REVIEW
Stocks fell on Friday after the second U.S. case of the deadly coronavirus was confirmed, stoking concerns over the sickness’ impact on the global economy. – Fred Imbert, “Dow Drops 250 Points After a Second US Coronavirus is Confirmed,” www.cnbc.com, January 24, 2020.
Oil is on track for its worst week since May as the coronavirus outbreak continues to pressure prices. A slowdown in China’s economy would impact demand because China is the world’s largest crude oil importer. China is also the second-largest oil consumer, behind the United States. On Friday, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 2.8%, or $1.53, to $54.06, the lowest level since Nov. 1. – Pippa Stevens, “Crude Oil Drops the Most Since May on Fears Coronavirus Will Hit Growth,” www.cnbc.com, January 24, 2020.
It was a mixed week for Global equity markets, with new all-time highs being recorded in Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil and the U.S. (the S&P and NASDAQ made new all-time highs, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average did not). However, after Wednesday, many of these indices started to retreat and downside momentum increased substantially on Friday when the U.S. announced a second case of the coronavirus outbreak, which was first identified in China on December 31, 2019. The Chinese Shanghai Composite was hit especially hard last week. After soaring to 3127 on January 14 (just one day past MMA’s three-star critical reversal date of January 10-13), the Shanghai Composite plummeted to 2935 on Thursday, January 23, its lowest mark since December 13. Several Chinese cities have cancelled New Year’s celebrations that were to begin this week.
There are, of course, astrological correlates to this deadly health illness that is spreading rapidly. First, we are still in orb of the long-term, 32-27-year Saturn/Pluto synodic cycle that was exact on January 12, 2020, at 22° Capricorn. One of the correlates to a strong Pluto signature is a “threat to life” event, which can be a natural or human-made catastrophe. As reported the past two weeks, the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani on January 3, and the Iranian response on American bases January 8, fell into this category. So does this Coronavirus outbreak, which has so far infected over 800 people and caused the Chinese government to quarantine 40 million others.
The second geocosmic factor is Venus conjunct Neptune in Pisces, squared by Mars in Sagittarius. Both Neptune and Pisces pertain to viruses, maladies, epidemics, and general overall weakness, especially of the immune system. When Neptune is prominent, there is danger of infections and contagion. But there is another element to Neptune that bears considering. Often it correlates with states of hysteria and irrational fears or exuberance based on a lack of information or even misinformation. This possibility increases with Mars in the sign of exaggeration, which is Sagittarius. It will be interesting to see if this threat continues to grow past next week, when the aspects to Neptune are phased out. Or, will this be a prolonged threat to human life that lasts for several months, a possibility that could fit the dynamics of Saturn and Pluto?
In the meantime, the outbreak is having a chilling effect on world stock markets as the selloff gains momentum. Crude Oil prices were also being decimated as prices briefly fell below $54/barrel on Friday, their lowest level since October. Just two weeks ago, Crude Oil had soared to 65.65, its highest price since April 25. Crude Oil falls in the astrological domain of Jupiter and Neptune and the signs they rule, which are Sagittarius and Pisces.
The fear (Saturn/Pluto) and possible hysteria (Neptune) factors have led investors to seek safety in Gold again. On Friday, Gold was back to 1575 intraday, its highest mark since its 6-year high of 1613 on January 8. It is interesting to note that both Gold and Crude Oil made long-term cycle highs on January 8, in the midst of the Saturn/Pluto tensions between the U.S. and Iran. But on January 24, as the virus outbreak and the global alarm quickly spread, investors bought Gold but sold Crude Oil. It’s a tale of two markets.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
The current slew of geocosmic signatures ends January 28. That is also the day that the 12-day orb (trading days) associated with Uranus turning direct on January 10 ends too. As noted to subscribers of MMA market reports, Uranus direct is one of the strongest geocosmic correlates to the end of intermediate or longer-term cycles in U.S. stocks, within an orb of 12 trading days. Could that high of January 17 be the primary or even longer-term cycle crest? It is possible, based solely on this geocosmic indicator, for January 17 was only five trading days later than the Uranus station.
