In the interest of free speech,
MichaelLutin.com reserves the right to select contributions from various authors
which express their personal views, opinions, and beliefs
and in no way necessarily reflect the views, opinions, and beliefs of MichaelLutin.com.
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 20, 2012
Note: Due to preparation for Sunday’s webcast, this will be an abbreviated weekly column. Also note that Monday is a market holiday in the USA (President’s Day, since the most honored presidents in USA history have been born in February – Aquarius or Pisces).
Review and Preview
Things change fast when Uranus is prominent, and this is especially true when Uranus is also in Aries. And as events unfold suddenly, so must changes in forecasts be adjusted. The mantra for Uranus in Aries is this: “Nothing will go as expected. Get use to it and adjust quickly – or get lost.”
The geocosmic critical reversal date of February 10 coincided with a crest in world stock indices the day before, February 9. For some indices, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, that coincided with the highest level in stock prices in over three years. It was followed by a decline, including the steepest down day of the year so far in the DJIA, on Wednesday, February 15. The technical picture had begun to deteriorate, suggesting a powerful decline might be starting. But it didn’t follow through. That low of February 15 was the end of the reversal. By Friday, February 17, stock prices were making even higher highs. On February 15, Venus ended its translation to the approaching Uranus-Pluto square (which was, coincidentally, in effect February 9-15, the high and low of the reversal). Uranus is in Aries. “Nothing will go as expected. Get use to it and adjust quickly – or get lost.”
Short-Term Geocosmics
We are now at the end of the time band containing 6 important geocosmic signatures stretching from February 1 through February 19. But the last one could be the most important. It is the Sun conjunct Neptune and it occurs as the Sun changes signs from the unpredictable and volatile Aquarius to the more mellow Pisces. In other words, this conjunction of the Sun and Neptune is taking place in the first degree of Pisces. According the studies reported in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles, “ the Sun-Neptune conjunction is a powerful Level 1 signature with a 79% correlation to 4% or greater reversals in the DJIA within 4 trading days. On Tuesday, February 21 (or February 22, if in the Far East), there will be a new moon in Pisces. When markets are rallying into a new moon, it can coincide with at least a short-term crest.
And then that is it for awhile. The next series of signatures begins on March 3. In other words, the field of geocosmic studies can still allow for a reversal from a high right now. But if it doesn’t start up this week, the next cosmic opportunity for a reversal does not show up until March. And that’s getting close to another important geocosmic milepost.
Longer-Term Thoughts
The sudden reversal to the upside of stocks late last week, after starting a decline from a high on February 9, brings into question the probability that the 0-7º sector of Taurus will correlate with a long-term cycle crest this time, as previously forecasted.
Let’s briefly review this pattern, which is basically known as the correlation of “Jupiter through the zodiac to the stock market,” as presented in each of the past three years’ editions of the annual Forecasts Books. First of all, the filtered graph therein of stock prices related to Jupiter’s transit has been uncannily accurate for the past 25 years, so it is not to be discounted – yet. Second of all, it did work right on time when it passed through the 23º Aries - 7º Taurus last time (May 2-July 21, 2011), so it is already valid. Several world stock indices fell 20-35% over the following three months. We speculated that it could work again with a double top when Jupiter returned to this sector of the skies between October 7, 2011 and March 7, 2012, and again it served us well for much of this period, as the current really began October 4, 2011. But will it stop this impressive rally by the first part of March 2012? Or, said another way, “Ray, what is your back-up plan? Is there another alternative? Or does this invalidate astrology?”
In response to the last question, no, this does not invalidate astrology. It might invalidate my interpretation of how astrology would coincide with the stock market, based on the pattern of the past 25 years. But it doesn’t invalidate the value of Financial Astrology in the least – only the fallibility of human focus (my focus). If that was the case, how would you account for its remarkable correspondence to the movement of stock prices over the past 25 years? Or the call to buy Gold and Silver around 10:00 AM on December 29, just minutes before the 36-month low formed, and the huge rally commenced ? Financial Astrology’s credibility is not on trial here, but unfortunately, mine may be, for in this work you are only as good as your last call. This will soon be my last call – until the next one.
After doing more research on the DJIA’s performance in this sector of the zodiac prior to 25 years ago, prompted by subscriber Sanford Scearce’s personal studies recently shared with me, it became apparent that at least two cases of very significant long-term cycle crests occurred after Jupiter had left this sector of the sky. In fact, at the then all-time highs in September 1929 and February-March 1966, Jupiter was in Gemini. Fellow Financial Astrologer and colleague Manfred Zimmel ( www.amanita.at ) has done some excellent research on this too, recently.
The correlation to long-term cycle crests happening after Jupiter leaves Taurus and enters Gemini is even more significant when one also takes into account the Uranus-Pluto aspects that were present then. Even more impressive is the consistency of declines which follow that high into the time when Jupiter enters Leo. This will be a big part of our discussion on this Sunday’s webcast, especially as it pertains to the U.S. and world stock markets in 2012-2013 through 2015. I am not ruling out the possibility of a big decline yet with Jupiter soon to leave early Taurus, because this correspondence has worked so well for the past 25 years. But Uranus is in Aries, and this is the time that “Nothing will go as expected. Get use to it and adjust quickly – or get lost.”
I still know which way the winds blows. It’s just that it is beginning to change directions now. Not surprisingly, this is happening as we approach the new moon conjunction with Neptune next week. With Neptune also now in such prominence, there is likely much happening behind the scenes that no one sees (except those who wish to keep those things hidden behind the scenes). But Pluto is also in Capricorn, 2008-2024, so you can run, but you can’t hide. It’s all going to come out in the end. For an idea of what to expect during the 14-year journey of Neptune through Pisces, please check out http://www.markettiming.nl/en/artikelen/crisis-solution by our reliable and talented Dutch affiliate, Schogt Market Timing.
This is all making for a very fascinating year or three. If you are interested in attending Sunday’s webinar, we will open up further reservation slots between noon and 3:00 PM on Saturday. You can sign up on our website at www.mmacyc;les.com , or call us at 1-248-248-626-3034.
Announcements
The “Forecast 2012” webcast will take place on Sunday, February 19, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM PST). Via the modern technology of our webinar host, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2012, in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live presentation and slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. If you are interested in being part of this unique live webcast, just register at the MMA Website ( www.mmacycles.com ) and scroll down the opening screen for the announcement. Or drop us an email ( ordersmma@msn.com ) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log into this event will be sent upon making reservations. Extra reservations slots will be opened up on Saturday, noon-3:00 PM.
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver. 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.
This month’s MMA Cycles Reports came out last week. If you are a subscriber and did not get it, call us at once (248-626-3034). The MMA Cycles 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 MMA European Cycles Report covers the German DAX, Swiss SMI, and Netherlands AEX, each in English only. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/subscription-services/mma-cycles-report/ for further information and subscription. If you are not a subscriber, you can order a 2-month trial basis for only $50.00.
Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too. The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 4S, and the iPad, and also Amazon.com Kindle. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries ( USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.
“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.
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .
