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MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING JUNE 3, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Please note that there will be no weekly column next week due to the Course Two training of MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA). See note below in announcements.

Review and Preview

Many stock markets around the world suffered their sharpest declines of the year into late last week. And then the USA payroll reports came out Friday morning and everything changed. What was bearish turned bullish (stocks). What was bullish turned bearish (precious metals).

Last week was also a classic example of Neptune turning stationary retrograde, which occurred on June 6. Investors and traders were confused about what the European and USA central bankers were thinking and would do after last week. They thought interest rates would start to rise again, that the Fed was weaning off its quantitative easing programs. In the end, the central bankers did nothing, contrary to much speculation the prior week that they were changing directions. It was all a gross misinterpretation. Nothing changed, which is often the case when leaders are uncertain about what to do or how to do what they have to eventually do.

That decline and reversal in stocks and precious metals…. was big. Take the Japanese Nikkei stock index for instance. On May 23, right after the third passage of the Uranus-Pluto waxing square (May 20), the Nikkei was at a 5-year high, trading up to 15,942. By Friday, June 7 – just two weeks later – it was down to 12,548, a loss of over 21%! In the USA, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had topped out at 15,542 on May 22. Yes, the Nikkei was actually higher than the DJIA for the first time in many years. But by Thursday, June 6, the DJIA plummeted to 14,844 and everyone was getting a little panicky, as Neptune was turning retrograde. It closed the week at 15,248 and suddenly everyone became giddy. Never mind that the unemployment rate went up a notch to 7.6%. Despite that fact that more people were unemployed, 175,000 new people entered the work force. Or so it is reported for now. Last month’s employment numbers – and the month before that too - were revised down. As Neptune turned stationary, and the Moon entered Gemini (on Friday), contradictions, misinterpretations, and revisions were all part of the plot of the drama that has no closure or end in sight.

But never fear: they will soon resume that game of “Kick that can down the road one more time.” Yet with Saturn in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn, the “Day of Reckoning” with worldwide debt just gets closer and closer. At least Bernanke’s discussion of the past two weeks has made the investors aware that the Fed is thinking about how to withdraw us from our spending addiction gradually and gracefully. But as Financial Astrologers, do you believe that will be possible with Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto soon to enter a T-square pattern (August 2013-May 2014)? Uranus has never been known for its precision in timing. It is almost always too late or too early, too little or too much - and with Jupiter involved, probably too much.

Best Trades of the Week

The best weekly trade last week was in the Euro-Yen currency, which advised: “Position traders may still buy on a drop to 126.50 +/- .50…. Aggressive traders may (also) continue with the idea to buy at 126.50 +/- .50, with a stop-loss on a close below 123 to start with.” The weekly low was 126.11 and close was 129.01.

The best trade in the daily reports of last week was in the S&P index, which had been short from the of 1680 area on May 22. The daily report for Thursday, June 6, stated, “Aggressive traders are short with a stop-loss on a close above 1645. Traders were advised, ‘You may cover 1/3 of these for profit at 1620 +/- .75 if offered.’ That happened. You may now cover another 1/3 today ….” The market opened at 1608.50 on Thursday, so 2/3 of shorts were covered for 60 points and 70+ points respectively on Wednesday and Thursday.

And concerning Friday’s step drop in Silver? This is what the daily report to subscribers stated every day this week, beginning on Monday, June 3:“My major concern now is that the second of three air-air combinations in the sun sign of Gemini unfolds Friday of this week, which has about a 30% correlation to very sharp declines. Friday is a “big range” day too. It didn’t fall on the first air-air combo of last week (Wed-Thurs); in fact, it made a high then… If we can get through that time band without falling ‘out of bed,’ Silver will be OK and bullish.” Silver and Gold both fell out of bed on Friday, and we will cover our outlook for both in this week’s weekly report, as well as with stocks and other financial and commodity markets. For more details, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-weekly-market-comments-and-trade-recommendations/.

Short-and Intermediate-Term Geocosmics

Our attention now shifts to the Saturn-Neptune waning trine, one of the most powerful and consistent correlations to the culmination of long-term stock market cycles, as reported in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” That will also be the subject for next weekend’s webinar at the MMA Market Timing Academy. Due to the retrograde of Neptune last week, and the forthcoming end to Saturn’s retrograde motion on July 8, these two planets will complete the last two (of three) passages of their waning trine on June 11 and July 19. Therefore, this entire period (June 11-July 19) will be highlighted by the principles of this aspect. Jupiter actually makes a grand trine to this duo on July 17. The grand trine is considered perhaps the most favorable or harmonious of all planetary configurations, and it falls right on the USA’s natal Venus-Jupiter conjunction in early Cancer. To make a long story short, this is possibly the last chance to get it right, before the Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto T-square (bankruptcy or banking crisis aspect) takes over through next May. That too falls right on the sensitive Sun-Saturn square in the natal USA chart.

Even after May, the Uranus-Pluto square continues into March 2015. Saturn is in Scorpio through most of this time. Did I mention the “Time of Reckoning” is drawing closer and closer?

What is the crisis suggested by these transits? And what can we do about it as individuals? Well, the crisis will probably manifest in the realm of the political, governmental, banking, and/or economic arena. A lot can be done to avert the intensity of it by making the proper decisions now, as the cosmos approaches the grand trine of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus in mid-July. The same holds true with each of us as individuals. Each one of us can make decisions now in terms of our business, work, relationships, and finances, leading up to mid-July. For instance, if you want to form a new business, then create it (incorporate it) before then. If you wish to borrow money to buy a house or business, or sell a house or business, plan on doing it now, because after mid-July, it all changes. That is the way I see it as a Financial Astrologer. And Financial Astrologers are those who are trained to read the writing on the walls of the heavens. Sometimes we get it right when no one else does.

One final note for those who are planning to move into a new home soon: on July 2-3, the Sun will be in Cancer, and the Moon (ruler of Cancer) will be exalted in Taurus. This is a very favorable time to actually move into that new location. The Moon and Cancer rule the home.

Longer-Term Thoughts

There will be no longer-term thoughts for the next two weeks due to the time required to prepare for Course 2 of MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA), taking place June 15-17.

Announcements

Just one more week to sign up for the webinar on “Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles in Financial Markets!” This next MMTA course will take place June 15-17, 2013 at the Michigan Education Center (MEC) in Troy, Michigan. This course will examine the correlation of Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, and the Moon’s North Nodes to long-term trends and their cycle troughs and crests in many financial markets, including stock indices and precious metals, going back over 200 years. Special attention will be given to the Uranus-Pluto and Saturn-Neptune cycles in various financial and commodity markets, plus the transit of Jupiter through the signs of the zodiac and its correlation to long- and intermediate-term stock market and Silver cycles. This is a course you will not want to miss if you are focused on the long-term picture!!! The cost of this webinar (for non-MMTA students and apprentices) is $2750. For information and/or registration, please go to http://www.merrimanmta.com/course_two.shtml, or http://www.mmacycles.com/administrator/index2.php, or call MMA at 1-248-626-3034. Sign up now, as registration for this course will end June 13!!!

The DVD and LMS (Learning Management System) of April 6-8 presentation on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” is now available! You may now pre-order the DVD or LMS upload of this extraordinary event at www.mmacycles.com or http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61. If you wish to place your order directly, please call Amber Lundsten at 1-248-626-3034, or email to info@merrimanmta.com. The cost of the DVD or the LMS is $3000. It includes the very valuable 130+-page workbook, which follows right along with the DVD and LMS programs.

If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or Daily Market reports. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years, I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is also now available! The cost of the 8-set, 10+ hour DVD packet, is $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=379&Itemid=48. You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com.

Events:

June 15-17, 2013: MMTA Course 2: “Geocosmic Correlations to Long-Term Cycles in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be available as a webinar to non-MMTA students and apprentices fro $2750.00.

August 10-12, 2013: MMTA Course 3: “Geocosmic Correlations to Primary and Trading Cycles in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

October 12-14, 2013: MMTA Course 4: “Solar-Lunar Correlations to Short-Term Reversals in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

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 assume any responsibility at all for those individual decisions. Reader should understand that futures and options trading are considered high risk.

for more information contact

see

www.mmacycles.com

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MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE

WEEK BEGINNING MAY 13, 2013

Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

It was quite a week in many financial markets. First of all, both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P index soared to new all-time highs, with the DJIA closing above 15,000 and the S&P above 1600. But this time new all-time highs were not limited to the USA. The German DAX and Argentina’s Merval Index also broke to new high ground. Multi-year highs were also noted in the London FTSE, Netherlands AEX, Zurich’s SMI, and Australia’s All Ordinaries. The war on currencies in the form of historically low interest rates is producing inflationary results in world equities.

You would think this would also be bullish for precious metals, and to some extent it was. Gold and Silver opened sharply lower on Friday, but rallied strongly into the close. But they have a lot of ground to catch up after the huge decline of last month. Can they do it? Yes they can, for their 4.25- and 4.34-year cycle lows respectively are due in this time frame, ideally early 2013.

Best Trades of the Week

The best trade last week was probably in the Weekly Report for Currencies (and full weekly report), which advised the following on the Euro-Yen: Position traders are long with a stop-loss on a close below 118.86 or 124.00, depending on your risk allowance after covering half of them last week for profits. You may re-purchase those again at 129 or lower. Aggressive traders were long and exited all positions for profit. You may now go long again at 129.00 or lower with a stop-loss on a close below weekly support.” The low of the week was on May 8 at 128.98. Two days later (Friday, May 10), it was trading above 132.00, its highest price in over three years.

Both Gold and Silver provided us with excellent trades last week. The weekly report on Gold advised, “Aggressive traders are also short... You may cover all shorts on a drop to 1404.50 +/- 19.50, reverse and go long with a stop-loss on a close below xxx” The low was 1418.50 on Friday, May 10. It closed around 1447. Friday’s daily report on Gold stated, “Position traders are flat and may buy on a drop below 1420 with a stop-loss on a close below xxx.” The low was 1418.50 and the close was 1447. For July Silver, the weekly report advised, “Aggressive traders are also short with a stop-loss on a close above 2520. But let’s cover all of these on a decline to weekly support (2328-2333), and go long if they close above weekly support after the cover.” The low was 2315 and the close was about 2370.

New trades were also initiated on the daily reports in the stock markets last week, and profitable trades were exited in the T-Notes. All in all, it was a very active week for the MA daily and weekly subscription reports.

Short-Term Geocosmics

There are two points to bring up this week. The first is that the third (of seven) passage of the Uranus-Pluto square is fast approaching on May 20. The first two of June 24 and September 19, 2012 were quite impressive. Stock markets around the world made a 30-month cycle low on June 4, just three weeks before the first passage. The week of June 25 they challenged that low and held, followed by a powerful rally that lasted into… September 19 +/- two days. There was secondary top on October 5 in the DJIA – and a big crest in Gold that day too – but basically the majority of the rally was completed around September 19, and then the “Fiscal Cliff” crisis psychology took over. Thus, we expect something powerful to transpire with financial markets within three weeks of May 20, and maybe very close to that date itself.

Second, we are about to experience a lot of Gemini energy, and that could be quite confusing, for an emphasis of Gemini is like giving amphetamine to an insomniac who doesn’t know where or when a sentence should end. Jupiter has been in Gemini for nearly a year already and will remain there until June 25. On May 9, Venus entered Gemini. This is followed by Mercury and the Sun doing the same on May 15 and 20 respectively. Now, one thing we observe about Gemini is that … they don’t like being observed. They move quickly, from one topic to another. In markets, they move quickly too, from sudden jerks up to just as sudden jolts back down. But with Jupiter there, many markets may tend to be more up than down, but not enough that you can count on anything remotely connected to, say, stable. Another thing to understand about Gemini - especially Jupiter in Gemini – is that many financial markets make long-term cycle highs or lows and then reverse. That could be good for Gold and Silver, which may have recently made a long-term cycle low, but not so good for equities, which are in the midst of making long-term cycle highs.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“Rising government revenue from tax collections... are shrinking the federal deficit faster than expected (but)… the government has roughly $16.7 trillion in debt, with numbers rising because the government still spends more money than it brings in.” – Damien Paletta, “Falling Deficit Alters Debate,” Wall Street Journal (front page), Friday, May 10, 2013.

Hmmmm… where did we see this before? Oh yes!

“The image (from the grand trine of Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune in mid-2013) that comes to mind here is that the USA receives wonderful news about its tax revenues by mid-2013. They are at new all-time highs. The revenue side of the debt equation has improved dramatically. But unfortunately, this has led to a false confidence and/or analysis, for the decision has also been made to increase the spending side of the equation. Revenue has increased, but spending also increases dramatically too, in contradiction to the promises that were made before. Thus after the initial windfall from tax revenues wears off and the retraction from higher taxes kicks in, companies have to start laying employees off again and the national spending rate (consumer spending) starts to contract. The country soon realizes that the increased spending side of the equation by the government has resulted in another downward fiscal trajectory for the nation’s balance sheet. By spring of 2014, this may suddenly become a renewed issue.” - Raymond Merriman, Forecast 2013 Book, page 39, written in November 2012.

OK, so I am cheeky for quoting myself. I am brash for pointing out that I called it long before it happened, at a time others were calling for the opposite based on the “Fiscal Cliff” that was looming ahead on January 1. I admit this is in bad taste to call attention to oneself in one’s own column. But that’s not the point here (well, OK, it is to a minor extent). The bigger point is that this very issue is unfolding exactly as would be expected according to the principles of Financial Astrology, pertaining to the USA economy. It’s more about that – much more about that – than it is about my awesome skills of prognostication, which are not always so awesome, but often enough that you read this column, subscribe to my services, attend my speeches, and occasionally write me nice letters, which means so much to someone who was blessed - or cursed, depending on your viewpoint – with a Sun and Moon in Capricorn.

So, let’s get to the point, because really, there is a point to starting this section of the column off with these two quotes. It’s about the awesome planetary configuration coming up this summer. Actually, it’s about two planetary configurations coming up this summer. The first is the Grand Trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune in 4 degrees of water signs on July 17. The other is the “Kite” formation of mid-July through August 2013, which includes Pluto entering the Grand Trine configuration, but making an opposition to Jupiter, and a sextile to both Saturn and Neptune. The degrees involved here are 4-9 degrees of the water signs, plus Capricorn.

What does this mean? First of all, a Grand Trine is considered the most fortunate – benevolent - of all planetary configurations in the study of astrology (well, by most astrologers, not by all astrologers). It has the appearance of an equilateral triangle in the horoscope (a picture of the skies as seen from earth). Because it involves three of the five outermost planets in the solar system, events and decisions made under this Grand Trine can last for many years, even decades. Because Jupiter and Saturn are involved, these decisions are probably noteworthy in the field of law or government. Because Pluto is involved, it can also pertain to debt and taxes. Hence my forecast back in November that a so-called “Grand Bargain” regarding the USA debt predicament could be reached. But I have changed my mind on that. I really don’t think that will happen, given the current USA leadership’s dysfunction and inability to get along with one another on anything to do with … money and finances. Keep in mind that Pluto is in an opposition with Jupiter, so don’t expect any agreement to come easily here regarding economy, finances, and taxes. The two sides may as well be from two different planets with two different currencies and two different ideologies of what works. That’s not likely to change this year, despite the new thrust of hosting dinners for the opposition.

But something big and important can still be agreed upon this year by lawmakers in the USA. Why the USA and not many other places? Because the USA has its natal Venus and Jupiter in the first 5 degrees of Cancer. Jupiter will be there, and both Neptune and Saturn will form their grand trine to this point. Anyone or any entity (like a nation) with natal planets in early Cancer stands to benefit from this cosmic windfall. Something big and worth celebrating can happen in the USA this summer.

I now think it will involve immigration reform, for Jupiter rules matters to do with “foreign affairs” and Saturn rules “laws.” Neptune also has to do with compassion for those who suffer but still have dreams and ideals intact of a better life somewhere in the world. So the combination can lead to a “Grand Bargain” or a big cooperative achievement on something that is humane and compassionate. Finances are not that. However, a pathway to citizenship from those who wish to enter the USA and start a new dream does fall into this category.

In the meantime, the Saturn-Neptune part of the grand trine is a very powerful market timing indicator from mid-June through mid-July. It peaks then as both go stationary in that period, exactly in trine to one another. Give it an orb of six weeks surrounding this time frame, and I think you may be looking at a point when investor sentiment changes from euphoria and confidence to new worries. It might have something to do with the “Grand Bargain” talks stalling in regards to tax reform and government debt. It might have something to do with the realization that a slew of new taxes related to the Affordable Health Care program is causing companies to re-organize and cut back on their work force and the hours they work. With Saturn in Scorpio too, it’s headed right into the “Time of Reckoning” where debt is concerned. You may make more money than ever before, but it still adds up to debt if you spend more than you bring in. Numbers don’t lie.

Announcements

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – will come out this week, Monday and Tuesday, via posting on our web site, and attachment via direct emails, for subscribers. This report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, Treasury Notes, and grain markets. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The new MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday. For further information and subscription, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

The student and apprentices of MMTA (Merriman Market Timing Academy) are now completing their first assignment, which was to identify and analyze the long-, intermediate-, and short-term cycles of a financial market of their choice, and make a forecast based on those cycle studies and research. The first of these papers has been received on an analysis of the Italian Stock Market, from Massimo Moras and Leonard Farina. It is excellent. If you would like to read this paper – and others to come from these MMTA student-apprentices, feel free to do so at http://www.merrimanmta.com/reports/index.shtml, or www.merrimanmta.com, under “Student Research.” I think you will be as impressed as I am of the quality of work these students are performing already.

The April 6-8 webinar and live presentation on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” has been completed. The DVD of this extraordinary event will be available in about one-two weeks. The LMS (Learning Management System) will also be available for uploading to new students who want to avail themselves of this training over the next two years. The LMS is expected to be available in about 5 weeks. You may now pre-order the DVD at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61. If you wish to place your order directly, please call Maureen Hogan or Amber Lundsten at 1-248-626-3034, or email to mhogan@merrimanmta.com. The cost of the DVD or the LMS will be $3000. It includes the very valuable 130+-page workbook, which follows right along with the DVD and LMS program.

The next MMTA course will take place June 15-17, 2013 at the Michigan Education Center (MEC) in Troy, Michigan. Once again, it will be available as a webinar to those who wish to attend but cannot be there physically. This course is titled “Geocosmic Correlation to Investment Cycles in Financial Markets.” It will the correlation of Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, and the Moon’s North Nodes to long-term trends and cycle troughs and crests in many financial markets, including stock indices and precious metals, going back over 200 years. The cost of this webinar (for non MMTA students and apprentices) is $2750. For further information and/or registration, please go to http://www.merrimanmta.com/course_two.shtml, or call MMA at 1-248-626-3034. Registration for this course will end June 12.

Following the last MMTA workshop in April, MMA entered into an official affiliation with MetaStock. As most of our subscribers know, MetaStock has been my preferred analysis tool for several years now. I particularly appreciate the crispness of their graphics, excellent scanning capabilities, and wide range of technical indicators that I use in the analysis of our various reports. As part of our affiliation, MetaStock is offering special discount and free trial to all MMA readers and subscribers. If you would like to try a free trial of Metastock in order to view and evaluate their charting software, please go to www.metastock.com/merriman. Let us know what you think.

Copies of the recent talk given in Phoenix, Arizona are now available in either a CD form at or MP3 audio version. Each order will also receive the power point presentation that goes along with the speech. It was good speech, titled, “Outlook for Political, Economic, and Financial Trends for 2013.” It is available from our website now at www.mmacycles.com. You may also call 1-248-626-3034, or you may email us at ordersmma@msn.com for this recording.

Events :

May 30-June 2, 2013: Great Lakes Astrology Conference, Ann Arbor, MI. Featuring internationally known astrologers, Michael Lutin, Chris McRae, Monica Dimino, Glenn Perry, Lea and Aleksandar Imsiragic, Sandra Leigh Serio, and Raymond Merriman. For further information, please contact Pamela Wenzel at jcweipw@juno.com, or magnum1593@gmail.com, or visit their website at http://www. greatlakesastrology.com.

June 15-17, 2013 : MMTA Course 2: “Geocosmic Correlations to Long-Term Cycles in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

August 10-12, 2013 : MMTA Course 3: “Geocosmic Correlations to Primary and Trading Cycles in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

October 12-14, 2013 : MMTA Course 4: “Solar-Lunar Correlations to Short-Term Reversals in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING MAY 6, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Last week started out with a slew of bearish signatures for the U.S. stock market. On Tuesday, April 30, the S&P made a new all-time high and the NASDAQ Composite soared to its highest price since 2008, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average failed to exceed its all-time high of 14,887 recorded on the April 11 geocosmic critical date. The next day, May 1, the DJIA was down sharply – 138 points – and other world markets were down too, providing a clear case of what is commonly referred to as “intermarket bearish divergence.” The rally to the new high on April 30 in the S&P and NASDAQ was near the end of the April 22-May 1 time band that consisted of three planetary oppositions to the “party crasher,” known as Saturn (first Venus, then the Sun, then Mars). Now normally this convergence of geocosmic and technical signatures would signal that the start of a sell-off of at least 4% has begun.

However, these are not normal times and these are not normal markets.

By the end of May 1, the big sell day, Big Ben (Bernanke) pronounced once again, that short-term interest rates would remain near 0% for quite some time to come – at least until the USA unemployment rate fell to 6.5%. The market cheered this reassurance – as it almost always does when he repeats this mantra – and the DJIA gained back 130 of those 138 points it had lost the previous day. Yet that was nothing compared to the euphoria that overtook the market on Friday (today), when the announced unemployment rate fell to 7.5%, its lowest rate in several years. The payroll report was also larger than expected, and the prior months’ reports were also upwardly revised. On the heels of these better than expected reports, the DJIA soared above 15,000 for the first time in its history. The S&P also traded above 1600 for the first time in its history. Last week was historical for stock markets in the USA, and some other world indices.

So what does this tell us about geocosmic and cyclical correlations to today’s equity markets? First of all, we note that the rush to new highs in the DJIA – and continued up moves in both the S&P and Composite – occurred immediately after the hard aspects to Saturn were completed. When Saturn leaves, the party resumes. Second, Uranus is headed full steam ahead towards it third rendezvous (of seven) waxing square aspects to Pluto, due on May 20.

Whenever hard aspects involving Uranus are nearby, records are broken. Long-term support or resistance levels are totally disregarded, for Uranus likes to “break out” of any imagined (or real) limitations. It doesn’t care what direction those levels occupy. It just wants to break them down. But the other side of the coin is this; whatever direction it breaks out in, it can just as suddenly reverse and go the opposition direction with even more vigor when you least expect it. Uranus is historically notorious for coinciding with huge up moves in some market sector, only to be followed by huge declines in that same market before it leaves that aspect or sign position.

Do you remember when Uranus was in Aquarius, 1995-2003? Aquarius rules technology. Do you remember what happened to technology stocks (i.e. the NASDAQ) in the first half of that period? Nobody could get enough of the dot com stocks in their portfolio as the index soared to over 5000 by March 2000. By October 2002, before Uranus left Aquarius, the NASDAQ Composite was testing 1000, down over 80% from those lofty heights of early 2000. Do you remember when Uranus entered the next sign of Pisces, 2003-2010? Pisces rules Crude Oil. The black gold soared to an all-time high of over $147/barrel in May 2008. By December of that same year, it had plunged to test the $30.00/barrel mark, a collapse of nearly 80% while Uranus was still in Pisces.

Now Uranus is in Aries, 2010-2019, and forming a waxing square to Pluto (June 2012 through March 2015). Aries rules guns and weapons. Have you tried to buy any bullets or ammunition for guns lately? Probably not, because you cannot get them. And if you can, you are probably paying 5 times as much as you would have prior to 2010. Pluto rules things like guns, explosives, and ammunition - or weapons that threaten human life and safety (or if you are a conservative, perhaps you think they protect human life).

Which brings us to Gold and Silver, the ultimate weapons of protection in a world overwhelmed by financial uncertainty and fears regarding personal safety. Well, Gold and Silver did very little last week. Yes, like stocks, they sold off sharply intraday on Wednesday, May 1. However, like stocks, they bounced back smartly (just not as smartly as stocks) into the end of the week. Gold barely took out its highs of the prior week, from April 26, which occurred right in the middle of all those Saturn aspects. Silver did not take out its recent high of April 26.

Best Trades of the Week:

There were no new trades initiated last week. Older trades remain in force, were stopped out for small losses, or were exited for profits.

Short-Term Geocosmics

There are no major geocosmic signatures in effect next week. However, there is a total solar eclipse on May 9 (in the western hemisphere, May 10 in the Eastern Hemisphere). It will be interesting to see if a solar eclipse, unsupported by any other geocosmic signatures, can coincide with a reversal in the equity markets. Historically they don’t usually have much affect at all, according to a study I published several years ago in the ISAR (International Society for Astrological Research) journal. However, you have to wonder if this time might be different for four reasons.

First, it is early May. For the past three years, significant crests have occurred in stock markets in April or May, followed by sharp declines lasting several weeks, and even months, Secondly, the big Uranus-Pluto square looms ahead on May 20. Now markets don’t usually reverse exactly on the day of such a long-term planetary signature. But again, historically, long-term cycle highs or lows tend to form by the third passage of a 5-passage (or more) series of an aspect. This will be the third passage. Third, Jupiter will transit between 18-20 degrees of Gemini this week. As noted several times in this column over the past year, Jupiter transiting between 14-24 degrees of Gemini nearby to a hard Saturn-Uranus aspect has a precedent for coinciding with long-term cycle crests in U.S, equity markets. For reasons also discussed in this column, that zodiac time band may need to be expanded to 4 degrees of Cancer, which means anytime between now and the end of June. And fourth, we are still in the time band of the Sun-Mars conjunction orb, which lasts through the end of May. Also, as reported in this column, this signature has the highest correlation to 10% of greater reversal in U.S. stock indices than any other aspect we have studied, given a 10-degree orb. Oh, and there are more geocosmic factors to consider (such as the 11-trading day orb of both the Sun and Mars in opposition to Saturn correlating with big reversals), but you get the picture.

The picture right now seems bright. But, when you look behind those bright lights, there may be a cliff ahead with a very steep decline. Am I saying this because I know that “fear sells” (it always sells when Saturn and/or Pluto are prominent)? But, no. That is not why I write about these things. My interest is not to frighten anyone. I just feel it is my duty to inform readers of geocosmic cycles in the past that are coming up in the future, and what their correlation has been in the past so readers can be aware of their possibilities in the present and future. Although I cite several geocosmic signatures that are present now that can correlate with a top, I also believe it is possible this rally could continue even into July when the grand trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune occurs. It’s like this: you see the weather patterns starting to gather that can create a severe storm. You don’t know exactly when all of those patterns will collide together and the storm will strike. But you see the patterns that will soon form after the grand trine in July. After that, what’s left? The T-square between Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto, a classical bankruptcy aspect, which will carry well into 2014. And with Saturn still in Scorpio until 2015, it is the time of reckoning, of reaping the consequences of past behaviors involving the three D’s: debt, deficits, and downgrades.

Longer-Term Thoughts

      This comes from one of our Canadian subscribers that we gladly share with readers. “The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has just posted three insightful articles on its website about the wild printing of money the US Fed and other central banks are doing. You may be interested in reading these.” It’s nice to see mainstream media noticing themes we introduced in this column many moons ago, and still believe are important.   
   
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/26/f-rfa-macdonald-power-shift-savers.html
   
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/29/f-rfa-macdonald-power-shift-growth.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/30/f-rfa-macdonald-monarchs-money-secrecy.html

Announcements

The April 6-8 webinar and live presentation on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” has been completed. The DVD of this extraordinary event will be available in about one-two weeks. The LMS (Learning Management System) will also be available for uploading to new students who want to avail themselves of this training over the next two years. The LMS is expected to be available in about 5 weeks. You may now pre-order the DVD through MMA at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61. If you wish to place your order directly, please call Maureen Hogan or Amber Lundsten at 1-248-626-3034, or email to mhogan@merrimanmta.com. The cost of the DVD or the LMS will be $3000. It includes the very valuable 130+-page workbook, which follows right along with the DVD and LMS program.

Following the last MMTA workshop in April, MMA entered into an official affiliation with MetaStock. As most of our subscribers know, MetaStock has been my preferred analysis tool for several years now. I particularly appreciate the crispness of their graphics, excellent scanning capabilities, and wide range of technical indicators that I use in the analysis of our various reports. As part of our affiliation, MetaStock is offering special discount and free trial to all MMA readers and subscribers. If you would like to try a free trail of Metastock in order to view and evaluate their charting software, please go to www.metastock.com/merriman. Let us know what you think.

Events:

June 15-17, 2013: MMTA Course 2: “Geocosmic Correlations to Long-Term Cycles in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

August 10-12, 2013: MMTA Course 3: “Geocosmic Correlations to Primary and Trading Cycles in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

October 12-14, 2013: MMTA Course 4: “Solar-Lunar Correlations to Short-Term Reversals in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 29, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Most world equity markets bottomed between April 18 and April 22, and then rallied modestly higher throughout most of last week. From a geocosmic perspective, this is interesting because last week started a succession of opposition aspects involving Saturn (from Venus, then the Sun and Mars), in effect April 22-May 1. The midpoint would be April 26-27, and April 25 was a lunar eclipse involving Saturn with the Moon in Scorpio. As we look back at last week, we will note that most of the rallies peaked on April 25, the day of the lunar eclipse.

What does this tell us when equity markets rally into the middle of time band containing several Saturn aspects? First of all, understand that Saturn is the principle of repression and contraction. Psychologically it coincides with worry, anxiety about the future, and stress related to failure or inadequacy. It can represent an urge to do something perfect, but fear that it won’t actually be perfect, but instead be less than perfect and subject to criticism. Behaviorally, one’s actions tend to be cautious, as if trying to avoid a mistake or an error that will be discovered by others. The lunar eclipse simply amplifies the themes of any planets directly involved, like Saturn.

Thus last week, equity markets rallied. However, the rally was timid. It did not exceed the highs of a couple of weeks ago. And it stalled after only 3-5 days, as if to pause and check out whether it was doing the right thing or not. The oppositions of Saturn by the Sun and Mars will continue early next week, through May 1. Of interest to financial astrologers will be to see if this period of pausing will end then, followed by another thrust up to new highs, or if Thursday’s lunar eclipse (April 25) represented a secondary high in many equity markets from which a severe decline will start to gather steam.

The price pattern in stocks was mirrored in Crude Oil last week. From a low of 85.61 on April 18, Crude Oil popped to a high of 93.87 on Thursday’s lunar eclipse, and then it paused. Gold and Silver were much stronger last week, until the latter half of Friday. From a low of 1321.50 on April 16, Gold exploded to 1484.70 on Friday, April 26. However, by the end of the trading day, it closed at 1453.50, off over 30.00 from the high earlier. Silver ran up from a low of 2200 on April 16 to a high of 2479 intraday Friday. But it too sold off over a dollar/once to close at 2375. The study of cycles allows for yet another down leg into May, unless that low of April 16 was an expanded primary cycle. For more insight on Gold, please go to You Tube and click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMpPQLGLuFI. Or, under search, type in “Raymond Merriman Recent Gold Decline.” It is a snippet from the first course at MMA;s Market Timing Academy that took place April 6-8, just before the crash in Gold and Silver later that week.

Best Trades of the Week:

The MMA Weekly Report (and Weekly Currency Report) advised the following on the July Soybeans: “Aggressive traders … may also buy at 1360-1370 with a stop-loss on a close below 1336. The low last week was 1341 on Tuesday, April 23. By Friday, April 26, it was trading as high as 1385 and closed at 1381.

The MMA daily report for Friday, April 26, advised on Gold: “Aggressive traders (may sell) at 1470 or higher with a stop-loss above xxxx.” It’s a live trade so we are not going to publically reveal our stop-loss at this time. The high on Friday was 1484.80 and it closed at 1453.40.

Short-Term Geocosmics

On Sunday, April 28, the Sun will make its opposition to Saturn. On May 1, Mars will make its opposition to Saturn. Both planets (Sun and Mars) will also form a soft trine to Pluto on May 1 and May 5 respectively. The Sun and Mars in opposition to Saturn have relatively high historical correlations to primary cycles in stocks if given an orb of 11 trading days. In the case of the Sun-Saturn opposition (April 28), the correlation is 73%. With Mars-Saturn, the rate of frequency is even higher at 82%. I don’t think we are in a time band where a primary bottom is due. Therefore, we look for a possible primary cycle crest – or double top – to form in here. Seasonally we also note that world equity markets have made significant crests in April or May of the past three years. I am sure central banks are aware of this, and therefore there may be some effort to prevent this pattern from repeating this year. Thus it will be a fight between the forces of the cosmos, which suggest a prolonged decline could start shortly under normal circumstances (if it hasn’t already begun) versus the power and behavior of the central banks to keep the show going on.

Longer-Term Thoughts

Over the past year this column has frequently referred to Jupiter transiting 14-24 degrees of Gemini as a possible correlate to a stock market high, especially as it is occurring under a Uranus-Pluto square aspect. In the past 100 years, this has happened twice, and in both cases (1929 and 1966) the stock market made a new all-time high followed by a severe plunge for the next 1-3 years. Jupiter is now there again, April 12-June 4. With only two cases to go by, we may need to expand that zodiac band by10 degrees either way if in fact there is to be a correlation here. Ten more degrees would take us into July 19, 2013. Either way, we are in the period now for this signature to take effect.

What we haven’t discussed, however, is how Jupiter in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) has often coincided with a longer-term cycle trough in Silver. This is just one more reason why I think both Silver and Gold have another big rally coming up soon.

There is one more long-term planetary cycle I would like to review this week. It is the Saturn-Neptune waning trine. It takes place three times between October 10, 2012 and July 19, 2013. The second passage is coming up June 11. In other words, this aspect will be stationary and its strongest position June 11 through July 19, but its correlation with a long-term cycle in U.S. stocks can probably occur as much as 6 weeks outside of this time band either way. As written in the Forecast 2013 Book and also Volume 2 of the Stock Market Timing series, “This is one of the most impressive of the Saturn-Neptune series…. six of these seven cycles were greater than 4-year types… Investors can therefore look for a long-term cycle to culminate during the time of this aspect and for prices to reverse sharply for at least 1-2 years afterwards.” We will cover this - and many other long-term planetary cycles – in Course #2 of the Merriman Market Timing Academy that takes place June 15-17. It will be available by webinar or personal attendance to those who want to experience it live.

Announcements

If you are interested in a review of Course 1 of MMTA that took place April 6-8, please visit http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/a-review-of-the-mmta-course-1--by-henry-canciglia/. Or go to the www.mmacycles.com website and scroll down the first page. Henry Canciglia has an extensive background in the U.S. political and intelligence community. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. He also graduated with honors from the US Army Command & General Staff College. He represented the US Army at the White House, where he served as an aide to then-President Ronald Reagan. After the military, Mr. Canciglia co-founded Smith Canciglia Consulting, Inc., a government relations, political consulting, and public affairs firm based in the Washington, DC, area. Since the 1980s Mr. Canciglia has traded markets and studied technical analysis, wave theory, and cycles. In 2001 he was drawn to the writings of Ray Merriman and for the past eight years Mr. Canciglia has been a devoted reader of Merriman’s publications, an attendee at MMA seminars, and a student of Merriman's breakthrough research and work in the fields of geocosmic studies, cycles, and market timing. Henry is one of the 15 apprentices for the two-year MMTA course.

The April 6-8 webinar and live presentation on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” has been completed. The DVD of this extraordinary event will be available in about two weeks. The LMS (Learning Management System) will also be available for uploading to new students who want to avail themselves of this training over the next two years. The LMS is expected to be available in about 5 weeks. You may now pre-order the DVD through MMA at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61. If you wish to place your order directly, please call Maureen Hogan or Amber Lundsten at 1-248-626-3034, or email to mhogan@merrimanmta.com. The cost of the DVD or the LMS will be $3000. It includes the very valuable 130+-page workbook, which follows right along with the DVD and LMS program.

The monthly MMA Cycles Reports came out last week. It contained another special report on Gold and Silver’s longer-term cycles outlook. The MMA Cycles Report gives an in-depth market-timing and technical analysis of the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Treasury Notes, the Euro and Swiss Franc currencies, Soybeans, and Crude Oil. It provides both time and price projections of expected troughs and crests in these markets. It also provides MMA’s forthcoming geocosmic and solar-lunar critical reversal dates for the next month. The MMA Europe and MMA Japanese Cycles Report were also issued last week. If you subscribe to either of these reports and did not receive it, please let us know immediately. For further information, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

Events:

May 30-June 2, 2013: Great Lakes Astrology Conference, Ann Arbor, MI. Featuring internationally known astrologers, Michael Lutin, Chris McRae, Monica Dimino, Glenn Perry, Lea and Aleksandar Imsiragic, Sandra Leigh Serio, and Raymond Merriman. For further information, please contact Pamela Wenzel at jcweipw@juno.com, or visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesAstrologyConference.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 22, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

No matter how well one analyzes a financial market, and no matter how accurate a market timing indicator acts, it is still a jolt when a market falls as hard as Gold and Silver did in the past week, especially from the high of 1590.10 on April 9 to that low of 1322.50 on April 16. Even though it managed to recover over 100 points – back as high as 1424.70 – on Friday, April 19, the amplitude of the decline was the feature that caught everyone’s attention last week. “What caused it?” “Did geocosmic and cyclical studies anticipate it?” “Did anyone call it?” I think MMA Weekly and Daily subscribers, as well as all students at the recent MMTA (Merriman Market Timing Academy), were very prepared for this decline, especially as the weekly report had advised traders to exit all longs and go short on any move above 1590 that week. The high was 1590.10, which is probably as much luck as skill.

But no, MMA was not the only market advisory service that anticipated this. Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and a host of major European banks all had reports out the week preceding this decline alerting their customers to the possibility. Their means of anticipating the decline were much different from MMAs, and yet the results were the same. They were all warning of a decline below 1400, and even down into the 1200’s, while our market timing studies warned of a decline anywhere from 866-1367. Their analysis warned of a new bear market lasting perhaps years. Ours warned of a spike that would satisfy the criteria for the 4.25-year cycle low to be completed anytime this year and probably sooner than later, just as soon as some critical chart patterns within these cycles would be completed. We will outline what those parameters are in this week’s special edition of the MMA Cycles Report. In the meantime, we are preparing a special You Tube video from the April 6-8, 2013 MMTA course that clearly outlined the case for Gold’s decline – and rebound. Hopefully it will be ready next week for your viewing on our You Tube channel.

World equity markets also tumbled last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for instance, peaked at 14,877 right on our April 11 critical reversal date – the day midway between several consecutive and close-to-one-another geocosmic signatures extending from March 17 through May 5. As stated last week in Tuesday’s MMA daily report, “Monday’s (April 15) behavior was classical bearish. That is, the high of April 11 was right on a critical reversal date and the midpoint of the very long geocosmic cluster. It occurred with a bearish double looping formation in the stochastics, with the second loop lower than the first (bearish oscillator divergence). If it was a non-engineered market, I would easily state that was the 4-year cycle crest and a 20-30% decline is underway. If it does fall that much over the next 2-6 months, my belief in the government/central bank being honest brokers with public would be rekindled.” Well, that is probably too technical for most readers to follow. But the gist is that if central banks would quit trying to steer savers into stocks by engineering these quantitative easing programs to keep a lid on interest rates, the normal cycle rhythm would lead to a 20-30% decline over the next few months in most world markets. It is possible they could decline that much in any event, but with banks pouring billions of dollars each month into these purchases, we live in a time when many financial markets are anything but natural – including Gold.

Yet as we experience these bizarre times as financial and Mundane Astrologers, we see that the events certainly fit in the mold of the longest lasting and most potent geocosmic signature of our lifetime: Uranus square Pluto, June 24, 2012 through March 17, 2015, with the third of seven passages coming up May 20, 2013. The explosive bombs that struck Boston at the end of its famous marathon race were another reminder of the explosive danger that coincides during this time, a danger outlined in great detail in the Forecast 2013 Book.

Best Trades of the Week:

The MMA Weekly Report (and Weekly Currency Report) advised the following on the Dollar-Yen market: “Aggressive traders may now buy on a decline to 95.50-96.00 with a stop-loss on a close under 92.54.” The low last week was 95.93 on Tuesday, April 16. By Friday, April 19, it was re-testing par (100.00).

The MMA daily report for Tuesday, April 16, advised on the NASDAQ: “Position traders are flat and may sell short at 2810-2830 with a stop-loss on a close above 2860.” The high that day was 2834. Within two days, it was down to 2724. Traders were then advised on Thursday, “Let’s cover 1/3 if prices drop into daily support (2738-2745) today and can’t close below there”. The low that day was 2724 and it closed at 2739, so that was covered too.

Short-Term Geocosmics:

I am going to repeat a comment made in last week’s report, because it is still relevant. “But the biggest geocosmic factor arising next week is the Sun entering its 26-month conjunction to Mars on April 17. Several years ago, I presented a research study at the Astro-Economics Conference in Chicago, where I demonstrated that 10% or greater reversals in USA equities took place when these two planets were within 10 degrees of one another, more than any other geocosmic aspect. We have obviously rallied more than 10% as we come into this aspect. The idea is that sometime shortly, a top will form and a 10% or greater decline will commence. Although this orb of time is in effect through the end of May, it can certainly begin prior to the end of this time band. The closer to the conjunction date, the greater the probability of this reversal starting.”

This week, at least two important geocosmic situations arise. The first is that we now commence a period of strong Saturn energies (principles), lasting April 22 through May 1. Venus will start this unusual period with its opposition to Saturn on April 22. On April 28, the Sun will also form an opposition to Saturn. Finally, on May 1, Mars will enter into an opposition with Saturn. That’s a lot of oppositions in a short amount of time to Saturn, which seems to thrive on the idea of oppositions in life in any event. Market-wise, this brings into play our rule that any market declining into a hard Saturn aspect is candidate to be bought. So we will watch for any corrective declines in bullish markets, as a buying situation now .

Perhaps more important than financial markets, however, is the potential correlation of such Saturn oppositions to the state of unrest in the world. These are not signatures of peace and harmony, but instead of conflict and increased tensions, even to the point of military confrontations (or terrorist activity, or bombs, as we saw exploding in Boston last week - the danger zone is still in force until the end of the month). Fortunately, during this same period, the same three planets (Sun, Venus, and Mars) will form a harmonious trine aspect to Pluto. Something constructive can be born from this tension.

This week also finds a powerful lunar eclipse on April 25. That could be a heightened time of tensions. The bottom line for everyone personally is to try to avoid disputes and conflicts (even contact) with those who are prone to violence and outbursts of anger. Be careful of what you say to those you care for, as words can become very disturbing in an otherwise good relationship. Don’t look for a fight. Look for ways to work constructively with others. Finally, give yourself enough time to complete your tasks, otherwise falling behind can create added tensions to both you and those who are depending on you to finish on time. Think of this as a time when many things are in a pressure cooker and about to boil over unless the pressure is released in a timely way. If not careful, people and conditions around you may suffer a meltdown.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

“If I seem unduly clear to you, you must have misunderstood what I have said.” Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, once upon a time.

The only further thoughts I have for the week is the reminder that Jupiter is now at 15 degrees of Gemini. It touched 14 degrees on Saturday, April 13. The two times in the past 100 years, when Jupiter was between 14 and 24 degrees Gemini and Uranus and Pluto were in a hard aspect to one another, all-time highs were made in many world equity markets, and then powerful declines commenced that lasted until Jupiter moved into Leo. Although it is only two instances, this correlation is worth keeping in mind, especially since the DJIA has now made a new all-time high as of April 11, when Jupiter was less than one degree away from this zodiacal sector. With only two instances to draw from, it is possible this could become an important correlate, but it may require an expansion of up to ten additional degrees either way.

