Trickster, has turned retrograde in Scorpio. The Sun will ingress from Libra to Scorpio this week, October 22. Mercury rules information, news, and communications. Scorpio’s nature is to investigate, dig deep and find something to reveal that can be shocking and change the arc of the discussion. Do not be surprised if some very disturbing revelation is announced in the next two weeks. Together, the heavy emphasis of Mars and Mercury retrograde, with Scorpio highlighted, could be an occasion for low-minded politicians to reveal their “dirtiest” tricks, most negative revelations, regarding their opponent, in order to gain power (Scorpio pertains to power).
How this will affect financial markets will also be tricky, for Mercury the Trickster has a way of offering up conflicting messages. Financial markets could either bounce around back and forth like a see-saw between now and the election. Or they could make a big break, consistent with Mars in Aries square Jupiter in Capricorn on Monday, October 19. There are two keys here. First, the high of last Monday, October 12, is critical resistance now. A close above that level eliminates its term as a critical reversal date. Second, we are now headed to the third most powerful geocosmic time band of the year, November 3-19, which contains the third passage of the Jupiter/Pluto conjunction (November 12) and Mars turning direct (November 13-14). Both of these are Level 1 signatures as reported in our research studies published in The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles. Jupiter/Pluto has an impressive 88% correlation to primary cycles within 11 trading days. Mars direct has a 75% correlation to primary cycles (crests or troughs) within 11 trading days. These are huge numbers.
If the stock market can get over the Trickster’s tendency to reverse directions every 1-4 days and start breaking out one way or the other, we could witness something jaw-dropping in the next 3-4 weeks. It might take an earth-shattering Scorpionic revelation to make this happen, but this is the “Season of the Witch.” And, “That punk’s out to make it rich.” Just don’t let it be at your expense.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: The ICR (International Cycles Reports) will be released this week, October 20. 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 2: 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 3: ONLY 2 WEEKS TO GO FOR BEST PRICES! 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 the 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/
NOTE 4: 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.
I would like to share my belief that 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 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 understanding the principles and value of financial market timing. There is nothing else like this available today.
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 mid-November. The cost will be $24.95, but you may pre-order it at the pre-publication price of $19.95, starting now.
NOTE 6: The MMA Monthly Cycles Report came out last week with an updated overview on longer-term geocosmic and market cycles for the U.S. stock market., Monday evening. The long-term cycles’ labeling may be changing. As with every issue, this one provides MMA’s outlook for the U.S. stock market (DJIA and S&P futures), Gold and Silver, T-Notes, Euro Currency, Crude Oil, and Soybeans. Each issue also contains MMA’s original geocosmic critical reversal dates (CRDs) and Solar/Lunar reversal dates over the next several weeks for DJIA, Gold, and Silver, along with trading strategies for position traders. If you are not a subscriber to the monthly MMA Cycles Report and wish a copy of our outlook for financial markets, consider a one-month subscription for only $35.
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.