Events:
February 19, 2012: “Forecast 2012 Worldwide Webcast!!!” This is our annual speech to viewers the world over. It will be the latest update on Raymond Merriman’s annual Forecast Book. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this speech will focus on the current state of the economy, political situation in Washington, DC, and in particular, the financial markets, including: the U.S. stock market, interest rates, the U.S. Dollar, Gold, and Silver. This will be a telecast of the live presentation taking place at the Michigan Education Conference Center in Troy, Michigan on Square Lake Road. The webcast and speech will start at 1:00 PM, EST and last two hours. Cost to participate in the webcast, or to attend in person in Troy, is $45.00. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-february-19,-2012!!!/ for more information.
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com . A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3. You must reserve your space for this meeting with MMA.
March 9-11, 2012 : The 12 th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org . +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org .
April 19 and 21 , Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com . Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
May 24-29, 2012 : UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com . There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Price of Gold” Details to be announced shortly, but mark your calendars for an exciting event in one of the world’s most exciting cities at the most exciting time of the year: the first Uranus-Pluto square!
August 2-6, 2012: Midwest Astrology Conference, in Ann Arbor, MI, Holiday Inn. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology, Thursday, August 2, with Raymond Merriman. More details soon.
September 14-15, 2012: San Diego: Lecture on world economy and national election, and then a workshop on Financial Market Timing. More details shortly.
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 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.
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 13, 2012
Review and Preview
Last week started out positively enough. Stock markets around the world rallied smartly into Thursday, February 9. Some were at their highest levels in three years, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ Composite. Many others, like the European indices and the Hang Seng, were at their highest levels since the breakdown last July-August that followed the downgrade of the USA credit worthiness by the S&P rating agency. You may remember that this downgrade occurred as transiting Uranus and Pluto came within one degree of their exact square, a preview of what might be expected in 2012-2015 when they actually entered into the exact square formation.
But as disturbing as the 20-35% declines in world equity markets were last summer, it may pale compared to what happened on Friday, February 10, shortly after the new bailout for Greece was announced and new austerity measures were demanded of its citizens. Violent protests erupted in the streets of Athens and government workers went on strike, crippling the nation and threatening once again to upend the European Union experiment into disaster and chaos.
Once again the events of late last week coincided with a geocosmic setup that was connected to the forthcoming waxing square of Uranus and Pluto. That is, transiting Venus is in the midst of making its translation to Uranus and Pluto, February 9-15. Venus conjuncts Uranus and squares Pluto on these dates respectively. Welcome to yet another preview of what is coming to a government near you this year, next year, and the year after. And it is all related to the exploding world-wide debt crisis. Uranus pertains to explosive and unsettling actions by the masses, and Pluto pertains to the debt crisis. The aspect isn’t exact, but the writing is on the walls, er, in the heavens. And so far, no solutions are being offered in a manner that the masses will accept.
Stock markets abruptly ended their rallies on Friday, February 10, as many sold off. Investors fled stocks and headed for the safety of U.S. Treasuries and the U.S. Dollar, which is baffling, given that the U.S. itself remains on watch for further downgrades regarding its own inability to reign in its massive debt and spending addictions. If Greece is burning, out of protest of more austerity demands, the same may not be far off in the future for other countries in Europe, plus Japan and possibly the United States.
And you know what? Austerity is the primary way in which we are going to come out of these dire straits, as suggested by the forthcoming mutual reception of Saturn in Scorpio to Pluto in Capricorn (October 2012-September 2015). That’s the positive way this will get resolved, given that these planets will also be in a favorable sextile to one another, if political leaders would just level with their citizens and start the discussion on developing a 5-8 year plan to rebuild the world financial system, instead of falsely promising miracles and magical bullets that do not exist. Why 5-8 years? Because that is how long it will take Saturn and Pluto to end their waning phase once the waning sextile commences (late 2012 through 2013). January 2020 is when they will end their 19-year waning phase and begin a new conjunction cycle. It is going to take that long to get out of this situation – if the process of putting into place austerity measures is agreed upon. The sooner we can recover and start supporting our leaders in this inevitable process, the greater the likelihood that we will come out of this twilight zone. The only problem is that this is an election year, and politicians believe that austerity measures won’t win votes. But maybe honest assessments and discussions will. It does seem to be keeping Ron Paul in the hunt.
Gold, Silver, and European currencies also took a hit on Friday. However, by the end of the day, traders seemed to realize that these geopolitical events might actually be favorable for the precious metals. They may be slow sometimes, but they aren’t dumb. Or am I suffering from another case of projection?
Short-Term Geocosmics
This was a perfect time for a surprise event to strike the world, and especially financial markets, for right now is right in the middle of a time band containing an abundance of geocosmic signatures stretching from February 1 through February 19.
In fact, Venus was in conjunction to Uranus on February 9 as many of the stock indices made their new multi-month and even multi-year highs. Venus conjunct Uranus is a powerful Level 1 reversal signature as reported in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.” Could that be the high we have been looking for as Jupiter completes it trek through the early degrees of Taurus, which historically has correlated with long-term cycle crests in stock indices? It’s possible, but far too early to confirm. But then again, that is the beauty of geocosmic signatures and Financial Astrology that sets it apart from other forms of market analysis: they are leading indicators, not lagging indicators, as are most technical studies, which we also use and need in order to confirm the completion of longer term cycles, as elucidated in Volume 5 of the Stock Market Timing series.
As stated in the introduction, another geocosmic pattern to take note of at this time is the translation of Venus. It formed a conjunction to Uranus on February 9 and it will form a square aspect to Pluto on Wednesday, February 15. Therefore Venus is “translating” the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square, offering us a preview of what to expect when these two powerhouses (Uranus and Pluto) come into square from June 2012 through March 2015. Violent protests are erupting in Greece over the proposed austerity measures related to the ongoing debt crisis explosion, and stock markets sold off sharply. But these developments also tie into Mars retrograde in Virgo. As explained in this column leading up to that transit (January 21-April 14), this would likely be a period when workers in different parts of the world could go on strike, thus causing disruptions to the supply chain of needed goods. You see, the events of today are unfolding in many manifestations related to themes of Financial and Mundane Astrology. And that is exactly why Mundane and Financial Astrology are valuable tools of understanding – and forecasting – world conditions as well as financial markets.
It’s going to be one hell of an interesting year. Just don’t get too comfortable with the polls or the trends. Everything changes quickly, and if you aren’t on top it, you could be buried by being behind the times. This period is a speculator’s paradise, and an investor’s worst nightmare. And I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to be a saver these days.
Longer-Term Thoughts
“There falls a shadow between the conception and the creation. In the annuals of innovation, new ideas are only part of the idea. Execution is just as important.” Walter Issacson, developing an idea of T.S. Elliot, in his biography of “Steve Jobs,”
“Answer me that!” It was a command from Mary, the feisty Black-American who waited on me at the Publix deli counter in Key Largo, Florida last November, when I was writing “Forecast 2012.” She was short but stout, and had intense eyes that burrowed into you as if she was angry. But she wasn’t angry. In fact, she turned to be an incredibly charming woman, once you got to know her a little better.
I took a paper tab with a number on it to secure my place in line. She called my number. I stepped up and placed my order for Boar’s Head turkey. After serving me, she called the next number. Frank, our cook, who is a bit of a jokester, answered to the next number Mary called, and when she asked for his ticket, he said he was with me. “If you are with him and don’t have a number, then why did you answer when I called a number? Answer me that!” She seemed genuinely upset that Frank did not know her rules, or worse, didn’t play by them.
