Note: The U.S. will celebrate its Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 28. U.S. Markets will be closed that day.
REVIEW AND PREVIEW
The trade war initiated by President Donald Trump isn’t helping, Yellen said. For the past year and a half, the U.S. and China have been lobbing tariffs back and forth on billions in goods as part of the White House’s efforts to level the global playing field and halt the theft of technology and intellectual property. “I see no sign that that’s been successful in turning around these trends,” she said of the protectionist trade actions. “These tariffs are taxes on American consumers and businesses. It’s making it more difficult and more expensive to do business, to control costs, and consumers are seeing higher prices from it.” – Jeff Cox, “Janet Yellen Says ‘There is Good Reason to Worry’ About the US Economy Sliding into a Recession,” https://www.cnbc.com, November 21, 2019.
The Trump Twitter Feed declared US interest rates should be lower than other interest rates, because it is the U.S. As the world’s reserve currency, there is an argument for lower US interest rates. Falling trade volumes weaken that argument. The ballooning US current account deficit and budget deficit also argue US interest rates should be higher than elsewhere. – Paul Donovan, UBS Morning Comment, November 19, 2019.
If it’s not delays in settling the trade war between the U.S. and China, it’s the U.S. presidential impeachment proceedings. If it’s not either of those, it is reports that global trade and the global economy are slowing down because companies are reluctant to invest monies until they know what the world trade situation will be in 2020. All of these matters share something in common with geocosmic studies: Jupiter is about to leave the expansive and optimistic sign of Sagittarius on December 2, when it will join Saturn and Pluto in the more sober and restrictive sign of Capricorn for the next year. All three of these planets will commence new synodic (conjunction) cycles in 2020 in what is known as “The Capricorn Stellium.”
Let’s put this in an astrological perspective. There are ten synodic cycles involving Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. These are the longest of all the planetary cycles. They range from 13-492 years in duration. Three of these ten cycles will start (and end) in one single year – 2020. That doesn’t happen too often. The last time we had three long-term synodic cycles within 12 months was in 1881-1882, but they were not all in the same sign, nor did they involve Saturn and Pluto. And that brings us to the point that all of these current developments – trade disputes (tariffs), slowing world economy, and impeachment – are related to the Capricorn Stellium, and especially the 31-37-year Saturn/Pluto cycle that takes place in less than two months. The progress of Jupiter in Sagittarius, or rather the hope for progress that was associated with Jupiter in Sagittarius, is grinding to halt. Even the renegotiated North American trade agreement that was believed all but certain to pass in 2019 is now in doubt. These are just some of the reasons why stock markets around the world were stagnant last week following all-time and multi-year highs in several the prior week.
These same issues were also the reason why treasury markets rebounded last week, which in turn led to modest rallies in several commodities, such as Gold, Silver and Crude Oil. However, neither the decline in stocks nor the rallies in metals signify a reversal of the underlying primary trend yet. They appear to be more akin to pauses, which is very typical of Mercury stationary as it ended its retrograde motion last week.
SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was indicted on corruption charges… Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said on Thursday that Mr. Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in connection with three corruption probes… Mr. Netanyahu’s political survival might now depend on whether Knesset grants him immunity, which would pause the indictment until after he leaves that parliamentary body. – Felicia Schwartz and Dov Lieber, “Israel’s Netanyahu Is Indicted on Bribery and Fraud Charges,” Wall Street Journal, November 22, 2019.
The 32-37 year Saturn/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn on January 12, 2020 is already in full operational mode in places other than the U.S. Saturn and Capricorn pertain to governments around the world, and Pluto pertains to charges of corruption against world leaders, or by world leaders against those they perceive as threats or their opponents. It is an aspect that correlates with efforts to impeach, or remove from office– or positions of power. It is a force to transform or reform the structure and processes that currently define power and authority in an institution or a leader.
Pluto and Mars have co-rulership over the sign of Scorpio. Last week, Mars ingressed into Scorpio, where it will remain through January 3, 2020. Since both Pluto and Scorpio rule investigations, revelations, and allegations of cover ups (like extortion, bribery), it was no surprise that the impeachment efforts against both Presidents Trump and Netanyahu were top news stories last week. It is unlikely that these efforts will end by the time Saturn conjoins Pluto on January 12. Yet, so far, they do not seem to be having an adverse effect on world stock indices. In the U.S., investors are signaling that they do not expect President Trump to be removed from office. However, Mars in Scorpio will form an opposition to Uranus on Sunday, November 24. That aspect alone has a strong historical correlation to a sudden and steep declines in world stock prices within 4 trading days, after which strong rallies often follow.
Later in the week, on November 27, Neptune will turn stationary direct. As Neptune co-rules Crude Oil, the energy markets may be about to reverse their recent trends. In fact, Jupiter and Neptune – the co-rulers of Crude Oil – will be active through December 20 when Jupiter forms a trine to Uranus, followed by the new moon conjunct Jupiter, December 26-27. It is going to be an interesting end of the year for many financial markets, for with Jupiter, nothing is small, and everything can be exaggerated.