Announcements

Our monthly MMA Cycles Reports will come out this week, and it will contain another special report on Gold and Silver’s longer-term cycles outlook. The USA MMA Cycles Report will be issued Monday evening. It gives an in-depth market-timing and technical analysis of the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Treasury Notes, the Euro and Swiss Franc currencies, Soybeans, and Crude Oil. It provides both time and price projections of expected troughs and crests in these markets. It also provides MMA’s forthcoming geocosmic and solar-lunar critical reversal dates for the next month. The MMA Europe and MMA Japanese Cycles Report will be issued Tuesday evening in the USA, and Wednesday in Europe and Asia. For further information, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

The April 6-8 webinar and live presentation on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” has been completed. The DVD of this extraordinary event will be available in about three weeks. The LMS (Learning Management System) will also be available for uploading to new students who want to avail themselves of this training over the next two years. The LMS is expected to be available in about 5 weeks. You will be able to order the DVD through MMA and MMTA’s website shortly. If you wish to place your order sooner, please call Maureen Hogan or Amber Lundsten at 1-248-626-3034, or email to mhogan@merrimanmta.com. The cost of the DVD or the LMS will be $3000. It includes the very valuable 130+-page workbook, which follows right along with the DVD and LMS program.

Events:

May 30-June 2, 2013: Great Lakes Astrology Conference, Ann Arbor, MI. Featuring internationally known astrologers, Michael Lutin, Chris McRae, Monica Dimino, Glenn Perry, Lea and Aleksandar Imsiragic, Sandra Leigh Serio, and Raymond Merriman. For further information, please contact Pamela Wenzel at jcweipw@juno.com, or visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesAstrologyConference.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE

WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 15, 2013

Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

It always happens that way, doesn’t it? You go away for a week and the world of financial markets turns upside down. There are no breaks for those who don’t stay on top of things these days, not with Uranus racing to its third of seven passages of a square aspect to Pluto on May 20. Typical of Uranus, stock indices (in the USA) continued to soar to new all-time highs, while Gold and Silver fell abruptly to new multi-year lows. Typical of Pluto, the economies of more countries tend to teeter on the verge of bankruptcy. Not only Cyrus, but also Italy and China have now had their credit worthiness downgraded in the past month by Fitch’s rating service.

The big story for many traders and investors was the plunge in Gold and Silver last week, confirming the dominancy stage of the 4.25-year cycle in Gold and 4.34-year cycle in Silver. The prior week (April 4), Gold fell to 1540 and then embarked upon an encouraging $50 rally the next three days, topping at 1590 on Tuesday. Silver’s rally just as impressive, from a low of 2657 on April 4 to 2802 on Tuesday, April 9. But by Friday, April 12, all of those gains and more were wiped out. Gold collapsed over $80.00 on Friday to close at 1478. Silver fell $1.76 on Friday, ending the week at 2582. Both were new multi-year lows. This scenario was described in detail in our recent special report to subscribers of MMA Cycles, as well as daily and weekly subscribers and all students of last weekend’s launch of the MMTA (Merriman Market Timing Academy). The good news for those who are Gold Bugs is that this is still setting up for the trade of the year, maybe of the next two years, as also described in those reports, which will be reiterated again in the next MMA Cycles report of April 22-23. Also typical of Uranus and Pluto, this nosedive will be fast and furious, and the resultant recovery may be even faster and more furious once it starts

Best Trades of the Week:

Since our last column, the best trade initiated was in the Euro-Yen currency market. Two weeks ago our weekly report (and currency report) advised, “Position traders may buy on a decline back to weekly support with a stop-loss on a close below 118.86.” The support that week was 121.20-121.90. The low was 119.71. This week the Euro-Yen is way up to 131+, a huge gain of nearly 10 points. At $2500/full point on the futures exchange, that’s not too bad.

Short-Term Geocosmics:

Last week ended with Pluto turning retrograde on April 12. As discussed many times in this column, planetary stations will highlight the themes of that planet for the few days surrounding the turn. So once again, we will hear reports and witness arguments about raising taxes, credit downgrades, increasing debts and deficits. If lucky, we will also hear serious proposals for reforms in these very issues, and maybe even an entire overhaul of the tax code in some countries, like the USA. It is a given that taxes will be headlined next week in the USA, for personal income tax reporting is due on April 15. That might be one reason why stocks have surged so much over the past three months as well. Individuals have been contributing huge sums of money to their retirement accounts, and much of that is finding its way into equities, especially in the USA. That factor is taken off the table after next week.

Next week will also witness Mercury leaving Pisces for Aries (April 13), and Venus leaving Aries for Taurus (April 15). This could coincide with a shift in investor psychology, but that doesn’t seem negative for stocks. Taurus, which rules things of value (like stocks), enters its ruling sign of Taurus. If anything, that’s probably more bullish.

Transiting Mars is also important now for two reasons. The first is because it conjuncts Saturn in the NYSE chart (May 17, 1792), and is in opposition to Jupiter and Neptune in the same chart, April 11-17. That can correlate to a sudden reversal in the DJIA, although it may not last too long.

But the biggest geocosmic factor arising next week is the Sun entering its 26-month conjunction to Mars on April 17. Several years ago, I presented a research study at the Astro-Economics Conference in Chicago, where I demonstrated that 10% or greater reversals in USA equities took place when these two planets were within 10 degrees of one another, more than any other geocosmic aspect. We have obviously rallied more than 10% as we come into this aspect. The idea is that sometime shortly, a top will form and a 10% or greater decline will commence. Although this orb of time is in effect through the end of May, it can certainly begin prior to the end of this time band. The closer to the conjunction date, the greater the probability of this reversal starting. Perhaps it commences with the powerful lunar eclipse of April 25 or the solar eclipse of May 9. In this case, I like the prospects for a top and reversal more as we approach the lunar eclipse, for it will bring in the Sun, Venus, and Mars into opposition to Saturn, April 22-May 1.

Longer-Term Thoughts and Personal Geocosmics

A couple of weeks ago I related the importance of the transits of the Moon’s North Node and Jupiter, in conjunction with my natal Jupiter and North Node respectively at this time. That hardly ever happens in the exact degree in anyone’s chart in any lifetime, and I took it to mean that my time had come to launch the Merriman Market Timing Academy. After all, my North Node and transiting Jupiter are in my ninth house of education and teaching, as well as foreign affairs. My purpose of offering this two-year intensive training course was to mentor apprentices to the body of work I have developed in the field of Financial Astrology over the past 35 years, combined with the study of cycles, chart patterns, and technical analysis. My goal was to create a solid foundation of market timers for the future, based on these concepts, research studies, and methods of analysis.

I am pleased to report that 45 students were present on site, and more via the on-line webcast. And these serious students were from all over the world (India, China, Australia, South Africa, England, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Japan, Lichtenstein, Gibraltar, Spain, and of course the USA). Their backgrounds are also incredibly interesting. Some are portfolio managers, active traders for major firms dealing in huge sums of funds (one participant turned a profit of $300M last year alone). Another owns a huge international legal firm, employing over 75 attorneys working on such cases as the Lehmann Brothers fallout from 2008. Another has worked in USA intelligence (and assures me that I am protected, which is big relief). Others are already well-established market analysts. The point is: this was not a walk in the park with novices.

But even beyond these demographics, I am most pleased that these are serious students and apprentices, who are every bit as serious about mastering the markets and the art of market timing as I am. I gave them a very challenging first course, and most of them met the challenge. Not only that, but many also engaged me in very challenging discussions, to the point that I am certain several will be exceptional market analysts. The work I have pioneered over the past several decades, and the methodology I have developed, will be enhanced by these students when I leave the stage in a few years. These students and apprentices will be the foundation for a vibrant, professional, and highly dynamic market timing community, and I sincerely believe the world will be well served by this next generation of market timers.

In the end, I am extremely humbled and deeply appreciative for the unusually high quality of students and apprentices that have been attracted to this two-year course, the first and only extensive training course in market timing methodology ever presented. It also pleases me to see how aspects to one’s personal horoscope (in this case, my personal horoscope) can be used to produce positive and constructive experiences in life. I did it. I am doing it. They are doing it. You can do it too in your own life. Astrology is not fatalistic. It is a tool that can add immense value to society and to you personally.

Over the next two years, you – the world who reads these columns in several different languages each week - will have the opportunity to read the papers and research studies of the MMTA students. They have assignments. They will be placed on the MMTA website, at www.merrimanmta.com. And once they complete their two-year learning program, they will become part of the faculty of the International Market Timing Summit that MMTA will sponsor on an annual basis around the world.

Announcements

The April 6-8 webinar and live presentation on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” has been completed. The DVD of this extraordinary event will be available in about one month. The LMS (Learning Management System) will also be available for uploading to new students who want to avail themselves of this training over the next two years. The LMS is expected to be available in about 6 weeks. You will be able to order the DVD through MMA and MMTA’s website shortly. If you wish to place your order sooner, please call Maureen Hogan or Amber Lundsten at 1-248-626-3034, or email to mhogan@merrimanmta.com. The cost of the DVD or the LMS will be $3000. It includes the 130+-page workbook, which follows right along with the DVD and LMS program.

Events :

May 30-June 2, 2013: Great Lakes Astrology Conference, Ann Arbor, MI. Featuring internationally known astrologers, Michael Lutin, Chris McRae, Monica Dimino, Glenn Perry, Lea and Aleksandar Imsiragic, Sandra Leigh Serio, and Raymond Merriman. For further information, please contact Pamela Wenzel at jcweipw@juno.com, or visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesAstrologyConference.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Please note that there will be no weekly MMA Column next week due to the launch of MMA’s new Market Timing Academy (MMTA), and the webinar of the first course, April 6-8 (see announcements below)

Review and Preview

It turns out that last week was not the so “fast and furious period of March 22-31” that was projected on the basis of Mars, Sun, and Venus all crossing Uranus in Aries. Stock markets around the world were relatively quiet and benign. Perhaps it had to do with the start of the Easter and Passover holiday seasons, and the close of many markets on Friday. Or perhaps this is still the calm right before the storm.

We’ve seen this before, where the Sun, Venus, and/or Mars have made a “translation” to the Uranus-Pluto square and the market didn’t reverse until right at the very end of that period. The stock market just kept rising, gently, right into the very last day, making slightly higher highs right until the end. Then, as soon as the translation period ended, it was like the blindfold was lifted off the eyes of the market community, and suddenly everyone saw everything completely different. Could that happen again? Sure. After all, Monday begins with the Moon in Sagittarius, and Sagittarius likes everything bigger and more expansive. In addition to that, heliocentric Mercury is now in Sagittarius, March 26-April 5. Thus, there will be plenty of cosmic expansiveness in force all next week, and especially on Monday, April Fool’s Day.

Despite the fact that it didn’t seem like a volatile week for equities as one would expect under such a barrage of planetary contacts to Uranus in Aries, it was nevertheless a very bizarre week, which is another characteristics of Uranus in any sign. For instance, in the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P cash index gradually and gently made new all-time highs. Bu the S&P futures contract is still considerably below its all-time high of 1586.75, achieved on October 11, 2007. It closed in last week’s shortened trading session at 1562.75.

And even as the DJIA and other U.S. markets posted new all-time or multi-year highs, other markets around the world were making new multi-week lows, like China’s Shanghai Index, which is now testing its lowest level of 2013, or India’s Nifty Index, which has now fallen to its lowest level since November 2012. In Europe (especially Russia) and South America, most of the indices were also down last week. In fact, the United States was the only region where equities were up and making new cycle highs. It’s nice to have the world’s largest currency printing press run by a lively Sagittarian. No one goes home from the party in a foul mood if he can help it. And help it, he will.

Yet, you wonder. Why is it so uneven around the world today? Is the United States really that much better off? Well, in terms of Financial Astrology, yes we are. We are the country that has Venus and Jupiter conjunct in early Cancer, and that is where Jupiter will be when it makes its grand trine to Saturn and Neptune in about three months. We are headed to the promise land… or at least the land where promises are made more and more frequently these days. And people like promises that have the sound of hope, another Jupiter and Sagittarius quality. But, as singer Jotown of Detroit croons, “Nothing could be stupider than to fall in love with Jupiter.” When the promise of Jupiter wears off (and it does, once it leaves the grand trine), what is left? Reality. And the hangover after the party.

The bottom line is this: there is hope for a grand bargain, and the possibility is there if politicians really want to work hard and get it. If they do, we have momentum that will last. If they don’t secure while the cosmic invitation is valid. Once it expires, so does the opportunity. This is not a gift to sit back and wait until the last minute to maximize. Good will and patience aren’t… well, they aren’t patient and they aren’t really motivated by good will, with Uranus in Aries. They are motivated by competition and the ruthless desire to win, even at another’s expense, especially given that Uranus is in square to Pluto. With Pluto involved in the mix, it is never (hardly ever) win-win propositions. It is either win, or go home.

Still, we tale note that the Mars, Sun, and Venus over Uranus, square to Pluto, is a harbinger of things to come when the exact square of Uranus and Pluto next unfolds on May 20. It has been good for the United States, and it looks to get better. It has not been good for Asia and Europe, and it looks to get worse. It fits exactly with the scenario painted in our Forecast for 2013 Book that explained why Europe, not the United States, would be the origin of the next financial meltdown. Hello, Cyprus. Others may be about to follow in the next month or two, as we head into that third of seven passage of Uranus to Pluto.

Enjoy the ride if you are an American. But don’t forget to leave the party at a reasonable time, before the clock strikes midnight in mid-2013. Daylight savings time, that is, with the emphasis on both “daylight’ and “savings.” When Jupiter finally expires, we are faced with the T-square of Jupiter to Uranus and Pluto, a classical bankruptcy pattern. That’s a whole different dynamic than Jupiter in a grand trine collaborating with the idealism of Neptune in Pisces. One is a party. The other is the aftermath of a party that went on too long, and now there are consequences from not being a little more responsible and under control. Austerity is dead under Jupiter, which believes in the virtues of spending and stimulus. But when Uranus and Pluto enter into the equation, with Pluto in Capricorn, well… financial astrologers know that this is a dangerous and combustible mix if not approached wisely and with great caution.

Best Trades of the Week:

Our best trade of last week was in T-Notes. The weekly report advised: “Position traders are flat and may buy weekly support now with a stop-loss on a close below 130/27. Aggressive traders are also flat and may follow the same advice given for position traders.” Weekly support was 131/05-131/06. The low was 131/03 and it closed last week at 132.

Announcements

This is the last week to sign up for the April 6-8 webinar on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets!” Registration for this course will end on Wednesday, April 3. This first course within the MMTA market timing training will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases, chart patterns, and technical studies that unfold in each as primary and longer-term cycle highs and lows form. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, EDT. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. If you are unable to make the Monday session, you can view it in the following 30-days. The cost for this course is $3000.00 For information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61, or www.merrimanmta.com, or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com.

Copies of the recent talk given in Phoenix, Arizona are now available in either a CD form at or MP3 audio version. Each order will also receive the power point presentation that goes along with the speech. It was good speech, titled, “Outlook for Political, Economic, and Financial Trends for 2013.” You may call 1-248-626-3034 to see, or you may email us at ordersmma@msn.com for an update. It should be available as well on our website at www.mmacycles.com by early next week.

Copies of the Forecast 2013 book are still available! The cost is $55.00 while supplies last. The price will be reduced for any copies remaining after May 31. It is also be available in an e-book format at these same prices through us, and with no postage costs. It is also available through Amazon Kindle and I books (Amazon.com or I Tunes, for the I Phone or I Pad – type in “Merriman” or “Forecast” to find it). The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number were printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! To order, call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email ordersmma@msn.com. You may also order through the MMA website at www.mmacycles.com. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

The printed version of Forecast 2013 has been translated into four other languages again this year, as follows:

Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl
German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/
Japanese: at http://merriman.jp
Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/

Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2013, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com, and Italian distributor at www.astrofinanza.com, and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html. “After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.” W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.

Events:

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage of the event will be available for review to attendees for 30 days following this course. A DVD of the course will be available approximately 30 days afterwards. This course will instruct the attendee on: 1) the language of market cycles: glossary terms; 2) the structure of market cycles: patterns, phases and sub-cycles; 3) the time bands of various financial market cycles (stock indices, metals, Treasuries, currencies, crude oil, grains) - long-term, intermediate-term, short-term; 4) chart patterns to help identify cycle phasing; 5) technical studies to help identify cycle phasing; 6) investment and trading strategies for each cycle and its phases.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE

WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 25, 2013

Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

This will be a brief column due to travel plans.

We are now beginning the fast and furious period of March 22-31, when Mars, the Sun, and Venus will all conjunct Uranus, and the square Pluto. In Financial (and other branches) Astrology, we call this phenomenon a “translation.” That means a faster moving body (Sun, Venus, and Mars) enters into an aspect to two major planets that are already in aspect. The major planets involved in a major aspect are, of course, the Uranus-Pluto square. And like clockwork, the dynamics of the Uranus-Pluto square were once again highlighted in last week’s geopolitical and economic realms.

The week began with a sudden and abrupt banking crisis erupting in Cyprus. It seems that the banks of Cyrus are insolvent. They decided at first to solve their crisis by assessing a tax on all deposits, which would adversely affect small depositors, who promptly protested in a very menacing way. The government and bankers immediately scratched that ill-advised plan, probably thinking that their lives were more important. The financial markets didn’t take too kindly to the bad idea as Gold and Silver soared, and stocks around the world plummeted, sharply.

However, by Wednesday, the United States showed once again where the real power lies. And it was not in the charm offensive of the White House, but rather the charm offensive of the Federal Reserve Board. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, that Sagittarian of all good news, reassured the world that indeed the Federal Reserve Board was going to continue its low interest rate and stimulative monetary policy. Within moments of his report, the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to a new record high.

But then a funny thing happened. He didn’t speak the next day, and the market fell sharply again as attention riveted right back to the problems of the European Central Bank, which came down hard on Cyprus. Little Cyprus, that gentle island that is becoming more and more well known for its secretive banking policies (which many believe is just a cover for money laundering activates), now threatens to destabilize the composition of the Euro Union again, which brings us back to Uranus and Pluto.

We are in the middle of the longest and probably most potent planetary aspect of our lifetime. These two powerhouses form their waxing 90-degree square seven times between June 24, 2012 and March 17, 2015. The third passage will take place on May 21, 2013. Whenever a faster moving planet enters into a conjunction, square, or opposition to either of these two planets, the themes of the Uranus-Pluto drama are set into motion. Right now is particularly dramatic because not one, but three of these faster moving transits will do just that through the end of this month. Additionally, it is most relevant to those nations or regions that also have natal planets located on the degrees where Uranus and Pluto are passing. That just happens to be a slew of events that mark the start of the Euro Union and the Euro currency. That is, most of the start-up dates of the Euro Union took place on July 1 or January 1, when the Sun was around 8-10 degrees of Cancer or Capricorn. Pluto is going right over those degrees in Capricorn, and in opposition to those degrees in Cancer. Uranus is square both from Aries. This week, the Sun, Venus and Mars will be with Uranus squaring Pluto, and hence the natal Sun (lifer force and leadership) in the European charts. This won’t be a dull period. These are action planets in action signs

What does it mean? It represents a potential threat to the existence of those entities as they now stand.

What does it mean to financial markets? Usually it means huge price swings. Traders will like this, if they are the right side. Investors will probably hate it because the movements are too fast and too sharp for them to figure out.

Yet this is why Financial Astrology is valuable. It gives you that edge when this type of uncertainty can strike. You never know where it is coming from because Uranus is akin to the unexpected. But with Pluto, you know it represents a threat to something, whether human lives or financial security. You know it will probably be an explosion connected with financial debt, deficits, and crisis. You also know that those with real power will be called upon to exert it if they can. Hence, it is yet another day, another week, where Big Ben may be called into action. And if puts on his cape and saves the day, expect stocks to soar. If he doesn’t, expect them to fall. Either way, expect greater than usual amplitude of price moves, for with Mars, Sun, and Uranus in Aries, nothing will be modest. That’s a lot of fire energy. Someone could get burnt.

Best Trades of the Week:

Mercury went direct last week, so we resumed position-trading recommendations. We had several excellent new positions opened in currencies (Dollar-Yen, Euro, and Swiss Franc, right near the lows and highs of the week. But our best trade was for position traders of Crude Oil. The weekly report advised: “Position traders are flat and may buy on a drop to weekly support ( 91.62-91.98) with a stop-loss on a close below 89.33.” The low of the week was 91.76, and it closed the week at 93.71.

Longer-Term Thoughts

I will take just a minute to share with you what I am up to. It seems that many readers want to know what I am doing, or enjoy reading about what is going on in my chart. Perhaps it is educational. Which brings me to Jupiter, planet of education, which is now going through my ninth house, the house of education. It happens to be in conjunction with my lunar North Node in 10 Gemini right now. The North Node is like one’s dharma, or path in life that can bring fulfillment if you follow it. What makes this time so unique for me is the transiting North Node (awareness of a path or purpose) is now on my natal Jupiter (planet of expansion and education) at 19 Scorpio. I am getting this wonderful, bizarre Jupiter-Node relationship going both ways, which can’t happen too often in a person’s life. In fact, what are the odds of it happening in the same degree both ways? More than a million to one!

So if you ask me what I am doing in my life right now, I will say this: I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I am starting the world’s first Market Timing Academy and I am filled with excitement. Two more weeks, and the 2-year training adventure begins. In fact, for me, it is like the culmination of my life work. How’s that for a North Node-Jupiter expression! Astrologers will of course understand what I am talking about. Others, I am sure, can feel the exuberance I am expressing. And that is probably a rare thing for someone who is a native Capricorn Sun sign.

Announcements

Our monthly MMA Cycles Reports came out last week. If you are a subscriber and didn’t receive it, let us know at once! The MMA Cycles Report gives an in-depth market-timing and technical analysis of the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Treasury Notes, the Euro and Swiss Franc currencies, Soybeans, and Crude Oil. It provides both time and price projections of expected troughs and crests in these markets. It also provides MMA’s forthcoming geocosmic and solar-lunar critical reversal dates for the next month. The MMA Europe and MMA Japanese Cycles Report also came out last week. For further information, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

Only two more weeks to sign up for the April 6-8 webinar on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets!” This first course within the MMTA market timing training will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, EST. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. If you are unable to make the Monday session, you can view it in the following 30-days. The cost for this course is $3000.00 For information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61, or www.merrimanmta.com, or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com.

Copies of the recent talk given in Phoenix, Arizona will be available this week. The speech title was “Outlook for Political, Economic, and Financial Trends for 2013.” You may call 1-248-626-3034 to see, or you may email us at ordersmma@msn.com for an update.

The printed version of Forecast 2013 has been translated into four other languages again this year, as follows:

Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl

German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/

Japanese: at http://merriman.jp

Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/

Events :

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 18, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

In many regards it was a noteworthy week according to the principles of Mundane and Financial Astrology. With the new moon in spiritual sign of Pisces, along with Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Neptune, it was a cosmically fitting that the Catholic Church elected a new pope. It is also fitting that he took on the name of Saint Francis, who was known for his compassion of the poor and suffering. He stressed qualities that astrologers ascribe to both the sign of Pisces and Saint Francis of Assisi, “…emphasizing the church’s humility, poverty, and charity,” according to the Wall Street Journal. So with Neptune in Pisces for 14 years, and with a new moon and so many other planets in Pisces, a new era for Catholicism – and really, for all world religions – may now be underway.

But the mundane and economic dangers inherent with the Uranus-Pluto waxing square were still ongoing as well, as we witnessed last week. Cyber-attacks continued to be in the news, as fresh accusations emerged of such warfare between the USA and China. Tax reform discussions were also highlighted, as both the Republican-led House and Democrat-led Senate released their budgets. In the case of the Senate, it was their first budget proposal in four years. As expected, each body of Congress roundly rejected the other. Uranus and Pluto find it so hard to find common ground these days, especially on the very critical topic of tax reform. Pluto pertains to rejection and Uranus to new and bold ideas. Good luck!

Equity markets were mostly positive again last week, with several making new yearly highs, and in the case of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, new all-time highs. But the move up was not explosive, nor was it matched by indices in several other regions of the world. This too is typical of this stage of the Mercury retrograde cycle, as it prepares to return to its direct motion on Sunday, March 17. Typically markets grind away, back and forth, in smaller and smaller trading ranges, when Mercury is at the end of its retrograde cycle.

For instance, Europe’s leading indices were mostly all making new yearly highs last week, with the German DAX testing its all-time high. But the Netherlands AEX was still below its highs of January. It was even more bizarre in Asia, where the Japanese Nikkei Index continued its torrid rally to its highest level since 2008. It is now up 4000 points and nearly 50% in less than 5 months. But China’s Shanghai and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng indices fell last week, with the Hang Seng at its lowest level of the New Year.

Gold and Silver also sloughed around in narrow ranges last week. The markets that looked most interesting were the currencies, especially the Swiss Franc and Euro, which showed signs of life after recent lows. Crude oil did too. But even in these cases, the weekly range was not that great. Perhaps by the middle of next week, we will start moving away from the stationary period of Mercury, and both price swings and technical levels of support and resistance will return to more normal patterns. That’s the way it usually happens.

Best Trades of the Week:

The long position advised in the Swiss Franc last week is working out very well now. Very few trades were initiated last week due to the limited ranges in financial experienced as Mercury turns direct. One of the short-term trades given that did catch was in the June E-Mini S&P. Tuesday’s daily report (March 12) advised, “Aggressive traders can buy support with a stop-loss on a close below 1537.” Daily support that day was 1543.50-1545. The low was 1541.75. Two days later the daily report advised, “You may cover at 1555 +/- 1 if offered.” The high that day was 1557. It closed the week at 1553.50, so we captured most of the move up last week. This is a typical short-term trade we will give during Mercury retrograde.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Planets begin moving out of the gentle and compassionate sign of Pisces this week, and into the more aggressive, assertive, and bombastic sign of Aries. Don’t get me wrong – there is much to like and admire about Aries. They are determined. They are active. But they are not given to the empathy and understanding of others associated with Pisces. This may be important because the “charm offensive” initiated by President Barack Obama to Republican members of the House and Senate may abruptly change – again – over the next month.

On Friday, March 22, Mars begins its translation to the Uranus-Pluto square. First it conjuncts Uranus on that date, and then two days later it will form the square to Pluto. The Sun and Venus do the same thing (translate the Uranus-Pluto square) between March 28-31. In other words, the cosmic climate can get stormy again. Along with that, several financial markets may erupt into sudden reversals. In Mundane Astrology, these are indicators of natural and man-made dangers. These are also accident-prone signatures. Thus, safety should be a primary concern for everyone, and it would be wise to think twice before acting or speaking on impulse. Traders: get ready. There is likely to be some exceptional short-term profit opportunities arising. Of course, that also means there is an increased risk of loss too if you are on the wrong side.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The path back to stronger growth, argues Mr. Alesina, is a combination of significant, permanent, cuts in public spending and relatively small tax increases, if any.” What helped? “Adjustments based upon spending cuts are much less costly in terms of output losses than tax-based ones. Spending based adjustments have been associated with mild and short-lived recessions, in many cases, if at all. Tax-based adjustments (tax increases) have been associated with prolonged and deep recessions.”
-Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal, March 14, 2013, discussing the results of a research paper on “fiscal consolidation” written by Harvard economist Alberto Alesina for the National Bureau of Economic Research, which analyzed the history of all fiscal plans that 17 OECD governments enacted between 1978 and 2009.

It has often been said that if we don’t learn from our past mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. And the way to identify those mistakes is to go back in history and quantify (analyze) what happened under similar conditions, policies, and/or actions. This is referred to as “research.” From research, we can identify common or repetitive themes, rates of frequency of occurrences, and hence probabilities of future occurrences.

This is what we do as market timers. Our work is all about probabilities – the rate of frequency between cyclical occurrences in financial markets, as well as the correlation of those cyclical occurrences in human activities (like financial markets) to geocosmic cycles.

Very seldom do we find any cycle – geocosmic or rhythmic – that has a 100% historical correlation to exact tops or bottoms in financial markets. Even if we use orbs of time, or orbs of degrees between exact planetary aspects, to create dynamic time bands (instead of static ones as used by some cycles analysts), the existence of 100% correlations is very rare. In our methodology to be taught at the forthcoming MMA Market Timing Academy, we will use correlations that might have a rate of frequency as low as 65%. We prefer those with a correlation of over 80% (82% or more is our standard).

A couple of the correlations between cyclical studies and the U.S. stock market that will be taught at MMTA were shared this week with our subscribers. That is because these particular correlations with a “high rate of frequency” are in effect now. They suggest an important long-term cycle crest in the U.S. stock market is nearby. The letter sent out to subscribers – and which represents the kind of education MMTA students will be receiving April 6-8 – shared the following findings:

“I just finished a study for the MMTA on the 4-year stock market cycle. Only three (of 30) four-year cycles have topped out after the 49th month since the study began in 1893. March 2013 is the 48th month of the current 4-year cycle. This suggests the high could unfold anytime by the end of April, followed by a minimum 20% decline (87% probability that the decline is at least 20% from the crest to the trough). There have been no instances of a first 4-year cycle phase within the greater 18-year cycle declining less than 20% (6 cases). The range of declines has been 21-51%. This is the first 4-year cycle phase of the greater 18-year cycle, off the March 2009 low. The decline can last at least two months once it begins (97% probability). Usually it is more like 12-18 months (83% probability) at the end of the first phase.”

As this study suggest, the crest of the 4-year cycle has a high probability of culminating this month or next. The historical rate of frequency – and hence the probability of occurrence – is not 100%. It is 90%. The longest bull market period within the 4-year cycle has been 60 months, or 5 years, which took place August 1982 through August 1987. The probability that this current bull market will last beyond April (perhaps as long as March 2014) is 10%. However, our forecasts – upon which our recommendations are given – are based upon high probabilities like this. I wish they were inevitabilities – the 100% variety – but that absolute certainty just doesn’t exist, except in the minds of those who have an over-active Neptune in their chart.

Announcements

Our monthly MMA Cycles Reports will come out this week. The USA MMA Cycles Report will be issued Monday evening. It gives an in-depth market-timing and technical analysis of the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Treasury Notes, the Euro and Swiss Franc currencies, Soybeans, and Crude Oil. It provides both time and price projections of expected troughs and crests in these markets. It also provides MMA’s forthcoming geocosmic and solar-lunar critical reversal dates for the next month. The MMA Europe and MMA Japanese Cycles Report will be issued Tuesday evening in the USA, and Wednesday in Europe and Asia. For further information, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

Only 3 more weeks to sign up for the April 6-8 webinar on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets!” This first course within the MMTA market timing training will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, EST. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. If you are unable to make the Monday session, you can view it in the following 30-days. The cost for this course is $3000.00 For information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61, or www.merrimanmta.com, or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com.

We may have copies of the recent talk given in Phoenix, Arizona available this week. The speech title was “Outlook for Political, Economic, and Financial Trends for 2013.” You may call 1-248-626-3034 to see, or you may email us at ordersmma@msn.com for an update. If it does become available, we will announce it on our website at www.mmacycles.com.

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 11 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

The Trickster continues to rule! That is, Mercury retrograde and all the surprises and back peddling that are associated with the cosmic roadrunner were in full force last week. However, this was more the case in the field of politics than financial markets.

Let’s talk financial markets first of all. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to a record high last week, but the S&P is still lagging. The Japanese Nikkei continued on its tear, up over 50% now since its three-year cycle low of November 2011, climbing above 12,000 for the first time since September 2008. However, China’s Shanghai Index fell rather sharply. The German DAX soared over 8000 for the first time since early 2008, the Zurich SMI and London FTSE rallied to its highest levels since 2008, but the Amsterdam AEX and Moscow MICEX are still well below their highs of January 2013. What are we to make of this under Mercury retrograde? Is it truly a breakout that has much to rise, as market analysts universally seem to think? Or is it a Mercury retrograde fake-out, as has been the case so many times in the past? Time will tell of course, but our experience is to be skeptical of such market moves.

On the other hand, we are headed into the very rare and positive grand trine this summer of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, something that hasn’t happened since 1967. And wouldn’t you know it? There is suddenly talk again of a “Grand Bargain” deficit reduction program, just as Forecast 2013 forecasted would come up around mid-year.

Best Trades of the Week:

It is too soon to tell which of our recommended trades will work out that were initiated last week. Perhaps it will be in the Swiss Franc, where are weekly report advised aggressive traders to “Cover all shorts in weekly support, if offered, and go long with a stop-loss on a close below 1.0300.” Traders were short from 1.0860-1.0880 two weeks ago. Support last week was 1.0466-1.0500. The low of the week was 1.0468 on Friday and the close was 1.0512. It was an excellent short trade, and now let’s see if it becomes an excellent long trade. Keep in mind that under Mercury retrograde, we give no new long-term position trades. We only give short-term aggressive trades

Short-Term Geocosmics

The main geocosmic factor to watch this week will be Mars ending its journey through the tropical zodiac, and beginning a new zodiacal journey as it enters its ruling sign of Aries on March 12. Mars rules Aries, so it is expected to be strong here. This may translate into even greater volume in world equity markets. At first, this may be bullish. However, by the last week in March, there will be a slew of geocosmic signatures that have strong historical correlations to market reversals.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“Mr. Ahmadinejad declared a national day of mourning for Mr. Chavez and wrote in a condolence letter to Venezuela that Mr. Chavez would be resurrected with Jesus Christ and Imam Mahdi – Shiite Islam’s prophesized redeemer – to save humanity and bring justice to the world.”

Wall Street Journal, “Iran Leader Lambasted For Tribute to Chavez,” Farna Fassihi, March 8, 2013

It was another wild and crazy week in the world. On the day the DJIA soared to a record high, Venezuela strongman Hugo Chavez died.

In the United States, the dreaded “sequester” began with almost a whimper. But the reactions to the White House claim that it would begin a host of painful cutbacks resulted instead to a long list of areas in which such cutbacks cut be administered in a way that would not be so “dumb,” as the president put it, or elicit so much pain as was his message the prior week.

At the start of the week, the administration announced it was “…cancelling public tours of the White House,” blaming the budget sequester. According to Kimberly Strassel of the Wall Street Journal, “The act was designed to spark outrage against Republicans, yet the sheer pettiness of it instead provided a moment of clarity.” That resulted “moment of clarity” was yet another embarrassment for the president who continues to reap the negative effects of this transiting Neptune that is just starting its two-year T-square configuration to his natal Moon-Pluto square (read the columns of the last month for details).

In Strassel’s column, she cites group of sixth graders from Waverly, Iowa, pleading with the White House in YouTube, to reopen tours. “The White House is our House. Please let us visit,” they sing in unison. This is followed by a list of cuts the White House could make that would not be “dumb,” like: a $27M project to help fund pottery classes in Morocco, or a $181,000 study on how cocaine affects the reproductive habits of Japanese quail, or the $14.8 million per year in unemployment checks sent to millionaires. I know this sounds crazy, but I know of successful landscaping businesses in Michigan, where the owner makes over $400K/year. But it is seasonal. When October-April comes around, she files for unemployment - and gets it. Every year.

As Senator Tom Coburn wrote in Fridays Wall Street Journal, “I agree with President Obama that sequestration’s across-the-board rather than specific cuts are a ‘dumb’ way to reduce spending. But if sequestration is dumb, it’s even dumber not to cut spending at all.”

His reputation is on the line if he doesn’t forego this “No More Mr. Nice Guy” direction espoused by his staff about him since the election. Neptune only gets ahead by being a “nice guy.” When he forsakes that image, he is more prone to scandals and poor public imaging. As reported on www.hiphopwired.com, “A Reuters/Ipsos online poll released on Wednesday (March 6), showed 43 percent of people approve of Obama's handling of his job, down 7 percentage points from Feb. 19.” That is just about when Neptune came into its orb of influence to Obama’s natal Moon.

But lo and behold, what happened at the end of last week? Obama reaches out to Republican senators at last. He invites them to dinner to discuss the possibility of reaching a broad budget deal. He wants the “Grand Bargain,” which is the very promise of the Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune grand trine, bringing into play the USA’s natal Venus-Jupiter conjunction this summer. Under this Mercury retrograde, the president starts to pivot and reverse this historic path he has been on of “We are not speaking thing with Congress,” as Peggy Noonan describes so brilliantly in the March 2 edition of the Wall Street Journal (“Obama is Playing a New Game”).

Can he pull off this Grand Bargain? Or will he – or Congress – move the goal posts again? With Neptune, you never know. It can be the planet of ascending to the peak of one’s life, or the descent into distrust and scorn. The choice is up to him. But disposing of the “No More Mr. Nice Guy” image is a step in the right direction, according to my understanding of how Neptune works best. For now, there is suddenly hope. Thank you, Trickster, for reversing that trend!

Announcements

Only 4 more weeks to the launch of MMTA, MMA’s new Market Timing Academy! On April 6-8, MMTA will present its first workshop on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets.” This first course will be open to non-MMTA students via webinar. This first course will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, EST. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. For the webinar, you will need a computer with speakers. The cost for this course is $3000.00 For information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61, or www.merrimanmta.com, or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com.

Copies of the Forecast 2013 book are still available! The cost is $55.00 while supplies last. It is also be available in an e-book format at these same prices through us, and with no postage costs. It is also available through Amazon Kindle and I books (Amazon.com or I Tunes, for the I Phone or I Pad – type in “Merriman” or “Forecast” to find it). The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number were printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! To order, call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email ordersmma@msn.com. You may also order through the MMA website at www.mmacycles.com. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

Events:

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013, with emphasis on Gold.” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1525 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org. You may also email ASA program director Arlene Hougland at maykawish@cox.net.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA WEEKLY CURRENCY REPORT
FOR WEEK OF MARCH 4, 2013

We are also pleased to announce that these weekly geocosmic comments are now available in Chinese – German – Dutch - French - Italiano – Japanese – Polish – Russian – Serbian1 or Serbian2 – Español 1 or Español 2. Our newest link for the free weekly report can now be read at www.michaellutin.com.

Note 1: Mercury is now retrograde February 23-March 17. Our policy is to recommend new positions only to aggressive traders. Therefore, there will be no (or very few) new recommendations for position traders to open new positions during this period. Our experience is that financial markets will swing back and forth every 1-4 days now, so this is a very short-term trader’s market. We will look to capture profits every 1-4 days for aggressive traders, especially on the daily program. There are cases where markets can move sharply for several days in one direction, but it is unreliable that this will happen in any or all markets, so we only look for 1-4 day trades. If runs occur, we will probably miss them, because I simply do not trust technical buy and sell signals under Mercury retrograde. I find more than usual amount of “fake outs” then – prices go above resistance, below support, but then reverse when normally it would be a break out. If trading, you must be very nimble now. If position trading, try not to get stressed out when it appears you are on the wrong side. Try to ride it through, or if you use stops, be prepared to be stopped out, only to find you were right in your original thoughts.

One thing we will look for, however, is a reversal around the midpoint of Mercury Rx (March 6) for any market not reversing right now, near the date it turns retrograde.

Note 2: Unemployment and Payroll reports due out Friday, March 8, which may also cause markets to be skittish and random acting until then.

Note 3: I am away for a month now to prepare the work for the first course of MMTA. Therefore daily reports may be issued later than usual, more like around 9:00- 10:00 PM EST for the next 4 weeks. I will not be doing any market consultations during this sequester period.

Geocosmic Critical Reversal Dates:

These dates affect all markets. They are the midpoint of geocosmic clusters, and have a range of three days either side. Sometimes they expand to as much as 5 days. The idea is to see a new two-week or greater high or low, and then a reversal. It is especially effective when major, half-primary, or primary cycle troughs are due. These are more important than the solar-lunar reversal dates. The more the stars, the greater the historical correlation with a cycle end and reversal. For more information, please read Volume 3 of the Stock Market Timing series. Below is the date of the midpoint and in parentheses the length of time containing the geocosmic signatures (known as a “cluster”). If the cluster is very long (more than 15 days), there may be other possible reversals, based on tighter geocosmic clusters, within the greater cluster.

March 6* (middle of Mercury Rx)
March 12* (treasuries and currencies especially, and also grains)
March 26-27***

These periods are usually more important than the solar-lunar reversal zones, but not necessarily any more accurate. It’s just that when they do hit, they usually correspond with primary cycle, whereas lunar reversals need only correspond to 2.5% reversals.

EUC (Euro Cash): Last week’s close was below weekly support, which is bearish and continues the bearish sequence. And the close was below the weekly trend indicator point for the 4th consecutive week, which means it remains in a trend run down.

This week’s trend indicator point is 1.3250. It will be upgraded back to neutral if this week’s close is above there.
Weekly support is 1.2844-1.2884. A weekly close below this range is bearish. A trade below followed by a close back above is a bullish trigger.
Weekly resistance is 1.3196-1.3237. A weekly close above this range is bullish. A trade above followed by a close back below is a bearish trigger.
A bullish crossover zone remains in effect at 1.2808-1.2844 (note weekly support).
Bearish crossover zones remain in effect at 1.4386-1.4409, and 1.5322-1.5458.

This begins the 32nd week of the 21-34 week primary cycle. It also starts the 16th week of the second 11-17 week half-primary cycle following the low of 1.2660 on the solar eclipse of November 13. As stated before, “It is this late in both cycles, and a primary cycle trough is thus due at anytime in the next 3 weeks. The ideal price target for this low is 1.3185 +/- .0124 or 1.2880 +/- .0196.” Note this lower target compared to bullish crossover zone and weekly support… they are lining up. The primary cycle trough is now due this week or next. Perhaps it happens around the Mercury Rx midpoint (March 6) or the new moon of March 12, which is pertinent to treasuries and currencies. When it does bottom, it should help the metals.

Strategy: Position traders are short after covering 1/3 of these shorts below 1.3170 and then being advised last week to “… cover another 1/3 now and all shorts if prices drop to 1.2850 or lower, and go long there with a stop-loss on a close below 1.2660.” Another excellent profit, and let’s cover all and go log at 1.2845-1.2890, with a stop-loss on a close below 1.2600.
Aggressive traders covered the final short positions last week (by Wednesday morning, so probably 1.3020-1.3060). You may now go long at 1.2845-1.2890 with a stop-loss on a close below 1.2660.

Euro Mar (EUH): We will switch to June contract the next week. Weekly support is 1.2843-1.2884. Resistance is 1.3197-1.3283. The difference between cash and futures on the close is .0000. They both closed at 1.3020.

JYC (Dollar/Yen Cash): Last week’s low was below weekly support, the high was above weekly resistance, and the close was back between the two, which is mixed. And the close was above the weekly trend indicator point for the 21st time in 22 weeks, which means it remains in a trend run up. As stated before, “It is getting frothy, to the point where a top and steep correction is coming due.” Maybe that was it last week.

            This week’s trend indicator point is 93.30. It will be downgraded back to neutral if this week’s close is below there.
            Weekly support is 91.40-91.64. A weekly close below this range is bearish. A trade below followed by a close back above is a bullish trigger.
            Weekly resistance is 95.24-95.48. A weekly close above this range is bullish. A trade above followed by a close back below is a bearish trigger.
            Bullish crossover zones remain in effect at 84.68-84.79, 76.90-76.97, and 76.22-76.25.
            Bearish crossover zones remain in effect way up at 110.92-111.75, 116.25-117.09, and 120.34-120.58.

This starts the 25th week of the 26-40 week primary cycle, following a 15-week contracted primary cycle trough on September 13 at 77.11. Here too we see very bizarre market activity with last week making a new yearly high at 94.76 on Monday, Feb 25, and then falling to 90.92 on the same day, well below the 28-day moving average for th4 first time since mid-November. However, by the end of the week, it was back well above there (closed at 93.56). I am not sure what to make of that. It would fit best it that high was the primary cycle crest an d prices would now decline for 2-5 weeks to the primary cycle trough.

Strategy: Position traders are still long with a stop-loss on a weekly close below 79.50 or 83.65, depending on your risk allowance after covering 2/3 for nice profits recently. We missed buying those positions back at 90.00 +/- .50, as the low was 90.92. Let’s hold off until Mercury turns direct.
Aggressive traders are short with a stop-loss on a close above weekly resistance. You may still cover if prices drop to or below 90.00 +/- .50, and then go long with a stop-loss on a close below 87.50.

Japanese Yen Mar (JYH): We will switch to June contract the next week. Weekly support is 1.0483-1.0524. Resistance is 1.0887-1.0928. The weekly TIP is 107.27.

Euro/Yen Spread – Cash: Last week’s low was below weekly support, the high was above resistance, and the close was between the two, which is mixed. And the close was below the weekly trend indicator point for the 2nd consecutive week, which means it remains neutral.