Frank was flustered by her directness. But I thought, “You know… that’s a good quote to use at the end of my weekly columns. I can ask questions of the world, of political leaders, and end it with “Answer me that!” I told Mary I was going to put her words in print, and she immediately flashed me that great smile, with all those gold teeth (that caught my attention real quick). She warmed right up and said if I needed a place to share a Thanksgiving meal, come on over to her house and share the festivities with her family. So, at the end of these columns, you now often see the command, “Answer me that!” Because like Franco, I think some people – some leaders - may be stepping out of line, and I would like to know why, or what they are really thinking.
After last week’s column, I got another dose from readers equivalent to “Answer me that!” One in particular asked why my recent columns have been so negative of President Obama when he was really only trying to help people. Another thanked me for reminding him of “The Republican point of view.”
In response the first question, I thought of the quote above from the “Steve Jobs” biography, stating that ideas are only part of the process of real innovation. The more important part is execution, and here is where it seems that our leaders of this century have been wanting. And if I have been too negative regarding President Obama, readers of a liberal persuasion can take heart in the fact that I was equally critical in this column of Presidents Bush and Clinton before him. I am, after all, an equal opportunity critic. I am even critical of myself, although as a political independent (and a critical one at that), I am probably more like most Americans than the readers of my columns. That is, I am at heart socially liberal and fiscally conservative, but we never seem to get a choice of that combination for our nation’s leadership. It is just my opinion, but to me it seems that one side wants to overregulate what goes on in our boardrooms and the other side wants to overregulate what goes on in our bedrooms.
With Uranus in Aries, I think that people are going to demand a government (and its leadership) that is more connected with them. That is, they will want leaders who understand the importance of a healthy balance between closeness and separation. They want leaders who understand them, but at the same time leaders who don’t get overinvolved in their daily lives and business activities. And it’s not just a government to its own people. It also governments overreaching into the governments of other nations. It’s just like love and really, every healthy relationship. If you really want a relationship to work, you have to strike that alchemical balance between closeness and distance. You can’t be too needy and overinvolved, and at the same time you can’t be so distant and aloof that no one really knows who you are and what you really stand for. This is yet another message imbedded in the principles of Uranus (distance) and Pluto (closeness).
For a break along these lines, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM . It’s a classic. It will give you hope as we go through these remarkable and challenging times. We can do this.
Announcements
The “Forecast 2012” webcast will take place on Sunday, February 19, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM PST). Via the modern technology of our webinar host, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2012, in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live presentation and slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. If you are interested in being part of this unique live webcast, just register at the MMA Website ( www.mmacycles.com ) and scroll down the opening screen for the announcement. Or drop us an email ( ordersmma@msn.com ) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log into this event will be sent upon making reservations. Reserve early (before February 17), for space will be limited.
This month’s 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, Treasury Notes, and grain markets. It will come out Tuesday 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 or Thursday. 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.
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver. 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.
Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too. The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 4S, and the iPad, and also Amazon.com Kindle. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries (USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.
“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.
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .
Events:
February 19, 2012: “Forecast 2012 Worldwide Webcast!!!” This is our annual speech to viewers the world over. It will be the latest update on Raymond Merriman’s annual Forecast Book. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this speech will focus on the current state of the economy, political situation in Washington, DC, and in particular, the financial markets, including: the U.S. stock market, interest rates, the U.S. Dollar, Gold, and Silver. This will be a telecast of the live presentation taking place at the Michigan Education Conference Center in Troy, Michigan on Square Lake Road. The webcast and speech will start at 1:00 PM, EST and last two hours. Cost to participate in the webcast, or to attend in person in Troy, is $45.00. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-february-19,-2012!!!/ for more information.
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com . A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3. You must reserve your space for this meeting with MMA.
March 9-11, 2012 : The 12 th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org . +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org .
April 19 and 21 , Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com . Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
May 24-29, 2012 : UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com . There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Price of Gold” Details to be announced shortly, but mark your calendars for an exciting event in one of the world’s most exciting cities at the most exciting time of the year: the first Uranus-Pluto square!
August 2-6, 2012: Midwest Astrology Conference, in Ann Arbor, MI, Holiday Inn. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology, Thursday, August 2, with Raymond Merriman. More details soon.
September 14-15, 2012: San Diego: Lecture on world economy and national election, and then a workshop on Financial Market Timing. More details shortly.
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 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.
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 6, 2012
Review and Preview
The U.S.A. jobs report Friday morning, February 3, was much better than expected. Unemployment fell from 8.6 to 8.3% and 243,000 new jobs were created far above the 60,000-125,000 that were expected. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to 12,870 intraday, its highest level since the 12,876 yearly high recorded last May 2. Everything looked up last week, especially after the reports came out, and it sets the stage for great confidence headed into this week.
The “Asset Inflation Express” is back on track. But not far ahead is yet another treacherous curve. Jupiter is fast approaching 7° of Taurus, the end of the cosmic line when equity prices historically complete long-term cycle crests. How close to March 7, when Jupiter leaves 7° of Taurus, will the crest in equities actually occur? No one knows for sure. But its track record is undeniable since the 1870’s, as described in detail in Forecast 2012. Of course Ben Bernanke wasn’t around all those years to make sure near-term interest rates remained close to 0% either.
Short-Term Geocosmics
Friday was not only the day of the surprisingly strong payroll reports that sent stock prices soaring, but it also marked the day that Neptune begins its 14-year trek through Pisces, the sign it rules. Neptune pertains to Alan Greenspan’s famous quip about markets and investors being irrationally exuberant. It is as pertinent today as when he said it several years ago.
This week we may get a dose of reality. Saturn, the planet of hard realities, turns retrograde at 29° Libra on Tuesday, February 7. This cosmic event has coincided with important crests in stock prices several times in the past decade, and it is poised to do the same this time too. Its orb of influence is historically up to 11 days, but in most cases, if a reversal occurs, it is within only 4 trading days (see Volume 3 of the Stock Market Timing series).
Another change in investor psychology is likely around Wednesday, February 9, when Venus leaves the blissful domain of Pisces and enters Aries, the sign where it tends to have psychological issues. Venus wants to share and be fair. Aries wants it all, and to hell with fairness. That’s a weakness, especially as it joins up with ruthless Uranus in Aries the next day. It’s a good bet that both parties will actively engage in credit for the jobs recovery. It’s also a good bet that the good feelings of Venus and Neptune in Pisces at the end of last week will give way to hostile debate and combat by the end of this week, and the markets could easily take their cue from that. These are all signatures of a sudden reversal in several markets coming up.
And speaking of Venus, we note that it will begin a hard aspect translation this week to the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square. On February 8, Venus conjuncts Uranus, followed by its square to Pluto on February 15. Something’s got to give by then. Venus wants harmony, but in Aries it goes about it all the wrong ways. In hard aspect to Uranus and Pluto, it may be painful to watch, and more painful to take a side.