In summary, both Mercury and Neptune are stationary, changing directions from retrograde to direct, November 20-27. Finding two planets changing directions within a week of one another is oftentimes a sign that short-term trends in various financial markets are ready for a reversal. These two planets are interesting because of what they represent: Mercury is communication and information, and Neptune often relates to rumors and misinformation. This is not a favorable time to be caught in a lie, and allegations of falsehoods are likely to be rampant now (they already are). It is, however, a favorable time for music, dance, and the arts. With the Sun in the party and celebratory sign of Sagittarius, it can be a festive time to enjoy the company of friends and family. In America, it is a favorable time to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. However, it may not be wise to engage political debates, not with Mars in Scorpio and Saturn approaching its conjunction to Pluto. The season of Sagittarius favors lightness and fun, but the season of Mars in Scorpio, with Saturn approaching Pluto in Capricorn, can be heavy. If not careful, words can offend, even if not intended to offend. People may be careless of what they say, and others may be overly sensitive as to what they think they hear. That’s why rumors, misinformation, and misunderstandings may dominate this week’s trading in financial markets, as well as what you see, read, or hear in the news.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTE 1: SPECIAL EARLY SURPRISE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PRE-ORDERED FORECAST 2020! With the House of Representatives about to formally vote on the impeachment of President Trump, we think it may be of interest for purchasers of the Forecast 2020 Book to get a preview of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election – now! This is the central part of the 2020 book covering over 25 pages. In this chapter, I analyze the charts of the U.S on Election Day, the U.S. on Inauguration Day, President Trump, as well as four of the Democratic candidates. Starting today, we will be sending out this chapter from Forecast 2020, The President and the 2020 Election, to all those customers who have pre-ordered Forecast 2020. If you haven’t pre-ordered the Forecast Book and want early access to this chapter, pre-order now and you will immediately be sent this chapter after purchase. Spend your weekend reading up on what to expect in the 2020 Election, as seen by Raymond Merriman.
The Pre-Order period for the Forecast 2020 Book is now underway! The cost is $55 and must be ordered prior to December 6th for December 16th shipment of the printed edition. Order both an eBook and print book (Forecast 2020 Bundle) for only $75! This year’s Forecast Book will cover: The Global Reset continues, and is due for yet another reset. Also covered will be The USA and the 2020 Presidential Election, the potential for the next financial crisis, outlook for financial markets in 2020, forecasts for the year for each sign… and much more! This will be the largest Forecast Book ever written ¬ – approximately 240 pages! Why? Because there are more longer-term planetary conjunctions (synodic cycles of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) taking place in one year (2020) since… we don’t know when.
MMA’s 2019 Scorecard (from Forecast 2019 Book) is updated as of November 7, 2019 and is now available for viewing! See how we did HERE on our Website.
NOTE 2: The ICR (International Cycles Reports) from MMA was issued this week, November 19-20. 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 Shtayerman (metals, stock indices, and soft commodities), MMA Analyst Raymond Merriman (China markets), MMA Analyst Ulric Aspegren (Currencies), Isabella Suleymanov (Grains), and Massimo Moras (Live Cattle and Hang Seng).
NOTE 3: The MMA Monthly Cycles Report was issued this month to all active subscribers of that report. This month’s issue included a special report on the U.S. stock market as it is making new all-time highs as we near the end of the Jupiter-in-Sagittarius cycle. In addition to the special update on the U.S. stock market, this month’s issue also provided our latest analysis and outlook for 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. If you are not a subscriber to the monthly MMA Cycles Report and wish a copy of this month’s outlook for financial markets, consider trying the November Issue for only $35 that will include the special report on the U.S. stock market. With stocks approaching their all-time highs again, and Gold recently making a new 6-year high, and Jupiter soon to leave Sagittarius as the 2020 “Capricorn Stellium” begins, this is an important juncture for many financial markets.
EVENTS
January 12, 2020: The Saturn/Pluto Conference: “Reset Astrology: Start of a New Era,” Zurich, Switzerland, featuring Claude Weiss, Monica Kissling, Verna Bachmann, Alexandra Klinghammer, Klemens Ludwig, Markus Jehle, Dr. Christof Niederwieser, and Raymond Merriman. For more information, visit https://www.astro2020.ch.
February 8, 2020: MMA’S FORECAST 2019 LIVE WEBINAR will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020. 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 next year’s 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, and currencies will be discussed. Cost is $55.00 and includes the slides of the presentation, plus a downloadable video recording of the event. If unable to attend live, you can still sign up, as everyone who orders the Webinar will receive the slides and video recording, following the live event.
September 9-14, 2020: The ISAR 2020 Conference 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 Merriman will be conducting a 4-hour workshop on Astrology and the art of financial market timing: How to forecast trends and market reversals. This course will provide research studies showing the correlation of astrological factors to short-term and longer-term financial market timing in stock markets, precious metals, and Bitcoin. 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.