We are now in a tight time band between January 23 and January 28 that includes the new moon in Aquarius square its ruler, Uranus (January 23-24), followed by the square of Mars in Sagittarius to Venus and Neptune in Pisces, January 26-28. These are reversal signatures for many financial markets. They also correlate with the health scare related to the coronavirus outbreak. But these same signatures can also relate to other more benign social experiences, for Venus, Neptune, and Pisces each have romantic and infatuation qualities associated with them. Thus, this is a favorable period to meet attractive new people. It might be wise to avoid kissing them at this time, however. Since Neptune and Pisces are masters of disguise, it might even be acceptable to wear a mask.
There no major geocosmic signatures after this week until Mercury turns retrograde in Pisces and Mars enters Capricorn on February 16. The first implies another bout of decision-making with a lack of sufficient information. It can also pertain to rumors or outright lies and deception.
In between now and then, the transit of Mars through Sagittarius will be interesting to observe. It will activate the charts of President Donald Trump, the U.S., and Iran in a “grand square” configuration with one another, January 28-February 10. During much of this period, transiting Mars will also make harmonious aspects to the chart of the New York Stock Exchange. It may be another case where “bad news” is good for the stock market.
Try to enjoy the magical quality part of Venus conjunct Neptune in Pisces this week. Muster up the courage and romance (Mars) to invite a special someone (Venus) to share an enchanted evening with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: Only two more weeks to sign up for The MMA Forecast 2020 Webinar which will take place on Sunday February 9, 2020 at 2:00 PM EST (that’s 11:00 AM PST and 7:00 PM GMT). This once-a-year broadcast will address subjects covered in the Forecast 2020 Book, with updates on financial markets since the book was written in November 2019. Outlooks will include the U.S. stock market, Gold and Silver, Crude Oil, Bitcoin, and currencies. With all the concerns involving a potential stock market crash in 2020-2023, this webinar will also discuss how one may protect their capital and even take advantage of such a bearish possibility (and when to look for it). Cost is $55.00, and includes the slides of the presentation, plus a video recording of the event. If unable to attend live, you can still sign up and receive the video recording on the next day following the live event. If you plan to attend, and want certain questions or areas to be discussed, please send us an email before Tuesday, January 28. We will address as many of your concerns as possible during the final 30 minutes of this webinar, after the first part of the presentation is completed.
SPECIAL BUNDLE PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Start the New Year, 2020, by saving $20 on a January Monthly Report of your choice + the Forecast 2020 Webinar. Choose from the MMA Monthly Cycles + Webinar Bundle, ICR: Financials + Webinar Bundle, or ICR: Commodities + Webinar Bundle.
NOTE 2: The first issue of the year of the ICR (International Cycles Reports) from MMA will be released this week, January 25-26. 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 Analyst Raymond Merriman (China markets), MMA Analyst Ulric Aspegren (Currencies), Isabella Suleymanov (Grains), and Ken Liao (Hang Seng) and Gianni Di Poce (Australian ASX and Dollar, and Live Cattle). As you can see, we have new analysts for Live Cattle (Gianni) and the Hang Seng (Ken) as former MMA Analyst Massimo Moras takes on new duties. We fully expect the quality of analysis for these two markets will continue to live up to the high standards that Massimo delivered.
NOTE 3: The first issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report for 2020 was released last week. With both Gold and the stock market making new multi-year and all-time highs respectively, this is a very important time for financial markets. Every issue provides MMA’s intermediate-term outlook for the U.S. stock market, Gold and Silver, Treasuries, 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, complete with trading strategies for position traders during the next month. If you are not a subscriber to the monthly MMA Cycles Report and wish a copy of our outlook for financial markets, consider trying the January issue for only $35. Or, consider the special BUNDLE package now in effect where you can get both the January MMA Cycles Report AND the Forecast 2020 Webinar for only $70, a savings of $20!