Longer-Term Thoughts
“The history of liberty is a history of the limitations of governmental powers, not the increase of it.” - Alexis de Tocqueville
Last week I related two incidents regarding my recent speaking tour in Europe that depict troubling developments and differences between the USA and Europe. These developments reflect a potentially explosive undercurrent that is reflective of the Uranus-Pluto waxing square, which reaches its first of seven exact aspects on June 24, 2012. The last will occur in March 2015. During those three years, this powerful square will form an even more powerful grand square configuration to the Sun (leadership) and Saturn (government) in the inception chart of the United States of America, regardless of the founding date one uses of July 2 or July 4, 1776.
One manifestation of the Uranus-Pluto transiting square is already happening: the world wide “debt explosion,” as Pluto pertains to debt and Uranus to explosions. But there are many other possible manifestations, which could prove dangerous for the U.S.A. government in particular if it is not careful in the nurturing of relationships with its closest allies of the world, as well as its relationship with its own citizens whose needs and interests it is elected to serve and not exploit for personal or political gain.
When transiting Uranus makes a hard aspect to a personal planet in one’s natal chart – such as a natal Sun - it signifies the probability of a new direction in life. Sometimes this new direction is chosen voluntary, but oftentimes it is due to a separation or divorce from those who had previously played an important role in one’s life. One party in the relationship just decides this isn’t working out so well anymore, and so, “good-bye,” or in the case of a work relationship, “You are fired/I quit. We don’t want you anymore/I don’t want to be with you any longer.”
When transiting Pluto makes a hard aspect to a personal planet in one’s natal (or birth) chart – such as a natal Sun - it also signifies a new direction in life. But this time it may be brought about through a form of rejection or coercion. It is often terminal, and to heal or repair the relationship will require a major change in behavior. The U.S.A. will have both Uranus and Pluto transiting in hard aspect to its Sun in Cancer in 2012-2015.
But it goes beyond that. These two planets will also form a hard aspect to Saturn in the USA chart. Although Saturn rules government, it also rules the principle of authority, the boundaries and limits placed upon others. With such aspects to natal Saturn, one may also find itself the subject of restrictions and limitations placed upon it by others who have suddenly acquired new powers. With Saturn in Libra in the USA natal chart, there are issues of “fairness” imbedded in the character – the soul – of the nation. But when Uranus and/or Pluto form a hard transiting aspect to its natal Saturn, there is the sense that principles of honor and respect regarding others are being violated. People quit working when they feel they are forced to compromise their values for the heavy hand of authority, or the coercion of the authoritarian. You think seriously of quitting your job, not because you do not like what you do, but because you cannot stand what the company head – the authority - suddenly stands for. It is not what you expected or respected. This is why the Uranus-Pluto waxing square is coinciding with this intense drive for freedom all over the world, such as witnessed in the “Arab Spring” uprisings of last year. But it’s far from over. It’s just beginning, and it is not limited to the Middle East.
Imagine, for instance, being forced by your employer to reveal a confidentiality of a client or a fellow colleague, or face dismissal. What do you do? Most Americans quit the company and seek another employer during these forced types of compromising situations, which are presented when Uranus or Pluto transits in hard aspect to their natal Saturn. Now imagine what the USA itself may go through when both Uranus and Pluto form a hard aspect to its natal Saturn in Libra.
The U.S.A. government is on a trajectory to lose very valuable allies, such as Switzerland, due to heavy-handed behaviors regarding its quest to recover lost tax revenues by tax evaders. True enough, individuals should not avoid taxes by hiding their assets in foreign banks. But is that a matter between the individual tax evader and the USA government? Or is it a matter between the foreign (or even domestic) banks – who have confidentiality laws about revealing the names of their clients to anyone, without the client’s permission who they serve - and the government of a foreign nation? It is a delicate question, and it clearly portrays the ethical themes of both Uranus and Pluto in hard aspect to a nation’s natal Saturn. Since this aspect hits the USA chart so prominently in 2012-2015, the USA government’s demand that foreign banks and nations break their laws of confidentiality and give up the names of their clients who are U.S. citizens, so the government can then investigate whether or not these individuals actually are evading taxes and breaking U.S. laws, is striking many as being heavy-handed and disrespectful of the values of other nations. You also have to ask: who wins by this? The U.S. government? The people who elect it to serve them? Or the U.S. banks that stand to benefit from the transference of those deposits that will have to take place (before they get confiscated)?
A headline in Friday’s Wall Street Journal pronounced “U.S. Charges Swiss Bank in Tax Case.” The bank in question was identified as Wegelin and Co, the very bank of the banker I discussed in last week’s column who could not come to America for fear of being detained and even incarcerated. Following my article, I received the following email from a reader in Switzerland, which depicts the seriousness of this issue, which is really under the radar in the awareness of what is happening with America in the world, to most Americans.
“Yesterday Wegelin, one of the oldest private banks of Switzerland was cornered by the US Government and had to sell its business in a rush. The threat: take the Swiss bank to court in the US unless they reveal the names of their US customers. Which they won't.
“Swiss banks in general get rid of their US customers, the latest being the state-owned Zurcher Kantonalbank because their fear the US government. As of 2013 all Swiss citizens will have to pay the US inheritance tax if they own shares of US companies even if they have no other relations with the USA. Again the US Government forces the Swiss banks to disclose the names of the respective people. As a result people are unloading US stocks…. The immigration process for tourists visiting the USA is a nightmare. As a result I do not come to your country anymore although there is a lot I like about its people, culture and sights.”
The issue in itself is perplexing, and casts the U.S.A,’s behavior in a very authoritative, maybe even arrogant, light to the world. What is also troubling is that the Wall Street article states the Wegelin & Co. Bank allegedly “…helped wealthy Americans hide more than $1.2 billion in secret accounts abroad.” Really? That’s terrible! And what is the amount of the USA’s national debt now? $16.4T! And how much has it grown in just the last three years under the USA government’s (mis)management of its tax payers’ monies? Over $5T! And we are talking about recovering $1.2B when politicians and bankers here in the USA have carelessly spent and ripped off taxpayers for over 10,000 times that amount since 2008. Did I mention that hard aspects from Uranus and Pluto to one’s natal Saturn aren’t just indicative of heavy-handedness leading to a rebellion? It can also be the perception of hypocrisy leading to a loss of respect and credibility in the community. In this case, the world.
Like most of my American readers, I am a patriot. I – we - love America and its people and what it has represented in the world over the past two centuries. But also like most Americans, I am concerned about the path the USA government has chosen to follow since the turn of this century, when Saturn began making hard aspects to all the planets beyond its orbit (2001-2010). And now the largest aspect of them all is set to unfold: Uranus square Pluto, 2012-2015. The good news is that under this aspect – under any aspect involving Uranus to Saturn, Neptune, to Pluto – there is a possibility that this trend can be suddenly reversed. With Uranus and Pluto, such reversals can be voluntary, as in democratic elections choosing a different course of action, or through forced coercion, as in revolt.
The next three years – with Uranus and Pluto forming a grand square to the USA Sun and Saturn - may be the most important turning point in the history of the United States. It will determine whether President Barack Obama is correct when he states that “… anyone who thinks the United States of America is in decline doesn’t know what they are talking about.” Perhaps we need a discussion on what the word “decline” means.