            This week’s trend indicator point is 123.56. It will be downgraded to a trend run down if this week’s close is down.
            Weekly support is 118.64-118.71. A weekly close below this range is bearish, and a trade below followed by a close back above is a bullish trigger.
            Weekly resistance is 125.02-125.10. A weekly close above this range is bullish, but a trade above followed by a close back below is a bearish trigger.
            Bullish crossover zones remain in effect at 107.52-107.86 and 104.95-105.17.
            Bearish crossover zones remain in effect at 140.72-140.96 and 150.58-153.25.

This will start the 32nd week of the 21-34 week primary cycle, following the low of 94.09 on July 24. It also starts the 16th week of the second 11-17 week half-primary cycle following the 100.26 low of November 13, the solar eclipse date. The primary cycle crest is in at 1.2769 on February 6. Both the primary and half-primary cycle troughs are now due anytime within the next 2 weeks. As stated previously, “A normal corrective decline for a primary cycle trough would be back to 110.89 +/- 3.97 or 113.97 +/- 3.24.” But time is more important than price, so it could happen anytime, ideally around March 6 or March 12.

Strategy: Position traders will stand aside while Mercury is Rx.
Aggressive traders were short after covering 1/3 before, and were then advised last week to “… cover another 1/3 if prices fall into weekly support,” which they did, so we have another great profit there. Let’s start with a stop-loss now on a close above weekly resistance. However, look to exit if prices fall to weekly support. I am tempted to long around 1.1700 if offered around March 6, but we would have to start with a stop-loss way down below1.1000, which is too much risk. I think it might be better to wait until the March 12 period

Swiss Franc Mar (SFH): We will switch to June contract the next week. Last week’s close was below weekly support, which is again bearish. And the close was below the weekly trend indicator point for the 3rd consecutive week, which means it is downgraded to a trend run down.

            This week’s trend indicator point is 1.0772. It will be upgraded back to neutral if this week’s close is above there.
            Weekly support is 1.0466-1.0500. A weekly close below this range is bearish. A trade below followed by a close back above is a bullish trigger.
            Weekly resistance is 1.0730-1.0765. A weekly close above this range is bullish. A trade above followed by a close back below is a bearish trigger.
            SFH closed below a bullish crossover zone at 1.0631-1.0655. Others remain in effect in the nearby contract at .9217-.9277 and .8770-.8864.

            This starts the 32nd week of the 21-34 week primary cycle following the low of 1.0071 on July 24. As stated before, “Furthermore, a break below 1.0657 would make this a Lorusso 5-point reversal pattern from a low. We would buy that.” We got that! And it is late in the primary cycle. If correct, a buying situation is setting up here.

Strategy: Position traders may stand aside until Mercury goes direct now.
Aggressive traders were short and advised, “Cover at least 1/3 of these shorts by Tuesday or if prices drop into weekly support. If they do drop into weekly support or lower, go long on a close back above there.” They closed below weekly support, so we captured another excellent profit on 1/3 of them and are still short 2/3 with a stop-loss on a close now above 1.0780. Cover all shorts in weekly support, if offered, and go long with a stop-loss on a close below 1.0300.

Using this information properly: Support may represent favorable risk/reward places to buy if the trend is up. If prices trade below support, then have a close back above it, it is considered a bullish “trigger”, and oftentimes represents a good buy signal. Resistance may represent favorable risk/reward places to go short if the trend is down. If prices trade above it, then have a weekly close back below, it is considered a bearish “trigger, and oftentimes a good sell signal.

MMA comments and trade recommendations are primarily for traders of commodity and futures contracts. They are provided mainly with “speculators” in mind. By its very nature, “speculation” means “willing to take risk of loss.” Speculators” must be willing to accept the fact that they are going to have several losses, many more than say “investors”. That is why they are “speculators.” Speculators are typically right about 50% of the time, +/- 10%. The way “speculators” become profitable is not so much by high percentage of winning trades, but by controlling amount of loss on any given trade, so the average trade on winners is considerably more than the average trade on losing trades. MMA’s comments can be of value to both speculators and investors. MMA’s trade recommendations will be of potential value only to speculators. Those who take these trades need to be willing to adjust stop-losses, and even the trade itself, as the week unfolds, and dependent upon technical factors that will arise with each day’s trading. There is no guarantee as to future accuracy or profitability. Each trader and reader trades at his or her own risk, and neither the author nor publisher assume any responsibility whatsoever for anyone’s financial or commodity markets decisions. Futures or options trading are considered high risk.

MMA WEEKLY GOLD AND SILVER REPORT
FOR WEEK OF MARCH 4, 2013

Comments: Please take a moment to view my weekly geocosmic comments on the stock market, at http://www.mmacycles.com/artweek.htm. Or, you can go to www.mmacycles.com, and then choose Weekly Preview. For other web sites in English: English2 or English3.
We are also pleased to announce that these weekly geocosmic comments are now available in Chinese – German – Dutch - French - Italiano – Japanese – Polish – Russian – Serbian1 or Serbian2 – Español 1 or Español 2. Our newest link for the free weekly report can now be read at www.michaellutin.com.

One thing we will look for, however, is a reversal around the midpoint of Mercury Rx (March 6) for any market not reversing right now, near the date it turns retrograde.

Note 2: Unemployment and Payroll reports due out Friday, March 8, which may also cause markets to be skittish and random acting until then.

Geocosmic Critical Reversal Dates:

March 6* (middle of Mercury Rx)
March 12* (treasuries and currencies especially, and also grains)
March 26-27***

GCJ (Apr Gold): Last week’s high was above weekly resistance and the close back below, which is a bearish trigger. And the close was below the weekly trend indicator point for the 6th consecutive week, which means it remains in a trend run down.

            This week’s trend indicator point is 1598.90. It will be upgraded back to neutral if this week’s close is above there.
            Weekly support is 1548.20-1553.30. A weekly close below this range will be bearish. A trade below followed by a close back above is a bullish trigger.
            Weekly resistance is 1603.60-1609. A weekly close above this range is bullish. A trade above followed by a close back below is a bearish trigger.
            Gold traded below a bullish crossover zone 1564.90-1567.80 again, but then closed back above, which is like another bullish trigger too. Others remain in effect at 1500.50-1514.60, 1443.50-1452.50, 1370.00-1370.50, 1136-1139.40 and 1014.80-1018.10.

This starts the 17th week of an older 15-21 week primary cycle following the 1672.50 low of November 5 in the December contract, or the 2nd week of a new one following the 1554.30 low on the overnight market, February 20-21. If it is an older primary cycle, then this will also start the 9th week of the second 8-11 week half-primary cycle. It would mean both cycles (primary and half-primary) are due within the next two weeks.

We had a strong rally after our buy signal of Feb 20 as Gold soared $65 in just 4 days. But then it gave almost all of it back from the high of 1619.70 on Feb 26 to the low of 1565 on March 1. This is typical Mercury Rx – nothing lasts more than 1-4 days without a reversal.

On the bearish side, the rally was only 40-60% of the prior down move, so the primary cycle low is not yet confirmed. On the bullish side, I still like that low of 1554 on Feb 20-21, and it held last week as Silver fell lower, for a case of intermarket bullish divergence. But to be valid, we need to hold 1554 this week and we need to get above 1619.70. If 1554 doesn’t hold, we still look for the primary bottom to be completed within the next two weeks. But better (for us) if it already happened, and the 1554 level holds. After all, that was right in the middle of our ideal price target for the low, which was 1540-1576.

We are still thinking that Gold could get to 2750 +/- 200 by year-end if this clicks. If 1520 breaks, then we may suffer down below 1400 for the 4.25-year cycle low due by September. But ideally, it was due by February.

Strategy: Position traders may remain long with a stop-loss on a close below 1520.
Aggressive traders may also remain long with a stop-loss on a close below 1520.

GLD (the SPDR ETF for Gold): Weekly support is 150.11-150.79. Resistance is 154.77-155.45. Weekly TIP is 154.60. Bearish crossover zones remain in effect at 159.02-160.81, 171.30-171.45. Traders are long with a stop-loss based on Gold closing below 1520.

SIK (May Silver): We will now switch to the May contract. Last week’s high was into weekly resistance and the close was back between support-resistance, which is neutral but with a bearish bias. And the close was below the weekly trend indicator point for the 4th consecutive week, which means it remains in a trend run down.

            The weekly trend indicator point is now at 2935. It will be upgraded back to a neutral if this week’s close is above there.
            Weekly support is 2778-2783. A weekly close below this range is bearish. A trade below followed by a close back above is a bullish trigger.
            Weekly resistance is 2935-2940. A weekly close above this range is bullish. A trade above followed by a close back below is a bearish trigger.
            Bullish crossover zones remain in effect at 2838-2912 (it closed there, so it is vulnerable), 2508-2526 (that is the big one), 2014-2022, 1720-1740, 1580-1598, and 1096-1103.
            Bearish crossover zones remain in effect at 3072-3112, 3665-3974 and 4337-4533.

This starts the 17th week of the 13-21 week primary cycle following the 3079 low of November 5. It also starts the 9th week of the second 7-11 week half-primary cycle trough that formed on Friday, January 4, at 2924.

It is very possible that both of these cycle lows happened last week, on Friday, March 1, as Silver fell to 2792.50. Gold held its prior week’s low then, for a case of bullish intermarket divergence. Plus the CCI held above -100, which is well above its -236 level of the prior week when the first low occurred. This is a classic case of bullish oscillator divergence too if the CCI can get back above 0. The low of Friday was also 7 trading days after the CCI hit -236. As stated before, “Our rule is that when CCI drops below -200, an important low forms within 7 trading days (usually within 4 trading days), and prices then start a 10% or greater rally (75% probability)…. It would be nice if Silver fell hard Monday-Tuesday, below 2825 with Gold holding 1554, and then both started up.” It did it Friday, and we will still take that, since the Gold low was within our three-star critical reversal zone.

Strategy: Position traders were short 1/3 of prior ;positions and advised last week “…However, if Gold or Silver take out last week’s low (but not both), cover and go long in Silver with a stop-loss on a close below 2500.” So there we are, long now with a stop-loss on a close below 2500.
Aggressive traders were flat after covering all shorts the prior week, and advised, “… Now go long if we get a case of intermarket bullish divergence to Gold this week … same instructions as position traders going long.” Bingo. Set your stop-loss on a close below 2500 or 2796 to start, based on your risk allowance.

Lunar cycles for this week (from “The Sun, Moon, and Silver Market: Secrets of a Silver Trader”). First numbers represent potential for reversal, where anything above 120 has high probability of isolated top or bottom to trade opposite of, and second column represent “Big Range Day” potentials in which Silver could have a range of at least 2% (probably more these days) – good for day trading. * represents strong reversal or big range day. The more * the stronger it is. # represents low likelihood for a reversal or big range day. The more #, the less likely a reversal or big range day.

The solar-lunar cycles for the next few days are as follows:

                                                            Reversal                       Big Range

            Mar 4-5                            157.1**                   153.6**
            Mar 6-7                                  32.9###                 71.9#
            Mar 8                           61.5##                      83.6
            Mar 11                         120.5*              130.9*
            Mar 12-14                     128.5*              87.3
            Mar 15                         131.4*              124.9*

SLV (I-Silver Trust): Weekly support is 27.10-27.22 Weekly resistance is 28.14-28.26. Weekly Tip is 28.37. A bearish crossover zone remains in effect at 29.54-30.17. Traders are long from the prior week with a stop-loss on a close below 27.00.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 25, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

The Trickster has returned!

Just when you thought the long-awaited correction in U.S. stock indices was underway, bam! It reverses to the upside once again. And once again, technicians are experiencing a dream come true. Unfortunately, it is a bad dream for technical analysts who base buy and sell signals on short-term technical studies. It is enough to make one look more closely at such esoteric studies as…. Financial Astrology. Or even Mundane Astrology. How else are you going to explain what is happening to stocks indices in 2013? Or Gold and Silver too, for that matter, where powerful moves unfolded as well last week?

After posting a new 5-year high on Wednesday at 14,058, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted over 200 points to 13,834 on Thursday. But on Friday, just one day before Mercury the “Trickster” turns retrograde, the DJIA was back up 120 points and over 14,000. The bull run appears back on after a one-day hard break. Or is it (see Short-term Geocosmics)?

Yet as exciting as the stock market was last week (it finally had a weekly range of over 200 points, which is really not that much), the activity in Gold and Silver was far more impressive. Not only was it impressive, but it fit our studies very nicely. A Special Report on Gold was issued in last week’s MMA Cycles Report that went out last Tuesday. By Wednesday, we issued two Special Alerts for subscribers to the MMA weekly and daily reports that advised buying within minutes of the low that day (1558). Prices did dip a little lower on the overnight market, to 1554, by as trading resumed on Thursday, Gold crept back up to 1587. This is not yet a confirmation that the low is in, but it’s a start, and it is occurring in a time band when the primary cycle bottom is due. The same is true with Silver, and we will keep subscribers posted as we go along here. In the meantime, this Special Report on Gold will be made available to anyone who subscribes to MMA Cycles (http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/).

Best Trades of the Week:

There were many “best trades last week” again, as we took profits on all short positions on Gold and Silver. In the case of Gold, the profits in some cases were well over $100/ounce ($10,000/contract). Although it is too early to confirm this as the “best trade,” here was the special alert issued to MMA weekly and daily subscribers on Wednesday, February 20, at 2:15 PM EST, as Gold traded around 1560: “Gold has now fallen to our original price target and buy zone of 1540-1576 in the last five minutes. You may start to probe the long side in this range with a stop-loss now on a close below (xxx)” We are still using the stop-loss given then and I don’t want it announced publically for reasons all traders know only too well. The actual low that day was within minutes of this alert.

Short-Term Geocosmics

As if the technical trading environment hasn’t been tricky enough (especially with stock indices), Mercury now begins its retrograde motion, February 23-March 17. We call this planet “The Trickster” because it is so nimble, jumping from one point to another so quickly. In a positive sense, Mercury’s nature is very flexible. He is not tied down to anything, other than the pursuit of knowledge and information applicable to the here and now. But that knowledge and information is subject to change as new knowledge and information is released – and often in contradiction to the original message. That is especially the case when he turns retrograde, which happens 3-4 times per year, and will happen again starting this weekend.

In terms of financial markets, this often will manifest as prices falling below technical support or rising above technical resistance, only to reverse again in what traders call a “fake out.” It makes trading very tricky. It makes investors very nervous, for this type of market behavior is usually accompanied by contradictory statements by political leaders and/or economic data being released.

The next three weeks will be very interesting to observe, for in the USA, the budget sequester devised by the White House (and agreed to by Congress) back in 2011 is due to take place on March 1, unless Congressional leaders and the White House come to an agreement to stop or modify it. That is not likely under Mercury retrograde with the Sun in Pisces. Or if they do agree, then the terms of the agreement may likely need to be modified later. Decisions like this under Mercury retrograde tend to take place before sufficient discussion is completed. There are facts and figures that are often distorted, or subject to change quickly, which prevents an intelligent decision being made with all the proper information.

Next week should be particularly interesting early on, for not only is Mercury retrograde, but there is a full moon on Tuesday that makes a T-square to Jupiter. Not only is proper information lacking to make an informed decision, but also the information that is imparted tends to be overblown. Jupiter is the planet of excess and exaggeration. Under a full moon, these principles are intensified. In market parlance, this can translate as a powerful rally based on inaccurate or exaggerated information, or a sharp decline based on hysteria rather than objectivity. Neptune is also involved in the full moon T-square configuration, for it is still nearby to the transiting Sun in Pisces.

Let’s end this week’s column with a brief discussion of Pisces too, for not only is the Sun and Neptune in Pisces, but so is Mars, Venus, and Mercury. That’s five of the ten planets (including the sun and moon, which aren’t planets, but in astrology they have an influence like planets). Thus, the principles of Pisces and its ruler Neptune are highlighted now, along with Mercury retrograde – which behaves a lot like Pisces and Neptune. The challenge for everyone will be in the practice of discernment versus blind faith. What is truth? Who and what do you believe, since under this combination, words all sound great, but may be totally inaccurate and overblown? In fact, you should believe only your own personal experience and reason now.

Just make sure that the words you express are accurate and really represent what you want. In other words, when you place an order in the market, make sure you check “buy” instead of “sell,” if that is what you really want to do. And by all means, protect your computer and its files from crashes. Be careful what you say on the phone or write in those instant message texts. With the fantasy nature of Pisces involved, this is a prime time to experience embarrassment related to something leaking that you wished had stayed private. On the other hand, it may be a very good week for romance. Just don’t open your mouth and speak out loud about what is on your mind, because you really don’t know - or have - all the facts. This message applies to politicians too. Please go home for three weeks and sequester yourself in silence. Then come back and do the right thing that reflects the will of the people you represent.

Longer-Term Thoughts will resume next week.

Announcements

The MMA Cycles Report, with its special update on the labeling and projection of Gold’s longer-term cycles, went out last week. If you are interested in this special Gold report, you might want to consider subscribing to the MMA Cycles Report (2-issue trials are possible for only $50.00, or 4-month or 1-year subscriptions). The MMA Cycles Report covers stock indices, precious metals, treasuries, currencies, crude oil, and soybeans, plus critical reversal dates. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/ for information. If you subscribe to this report (or MMA Japan or MMA Europe Cycles reports) and did not get the issued sent out last week, call us at once at 1-248-626-3034.

MMTA FIRST WORKSHOP ON “CYCLES AND CHART PATTERNS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS,” APRIL 6-8, 2013. MMTA will conduct its first workshop course on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets,” April 6-8, 2013. This is the first course of the new Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA), and is open to non-MMTA students via this webinar. This first course will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with snack and lunch breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, EST. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. For the webinar, you will need a computer with speakers. The cost for this course is $3000.00 (it is less per course to students enrolling in the two-year program). For information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61, or www.merrimanmta.com, or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com.

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 18, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Note: Monday is President’s Day in the USA. Financial markets will be closed there.

Review and Preview

The Uranus-Pluto square continues to manifest in explosive and unexpected ways, both in precious metals and in human lives.

Over 1000 people were injured when a meteor shower struck central Russia on Friday.

Over 4000 people suffered on the Carnival Cruise ship after an engine room fire rendered the ship without electrical power for the next four days, causing toilets to overflow the “…stinking, crippled ship,” until it could be escorted into the port at Mobile, Alabama.

This is all consistent with the mundane astrological principles of Uranus square Pluto, which remains in effect through March 2015. It is a dangerous signature, one that can threaten the lives of many people, due to unexpected natural or out-of-control, man-induced, disasters. The thing with this aspect is that you cannot really do anything to prevent or avoid its sudden eruption. All you can do is control your response and reactions when it does strike.

In terms of financial markets, it can also coincide with bizarre and unexpected behavior. For instance, as we loom around the world and observe its various equity markets, we notice the following occurrences last week: new multi-year highs in the Zurich SMI and London’s FTSE indices, but new lows for the year in the Netherlands AEX and a test of the lows so far this year in the German DAX; new multi-year highs in the NASDAQ Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average, but new lows for 2013 in Brazil’s Bovespa index; new multi-month highs for the Australia All Ords and China’s Shanghai Indices, but new lows for the year 2013 in India’s NIFTY and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng indices. This is a remarkable case of intermarket divergence within each region of the world. But is it bullish or bearish divergence?

Yett the most pronounced activity last week occurred in precious metals. On Friday, February 15, Gold fell below 1600 for the first time since August 2012. Silver dropped below $30.00/ounce. Although this decline was fast and furious and shocked many, it was right in line with our forecasts in terms of both time and price.

Best Trades of the Week:

There were many “best trades last week.” Some involved taking some huge profits on our short positions in both Gold and Silver that had been established in several places since the yearly high of October 5, 2012. All shorts were initiated above 1680, and several above 1700. Other “best trades” involved initiating new positions in stock indices, currencies, and soybeans. Perhaps the best trade last week involved the Euro currency again, which continued to fall after posting a multi-month high on February 1. Our weekly report for Euro last week stated, “Position traders may look to sell short at 1.3450 or higher (preferably in weekly resistance of 1.3516-1.3563), with a stop-loss on a close above 1.3711 or 1.3575, depending on your risk allowance” On Wednesday, February 12, the Euro currency hit 1.3520. By Friday, it was testing 1.3300. The daily report was already short from the high of February 1, above 1.3700, as disclosed in this column two weeks ago.

Short-Term Geocosmics

We continue to troll through the middle of a long time band of consecutive geocosmic signatures, stretching from January 25 through March 6. Perhaps the most important of these signatures is Saturn turning retrograde on Monday, February 18. This will be followed by the Sun conjunct Neptune on February 21. Both are Level 1 geocosmic signatures (strongest and most reliable indicators of market reversals) as described in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.”

Saturn retrograde is especially important, and will highlight the themes of Saturn for the next few days. Those themes involve delays, demand for accountability, restrictions, unusually cold weather, and the fear or sense of loss. In financial markets, we have a rule: any market that is declining into a major Saturn signature is a candidate for buying. Several markets have been declining into this period. Be alert. Do your homework and research, and see which of those markets have the best looking technical studies to support a rally at this time. And then muster up the courage to act upon your analysis, with proper risk management parameters in place (at least have a mental stop and the discipline to act if it is hit).

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The common elements that link our least successful leaders (are)… broken promises and gloomy temperaments (that) lead inevitably to an alienated public… All chief executives unmistakably identified as failures displayed a self-destructive tendency to violate the core promises of their campaigns.” Michael Medved, “Learning From White House Failure,” USA Today, February 11, 2013.

So, we are back to Neptune and the fact that transiting (current) Neptune is the dominant geocosmic factor in the birth chart of USA President Barack Obama for the next two years. It will be back in play this week as the transiting Sun will form a conjunction with Neptune on February 20, setting of an important geocosmic configuration in the President’s chart..

As a review, transiting Neptune will traverse the 3-6° sector of the sign of Pisces from now (mid-February 2013) through February 2015. Obama’s natal Moon is 3° Gemini and his natal Pluto is 6° Virgo. Thus, transiting Neptune will form a T-square to his Moon-Pluto square, which is known as a “hard aspect configuration.” It doesn’t mean that his life suddenly falls apart (although it could manifest that way). But it does mean that the dynamics of Neptune will be front and center in his life. It also means that the temptation to act upon the more negative themes of Neptune will be stronger than usual, and if not controlled through disciplined thinking and well thought out reactions, consequences will result that are consistent with the principles of Neptune.

What are those negative themes, actions, and consequences associated with Neptune that the president will likely need to be aware of in order to make it through this period successfully? Well, the major psychological issue underlying Neptune is “trust versus mistrust.” And trust is something that is earned, related to one’s propensity to 1) tell the truth and 2) not mislead others by either misinformation, or the withholding of critical information needed by others to make an intelligent decision (or vote). In other words, one must act with complete integrity, transparency, and honesty in all of his/her dealings during this period, and refrain from harboring underlying motives or plans. The consequences for violating this universal law of truth include scandal, humiliation, embarrassment, and a complete lack of trust and faith in the individual by others. The consequences of handling these matters truthfully and honestly are instead much more favorable: one ascends to a well-respected and even “loved” level in the eyes of the world. But…since this is a “hard aspect configuration,” getting to there is challenging.

Shorter-term, we find transiting Saturn is also important as a transit right now to the chart of the USA President. His natal Sun is located at 12° Leo and his natal Neptune is posited at 8° Scorpio. This is a square aspect, another “hard” aspect. Transiting Saturn turns retrograde this week – it is stationary – at 11° Scorpio. It is thus touching off this Sun-Neptune square, even as the Sun and Neptune are square to one another by transit this week too.

Whenever Saturn is involved in such a critical natal pattern, one gets exactly what one has earned, based on his level of accountability and responsibility. There is no magic. Everything is a result of hard work and effort (if it is to be positive), or lack of the same (if it is to be negative). By negative, I mean there is a sense of “not enough” of something one wants, but is unwilling to work hard to attain. The negative consequences of transiting Saturn have to do with either demanding too much and not getting what you want, or others demanding too much of you and thus you feel unappreciated and over-criticized. Without the support you wish, you may feel like quitting. This aspect from transiting Saturn to Obama’s natal chart has been in effect since mid-December. You may remember the turmoil surrounding the debt ceiling limit in late December. But now that Saturn turns retrograde on Monday, February 18, it will be at its strongest influence through April, and to a large extent, even into late October.

Why is this important to financial markets? Because the spending cuts of the President’s sequester arrangement are set to go into effect March 1. That’s a lot of money to be taken out of the economy. The debt-ceiling crisis has only been relieved for a couple of months. This too will come up again within this time frame and could coincide with disruptions to the economy. The President is unlikely to get what he wants, which means actions on these fronts may be delayed and thus cause unwelcomed interruptions to the current pace of the economy, in both the USA and the world. He – and not the Congress this time - may the subject of greater criticism for his actions and he may feel a greater lack of support than he expected.

How will he react? How will financial markets react to his reactions? How will this affect the level of trust between Mr. Obama and the American people? These will be the great questions of the next two months. But for us as Mundane and Financial Astrologers, it is all about the nature of transiting Saturn and Neptune, a time when ideals clash with reality, when flowery words (spin and hype) clash with the actuality and objectivity of numbers, when hopes and dreams are met with skepticism and demands for accountability and transparency. Do you really know, or do you just have faith and/or a belief without substance? These extremes of the spectrum need to be connected in order to make progress at this time. It can be done, but it won’t be easy or natural. It will require an honest effort and conscious choice to do so.

Announcements

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 11, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Although many world indices made new yearly highs, it was a relatively quiet week. The range in the Dow Jones Industrial Averages, for instance, was only 170 points. The week before, the range was only 159 points. You have to go back to the week of September 21, 2012, to find the prior week in which the range on the DJIA was less than 200 points. This type of “coiling pattern” suggests something big is on the verge of occurring. You may remember September 21 was the high of the year in the NASDAQ Composite. It proceeded to fall over 400 points from that high to the low of November 16. The S&P had topped out the week before, while the DJIA made a slightly higher high October 5, unconfirmed by the other indices. All indices then collapsed over 10% the following weeks. Other world markets fell even more sharply.

What lessons do we learn from this? When equity markets make new highs accompanied by narrow price ranges, watch out. Be especially attentive when this happens late in their primary cycles, as is the case now. Be even more attentive when new highs in one market are not accompanied by new highs in other related markets. And as always, be most attentive when these types of intermarket bearish divergence signals happen during geocosmic critical reversal periods. These are identified as time bands in which there are an unusually large number of consecutive geocosmic signatures unfolding in a short amount of time – one right after the other, with no more than 6 calendar days between them. We are in the midst of one of those through March 6.

Stocks are not only financial market undergoing relatively narrow weekly price ranges. Gold and Silver are too. The range in Silver last week, for instance, was only 82 cents. Usually it is at least twice that much. You would have to go back about three months to last observe this small of a weekly range.

In lieu of the small ranges in stocks and precious metals, we do note however that the currencies are moving sharply. That is where the action has been. That is probably where the action will continue over the next couple of weeks. As late as we are in the stock and precious metals markets, we are even later in the cycle of currencies. I would expect both stocks and metals to mimic the currency activity shortly, as they will soon be in comparable stage of their cycles (last phase) very shortly. In terms of fundamentals, this makes sense, because in just a couple of weeks, the USA budget sequester will take place. That’s when a slew of government programs will see their spending slashed. And isn’t it interesting that this will come due when Mercury is retrograde (February 23-March 17)?

Best Trade of the Week

With the weekly range in stock indices and precious metals being so small, our best trades continue to be in the currencies. The MMA Weekly Report on the Dollar-Yen advised aggressive traders: “You can probe the short side again if prices enter weekly resistance with a stop-loss on a close above there.” Weekly resistance was 93.68-94.05. The high of the week was 94.06 and the close was 92.66. Position traders, however, remain long from way back in the 70’s.

Our short position on the March Euro contract of Friday, February 1 continues to be a stellar trade. That was the day in which both position and aggressive traders were advised to “… sell short if prices rally to 1.3708-1.3778 with a stop-loss on a close above this range.” The high in the March Euro that day was 1.3715 and the close last week was 1.3366. That high was the highest price in the Euro since November 2011 (more than a year ago)

Short-Term Geocosmics

U.S. stock indices posted new multi-year highs on Friday, February 8. This fits with last week’s column, which stated, “However, it is later in the week that may be of most importance to equity traders. On Thursday, February 7, Venus will trine Jupiter. This will be followed by a square between Mars and Jupiter on February 10. In a sense, we will have Mars making a translation to a wide Jupiter-Neptune square. This is a dynamic that Alan Greenspan would relate as ‘irrational exuberance.’ It is possible that equities continue their parabolic rise into then, for whenever Jupiter is so active, trends of financial markets can either soar way above expectations and resistance, or fall way below support. It’s either wild but misplaced exuberance, or hysteria and panic. Right now, it looks more like the former… On top of all that, there will be a new moon in Aquarius on February 10. Then comes a slew of Saturn signatures, February 11-18. The hopes of Jupiter get dashed by the realities of Saturn.”

There is no need to change that outlook for this week.

Longer-Term Thoughts

Our long-term thoughts of last week focused on the transits of Mars and Neptune affecting the natal chart of President Barack Obama. So how was Mr. Obama’s week? And how close was it to the description of these transits given?

Keep in mind that Mars can represents assertion, aggression, and war, whereas Neptune can represent ideals, the urge for peace, as well as disillusionment and misunderstandings of intent as well as allegations of deception and hypocrisy. Here are the titles of a couple of articles published in the Wall Street Journal last week, with a description of their content:

“U.S., S&P Settle in for a Bitter Combat,” U.S. to Sue S&P Over Ratings,” “Payback for a Downgrade?” In these articles, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit seeking $5B in damages against the S&P rating agency for committing … “fraud when it issued high credit ratings on mortgage-related securities prior to the financial crisis of 2008.” Well, OK. But why S&P, and not Moody’s and Fitch’s and other ratings’ agencies, which also issued high ratings for the same securities based on their opinions of these securities at the time? Perhaps it was because S&P – and not the other credit agencies – actually downgraded the USA credit worthiness in August 2011, a move that perhaps “peeved” the White House. With Uranus square Pluto, it is “Payback Time,” as written in our Forecast 2012 and Forecast 2013 books. This was the conclusion of the Wall Street editors on February 6, and once again casts Mr. Obama as a person intent on punishing his enemies, rather than being “… intent on elevating the common good.”

As if that was not enough, this was followed by these headlines: “The Real Problem with Obama’s Drone Memo,” and “King of Drones.” Here the White House is accused of another power grab. The memo seeks to grant Mr. Obama the power to identify and “…kill al Qaeda operatives, including U.S. citizens.” Unlike torture, which the White House frowns upon as inhumane and barbaric, this memo makes it seems better to just kill a U.S. citizen who is perceived as being cozy with al Qaeda (or some organization perceived to be related to al Qaeda), rather than allowing these citizens “due process of law.” In this editorial, the Wall Street Journal states, “Hypocrisy aside, the justice department makes an adequate legal case… (but it is) being denounced on the anti-terror left.” But the conflict now comes up: is Obama a far left radical peacenik as many claim, or is he truly seeking such colossal powers over the life and death of some U.S. citizens that he might perceive as a threat to the security of this country?

This in turn was followed by the article “Obama Blocked Rebel Arms – White House Opposed Pentagon, CIA, State (Hillary Clinton) Plan to Ship Weapons to Syrian Resistance.” Now Obama has the conflict of appointing his dream team for national security, but then choosing to go against their advice on a very sensitive military matter along the lines of which he frequently states is one of his greatest values: the right of people to seek freedom from oppression and his commitment to help these people achieve it. Another embarrassment (Neptune).

At the end of the week, there was yet another story: “Hyatt Board Member Eyed for Commerce.” Penny Pritzker of Hyatt Corporation was a major fundraiser in the emergence of Barack Obama’s political career. And now she is in line for a top cabinet post. It brings back memories of Harriet Miers, a friend of George W. Bush, who was nominated (by Bush) for a vacant position on the Supreme Court. She never made it because her friendship with the president was not perceived as a solid qualification for such a lofty appointment.

In short, it was not a good week for the president. It was a classic example of what can happen when transiting Mars is conjunct Neptune, and both form a T-square to one’s natal Moon-Pluto square. It is a challenging time. It is a time when your reputation may be on the line and others speculate on nefarious, underlying motives for your actions.

Fortunately, for Mr. Obama, Mars leaves this combination by the middle of next week. However, Neptune will remain in orb of this same combination for the next two years. This is not the time for the president to come across as “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” as the White House proclaimed recently. That is exactly the wrong solution for dealing with a hard Neptune transit. To the contrary, the more successful path would be a return to his original vision and direction for the USA in which he was “… intent on elevating the common good.” That is more in line with a positive Neptune expression, and one that in turn would elevate the president to the highest level possible under this transit.

We will continue to track this aspect to Mr. Obama’s chart in future columns. Why? Because his success in navigating through this period will be in the best interest of the country. Also, his success in dealing with Neptune dynamics could translate as a confidence booster to financial markets and economic matters currently besieging the world.

Announcements

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 4, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Happy days are here again!

The USA Payroll reports of Friday, February 1, showed an increase of 157,000 new jobs for January, and December’s payroll was revised upwards to nearly 200,000. On the back of this positive news, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 14,000 for the first time since 2007, while many other indices around the world also marched to new yearly and even multi-year highs. If it feels like a bombardment of Jupiter energies, well… it is! And it may not be over for a few more days, as the Moon will be in Jupiter’s home sign of Sagittarius at the start of next week, and then more transits involving Jupiter arise later this next week.

Strength was also noted last week in the Euro currency against the U.S. Dollar, but also in the U.S. Dollar against the Japanese Yen. Of course, this means the Euro was especially strong against the Japanese Yen, a source of consternation for Europeans who will soon see their world trade advantage erode against the oncoming Japanese recovery. The currency wars are not over.

In precious metals, Gold and Silver started the week under pressure, and then recovered as the week wore on. However, it wasn’t a smooth ride and the end result was that both metals continued to trade between their lows of January 4 and highs of January 17-23. Crude Oil, however, was higher last week, reaching a peak of 98.24 on January 30, its highest level since September 17, 2012. This is consistent with the multiple Jupiter signatures that were in force January 25-30, for Jupiter – along with Neptune – rules the Crude Oil market.

Best Trade of the Week

Not many new trades were initiated last week, and of those that were, it is too early to tell if they are, or will become, “good trades.” One example was in Friday’s daily report for the Euro currency, which advised, “Position traders may still sell short if prices rally to 1.3708-1.3778 with a stop-loss on a close above this range. Aggressive traders may do the same.” The high on Friday in the March Euro was 1.3715 and the close was 1.3665.

Short-Term Geocosmics

We are in the midst of a long string of consecutive geocosmic signatures from January 25-March 6. Different financial markets are apt to reverse at different times during this time band. Their cycles will not likely climax on the same day.

Nevertheless, Financial Astrology provides insight into the collective thinking of the day. By understanding these dynamics, one can begin to piece together where the dynamics are being highlighted, and which markets are most apt to be responsive. Any one of these can coincide with a change in market sentiment, or investor psychology, or even political decision-making, which in turn affects various financial markets.

The next week finds some rather fascinating signatures unfolding. These actually started on Friday, February 1, with two planets changing signs: Venus moved from the serious-minded sign of Capricorn into the progressive and modernistic sign of Aquarius, and Mars moved from Aquarius to Pisces. The later ingress is most noteworthy for two reasons. First, Mars is an aggressive dynamic and Pisces is a passive quality (passive-aggressive). Second, Mars will conjunct Neptune on Monday, February 4. Since Neptune rules Pisces, it too has the qualities of gentleness and passivity. So once again, we see this passive-aggressive quality at work. Watch for public comments that at first attempt to show support for a particular point of view or political direction, but end up negating or criticizing what they just supported. This could be particularly of interest regarding the debate on gun control laws – the announcement of understanding and support for them, followed by the wish to transform or end them. Mars and Neptune can also represent foggy conditions leading to accidents, oil spills, and the desire to exhibit compassion for those who suffer or are somehow thrust into the role of victims. In terms of markets, it can be a rumor that leads to speculative buying or selling, followed by a report of a false alarm.

However, it is later in the week that may be of most importance to equity traders. On Thursday, February 7, Venus will trine Jupiter. This will be followed by a square between Mars and Jupiter on February 10. In a sense, we will have Mars making a translation to a wide Jupiter-Neptune square. This is a dynamic that Alan Greenspan would relate as “irrational exuberance.” It is possible that equities continue their parabolic rise into then, for whenever Jupiter is so active, trends of financial markets can either soar way above expectations and resistance, or fall way below support. Its either wild but misplaced exuberance, or hysteria and panic. Right now it looks more like the former.

On top of all that, there will be a new moon in Aquarius on February 10. Then comes a slew of Saturn signatures, February 11-18. The hopes of Jupiter get dashed by the realities of Saturn.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“There is a belief system – a venom almost – there is a whole sector of human beings who not only bitch about the way the world is, they even become more hostile if someone dares to suggest an idea or thought that could make it better.” – Dan Gilbert, chairman of Quicken Loans and owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers professional basketball team, Detroit Free Press, January 31, 2013.

“Even among the president’s supporters, one is hard put now to find anyone who doesn’t recognize that Mr. Obama’s original appeal to hope and change has given way to search and destroy… The original argument for the Obama presidency was that this was a new, open-minded and liberal man, intent on elevating the common good. No one believes that now.” – Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal, January 31, 2013.

The Mars-Neptune conjunction this week (February 4) tales place at 2º Pisces. This will be within one-degree of orb to President Obama’s Moon (in Gemini) – Pluto square. Mr. Obama’s easy aspects now end, and he enters a 2-3 year period of immense challenges to his ideology that will likely define his legacy as either a very brilliant or very misguided leader.

This will be an interesting study for Mundane Astrologers – those who study the charts or world leaders and nations. Neptune, as a transit in such a powerful position to one’s natal planets, can represent the highest of ideals, the most spiritual and charismatic of all virtues, the height of caring and compassion for all people. It is the dream, the ideal, that everyone seeks by the highest qualities of human character. If one exemplifies these virtues, he becomes a hero, a legend. He ascends to a pedestal of great honor and respect in the eyes of his community.

However, the ascent to this pedestal may be fraught with great personal tests and temptations. Not only does Neptune represent dreams and the highest of ideals, but it can also represent disillusionment – disillusionment in people who violate trust and let one down, or disillusionment in other people who held this individual in such high esteem, but then in the end, he let them down. With Neptune, one must also be watchful of deception, betrayal, deceit. But is it that the person is vulnerable to these acts by others, or the cause of them to others? With Neptune, it can be either, or both. The key to navigating successfully through Neptune transits is trust (to be trustworthy at all times and with all people) and compassion (caring for others with sincerity and authenticity). If you succeed, your legacy is intact. If you fail, you fall from grace.

In years past, I have indicated that Obama could be vulnerable to an impeachment effort in his second term. It is on the basis of this forthcoming transit. Neptune, at its worst in this type of configuration, may represent a scandal or disgrace, a great embarrassment. But in the theory of astrological dynamics, the belief is that character is destiny. And so whether Mr. Obama rises to a great height as a great leader, or falls from grace in these next 2-3 years, is entirely dependent upon his character, especially regarding the dynamics of trustworthiness and compassion. The choice will be his, and the result of his choices these next 2-3 years will secure his role in history.

These next two weeks may offer the first glimpse of how he will react to this cosmic challenge. The hope is that he returns to the spirit of his original message of “hope and change,” intent on elevating the common good, and refrains from the temptation to “search and destroy,” as described in the Wall Street Journal article. The quality of this nation’s future – as well as his own personal future - may depend greatly upon this choice of direction.

Announcements

Enrollment into MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA) ends this week, February 5! Application for the two-year program, involving 8 weekends between April 6, 2013 and October 2014, ends February 5. All applications will then be processed, and enrollees who are accepted will then have until late March to complete all pre-training requirements and entrance exams. Those who are enrolled in MMTA and who pass all the tests on MMA Market Timing methodology will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the two-year training. They will be eligible to apply for positions as analysts within MMA, teachers within MMTA, and speakers at future MMA conferences. In time, it is expected that this training will lead to other opportunities in the field of finances and market analysis.

Yet, not everyone is interested in a career along these lines. Many are primarily interested only in learning these methods to improve their own investing and trading skills, to manage their own monies. They want that “extra edge” that MMA’s market timing methods provide. They too can participate and benefit from these courses, without the testing and other factors required to be am enrolled student. See below.

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 28, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Many of the world equity markets (but not all) have moved higher into the Jupiter signatures of January 25-30. As stated last week, “… our attention now shifts to next week’s full moon of January 26 (a Saturday). This is actually in the midst of multiple important planetary signatures involving Jupiter. On January 25, the Sun will form a harmonious trine to the big guy (Jupiter). On January 30, the largest planet of our solar system will turn from retrograde to direct motion. On the same day, the Sun will form a square aspect to Saturn, which symbolically annoys the big guy.” When markets move up into such Jupiter transits, it oftentimes marks a pause or reversal. This could be the case now too, since the parabolic rate of motion up for many of these markets is not sustainable.

Yet not all markets moved higher last week. Some (like the NASDAQ Composite and Bovespa of Brazil) fell hard into Thursday of last week. The NASDAQ sell off was related to the double digit loss in the share price of Apple computers. This too was covered in last week’s explanation as follows: “But that’s not the only cosmic contradiction (as if the world needs more contradictions right now). From January 24-30, transiting Mars will form both a powerful square and trine to key components of the New York Stock Exchange chart (born May 17, 1792). It is not uncommon for the DJIA to have at least one triple digit decline around this time.” Well, the DJIA didn’t fall triple digits (yet), which is about .7%, but the NASDAQ futures did fall about three times that percentage.

What happened almost exactly as we anticipated, however, was the sharp decline in Gold and Silver last week. After reaching a nearly perfect Fibonacci retracement rally point of 3248.50 on January 23, March Silver sold off to as low of 3112 two days later on Friday, January 25. The damage was even greater in Gold, which fell from 1695.90 on Tuesday, January 22, to a low of 1655 on Friday. It has more to go before meeting our target for the “Trade of the Year.”

Best Trade of the Week:

There were several nice trades initiated last week (NASDAQ, Soybeans, Crude Oil), and again many involving Gold and Silver. For example, Wednesday’s daily report advised for Silver, “Let’s sell short (March Silver) at 3240-3250 with a stop-loss on a close above 3250.”The high of the day and week was 3248.50, an exact Fibonacci 61.8% retracement of the prior move down. Two days later, Silver was testing 3100. The MMA Weekly Report on Silver’s ETF (Exchange Traded Fund), advised, “Weekly SLV: You may now sell short again at 30.99-31.45 with a stop-loss on a close above 31.50. The high of the week was 31.41 on Wednesday, and by Friday it was testing 30.00.

Short-Term Geocosmics

As mentioned in the introduction, we are now in the midst of two important Jupiter transits: the Sun trine Jupiter on January 25 and then Jupiter turning direct on January 30. Jupiter’s nature is to expand whatever the energy is going into its period of influence. If bullish, then markets go even higher. If bearish, then they fall harder than expected. Right now many equity markets are rising higher than most expected, and precious metals are falling harder than most expected.

In politics, leaders in the USA are getting along better than anyone expected. For example, Republicans and Democrats have successfully agreed upon extending the debt ceiling until mid-May, which seems to be a choice that most Americans agree with. It doesn’t solve the problem – it simply kicks the can down the road again – but at least they agree on that, with the belief that serious negotiations on solving the debt crisis will now begin. There is a sense of hope and an air of cooperation that has been missing since the start of this century. This too correlates with the dynamics of Jupiter. It could last into the summer, which means there is a good chance of other agreements being made that could provide a secure financial future for America. Or they can return to partisan squabbling once again as early as next week when Jupiter moves out of its orb of influence when February begins. You may remember that a couple of columns ago, I mentioned that the best part of Obama’s astrological cycle ends after January.

Longer-Term Thoughts on the Remarkable Uranus-Pluto Square – The Saga of the “Financial Twilight Zone” Continues….