NOTE 4: NEW MMA CRUDE OIL REPORT SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE STILL IN EFFECT! The special introductory rate (save several hundreds of dollars!) for MMA’s new Crude Oil Report by MMA Analyst and MMTA Graduate Gianni Di Poce is still available to those who sign up before February 10th.
Crude Oil is once again becoming a very hot market. This is no surprise to readers of MMA reports over the past several years, for Mars is now in Sagittarius and Capricorn, a time when our studies have shown Crude Oil prices tend to be most volatile and vulnerable to large price swings. You have seen this volatility manifesting as of late. This time band began on January 3, concurrent with the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani that sent Crude Oil to a new multi-month high. We see more steep price changes coming up in the next three months while Mars transits these two signs. In this new report, Gianni will analyze Crude Oil from a daily, weekly and monthly perspective, and each report will conclude with trading strategies for each type of trader or investor. For those who don’t know Gianni Di Poce, we have posted an interview with him, conducted by MMA President Raymond Merriman on our website.
And one of the best parts of this is the new rate for this report. We have reduced the price from $2,500/ Year to $1,800/ Year. AND WE ARE OFFERING A 20% SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY DISCOUNT ON THE NEW RATE! Sign up now – before February 10 – for a 20% discount. For a sample of the Daily MMA Crude Oil Report, click HERE.
EVENTS
February 9, 2020: TWO MORE WEEKS!!! SIGN UP NOW! MMA’S FORECAST 2020 WEBINAR will take place on Sunday, February 9, 2020, 2:00 PM EST In the comfort of your own home or office, you can tune into Raymond Merriman’s annual worldwide Forecast 2020 Webinar. This broadcast will address subjects from Forecast 2020 Book, with updates on financial markets since the book was written in November 2019. Outlooks for the U.S. stock market, Gold and Silver, Crude Oil, Bitcoin, and currencies will be discussed. Cost is $55.00, and includes the slides of the presentation, plus a downloadable MP4 recording of the event. If unable to attend live, you can still sign up, as everyone who orders the Webinar will receive the video recording, on the next day following the live event. Send your questions in now if plan to attend!
September 9-14, 2020: The ISAR 2020 Conference in Colorado on “Reimagining the Future.” The largest and most exciting international astrological conference taking place in 2020. With a faculty of over 100 of the world’s top astrologers from 25 different countries, and very dynamic tracks on Financial Astrology, Mundane and Political Astrology, and other topics, this is an event you will not want to miss. On Wednesday, September 9, Ray Merrimanwill be conducting a 4-hour workshop on “Astrology and the Art of Financial Market Timing: How to Forecast Market Trends and Market Reversals.” This course will provide research studies showing the correlation of astrological factors to short- and longer-term financial market timing in stock markets, precious metals, and Bitcoin. It is the only workshop I plan to conduct in 2020.
Saturday, September 12: Ray Merriman will be presenting a lecture on “The Times, They Are a Changin’ – The Political, Economic, and Monetary Revolution.” It’s not just the convergence of the 20-, 200-, and 800-year long-term Jupiter/Saturn cycles. It is also Saturn in Aquarius, squaring its ruler, Uranus, in Taurus. The convergence of the Jupiter/Saturn cycle in air sign Aquarius symbolizes the dawn of a new socio-economic-political era; the waning Saturn/Uranus square, the demise of an older order. What does this bode for financial markets of the world, and what can you do? We will discuss that in this lecture.
Sign up by January 19 and receive a pre-registration special discount price of under $400 for the Main Conference. A discount for pre- and post-conference workshops is also in effect until January 19. To register or see more information on this spectacular event, go to go to https://isar2020.org and be prepared to be amazed!
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.