Announcements
The “Forecast 2012” webcast will take place on Sunday, February 19, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM PST). Via the modern technology of our webinar host, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2012, in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live presentation and slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. If you are interested in being part of this unique live webcast, just register at the MMA Website ( www.mmacycles.com ) and scroll down the opening screen for the announcement. Or drop us an email ( ordersmma@msn.com ) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log into this event will be sent upon making reservations. Reserve early (before February 17), for space will be limited.
Many of you have asked about DVD’s or CD’s on the “Forecast 2012 Mini-Congress on January 21 in Amsterdam that I participated in. On the program were also three other excellent speakers on the subject: Irma Schogt of Schogt Market Timing in Amsterdam, plus world renowned astrologer Katen Hammaker-Zondag (specialist in the future of the Euro zone and Euro currency) and Antonia Langsdorf, of Cologne, Germany, who wrote “The Eye of the Storm,” a best-selling rendition about the year 2012 from the point of view of Mayan schools and astrologers. These recording will soon be available through Irma Schogt. We will announce when they will be available, probably within the week. You check in with us next week, or contact Irma directly at www.markettiming.nl.
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver. 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.
Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too. The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 4S, and the iPad, and also Amazon.com Kindle. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries (USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.
“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.
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .
Events:
February 19, 2012: “Forecast 2012 Worldwide Webcast!!!” This is our annual speech to viewers the world over. It will be the latest update on Raymond Merriman’s annual Forecast Book. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this speech will focus on the current state of the economy, political situation in Washington, DC, and in particular, the financial markets, including: the U.S. stock market, interest rates, the U.S. Dollar, Gold, and Silver. This will be a telecast of the live presentation taking place at the Michigan Education Conference Center in Troy, Michigan on Square Lake Road. The webcast and speech will start at 1:00 PM, EST and last two hours. Cost to participate in the webcast, or to attend in person in Troy, is $45.00. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-february-19,-2012!!!/ for more information.
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com . A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3. You must reserve your space for this meeting with MMA.
March 9-11, 2012 : The 12 th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org . +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org .
April 19 and 21 , Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com . Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
May 24-29, 2012 : UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com . There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on “The Gold Market: Forecasting the Price of Gold” Details to be announced shortly, but mark your calendars for an exciting event in one of the world’s most exciting cities at the most exciting time of the year: the first Uranus-Pluto square!
August 2-6, 2012: Midwest Astrology Conference, in Ann Arbor, MI, Holiday Inn. Pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology, Thursday, August 2, with Raymond Merriman. More details soon.
September 14-15, 2012: San Diego: Lecture on world economy and national election, and then a workshop on Financial Market Timing. More details shortly.
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 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.
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 30, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©
Review and Preview
We thought last week would be an interesting week, based on the Sun’s T-square to the Jupiter-Saturn opposition (January 19-22), the new moon in Aquarius January 23, and Mars turning retrograde on January 24, and it was. Nearly every stock index we track made a new multi-month high, but not all did so at the same time.
On the prior Friday, January 20, the Zurich SMI Index soared to 6213, its highest level since July 8, 2011. On Monday, January 23, the Netherlands AEX raced up to 323.83, its highest level since August 2. On January 26, the London FTSE touched 5806, its highest point since August 1, And on Friday, January 27, the German DAX went to 6574, its highest level since August 4.
In Asia and the Pacific Rim, the pattern was not quite as dramatic. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong rallied to 20,590 on Friday, January b27, its highest mark since September 1, 2011. Friday was also the weekly high in the Australian All ordinaries, China’s Shanghai, and India’s Nifty indices. But those highs did not take out the highs prior to November 2011. Japan’s Nikkei index made a new 2-month high on Wednesday, January 25 and Russia’s MICEX index made a monthly high a day later. Some of these indices look poised to resume a decline next week.
In the Americas, the big story was the Dow Jones Industrial Average. After Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and the Fed announced that they would now keep the Fed funds interest rates near zero percent for three more years, the DJIA soared to 12,842 on Thursday, January 26, almost taking out last year’s high of 12,876. The NASDAQ Composite soared to 2834, its highest level since July 26. The Bovespa of Brazil and Merval indices of Argentina also took off to their highest levels since June and October respectively.
As exciting and buoyant as the stock indices were, they paled in comparison to Gold and Silver. Gold tested 1740 on Friday, which is up nearly $220 per ounce since our special “buy alert” and “buy recommendation” of December 28-29, within the half-hour of the actual low. But Silver is now testing 3400, up nearly 800 points from that same low when the buy signal was given. At $5000 per every one dollar (100 points) per contract, that represents a gain of nearly $40,000/contract between the low of December 29 and the high of Friday, January 27. Our position trader subscribers on both our daily and weekly reports are still long, and will be for awhile, for as mentioned in that report, I believe this is just the start of the new 3-year cycle. The first phase of every cycle is bullish, per the rules outlined in all of our cycle books.
Short-Term Geocosmics
Mars is retrograde now (January 24-April 14), so matters could get tricky here. This is an indicator of sudden changes in policies, such as we witnessed last week when the Fed thought it prudent to announce that it would maintain a zero-interest policy for three years instead of just another 1-1/2 years as announced previously. Keep in mind that this announcement was made right near the time Mars turned retrograde. Retrograde Mars indicates a reversal of actions initiated at the time. It sounded nice and was a welcomed cause for markets to explode upwards, but I don’t think this announcement will be carried through. That’s the value of astrology. The announcement was made under a retrograde Mars, when actions taken have to be reversed, and also when the Moon was in Pisces, which indicates it may be more of a case of wishful thinking than sincere commitment. Bernanke may not even be around by then to see it through.
There is not a lot of geocosmic activity going on this week. Perhaps the most noteworthy signature is Venus in opposition to this retrograde Mars on February 1. Venus is in Pisces, where it truly loves agreement and peace. It doesn’t like a hassle or a confrontation. But Mars retrograde in Virgo probably sees this weakness of Venus in Pisces, and decides to badger it. This annoyance is irritating to many who want all parties to get along with each other instead of launching these silly barbs. You can probably see the first run of this show in the Republican primaries in Florida, and probably during President Obama’s campaign swing this week too. My guess is that those who hurl such unnecessary insults will lose support. Candidates need to be serious and stay with the issues, or the American public turns off on them.
But speaking of all that, we note that on February 3 Neptune will begin its 14-year trek through Pisces, the sign it rules. That would seem to favor Pisces people, like Mitt Romney. Too bad he can’t campaign for 14 years. But it favors Obama too (who has been campaigning for what seems like 14 years), because Neptune will form a trine to his natal Venus (his popularity is coming back). It should be an interesting race to the White House this year, as both Romney and Obama have the heavens on their side. Friday is also important because it is the release of the important monthly payroll and unemployment reports. The following week, however, is the one that stands out due to geocosmic activity related to reversals.
And of course we should never take our eye off the fact that Jupiter ends its transit of 23 degrees Aries through 7 degrees of Taurus on March 7, 2012. Historically, long-term cycles in the USA stock market top out by then. For more on this, please read “Forecast 2012,” or join our webcast on February 19 where this matter will be discussed in great detail.
Longer-Term Thoughts, and “Answer Me That!”