“Jens Weidemann, Bundesbank president… described Japan’s new government’s pressure to make the BOJ (Bank of Japan) more proactive as an ‘alarming infringement’ of central bank independence, which could lead to the ‘politicisation of the exchange rate.” - Financial Times, London, January 24, 2013.

“Germany is the country whose exports have benefitted most from the euro area’s fixed exchange rate system. He’s (Weidemann) not in a position to criticize.” –Akiri Amari, Japan's Economy Minister, Financial Times, London, January 24, 2013.

“The last time there was a competitive devaluation of currencies, it ended up where it did, in the second world war.” Delma Rousseff, President of Brazil during her election campaign, 2010.

“Obama may be forced to choose: bombing Iran or an Iranian bomb.” – Karim Sadjadpour, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Wall Street Journal, January 2, 2013.

In all this discussion about currency wars, central bank monetary manipulation, irresponsible government fiscal management (and even mismanagement), there is one important historical correlation that continues to be overlooked and too conveniently dismissed: Financial Astrology. More specifically, the history and the symbolic themes posed by the most powerful and longest lasting planetary aspect of at least the past 100 years: Uranus square Pluto.

Forget the fact that this is the first time these two planets have been in a square aspect since 1931. Forget the fact that this is the most potent part of the 2008-2015 Cardinal Climax, a planetary drama that last took place 1928-1934 and was outlined every year in our annual Forecast books since 1994, leading right up into the financial crisis that indeed did begin in 2008. No, that is what we did yesteryear. Let’s talk about now, within the context of the Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012 through March 17, 2015, a reality that we are thoroughly immersed in today.

Let’s start with the idea that Pluto rules debt. As such, it is one of the planets that has dominion over money. For what is money? It is credit and debt - and really, mostly debt. Somebody makes money and pays for goods or services, and thus has a credit. Somebody spends, and thus has a debt. If you spend more than you make, you are essentially in debt. If you fail to pay back what you borrowed and spent, then you eventually default, or go bankrupt. This happens frequently when Jupiter is in a hard aspect to Pluto. It can happen that one spends much more than one expected to spend when Jupiter is also in a hard aspect to Uranus. From mid-2013 through mid-2014, Jupiter will be in a hard aspect to both Pluto and Uranus. They are in a powerful T-square with one another. And they hit important planets in the charts of the United States, the European Union, and Iran. That is why it important to resolve the debt crisis by this summer: the favorable aspects end and the Uranus-Pluto-Jupiter T-square begins.

When a country’s central bank makes a decision to change its nation’s currency rate vis-à-vis that of other nations, it usually does so in order to adjust its economy. If its economy is too strong, it may raise interest rates in order to slow it down to a sustainable rate and thus avoid inflation. If its economy is too weak, it may lower interest rates in order to stimulate economic activity. It is willing to risk an uptick in inflation. That may lower its currency value too, so that nation’s companies can compete for a greater share of world markets, thus increasing domestic employment. When this starts becoming contagious – when several other countries all at once try to stimulate their economies by devaluing their currency - you get what you have today: currency wars. And historically, currency wars often precede the other kind of wars: military wars.

Did I mention Uranus was in Aries? Aries is the sign of combat, wars, disagreements that can escalate into destructive conflicts. Uranus is not a planet known for diplomacy or agreements. It likes to do things its own way – a lot like Aries. In a square aspect to Pluto, increasing debts can lead to currency wars, which - if not contained – can escalate into disputes that lead to… well, you get the idea.

What will be the end result? In my opinion, it will be a huge transformation of the value of currencies and indeed possibly even the concept of currency itself. I make it no secret that I believe the result will be a return to currencies backed by hard assets, like Gold, even though all the central bankers and all the politicians of the world oppose this view. They have to. Their existence and sense of importance depends upon the continuation of the illusion that fiat paper currency is solid, given the good will, promise, and trust of the governments which they back (or rather, who back the bankers).

Let me ask you something. Recently the U.S. government (was it the White House?) was scorned for floating the idea of minting a one-ounce Platinum coin and giving it a face value of $1 trillion. “Ridiculous!” “A farce that will do nothing to solve the real problems!” they shouted. True enough. It is a farce. It does nothing to solve the debt crisis, really. But is it any more of a farce than accepting that central banks can print fiat paper money out of thin air, then use that money to buy a nation’s bonds, and thereby make the nation “owe it” back that very money that was created out of nothing and is backed by nothing more than paper and “trust”? If the Fed and other central banks can create a U.S. debt payable in paper created out of thin air, then why can’t the U.S. government pay back that debt by minting a Platinum coin that is worth a very tiny fraction of the value it stands for? It is a less farce.

The more honorable and patriotic act would be for central banks to forgive the debt of the nations that they hold – that they hold by virtue of the fact they can and do create “money” out of nothing to buy that nation’s debt. I proposed this idea two years ago during the first quantitative easing decision of the Federal Reserve Board. I suggested that the Fed make a deal with the White House and Congress: forgive the debt (or at least the $3T they added on during the 2008 meltdowns) in exchange for a balanced budget. That would be patriotic and it would work as long as the government kept their word (that is asking a lot, but they can do it if they choose to do it).

And now over two years later, other market commentators and economists are coming up with the same idea about central banks forgiving the debt of nations that they represent. Don’t worry: I am an astrologer and therefore I never fear that credit for these ideas will actually go to the source of where they came from, which is inside my own head. And I will never lack for creative ideas and solutions to current problems. It is why you read me… you never know what I am going to come up with, but you always know that it will be inspired by knowledge of the oldest science known to Man – astrology.

But back to this moment, which I am trying to seize as I complete this European lecture tour to money managers in Amsterdam and bankers and investors in Zurich (yes, they ARE interested in Financial Astrology – just don’t tell anyone). There are many things government and banking leaders can do that would lead to a positive outcome of this Uranus-Pluto square. But they won’t get re-elected if they do – or so they think. So they instead pursue this path of currency wars, which will have a very bad ending if they don’t get a grip on reality soon - like, by mid-2013.

The Platinum coin idea is a farce and it won’t work, expect for three things. First, it would prevent a USA default because it would enable a temporary avoidance of the debt ceiling crisis whenever it arises. It will give leaders time to work out a responsible plan without defaulting and having its nation’s credit worthiness downgraded again (and the chaos that could create in world markets). Second, it would foster discussion on the farce that central banks print money out of thin air and then make taxpayers and governments responsible for paying it back with money they worked hard to earn. Third, that would then lead to serious discussions as to why the world needs to get back to a Gold Standard, or some sort of currency relationship that is backed by real assets, and not just the promise of the central banks and governments who are losing credibility fast.

It’s time for a new era of sanity. This could be the heroic legacy of the Uranus-Pluto square, especially given that there is also a grand trine this summer between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. This is the window of opportunity evolving right now. We should all pray that the leaders of the world themselves continue to seize this moment and rectify the financial atrocity they have co-created for our children’s future, and not fall down on their spiritual and humanistic duty to the world for which they were chosen – elected - to fulfill. Our hopes and dreams for a financially secure future rest in their hands. And as Barack Obama is fond of saying, “The time to act is now.” Quit this unwinnable path of currency wars, and return to a path where currencies – money – once again have a real value. Bring on that Platinum coin. It’s the first brilliant idea you have come up with, because it will lead us to an open discussion about what has happened with credit and debt since the 1960’s when the Uranus-Pluto cycle began - and how to correct it.

“The current political regimes do not trust the markets. It is fair to say that the distrust is mutual… More and more investors want real assets. They want out. They want something outside of the whole financial system where the authorities are becoming more and more repressive. Trust has been lost. Sadly, not all investors have the flexibility to take their funds and park them outside of the financial system; they’re stuck.” Repressionomics; Ineichen Research & Management; www.ineichen-rm.com.

Announcements

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japanese and MMA European Cycles Reports – came out last week to subscribers of those reports. For information, please visit http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/ .

If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services , or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

Only two weeks left to sign up for MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA)! Application for the two-year program, involving 8 weekends between April 6, 2013 and October 2014, ends February 5. All applications will then be processed, and enrollees who are accepted will then have until late March to complete all pre-training requirements and entrance exams. Those who are enrolled in MMTA and whop pass all the tests on MMA Market Timing methodology will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the two year training. They will be eligible to apply for positions as analysts within MMA, teachers within MMTA, and speakers at future MMA conferences. In time, it is expected that this training will lead to other opportunities in the field of finances and market analysis.

Yet, not everyone is interested in a career along these lines. Many are primarily interested only in learning these methods to improve their own investing and trading skills, to manage their own monies. They want that extra edge that our market timing methods provide. They too can participate and benefit from these courses, without the testing and other factors required to get a certificate of completion. See below.

MMTA FIRST WORKSHOP ON “CYCLES AND CHART PATTERNS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS,” APRIL 6-8, 2013. MMTA will conduct its first workshop course on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets,” April 6-8, 2013. This is the first course of the new Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA), and is open to non-MMTA students via this webinar. This first course will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with snack and lunch breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. For the webinar, you will need a computer with speakers. The cost for this course is $3000.00 (it is less per course to those enrolling in the two-year program). For information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61 , or www.merrimanmta.com , or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com .

The Forecast 2013 book is out! The book is now available at $55.00 while supplies last. It is also be available in an e-book format at these same prices through us, and with no postage costs. It is also available through Amazon Kindle and I books (Amazon.com or I Tunes, for the I Phone or I Pad – type in “Merriman” or “Forecast” to find it). The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number were printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! Once they sell out, however, you can still buy the electronic book version. To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email ordersmma@msn.com . You may also order through the MMA website at www.mmacycles.com , or http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30 . We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/ . By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2013, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com , and Italian distributor at www.astrofinanza.com , and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html . “After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.” W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is also now available! The cost of the 8-set, 10+ hour DVD packet, is $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=379&Itemid=48 . You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com .

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 21, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Equity markets around the world shrugged off the Venus translation to the Uranus-Pluto square January 12-16 and surged to new cycle highs immediately afterwards. However, we do note that a big reversal recently took place from the lows of December 28-31, which was right on the midpoint of the recent planetary cluster that extended from December 13-January 16. Thus, December 30 was our only three-star critical reversal date in this period, and that was a Sunday. The low – and reversal - happened that Friday-Monday surrounding December 30.

Nevertheless, we still expected some type of reaction during the January 12-16 period too. We did get it in some markets, like the Japanese Nikkei, which fell sharply (over 500 points) from a new two-year high on January 15 to a weekly low on January 17. By Friday, however, the Nikkei was re-testing that 2-year high again.

Many world equity markets made new yearly or multi-year highs last week, including the Japanese Nikkei, Hang Seng of Hong Kong, India’s CNX Nifty index, AEX of Amsterdam, Zurich SMI, and the London FTSE (but not the German DAX, which failed to take out its high of the prior week). In the Americas, the S&P nearby futures made a new multi-year high, but the NASDAQ Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average did not.

Gold, Silver, and Crude Oil also had a good week, as did the grain markets. However, these rallies in commodities were not enough to confirm the bull is back.

Short-Term Geocosmics

With the failure of last week’s Venus translation to correspond to a major market reversal, our attention now shifts to next week’s full moon of January 26 (a Saturday). This is actually in the midst of multiple important planetary signatures involving Jupiter. On January 25, the Sun will form a harmonious trine to the big guy (Jupiter). On January 30, the largest planet of our solar system will turn from retrograde to direct motion. On the same day, the Sun will form a square aspect to Saturn, which symbolically annoys the big guy. Jupiter’s nature is to expand and be jovial, optimistic, without many cares in the world. Saturn, however, is the party-crasher. Suddenly there are concerns as worries – and not hopes – begin to grow.

But that’s not the only cosmic contradiction (as if the world needs more contradictions right now). From January 24-30, transiting Mars will form both a powerful square and trine to key components of the New York Stock Exchange chart (born May 17, 1792). It is not uncommon for the DJIA to have at least one triple digit decline around this time.

However, January 24-30 is just the beginning of another long string of geocosmic signatures that will last through March 6. This is right in time for the expiration of the debt ceiling limit, a time when the USA may default unless there is an agreement to increase this limit. The Republicans in Congress have stated that they will demand a cut in spending. President Obama has declared he will not negotiate spending cuts (or anything) on the debt-ceiling limit. Once again, we are forced to watch adults (leaders?) struggle with the art of attaining a win-win resolution. Someone is going to lose – besides the American people – which is just another example of the dynamics associated with Uranus square Pluto, a time when people choose not to rise above their base instincts. The result is danger and even harm to oneself as well as to others. It’s just another form of terrorism and symbol of mass destruction applied to the world of finances. The bottom line is that investors may not believe a solution isn’t forthcoming, even until the last moment again. Thus, equity markets may continue to advance – until and unless default happens. Unfortunately, default is a real possibility under Uranus square Pluto.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The U.S. has defaulted once before, in 1979, when lawmakers were blamed in part for allowing negotiations to go down to the wire before raising the debt ceiling.” - Preparing for the Unthinkable: Could Markets Handle a US Default? Reuters, Thursday, 17 Jan 2013.

Last week’s column started with this long-term thought: “ Here it comes - another layer of the Uranus square Pluto aspect. The Uranus-Pluto-Jupiter-Mars grand square of April 21, 2014 at 13 degrees of cardinal signs, will be hitting the USA Sun-Saturn square at 13-14 degrees of cardinal signs. It begins its effect in 2013 and last through 2014. Its influence could start as early as February 2013, and it peaks within a few months of April 2014. Since the Uranus-Pluto square is going to coincide with a crest during its central time band (June 24, 2013-March 17, 2015), the following retracement in world equity prices will likely be quite steep, once the peak is realized.”

April 21, 2014 is not the only grand square that will form with Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto. Venus will be there too in late August 2013. Readers should know that any hard aspect between Jupiter and Pluto or Jupiter and Uranus are signatures of potential bankruptcy or default. We have discussed this correlation many times before in this column, as well as in the Forecast 2013 Book.

Jupiter-Pluto is a 13-year cycle (conjunction to conjunction) that started in December 2007. You may recall that was the start of the recession, the prelude to the financial meltdown of 2008-2009. Now these two planets will reach their opposition point - the halfway mark of their cycle – from mid-2013 through mid-2014.

In Financial Astrology (in fact, all forms of astrology), we look at the conjunction as the conception, or start, of a movement. The seeds are planted then. At the opposition, the results of what was sown at the time of the conjunction are realized. So the question is: did we plant the right seeds around December 2007? Did we start a new cycle then that will blossom favorably in 2013-2014? Or did we start activities then that will bear a burdensome price now? More specifically, did we resolve the problems that caused the meltdown in 2008? Or did we simply “kick the can down the road,” and now we have to deal with consequences of not correcting the problems of that time? We well know soon enough. But the failure of leaders to communicate and negotiate with one another over these critical financial matters is not a good omen.

As stated on my European lecture tour just concluded: the future of the rest of this decade will depend entirely upon the decisions our leaders will make in 2013. It will depend entirely on their willingness to compromise and work harmoniously together to resolve the world’s economic problems. If they do, we will set a solid foundation for the financial security of future generations, and we will see those results materialize by the start of the next decade. If they don’t, then there is another meltdown (maybe two this decade) coming, and it may take several decades to recover. It is entirely up to our leaders and their decisions in 2013. If they don’t come through, then the people will begin asserting themselves and make the choices themselves about the future of their leaders.

Announcements

MMTA FIRST WORKSHOP ON “CYCLES AND CHART PATTERNS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS,” APRIL 6-8, 2013. MMTA will conduct its first workshop course on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets,” April 6-8, 2013. This is the first course of the new Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA), and is open to non-MMTA students via this webinar. In fact, we will also open this first course up to allow on-site participation to those who register by February 5. This will allow interested parties to get a sense of the Academy’s courses (style and substance) before making a commitment for the 2-year program. This first course will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live on-site presentation and webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with snack and lunch breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. For the webinar, you will need a computer with speakers. The cost for this course is $3000.00 (it is less per course to those enrolling in the two-year program). For further information, go to www.merrimanmta.com , or http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=61 , or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com .

Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2013, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com , and Italian distributor at www.astrofinanza.com , and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html . “After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.” W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.

As exciting as I am about this year’s Forecast 2013 Book, I am equally excited about the new information kit just completed on the new MMTA - Merriman Market Timing Academy. That too was completed in the past few days, and it looks fantastic! That kit is now available to those who are serious about learning the MMA Market Timing methodology. To get a kit mailed to you, with application form and course descriptions and faculty bios, please contact Maureen at info@merrimanmta.com , or call her at 1-248-626-3034. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. This is the only time this course will be offered live with Raymond Merriman. It is truly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. And it is the only Market Timing course of its kind ever offered. There has never been anything like this, and I doubt that ever will be again. For more information, please visit the new website at www.merrimanmta.com .

The new MMTA website is up and running now!!! This is the website dedicated to MMA’s new Market Timing Academy, which will begin in April 2013. Please note that registration to enroll as a student in this “once in a lifetime” Academy (8 courses) is now open until February 5, 2013. Read more below at www.merrimanmta.com . Contact us if you wish an information kit.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is also now available! The cost of the 8-set, 10+ hour DVD packet, is $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=379&Itemid=48 . You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com .

Events:

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013, with emphasis on Gold.” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 14, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

This week’s column will be short due to the Forecast 2013 speech and special workshop on Gold this weekend in Zurich. The full report will return next week.

Short-Term Geocosmics

The major geocosmic signatures taking place in the next week will be the translation of Venus to the Uranus-Pluto waxing square. On January 12, Venus will form a square aspect (last quarter cycle phase of the Venus-Uranus cycle), and on January 16 Venus will form a conjunction to Pluto, the start of that planetary pair cycle. We saw the Sun do the same thing December 25-30. A 482-point decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average began on December 18 and ended shortly after on December 31, as the Fiscal Cliff discussions finally concluded. The market has been up ever since.

This pattern seems remarkably similar to the period of late 1999 and early 2000 when the world was supposed to end with the Y2K phenomenon. Back then, the stock market also declined sharply (over 500 points) from December 30, 1999 through January 5, 2000. But then it rallied to a new all-time high on January 14 before falling 37% over the next two years (80% in the NASDAQ, but that decline didn’t start until March). In other words, the huge decline everyone was predicting at the end of 1999 didn’t begin until the middle of the month. Could it happen again? Of course. Under Uranus signatures, anything is possible, and in most cases, the market will either rally or fall far beyond the levels that most are predicting. Right now, the vast majority of analysts are bullish, and predicting a strong stock market. Uranus has a way of teaching us humility. The lesson is: don’t follow the crowd, don’t believe what you hear, unless it agrees with your own common sense – and even then, question it.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The fiscal cliff may have been avoided, but an even higher stakes standoff – this time over the debt ceiling limit – is just around the bend…. There are no great options. Most of the ideas floated so far would either severely disrupt the public markets for treasury debt or rely on a constitutional claim of executive authority that we would very likely spend the next two years locked into an impeachment fight.” “The Debt Ceiling’s Escape Hatch, Edward D. Kleinbard, International Herald Tribune, January 11, 2013.

Here it comes - another layer of the Uranus square Pluto aspect. The Uranus-Pluto-Jupiter-Mars grand square of April 21, 2014 at 13 degrees of cardinal signs, will be hitting the USA Sun-Saturn square at 13-14 degrees of cardinal signs. It begins its effect in 2013 and last through 2014. Its influence could start as early as February 2013, and it peaks within a few months of April 2014. Since the Uranus-Pluto square is going to coincide with a crest during its central time band (June 24, 2013-March 17, 2015), the following retracement in world equity prices will likely be quite steep, once the peak is realized.

There is hope with the grand water trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune on July 17, 2013 to come to a consensus, a Grand Bargain, and a willingness to work together on many issues. But if they fail to secure long-term agreements and a sense of trust in working together around that time, it’s going to be a challenging year to follow. The grand trine only lasts a few weeks, whereas Uranus square Pluto lasts nearly 3 years. More on this as we go along. In the meantime, it won’t hurt for our leaders to choose a path that believes in miracles as opposed to grievances. It will hurt if leaders give up the role of being kind and compassionate. It’s a choice astrologically between the Jupiter-Neptune-Saturn grand trine, and the Uranus-Jupiter-Pluto T-square, with Mars making it a grand square. One is compassion and working together, while the other is war and divisiveness. The leaders have a choice to make. If they succeed, we start the foundation of social and economic healing and recovery. If not, the people will begin asserting themselves and make the choices about their leaders.

Announcements

MMTA FIRST WORKSHOP ON “CYCLES AND CHART PATTERNS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS,” APRIL 6-8, 2013. MMTA will conduct its first workshop course on “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets,” April 6-8, 2013. This is the first course of the new Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA), and is open to non-MMTA students via this webinar. This course will outline the various cycles (long-, intermediate-, and short-term) in financial markets, and the various phases and patterns that unfold in each. Chart patterns that correlate with cyclical troughs and crests will be shown and discussed in detail. Attendees will then be instructed on trading and investment strategies for each type of cycle, as well as their phases. The live webcast will take place from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday and Sunday (with snack and lunch breaks), as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The raw footage will be available for review for attendees for the 30 days following this course. For this course, you will need a computer with speakers. The cost for this course is $3000.00. For further information, please go to www.merrimanmta.com, or contact Maureen Hogan at mhogan@merrimanmta.com.

The Forecast 2013 book is out! The book is now available at $55.00 while supplies last. It is also be available in an e-book format at these same prices through us, and with no postage costs. It is also available through Amazon Kindle and I books (Amazon.com or I Tunes, for the I Phone or I Pad – type in “Merriman” or “Forecast” to find it). The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number were printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! Once they sell out, however, you can still buy the electronic book version. To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email ordersmma@msn.com. You may also order through the MMA website at www.mmacycles.com, or http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

As exciting as I am about this year’s Forecast 2013 Book, I am equally excited about the new information kit just completed on the new MMTA - Merriman Market Timing Academy. That too was completed in the past few days, and it looks fantastic! That kit is now available to those who are serious about learning the MMA Market Timing methodology. To get a kit mailed to you, with application form and course descriptions and faculty bios, please contact Maureen at info@merrimanmta.com, or call her at 1-248-626-3034. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. This is the only time this course will be offered live with Raymond Merriman. It is truly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. And it is the only Market Timing course of its kind ever offered. There has never been anything like this, and I doubt that ever will be again. For more information, please visit the new website at www.merrimanmta.com.

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited! There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 7, 2013
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

It was late. It was beyond President Obama’s wish to be resolved by Christmas. In fact, it wasn’t even resolved before January 1, the projected date that the USA economy would fall off the Fiscal Cliff. However, it did get resolved late in the evening on January 1, and stock markets around the world celebrated with huge gains on January 2, the first trading day of the New Year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, was up a robust 308 points. It wasn’t a new yearly high, but it’s getting within shouting distance of it. In European stock indices, new multi-year highs were achieved in most. In Asia and the Pacific Rim, many indices (like the Hang Seng, Nikkei, and All Ordinaries of Australia) soared to new yearly highs. Now the question is whether the Americas can do the same.

As pointed out to subscribers of our daily and weekly reports the previous week, we thought that there would be a window of opportunity to reach an agreement between December 31 and January 4, as the Sun left its translation to the Uranus-Pluto square (December 25-30), and Mars was in a favorable applying trine aspect January 4. But after that, it changes again (see Short-Term geocosmics). Indeed the high for world indices was on Friday, January 4, under the applying Mars trine Jupiter aspect.

Gold and Silver were not so fortunate. They did rally initially on the agreement, with Gold bursting up to 1695 and Silver to 3150 on Wednesday, January 2. But by Friday, January 4, Gold had fallen down to 1626 and Silver to 2924. They bounced back up a bit into the close, but you have to wonder why they fell at all, given that the “deal” is a far cry from a solution to the continuing debt explosion crisis. The study of cycles explains it very well. The time band for several long-term cycle lows in precious metals is now in effect. In the meantime, this type of volatility and sharp price swing reversals noted in precious metals, currencies, and grain markets were also indicative of the fact that heliocentric Mercury was – is – in Sagittarius, December 28-January 8. This is one of the best indicators we have for identifying large price swings in financial markets, and it worked once again. It’s not over yet.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Our last column of two weeks ago discussed the translation of the Sun to the Uranus-Pluto square, December 25-30. We described it as follows: “This major aspect of our times will be intensified with the full moon on December 28, forming a powerful T-square with Uranus and Pluto. These are not significators of an agreement or compromise. Instead, the two sides are more apt to drift further and further apart, and the blame game escalates, much to the disappointment of everyone.” Indeed it was at that time that everyone was about to give up. But then Senator Mitch McConnell (the Republican leader of the Senate) requested help from Vice President Joe Biden when Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid had given up. President Obama granted the request, and within the next two days, McConnell and Biden worked it out – after the Sun had left its translation to the Uranus-Pluto square on December 30.

Why is this important to note to a Financial or Mundane Astrologer? Because following that intense planetary combination of December 25-30, the cosmic tension also broke up, and the energy shifted to the more optimistic and expansive signature of Mars trine Jupiter on January 4. This was the window of opportunity to get something done, and they did.

Now that energy shifts again this week, which will start with Mars in a more challenging square aspect to Saturn on Monday, January 7. Not only that, but the Uranus-Pluto waxing square is again translated January 12-16, when Venus first squares Uranus, and then conjuncts Pluto, exactly as the Sun did December 25-30. As suggested in our subscription reports, an agreement may be reached December 30-January 4, but no one will really like it when they dissect the details. Already we see the storm clouds gathering for the next round of arguments over raising the debt ceiling limit in the next month. Both Republicans and Democrats feel they gave away too much in the Fiscal Cliff agreements. This is baffling, since the agreement didn’t even reduce the deficit one cent. To the contrary, the projection is now that the deficit actually increased by $4 trillion over the next few years.

Best Trades of the Past Week

Our trades in precious metals continue to rock, as they have for the past 16 months. MMA’s daily and weekly services have been short for several weeks now, and the daily report for Wednesday, January 2 on GLD (the ETF for Gold) advised, “Now let’s look to sell short again in the bearish crossover zone of 163.84-164.20.” The high of the day and last week was 164.14. It closed at 160.44 after falling to a low of 158.89 intraday on Friday.

For more information on the daily or weekly market reports, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services , or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“Don’t give in to your fears,” said the alchemist, in a strangely gentle voice. “If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart…. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

“This is what we call love,” the boy said, seeing that the wind was close to granting what he requested. “When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there is no need at all to understand what is happening, because everything happens within you…” – Paulo Coehlo, “The Alchemist,” 1988.

It has been said that financial markets are ruled by fear and greed. In Financial Astrology, fear falls under the domain of Saturn, and greed under Jupiter. The signs that they rule also correlate with these emotional principles, especially when the five furthest-out planets in our solar system are posited there. Thus Capricorn (which is ruled by Saturn) and both Sagittarius and Pisces (which are ruled and co-ruled by Jupiter), also pertain to the emotional dynamics of fear and greed respectively.

Today there is a lot fear in the world. There is fear of war, terrorism, individual insanity and madness leading to mass killings, and financial calamities. In Mundane Astrology, we can relate this to many astrological factors, most notably Uranus in Aries, forming a challenging waxing square aspect (first quarter phase), to Pluto in Capricorn.

In the last month, we have witnessed the tragedy of a mass killing of elementary school children in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, and the agonizing spectacle of USA political leaders desperately trying to avoid the dreaded financial cliff, which was universally feared as being a cause for a global recession if an agreement wasn’t reached. As stated in our last weekly subscription report on December 28, there was a good chance that an agreement would be reached – but by January 4 and not before December 30 – and that it would be an agreement that did very little to resolve the exploding debt situation. In fact, an agreement was achieved late in the evening of January 1. But instead of reducing the USA federal debt, it increases the debt by $4 trillion this decade. No one is happy. More to the point, this did very little to relieve the uncertainty and fear of the financial challenges that still exist. And why not? This is no mystery to Financial Astrologers. Uranus square Pluto is still in effect through March 2015.

The fear and anxiety about the financial future of America and even the world will ramp up again very soon. The USA debt-ceiling limit will be met in late February. The spending cuts of the sequester related to the Fiscal Cliff were kicked down the road again for another two months, and promises to be yet another Washington spectacle that has investors worrying about the ability of the President and Congress to reach another agreement before it is too late. This new round of the Fiscal Blues is right around the corner. Investors don’t get a break from the stress of having to continually climb over one wall of worry after another. It is amazing investors haven’t gotten weary yet. But then again, money has to find a home to park itself. And with central banks printing money at a rate never seen before, there is a lot of money to be parked somewhere. Stocks are the best bet, or so the thinking goes today.

President Obama has already stated that he will not participate in discussions about the debt ceiling if the Republicans insist on spending cuts tied to the discussions. He demands the debt ceiling raised for two years, with no spending cuts associated with this demand. Really? Folks, that isn’t going to happen and you know it – not as long as Uranus and Pluto are square to one another. Pluto in Capricorn can be indicative of a “power grab,” as many world leaders make a run to centralize their power. Or it can mean a heightening of frustration on the part of populations the world over in regards to their political leaders not being able to reach agreements or compromises and move their governments forward. So what happens when people become overly frustrated over a long period time? They eventually revolt.

So what is Mr. Obama going to do? A look at the transits to his natal chart is very revealing, as discussed at length in this year’s Forecast 2013 Book. His “favorable” aspects end at the end of January for quite some time. Transiting Neptune now begins its T-square to his natal Moon (in Gemini) square his natal Pluto (in Virgo). I think he is serious about not participating in any more discussions that make him crazy and don’t give him everything he wants. Neptune surrenders. Neptune withdraws, especially when in aspect to the sensitive natal Moon.

We are soon to find out how serious Mr. Obama is when he threatens to not lead or even engage in discussions about the debt ceiling limit. This could have a huge impact on the USA’s credit rating. What will this mean to the USA government – and to the financial stability of the world – as it occurs at the very same time that the Secretary of Treasury resigns? It could get… confusing. Welcome to Neptune in Pisces, land of the giant fog. But it is also a time to remember your dreams and what can make them possible. The first step is to have a dream, and not just a grievance. And the dream must connect to your heart. Only then can you – which includes the political leaders of the world - avoid the fear of the fog and the uncertainty it brings with it. Deep inside you must know that “… when you are loved, and when you love, you can do anything in creation.” Essentially, that is what healing is all about – and the world needs a healing right now, which comes from giving and receiving love. This too is the domain of Neptune in Pisces.

Announcements

I am giving my second special workshop on Gold next week in Zurich, Switzerland. The first one, you may remember, was on June 23, 2012, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, attended by 25 participants from 11 different countries. It was a very exciting and successful event. The conclusion reached that weekend – and reported to our daily and weekly subscribers – was to buy Gold that week, beginning on Monday, June 25, especially if Gold dipped below 1570. It did. Our sell for position traders was to take place on October 5, based on a particular geocosmic correspondence that I documented over the past 36 year, which had a 70+% correlation to rising Gold prices. I shared that information – and more – in that workshop. On the week of October 5, 2012, all MMA subscribers were advised to exit Gold if it traded above 1790, and even sell short with a stop-loss based on a close above 1810. It topped out at 1798 on – guess what? – October 5. Those who attended that workshop and took that trade (which was the crux of that workshop for short-term traders) more than paid the costs to attend that event. Now it will take place again on January 12, and the timing of this workshop is just as important as the first presentation. I highly recommend readers to attend this special event if possible, and I look forward to meeting with those of you do. For more information on this workshop (which will be given in English), please go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch . Register now as seating is limited!

There is a blog by subscriber Edward Smith that reviews our Forecast 2013 Book, particularly pertaining to the stock market. Please check it out at blog.efs-ideas.com . Plus he has a lot of other good ideas and data that many of you will find to be of value.

Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2013, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com , and Italian distributor at www.astrofinanza.com , and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html . “After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.” W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.

The new MMTA website is up and running now!!! This is the website dedicated to MMA’s new Market Timing Academy, which will begin in April 2013. Please note that registration to participate in this “once in a lifetime” live course is now open until February 5, 2013. Read more below, or visit www.merrimanmta.com . Contact us if you wish an information kit.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is also now available! The cost of the 8-set, 10+ hour DVD packet, is $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=379&Itemid=48 . You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com .

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services , or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/ . Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Finally, we are pleased to announce that “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 5: Price Objectives and Technical Analysis,” is now available in e-Book format. The cost is $144.00 and of course, this is no postage with the e-Book format. To order the eBook version, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/ .

Events:

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 17, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Stock markets around the world continued their march upwards to the “Fiscal Cliff” last week, which has many analysts wondering if 1) it’s not really a cliff at all that is ahead, but only a slope, or 2) if lawmakers and the President might have something close to an agreement, if only partially addressing the necessary issues that would really result in a serious debt reduction agreement. At risk right now are two competing forces: the financial security of almost everyone in the United States, and the legacy of President Barack Obama. If it really is a cliff and not a slope that the country comes up against on January 1, then a lot of people will be hurt. If they get hurt, that will then progress quickly to anger and new demands. When there is anger and demands, the gridlock tightens, not loosens, and thus the government could descend into paralysis. Nothing gets done as fighting and blaming others just increases while the economy sinks. Obama’s second term turns from hope to more anger and despair, and as President during a time of financial despair, it could define his historical legacy as a failure. Yes, it will define Congress as a failure too, but history won’t remember Congress. They will remember who the president was. When political commentators state that this is the defining moment of Obama’s presidency, they are referring to the possibility wherein he is or isn’t able to negotiate an agreement out of this difficult situation.

This is the political and economic synchronicity of the Uranus-in-Aries and Pluto-in-Capricorn waxing square. There is the huge debt (Pluto) of governments (Capricorn) all over the world. No one wants to apply measures of austerity (Capricorn) required in government reforms (Pluto in Capricorn). They want what they desire (Aries), and if they don’t get it, people will get angry and the situation will become explosive very quickly (Uranus in Aries). Matters can quickly spiral out of control. Not only can people get angry, they can get violent and lives could be in danger (Uranus square Pluto).

Socially we see these types of events related to Uranus and Pluto happening more often now than usual, as on Friday when a gunman opened fire in an elementary school in Connecticut killing 26 people, including 20 children. This was within hours of Uranus turning stationary direct. Uranus, of course, is one of the principles involved in this powerful but dangerous geocosmic aspect that has the potential for these kinds of mindless, insane, tragedies.

Another example of potential dangers was evident this week as North Korea successfully launched a long-range Unha-3 missile, which many fear will be a preview of a future launch with a nuclear warhead.

Thus, as we come into the end of the year, and the December 21 end of an age via the Mayan Calendar, we observe that the world is not very safe or secure. Economically and politically, there is danger of the Fiscal Cliff looming immediately ahead. Militarily we see the advance of terrorist states towards acquisition of nuclear warheads. And socially, there are some people who are crossing over the edge of sanity and erupting in acts of violence against innocent people, even children. When will all this madness and danger end? Astrologically, probably not for another two years.

But people have choices. It can end whenever society and governments start trusting one another again and work harder towards sincerely co-creating a climate of safety and security (instead of fear and anxiety), which of course is easy to say and hard to enact. In the meantime, the more the “blame-game” continues amongst leaders and society, and leaders towards one another, the demonstration of compassion and trust becomes increasingly invisible. And yet it is there, waiting to be tapped, for Neptune – the planet of compassion and trust – is in its home sign of Pisces, the sign of compassion and trust, for the next 13 years. It may take until the summer of 2013 to be activated, when Jupiter moves into Cancer and forms a potentially magical grand trine with Saturn and Neptune, all in water signs. We haven’t seen that since 1967. That was a time when peace marches started to arise all over the world, and eventually led to the end of the Viet Nam War. People demanded an end to the violence. They protested. They fought for peace and an end to war, and eventually they got it. Neptune may not be assertive, but if persistent, it can outlast the aggressors (Uranus in Aries, square Pluto).

If this week’s column seems more sad and distraught than usual, it is because I am deeply saddened and distraught by the events of today. I know I am not alone. Twenty children, needlessly gunned downed by a crazed gunman. If you are parent, you understand what this does to your psyche. And you search for an understanding when all you feel is sadness and grief. That too is a quality of Neptune. Neptune in Pisces can be a deep sadness, where tears flow at the utter cruelty that people enact towards one another, especially innocent children. In times like this, I am grateful that I understand astrology, for it is the only study that I know of that really offers an understanding of why and how this happens.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Last week’s column stated, “This week begins another important time band of a slew of powerful geocosmic signatures. The first to unfold is Uranus turning direct on December 13, the same day as the new moon in Sagittarius. Uranus is wild. Sagittarius is wild. Therefore, December 13, +/- 3 trading days may be wild, as in reversals and/or very sharp price movements… This “wildness” is not likely to be limited to stocks. Watch for even greater percentage swings in Gold and Silver.” Indeed, many stock markets of the world topped out between Wednesday, December 12 and Friday December 14. Those that topped out December 12, such as in the USA, fell somewhat sharply into Friday. But the declines were much steeper in Gold and Silver, which made their weekly highs on Wednesday and then sold off into Friday. Gold reached 1725 during the Sagittarius Moon on Wednesday, but by Friday’s Capricorn moon it was down below 1700 again, flirting with the lows that started this cycle on November 5. Silver ran up to 3387 on Wednesday, December 12, but then reversed down to close the week at 3229, its lowest level since November 16. It may not be over.

For this week, Venus will enter Sagittarius on Saturday, December 15. The next day it will square Neptune in Pisces, which suggest a world in mourning, for this signature can correlate with sadness involving loss of loved ones, On Wednesday, December 19, Venus will trine Uranus, which suggests a change of trend in equity markets within 4 trading days. The following week will find the Sun making a translation to the Uranus-Pluto square. That is, on December 25, the Sun will square Uranus, and on December 30, it will be in a conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn. There may be further reversals in financial markets, or disruptions and sudden events affecting society and governance. It is not uncommon to see earthquakes, electrical blackouts, or high winds and storms during this time, especially near the full moon on December 28. In the northern regions, it can coincide with very large snowfalls and extremely cold temperatures.

Best Trades of the Past Week

MMA’s Weekly service on DJIA advised, “You may sell short those 2/3 positions taken off recently again at 13,240-13,300 with a stop-loss on a close above 13,400.” The high of the week was 13,329 on December 12. It closed the week near its lows, at 13.135. MMA’s daily report for the S&P e-mini contract on December 12 stated, “Aggressive traders … (may sell) …into daily resistance with a stop-loss on a close above 1453.” Daily resistance was 1431.50-1434.75. The high of that day and the entire week in the March contract was 1432.50. It closed the week at 1409.25, very close to the low of the week at 1404.50.

But our best trades for the week were in precious metals – again! In Gold, the weekly reports advised, “Position traders are long with a stop-loss on a close below 1704 … Let us exit and go short at… 1724-1730 … Aggressive traders are long and may do the same as position traders.” The high of the week was 1724 and it closed at 1697. For GLD (the ETF on Gold), the report stated, “Let us exit and go short at 166.50 or higher with a stop-loss on a close above 170.” The high of the week was 166.94. MMA’s Daily Report for Thursday, Dec 13, for Silver, stated, “Aggressive traders may sell again at 3348 or higher with a stop-loss on a close above 3400.” The high was 3352. It closed the week at 3229. The daily reports were already short Gold and the ETFs of precious metals from the day before (or earlier) when the high of week occurred.

For more information on the daily or weekly market reports, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034.

Longer-Term Thoughts will resume next week.

Announcements

The Forecast 2013 book is out! And the E-Book will be out early next week (our apologies for the delay, but it is coming). In retrospect, this year’s book was the most enjoyable to write in a long time. It was very pleasing to hear our editors comment that it was also their most enjoyable read of all the ones they have edited. I think that may be due to the fact that I gave a wealth of advice on “what to do” now – a well-thought out investment plan for 2013 based on the implications of cycles and geocosmic studies as they apply to 2013. The book is now available at $55.00 while supplies last. It will also be available next week in an e-book format at these same prices, and with no postage costs. The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number will be printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! Once they sell out, however, you can still buy the electronic book version. To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email us at ordersmma@msn.com. Or You may order through the MMA website at www.,mmacycles.com, or our link at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

The printed version of Forecast 2013 will be translated into four other languages again this year, as follows:

Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl
German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/
Japanese: at http://merriman.jp
Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/

Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2013, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com, and Italian distributor at Italian: at www.astrofinanza.com, and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html. “After reading the annual Forecasts and subscribing to MMA Cycles for the past ten years, I can say that Ray Merriman's forecasts are uncannily accurate and indispensable for the preservation of wealth. Nothing else I've seen compares. It is without a doubt the best perspective on the big picture, not just bits and pieces of the picture.” W.W., Investor and Teacher, Indiana.

The monthly MMA Cycles reports went out last week. If you subscribe to any these three reports (MMA Cycles, MMA European Cycles, or MMA Japan Cycles) and did not receive this report, let us know at once, via ordersmma@msn.com.

As exciting as I am about this year’s Forecast 2013 Book, I am equally excited about the new information kit just completed on the new MMTA - Merriman Market Timing Academy. That too was completed in the past few days, and it looks fantastic! That kit is now available to those who are serious about learning the MMA Market Timing methodology. To get a kit mailed to you, with application form and course descriptions and faculty bios, please contact Maureen at info@merrimanmta.com, or call her at 1-248-626-3034. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. This is the only time this course will be offered live. It is truly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. And it is the only Market Timing course of its kind ever offered. There has never been anything like this, and I doubt that ever will be again. For more information, please visit the new website at www.merrimanmta.com.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, the introductory training course can be audited. The “Equivalency Exam” is now available. Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training course on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing” (or “How to Read an Ephemeris”) via the DVD now available, or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

And finally, we are pleased to announce that “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 5: Price Objectives and Technical Analysis,” is now available in e-Book format. The cost is $144.00 and of course, this is no postage with the e-Book format. To order the eBook version, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/.

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 10, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Stock markets around the world were bullish for most of the past week. Some made new multi-month highs, some made multi-year highs, and many failed to take out their recent highs of September-October. In China, the Shanghai index fell to its lowest level in nearly 4 years on December 4 before starting a rally into the weekly close. Needless to say, these examples of intermarket bearish divergence around the world continue to be present as the USA continues its dangerous path towards the “Fiscal Cliff” of January 1, 2013 with no real signs of compromise or progress yet to be seen, and political blame starting to escalate (see Longer-Term Thoughts).

Gold and Silver were mostly lower and the XAU Gold and Silver mining index ended the week at its lowest level since August 20. Now we head towards Uranus stationary direct on December 13, accompanied by a potentially potent Sagittarian new moon

Best Trades of the Past Week

MMA’s Daily service on Gold for Thursday, December 6, advised, “Aggressive traders are short. You may cover all shorts now and then go long anywhere between 1686-1692 with a stop-loss on a close below 1684.” Daily subscribers had been short for a week from around 1745. The low this day was 1687.10 and it closed at 1701.50. The next day, December 7, advised, “Let’s take profits on everything now if prices exceed 1704.80, and go short…” The high that next day (Friday) was 1706.90.

MMA’s Weekly Currency Report for the Euro stated, “Aggressive traders were flat and may look to sell short at 1.3150 +/- .0025, with a stop-loss on a close above 1.3250.” The high was 1.3126, and it closed and it closed below 1.2950, so that is a bingo too. Aggressive traders on the weekly reports also went short the Swiss Franc, T-Notes, Silver, and SLV near the high of the week.

Short-Term Geocosmics and Some Longer-Term Thoughts

The critical reversal zone of November 27 failed to correspond to a reversal in stock indices. However, many of the individual signatures within that reversal zone still have orbs of influence in effect. For instance, as stated last week, “On Sunday, December 2, a very important geocosmic signature occurs, known as the Sun- Jupiter opposition. This is one of the most significant of all trading signatures used in Financial Astrology for timing stock market turns. Within an orb of 10 trading days, this signature has an impressive 50% correlation to reversals in 50-week of greater long-term cycles! It has a 75% historical correlation to primary cycles within 10 trading days. This is huge (but then, so is Jupiter)…” That means the possibility of reversal remains present through December 17. Given what is coming up this week, it may yet mark the time band of an important crest.