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero - 55 BC (via Mark Lusher to me).
Some things never change. But with Uranus approaching its 3-year waxing square to Pluto, and soon to make a grand square to the USA Sun-Saturn square, changes will take place. The momentum for those changes is already in force, and the source of those changes is simple: economics. With Uranus in Aries, people want freedom, but that freedom is largely for economic opportunity. And that economic freedom for individuals can only come from the presence of a healthy and honest private sector, not an overly expansive and overly regulating public sector.
Listening to President Obama’s State of the Union address last week, I was impressed with two things. First, he is still an eloquent speaker who knows exactly what is on the public’s mind. Second, he seems to have become disconnected from their reality and is unable or unwilling to take action in the direction of his analysis of the problems. In fact, his actions are in almost complete opposition to his correct analysis of the problems, time and time again (i.e. his comments about “too much regulation,” yet he is the leader of this “Era of Regulations,” or, “every one should pay their fair share of taxes,” yet 47% of population pay no income tax. A “fair share” would be a flat tax, which would be very unpopular for his support base).
One statement in particular that highlights this awareness occurred when he stated that many people think the USA is in a state of decline, and “… those people don’t know what they are talking about.” Really? Does he not look at the rate of acceleration of the government’s debt? Is he not aware that the debt ceiling is about to be increased $1.2 trillion to $16.4 trillion within days, which – according to Rick Santelli on CNBC – represents a debt of $52,409 for every single person living in the USA? That’s an increase of over 60% just since the end of 2008! Does he not realize that the USA credit worthiness was downgraded for the first time in its history and it is on watch to be downgraded again soon if nothing changes? Does this support the idea that the country is NOT in decline? This is the “debt explosion” symbolized by Uranus (explosion) in square aspect to Pluto (debt and threat). The fuse is lit and it is exploding on his watch.
But more to the point about the disconnect. It is not just between Obama and the American people, but between the government and the people who elected them to serve. Let me share two examples of this disconnection from my recent trip to Zurich and Amsterdam.
At my workshop on Financial Market Timing on Saturday, January 7, in Zurich, I had the privilege of sitting at lunch with three very fine people. One was a Swiss banker. He was there with one of his special clients - one my subscribers, who is a very successful businesswoman with residences in both Switzerland and Vero Beach, Florida. At a certain point, I asked this young banker if he comes often to the United States. “Not anymore. We can’t. Our banks will not let us travel to the USA.”
“Why not?” I asked, for this seemed like a very strange policy for a bank.
“Your country now detains all Swiss bankers who enter the USA. They are asked to give up the names of their American clients so they can be checked to see if they are avoiding payment of taxes in the USA. If we do that, we lose our clients and the bank fires us. If we don’t, your government detains us for several weeks, months, even years. Therefore none of us, as Swiss bankers, can travel to the USA at this time.” You see, it is a violation of Swiss banking laws of confidentiality to reveal their clients to anyone. At the same time, the USA now has a policy where banks from other nations cannot conduct business in the USA unless they reveal the identities of all of their USA clients. As a comparison, imagine that you are a doctor, lawyer, astrologer, or psychologist, and someone from law enforcement asks you to reveal confidential information about one of your clients, under threat of detainment or even incarceration. What do you do? What does your employer do if he/she knows you will be put into such a compromising situation?
Two weeks later, after the mini-symposium on “Forecast 2012” in Amsterdam on Saturday, January 21, I had another experience that would surprise many USA citizens, and again demonstrates the disconnect that has subtly evolved between the government and the people it serves. After the very successful mini-Congress, the organizer - Irma Schogt of Schogt Market Timing – invited two other symposia participants and myself to dinner at a well-known French restaurant. We split a fine bottle of wine. We had dessert, and then left to take me back to my apartment. As we drove along the main thoroughfare, the traffic was diverted to the right of the road. We were in a queue. Irma, the driver, said this diversion was for drivers to be given a breath-alyzer test for alcohol. This is what they do at this hour on Saturday night in Amsterdam. It is an “agreement” between the people and the police. No one wants people driving who are drunk and may be a threat to the safety of others. After a few minutes, it was time for Irma to take the breath-alyzer. I was nervous, because I know what happens in the USA if you are pulled over and found to have a blood alcohol limit that is ”too high.” But Irma passed the test just fine.
“What would have happened if you had failed, Irma?” I asked.
“They would have pulled me over and asked me to step out of the car and go eat or walk, or do something, and then come back and take it again until I was under the limit for safety.”
I am thinking. “This isn’t real.” But it was and it is. In Amsterdam, the focus is on prevention of problems via cooperation between the people and its government to provide safety for its people. It is a quite different relationship here in the USA.
Why and how have we become so disconnected from our government, or vice-versa? Why is it that the rest of the world is living our dream, the dream of our founding fathers for a cooperation between the government and the people who elect it to serve? Are we losing touch with this aspect of our national character? Is it true that we are not in a state of decline from these founding principles, as President Obama stated? Can we ever get it back? Answer me that!
Announcements
The “Forecast 2012” webcast will take place on Sunday, February 19, starting at 1:00 PM EST (that’s 6:00 PM GMT or 10:00 AM PST). Via the modern technology of our webinar host, you can log onto this presentation on current markets (both long-term and short-term outlooks) and the political-psychological climate for 2012, in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a computer with speakers. You can hear the speech and see the live presentation and slide show, complete with the charts as they are being discussed, on your computer screen. The cost for this special event is $45.00. If you are interested in being part of this unique live webcast, just register at the MMA Website (www.mmacycles.com) and scroll down the opening screen for the announcement. Or drop us an email (ordersmma@msn.com) or fax (248-538-5296), or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log into this event will be sent upon making reservations. Reserve early (before February 17), for space will be limited.
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Gold and Silver. 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 $712,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.
Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). The annual Forecasts Book, written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com, O call us at 1-248-626-3034.
The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too. The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 4S, and the iPad, and also Amazon.com Kindle. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries (USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.
The printed version of Forecast 2012 has also been translated into several different languages (including English) this year, and many of these publications are now out or will be this coming week.
Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl
Italian: at www.astrofinanza.com, and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html
German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/
Japanese: at http://merriman.jp
Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/
Spanish: at www.mmacycles-spanish.com.
Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2012, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com. “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.
I am about to begin the update to “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” I expect it to be ready mid-year. We are going to offer a pub-publication special price for those who order it before May 1. The retail price of this expanded and update book will be $125, but the prepublication special will be $75.00 (plus postage). For more information, please go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down the front page. You will see it.
“The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 5: Price Objectives and Technical Analysis” is now out as well! The comments and reviews are starting to come in, and we will post them here over the next few weeks. The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing series is truly a life’s work of grand proportion. Raymond Merriman has built the foundation upon which Financial Astrology can securely rest. Volumes 1-4 were more than a foundation, they were an edifice, and Volume 5: Technical Analysis and Price Objectives, is the pinnacle. Coupled with the timing strategies of the first 4 volumes, these volumes provide a complete trading methodology, brilliantly and logically presented, that any person who makes the time and the effort to understand, may trade profitably.”- Duke O’Neil, President, Capstone Capital Wealth Management, Boulder, Colorado.