This week begins another important time band of a slew of powerful geocosmic signatures. The first to unfold is Uranus turning direct on December 13, the same day as the new moon in Sagittarius. Uranus is wild. Sagittarius is wild. Therefore, December 13, +/- 3 trading days may be wild, as in reverses and/or very sharp price movements. This geocosmic combination could lead to a stampede in financial markets. But is it a stamped out of stocks or into stocks? It depends on how real the “Fiscal Cliff” is perceived by investors. Right now, it isn’t perceived to be too real, as stocks continue to rally. This “wildness” is not likely to be limited to stocks. Watch for even greater percentage swings in Gold and Silver.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The White House hardened its position that Congress should raise the U.S.’s borrowing limit without pre-conditions, adding an unprecedented new element into the high stakes budget talks… Just a month after the November election, the short-lived bipartisan spirit from the White house and Republicans has evaporated…” – Wall Street Journal, “White House Unyielding on Debt Limit Issue,” December 6, 2012.

It is Y2K all over again.

You remember that, don’t you? Most of the world computers had been set up with date line parameters that did not take into account that there would be a year 2000. They were supposed to stop functioning once the calendar rolled over on January 1, 2000, causing unimaginable chaos throughout the world. Among one of several probable causalities, the stock market was supposed to fall off a cliff then too, and maybe drop 30%.

Here we are again. Approaching is another January 1 deadline when a string of new taxes and spending cuts in the USA will take effect, supposedly driving down stock prices by about 30% and leading the USA (and most of the world) into a nightmarish recession.

Back in 1999-2000, the world was in the midst of a Saturn-Uranus square. Today the world is in the midst of a Uranus-Pluto square. The only hope today seems to be if USA lawmakers and the president can come to some sort of compromise to avoid the dreaded acts that will take effect on January 1. But lawmakers and the White House aren’t making progress on the “Fiscal Cliff,” which is typical whenever Uranus is in a hard aspect to another major planet, despite the pronouncement of wishes and decrees the president makes. He may wish for an agreement to be completed by Christmas, but his wish is not their command. He may decree that “We are not going to play that game next year” involving the debt ceiling limit being approved, but the Republicans are not going to grant him anything near that decree until they are assured the president first exhibits some sign of fiscal responsibility regarding the reduction of the USA debt.

His decree is not a guarantee that Congress will grant him the powers he seeks just because he won the election and demands it. In fact, his decree is having just the opposite effect. In the words of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, “It also represents a dangerous attempt by the president to grab more power over spending, power that Congress must not and will not cede.” This sounds eerily similar to what is happening today in Egypt under their new President Mohammad Morsi, who also wants more powers for himself that currently belong to other branches of government. You see the results in the streets of Cairo today. The USA chart has major aspects from Uranus and Pluto to its natal planets (Sun square Saturn) coming up by 2014 that symbolize the same reactions are possible.

Yet, in spite of the return to increasing political bickering and gridlock, even in the reality that January 1 is getting very close, the stock market rises higher and higher. In reality, the president wants the deal done by Christmas, which means passed by Congress on December 21, which means the agreement has to be presented to Congress by December 18, according to law. Of course, Congress and the White House could waive the law on December 18 to give a few more days to consider it without the legally required 3 days to review the proposal, in another rush job to get it done so everyone can go home for the holidays. Nevertheless, in my opinion, even that will not succeed. Therefore, the chances are very great – as stated all along in this column due to Uranus and Pluto in square – that on January 1, 2013, the USA will technically go over the “Fiscal Cliff.”

Does that mean the stock market falls 30%? Does it fall sharply as we get closer and closer to December 18, December 21, or even December 31? Maybe. And then again, maybe not. It did not happen quite that way, right away, in December 1999 as the world speeded into the Y2K death march. Here is what happened then. The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued rising right into December 30, 1999, reaching a new all-time high of 11,568. By January 5, it had fallen over 600 points to 10,958. Then it rallied again to another new all-time high on January 14, 2000, at 11,750. And then it started down. And it continued down… for the next 33 months to 7197 on October 10, 2002, a loss of 37.5%. In the NASDAQ, the damage was even worse. From its all-time in early March 2000 at slightly over 5000, it fell to nearly 1000 – a loss of 80% in the following 31 months.

There is a difference this time, however. If the sequester due to go into effect on January 1, 2013 is not repealed, then all the dividend and capital gain tax hikes will kick in immediately. Investors who hold stocks with dividends and gains will be penalized if they wait to exit after January 1, 2013. They have to get out by Friday, Dec 28, or Monday, December 31, or they will be hit by these higher taxes. Thus, it seems likely that selling will start in earnest before January 1, not after. In fact, it seems that it would start nearby to the day that Uranus turns direct on December 13, which also happens to be a new moon in Sagittarius. It is going to get wild. I would advise protecting yourself from a stampede out of stocks unless the White House and Congress actually show some willingness to budge on their positions and not just expect the other side to budge because they say so. That is not a very effective, sincere, or conscientious negotiating style.

In the words of Albert Einstein: “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has limits.” Thanks to market analyst Garret Jones for that one.

Announcements

The Forecast 2013 book is due out this week before December 15, 2012. You know, this year’s book was the most enjoyable to write in a long time. It was very pleasing to hear our editors in both the USA and abroad comment that it was also their most enjoyable read of all the ones they have edited. I think that may be due to the fact that I gave a wealth of advice on “what to do” now – a well-thought out investment plan for 2013 based on the implications of cycles and geocosmic studies as they apply to 2013. The book may still be pre-ordered at $55.00, plus postage prior to December 15. It will also be available in an e-book format at these same prices, and with no postage costs. The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number will be printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now, save big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! Once they sell out, however, you can still buy the electronic book version. To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email MMA at ordersmma@msn.com. Or you may order through our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

As exciting as I am about this year’s Forecast 2013 Book, I am equally excited about the new information kit just completed on the new MMTA - Merriman Market Timing Academy. That too was completed in the past few days, and it looks fantastic! That kit is now available to those who are serious about learning the MMA Market Timing methodology. To get a kit mailed to you, with application form and course descriptions and faculty bios, please contact Maureen at info@merrimanmta.com, or call her at 1-248-626-3034. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. This is the only time this course will be offered live. It is truly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. And it is the only Market Timing course of its kind ever offered. There has never been anything like this, and I doubt that ever will be again. For more information, please visit the new website at www.merrimanmta.com.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 3, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Last week and the week before were both as volatile and not as volatile as expected, which is a function of two sets of geocosmic factors. In one set, we had Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus very active in various aspects from November 22-December 2, which implies great volatility. For instance, on Friday, November 23, Mars was square to Uranus. This was the day after the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA when markets are generally quiet but bullish. However this year they were bullish and not so quiet. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 172 points higher that day. Gold was up $33 and Silver 76 cents, which are large moves consistent with this type of aspect.

This past week has the Sun trine Uranus, Venus conjunct Saturn and Mercury turning direct on Monday, November 26, followed by Mars conjunct Pluto on Tuesday, November 27. One day later there was a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius-Gemini. Normally one would expect fireworks galore in financial markets for the week. But by the end of the week, the DJIA was only up 15 points from the prior week. Except for the lunar eclipse of Wednesday, November 28, there really was little volatility. That brings up the second geocosmic factor in effect, which was Mercury turning stationary direct last week. This is a time when financial markets are relatively quiet and subdued. Thus, in retrospect, we see that both sets of geocosmic principles used in Financial Astrology were operative: the volatility of Mars, Jupiter and Uranus each being touched off, and the lack of volatility associated with Mercury stationary.

Although the stock market did not record much change from the prior week, it was important from a Financial Astrology perspective nonetheless. Equity prices rose to new cycle highs into this time band of powerful geocosmic signatures that was in effect November 22-December 2. The DJIA climbed to 13,062 as of Thursday, November 29, well up from its primary cycle trough of 12,471 just two weeks earlier on November 16.

Other stock indices throughout the world followed a similar pattern, but many did not. For example, in Europe, the Zurich SMI soared to its highest level in 2-1/2 years. All the other indices we track also rallied, but have not yet taken out their highs of September. They are getting close, however, in the German DAX, Netherlands AEX, and London FTSE. Moscow’s MICEX stock market was comparatively very weak, still 8% off its yearly highs of September 14.

In the Far East and Pacific Rim, even more signs of intermarket bearish divergence were evident. For example, the Japanese Nikkei soared to its highest level in seven months on Friday, November 30. But China’s Shanghai Index fell to its lowest level in over three years on the same day. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong rallied smartly, closing very close to its yearly high. But in Australia, the rally was OK, but well below its yearly high of October 18.

Which brings us to the America’s. South America witnessed anemic rallies to close out last week, with Brazil’s Bovespa and Argentina’s Merval indices well below their yearly highs. And although the DJIA and NASDAQ Composite rallied to new highs for this current primary cycle last week, they are still considerably below their yearly highs made in the last cycle – on October 5, in the case of the DJIA and September 21 in the Composite. In fact the rallies of last week only gained those indices slightly above a 50% correction of the prior down move.

Gold and Silver also exhibited intermarket bearish divergence in last week’s market activity. Silver made a new high for this primary cycle on Thursday, November 29, while Gold failed to take out its high of the prior week. All in all, the markets may not have moved that much last week, but significantly rallies took place into this powerful geocosmic time band in which possible cases of intermarket bearish divergence unfolded. This should therefore be an interesting week coming up. Will these markets now reverse, or break through to the upside. It probably depends upon what happens in Washington D.C. and the seriousness and sincerity of their efforts to really compromise and avert the “Fiscal Cliff.” Saying you are willing to compromise is not the same thing as actually acting like you are willing to compromise. Words matter only when they are backed up with serious intentions and complimentary actions, as we will likely find out in the next two weeks.

Best Trades of the Past Week

MMA’s Weekly Service on the S&P advised, “Aggressive traders may look to sell short again at 1415-1420, with a stop-loss on a close above 1432.” The high was 1419.50. It remains to be seen if this will be a good trade or not, but so far, it nailed the high of the week.

MMA’s Daily service on GLD (Gold’s ETF), for Thursday, November 29, advised, “If given the chance, you may sell short into daily resistance with a stop-loss on a close above 170.” Daily resistance was 167.13-167.28. The high was 167.50 and Friday closed at 166.05. This was after taking excellent profits on the long side early in the week on Gold and GLD (as well as Silver and its ETF, SLV).

Short-Term Geocosmics and Some Longer-Term Thoughts

The current critical reversal zone is not over yet. On Sunday, December 2, a very important geocosmic signature occurs, known as the Sun- Jupiter opposition. This is one of the most significant of all trading signatures used in Financial Astrology for timing stock market turns. Within an orb of 10 trading days, this signature has an impressive 50% correlation to reversals in 50-week of greater long-term cycles! It has a 75% historical correlation to primary cycles within 10 trading days. This is huge (but then, so is Jupiter), so what does it say about stock indices as well as the government’s ability to resolve the “Fiscal Cliff?” It provides a unique insight, in my opinion.

First of all, let’s consider my own bias, which is that the White House and Congress will not come to an agreement by Christmas, despite President Obamas proclaimed “wish” to get the deal done by then. To me, it is amazing that investors took that statement as a reason to be optimistic on the lunar eclipse of Wednesday, November 28. The DJIA had fallen over 100 points in the first hour of trading before the ‘wish” was pronounced. Then it rallied to close up 100+ points. Everyone “wishes” to get a deal to avoid the “Fiscal Cliff” by Christmas, which really means by Friday, December 21, so lawmakers can take the extra-long holiday vacation this year. In other words, no one wants to hang around Washington DC after December 21. If they don’t get it done by then, they probably aren’t going to get it done by January 1, which means a boatload of new taxes and spending cuts will go into effect that many economists predict will push the USA into a sudden and sharp recession. If the USA falls off the cliff, so will the rest of the world, for Americans are the biggest consumers on earth.

But back to the issue, and the Sun-Jupiter opposition. Every day that gets closer to December 21 is a day in which angst will increase, and so will the blame. Every day closer to December 21 is one day closer to the probable “rush to exit” by investors. As we approach December 13, the panic to exit stocks will probably increase greatly, and the sell-off (once started) will build momentum, for that is the date that Uranus turns stationary direct. And when Uranus is highlighted, there is no bottom or top to the market. Uranus has no respect for support or resistance. It likes to be in “breakout” mode, especially as it is already in its powerful waxing square aspect to Pluto. Thus, failure to make a new high next week would mean the Sun-Jupiter correlated with a crest this past week, and the selling pressure will start in earnest. Even if it does make a new high early this coming week, selling pressure could start up at any moment, absent an agreement from Washington.

Now, in case my bias is wrong and there is an agreement, then stock prices could soar into a crest around December 13, +/- a couple of days. Uranus would be wildly bullish. But then reality would set in and traders and investors alike would realize that there really is no fundamental tax reform in effect that is needed to truly stimulate the economy by creating new jobs, and bringing about a reason for higher wages. That – and only that –will create the revenues the White House seeks to make a dent in the debt situation long-term.

So it is possible the “Cliff” is averted, but the “can” is still being kicked down the proverbial road on what is really necessary to change. And Saturn is in Scorpio through 2015, along with Uranus and Pluto in waxing square. In other words, the “Day of Reckoning” (Saturn in Scorpio) is still coming, and with it, there may be one more meltdown ahead before the financial system’s foundation is seriously rebuilt for long-term sustainability. And the cause of that meltdown may not even be in the hands of the USA. It seems to me that it is more in the hands of Europe next year, which is a subject covered in great detail in the Forecast 2013 Book, due out shortly.

Announcements

First of all, the new MMTA website is up and running now!!! This is the website dedicated to MMA’s new Market Timing Academy, which will begin in April 2013. Please note that registration to participate in this “once in a lifetime” live course is now open until February 5, 2013. Read more below, or visit www.merrimanmta.com.

The Forecast 2013 book is now at the printer and on schedule to be released before December 15, 2012. You know, this year’s book was the most enjoyable to write in a long time. It was very pleasing to hear our editors in both the USA and abroad comment that it was also their most enjoyable read of all the ones they have edited. I think that may be due to the fact that I gave a wealth of advice on “what to do” now – a well-thought out investment plan for 2013 based on the implications of cycles and geocosmic studies as they apply to 2013. The book may still be pre-ordered at $55.00, plus postage prior to December 15. It will also be available in an e-book format at these same prices, and with no postage costs. The book is 160 pages, and as always, a limited number will be printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now, save big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out!!! Once they sell out, however, you can still buy the electronic book version. To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email MMA at ordersmma@msn.com. Or you may order through our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. Read all about it in Forecast 2013!!! There is hope!

As exciting as I am about this year’s Forecast 2013 Book, I am equally excited about the new information kit that has just been completed on the new MMTA - Merriman Market Timing Academy. That too was just completed this past week, and it looks fantastic! That kit is now available to those who are serious about learning the MMA Market Timing methodology. To get a kit mailed to you, with application form and course descriptions and faculty bios, please contact Maureen at info@merrimanmta.com, or call her at 1-248-626-3034. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. This will be the only time this course will be offered live. It is truly a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. And it is the only Market Timing course of its kind ever offered. There has never been anything like this, and I doubt that ever will be again. For more information, please visit the new website at www.merrimanmta.com.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

And finally, we are also pleased to announce that “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 5: Price Objectives and Technical Analysis,” is now available in e-Book format. The cost is $144.00 and of course this is no postage with the e-Book format. To order the eBook version, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/.

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

As mentioned last week, I am right at the end of finishing up the writing on this year’s Forecast Book (for 2013), and so there will not be the usual column this week.

I must say, however, that this has been the most enjoyable Forecast book I have written in several years, probably because there are so many exciting and positive possibilities for next year. The editors are all enjoying the reading of it as much as I have enjoyed the writing of it. One of our three editors says he can’t wait for the next section, because every chapter is like suspense leading up to the next section, and it keeps building and building. Another stated that this one is real “doozy,” which I think means it is really intriguing to her. It was to me as well!

In any event, the book goes to the printer Monday and should be ready for delivery in two weeks.

In the meantime, financial markets were also very exciting last week, as stocks, precious metals and currencies soared at the end of the week, just in time for next week’s major assault by Mars onto the Uranus-Pluto square, and lunar eclipse on November 28.

Best Trades of the Past Week

We had several great trades last week in precious metals, currencies, and crude oil, but we will resume this part of the column next week.

Short-Term Geocosmics

We will repeat last week’s comments, for they apply to this week as well.

“Mars entered Capricorn on November 16 or 17, depending on where you were. This is a very important ingress. As discussed before, it has a historical correlation to an escalation of military threats in the Middle East involving Israel. If you have been watching the news, you know this has already begun… As Mars approaches Pluto and forms a square to Uranus November 22-27, this dangerous and explosive situation could erupt the closer we get to that time band. And it may involve other areas too, besides the Middle East.

“In terms of financial markets, this celestial pattern could also coincide with explosive price swings in financial markets. If the USA government isn’t making any progress on solving the Fiscal Cliff (a combination of massive tax increases and spending cuts), and if the tension between Israel and Palestine escalates, stock markets around the world could take a heavy pounding… However, investors probably know that traditionally this period around Thanksgiving in the USA is usually bullish for equities. Thanksgiving will be this Thursday, November 22. Markets will be closed here.”

And in closing, let me give a couple of quotes from last year’s Forecast 2012 Book that I came across as I finished this year’s book. Keep in mind these forecasts were written in mid-November, 2011.

“Thus, based on geocosmic principles, I would expect Soybeans to make a new all-time high…. As we end 2011, it seems that Soybeans may be falling into a half-cycle trough to the 6-7 year sub-cycle. Measured from the low in March 2008, this low would be September 2011 +/- 7 months. A “normal” corrective decline for this 3.5-year cycle trough would be 1120 +/- 80. We are in that range as we end 2011. Assuming this range holds, and our bullish outlook is correct, then the rally to the crest of this 3.5-year sub cycle would be 1792 +/- 120.”

“The key will be the economic consequences of the Uranus-Pluto square. Will it be inflationary for commodities like Crude Oil, or deflationary? How much of its price will be affected by the value of the U.S. Dollar, the currency in which it trades on world markets? … this signature will indicate a threat to the leadership of many oil producing countries, which in turn may disrupt the distribution of Crude Oil. This could cause temporary shortages, which would result in abrupt and sharp spikes up in prices. This possibility is highlighted from October through December 2012. At times like these, the safety of Israel is often threatened…. Crude Oil’s 4-year cycle is due to top out sometime before July 2012, either around 110-117, 125.90 +/- 11.05, or 157.38 +/- 14.75. Prices could then drop sharply back below 80.00/barrel in late 2012 through early 2013. Watch closely the period around June 26. +/- 2 weeks.”

As readers may recall, there was a severe drought in the USA last summer. After falling to a low of 1094 on December 14, 2011 (a month after the book was written, and in the price range given), Soybeans soared to a record high of 1794-3/4 on September 4, 2012, less than 3 cents from the price target given. Crude Oil, on the other hand, reached a high of 110.55 last year on March 1. It then fell to a yearly low of 77.28 on June 28 – right into the price target of below 80.00 and only two days removed from the June 26 exact date given last year.

You know, with Venus and Jupiter conjunct in Scorpio in my second house, it’s good to be lucky. And at this time of the year, it’s also something to be thankful for. To all of our USA readers, enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday weekend. To readers elsewhere in the world, may the holiday season being you great joy and happiness.

Announcements

Speaking of this year's Forecast 2013 book, it is on schedule to be released on December 15, 2012, and probably even a couple of days earlier. You may pre-order this book at $55.00, plus postage. It will also be available in an e-book format at these same prices, and with no postage costs. The book is be about 170 pages, and as always, a limited number will be printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now, save big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email MMA at ordersmma@msn.com. Or you may order through our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. We are doing our research on the frequency of this pattern now, along with its historical corresponding themes.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is now out! The cost of the 8-set, 10+ hour DVD packet, is $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=379&Itemid=48. You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, you can now audit the introductory training course. The “Equivalency Exam” is now available. Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training course on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing” (or “How to Read an Ephemeris”) via the DVD now available, or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. An information kit is being prepared and will be available around November 25. Applications for enrollment will still be accepted through February 5, 2013. However, the “Apprenticeship” category is now filled, and a waiting list is being created in the event that any of those accepted into this category cannot attend. Both the “On-Line” and “Open Entry/Open Exit” categories are still open. The MMTA website at www.merrimanmta.com should be up very shortly. For more information now, or to receive the MMTA information packet that will be available by the end of the month, please contact Maureen Hogan, the MMTA administrator, at 1-248-626-3034 or via email at maureenmmta@gmail.com.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 19, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Due to the time demands required to finish the Forecast 2013 Book in the next two weeks, this week and next week’s column will be shorter than usual. The book is expected to be out, in print and electronic book format, by December 15. Our MMA catalog of services and products is also now available, by email file or by postal mail. If you would like to receive a copy, please email Amber at ordersmma@msn.com. The information kit on MMTA (Merriman Market Timing Academy) will also be ready next week. If you are interested in applying for this Academy, which starts in April 2013, you may let Maureen know at maureenmmta@gmail.com, and she will mail this kit with an application form to you as well. As you can see, we are very busy these days at MMA!

Well, the Mercury and Neptune stations of November 6 and 10 really struck last week as revered General David Petraeus abruptly resigned from his post as CIA director when it was revealed that he had been involved in an extramarital affair. The concern was that classified information and/or national secrets may have been leaked (how Neptunian is that?), so he was advised to resigned – and did. Hmmmm, strange that those same concerns didn’t lead former President Bill Clinton to resign when he was in a similar pickle a few years back. As you might expect under these sorts of geocosmic signatures, conspiracy theories abound, for after all, this affair had been known before the election, but was held off from public disclosure until just after the election. Why?

For that matter, what did President Obama mean when he said last week that now that the election is over, we can begin to have a serious inquiry at what really happened in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, when the U.S. Ambassador was murdered in a terrorist attack on the U.S. embassy? Why did we have to wait nearly two months and until after the election to take a serious look at what really caused the murder of the Ambassador? It all smacks of Mercury turning retrograde and Neptune changing directions – a classic cosmic set up for misinformation, rumors, and possible scandals. With President Obama about to start a two-year period of transiting Neptune forming a T-square to his natal Moon-Pluto square, I don’t think this is going to go away.

But as exciting as all this drama is for our prurient American nature, it may pale in importance to the impending “Fiscal Cliff,” a perilous storm that looms ahead and which we have been alerting readers about for the past several months. We are under Mercury retrograde now through November 27. We see politicians saying nice things to each other, such as “We had a very constructive meeting,” “We recognize the need to make compromises,” “I am open to all new ideas.” Yet we know that under Mercury retrograde, the probability that this civility will actually carry forward into a solid agreement is not very high. Uranus is still in the midst of its square to Pluto, and before the end of the month, Mars will be involved too. I wish it weren’t so, but that combination is explosive and more likely the kind of cosmic set up you see when tempers flare out of control. When Mars is with Pluto and square Uranus, politicians don’t play nice and they don’t even try to bend to the ideas of the other side. This is not indicative of a win-win spirit in negotiations. It is a combination that more likely says: “I won, you lost. Now get in line or go home.” True compromise doesn’t mean you changing your position to agree with mine. It means we both adjust our positions and find a point in the middle. But true compromise under a Mars-Pluto conjunction is more akin to coercion and bullying into submission. What is it good for? Research, and getting to the bottom of a matter that has been covered up or hidden. But that is the other story. This one is about a fiscal cliff in which the economy of a nation is about to fall over.

The market sensed that in the last week, as equities fell hard. Many indices are now below important moving averages that were supporting the market. And the heavy aspects are still ahead. They are just coming into influence as Mars steps into Capricorn’s domain.

Best Trades of the Past Week

There were several trades elected on both the weekly and daily reports last week. But perhaps the best were MMA’s Weekly Report on Crude Oil advised, “Aggressive traders may look to buy at 85.00 +/- .50, with a stop-loss on a close under weekly support.” The low of the week was 84.57 and the close was 86.67. Or, MMA Weekly Gold traders were advised, “Position traders may look to buy at 1706 +/- 8.00 if offered, with a stop-loss on a close below 1672.50. Aggressive traders may do the same.” The low was 1704.50. Silver, GLD, and SLV also added on new long positions last week, both the daily and weekly reports.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Mars enters Capricorn now, on November 16 or 17, depending on where you are. This is a very important ingress. As discussed before, it has a historical correlation to an escalation of military threats in the Middle East involving Israel. If you have been watching the news, you know this has already begun. As Friday’s Wall Street Journal reported, “Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with planes and artillery for a second straight day and began mobilizing tens of thousands of troops, while Palestinian militants mounted their deepest-ever missile strikes into the heart of Israel.” As Mars approaches Pluto and forms a square to Uranus November 22-27, this dangerous and explosive situation could erupt the closer we get to that time band. And it may involve other areas too, besides the Middle East.

In terms of financial markets, this celestial pattern could also coincide with explosive price swings in financial markets. If the USA government isn’t making any progress on solving the Fiscal Cliff (a combination of massive tax increases and spending cuts), and if the tension between Israel and Palestine escalates, stock markets around the world could take a heavy pounding.

However, investors probably know that traditionally this period around Thanksgiving in the USA, is usually bullish for equities. Thanksgiving will be this Thursday, November 22. Markets will be closed here. Let us hope that there is something to thankful for, and not a war breaking out instead.

Longer-Term Thoughts will be resumed once the Forecast 2013 Book is completed.

Announcements

Our monthly MMA Cycles Report came out last week. If you are subscriber and did not receive it, please let us know at once, This report covers the USA stock market, precious metals, treasuries, currencies, crude oil, and soybeans. The MMA Europe and MMA Japanese Cycles reports also came out last week. For further information on this report, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

Speaking of this year's Forecast 2013 book, it is on schedule to be released on December 15, 2012. You may pre-order this book now at $55.00, plus postage. Once again this year’s Forecast 2013 Book will also be available in an e-book format at these same prices, and with no postage costs. The book will be about 175 pages, and as always, a limited number will be printed, based on pre-publications sales. So order now, save big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email MMA at ordersmma@msn.com. Or you may order through our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. We are doing our research on the frequency of this pattern now, along with its historical corresponding themes.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 12, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

In the end, nothing changed.

Barack Obama returns to the White House. The Democrats also retain control of the Senate. The Republicans, on the other hand, retain control of the House of Representatives and also a record majority of state governorships (30 of the 50 states now have Republican governors).

It is all about “Hope and Change” again. But in the end, there was no “change” – zero, nada. And if you measure “hope” by the reaction of Wall Street investors, there was little of that in evidence after election results were announced. On Tuesday, the day of the election and before the results were known, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 133 points, probably on the hope that there would be change – change away from gridlock and political paralysis. But when the results became known, the next day’s market activity began a fierce sell-off. By Friday morning, the third day after the election, the DJIA had fallen over 500 points. But hope started to spring back as the president scheduled a news conference Friday afternoon to address the impending “Fiscal Cliff.” The market was hopeful that he would show signs of willingness to compromise on his fiscal positions, as promised immediately after the election. The DJIA rallied 150 points from the morning low into the start of his speech based on that hope. But within minutes, it became clear that indeed there would be no change in his position, and the market promptly erased all those gains to close virtually unchanged. It is apparent that Wall Street doesn’t like Obama’s economic ideas, and they don’t believe his offer for compromise is sincere and/or will lead to an avoidance of the “Fiscal Cliff” that is due to strike on January 1.

At the end of the week, it was apparent that nothing has changed - not the leadership in the White House, Senate, House, or state governorships. Yet if I am reading the transits of next year correctly, there is indeed “hope” that things will change for the better next year. After all, Jupiter will soon be exalted in Cancer, as part of a remarkable grand trine involving Saturn and Neptune in water signs. And the USA is a Cancer country. If we can’t solve it then, it is almost certain there will be changes of another kind. Saturn will be firmly in Scorpio - a placement that doesn’t promise hope and change. It only promises change - or loss of power.

Yet the election provided a good week for precious metals. Gold, which had started the week under 1675, ended the week over 1730. Silver fell to 3065 as the market opened early Monday, but closed the week around 3260. Here was a market which clearly liked the fact that – in the end – there was no change in the political situation in the USA. In times of economic uncertainty, Gold thrives. The future of the world economy was uncertain going into the election, and …. nothing changed. At least, not yet.

Best Trades of the Past Week

Wednesday’s daily report for Gold futures (GCZ) stated, “Aggressive traders are flat and may look to buy at 1707 with a stop-loss on a close below 1690.” The low was 1703 and it closed the week at 1731. For the ETF on Gold (GLD), that same daily report stated, “Traders may look to buy at 165.50 with a stop-loss on a close below 163.50.” The low that day was 165.04 and it closed the week at 167.82. The long positions on Silver and its EFT (SLV) were initiated near the lows of the prior Friday, as given in last week’s column.

Short-Term Geocosmics

This week will find Neptune turning direct at 0º Pisces on Saturday, November 10, followed by a solar eclipse in Scorpio on Tuesday, November 13, and Mars entering Capricorn on November 16-17. These are all potentially important.

The Neptune station apparently is not coinciding with a dispute on the election counting – at least not at the national level. But it could still coincide with rumors and allegations of wrongdoing or deceptions in some other matters. It can also correlate with heavy rainfalls, snow, and/or floods. Perhaps it relates to the announcement that Iran shot at an unarmed American drone five days before the election. According to Friday’s Wall Street Journal, “The incident, which the Pentagon publicly confirmed after it emerged in news reports, reveals for the first time a classified U.S. surveillance program.” Hmmmm, makes you wonder who leaked that, and what the repercussions will be regarding White House transparency, especially as it occurred prior to an election but wasn’t revealed until afterwards. Here come more conspiracy theories!

The solar eclipse in Scorpio will highlight all things to do with Scorpio, such as the worldwide debt explosion that continues to erupt, and of course the impending USA Fiscal Cliff, which if allowed to be activated, is expected to lead to an immediate recession and a huge jump in unemployment. We are going to hear a lot of doomsday scenarios discussed on this matter this coming week, all consistent with the dynamics of Scorpio, sign of death, debts, and taxes.

But perhaps the most important geocosmic transit next week will be Mars ingressing into Capricorn, where it will remain until Christmas Day. This affects the Federal Reserve Board chart, created December 23, 1913. It is not uncommon to see the USA Central Bank make a policy decision nearby to a cardinal sign ingress like this. But this is also an ingress that coincides with escalating threats of military confrontations in the Middle East. Last week’s leak about Iran shooting at an American drone maybe the start of something that escalates wildly as Mars reaches a conjunction to Pluto and square to Uranus, November 23-27. If the stock market doesn’t get some encouraging news from the White House and/or Congress about the “Fiscal Cliff,” this aspect could coincide with a serious escalation of this current market decline.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The American people gave President Obama a second chance to fix the problems that even he admits he failed to solve during his first four years. To the extent he wants to move to the political center... we’ll be there to meet him halfway.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Wall Street Journal, November 8.

“People close to Mr. Obama said he was looking to send a message to Congressional Republicans… that he is willing to reach compromises on major initiatives.” Wall Street Journal, November 8.

"A second Obama term is going to mean a dismal few years of economic stagnation and political bitterness. It will tarnish not only the lame-duck incumbent but the Democratic brand, much as George W. Bush’s second term tarnished the GOP. Note well, Democrats: if Mr. Obama wins, Hillary Clinton will never become president.” – Bret Stevens, “Global View,” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2012.

Compromise and “meeting halfway,” are positive and necessary sentiments as the United States returns the same factions of government to the balance of power they held before the election. That balance resulted in the most destructive gridlock the United States has experienced in modern times. This destructive behavior on the part of the U.S. government over the past 4 years – and indeed, over the entire world – is reflected in the dynamics of Uranus in waxing square to Pluto. This aspect will remain in force through March 2015, which is a very unsettling thought for Mundane and Financial Astrologers, particularly given the fact that they will be in an exact square at 13º of cardinal signs on April 22, 2014 – and forming a grand square with Jupiter and Mars in the same degrees of cardinal signs. But what is particularly disturbing is that the Sun and Saturn in the USA chart (July2 or July 4, 1776) are also in or nearby to those same degrees. And the Sun rules the nation’s leader and Saturn rules its government. The question has to be asked: what could happen to the USA if compromise and “meeting halfway” are not achieved by that time? What are the consequences if this gridlock between these branches of government can’t overcome their dysfunctional behavior?

There is a lot riding on the balance of power and the willingness to compromise in the next two years. With Saturn in Scorpio, it is a “Time of Reckoning.” It suggests that this cannot continue without a destructive result to the government and the office of the President itself. Fortunately there is another remarkable celestial pattern that is shaping up in the summer of 2013 that offers the promise of compromise and cooperation. It is a grand trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, a planetary pattern that holds the promise of justice and fairness. At the same time, Saturn and Pluto will be in mutual reception and also in a waning sextile to one another. The sextile is an aspect of communication and cooperation, potentially affecting large masses of people. Because it is a waning sextile, it is designed to “solve a problem,” as opposed to the waxing sextile, whose function is to “create a new benefit.” And compromise and cooperation does not mean “agreeing with my side,” as both parties have this far insisted. It means “meeting halfway.” “Halfway” is all about finding a point in the middle where each side agrees to move off their cement footing.

The election is over and I wish to remind readers that the vast majority of professional astrologers were correct in their forecast about the outcome. At the United Astrology Conference, held in New Orleans in late May 2012 and as reported in this column, I emceed a panel of six professional astrologers on the Election 2012. They gave their astrological reasons as to the outcome of the election. All six concluded that their astrological studies indicated Barack Obama would be re-elected. It was consistent with the conclusions discussed in this column and the Forecast Book 2012 as well. I may have no joy about being right because of the continued gridlock that this “no change” election portends, but I am very proud of the fact that once again, the study of Astrology proved to be a valuable and accurate forecasting tool regarding the cycles of human activity.

Announcements

Our monthly MMA Cycles Report comes out this week. As I am currently in the midst writing the Forecast 2013 Book, I have asked Rick Lorusso to write this month’s issue of the American markets. Rick is the former Senior Vice President, Citigroup Global Markets, and was also a Senior Technical Analyst for futures for Citigroup. Rick will do his unique analysis of all the markets I normally analyze: stocks, precious metals, treasuries, currencies, crude oil, and soybeans. In my opinion, Rick’s technical and market timing skills are of the finest I have come across anywhere, so I am very pleased to have him write this month’s issue. I will post MMA’s forthcoming geocosmic and solar-lunar critical reversal dates in the report, and I will also write the MMA Europe and MMA Japanese Cycles report, also due out this week. For further information on this report, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

March 8, 2013: Scottsdale, AZ “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by ASA – the Arizona Society of Astrology. Call 602-952-1526 for further more information, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 5, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

You want to see what Uranus square Pluto looks like? Her name last week was Sandy. And she unleashed devastating natural catastrophe, economic loss, and threat to human life in a manner reminiscent of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. For the first time since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York City, the New York Stock Exchange was shut down for consecutive days. In the study of Mundane Astrology, Uranus rules high winds, electrical black outs, and earthquakes. Pluto rules threat to life, crops, and economic loss. The square is an aspect that pertains to great challenges and difficulties of the dynamics signified by the planets that are involved in the square.

The financial markets of the world also got a huge dose of what Uranus square Pluto looks like – especially equities, precious metals, and currencies. All rallied nicely right after the NYSE opened on Wednesday, October 31. But the very next day – November 1 – began the Venus translation to the Uranus-Pluto square. In fact, Venus began its 3-day T-square formation to Uranus and Pluto that day. Now from previous columns, you know that Uranus rules surprises and abrupt reversals and/or the breakthrough of important support-resistance levels. On Thursday and Friday, we witnessed each. The USA stock market (signified by the Dow Jones Industrial Average), for instance, rallied smartly on Thursday. The DJIA was up 126 points. The rally continued following the very favorable payroll reports on Friday morning. Early on it was up over 60 points. Then, in typical Uranus fashion, it abruptly reversed and wiped out all the gains of the week, closing down nearly 140 points.

But that was nothing compared to the damage to precious metals. After testing 1700 again early in the week, Gold rallied to a high of 1726.60 on October 31. After the favorable jobs report Friday morning, Gold sold off. By the close it was testing 1675, its lowest level since August 31. Silver fell to 3081, its lowest level also since late August. This is all related to the transit of Venus through its ruling sign of Libra as outlined in the Forecast 2012 Book for this period.

Venus is in its ruling sign, and it is in a T-square to Uranus this weekend (November 1-3). Venus, along with Uranus and Pluto, are thus very strong right now. In the study of Financial Astrology, Venus and Pluto co-rule currencies. Thus it is not surprising that many currencies fell sharply on Friday against the U.S. Dollar. The Euro currency, for example, was down over a full point against the U.S. Dollar on Friday. What is causing this? Well, the favorable jobs report suggests the economy is growing. Therefore the belief is that the Federal Reserve Board may not need to prop up the economy with further monetary easing. Their policies are apparently kicking in as more people head back to work. But wait a minute: didn’t I say once before that Election week would find both Mercury and Neptune changing directions? And didn’t I suggest that Mercury and Neptune highlighted would signify a period where the accuracy of numbers could be seriously challenged and even misleading? How many of these new workers are really working in full time positions at wages they used to make? Maybe after this week’s election we will find out. However, maybe it will take more than a week to get an accurate count of anything where numbers really matter now.

Best Trades of the Past Week

The weekly report for T-Notes stated, “Position traders are long with a stop-loss on a close under 131/02. Let’s exit 1/3 now and the rest at 133 or higher and stand aside. Aggressive traders are also long with a stop-loss below 131/22. Let’s follow the same route as position traders and then stand aside until the election.” The high of the week was 133/02, so we made an excellent profit on that multi-week trade.

It’s too early to tell if this will end up a good trade, but the weekly report for Silver stated, “Aggressive (and position) traders are flat and may look to buy at 3090…” The low of the week was on Friday at 3081.50.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Right now, transiting Venus is in the same degrees as Uranus and Pluto, creating what astrologers refer to as a T-square formation. It adds an extra punch to the nature of the larger planets involved: Uranus and Pluto. Here is how this period was described in the Forecast 2012 Book: “October 25-November 3 – Freak snowfalls possible, high winds, power shortages, and earthquakes.” And there are three more of these periods coming up before the year ends as forecasted in the same book: November 22-27, December 13-16, and December 25-31.

But it is more than just Venus playing havoc with the collective right now. This week will find the trickster Mercury going retrograde (November 6-27). That is a time when all communications need to be repeated and verified for accuracy. When you tell your broker to sell, make sure you mean “sell” and not “buy.” When you receive an email from a friend where the subject line says she is stranded in Madrid and lost her wallet, verify that is her email address before you open the attachment. When your favorite newscaster announces that Mitt Romney or Barack Obama has won the election, check the other stations for verification. When anyone tells you anything this week, check it out before acting on that information. And it is not just Mercury that is changing directions, but also Neptune, who is the greatest carrier of misinformation of the planetary lords. He may be inspiring in a spiritual or artistic or musical sense. He can carry you to other levels of awareness. But he is not so adept to the ways of practical thinking or accurate accounting of details. Everybody loves Neptune, but not everybody can trust Neptune’s message if facts are involved.

It promises to be a peculiar week, and one that is headed right to the solar eclipse in Scorpio (sign of taxes and debts) on November 13. And do not forget that Mars is still in Sagittarius through November 17, the sign where financial markets can be subject to larger than usual price swings. If markets go up, we have irrational exuberance. If they go down, we flirt with panic and hysteria. Mars in Sagittarius can be very loud and unruly. Expect to see some of that this week.

Longer-Term Thoughts

"He who votes does not have power. He who counts the votes has power." - Josef Stalin.

It is Election week in the U.S.A. We will revisit “Longer-Term Thoughts” when we know who will be the next president. Of course, with Mercury retrograde and Neptune turning direct this week, we may not know the outcome that quickly. Nothing will surprise us, and yet we know that something unexpected and surprising is likely to happen as a correlation to the planetary patterns now present.

Yet as peculiar as the cosmos looks this week, a Mundane Astrologer would have to be intrigued by the unusual patterns that are lining up for next summer, 2013. As I sit at my desk down here in the Florida Keys this month, writing the Forecast 2013 Book, I can personally state that I have never seen anything quite like the Grand Trine, Kite, and T-square formations that will be unfolding in the summer of 2013, involving all five of the furthest out planets on our solar system (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). The Jupiter and Pluto opposition at the time seems to be the key, as they are in two of the three patterns. Pluto by itself is the only planet involved in all three patterns. It is really quite something for an astrologer to see such a complex and rare combination of patterns happening in one season. I don’t know that this has ever happened before. Besides the idea that very fascinating souls will likely be incarnated during this period, it also holds the promise that very constructive solutions to the world-wide economic crisis could be proposed and adopted, paving the way for the reconstruction of the global financial system. I am not saying it will miraculously change overnight. But I think agreements could forged between opposing ideologies that lead to new policies that in turn could start the process towards a sustained recovery that will be evident by the end of this decade – if we stick to the plan that is adopted then. I know that sounds like a long time, but the world is in a deep abyss and will take a time to climb out of it. And we have to start somewhere and at some time with agreements and policies that will start this rebuilding process. I think we have a chance to do that in 2013, based on the potential manifestation of these planetary formations. It could be a new day, a new morning, for the world.

Announcements

Our web site was down last weekend as our seasonal special on the Forecast 2013 Book came to an end. So we are extending the pre-publication special rate until this Monday, November 5. That is, you may still pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book for $45.00 and/or any yearly subscription report for a 10% discounted special rate, through this weekend. After Monday, the cost of this year's Forecast book will revert to the normal retail price at $55.00. Once again this year’s Forecast 2013 Book will be available in an e-book format at these same prices, and with no postage costs. The book will be about 175 pages, and as always it will be ready for decliner on December 15, 2012. A limited number are always printed, based on pre-publications sales, so order now, save big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, please call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or email MMA at ordersmma@msn.com. Or you may order through our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=398&Itemid=30. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/. By the way, 2013 should be very interesting as there will be a super-rare configuration in effect by the summer. We are doing our research on the frequency of this pattern now, along with its historical corresponding themes.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

January 17, 2013: Amsterdam, Netherlands. “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. Call 31-(0) 294-415-917 for further more information, www.markettiming.nl. Or http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/forecast-2012-amsterdamor, or www.markettiming.nl

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review to attendees for the 30 days following this course. Two special one-hour presentations within this course will be given by well-known Technical Analyst Richard Lorusso, formerly the Senior Technical Analyst for futures and Senior Vice President of Citigroup Global Markets. Rick will be speaking on “Fibonacci Time Ratios for Market Timing” and “Special Chart Patterns.”

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 22, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

“The new surveys suggest that Mr. Obama is banking the most votes during the early voting period before Election Day. Roughly one-third of the likely voters in Iowa said they have already cast ballots. Mr. Obama garnered twice as much support from those early voters as his Republican rival, leading 67% to 32%.” The Wall Street Journal, “Poll: Obama Leads in Wisconsin, Iowa,” Patrick O’Connor and Neil King, Jr., October 19, 2012.

Since this is the “Review and Preview” section, I will start with a review of prior columns regarding the U.S.A. presidential election, which is now just two weeks away. Previously I pointed out several issues that make the forecast of this election so difficult and fluid. One was that President Obama had introduced a game-changing election strategy that rode him to victory in 2008 – namely, that his community organizational skills enabled him to conduct a record-breaking absentee voter turnout resulting in a 58-42% pre-election day margin of gain. It is evident that the same strategy is being employed successfully again in 2012. I suspect that there will be allegations of voting irregularities and fraud signified by the Mercury and Neptune stationary phenomena that will be in effect during election week, which in turn may delay the official count of the election results. On Election Day, Mercury turns retrograde, and by that weekend Neptune turns direct. Among their many principles, Mercury rules counting and efficiency, while Neptune rules distortions along with rumors and accusations of deception.

These prior columns also referred to the period of September 19-October 8 as a time when the dynamics of the election could shift. That appears to have happened in the October 3 debate, as some polls now show Governor Romney reaching the important 50% level of approval among likely voters. Prior to that, he was well behind. The Gallop Poll now shows Romney with an even more surprising 52-45% lead over Obama nationally among likely voters, per the Wall Street Journal on October 19, 2012. That is a dramatic shift in just two weeks.

Could Romney win? And does Mundane Astrology support that possibility? Yes, of course it is possible, especially given the geocosmic picture. After all, Uranus is well into its waxing square to Pluto (June 24, 2012 through March 17, 2015), and anytime Uranus is involved in an aspect to Saturn, Neptune, or Pluto, anything can happen, including major changes in leadership throughout the world. On Election Day in 2008, for example, Saturn was in opposition to Uranus, and Obama shocked the world by becoming the first African-American president of the USA. It can now happen that another major change in leadership occurs, even though my bias remains slightly in favor of Obama. With Uranus, you can never be certain of the outcome.

There are other important geocosmic considerations to take into account that might be used effectively to forecast this election and its aftermath. For instance, Saturn has now moved into Scorpio on October 5, just two days after the first presidential debate. That was one of the factors that led me to suggest a major shift in the dynamics of this election could take place September 19 (when Uranus made its second square to Pluto) and October 8. Saturn will remain in Scorpio for three years with the exception of brief stint into Sagittarius from December 23, 2014 through June 15, 2015. While Saturn is in Scorpio, it will be in “mutual reception” to Pluto in Capricorn. Saturn rules Capricorn and Pluto rules Scorpio, hence they are in one another’s ruling signs (known as “mutual reception”). When planets are in mutual reception, their psychological dynamics are intensified. It is as if they are in conjunction. In this case, Saturn may rule the area of life involving governments, and the psychological dynamic of the urge to “reduce.” Saturn’s nature is to contract and make things more efficient and manageable. Pluto dynamic is to reform, and amongst the areas of life it lords over are taxes and debt. Together this may be viewed as a three-year period in which governments begin action to reduce debts and reform tax codes. This would seem to play more into the campaign platform of Governor Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan than President Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden. If that is the case, one could further envision a changed policy of government-economic reforms beginning to sweep across the world, for these aspects are by no means limited to the USA. The transit of Pluto in 8-15 degrees of Capricorn in 2013-2014 (while in square to Uranus and mutual reception to Saturn) will hit China, Japan, and the Euro Union (July 1, 1967) charts. It could very well mark the beginning of hard limits on the size and role of world governments. For those interested in a more in-depth analysis of this perspective, please visit well-known astrologer Dr. Glenn Perry’s website, at www.aaperry.com. He has written two very interesting articles on the 2012 election.

In financial markets last week, U.S. and Japanese stock markets made a multi-week low on Monday’s new moon of October 15. Most European markets bottomed late the week before. Most rallied into Thursday before starting a sharp pullback into Friday. Gold and Silver, plus currencies against the U.S. Dollar, followed a similar course. But now the real action begins.

Best Trades of the Past Week

The daily report on SLV (Silver’s ETF) for Tuesday, October 16, stated, “Traders are flat and may look to sell short (or buy ZSL) if prices get back to the new bearish crossover zone (above 31.97) with a stop-loss on a close above 33.05.”The high that day was 32.02.
The daily report on T-Notes, for Thursday, October 18, stated: “Aggressive traders are short (from 133/25 on September 28) with a stop-loss on a close above 133/23. Look to cover today below 132/02 and then reverse and go long there with a stop-loss below 131/02.” The low that day was 131/29 and T-Notes were up sharply on Friday.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Earlier I discussed the importance of September 19-October 8 as a potential shift in the collective psychological dynamics that could indicate a change in the race for the White House. It happened. And now we are about embark upon yet another – and final – shift in psychological dynamics that could once again correspond to a shift in the direction of the USA presidential election, as well as in many financial markets. This shift is scheduled to take place this Monday, October 22 as the Sun enters the debt-emphasized sign of Scorpio, through November 10, when Neptune turns direct. In between we will find the Sun conjunct Saturn (Oct 25), Mars in opposition to Jupiter (October 26), Venus entering into a T-square to the Uranus Pluto waxing square (November 1-3), and Mercury turning retrograde (November 6). The Mars-Jupiter opposition and Venus translation to the Uranus-Pluto square (October 26-November 3) may be the most important part of the shift. It could also correspond to a very large price swing in world equity prices because Mars is also in Sagittarius at the same time. As discussed last week, “The major short-term geocosmic signature in effect right now may be Mars in Sagittarius (October 6-November 16). This is a combination of dynamics that suggests very wild markets. Mars represents impulse and aggression, the urge to win at all costs… It can be combative and war-like… (and) it is in Sagittarius, which relates to the principles of exaggeration and bigness. It is a combination that lends itself to risk-taking activities as confidence is oftentimes high, but sometimes too high. And here is where the problem comes in. If things don’t go the way that one thinks they should, that confidence can turn quickly to hysteria and panic. So with Mars in Sagittarius, financial markets can display powerful rallies or crushing declines …”

Get ready. We are about to enter this time band where things can get quite wild, especially late this week and into the following week. It is a time where great profits can be made, but also great losses, if not careful. And the dreaded “Fiscal Cliff:” still looms ahead on January 2. This market reminds me a lot of almost exactly 25 years ago – the Friday before October 19, 1987.

Longer-Term Thoughts and Personal Transits:

“Nor do we anticipate that Mr. Romney will retreat from the protectionist rhetoric he’s been peddling on China, though it would be nice to hear him recognize that the biggest ‘currency manipulator’ in the world today is the U.S. Federal Reserve.” – Wall Street Journal, “Review and Outlook: The Foreign Policy Debate,” October 19, 2012.

Last week a perspective student applying for enrollment in next April’s MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA) asked me the question: “Why are you doing this two-year course under these difficult aspects?” He was referring to the 126-147 year Uranus-Pluto waxing square cycle. Hard aspects between Uranus and Pluto aspects have a history of correlating with extremely difficult economic times, as discussed in last year’s Forecast 2012 Book. So let me answer this question in this column, for it qualifies as both a lesson in Mundane Astrology and personal transits to my natal chart, which may be instructive to students of astrology.

First of all, the mundane reason. The hard Uranus-Pluto aspect is exactly why I wanted to host this 2-year training course now, and not later. These are difficult times for everyone. No one knows for certain what the future will be. That’s the nature of Uranus. And personal finances is an important topic everyone is confused about it. How often do you hear: “Where can I put my money that will be safe? Where can I make a return on my investment?” If you have been reading this column since 2008, you know that I believe the 2008-2015 Cardinal Climax is not a time of any safe financial investments. It is a time that favors speculation and trading – not investment. So by bringing people together at this time who are passionate about financial markets, financial market timing, and the geopolitical world we live in, an opportunity is created for each of us to inspire one another with financial and trading ideas based upon these principles. In other words, everyone present can benefit from the synergy that this Academy will generate.

Second, Jupiter (planet of teaching and education) will be going through my ninth house of education and learning. It will be conjunct my natal Uranus and Lunar North Node (in Gemini, 9th house), which culminates in my chart and forms the handle of what is known as a “Yod” formation (sometimes called “the hand of God” – don’t worry: I am not the only person with such a configuration). In this pattern, Uranus forms a quincunx to my natal Venus and Jupiter in the second house of Scorpio (finances) on one side, and the Moon in Capricorn in the fourth house on the other side. The natal Moon in turn sextiles the Venus-Jupiter conjunction. The progressed Moon is also conjunct my natal Uranus during this period. Now when a “Yod” formation in a natal chart is touched off by a major transit like Jupiter or a progressed planet like the Moon, one’s life direction can change. It is time for a change in direction. So, this is my time to make a life change, and it is my time to bring forth all the studies I have conducted, and the methodology for trading and investing that I have created as a result of these studies, and present them in an educational venue. This is the reason I am doing this now, and only now (April 2013 through October 2014, over 8 weekends). I believe this information and these tools are needed now, and I have the drive and passion to do this at this time. I wish to share ideas about trading and investing in a group of those who want to learn and are willing to share their ideas with others in this group. And I wish the experience to be with others who are ripe for learning new skills because it creates a sense of great excitement for me. One thing about Uranus: you love the energy of excitement. And in Gemini, as in my case, it is the excitement of learning something new and teaching something totally unique and valuable that you won’t find anywhere else.

Welcome to the 15 apprentices who have enrolled in MMTA, and to the several others who have already applied to be on-line students. It will be an incredible two years, starting April 2013.

Announcements

Only one more weeks left to take advantage of the special pre-publication offer for the Forecast 2013 Book!!! As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 30, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! After that, the cost of this year's book will revert to the same as last year’s book at $55.00. Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is due to be ready next week. The cost of the DVD is $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=403&Itemid=48. You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, you can now audit the introductory training course. The “Equivalency Exam” is now available. Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training course on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing” (or “How to Read an Ephemeris”), or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. An information kit is being prepared and will be available in November. The MMTA website will be www.merrimanmta.com, and should be up in the next 2 weeks. For more information now, or to be put on the mailing list for the MMTA information packet, please contact Maureen Hogan, the MMTA administrator, at 1-248-626-3034 or via email at maureenmmta@gmail.com.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 15, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

It’s a mad, mad world. But then, what did you expect after so many planets changed signs a week ago? If you are a Financial Astrologer, you knew something fundamentally important was changing, at least since early September when the Moon’s North Node began its 19-month sojourn through Scorpio, or September 19 when the second (of seven) waxing squares between Uranus and Pluto took place, or the prior week when four planets changed signs, including the very important three-year ingress of Saturn into Scorpio. These aren’t minor cosmic events. They are huge to a Financial or Mundane Astrologer, and the kind of cosmic transitions that imply fundamental shifts in many aspects of human activity, including financial markets and their long-term trends. Last week was particularly important as we had designated the weekend of October 5-8, +/- 3 trading days, as one of the more important critical reversal periods of this season. It didn’t disappoint.

But the picture of distortions arising around the world were surprising nonetheless. In the United States, for instance, equity markets peaked out on September 14 ands 21 respectively in the S&P and NASDAQ Composite, surrounding the Uranus-Pluto square date. But in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, prices topped out on – guess what? - October 5, our exact critical reversal date. By the end of this past week, all three indices were falling below important moving averages, confirming primary cycle crests were in place.

But now switch your attention to Asia and the Pacific Rim. Here you see the Hang Seng of Hong Kong and the All Ordinaries of Australia ending the week at their highest levels in months. Australia’s equity index was at a new yearly high. China’s Shanghai Index also closed on a new multi-week high, just the opposite pattern as witnessed in the states. India’s Nifty Index reached a new yearly high on October 5, the same as the DJIA. But in Tokyo, the Nikkei fell hard all week to a new two-month low and is now challenging its 3-year cycle low of last year.

In Europe, it was equally bizarre. Most markets topped out in mid-September nearby to the Uranus-Pluto square, and continued their decline throughout last week, similar to the S&P and NASDAQ Composite. But in Zurich, the Swiss SMI made new yearly highs last Wednesday, October 9. Go figure. On second thought, don’t figure. Just realize that in some parts of the world the boom is on, and in other parts, the boom is turning to bust.

Not only is the luster disappearing off many equity markets of the world (while others look real good), but gold and silver are losing their shine ever since Mars left Scorpio last weekend. It was a great time for our subscribers who traded metals on the long side following our buy recommendations of mid-May and late June, and so far it’s turning out to look good as we reversed to the short side early last week.

Best Trades of the Past Week

The daily report on gold, for Tuesday, October 9, stated: “Aggressive traders are still long with a stop-loss below 1738 after covering 2/3 for healthy profits last week. Let’s exit all for excellent profits at 1779-1783 (or better) and even sell short there with a stop-loss on a close above 1786 or 1800, depending on your risk allowance.” The high that day was 1785, it closed that day at 1765.80, and it closed the week at 1756.

Short-Term Geocosmics

This week will begin with a new moon in Libra on Monday, October 15. Normally this would seem to be a positive aspect and a correlate to a crest in equity prices, but as explained in last week’s column, that is not always the case. The “good news” may have been the prior week’s unemployment drop, and then the decline in unemployment claims that was reported at the end of the last week. But as we look around the world, some markets (in Asia and the Pacific Rim) are making highs going into this new moon.

The major short-term geocosmic signature in effect right now may be Mars in Sagittarius (October 6-November 16). This is a combination of dynamics that suggests very wild markets. Mars represents impulse and aggression, the urge to win at all costs. Mars likes to be “first,” and it oftentimes acts before thinking of the consequences. It can be combative and war-like, sometimes believing one can only get his/her way by being the loudest person in the room. And it is in Sagittarius, which relates to the principles of exaggeration and bigness. Sagittarius doesn’t like “small.” So when loud combines with big and exaggeration, things can get wild and bellicose. It is a combination that lends itself to risk-taking activities as confidence is oftentimes high, but sometimes too high. And here is where the problem comes in. If things don’t go the way that one thinks they should, that confidence can turn quickly to hysteria and panic. So with Mars in Sagittarius, financial markets can display powerful rallies or crushing declines, but not likely congestion and small trading ranges.

A good example of Mars in Sagittarius was on display in Thursday night’s debate between Vice-President Joe Biden (who is born on the cusp of Sagittarius) and Republican VP nominee Paul Ryan. Joe Biden’s performance was – in my humble opinion – classical Mars in Sagittarius. That is, he was extremely confident, loud, and bold. In content, he may have had the better debate. But he was also continuously laughing out loud and interrupting Congressman Ryan, and his overly aggressive behavior probably went over well with his base, but probably cost him points with independents.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

“Risks for a serious global slowdown are alarmingly high.”
- IMF’s World Economic Outlook report, released on October 9, as reported in the Wall Street Journal article titled, “Global Recession Risk Rises: IMF Lowers Growth Forecasts Warns New Downturn Would be Tougher to Tame.”

For serious Financial Astrologers, there is an awareness of a major shift now taking place as Saturn moves into Scorpio. This geocosmic event took place on October 5 and will remain in place until September 18, 2015, although it will move into and then back out of Sagittarius December 23, 2014 through June 15, 2015.

When the further-out planets like Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto change signs, it tends to correspond with major shifts in collective psychology and activity, according to the principles of that planet and sign. The same is true with the Moon’s North Node, which changes signs approximately every 19 months. The Moon’s North Node began its 19-month trek in Scorpio just last month, on September 2. Thus the sign (not constellation) of Scorpio is being highlighted, and therefore its primary principles will be front and center. Scorpio, like its ruling planet Pluto, has dominion over the four D’s: debt, deficits, downgrades, and default. Furthermore it pertains to changes in the tax codes of many nations. These areas may be closely related.

The concern about these matters is intensified because the planet moving into Scorpio is Saturn. In both Financial and Mundane Astrology (and even classical astrology) Saturn governs the principle of accountability. It represents a time when the consequences of prior actions are finally realized. Thus in the “Forecast 2012 Book,” Saturn in Scorpio was described as “The Time of Reckoning” in all matters regarding debt and deficits. It is a time when the full consequences of the world-wide debt explosion will have to be dealt with (or so I interpret it that way). The proverbial “can” cannot be kicked down the road any further. Either difficult decisions or sacrifices will be forced upon governments of the world (i.e. austerity), or else those governments default and/or experience downgrades of their credit standing.

As the new synergy of Saturn (and the North Node) in Scorpio begins to gain traction, the investment community may start to withdraw funds from the market. In market terminology, Saturn rules fear and Jupiter rules greed. The other option is that paper fiat currency becomes very inflated so that its purchasing power drops substantially, thus creating another form of debt, especially for those living on fixed incomes.

There is no easy way out of this, and there are few - if any – risk free investment strategies right now (there are always trading strategies however). There are never “easy ways out” of situations when Saturn and Scorpio are involved, for these are complex signs, intertwining government taxes, regulations, reforms, and banking crises. The last time Saturn was in Scorpio (November 1982-November 1985) the USA went though a difficult savings and loan crisis and scandal. Many land owners (especially farmers) lost their properties due to the high interest rates and inflationary consequences of the prior 4 years. Some well-healed bankers went to prison. It is possible we will see a repeat of some of these activities and penalties again over the next three years.

But 1982-1985 was also the time in which tough decisions, sacrifices, and compromises were made by political leaders of both parties (in the USA). Once those compromises were agreed to, the economies and stock markets of many of the world’s nations began one of the longest periods of growth in history. Can we do this again? Yes, it is possible – if we don’t first fall off the “Fiscal Cliff” coming up on December 31, 2012 in the USA, which – by the way – looks a little like Uranus and Pluto in a square aspect.

In the meantime, Saturn moving into a new sign often occurs nearby to a period when the longer-term trend of various financial markets reverse. In 1982, it was the end of the bear market in stocks and Treasuries, and start of new bull markets in each. This time it appears the opposite could happen as both equity and treasury markets are near their all-time highs. Unless, of course, it is realized that the only way out of the exploding debt crisis is to monetize the debt. And that is why, down the road when the “can” is no longer there to kick because it sailed off the “Fiscal Cliff,” Gold looms attractive to long-term investors. But we are talking long-term here, and not necessarily the next few months.

Announcements

Only two more weeks left to take advantage of the special pre-publications offer for the Forecast 2013 Book!!! As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 30, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! After that, the cost of this year's book will revert to the same as last year’s book at $55.00. Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

The DVD of the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is due to be ready late this week or early the next. The cost of the DVD will be $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, or if you are considering applying for admittance to the MMA Market Timing Academy (MMTA), then this DVD is highly recommended. To order this DVD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=403&Itemid=48. You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, you can now audit the introductory training course. The “Equivalency Exam” is now available. Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training course on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing” (or “How to Read an Ephemeris”), or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it. The MMTA courses will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013. There will be eight weekend courses in all, between April 2013 and October 2014. An information kit is being prepared and will be available in November. The MMTA website will be www.merrimanmta.com, and should be up in the next 3 weeks. For more information now, or to be put on the mailing list for the MMTA information packet, please contact Maureen Hogan, the MMTA administrator, at 1-248-626-3034 or via email at maureenmmta@gmail.com.

            If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

            We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING OCTOBER 8, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

Well, they did it. The goal was to get unemployment back down below 8.0%, and almost exactly one month before the election, unemployment dropped to 7.8%. Yet the nonfarm payrolls increased by a still-too-small 113,000 jobs last month, when it needs to get back over 200,000 on a regular basis to be considered a “healthy” growth economy.

At first, stock markets welcomed the unemployment report as the Dow Jones Industrial Average shot up to a new multi-year high at 13,661, eclipsing its prior high of 13,653 on September 14. However the nearby S&P futures did not make a new high. It rose to 1466, slightly below its multi-year high of 1468 also recorded on September 14. Thus we now have a case of intermarket bearish divergence, in a geocosmic critical reversal zone, in the United States. And of course such divergences are still present in many regions of the world as discussed in prior columns over the past several weeks.

Gold and silver also soared to new 7-month highs last week, with silver hitting 3544 on Monday, October 1, and gold to 1798 on Friday, October 5. But then both pulled back following the payroll reports early Friday morning. This too is a concern as Mars leaves Scorpio this weekend (see Short-Term Geocosmics).

Best Trades of the Past Week

The weekly report on gold stated the following: “OK, we made another great profit on the long side and went short in the high of the week. Let’s cover that short for a modest profit now, and return to the long side if prices fall to 1767 or lower, with a stop-loss on a close below 1738.” That worked out well again as the low of the week was 1765.70 and by early Friday, gold was making a new 7-month high, testing 1800.

Short-Term Geocosmics

There is a lot of geocosmic activity occurring in these first two weeks of October. Last week discussed all of the planetary ingresses taking place, involving new sign positions for Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn, all between October 3 and October 6. This alone suggests a change of focus by the market community, and also by those in the political realm. It was thus no surprise, based on these signatures, that Mitt Romney performance in last week’s presidential debates has changed the dynamics of the election. According to most analysts, there is a real race in place, whereas before, most had written off Romney’s chances of being elected. My own view on this was that the dynamics of the election would change somewhere between September 19 (Uranus square Pluto) and October 8, and I wanted to wait until then to make a forecast, which I will do in the Longer-Term Thoughts part of this column.

But back to the short-term geocosmics in effect this week….On October 4, Jupiter turned retrograde. On October 9, the Sun will form a trine aspect to Jupiter. And on October 15, there will be a new moon in Libra. All of these signatures are favorable in classical astrological thought. Thus one might expect the stock market to continue to rally. However it doesn’t always work out that way. The “good news” may have been the economic reports regarding unemployment declining below 8%.

Within all these normally “positive:” and optimistic Jupiter signatures, we also find Mars moving into Sagittarius (October 6-November 16). Sagittarius is the “home” of Jupiter, so Mars (planet of action and energy) is also typically bullish for equities. In fact it can be wildly bullish. But here is the catch: when so much Jupiter isn’t manifesting so optimistic and positive with the collective, it instead behaves with hysteria and leads to panic. So our bias is bullish, but we must be alert in the event that markets start heading south and hysteria I stead of optimism and hope start to manifest. One of the possible causes for that is already in place: the “Fiscal Cliff,” which we have been citing in every column for the past several weeks, is still ahead on January 1 unless all of scheduled tax hikes are repealed before then. And with Uranus square Pluto solidly in place right now, and with both the White House and Congress more focused on winning the election that on performing their duty of “service to the country,” and time running out, these signatures still suggest to me that an agreement will not come about easily or on time. It may not come about at all. By the time Mars reaches its opposition to Jupiter (ruler of Sagittarius) on October 28, the culmination of “irrational exuberance” or “hysterical panic” may be in full force. If not then, there is yet another powerful shift (and possible “cliff”) approaching November 22-27 when Mars translates the powerful Uranus-Pluto square (it squares Uranus and conjuncts Pluto). This is a potentially very dangerous set up for the world – politically, militarily, or financially.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

“Next to language, money is the most important medium through which modern societies communicate.” – Bernd Widdig, “Culture and Inflation in Weimar Germany.”

“Since money is the agent of such mutual trust, debasing the money implies debasing the trust upon which social cohesion rests… do our money printing central banks and their cheerleaders understand the full consequences of the money debasement they continue to engineer?” –Dylan Grice, “Popular Delusions: Memo to Central Banks: You are Debasing More Than Our Currency,” Societe GeneraleBank.

OK. The election. First off, let me say that the USA election and its impact upon the world economy will be secondary to what is happening with regards to the policies and activities of the central banks of the world, like the Federal Reserve Board.

Secondly, the USA election is still a toss-up. Romney scored very well with his debate performance on Wednesday, October 3, in comparison to Obama’s lackluster and rambling performance. But if you remember, the same thing happened in the first debate in the 2004 election. John Kerry ran all over George W. Bush and made the president look like a bumbling in competent, and not at all presidential. Yet on Election Day, the Moon was in Cancer, with Saturn, and thus my forecast (then) was that there would be no change. After all, Bush was a Cancer and so was the USA. There would be no change despite the fact that Kerry was far and above the better debater. At the time, there were very few – if any - astrologers predicting a Bush victory at least a month before that election. This election reminds me a lot of 2004, and once again the heavy majority of astrologers are predicting a Democratic victory. In reality, my astrological colleagues are mainly liberal in their political beliefs, so by and large they almost always – as a collective - predict a Democratic victory … and it doesn’t matter and I still love them). The only difference is that this time is that my own analysis mostly agrees with theirs.

In other words, nothing has really changed my forecast about this election as made in the Forecast 2012 Book, despite the change of dynamics between September 19 and October 8 that seem to favor Romney as a result of his excellent debate performance. Still, the major astrological factor that I see in his favor is the fact the Uranus squares Pluto, and Uranus means “change.” But a change of what? Could it be the makeup of the Senate, or the House of Representatives? Yes, it could be that. And yes, it could be that Romney is victorious and that represents the change. I am not 100% certain because of the presence of Uranus, which rules surprises, upsets, and changes.

But my view remains that the majority of geocosmic signatures for this election still favors Obama. Astrologically, the moon is in Leo on Election Day, and Obama is a Leo (like Bush was a Cancer and in 2004 the Moon on Election Day was in Cancer). He is therefore favored with the voting taking place that day. But just as importantly, he has the community organizational skills to round up an incredibly large number of voters to cast absentee ballots before Election Day, as he proved in 2008 when he took 58% of the absentee voting. A record number of citizens voted ahead of Election Day in 2008, and they came out strongly on the side of Obama. We can already see this same trend repeating now as reported by the Wall Street Journal last week, in which it was reported: “In Iowa, 119,318 Democratic voters have requested absentee ballots, compared with 24,909 Republicans.”

On top of that, the debate has not touched on social issues yet, and there Obama continues a commanding lead with women, according to recent polls (not updated since the debate, however). As reported in the Forecast 2012 book, I believe the “women vote” in 2012 will be critical to the final result. If Romney hopes to win, he has to 1) match Obama’s community organizational skills and get absentee voters out to vote now (he can’t depend on the results of Election Day to carry him through – those days are gone following Obama’s game-changing ploy of Election 2008), and 2) he has to start appealing more to issues of concern to voting women.

Can Romney do it? Yes, it is possible, for Uranus is big in the cosmic picture right now, suggesting a change in leadership. But at this point, I don’t see it happening to the level it needs to happen to unseat the current occupant of the White House. But as a note of disclosure: I have been wrong before. And personally, I am highly uncomfortable in the role of making predictions on any election or a sporting event (super bowl), especially one like this that is so dependent now upon the voting that is allowed to take place before Election Day. There is no solid chart or time for this event to work with anymore. And thus there is very little for professional astrologers to gain by trying to do this, for in the end, this is not what we do that is of real value to society. It is instead the kind of entertainment foray that people most remember about you and about astrology, which is unfortunate because the event doesn’t have a valid time anymore. And that is what astrologers need to work with: time. So please: if you are going to judge me on any forecasting or astrological skills, do so more on the results of studies conducted on market behavior, and not on the results of predicting an election or super bowl. And may God help America following this election.

Announcements

Only three more weeks to take advantage of the special pre-publications offer for the Forecast 2013 Book!!! As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 30, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

The MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” was completed last weekend, September 15-16. A DVD will be available from this workshop, projected for release now around October 15. The cost of the DVD will be $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook or PDF of it. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider ordering this DVD:

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you excellent skills in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects, plus retrograde and direct stations of planets.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to enroll in the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

To order this DVD, please go to www.mmacycles.com and scroll down, or click http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=403&Itemid=48. You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com.

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards. We are also trying to work out a recording arrangement of this workshop for those who cannot make it. We will let you know if and when it is possible, for this will be an important and timely workshop.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

Review and Preview

Most stock markets of the world struggled last week. After posting yearly highs September 14-21, these market started falling hard after secondary highs around Tuesday, September 25 when the Moon was in Aquarius, often a lunar sign correlating with market highs. But the culprit was Mars, which entered a very sensitive degree to the NYSE chart in the later half of the week. By the end of the week, many equity markets had plummeted sharply, with some – like the Amsterdam AEX – falling to new monthly lows. Yet some performed very well right into the end of the week, like the Hang Seng of Hong Kong, which continues to rally to new 4-month highs, and the Zurich SMI, which soared to a new yearly high

Gold and Silver mirrored the USA stock markets. That is, they fell sharply off their multi-month highs of the prior week into a low on Wednesday, September 26. But then they came back to close the week strong, in preparation for the heliocentric romp of Mercury into Sagittarius, October 1-12. With Mars also poised to end its trek through Scorpio on October 7, the next week (and maybe even early the following week) looks ready for some impressive price activity.

Best Trades of the Past Week

The weekly report had numerous new trades initiated and several positions exited for handsome profits last week in the NASDAQ, Soybeans, Crude Oil, and precious metals. But these may be the most interesting: concerning November Soybeans, last week’s reported advised, “Position traders are flat and may look to go long in weekly support (1557-1571) with a stop-loss on a close below 1450. Aggressive traders are also flat and may buy anywhere below 1575 with a stop-loss on a close below 1500 or 1450, depending on your risk allowance.” The low of the week was right there, at 1557, and it closed at 1601.

In Crude Oil, last week’s report advised, “Aggressive traders are also short with a stop-loss on either a close above 95.75 or weekly resistance, depending on your risk allowance. However let’s look to exit at 89.50-90.70 if offered and go long there with a stop-loss on a close below 88.00.” The low was 88.95 and it closed the week at 92.19.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Last week I discussed the importance of full moon coming up on September 29, and stated that it will form a grand square to the Uranus-Pluto waxing square, all in cardinal signs (action). Well, it’s actually a T-square, not a grand square, but it is still a powerful signature nonetheless that “… sometimes coincides with earthquakes, volcano eruptions, electrical black-outs, high winds, and huge tidal waves within one week. If not at the full moon, these types of events can be touched off at the quarter moon phases of one week before or after. These signatures involve Uranus, so they are abrupt, disruptive, and unpredictable as to their exact form and location. Perhaps it could be a terrorist act. In many cases these types of signatures correlate with very sharp declines in financial markets, but not always.”

But this full moon T-square, with the Sun in translation to the Uranus-Pluto square, is part of bigger time band containing 11 important geocosmic signatures that unfold between September 26 and October 16. The strongest signatures in this cluster take place right now and then again over the weekend of October 5-8. Thus reversals in various financial markets can occur at any time during the next 10 trading sessions.

From a longer-term viewpoint, this coming week is important because of several planetary ingresses. A planetary ingress denotes the time when a planet changes from one sign to the next. On October 3, Venus will enter Virgo, where it will remain through October 28. Mercury and Saturn then enter Scorpio on October 5. Saturn will stay in Scorpio for most of the next three years, whereas Mercury will remain there through October 29. An finally, Mars will switch from Scorpio to Sagittarius on October 7. That means four planets will change signs this week, which implies a major shift in attention by the collective, and especially for the investment community. What could cause such a powerful shift? I am not sure. But as a result, many markets will be vulnerable to reversing their long-term trends now. The most important change, of course, will be Saturn moving from Libra to Scorpio for the next three years. As discussed at length in the Forecast 2012 Book, this represents a “Time of Reckoning” pertaining to all matters of debt. The can that has been kicked down the road has now reached the end of that road. And at the end of this road may be the dreaded “Fiscal Cliff,” coming up on January 1, 2013.

And finally we have a somewhat important planetary station arising on October 4, when Jupiter turns retrograde. It is still possible that stock markets advance once more to a new cycle high within a week of this occurrence. If so, you might be able to more clearly see that “Fiscal Cliff” down the road. If instead it coincides with a cycle low, then perhaps Mars in Sagittarius (October 6-November 16) provides one more opportunity for an equity rally to new highs. With Mars in Sagittarius, everything becomes exaggerated. It is oftentimes a period irrational exuberance or hysteria and panic for the world. It can be war-like.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

“In Iowa, 119,318 Democratic voters have requested absentee ballots, compared with 24,909 Republicans.” –The Wall Street Journal, Friday, September 28, “Candidates Exchange Barbs on Patriotism,” by Laura Meckler and Colleen McCain Nelson.

Election season is in full swing in the United States, with the first of three debates between President Obama and Governor Romney scheduled to take place this coming week. Most of the polls show President Obama comfortably ahead, and both parties are concerned about the integrity of the voting process. Democrats are upset at attempts to suppress minority votes with new “voter identification” requirements (i.e. you have to prove that you are who you say you are), which they claim are racially discriminatory. Republicans are worried about voter intimidation issues (i.e. the Black Panthers gun toting incident at a voting precinct in Philadelphia in the last election), plus voter fraud concerns surrounding the huge turnout prior to Election Day in 2008 in which Obama received 58% of the record absentee votes that accounted for a whopping 30+% of all votes counted in that election. Allegations of irregularities in the 2008 election were documented in the book titled “Injustice,” by Christian Adams, a former official with the Department of Justice who later resigned in protest over the DOJ’s disinterest in following through on many of those complaints. The DOJ dismissed his concerns as that of a disgruntled employee, but no one ever disputed his citation of sources.

Could the presidential election of 2012 be tainted with fraudulence in the voting or vote counting? It is a possibility as denoted by geocosmic signatures in force at the time of the election and shortly thereafter. In fact, the geocosmic picture provides ample fodder for several conspiracy theories, which are in line with the nature of Uranus being in its powerful waxing square formation to Pluto, now through March 2015. That is, Uranus can coincide with a major upset, an unexpected outcome, a change of course. And Pluto can (amongst other possibilities) coincide with efforts to alter the reported results through behind-the-scenes maneuvers by powerful or secretive groups of people who may even have criminal intentions. Think “Watergate,” 1972, filled with intrigue about burglaries and break-ins by Republican operatives into the headquarters of Democratic candidate George McGovern. In that election, McGovern ended losing by a huge landslide. But the celebration for the huge Republican victory was short-lived as President Nixon was forced to resign amidst these secretive, behind-the-scenes, criminal actions. Had it not been for a presidential pardon by Gerald Ford, Nixon might have ended up in prison. All this revelation came to light in 1974, under planetary aspects that have similarity in principle to some geocosmic signatures in effect 2012-2015.

Last week I presented the following geocosmic picture: “There is something I want to share with readers about the election – an astrological conspiracy theory. After all, Uranus is square Pluto, and that’s a rather heavy dynamic suggestive of a slew of conspiracy theories. And so I have one too based on 1) Mercury turning retrograde on Election Day, 2) Neptune turning direct 4 days later, 3) Mercury going direct on November 26 and 4). Mars conjunct Pluto in Capricorn (and Venus conjunct Saturn in Scorpio) on November 27.”

An astrologically-based conspiracy theory might go like this (use your imagination). On Election Day, November 6, Mercury begins its 20-day retrograde period. The election results are soon afterwards modified. In other words, they are found to be inaccurate. This doesn’t happen just once, but it seems to be a repetitive phenomenon over the next few days. People start noticing a pattern, and as Neptune turns stationary direct on Saturday-Sunday, November 10-11, rumblings start to be heard that the election has been tainted by fraud. The final results are held up until these allegations are investigated. The next week, as the new moon unfolds in the secretive sign of Scorpio, more incidents of irregularities or manipulation are revealed, especially as both Mercury retrograde and Neptune stationary are in square to one another (November 13). The rumors - the conspiracy theories - take on a new life as both sides accuse the other of malevolent intent. These only escalate into threats as both Mercury and Moon move into Sagittarius November 14-16, with outrage starting boil out of control.

On November 23, Mars forms a waning square to Uranus, and moves toward its conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn on November 27. The threats escalate, but they are not limited to just the United States, War threats are being shouted in the Middle East as Iran (or is it Israel?) fire a missile at the other. After all, when Mars is in Sagittarius and Capricorn, military threats and confrontations between Israel and her neighbors reach a peak historically. During this same time frame (November 23-27), Mercury turns direct and Venus conjuncts Saturn in Scorpio, sending the stock market sharply lower.

The results of the election are finally announced. There are a couple of possibilities here. 1) Mitt Romney won. Violence and riots break out across the USA and the results are not accepted. Martial Law is declared. Financial markets are closed. The Election results are disputed and calls for a new election get underway. 2) Barack Obama won. There are no riots immediately, but calls for Obama’s impeachment start up as the nation faces the prospect of war as Israel and Iran start theirs, but Obama refuses to take sides. Tensions mount between the two parties and what to do about the Iran-Israeli conflict. 3) The election results are put on hold as war breaks out in the Middle East. A winner is not declared for an indefinite period, and the longer this goes on, the more restless the USA population becomes. It starts to become chaotic, and more calls for Obama’s removal escalate, while the president withdraws from the public eye. The more he withdraws, the louder the calls for his removal become.

And finally 4). Well, not really finally, because with Uranus involved so strongly, nothing will happen exactly as anyone predicts. Uranus rules surprises. Things don’t go as one would expect, even forecasts made by financial astrologers. But we must keep open to the possibility that nothing dramatic occurs, in spite of all these powerful geocosmic signatures taking place. Maybe Mercury retrograde indicates a return of Obama for four more years. The nation re-lives the same issues as the last 4 years (think Obama Care and national debt), and these next four years are mired again in gridlock because Obama won and the Republicans kept control of the House, and maybe gained control of the Senate. Maybe the Neptune station denotes fraud in some of the House and Senate elections, but not in the presidential race. Maybe the Mars translation to Uranus and Pluto indicates that there are tensions between Iran and Israel, but both sides withhold force, and the threat passes without a major incident. Maybe the stock market pauses as it considers the “Fiscal Cliff” ahead, but talks begin in December to give the new Congress more time to work out a compromise for a fiscal road map. Maybe it all turns out well in the end after a lot of initial scares. Then again, it is Neptune turning stationary in November, and Neptune rules dreams and idealism. But that won’t end the onslaught of conspiracy theories due to continue into 2015. And like everyone else, I may share some as well as we go along, all with the intent of fostering a deeper understanding of the correlation between cycles in human activity and cycles in the cosmos.

Announcements

Only one more month to take advantage of the special pre-publications offer for the Forecast 2013 Book!!! As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 30, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

If you are an active short-term trader, or even if you are an investor who likes to keep up with our current thoughts on financial markets, you may be interested in our Weekly or even Daily Market reports with position trading and aggressive trading recommendations. It is the only way I keep in touch with traders on a daily or even weekly basis. These weekly reports give in-depth analysis of the DJIA, S&P and NASDAQ futures, Euro currency (cash and futures), Dollar/Yen cash and Yen futures, Euro-Yen cash, T-Notes, Crude Oil, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver, plus GLD and SLV (the Gold and Silver ETF’s). Both reports provide trading strategies and recommendations for position traders as well as for shorter-term aggressive traders. Subscription to the daily report also includes the weekly report. For more information, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/services, or call our offices at 1-248-626-3034. These reports are extremely valuable to those who trade ETF’s (Exchange Traded Funds). In the words of one of our subscribers: “I am really pleased with your recommendations through the Daily and Weekly Trade Recommendations. I have used them to trade gold and silver stocks in my IRA. In the last eight years I increased my account from $60,000 to $850,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you excellent skills in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects, plus retrograde and direct stations of planets.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to enroll in the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

Review and Preview

Last weekend’s workshop on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing – How to Read an Ephemeris,” was a hit. Over 20 people were present on site and another 40+ on line from all over the world. The evaluations turned in were extremely positive, and all but three people who took the exam that followed the workshop passed it. They are now ready for MMA’s Market Timing Academy, our two-year training program on MMA’s methodology, which will begin the weekend of April 6-8, 2013, and follow in segments of two months, with a six-month break from October 2013-April 2014. Of course, not all of the students of last weekend’s pre-training workshop will take this comprehensive course, and some others may enroll along the way who will take this workshop and exam via DVD. The DVD and workbook from the workshop will be ready in about two weeks (see “Announcements”).

But perhaps the finest moment of last weekend for me was when my son Sean – who was present – was asked his opinion about last Sunday’s Detroit Lions – San Francisco 49er’s football game. You see, Sean is a budding sports writer for Yahoo.com and the Big Ten Network. He is 26 years old and knows sports as well as anyone. He predicted San Francisco would win by about 7 points, and it would be a low scoring game with neither team getting more than 30 points. The final score that day? San Francisco 27, Detroit 19. I think I might soon retire and speculate on his predictions!

And now to the markets of last week, as we underwent the second of the seven Uranus-Pluto waxing squares (June 24, 2012-March 17, 2015) on Wednesday, September 19. That day turned out to be an important multi-month high in several Asian and Pacific Rim markets, including Australia’s All Ordinaries. Japan’s Nikkei, and the Hang Seng of Hong Kong. However it was not a yearly high in any, except in India where the NIFTY soared to 5652 on Monday, September 17. Still, that was not a 4-year cycle high. It was below the 6335 high of November 12, 2010. But in China, the situation was reversed and worse. The Chinese Shanghai Index fell to 2018 on Friday, September 21, its lowest level since February 2009.

European market also did quite well last week, especially in the German DAX and Zurich SMI, as both rallied to new yearly highs on Friday. But new yearly highs were not matched in the London FTSE or Amsterdam AEX indices, or even Moscow’s MICEX index. And in no case did one of these indices take out their 4-year cycle high attained in 2011.

Which brings us to the Americas, and even there we see a division between north and south. The Bovespa of Brazil and Merval of Argentina fell way short of their yearly highs and certainly well off their all-time highs of November 2010-January 2011. Which now brings us to the United States, where everyone laments the poor economy but celebrates the soaring stock market. Here – and only here in the good ole USA – are stock markets making new 4-year cycle highs. In the case of the NASDAQ Composite, it recorded its highest price since November 2000. But there is a catch here too. The DJIA attained a new 4-year high last Friday, September 14, at 13,653, but fell slightly short of that mark with a high of 13,647 on Friday, September 14. But the Composite went to 3196 on Friday, September 21, just edging out a new 11-year high above 3195 mark that had been attained the prior Friday, September 14. So we have this phenomenon appearing all over the world known as “intermarket bearish divergence.” But I don’t think it is quite over – not until the Fed accomplishes its mission of a new all-time high in the DJIA before the election. In fact, if that happens in October 2012, it will create a perfect “Lorusso 5-point reversal” signature, with a slew of Fibonacci time ratios, based on the recent studies of noted market technician Rick Lorusso. We will have to see if we can get Rick to make a presentation on his stellar market calls at our first MMTA course in April 2013, which will introduce some of the more technical and cycle studies that we use here at MMA.

And what about Gold and Silver? Both soared to their highest levels since February, with Gold touching 1790 and Silver 3526. To think that less than 3 months ago, Silver was testing 2600 and Gold below 1550.

Best Trades of the Past Week

For this section of the column, we will refer to our monthly (and even weekly) MMA Cycles Report pertaining to Gold and Silver. This month’s MMA Cycle Report (just issued this past week) stated, “Traders are long Gold per last issue’s advice to ‘… adopt bullish short-term strategies for Gold and Silver as we approach Mars entering Scorpio. That is, look to buy Gold around 1600 or lower with a stop-loss on a close under 1570, or 3% below the low of August 2-23, and Silver at 2620-2680 with a stop-loss on a close under 2610, with the idea of a 9% rally or higher into September 12-October 5. It is possible those lows already happened August 2.’ Now we would advise all traders to lock in profits on at least half of these positions… Aggressive traders may look to capture profits on all positions now... We look for the top to be in by October 8.” As subscribers know, we have issued special reports right at the lows of September 26, December 29, and May 15 – all within hours of the actual lows around 1530 – and each buy recommendation in those special reports was followed by 250+ points moves to the upside in Gold within the next few weeks. When people inquire as to what our best market has been for analysis and trading, we have to say that for this past year (and even the past several years), it has been Gold and Silver.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Mars is still in Scorpio through October 6, so the behind-the-scenes political and military plotting continues. But for precious metals, it also means the high of the past couple of months may be near – or at least the first leg of a new bull market in each may be near.

There is an important full moon coming up on September 29, and it will form a grand square to the Uranus-Pluto waxing square, all in cardinal signs (action). This is a powerful signature that sometimes coincide with earthquakes, volcano eruptions, electrical black-outs, high winds, and huge tidal waves within one week. If not at the full moon, these types of events can be touched off at the quarter moon phases of one week before or after. These signatures involve Uranus, so they are abrupt, disruptive, and unpredictable as to their exact form and location. Perhaps it could be a terrorist act. In many cases these types of signatures correlate with very sharp declines in financial markets, but not always. There is a geocosmic signature related to Mars pointing to the possibility of a sharp stock market decline even this coming week. You never know exactly in what sectors of human activity these aspects will strike, if at all, for they are sudden and accompanied by surprise and usually shock (or excitement). So consider this more of an alert than a hard prediction. In fact, I don’t really enjoy the business of prediction. But as a market timer, it’s hard to avoid, since market timing by its very nature is akin to a leading indicator, and the idea of a forecast of something that has an unusually high probability of occurrence– but not inevitability.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

We will resume this part of the column next week. There is something I want to share with readers about the election – an astrological conspiracy theory. After all, Uranus is square Pluto, and that’s a rather heavy dynamic suggestive of a slew of conspiracy theories. And so I have one too based on 1) Mercury turning retrograde on election day, 2) Neptune turning direct 4 days later, 3) Mercury going direct on November 26 and 4). Mars conjunct Pluto in Capricorn (and Venus conjunct Saturn in Scorpio) on November 27. Now that I have given the astrologers the hints, they can probably figure out what my conspiracy theory is. And for everyone else, tune in next week for the dramatic tale that will surely make you wonder.