The retail price of this new book is $144.00. If you are interested in this unique and integrated methodology for analyzing and forecasting stock indices, you can save big bucks by ordering all five volumes, or choice of any four now at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/, or just go to www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to the announcement. If ordering all five volumes, you will save $99.00! For more information on this book, go to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnplAS5m2AI, describing this new book. It is “the missing link.” You may want to check this video out, as it contains some interesting long-term tips.
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63.
Events:
February 19, 2012: “Forecast 2012 Worldwide Webcast!!!” This is our annual speech to viewers the world over. It will be the latest update on Raymond Merriman’s annual Forecast Book. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this speech will focus on the current state of the economy, political situation in Washington, DC, and in particular, the financial markets, including: the U.S. stock market, interest rates, the U.S. Dollar, Gold, and Silver. This will be a telecast of the live presentation taking place at the Michigan Education Conference Center in Troy, Michigan on Square Lake Road. The webcast and speech will start at 1:00 PM, EST and last two hours. Cost to participate in the webcast, or to attend in person in Troy, is $45.00. Go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-february-19,-2012!!!/ for more information.
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com. A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3.
March 9-11, 2012: The 12th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org. +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org.
April 19 and 21, Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com. Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
May 24-29, 2012: UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com. There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
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 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.
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 16, 2012
Raymond A. Merriman ©
Review and Preview
Given my schedule in Europe, I don’t have the luxury of waiting for markets to close for the week and then writing my column. The last markets I track are the CME Gold and Silver. With their 5:15 PM, EST close, it equates to 11:15 PM here in Europe. It’s too late to write a brilliant report on markets then.
So instead, you will read more about my personal experiences when I am overseas, through the eyes and mental processes of a Financial Astrologer – or maybe just an astrologer taking stock of his experiences through these rare and unusual planetary energies. I don’t really know why I am sharing more of myself, my life, and my inner thoughts than before. Perhaps it has to do with progressed Mercury commencing its retrograde motion in Pisces in my chart for the next 19 years. You are going to learn more about how astrology works in these columns than before, and especially during those weeks when I travel, for these reports will come out earlier than when I am stateside.
Short-Term Geocosmics
There are two major geocosmic signatures arising in the next ten days which could be consequential. The first is the Sun entering a T-square formation with the Jupiter-Saturn opposition (January 19-22). The second is Mars turning retrograde in Virgo (January 24 through April 14).
The Jupiter-Saturn opposition (add T-square from the Sun) is unusual because it is not quite exact. It is one degree away from exactness, and it happens as Saturn is in the last degree of Libra and Jupiter the first degree of Taurus, so they aren’t even in opposite signs. This is known as an “out-of-sign” opposition. At the same time, the Sun is moving from 29 degrees of Capricorn to 0 degrees of Aquarius. When planets are in last and first degrees of signs, it usually means “changing conditions.” Something is changing related to Jupiter (growth, optimism, and expansion) and Saturn (contraction and fear). Together these two planes pertain to a “judgment.” Could it be that some country gets a credit downgrade and fears of a global meltdown arise again? Or does it have something to do with the more mundane field of law? One side wants to expand, the other wants to contract, and with the Sun right in the middle, the result may be paralysis (i.e., gridlock). This is not new, but yet something is different about this case because something will probably happen. Something gets done, or changed.
On the surface, it would seem that a law could be passed or a policy started that might restrict freedom, take away certain liberties and assumed rights. But it could be done quietly and maybe without even a vote. Yet a few weeks or months afterwards, people begin to realize what happened when they weren’t paying attention to what was taking place today. It’s like a shadow growing ever larger over the landscape. It’s the same landscape, but it looks a little different, a little less clear and brilliant in the shade than when it is done in the open. Jupiter and Saturn in opposition is big in the world of Mundane Astrology. In financial markets, such a combination could result in a turn in the market, usually from a peak to a downward projectory. Just look at the past few times these two giants on our solar system were in opposition (last March, May and August 2010, and summer of 1990).
Mars turning retrograde is also interesting because it often coincides with war threats. This may be even more the case now that Uranus is in Aries, natural home to Mars, god of war. But Mars is in Virgo, so the threats may be also related to work issues and a perceived lack of economic opportunities. This is in effect through April 14, so we may see worker strikes taking place that could cripple the distribution of needed goods throughout the world. Maybe Iran does close the Straits of Hormuz, for Virgo is opposite Pisces, which rules crude oil.
The bottom line is that these two signatures indicate a change of collective psychology and also political direction. And this can directly cause a sudden change of trend in many financial markets. It can abort the positive technical environment that had been building, give or take two weeks. On top of that, Jupiter is in the last stages of its 0-7° Taurus passage, a placement that historically coincides with long-term cycle crests (October 7, 2011-March 7, 2012).
Longer-Term Thoughts
For this week, and most weeks when I travel, I will just have a chat with you about Astrology and the times we live in. You may deduce long-term market consequences from these thoughts, because I will try to describe the nature of reality we collectively experience (a very large task, but then again, I do have Mercury in Sagittarius, sign of “large thoughts”).
For me, these days reflect the life of a trader and the life of a trading analyst/advisor. It’s the corresponding experiential reality of transiting Uranus in Aries, hitting in hard aspect to one’s (my) Sun and Mars in Capricorn. I am all of that, and quite a few of you are some of that, because many of you have planets in the first 7-8 degrees of cardinal signs, which is where my own natal Sun and Mars are located. If you don’t have the Sun there, chances are you have another planet, lunar node, or angle there. A lot of you are undergoing the same cosmic initiation and/or transformation I am experiencing. The only difference may the degree of awareness – consciousness - that this happening. But if I can put it in words, you will recognize it. That is now one of my roles as writer of this column, especially when I travel.
One thing we are discovering as we rocket through this Cardinal Climax period of 2008-2015 is that we are all connected. That is Uranus too – the internet, the “Digital Age,” that we have been living out over the past 20-30 years, but are just recently moving into hyper speed with it. We are conversing with the world.
What is it? What is Uranus? Why is it that we can never quite describe it, except to say that “it’s different this time” (not to be confused with the recent economic book of the same title, which is well worth reading)? It’s different because we, as individuals, are connected to one another more than ever before. And because of that, more of us on this planet want this idea – this experience, this elusive dream - of freedom. We want economic freedom and we want the social freedom of escaping isolation and loneliness. There is a shift of power in the world taking place today back to the individual, and this does not bode well for governments that are trying to grow their power over the individual. But the individual in all of us, all across this planet, is breaking out. It is a force that cannot be stopped, and those that try to halt it will be crushed by the masses, not the other way around as they – those who repress - might think.
But let’s get back to me (I told you Uranus in Aries squares my Sun now), because I can only relate what I am going through and how different it is, yet how consistent this inconsistency is with what we know we don’t know about Uranus. We know that Uranus represents extremes. It can break through any boundary, just as it breaks through multiple support and resistance levels in financial markets in an eye blink. Just like that – a crash or a lightning bolt – we are in a new world, a different reality, because we broke through to the extremes – and even beyond them. And we ask in wonderment: “Where are we now? Where are we going next?”