Announcements

The MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” was completed last weekend, September 15-16. A DVD will be available from this workshop in about two weeks. The cost of the DVD will be $395.00 plus postage, and will include the workbook or PDF of it. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider ordering this DVD:

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you excellent skills in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects, plus retrograde and direct stations of planets.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to enroll in the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out as of September 14!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

We are now taking pre-publications orders for the Forecast 2013 Book. As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 30, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

The monthly MMA Cycles Report came out this week. If you are a subscriber and did not receive this report, contact us at once! The MMA Cycles Report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, and Treasury Notes. It will come out Tuesday evening of this week, one day later than usual, due to the weekend workshop on MMTA taking place. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday evening. For further information and subscription, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/. If you are not a subscriber, you can order a 2-month trial basis for only $50.00.

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing is still available! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining to the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD is $180.00 plus postage. To order, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/. Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

Events:

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards.

January 17, 2013: Amsterdam, Netherlands. “Forecast 2013,” Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. Call 31-(0) 294-415-917 for further more information, www.markettiming.nl. Or http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/forecast-2012-amsterdamor, or www.markettiming.nl

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

Due to this weekend’s workshop on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing – How to Read an Ephemeris,” this will be a very abbreviated weekly column. The normal column will resume next week.

Review and Preview

“I assure this committee that, if I am confirmed, I will be strictly independent of all political influences… essential to the institution’s ability to function effectively and achieve its mandated objectives”

Ben Bernanke, during confirmation hearings related to his appointment as Fed Chairman in February 2006.

“Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's announcement Thursday of further monetary stimulus until we see "sustained improvement in labor market conditions" has many in Washington wondering whether the first job he is trying to save is his own.”
Steven Moore, “Ben Bernanke’s Self-Interest,” Wall Street Journal, September 14, 2012.

Well, he did it. Less than two months before the presidential election, Ben Bernanke and the Fed decided to enact QE3, its third quantitative easing program in the past two years. The Fed will buy $40B of mortgage-backed securities each month, indefinitely.

I remember two months ago when one of our subscribers (a Washington “insider”), called to tell me that is exactly the decision that would soon be announced. In his words, the decision was made to “goose up” the stock market going into the election by announcing QE3, and that “they”
were willing to accept that it such a decision would also mean soaring Gold and Silver prices. It didn’t matter. They wanted a soaring stock market to make people feel wealthier going into the election.

But here is what is strange. The newly enacted accommodative measures did not coincide with a sharp rally in Treasury Bonds and Notes. Contrary to what one might have expected with such easing, treasuries plummeted, consistent with transiting Saturn in an exact square to the founding of the Federal Reserve Board (December 23, 1913). Why? Perhaps because Treasury traders know that this move has highly inflationary implications in the future. And when inflation strikes, traders and investors alike will demand higher yields on Treasuries. Never mind that today’s CPI numbers showed an increase of 0.6% in August. After all, when you take out food and energy (because obviously people don’t really need either), the core index was up only a paltry 0.1%. Inflation by this measurement is certainly under control.

Next week finds the second passage of the powerful Uranus-Pluto waxing square. The fiscal Cliff still lies ahead, unsolved and – based on today’s soaring stock market – not a matter of urgent concern. But that could quickly become important again, especially now that the Fed has shot its last arrow for some time to come, and also because Uranus and Pluto will put the focus right back onto the exploding world debt explosion. That awareness may become even more acute within a week of September 29 when the Sun makes its translation to the Uranus-Pluto square, forming a powerful cardinal T-square.

Enjoy it while it lasts. But just remember two things: 1) the “fiscal cliff” is still coming and 2) “the higher they rise, the harder they fall,” especially in the last phases of the 4-year cycle. We are in that last phase now.

Announcements

The monthly MMA Cycles Report will come out this week. The MMA Cycles Report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, and Treasury Notes. It will come out Tuesday evening of this week, one day later than usual, due to the weekend workshop on MMTA taking place. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday evening. For further information and subscription, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/ . If you are not a subscriber, you can order a 2-month trial basis for only $50.00.

The MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is taking place this weekend, September 15-16. A DVD will be available from this workshop in 2-4 weeks after the event. There may also be an option to purchase it as an upload from our new MMTA website. The cost of the DVD will be $395.00 plus postage. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider ordering this DVD:

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you excellent skills in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects, plus retrograde and direct stations of planets.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
Many long-term financial, economic, and political trends correlate to phases of certain long-term planetary pair cycles. You will learn about those planetary phases and their correlation to these cycles in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to enroll in the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

To order this DVD, please go to www.mmacycles.com and scroll down, or http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=403&Itemid=48 . You may also call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com .

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is now out!!! The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/ . Order now and save more big bucks!!!

We are now taking pre-publications orders for the Forecast 2013 Book. As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 30, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com . Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/ . We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/ .

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing is still available! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining to the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD is $180.00 plus postage. To order, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/ . Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events:

September 15-16, 2012: Troy, Michigan. MMTA – the MMA Market Timing Academy – will conduct its pre-curriculum introductory workshop on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing.” Deadline for registration to this workshop is September 1, 2013. For further information, please visit http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/, or the bottom of the opening page on www.mmacycles.com. Or contact mmacustomerservice@gmail.com or ordersmmma@msn.com.

January 11-12, 2013: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards.

January 17, 2013, Amsterdam, Netherlands. “Forecast 2013” sponsored by

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE
WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 10, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©

Review and Preview

The market got what it wanted. Political leaders got what they wanted too in the form of the ECB announcement on September 6 that they will indeed purchase bonds of Euro zone counties as needed to bring down their borrowing costs. On the announcement, stocks markets around the world soared, with many making new multi-year highs. But the ferocious rally wasn’t limited to stocks. Many commodities, like Gold and Silver, just exploded to the upside as the U.S. Dollar plummeted back towards the 80.00 level, its lowest mark since May.

In Asia, all stock markets started the week tepidly. China’s Shanghai Index fell to its lowest level since February 2009 on Thursday, September 6. But on Friday it was up nearly 5%. On September 6, the Hang Seng of Hong Kong was making a monthly low before also jumping up over 4% the next day. It was the same in Japan, India, and Australia too, though the rally was not nearly so robust. None of these markets exceeded their highs of late August, however.

In Europe, it was a different story as most equity indices did soar to new yearly highs. The German DAX stared the week below 6900 but by Friday it was up to 7248, its highest level since August 2011. The Netherlands AEX and Zurich’s SMI index also started slowly before skyrocketing to new yearly highs on Thursday and Friday. But the London FTSE lagged well behind even its high of mid-August for a possible case of intermarket bearish divergence in Europe, in the event the FTSE fails to exceed 5876 this coming week.

The Americas were a tale of two hemispheres as well. In the USA, the NASDAQ soared to its highest level since November 2000. The S&P also exploded, putting in its highest mark since May 2008. But the rally to 13,320 in the DJIA fell slightly short of its August 21 and May 1 highs of 13,330 and 13,338 respectively. The Bovespa of Brazil and Merval index of Argentina are still well below their highs of August 17-21, less than one month ago.

As discussed before, both the Federal Reserve and the White House want to see an exploding stock market, for this will increase the net worth of all stock holders at a time when the attention would otherwise focus even more ominously in the slow economic growth due to the fiscal policy drag. In fact, a soaring stock market will only serve to confuse and distract investors from the reality of the impending fiscal cliff, which still points to a decline of 30% (or even more) in the stock market if all those tax hikes on investors are not repealed by January 1. So the old saying remains valid with stocks right now: “The higher they go, the harder they will fall.” And every day that cliff comes nearer and nearer. It’s just a matter of time before the bodies fall. And time is running out because you know nothing will be done before the election on November 6. They will have less than 2 months to resolve the problem, with a lame duck congress and possibly White House. The prospects are not good, especially given that we are now in the midst of the Uranus-Pluto square. And investors of Gold and Silver know this very well, for also in the midst of this impending fiscal crisis and extremely inflationary central bank decisions, Gold and Silver are also exploding to their highest levels in several months.

But then again, we expected this - didn’t we? - with Mars fully into Scorpio August 23-October 5.

Best Trades of the Past Week

In the shortened holiday week, the majority of our trades were to cover some (but not all) long positions for profits in metals, currencies, and Treasuries, and 2/3 of our short positions in stock indices before Thursday’s ECB announcement. The only new position opened was on Friday, where the daily report advised aggressive traders in the Euro currency to “… sell short at 1.2750 +/- .0015, with a stop-loss on a close above 1.2850.” Position traders remained long.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Last week’s report here was on the money, as it stated the following: “On Monday, September 3, Venus will form a waning square to Saturn. This can also correlate with a downturn in equity values. In many stock markets, such an aspect coincides with a reversal within 4 trading days…. On Friday, September 7, the Sun will form a waxing square to Jupiter. This is a signature of exaggeration and possibly over-exaggeration. But it also a very high historical correlation (79%) to sharp swings in equity values, again within 4 trading days. It appears that when investors return from the holidays, they will be ready to initiate new positions in various financial markets.” The stock markets indeed opened up the week on a soft note which remained in force until Thursday’s ECB announcement, and then equity prices exploded to the upside.

The only major aspect unfolding this week will be a waxing trine between Venus and Uranus on September 12. This is followed by a new moon over the next weekend (September 16). There is nothing here particularly negative. However, transiting Saturn will be in 27 degrees of Libra, which forms a conjunction to Neptune in the NYSE chart (founded May 17, 1792) and a square to Neptune in the chart of the Federal Reserve Board (founded December 21, 1913). Saturn’s dynamic is to repress and limit. It correlates with anxieties and worry. It is said that financial markets are ruled by greed and fear. Greed is Jupiter, fear is Saturn. Thus when prices rally into Saturn aspects, there is usually some worrisome news that causes the rally to stall or even reverse downwards. Since the Federal Reserve Board chart is involved, perhaps central bankers modify their recent policy changes in a way that gives rise to new worries. Maybe their clarifications are not taken as bullish by the investment community as was witnessed last week.

In spite of the powerful rally at the end of last week, caution is still warranted. We referred earlier to the still impending fiscal cliff, and its astrological correlation to the Uranus-Pluto waxing square. Well, the second of seven of those transits will unfold September 19, followed by the Sun’s translation to (and in a T-square) to Uranus and Pluto on September 29. It is entirely possible that we see the edges of that cliff during that period, +/- one week. All this momentum seems as if it is being pulled to climax around then, say September 19-October 8.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“You didn’t elect me to tell you what you wanted to hear. You elected me to tell you the truth.” Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, September 6, 2012, Charlotte, NC

“I did not have sex with that woman” – Bill Clinton to the American people, summer 1998. Just a few weeks later, the truth was found to be slightly different, depending on what the meaning of “is” is, and impeachment proceedings followed.

“Read my lips. No new taxes.” George H. Bush during the election season of 1988. Less than two years later, he agreed to a major tax hike, and promptly lost his bid for re-election as a result.

What rules “truth” in the study of astrology? And how will it play in this year’s election, especially given that supporters of both parties and both candidates feel very strongly that the opposition is not telling the truth?

            Perhaps truth is a dynamic that falls under the domain of Saturn. But actually Saturn refers more to accuracy and accountability, which of course are characteristics that involve truth, or at least of being truthful. Neptune may offer a clue, for it is well understood in astrology that when Neptune is prominent, there is a strong tendency to hide the facts and all information that is relevant to make a completely well-informed decision. Neptune is said to rule trust, but more often than not it pertains to deception and lack of trust when afflicted by other planets.

            In a few weeks, Saturn will move into Scorpio, where it will trine Neptune (October 10, 2012-July 19, 2013). Thus truth and trust will be on center stage. It will be there during the November 6 election. The issues and the ideology separating the two candidates and two parties are in stark contrast to one another. Yet despite all the differences between all the issues, the final tally may come down to this one important character issue: who do you trust, who is telling you the truth, and who has been truthful to you throughout this campaign – or at least, who exhibits these principles the most in the last month of this election?

Voters in the USA have shown throughout their history that as much as they support a particular party’s position on certain issues, nothing will solidify their vote more than their belief that the candidate is being truthful. If either candidate makes a huge mistake in the matter of truthfulness prior to election, it could be costly. However, if it happens after the election, it may be even more costly, for with Uranus in Aries square to Pluto in Capricorn, the “urge to purge” will be at a peak. There will likely be little tolerance for a leader who makes promises he does not keep, and even more so if he carelessly ignores or modifies those promises of the campaign season. We are fully in an era of demanding accountability in 2012-2015 under this powerful Uranus-Pluto signature, and if not forthcoming, it can quickly become an era of expulsion.

Announcements

The MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is taking place September 15-16. It may be experienced live by coming to Michigan State University’s Educational Management Center (MEC) in Troy, MI, or via webcast that will transmit the class directly to your computer during that time. Both types of attendees will have access to review the course over the following 30 days via the “archives” that will be available. There will also be a DVD made for sale from this event that will be available about 2-4 weeks after the event. We will announce when that DVD is ready. There may also be an option to purchase it as an upload from our new MMTA website. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider this workshop, taking place September 15-16:

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you excellent skills in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects, plus retrograde and direct stations of planets.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
Many long-term financial, economic, and political trends correlate to phases of certain long-term planetary pair cycles. You will learn about those planetary phases and their correlation to these cycles in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to enroll in the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

If you plan to attend live and on-site, let us know and we will provide you with hotel information at a very special rate. Further special rates and scholarships are available to family members who also attend. To qualify, please call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com. To register and find out more, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/.

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is expected to be out this week. The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 30. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events:

January 11-12, 2012: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

Review and Preview

It was supposed to be a quiet pre-holiday week. And it was a quiet pre-holiday week until Friday morning, when Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke announced that the Fed stands ready to provide additional monetary stimulus (i.e. quantitative easing III) if needed. At first the market was disappointed because he didn’t announce a new bond buying program to start right now. But that disappointment lasted about ten minutes before market players figured out that the Fed will do whatever it takes to make sure that Treasuries and stocks don’t fall off the cliff that still looms ahead on January 1 for the economy itself. So consistent with every other time in the past 100 years when Jupiter was in Gemini, coincident with a hard Uranus-Pluto aspect, the stock market still holds out the possibility of soaring yet to new all-time highs. And so do precious metals. Apparently the Fed is willing let the metals explode upwards, if that is the corollary to keeping equity prices high.

As bullish as the news was for stocks on Friday, it was even greater for Gold and Silver. Gold was up nearly $40.00/ounce as it tested 1700 for the first time since March. It is nearing the price target zone given at the special Gold workshop held in Amsterdam on June 23. Silver tested $31.80/ounce on Friday, its highest level since April. It’s all part of the Mars-in-Scorpio geocosmic correlation discussed in the Forecast 2012 Book as well as in our subscription reports of the past two months. This signature is in effect August 23-October 6, and has a 70+% correlation to large rallies in Gold, following a low that would occur to a time band coinciding with August 2-23 this year. That low occurred in two places. First, on August 2, and then again on August 15, as Mars and Saturn formed their two-year conjunction in late Libra. When Mars and Saturn form a hard aspect in the summer months, it also coincides with sharply rising grain prices. That has been the case this summer as both Corn and Soybeans soared to record highs in August, a projection also covered in detail in the Forecast 2012 Book.

Best Trades of the Past Week

There were no new positions opened last week. Our programs remain long precious metals, Euro currency, and T-Notes as our best open trades from the prior week(s).

Short-Term Geocosmics

The markets will be closed in the USA on Monday, September 3, in observance of Labor Day. Nevertheless, geocosmic signatures will be in effect next week that could coincide with market reversals.

On Monday, September 3, Venus will form a waning square to Saturn. Since Venus rules matters of value, and Saturn in a hard aspect can represent a depression of those values, it suggests some anxiety about the world’s financial future again. This can also correlate with a downturn in equity values. In many stock markets, such an aspect coincides with a reversal within 4 trading days.

On Friday, September 7, the Sun will form a waxing square to Jupiter. This is a signature of exaggeration and possibly over-exaggeration. But it also a very high historical correlation (79%) to sharp swings in equity values, again within 4 trading days. It appears that when investors return from the holidays, they will be ready to initiate new positions in various financial markets.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“President Obama promised to slow the rise of the oceans and to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family.” Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, August 30, 2012, Tamp, FL.

“But with the Moon on the Galactic Center at 27° Sagittarius, the pro-life versus pro-choice issue may claim a front row seat as well. Women’s rights play a stronger role in this election than expected, and that issue may actually turn the corner for one of the candidates. One of the parties wants to regulate the boardroom (the business and banking industry), the other wants to regulate the bedroom (social rights). My guess is that this issue would favor Obama… for most independents want the government out of their pockets and bedroom, and this election will likely swing on the votes of the independents.” – Forecast 2012 Book, Specific Seasons – Fall, Autumnal Equinox chart, written in November 2011, nearly one year ago (Raymond Merriman, Seek-It Publications, W. Bloomfield, MI).

As the statements above suggest, the USA election will be a clear choice on the difference in ideology between the platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties. The sideshow will be the series of mean-spirited and negative ads that focus on each candidate’s alleged character deficiencies, which is really unnecessary to an intelligent electorate. The election can – or should be able to - stand on the issues and the records of both Romney-Ryan and Obama-Biden.

However, we are in the midst of the long transit of Uranus in waxing square to Pluto, June 2012 through March 2015, and that is a combination that will spare no punches in its drive for victory. It is true that Uranus and Pluto can also pertain to important issues of the day, such as pro-choice versus pro-life, energy independence, taxes, and the 4 D’s (debt, deficits, downgrades, and default). But it is also true that any hard aspect involving Pluto can represent an underhanded grab for power and control by unexpectedly (Uranus) trying to destroy the reputation of an opponent through mudslinging.

As we approach the second of the seven Uranus-Pluto square passages on September 19, the ideological differences between the two candidates and their party’s platforms are apt to become even clearer. I don’t think there will be many undecided voters in this election, for the chasm between the two is just too great. The presidential debates are scheduled for October 3, 16, and 22 and the election is on November 6.

For astrologers, the issue will be whether or not Uranus represents a 180-degree change of leadership, as it did in 2008 when Uranus was in opposition to Saturn. Or will it represent the candidate who appears the most forward-looking and progressive, as it also did in 2008? Uranus symbolizes ”change.” In 2008, Obama won the election when he convincingly seized the mantle of “change” and made McCain the failed guardian of the status quo. He can’t make the same claim this time, for he has now built and become the status quo. But he can frame a vision for the future that will try to convince voters that he is more futuristic and positive. Will he do that, and if so, will the voters buy into the idea that he can deliver that promise these next four years after what they have experienced the past 4 years? Or will this election season continue to be more mired in the mud, expressing the very lowest side of Pluto in Capricorn?

I know I am supposed to be answering these questions, not asking them. But whenever Uranus is involved, I – and all Financial and Mundane Astrologers – know that the climate is just too heavily charged to issue any kind of statement with certainty. Uranus corresponds to periods of unexpected and sudden surprises, as well as penetration of long-term support and resistance zones in financial markets. No one knows what the outcome will be, and more importantly, no one knows what the outcome of the election outcome will be. We have an idea, but the future is not secure or certain. Change is coming in one form or another, and not necessarily by the choices of the majority. Disruptions by external forces or actions by the minority may make the day in many cases. I wish, as Clint Eastwood said, it would “Make my day.” But it won’t. And in the process of this event and radical behaviors, powerful reactions by others may follow. I know it sounds cryptic. But that is also the nature of Uranus and Pluto being in contact with one another. We are still in a modern-day “Twilight Zone,” and I suspect we will remain so for another 2-3 years.

Of course, this type of period can be extremely exciting too for those who are not attached to any outcome or plan.

Announcements

This is the last chance to register at the lowest rate for the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris”! Register now and save big bucks!!! After September 1, prices will increase $50.00 for the 2-day course taking place September 15-16. It may be experienced live by coming to the Michigan State University’s Educational Management Center (MEC) in Troy, MI, or via webcast that will transmit the class directly to your computer during that time. Both types of attendees will have access to review the course over the following 30 days via the “archives” that will be available. There will also be a DVD made for sale from this event that will be available about 2-4 weeks after the event. We will announce when that DVD is ready. There may also be an option to purchase it as an upload it from our new MMTA website. If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider this workshop, taking place September 15-16:

· Learning to read an ephemeris will give you excellent skills in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
· Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
· Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects, plus retrograde and direct stations of planets.
· Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
· Many long-term financial, economic, and political trends correlate to phases of certain long-term planetary pair cycles. You will learn about those planetary phases and their correlation to these cycles in this course.
· You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to enroll in the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

The special rate of $300 is in effect through this weekend of September 1 if you are an MMA subscriber (or $395 if you are not). Prices will increase $50.00 after September 1. If you plan to attend live and on-site, let us know and we will provide you with hotel information at a very special rate. Further special rates and scholarships are available to family members who also attend. To qualify, please call or email us at 1-248-626-3034, or orders@mmacycles.com. To register and find out more, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/.

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” The book is nearly printed now and we still expect it in time for the September 15-16 workshop. The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 15. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

We are now taking pre-publications orders for the Forecast 2013 Book. As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 15, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30! Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing is still available! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining to the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD is $180.00 plus postage. To order, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/. Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63.

Events:

September 15-16, 2012: Troy, Michigan. MMTA – the MMA Market Timing Academy – will conduct its pre-curriculum introductory workshop on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing.” Deadline for registration to this workshop is September 1, 2013. For further information, please visit http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/, or the bottom of the opening page on www.mmacycles.com. Or contact mmacustomerservice@gmail.com or ordersmmma@msn.com.

January 11-12, 2012: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!
For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards.

April 6-8, 2013: MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review for attendees for the 30 days following this course.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

Review and Preview

The big story in financial markets last week occurred in Gold and Silver. Both broke out of important trading ranges, eerily close to the pattern discussed in our June 23 Gold and Silver workshop in Amsterdam. You may remember at that time we had an intermarket bullish divergence signature, where Silver barely fell to a new yearly low, but Gold did not (it held its low of May 16 when Venus went retrograde, but Silver dipped slightly lower in late June). At the time (in the workshop and in our financial reports), we projected Silver could now move up to 3100 +/- 58. The high on Thursday, August 23, was 3079. And with Mars now entering Scorpio, it may not be over, even if we first experience a brief but sharp decline.

Most stock markets of the world topped out last Monday-Tuesday, August 20-21. Some made new yearly highs and even 4-year highs, such as the S&P index. But that was not the case in the majority of indices as multiple cases of intermarket bearish divergence persisted in Europe and the Americas. After the rallies ended early last week, stock prices fell into Thursday before recovering Friday on the heels of the Fed’s announcement that it may be preparing for a new round of quantitative easing (QE 3).

Best Trades of the Past Week

When it’s good, it’s good. But when it’s great, it’s unbelievably great, as was the case in almost every market we trade last week. But the “best new trade” of the week may have been in the NASDAQ e-mini. The report of Tuesday, August 21, stated, “We got both the high and the low (of Monday). Since the low came first, you may be long with a stop-loss on a close below 2750. Or you took positions and profits both ways. If so, do it again – buy 2765 +/ 2, with a stop-loss on a close below 2750, or sell 2800 with a stop-loss on a close above 2825, which ever comes first.” On that day, NQU went to 2802.50 first for the high, and then sold off. So we took decent profits from the long side that day, and went short within 2.50 of the high of the year.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Next week will be a pre-holiday week in the U.S.A. The markets will be closed the following Monday, September 3, in observance of Labor Day. Thus the trading volume of financial markets will be become less and less as this week progresses. Usually that means less volatility and narrower price ranges, but not always.

The main thing we are watching now is Mars in Scorpio, August 23-October 7. We look for a high in precious metals here that would start from a low that our financial astrology studies forecasted would come about August 2-23. That low indeed occurred on August 14-15, as Mars made its conjunction to Saturn. The rally into Thursday, August 23, stalled as Gold formed a three-point downward trendline going back to its all-time high of September 6, 2011. If it breaks that trendline, watch out above. Given the Central Bank’s willingness to tolerate higher prices in metals in exchange for higher equity prices, this could now get very interesting. And isn’t that what we would expect with Jupiter in Gemini, while Uranus continues in its waxing square Aspect to Uranus through early 2015? Actually no, we don’t expect anything except more stimulus to support more spending and more debt. We use to talk about Obama rolling the dice with his 2009 stimulus package. Now Bernanke may be offering another version of “casino royal” with his penchant for quantitative easing measures, in spite of his continuous warning to the USA government that now it’s their turn to show discipline and responsibility on the fiscal front. Everybody warns, but nobody changes.

So what’s happening this week? Not much on the geocosmic front other than Mars entering Scorpio, which is a prelude for possible military tensions when it next goes into Sagittarius and Capricorn (October 7-December 26). The strategies will now be worked out behind the scenes for action to soon take place – that’s the nature of Mars in Scorpio. Get your men, equipment, and ships in place strategically, for if our enemies don’t do as we demand, they leave us no alternative but force. There may some ancillary (or primary) political advantages to this too. Conspiracy theorists will have a field day now, discussing the possibilities of Marshall Law going into an election or even inauguration day, depending on the results of voter fraud successes or failure on Election Day. Astrologically, such far out possibilities are, well… possible. Mercury turns retrograde on Election Day. The last time it was retrograde on Election Day was in 2000 (Gore had the votes, Bush had the electoral college numbers with some help from his friends). Neptune rules fraud, and it too is stationary and about to turn direct a couple of days later. Furthermore Mercury and Neptune form a square aspect to one another at the time. Numbers are likely to be skewed and allegations could fly high. It’s high drama with the Moon in Leo that day too.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“The U.S. Economy likely would slide into a ‘significant recession’ next year if Congress doesn’t avert tax increases and spending cuts set to begin in January, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday… as a consequence, the economy would contract at a projected rate of 2.9% in the first half of 2013… the unemployment rate would rise to 9.1% at the end of the year from just above 8% now.” – Wall Street Journal, August 23, 2012, “Fiscal Cliff Has Many Perils,” Damien Paletta and Sara Murray.

If ever there was a financial astrology symbolism for “falling off a fiscal cliff,” and entering a dangerous economic downward spiral, it would be Uranus square Pluto. And the thing that is so disturbing for people to witness is that both parties – Democrats and Republicans alike – are using the threat (which is very real) to try to gain political advantage, which in turn only increases the probability (and even inevitability) of its occurrence.

Is this really a threat? If you are a Financial Astrologer, you know the answer is “Yes.” It’s Uranus in Aries, which can pertain to ruthless competition, macho-ism at its height, the willingness to take a dare and dismiss the aspect of danger as synonymous with being a sissy. This is not a game for sissies, and the weak will not inherit the earth. Of course, with this game of “chicken” attitude, there may be no earth left to inherit, and that which is not scorched will surely be taxed too. In fact, the concept of eliminating or reducing income taxes and assessing greater property taxes is an idea that is generating some following in some parts of the world today. After all, who does the planet and its land really belong too? And how did that come about? And why do we really need banks? Thinking out of the box will take on a whole new meaning under Uranus and Pluto in waxing square aspect June 2012 through March 2015.

The immediate future is shaping up to be a real combat between the inflationary gamble of the Federal Reserve and other Central Banks, versus the deflationary fiscal policies (i.e. Taxameggedon) of the federal government if it doesn’t repeal all these taxes about to kick off on January 1. As stated before, lack of action on this front is likely to send world equity indices into a 30% or greater decline. But will the additional quantitative easing policies of the central banks be enough to counter act the flight off the fiscal cliff?

Man, we live in interesting times. And we still have six more passages of Uranus square Pluto to go through. The second of these 7 passages will take place September 19.

Announcements

Just a reminder that the deadline for applying to the “Apprenticeship category” of MMA’s Market Timing Academy ends September 1. The “Apprenticeship category” will be limited to about 12 persons who commit to the 2-year program, which involves being onsite (in Troy, Michigan) for a total of 8 weekends (four each in 2013 and 2014). Applicants need to be subscribers of at least one MMA subscription report for at least three months prior to the first weekend course, which will take place April 6-8, 2013. There are other categories available for this training, such as “On-Line Student via webinar,” and “Open Exit and Entry Student,” and enrollment in these categories can be later and do not require you to be a subscriber of any report. For more information on enrollment into the “Apprenticeship category,” please contact MMA at 1-248-626-3034, or ordersmma@msn.com, or via our website at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/latest-news/ray-merriman%92s--market-timing-academy-%28mmta%29/, or our new website for the Academy at www.merrimanmta.com (under construction at the moment).

The deadline for early registration for the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is also coming up September 1! Register now and save big bucks!!! If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider this workshop, taking place September 15-16:

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you an excellent skill in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
Many long-term financial, economic, and political trends correlate to phases of certain long-term planetary pair cycles. You will learn about those planetary phases and their correlation to these cycles in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to attend the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

There is still time to sign up for this course at the special rate of $300 prior to September 1 if you are an MMA subscriber (or $395 if you are not). If you plan to attend live and on-site, let us know and we will provide you with hotel information at a very special rate. Further special rates and scholarships are available to family members who also attend. To qualify, please call or email us and apply before September 1 (1-248-626-3034, orders@mmacycles.com). To register and find out more, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/.

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” We expect this book to be in print in time for the September 15-16 workshop. The cost of updated volume is now $125 (plus postage). We will offer it at $95.00 now to those who also pre-order the Forecast 2013 Book prior to October 15. For more information on this newly update book on long-term stock market cycles and their correlation to long-term planetary cycles, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

We will now begin taking pre-publications orders for the Forecast 2013 Book. As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 15, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 30!. Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you reserve your 2013 book before they sell out (or you forget)!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. Or go to our website link at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/special-pre-publication-offer-on-mma%27s-forecast-2013-book/. We have also posted a “Scorecard” of this year’s forecasts at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/scorecard-for-forecast-2012/.

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

Review and Preview

Mars was conjunct Saturn and Venus was in a T-square to the Uranus-Pluto square on August 15-16. Plus the Mars-Saturn conjunction hit important points in the chart of the New York Stock Exchange. All of these geocosmic signatures – plus overbought technical momentum indicators – indicated a reversal was at hand. But equity markets around the world didn’t really reverse as anticipated. They paused for much of the week, but then continued to new cycle highs on Thursday and Friday. This may have been due to the new moon on Friday, headed to the moon’s passage into Libra next Monday-Tuesday (August 20-21), or the options expiration on Friday, August 17. We did experience nice reversals upwards in currencies and precious metals from lows which unfolded exactly as expected on August 15-16, so the geocosmic signatures scored a hit once again in terms of a shift in investor psychology even if it didn’t reflect specifically in equity values, other than Facebook. By the way, Facebook last week met our original projection of a 50% decline off their opening IPO price of $38.00. Now it begins to look attractive to technical students like myself.

Best Trades of the Past Week

The best trade of the week was in Gold or T-Notes. The weekly report for August 13 in Dec Gold stated, “Aggressive traders are also long. Let’s take profits on 1/3 of longs here too and rebuy on a decline back to or below the 15-day moving average, or 1595. Set the stop-loss on a close below 1575. If we do drop into a low Aug 15-17, we want to buy that if not already long” The low last week occurred on Wednesday, August 15 at 1592 after opening the week at 1620. For September T-Notes, the report stated, “Position traders are short (from the 135 area a couple of weeks ago)…. we still have 2/3 shorts (after covering 1/3 for profits the prior week), so let’s set out stop-loss on a close above weekly resistance, but cover another 1/3 now and the final third if and when prices drop back below 133. We will look to go long on a drop to 132/16 or better with a stop-loss on a close below 130/16” The low was 132/10 on Friday, August 17.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Another geocosmic explanation as to why stock indices continued to rise all last week and not reverse (as of Friday anyway) may be related to the Sun-Neptune opposition coming up on Friday, August 24. This is a powerful Level 1 signature according to the studies reported in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.” Level 1 signatures are those that have at least a 67% correlation to primary or greater cycles within two weeks. The Sun-Neptune opposition has a historical frequency of 74% to primary or greater cycles within 13 trading days. Of course the majority occur within far less than 13 days. In fact, most occur within only 4 trading days. This is followed by a Mars-Neptune trine on August 26, another Level 1 signature with a 74% correlation to primary or greater cycles within 11 trading days. What also makes this period so important as a potential reversal and shift in trader sentiment is that Mars will enter Scorpio on August 23. Let’s dissect these elements.

In the studies conducted in Volume 3, I noticed an interesting pattern that reoccurred several times under transits of strong Neptune aspects. It is what traders and analysts often refer to as a “distribution top.” That is, equity markets would rally into these Neptune aspects, but not with a great deal of force or volatility. The rise would be modest, and then prices would plateau out. It was like Neptune had no power or energy behind it. At the same time, the trading community would appear to be very complacent. They wouldn’t buy with gusto and they wouldn’t immediately sell. So the market just appeared to be floating, like a sailboat in a gentle breeze.

This in contrast to Uranus and Mars aspects, where the winds of change are like storms. Last week witnessed Venus in a hard aspect to Uranus and Pluto, and so the thought was that markets would be volatile and reversals would suddenly erupt, like a storm cloud that appears out of the northeastern sky instead of the west. That didn’t happen. The rallies of the past 10 weeks did stall temporarily under those signatures, but then they resumed their graceful upward trajectory, so we have to look elsewhere for explanations for this mild behavior. Perhaps they will decline yet next week, for these signatures are only 2 trading days old. But if they don’t, or even if they decline only mildly, it may be due to the two Neptune signatures coming up.

So it may be that we have to wait until next week passes, and Mars gets fully out of Libra, where it is in conflict (Mars is aggressive and war-like, Libra is indecisive and peace-loving). It moves into Scorpio through October 7, its natural home, and where it is much more certain about what it wants to do and nothing will stand in its way as it makes its decision.

Of course in terms of politics, this can be an even nastier signature, which will be something because already the 2012 presidential election is the ugliest and nastiest election ever according to many political observers. And with Uranus in square aspect to Pluto through March 2015, that is no surprise (see Forecast 2012 Book). The campaigns can and probably will get more negative in the next six weeks. The negativity may backfire on candidates, as suggested by some smaller polling agencies which now report that President Obama’s likeability numbers have fallen from the high 50’s to the mid 30’s in the past few weeks.

I don’t recall an election where so many supporters of each party feel their candidate is going to lose. My liberal connections complain that Romney is going to win, and my conservative associates feel that Obama is going to win. This is strange. This is Uranus square Pluto. This is the United States headed into a transformative election cycle, with the Uranus-Pluto square headed to form a grand square to the USA Sun-Saturn square in 2014. This is the United States today headed for the dreaded Uranus-Pluto “Fiscal Cliff” on January 1, 2013. Everyone hopes they will solve this approaching storm. But they are losing faith in the political system to do what is necessary and right to protect their citizens instead of their own jobs. As the President’s likeability sinks by 20%, the approval rating of Congress sinks to an all-time low of only 10%.

Longer-Term Thoughts

“I think we introduced something new to the campaign – numbers!” - Rick Santelli on CNBC, speaking on the choice of Paul Ryan as the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate. August 14, 2012.

As I completed the studies for the second edition of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles,” my attention was drawn to the importance of Saturn in a waning trine aspect to Neptune. This is a long-term planetary signature (36-year periodicity), and in every instance (7 times since 1762) it has corresponded to a 4-year or greater cycle in the British or U.S. stock market within 6 months. In six of those seven instances, it has corresponded to a cycle greater than the 4-year type, and in six of those cases it was a trough of the 4-year type or greater. Truly and surprisingly, this Saturn-Neptune trine is one of the most consistent and powerful correlates to long-term stock market cycles. And it is coming up October 10, 2012-July 19, 2013. In fact, the only planetary signatures stronger than this are the conjunction and opposition of Saturn and Uranus, and the opposition of Saturn and Pluto.

Of course, these studies are just numbers. They are numbers that show us a pattern in human activity which, if we chose to pay attention, can tell us something important about our human family. If we chose to ignore them, we may fail to see lessons and insights about our family’s history that can provide an enlightening way out of difficult times.

Yes, words matter. They can provide hope and inspire others to greater confidence, or vice-versa. But they don’t prove anything unless they are backed up by measurable results. Numbers on the other hand measure results and thus provide insight to solutions. Of course they can be manipulated and oftentimes are for nefarious purposes. But without numbers, there is no verification other than one’s own subjective interpretation of experience. Santelli is right: the election has just shifted from words to numbers which can measure results. Now, who can count in Uranus-Pluto quantities? 15 trillion… 16 trillion… and increasing parabolically as we move closer and closer to that cliff unless… Pluto reverses and repeals. I am not sure Uranus in Aries will let him, for Uranus in Aries tends to like thrills, such as a game of “chicken” and jumping off a cliff into an abyss. I hope there is a safety net in place.

Announcements

Just a reminder that the deadline for applying to the “Apprenticeship category” of MMA’s Market Timing Academy ends September 1. The “Apprenticeship category” will be limited to about 12 persons who commit to the 2-year program, which involves being onsite (in Troy, Michigan) a total of 8 weekends (four each in 2013 and 2014). Applicants need to be subscribers of at least one MMA subscription report for at least three months prior to the first weekend course, which will take place April 6-8, 2013. There are other categories available for this training, such as “On-Line Student via webinar,” and “Open Exit and Entry Student,” and enrollment in these categories can be later. For more information on enrollment into the “Apprenticeship category,” please contact MMA at 1-248-626-3034, or ordersmma@msn.com, or via our website at http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/latest-news/ray-merriman%92s--market-timing-academy-%28mmta%29/, or our new website for the Academy at www.merrimanmta.com (under construction at the moment).

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you an excellent skill in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
Many long-term financial, economic, and political trends correlate to phases of certain long-term planetary pair cycles. You will learn about those planetary phases and their correlation to these cycles in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to attend the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013.

We will now begin taking pre-publications orders for the Forecast 2013 Book. As in the past, MMA offers a special pre-publication discount rate for those who pre-order the next year’s book before October 15, 2012. We are pleased to announce that the cost of this year's book will remain the same as last year at $55.00. We are also pleased to announce that the special pre-publication rate of $45.00 (plus postage) will available to those who order prior to October 15. Additionally we will offer Forecast 2013 in an e-book format at these same prices, although the e-book may not contain the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back, as will be the case in the printed hard copy editions. But there will be no postage costs with the e-book. As always, a limited number are printed, so order now, save even more big bucks, and make sure you get your 2013 book before they sell out!!! To order, you may call MMA offices at 1-248-626-3034, or contact Amber directly at odersmma@msn.com. It will be up on our web site to order in about one week. We will also post a “Scorecard” of last year’s forecasts.

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events:

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE

WEEK BEGINNING AUGUST 13, 2012

Review and Preview

The end of a Mercury retrograde period is usually a very flat trading time with little volatility. Unless Mars, Jupiter, and/or Uranus signatures are also in force, most world stock markets will exhibit very narrow price ranges. That was certainly the case last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, did not have a single day last week in which the price range was at least 100 points until the rally in the last 20 minutes of trading on Friday. That could change this week since Mercury ended its retrograde motion on August 8. This new week will find both Mars and Uranus in major aspects to other planets. The same was true last week in precious metals, which had their largest price movements on Friday, August 10. The markets appear to be winding up for next week.

Best Trades of the Past Week

The best trade of the rather quiet week was in currencies again. The daily report of Tuesday, August 7, for the September Euro currency, stated, “ Aggressive traders are long with a stop-loss on a close below 1.2140, after covering 1/3 of these longs for profit last Wednesday. Let’s take profits on another third now and buy back on a decline to 1.2250 or lower.” The buy order was repeated Thursday-Friday, August 9-10. On Tuesday, August 7, the Euro opened at 1.2402, which was the profitable exit point on the longs. The Euro rose to 1.2448 that day and then dropped to 1.2245 on Friday before reversing back up at the end of Friday to close near 1.2300.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Last week was probably the calm before the storm. You could see market pressures building up and starting to be released late in the day on Friday as Mercury starts increasing its forward velocity following the end to its stationary retrograde motion of August 8.

The buildup of pressures is also signified by the Mars-Saturn conjunction that unfolds on Wednesday, August 15. The markets need a release, and so do the investment and trading communities of the world. But Mars-Saturn can be a rather hostile combination, for Mars is war-like and aggressive, while Saturn can be punitive and thwarting to grant the wishes of others, no matter how sensible they might be. This conjunction takes place in Libra, on the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of the New York Stock Exchange chart, and in opposition to the Saturn in that same NYSE chart (born May 17, 1792). Generally speaking, this is an aspect where others act out of frustration, which usually gives a negative result. Just ask yourself how many times did expressing the full fury of your anger give you a good result, or the result that you had hoped for? Not too often. So we might anticipate politicians going after one another with the same old arguments as before, and this time they might work because the object of those aggressions finally produce the “break point” simply out of frustration. Maybe Mitt Romney will finally feel forced to release his income tax records for more than two years as Team Obama relentlessly chides him to do. Maybe Obama will finally release his college records as Team Romney has demanded he do as well, in this race to see who can be the least transparent candidate for the public’s vote. Personally, I would love to see Obama’s college grades in anything dealing with numbers: economics and math. Everyone knows his gift with words. But does he have any talent for numbers?

But back to the markets, which of course is all about numbers. In addition to the Mars-Saturn conjunction of August 15, next week will also find Venus making a T-square to the Uranus-Pluto square on August 15 and 16. This is also known as a “translation” of Venus (money, as in currencies and stocks) to Uranus (sudden news) and Pluto (debt and taxes). The value of things is apt to change sharply around those days. And with transiting Mars so prominent in aspect to planets in the NYSE chart, we can look to stocks as the leader of this possible change in trend. Additionally, both of these aspects (Venus to Uranus-Pluto and Mars to Saturn) have to do with weather and grain prices. Hot and dry may finally break now.

It’s all a prelude to the second passage of Uranus-Pluto in waxing square, which is coming up September 19. It’s more pressure of a different nature that will be building up, and one of the areas that is apt to reflect this buildup is precious metals, for Mars will soon be entering Scorpio, the sign of “reckoning” when it comes to debt and taxes, but also of special interest to metals. The debt crisis is far from over. In fact, it’s just about to have another incarnation with Mars entering Scorpio August 23-October 6, followed by Saturn doing the same for three years, beginning October 15. The stock market is still due for a 30% or greater decline unless the tax hikes coming up January 1 are repealed. This rally is probably just a sucker rally to draw the public into it before the final big bang comes up. Don’t be caught off guard.

Longer-Term Thoughts

Last week’s column reported on President Barack Obama’s 51 st birthday, or solar return. We assumed he would be in Chicago that day, but instead he started the day in Washington D.C. and ended it at Camp David. That alters the position of the sky somewhat, as seen from Washington D.C. at 9:03 AM on August 4 instead of 8:03 AM from Chicago. It changes things somewhat.

His solar return Sun moved from the secretive 12 th house to the more powerful 11 th house of Congress. If he wins, he may have more support from Congress than many assume at this point. But Jupiter has also moved from the 10 th house to the 9 th, which is still a strong position for re-election, but maybe not as strong as it would have been in Chicago, in the 10 th house of career. The Moon and Neptune in Pisces moved from the 7 th house of allies to the 6 th house of employees. This can be a signature of deception, disappointment, or disillusionment. Maybe it is better that his employees and servants disappoint or deceive him than his allies. In either case, he still finds Jupiter, planet of exaggeration and luck, in a hard aspect to the angles and the Moon.

Overall, it’s not a bad solar return for being re-elected. But it is also not a great solar return for finding personal happiness and support for his visions. He still seems dissatisfied with matters of work and may be overly critical of others. At its best, he will do things himself instead of relying upon others, and find that he does a better job than those he appoints to do things for him. He may become a compulsive perfectionist for minute details, making it extremely hard for others to please him. Therefore, in the quest for peace and harmony, they may leave him, or be asked to leave. He needs to consciously work at reducing the stress in the work place, for the sake of others as well as for his own well-being, lest it make him vulnerable health-wise, especially in the area of nerves and emotions. The more relaxed he is, the better it is for himself and everyone around him. The more stressed out he becomes, the more difficult it is for himself and others around him. His success and happiness this year are more a function of his ability to manage his emotions and nerves than anything else. This probably requires great faith on his part, as denoted by the afflicted Moon in Pisces, opposite his solar return ascendant in mid-Virgo. Can he do it? Anyone can do it if they understand the dynamics of what they are working with. That’s the beauty of astrology. It reveals our conditions and our choices, but ultimately each of us make the choices and hence affect the outcome.

Announcements

The deadline for registering for the MMTA pre-training workshop on “How to Read an Ephemeris” is coming up soon! Register now and save big bucks!!! If you are a trader, analyst, or student interested in enhancing your skills in market timing, here is why you should consider this workshop , taking place September 15-16:

Learning to read an ephemeris will give you an excellent skill in identifying high probability reversal zones in any market long before they are due.
Both the stock market and precious metals market have a natural bias towards rising and falling prices according to the transit of the Moon through the signs of the zodiac. In this course, you will learn what that rhythm is.
Financial markets have a high probability of turning (reversing) when certain planets are in specific aspects to one another. You will learn how to calculate and identify those aspects.
Stocks and precious metals markets make sharp but short reversals on specific sun-moon pairings and phases. You will learn to identify sun-moon pairings and phases in this course.
Many long-term financial, economic, and political trends correlate to phases of certain long-term planetary pair cycles. You will learn about those planetary phases and their correlation to these cycles in this course.
You will need to understand the principles presented in this pre-training course if you plan to attend the two-year, eight-course training offered by MMTA beginning April 6-8, 2013 .

The monthly MMA Cycles Report will come out this week. The MMA Cycles Report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, and Treasury Notes. It will come out Monday evening of this week. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday evening. For further information and subscription, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/. If you are not a subscriber, you can order a 2-month trial basis for only $50.00.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, you will be able to audit the introductory training course starting this week. The “Equivalency Exam” is ready. Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training, or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber Lundsten at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it. If you plan to come to Troy, Michigan to take the course, also contact Amber for hotel suggestions and special discount rates. If you plan to take the course via webinar, kindly let us know by September 1 (and save money). To do so, please go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down to the bottom of the opening page titled “Introductory Workshop on Basic Principles….”

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” We expect this book to be in print sometime in September – hopefully in time for the September 15-16 workshop. This means that the special $75.00 pre-order rate will end this week, August 15. At that point, the normal rate of $125 (plus postage) will go into effect. To take advantage of the special pre-order discount price, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/. Order now and save more big bucks!!!

We are pleased to announce a new MMA Weekly report titled: MMA Weekly Treasuries, Soybeans, and Crude Oil Report. This will be a 3-5 page report offering comments, analysis, forecasts, and trading strategy for next week's market activity in the U.S. 10-Year T-Notes (Treasuries), Soybeans, and Crude Oil futures only. List of support/resistance areas, trend indicator points, geocosmic and lunar reversal points for the week, cycles phasing, and recommended buy and sell strategies. The cost is $750/yr or $250/3 months. We will offer a one-month trial subscription for $50.00, available only until August 15, as part of our introduction to this new service. Subscriptions are delivered by downloadable postings on the MMA Website, which is entered via your personal password. It is also delivered via an email attachment to all subscribers over the weekend before the market opens.

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events :

January 11-12, 2012 : Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2013 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 11 lecture on Forecasts 2013. January 12 will be a special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver.” 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!

For more information, go to www.mma-europe.ch or contact ASTRODATA AG, Tel. 41 (0) 43 343 33 66, or email info@mma-europe.ch. There will be a special MMA subscribers’ meeting afterwards.

April 6-8, 2013 : MMTA Course 1: “Cycles and Chart Patterns in Financial Markets” with Raymond Merriman. Location: MEC Technical Center of Michigan State University, Troy, Michigan. This will be the first of eight courses given by the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). It is available to those who attend onsite, or via a live webcast that will take place from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday, as well as Monday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by a two-hour exam for those wishing to receive a certificate upon the completion of the MMTA entire 8 course program. The raw footage will be available for review for attendees for the 30 days following this course.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING AUGUST 6, 2012

Review and Preview

The roller-coaster ride of Mercury retrograde, within the Uranus-Pluto square time frame, continued last week. The previous week, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi surprised the financial community when he announced that the ECB was willing to use its power to print money to preserve the euro and that “Within our mandate, the ECB is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro and believe me, it will, be enough.” To which this column stated, “Hmmmm, maybe I’m becoming too cynical. Whenever anyone tells me “Believe me,” or “Trust me,” my first inclination is to not “believe” or “trust” what then follows - especially when pronounced under Mercury retrograde, where statements are usually invalidated or in need of modification soon afterwards.” By Thursday, all the gains of the prior week had been lost – and more - as ECB President Draghi qualified his statements to a series of “maybes,” “might,” “could,” “possibilities,” and everything but “we would” and “we will.” The market didn’t like the reversal of certainty and conviction from Draghi’s prior week’s comments.

But then a funny economic-political thing happened on Friday. The payroll reports showed a 163,000 increase in payroll numbers for July, well above expectations. It also showed that unemployment increased to 8.3%. You might wonder how so many new jobs can be created, while at the same time unemployment increases. Well, if you are a Financial Astrological conspiracy theorist – and most of us are by nature – you might consider that these numbers came out 1) under Mercury retrograde and 2) with the Moon on the verge of entering Pisces, which is enough for financial astrologers to wonder about conspiracy theories in any event. What I am trying to say is (and it’s not easy to say anything straight under Mercury Rx with Moon in Pisces) is this: the probability is extremely high that these numbers will be revised sharply in next month’s report. It is important to show good numbers however as the two parties head to their nominating conventions in August (well, really, it is only important to one party to show good numbers ahead of these conventions, and if they are adjusted downwards next month, that’s OK).

On Draghi’s qualifications of his prior week’s comments, stock indices around the world fell through Thursday. Many fell below weekly and other support levels, which is typical of Mercury retrograde. On Friday’s very unexpected and positive jobs report, stock indices surged upwards again, well above daily and even some weekly resistance levels, again typical of Mercury retrograde. This trickster has no respect for boundaries like support and resistance, much like its cosmic cousin Uranus. He also likes to move fast… err, rather, he changes fast. So every 1-4 days he prompts prices up, then reverses and argues prices back down. The good news is that on August 8 he leaves the slippery trickery of working behind the scenes with conflicting information and misinformation, combined with false buy and sell signals, that all become subject to revisions and a whole different story line later on. In the meantime, talking heads find themselves talking to themselves as they spin around 180 degrees trying to explain why their explanations no longer explain what they just explained. Words don’t matter. Numbers do - until they are readjusted later on after they serve the purpose they were intended to produce. In the meantime, be happy to trade rumors, but trade them quickly, for Mercury doesn’t stand in one place lest he risk getting caught. And he is seldom caught when in retrograde motion. It’s only later that you discover he played you again, unless you learn to play by his (lack of) rules.

It wasn’t just stock markets that rode the Mercury Express roller coaster last week. Gold and Silver were also sharply up – then down – then back up again by Friday. The same was true with Crude Oil and currencies against the U.S. Dollar, which the latter is once again plummeting after these dizzying twists and turns. And amidst it all, Treasuries continued their move down from last week’s all-time highs. Don’t worry. In classical Mercury tradition, they will reverse again too.

Best Trades of the Past Week

Where do you start? There were so many last week, whether in stock indices, currencies, Treasuries, or metals. Let’s take the daily report of Thursday, August 2, for Silver, which stated, “ Position traders are flat and may go long at 2690 or better if offered with a stop-loss on a close below 2670. Aggressive traders may do the same.” The low that day was 2688. The next day, Friday (August 3), Silver was up to 2790 and closed at 2780. The day before we also advised for the September e-mini NASDAQ contract, “Aggressive traders are short with a stop-loss on a close above 2660. However look to cover and reverse to the long side at 2620 or better if offered, with a stop-loss on a close below 2570.” The low was 2618.50 that day, and by Friday they were above 2680.

Short-Term Geocosmics

In February 1968, just as the current Uranus-Pluto got underway following its 112-147 year conjunction, President Lyndon Johnson asked Congress to end the requirement that dollars be backed in gold. He said, “The gold reserve requirement against the Federal Reserve notes is not needed to tell us what prudent monetary policy should be – that myth was destroyed long ago. It is not needed to give value to the dollar – that value derives from our productive economy.” That decision, passed by Congress the next month, fundamentally altered the nature of money in the USA (and even the entire world) and permitted an unprecedented proliferation of credit. – From the MMA Workshop on Gold, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 23, 2012, and quote from Richard Duncan, Chief Economist at Blackhorse Asset Management, in his new book titled “The New Depression: The Breakdown of the Paper Money Economy.”

Now we come to one of the more intense geocosmic time bands of the year, starting with Mercury turning back to direct motion on August 8 and ending with Venus making a T-square and translation to the Uranus-Pluto square on August 15-16. The later dates are extremely important because Mars will also make its multi-year conjunction to Saturn on August 15. This is heavy stuff for several reasons.

First, Mars in conjunction to Saturn is like putting together an irresistible force with an immoveable object. It’s like trying to compete in an auto race with your emergency brake on. Somebody wants something and they want it now. The other party doesn’t want to even consider obliging, but perhaps wants to withhold giving what is demanded just because it makes the demanding party squirm. Sort of like the White House demanding Romney reveal his tax returns, and the Romney camp demanding that the president reveal his high school and college records. How nice it would be if they would both reveal what the other side demands. But of course neither will reveal anything the other side demands because, after all, the other side is not being transparent so why should I? Mars and Saturn are more warlike than conciliatory. In the meantime, everybody thinks the other side is hiding something, and the truth is that both sides are probably hiding something, for after all again, isn’t Pluto prominent today? And Pluto hides AND reveals that which is being hidden. If they want to avoid the wrath of Pluto, they should both just agree to reveal everything the public deserves to know in order to make a well-informed voting decision. Additionally Mars and Saturn represent the height of the drought and loss of crops.

The second matter is Venus aspecting the Uranus-Pluto square. Since Venus rules credit and Pluto rules debt and they are both in hard aspect to Uranus, it implies another onslaught of conflicting reports regarding the exploding world-wide debt crisis. It could be in Europe, the USA, or anywhere, for debt knows no boundaries, especially in modern times where debt is now considered credit – and that reality has been growing ever since the gold standard was dropped over 40 years ago. But the problem is that there are boundaries and limitations that eventually have to be faced. That’s one of the lessons of Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2024), which says…. all this debt has to be paid somehow, some way, and the books need to be balanced or burned (i.e. the debt has to be forgiven as it will probably never be repaid). And how are you going to repay it when your debt is securitized not by your credit (which no longer really exists) but merely by increasing the size of your debt under the promise of your good will and trust to repay it that which you can’t repay?

Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland would find this wormhole rant the equivalent of wise council from the caterpillar. And the caterpillar is an excellent symbol of Pluto for its ability to transform from one form to another, which is exactly what has happened to the concept of a credit-based financial system during the days of the gold standard to the debit-based system of paper fiat currency that is now finding the only way to sustain itself is to grow even more and more debt because world governments are unwilling to be patient with sensible austerity measures. In fact, most world leaders no longer believe that austerity measures make any sense whatsoever. Like the caterpillar, they prefer to believe that what makes sense is to spend more and more money they do not have (i.e. debt) and in doing so they will somehow magically create less and less debt. Did I say Mercury is retrograde? Perhaps the horoscope of the world has progressed Mercury in retrograde now, and probably in Pisces or in hard aspect to Neptune.

Longer-Term Thoughts

On August 4 at 8:03 AM, President Barack Obama will celebrate his 51 st solar return, assuming he is in Chicago (he usually is on his birthday). If so, he will have Virgo rising, his Sun in the 12 th house, and Moon in Pisces in the 7 th. Don’t hold your breath for any evidence of transparency with this set up, for the 12 th house and Pisces prefer to work from behind the scenes. They don’t reveal what they know. Yet with Jupiter in his solar return tenth house, it still seems he is on the path towards an election victory via this method of forecasting. Of course, even with Jupiter high up in the chart, it is in square aspect to the Moon, Chiron, and Neptune straddling around the 7 th hosue cusp in Pisces, and thus he will need to be careful of exaggerations and boasts that could backfire and cause humiliation. From this chart alone, it seems that his biggest obstacles to victory would be carelessness, inaccuracy, and exaggeration. His biggest asset to a victory would be his ability to inspire faith in those who still believe in “hope and change.” Fortunately, it seems he has luck on his side. Unfortunately, he still struggles with the ability to deliver what is promised, and in his mind, it is not his fault. So if he is re-elected, once again it looks like he is likely to inherit a terrible mess. What is a president to do? More importantly, what is the populace to do?

Announcements

We are gearing up for our first workshop under the auspices of MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA), to take place September 15-16. This will be the pre-training course on “Beginning Principles of Financial Astrology for Financial Market Timing,” taking place in Troy, Michigan, at the Management Education Center of Michigan State University. This 10-12 hour course may be attended live, in person, or via webcast televised to your computer. An archive of this workshop will be available for 30 days afterwards to those who sign up. This workshop will basically train non-astrologers in the use of reading an ephemeris, which is the table of planetary positions for any given day. This is essential to anyone who wishes to understand how to find a geocosmic critical reversal date for financial markets. It is not a difficult task, but it does require some training. This course (or audit of it) is a pre-requisite for anyone entering the MMTA market training course, which will officially begin April 6-8, 2013, and will involve 8 weekends of study – 4 weekends each in 2013 and 2014. For more information, please go to www.mmacycles.com. Or, http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/. The cost for the September 15-16 pre-training workshop is $395.00 ($300 for MMA subscribers), or $50.00 to take an Equivalency Exam for those who register by September 1. There will be an additional $50.00 late fee assessed for those who sign up afterwards. This cost will be deducted from the fee of the two-year training course to those who enroll in the MMTA 8-course program by October 15, 2012.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, you will be able to audit the introductory training course in about two weeks. The “Equivalency Exam” is ready and we are simply working on a format for you to take this exam, starting on August 8 (as Mercury turns direct). Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training, or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber Lundsten at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it. If you plan to come to Troy, Michigan to take the course, also contact Amber for hotel suggestions and special discount rates. If you plan to take the course via webinar, kindly let us know by September 1 (and save money). To do so, please go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down to the bottom of the opening page titled “Introductory Workshop on Basic Principles….”

We are pleased to announce the completion of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” We expect this book to be in print sometime in September – hopefully in time for the September 15-16 workshop. This means that the special $75.00 pre-order rate will end August 15. At that point, the normal rate of $125 (plus postage) will go into effect. To take advantage of the special pre-order discount price, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/.

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events :

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JULY 30, 2012

Review and Preview

More “shock and awe” unfolded last week in the wake of the Mars translation to Uranus and Pluto the prior week, July 17-18. First of all, there was the horrific shooting spree in Aurora, Colorado that killed 12 innocent movie goers and wounded 58 others, by a young ex-graduate student of neuroscience named James Holmes. Then the charge of murder to Gu Kailai, wife of fallen Chinese Leader Bo Xilai, for the fatal poisoning of British businessman Neil Heywood. This is the truly dark side of Uranus square Pluto, which is just getting underway and will remain through March 2015. The senseless loss of life through human violence is consistent with the dynamics of this powerful long-term planetary cycle.

But it also relates to issues of exploding world debt and threats to the fabric of the world financial system. In the study of Financial or Mundane Astrology, Uranus and Pluto pertain to explosions, and Pluto specifically relates to debt and calls for financial or banking reforms. It is no secret that much of Europe is in a financial and banking crisis. On Thursday, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi surprised the financial community by announcing that “… the ECB was willing to use its power to print money to preserve the euro,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Draghi went on to state, “Within our mandate, the ECB is willing to do whatever it takes to preserve the euro and believe me, it will, be enough.” Hmmmm, maybe I’m becoming too cynical. Whenever anyone tells me “Believe me,” or “Trust me,” my first inclination is to not “believe” or “trust” what then follows - especially when pronounced under Mercury retrograde, where statements are usually invalidated or in need of modification soon afterwards.

Stock markets around the world loved Drahgi’s message. It was not only a surprise (typical of Uranus), but offered hope that –what? – the European Central Bank would finally be willing to do what Japan and the USA have been doing, which is essentially buy massive amounts of euro zone bonds to stem the region’s financial crisis. Or, said another way, to help various nations and their banks increase their debt load (with low rates) in hopes that a recovery will be spurred that will enable counties to climb out of their financial debt. But borrowing money in the form of selling treasuries is still more debt. All of this “good news” came out on Thursday, July 26, the middle of the Mercury retrograde period (July 14-August 8). It is not uncommon for markets to make sudden, sharp, but brief reversals in the middle of the retrograde time band if they did not reverse at the beginning of the retrograde.

It wasn’t just stock markets that took off last week. Gold and Silver broke out above important resistance. And the Euro currency recovered from a two-year low on Tuesday, July 24 following Draghi’s “believe me” statement. But all of this happened right in the middle of the retrograde time band, when words are frequently at odds with the actions that follow.

Best Trades of the Past Week

Our best trades last week were in currencies. The weekly report for July 23, stated for the Euro: “Aggressive traders are flat. Look to buy at 119.90-1.2060 with a stop-loss on a close under 118.” On July 24, the Euro bottomed at 1.2040. By Friday it was testing 1.2400. The weekly report also covered all shorts for position traders in the Euro, Swiss Franc and the Euro-Yen for excellent profits early last week. The daily report had position traders short for over a month (around the 1.2700 area) and covered all shorts on Monday, June 23, for excellent profits.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Mercury continues retrograde through August 8 as discussed at length in last week’s column. But for this coming week there are a slew of soft, harmonious aspects which are usually favorable in this type of market climate. However, there is also a full moon (Leo Sun, Aquarius Moon) August 2, and that can disrupt the evenness of this current rally.

Our sights are set more on the following two weeks, especially August 10-20 when Mars will conjunct Saturn (the astrological peak of the drought) in a point that is critical to the chart of the New York Stock Exchange (founded May 17, 1792). Mars will be at 22-27 degrees of Libra then. In the NYSE chart, Jupiter and Neptune are at 22-27 of Libra, and Saturn is in opposition at 26 degrees of Aries. This could be explosive, both in a mundane sense (for it pertains to military conflict and vehement disagreements) and financial markets. At its best, it is a time that can be favorable for organizing one’s life and getting a lot accomplished, if you are focused.

Longer-Term Thoughts

It looks like we will be getting that Jupiter-in-Gemini long-term cycle crest in stock markets that tends to happen when Uranus is also in a hard aspect to Pluto. Let’s review that pattern that has been in evidence over the past 140 years.

As discussed in detail in the Forecast 2011 and 2012 books, the USA stock market has – on average – topped out when Jupiter was in transit between 23 degrees of Aries and 7 degrees of Taurus, according to studies going back to 1870’s. This study included 11 Jupiter cycles, as Jupiter takes about one year to transit through each sign of the zodiac. Jupiter was in that sector of the zodiac from May 2- July 21, 2011. Nearly all of the stock indices we follow did indeed make a new two-year high during that period, then declined sharply from July 21 through October 4, 2011. On October 7, 2011, Jupiter retrograded back to 7 degrees of Taurus, and eventually to 0 degrees of Taurus. After turning direct, it finally came out of this sector on March 7, 2012. From October 4, 2011 through March 16, 2012, many of the world indices rallied sharply again and made secondary highs. They did not exceed their highs of May-July 2011, except in the United States, where new highs were posted March 27 and May 1, 2012 in the S&P and Dow Jones Industrial Average respectively.

Upon further research, it was discovered that there were two exceptional cases in the past 100 years when the stock market did not make a long-term cycle crest when Jupiter was in the 23 Aries-7 Taurus sector. Those two times were nearby to the previous two times that Uranus was to form a hard aspect to Uranus. The all-time high of September 1929 was just before the last square between Uranus and Pluto. After that high, the stock market fell hard for nearly three years and lost approximately 90% of its value as the Great Depression got underway. The next (and last) hard aspect between Uranus and Pluto was the conjunction of 1965-1966. The DJIA made another new all-time high when it touched 1000 for the very first time in February 1966. It immediately reversed and began a bear market that didn’t really end until 1974. In each of these two cases, the market continued to rise past the time Jupiter was in late Aries through early Taurus. In 1929, it topped out when Jupiter was in 14 degrees of Gemini. In 1966, it topped out when Jupiter was in 24 degrees of Gemini.

Now two cases do not make a valid statistical study. But it is interesting to note that once again the stock market seemed poised to race to new highs, and once again it is happening with Jupiter in Gemini, during the time that the highly disruptive and unpredictable Uranus is in hard aspect to Pluto (June 2012 through March 2015). As readers know, Jupiter has entered Gemini as of June 11. It will remain in Gemini through June 26, 2013. It will be in the 14-24 degrees of Gemini sector twice: August 27- November 12, 2012, and then April 12- June 4, 2013. One of those would be the ideal time for a crest if the pattern were to follow that of the prior two times. But with only two cases to draw from, it is impossible to say if 14-24 Gemini is the zodiac sector that pertains to the crest when Uranus is in hard aspect to Pluto. We could hypothesize that it will include this sector, but since this area involves ten degrees of the zodiac, it could be that it actually includes ten degrees before or after this range. That is, it could encompass a range of 4 degrees of Gemini through 4 degrees of Cancer, which would expand the time band of a possible crest to June 29, 2012 through July 18, 2013.

Financial Astrology is just one of the many market timing tools that can help narrow the time band down for a possible long-term crest or trough. The study of cycles is yet another. And per our comments of last week, it seems most likely that the crest will happen before the end of this year, or very early next year, when the January 1, 2013 tax hikes will hit investors very hard. Taxes on capital gains and dividends will explode in what is commonly referred to as the impending “Fiscal Cliff.” As discussed before, equity prices would have to fall at least 30% to adjust for the lost income on after-tax dividends that will result. In order to keep a healthy share of profits from those gains, investors will have to sell their dividend-yielding equities before January 1, 2013, unless these new tax hikes are repealed. With Pluto (taxes) in Capricorn (government), being squared by Uranus in Aries (about as a far away from civility and agreement between opponents as one can imagine), the prospects of an agreement to repeal these acts seem next to nil to a Financial or Mundane Astrologer. It also seems to an outside observer that the main point of interest to lawmakers is: how can we blame the other party for this next leg of the impending and seemingly never-ending financial crisis that we are about to enable?

It might surprise them to wake up one day in the next 1-2 years to find out that they – both bankers and the lawmakers themselves – are being held accountable by their citizens, just as was the case in Iceland recently. You don’t read about this in the popular press because… well, you can figure it out. Just ask your search engine for results of “ Iceland politicians taken to court.” With Uranus in waxing square to Pluto, and Pluto in Capricorn, it would not be surprising for the populace of many other nations to demand that their bankers and lawmakers be taken to court over their negligence that either failed to stop or even exasperated the exploding financial debt signified by Uranus in waxing square to Pluto. The thing is, this Uranus and Pluto square will soon form a grand square to the Sun-Saturn square in the USA birth chart. The Sun in a nation’s chart is its president and Saturn is its government. This is a powerful astrological event coming up for the United States in 2013-2015, something never quite seen before.

It sounds scary, doesn’t it? It sounds like a revolution is brewing. Does it have to be? No, of course not. We still live in a world of choices that determine the outcome. But those choices – or failure to make choices when the possibility is present - also have consequences. Just like elections do. With Uranus (the masses) square to Pluto (power), we live in a time when the cosmos implies that power is radically changing from the leaders to the people. Governments everywhere are on the precipice of a historical transformation as a result of the financial crisis, of the exploding world wide debt.

It makes you wonder if printing more dollars and Euros to buy more debt is really the solution to lessening that debt, especially when you know darn well that politicians won’t be using those funds to bring their debt down, but rather to finance more unaffordable spending programs, and hence incurring more – not less - debt.

Announcements

We are pleased to announce that we are nearly done with the re-writing and editing of “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” We expect this book to be in print sometime in September – hopefully in time for the September 15-16 workshop. This means that the special $75.00 pre-order rate will end August 15. At that point, the normal rate of $125 (plus postage) will go into effect. To take advantage of the special pre-order discount price, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/.

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events :

August 2-6, 2012 : Midwest Astrology Conference, Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Rd, in beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology and Financial Market Timing with Raymond Merriman on Thursday, August 2. Featuring over 20 astrologers, including Michael Lutin, Chris McRae, Bob Thibodeau, Dennis Fairchild, Monica Dimino, Richard Smoot, Grace Morris and others. For more information, call 303-828-5445, 303-604-2777, or email macasrtrology@yahoo.com , or go to http://macastrology.tripod.com/ .

September 15-16, 2012 : Troy, Michigan. MMTA – the MMA Market Timing Academy – will conduct its pre-curriculum introductory workshop on “Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing.” Deadline for registration to this workshop is September 1, 2013. For further information, please visit http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/, or the bottom of the opening page on www.mmacycles.com. Or contact mmacustomerservice@gmail.com or ordersmmma@msn.com,

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

No guarantee as to the acuracy 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 assume any responsibility at all for those individual decisions. Reader should understand that futures and options trading are considered high risk.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JULY 23, 2012

Review and Preview

If you are an equities trader, then the past few days have not been “shock and awe.” This was our message two weeks ago pertaining to the transit of Mars entering into a T-square with Uranus and Pluto (July 17-18), shortly after both Mercury and Uranus turned retrograde (July 13-14). This was to be the “shock.” During this same time and afterwards, Mars would trine Jupiter (also on July 18) and Jupiter would form a favorable sextile to Uranus (July 21). This was to be the “awe.” But in equity markets world wide as well as precious metals, it was mostly just prices trading back and forth within a rather narrow range. It wasn’t very much shock and it was just a little bit of awe, as some equity markets did rise very briefly to a new monthly high before settling back at the end of last week.

However, there was considerably more action on other markets. Take grains for example. The record hot temperatures in the USA grain belt, accompanied by a lack of moisture, propelled both Corn and Soybeans to new all- time highs during these past 7 days. The nearby Soybean contract rallied to 17.77/bushel on Friday and Corn to $8.28. Food costs are going to rise sharply. But that wasn’t the only record broken last week. Mortgage rates fell to an all-time low as the September contract on the Ten Year Treasury Notes soared to new highs, but the 30-year Treasury Bonds fell just shy of their contract high, in what could become a case of intermarket bearish divergence if either close in the lower half of a day’s range before negating this set up. As grains and Treasuries made new highs, the Euro currency dropped to its lowest level in over 2 years on the news that Spain’s banks are once again entering dire straits. So if you were looking for “shock and awe” and you weren't limiting yourself to just equities and precious metals, it was certainly there.

Equity markets around the world were up and down a lot last week (typical of Mercury retrograde) and are now posing some interesting possibilities related to the powerful geocosmic signatures that were present. Take Europe for example. On Friday, July 20, the AEX of Netherlands, DAX of Germany, and SMI of Zurich all soared to their highest levels since those lows of June 1-5. Bothe the AEX and DAX are up nearly 15% from those lows just 6-7 weeks ago. The SMI is up nearly 11%. But the London FTSE and Russian MICEX could not take out their highs of July 5, for a case of intermarket bearish divergence. The FTSE, by comparison, is up less than 10% since its low of June 1. England is apparently in worse shape than these other Euro markets. Russia’s MICEX, on the other hand, was still up over 16% last week from its lows of May 24.

The situation is similar in the United States. The Dow Jones soared slight above its monthly high of 12,961 on July 5 when it attained 12,977 intraday on Thursday, July 19. But the NASDAQ Composite fell short, reaching only 2976 on July 19, slightly below its 2987 high of July 5 for a case of intermarket bearish divergence here. Both markets then sold off rather sharply on Friday to validate this signal. In South America, the Argentine Merval Index soared to 2577 on July 19, its highest level since its low of May 16. The Bovespa of Brazil, however, is well below its high of July 5 and in fact closer to its 52,271 low of June 28, for yet another case of intermarket bearish divergence, in the same region, and within close proximity of a geocosmic critical reversal zone.

Asia and the Pacific Rim were by far the most bizarre of all regions related to equity markets. The Australian All Ordinaries index surged to a new monthly high on Friday at 4245, but that represents a gain of only 5.5% from its primary bottom at 4033 on June 4. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong only got up to 19,656, well below its high of 19,835 back on July 4. But the Japanese Nikkei, India NIFTY and China’s Shanghai Index all fell for most of last week, with Shanghai Composite re-testing its lows of January 6. Yet it is exhibiting a bullish oscillator divergence pattern, while the other indices are exhibiting bearish intermarket divergence patterns. Maybe it is time to buy China and sell the other indices of this region, as well as other regions. Most of those indices making highs throughout the world last week did so under falling oscillator levels.

Best Trades of the Past Week

Over the past few weekly columns, I have been inserting trading recommendations made to our subscribers in the prior week. Readers seem to like this type of information to just see how accurate these reports, based on our unique timing methods, have been in many cases.

Our best trades last week were in the stock indices. The daily report for July 18, stated for E-Mini September S&P futures, for example, “ Position traders are long with a stop-loss now on a close below 1339. Let’s look to exit and stand aside at 1368-1372 if offered.” Aggressive traders were also long with the same stop-loss as position traders for now and advised, “But let‘s exit at 1368-1372 and go short there with a stop-loss on a close above 1380.” Both positions had been long from 1340-142 the prior week. On July 18, the E-mini S&P rose to 1370.50. The next day it went a little higher, to 1376, and then reversed. By Friday it was under 1360. We didn’t go short for position traders because Mercury is retrograde and we don’t usually initiate new position trades during this time, but only short-term aggressive trades.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Last week was a perfect example of Mercury retrograde in both stock indices and precious metals. There were several days in which prices took out the daily support or resistance, only to close back above support or below resistance. This is known as “fake outs” and is a common occurrence under Mercury retrograde. It just reinforces our rule under Mercury retrograde: take profits too soon (i.e. take profits quickly, like every 1-4 days, and don’t wait for your price target to get hit and don’t expect a break of resistance to be a buy signal or a break of support to be a sell signal. It is just as likely to be a fake out.

Mercury will continue retrograde through August 8. For this week, it (Mercury retrograde) will form a sextile to Jupiter on July 24 and a trine to Uranus on July 25. Both of these are benign, and may give the equities a bit of a lift. Or, given that Mercury is retrograde and the rules don’t always work, maybe it will not be much of a lift at all this time. There is not much else going on until July 31, except that Jupiter will sextile Uranus on Saturday, July 21 (see “Longer-Term Thoughts” below).

Longer-Term Thoughts:

The longer-term planetary signature now unfolding is known as Jupiter in a waxing sextile to Uranus. We don’t usually talk much about sextiles, for it is not as strong as the “hard aspects” of the conjunction, square, and opposition. And it is half the strength of the other favorable and harmonious aspect known as a trine. But it is not really a minor aspect, especially when Jupiter is involved. Unlike the trine, which is favorable in a way similar to “luck,” which means “without much effort, opportunities come to you,” the sextile is favorable as a result of smart thinking. It is a mental aspect, and one makes gains through good decisions and well-thought out intellectual analysis that usually turns out to be correct.

But these sextile aspects can also have a correlation to market turns, especially when Jupiter (planet of opportunity and ‘good luck”) is involved. Like most aspects, the sextile can either mean the end of a difficult time and the start of a favorable one, or the end of a favorable up move in markets and the start of a down move. But when we talk about aspects between Jupiter and planets beyond its orbit (like Uranus), these changes in trend don’t usually happen right on the day. They can be up to six weeks away. And so it is that Jupiter will sextile Uranus on Saturday, July 21, and thus we look to the time band of six weeks surrounding right now to produce a major trend change.

Here is how this aspect is described – based on its history over the past 140 years, in The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles: “This is a reliable signature for timing troughs. In eight of ten cases a 50-week or greater cycle trough occurred within 1 month of the waxing sextile between Jupiter and Uranus. In fact, even if a crest coincided, it was usually 1–3 months before the aspect… then dropped to form a 50-week or 22.5-month cycle trough within 1 month of it. Then the market would embark upon a strong 4–14 month rally. In these cases, investors may use this signature to time purchases of stocks — if a 50-week or 22.5-month cycle trough appears to be forming within 1 month of the aspect.”

So as we look at the current instance of this long-term planetary signature, we note that the highest price in three years was attained on May 1, 2012, which was two months ago. If that high at 13,338 in the DJIA holds, it will become labeled as the 4-year cycle crest. This fits its past history of exhibiting such a long-term cycle crest 1-3 months prior to the aspect. But then we note that an important low formed on June 4, which was six weeks ago (or, one month). Measured from the prior low of October 4, 2012, one could say the low June 4 was within the time band of a 50-week cycle trough (range is 38-62 weeks, and that was 42 weeks). The only problem is that this 4-year cycle has not been exhibiting 50-week subcycles. So we are down to this analysis based on this aspect: if June 4 was the 50-week cycle low measured from October 4, the market would likely be up for the next 4-14 months following June 4. But if prices cannot exceed 13,338, then chances are greater that the market could fall hard into the 4-year cycle trough due late this year through early 2013 when the “Fiscal Cliff” arrives if the impending explosion in new taxes is not repealed.

Based on Uranus squaring Pluto – a perfect symbol for “falling off a fiscal cliff” due to an explosion of taxes (especially dividend and capital gains taxes) – the stock market is still fundamentally on course for a 30% or greater decline by early 2013. Most analysts think the President and Congress will come to an agreement to avoid this fiscal disaster. I wish I could be as confident. With Pluto in Capricorn square Uranus in Aries, I think it would be unwise to not take steps to protect your investment capital against such an eventuality. These are not signatures of an agreement that takes into account what is best for the country. These are signatures in which people – political leaders – are more apt to act in a manner that causes more harm and destruction than solution, due to past grievances. It’s payback time. With Pluto, it could be a time of healing. But for that to happen, it means 1) overcoming past psychological patterns, 2) admission of wrongs, and 3) forgiveness. With Uranus in Aries (a potentially ruthless, self-serving, and merciless combination), these positive possibilities are nothing to hold your breathe for. Still, holding your breath can be a good thing for other reasons. Just remember to occasionally exhale.

Announcements

We are gearing up for our first workshop under the auspices of MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA), to take place September 15-16. This will be the pre-training course on “Beginning Principles of Financial Astrology for Financial Market Timing,” taking place in Troy, Michigan, at the Management Education Center of Michigan State University. This 10-12 hour course may be attended live, in person, or via webcast televised to your computer. An archive of this workshop will be available for 30 days afterwards to those who sign up. This workshop will basically train non-astrologers in the use of reading an ephemeris, which is the table of planetary positions for any given day. This is essential to anyone who wishes to understand how to find a geocosmic critical reversal date for financial markets. It is not a difficult task, but it does require some training. This course (or audit of it) is a pre-requisite for anyone entering the MMTA market training course, which will officially begin April 6-8, 2013, and will involve 8 weekends of study – 4 weekends each in 2013 and 2014. For more information, please go to www.mmacycles.com . Or, http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/ . The cost for the September 15-16 pre-training workshop is $395.00 ($300 for MMA subscribers), or $50.00 to take an Equivalency Exam for those who register by September 1. There will be an additional $50.00 late fee assessed for those who sign up afterwards. This cost will be deducted from the fee of the two-year training course to those who enroll in the MMTA 8-course program by October 15, 2012.

For those who wish to enroll in the 2-year MMTA market timing course, and already know how to read an ephemeris, you will be able to audit the introductory training course in about two weeks. The equivalency exam is ready and we are simply working on a format for you to take this exam. Everyone entering MMTA must either take the introductory pre-training, or demonstrate their ability to read an ephemeris by taking the Equivalency Exam. To sign up for the Equivalency Exam please contact Amber Lundsten at ordersmma@msn.com or call 1-248-626-3034 and set up your time to take it. If you plan to come to Troy, Michigan to take the course, also contact Amber for hotel suggestions and special discount rates. If you plan to take the course via webinar, kindly let us know by September 1 (and save money). To do so, please go to www.mmacycles.com , and scroll down to the bottom of the opening page titled “Introductory Workshop on Basic Principles….”

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report came out last week. If you subscribe to any of these reports and did not receive it, please call us at once. The MMA Cycles Report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, and Treasury Notes. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday. For further information and subscription, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/ .

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing is still available! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining to the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD is $180.00 plus postage. To order, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/ . Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events :

August 2-6, 2012: Midwest Astrology Conference, Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Rd, in beautiful Ann Arbor, Michigan. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology and Financial Market Timing with Raymond Merriman on Thursday, August 2. Featuring over 20 astrologers, including Michael Lutin, Chris McRae, Bob Thibodeau, Dennis Fairchild, Monica Dimino, Richard Smoot, Grace Morris and others. For more information, call 303-828-5445, 303-604-2777, or email macasrtrology@yahoo.com , or go to http://macastrology.tripod.com/ .

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN AND COMMENTS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JULY 16, 2012

Review and Preview

This past week ended with perhaps one of the most pleasant solar-lunar combinations that takes place every year. This is when the Sun is located in Cancer and the Moon is in Taurus. That took place late Wednesday (Eastern daylight time) through Friday. That solar-lunar period is like a very peaceful calm within a greater geocosmic storm known as Mars in T-square to Uranus and Pluto.

But back to the calm in the middle of the storm… the Sun in Caner pertains to family, blood relations like mother-father, daughter-son, granddaughter-grandson, and deep heart relations from…. way back when, and so on. The Moon rules Cancer, so wherever it is this month – when the Sun is in Cancer - highlights a family sense of connection or remembrance, within principles of that current moon sign.

For instance, the Moon rules Cancer but is considered exalted when it is in Taurus, which is generally benevolent. So imagine every year there are 2-3 days during the period of June 20-21 through late July (July 21-22) when the Moon is exalted in Taurus, while at the same time the Sun is going through the Moon’s ruling sign of Cancer. Those 2-3 days just transpired July 11-13. And both equity and precious metals’ markets took a breather from their 19 th nervous breakdown, where each was falling once again into Thursday, only to find a soft landing from which to recover nicely from late Thursday through Friday.

For those into Electional Astrology (the astrology on the art of selecting auspicious moments), I can think of no better time for any 1-3 days of the year in which to move into a new residence. So I did. And the move went relatively smoothly.

The Moon and its ruling sign of Cancer pertain to one’s family and home, as well as way-back connections. When the Moon is Taurus, the sign of pleasure and strong values, it signifies an electionally favorable time for anything to do with homes and family, past and future.

Just remember one thing when making a plan based on basic astrological principles: if you have a wide choice on which day to move into a new abode, try your best to pick those 2-3 days during a year when the Sun is Cancer and Moon is Taurus. According to my understanding of Astrology, it doesn’t get any better than that for starting new digs. It is especially nice right now, because at the same time Venus (ruler of Taurus and hence dispositor of the moon – because it is in Taurus) is conjunct Jupiter too. That is an additional combination of “good fortune.”

Now I bring all this up because for the next week, you are going to hear a lot about Mercury turning retrograde, which indeed does take place from July 14 through August 8. That’s a crazy enough period by itself, because it correlates to a turn-about in understanding, as in “misunderstandings.” But this period may be especially crazy (after Moon leaves Taurus on Saturday, July 14), because on the same day, July 14, Uranus also turns retrograde. And that can be even crazier than Mercury turning retrograde. So they just stimulate one another to greater heights of brilliance and perhaps in some cases, over-stimulation of the thinking… to the point of becoming irrational and chaotic. But it may be even more than that, because 1) Uranus is freshly squared to Pluto, 2) this Pluto-in-Capricorn kicks Uranus’ butt every time Uranus gets too out of bounds, and 3) Mars will be approaching its opposition to Uranus and T-square with Pluto on July 17-18 (Tuesday and Wednesday). Expect Uranus to get out of bounds with its aggression, and once again Pluto will come in to kick his butt shortly after. And this really starts late Saturday night into early Tuesday, when the Moon is in Gemini, home of that Mercury which turns retrograde, on same day as Uranus turning retrograde. My, how fast things could change from this Taurus Moon to Gemini Moon. If you blink, you might miss it, or some important facet of IT.

In terms of markets, we may have seen a nice soft landing in equities last Thursday when the Moon went into Taurus while the Sun was in Cancer. It found support, and had a nice bounce to close out the week. I am not so sure you will see anything remotely close to that early this next week.

Best Trades of the Past Week

Most of the markets we trade did not initiate new positions last week. The positions already taken include currencies. For example, our daily report has been short for both position and aggressive traders on the Euro currency, taken late last month around 1.2700. It continues to work out well as the Euro continued falling to a low so far of 1.2171 on Friday, July 13.

The weekly report had a good trade too last week in the Sept e-mini in the NASDAQ 100 (NQU) stating, “Position traders are still short with a stop-loss on a close above 2655 or weekly resistance. Aggressive traders are also still short, with a stop-loss now on a close above 2655. We want to exit Thursday at 2582 or better if offered. Wait until Thursday to exit, and only if prices are making new weekly lows then. The high of the week was 2625. On Thursday, it went down and made its weekly low – right on time - at 2516. It closed at 2537 that day. So we made a nice profit on that position. Position traders are also still short the Swiss Franc and Euro-Yen on the weekly report from the highs of a couple of weeks ago, and getting very close to our exit point.

Short-Term Geocosmics

Heliocentric Mercury will end its bout through Sagittarius on Tuesday, July 17. This is also the day that Mars will square Pluto and trine Jupiter. The next day Mars will be in opposition to Uranus, which is part of the Arch Crawford “crash cycle” referred to last week. Given that the Moon is leaving the friendly domain of Taurus after Friday’s close, and headed to the wacky and wild irrational brilliance of Gemini as we start next week (with Mercury and Uranus both turning retrograde), it could indeed correspond with a sharp reversal again. But it may just as quickly spring right back to life again as Jupiter heads to its sextile (favorable) to Uranus by next weekend, July 21.

There is a lot going on in the heavens right now. It is the first translation of a planet (Sun-Earth) to the Uranus-Pluto square since its first of seven square passages took place June 24. But as you can see, the nature of the planetary contacts forming now is on opposite sides of the spectrum. One half is conflicted and dramatic, and the other half is filled with surprisingly good news and developments. Financial markets usually respond with large price swings in short spans of time, known as whip-saws. Be careful of the whipsaws this week. Be careful of accidents, for anytime Mars and Uranus come together, it can be a period of unexpected dangers from Mother Nature or human aggressions. It a time of rebelliousness, when it is wiser to just not act on impulse in dealing with others. Think before acting out.

Longer-Term Thoughts:

Will return next week.

Announcements

The monthly MMA Cycles Report and its companions – the MMA Japan Cycles Report and MMA European Cycles Report – will come out this week, Monday and Tuesday, via posting on our web site, and an attachment via direct emails, for subscribers. This report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, and Treasury Notes. The MMA Japan Cycles report covers the Nikkei, JGB Bonds, and the Dollar-Yen. The MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only, and will be available on Wednesday. For further information and subscription, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/ .

In order to be a successful market timer using the principles of Financial Astrology, one needs to know how to read an ephemeris. For this purpose, MMA’s Market Timing Academy (MMTA) will offer a pre-training course on “Beginning Principles of Financial Astrology for Financial Market Timing,” September 15-16, in Troy, Michigan, at the Management Education Center of Michigan State University. This 10-12 hour course may be attended live, in person, or via webcast televised to your computer. An archive of this workshop will be available for 30 days afterwards to those who sign up. This workshop will basically train non-astrologers in the use of reading an ephemeris, which is the table of planetary positions for any given day. This is essential to anyone who wishes to understand how to find a geocosmic critical reversal date for financial markets. It is not a difficult task, but it does require some steps. This course (or audit of it) is a pre-requisite for anyone entering the MMTA market training course, which will begin in April 6-8, 2013, and will involve 8 weekends of study – 4 weekends each in 2013 and 2014. For more information and registration, please go to www.mmacycles.com (front page, near bottom). Or, http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/events/%93basic-principles-of-geocosmic-studies%94-workshop-september-15%1116,-2012/ . The cost for the September 15-16 pre-training workshop is $395.00 ($300 for MMA subscribers), or $50.00 to take an Equivalency Exam for those who register by September 1. There will be an additional $50.00 late fee assessed for those who sign up afterwards. This cost will be deducted from the fee of the two-year training course to those who enroll in the MMTA 8-course program by October 15, 2012.

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing is still available! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining to the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD is $180.00 plus postage. To order, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/ . Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

Our 2012 MMA Catalogue can be downloaded directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .

Events :

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to predict 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 oftentimes report 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 will likely affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from a perspective of a cycle’s 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 these psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and hence financial markets of the day.

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