So for this trader/analyst/advisor, the extremes have been personally experienced in markets these past couple of weeks. And I suspect many of you experienced that too. On the one extreme was this call that I recently made in Gold and Silver via “special alert” notices sent to subscribers on December 28-29. I called the bottom about as close as any analyst has ever called a bottom, time-wise (within the half hour). Now many of you have an idea what an adrenaline rush this is for a trader. Within two weeks, Gold has been up nearly $140 and Silver over 17%, from the time of that alert to the high so far as of late this past week. Welcome to my world these past two weeks, where only the sky is the limit.
And welcome to the other side of my world too if you are stock trader, which is a little more Plutonian. Shortly after my perfectly wonderful and ego-satisfying “Uranus square Sun” experience in Gold kicked in, the stock market soared to a new cycle high, which was exactly the opposite of what I expected to happen past the first day of this year. Why is it with Pluto you can never get a break, or you can never bask in the sunshine for more than a minute before storm clouds start to gather? The stock market didn’t turn before the calendar did. On the plus side, our subscribers caught most of the move up from late November through December. But we bailed too soon, and went short too soon, although maybe it is still too soon to assume that.
For me, life is easier when I am right with modest gains in both those markets at the same time, instead of huge gains in one and not-so-small paper losses in the other. I don’t like extremes. I am a Capricorn, and the instructions for our life are: they like their boundaries respected. Yet… there is something electric and magical about those times that you do exceed those boundaries, when you allow yourself to be taken to those extremes and beyond.
We are all experiencing “first time-like” things now, things that never happened to us before. And they are not just "little things," but rather life transformative shifts in direction. Our path is being altered, or for some, being created in a new way by new choices being made. That’s the nature of Uranus going into Aries. And as a human community, we are about to experience many more things for the first time in 2012, and lasting into 2015. Uranus in Aries is squaring Pluto. The energy, the force, the new realities, are already unfolding.
And here’s the thing that concerns me about … me, and how I see it all coming down. What if it doesn’t go as expected, which is to say, what if it doesn’t crash and burn for just a little while? What if there are no earthquakes and tsunamis and no more overthrows of repressive world leaders? What if the world economies don’t collapse and the Euro Union doesn’t break up or transform in some way? What if the USA election 2012 is peaceful and civil and not negative with accusations of the other side of being the agent of destruction on the eve of destruction in a nation that seems to be self-destructing as it possibly enters its phase of decline? What if markets don’t fall hard this year, and instead rally to new all-time highs amidst an economy that shows greater job growth and falling unemployment? What if? These are things that most of us don’t expect will happen. But it’s the Uranus-Pluto square, and these are the themes – the events - that have happened historically under this configuration (i.e. 1931-1934, 1876-1878). What if this time THAT was different, and instead of insanity, hysteria, and fear it was smooth and blissful? That would be unexpected, wouldn’t it? That would be Uranus too, wouldn’t it?
Well… if that happened that way, or if we believe it will happen that way, then we must all be experiencing Neptune in Pisces. If you are an astrologer, you know this is an important 14-year transit that is about to begin as well on February 3. You know Neptune rules Pisces, so it will be strong – as strong as Neptune can be in Pisces (an oxymoron…Neptune’s strength is in its gentleness, its quest for peace). This should be interesting with Uranus in Aries at the same time, whose quest is for combat and winning in competition – or by any means possible, even ruthless ones. That is at the forefront too until 2018.
But I keep coming back to Uranus square Pluto. That is part of Pluto’s charm in Capricorn: it just keeps coming back, over and over again, until it gets corrected or healed. Here, we are talking about the world debt and how it could literally explode (Uranus-Pluto = explosive debt; Pluto in Capricorn = consequences of past behavior; Saturn in Scorpio 2012-2015, = the “Day of Reckoning”).
What is it about Uranus and Pluto that we are going through together now? I don’t know. None of us do, because we’ve never been through something quite like this. We can feel it, we experience it, we see it happening all around us and all over the world. We know NOW, and we know the future is going to be exciting and probably dramatic, but the form it will take? It’s shape-shifting. As I look at this new world with these new eyes, it’s all shape-shifting, and I know on some level, that’s true for most of you.
I want to thank so many of you for your wonderful letters of encouragement these past six weeks. You are amazing. My life is amazing because of people like you. I will continue to write and hopefully guide wisely (or at least entertainingly), as long as I can. I suspect I will continue on for at least 19 more years. And I expect these to be my most exciting and illuminating 19 years of this lifetime. Yours too, I hope. I look forward to seeing many of you in Amsterdam next weekend.
Announcements
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63.
Our monthly MMA Cycles Report, with a special report on Gold and Silver, went out last week. If you subscribe to this report and did not get it, let us know at once (email ordersmma@msn.com and tell them). The MMA Cycles Report covers our longer-term analysis of the U.S. stock market, precious metals, crude oil, currencies, Treasury Notes, and grain markets. It will come out Tuesday 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 or Thursday. 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.
I am about to begin the update to “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing Volume 2: Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles.” I expect it to be ready mid-year. We are going to offer a pub-publication special price for those who order it before May 1. The retail price of this expanded and update book will be $125, but the prepublication special will be $75.00 (plus postage). For more information, please go to www.mmacycles.com, and scroll down the front page. You will see it.
Many of you have asked about the Amazon.Com Kindle version of Forecast 2012. It is expected to be out this weekend, so if you would like it in that format, check your listings on Kindle (Amazon.com) this weekend. It is there now and available for purchase at $39.99 through Amazon.com. It does not include the ephemeris or calendar that is in the back of the printed hard copy edition.
Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. There will be no additional printings, so when they are gone, they are gone. This year’s book is 200 pages – our largest ever – and packed full of information about the economy, USA Presidential election, social and economic trends, and of course, financial markets with their all-important three-star critical reversal dates (the one and two-star reversal dates are covered in the MMA Cycles Report, as well as weekly reports). The annual Forecasts Book, written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. For further information, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com. There you can also place your order for the Forecast 2012. Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is now out as well in two different formats. The first is our own version, which contains both the text and the calendar-ephemeris for 2012. The cost for this is $55.00, or $35.00, depending on whether you also ordered the printed version too. The second is through Apple iTunes, which covers iPhone 4 and 5, and the iPad. The cost is $39.99. It does not contain the advertisements or the planetary calendar and ephemeris in the back. You can now order it if you have an email address registered via one of these 9 countries (USA, UK, Australia, France, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain). Just go to iTunes, and then “Library,” then “Store,” then in the field titled “Search,” type in “Forecast 2012” or “Raymond Merriman” (without quotation marks). Or, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/raymond-merriman/id408289861?mt=11.
If you wish to hear more about this year’s Forecast 2012 Book, please visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/RaymondMerriman. There is a new video there highlighting three great market calls from last year’s book, plus a preview of this year’s book. It should be quite a year coming up!
The printed version of Forecast 2012 has also been translated into several different languages (including English) this year, and many of these publications are now out or will be this coming week.
Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl
Italian: at www.astrofinanza.com, and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html
German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/
Japanese: at http://merriman.jp
Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/
Spanish: at www.mmacycles-spanish.com.
Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2012, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com. “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
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. 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 $712,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” -Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois.
“The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 5: Price Objectives and Technical Analysis” is now out! The comments and reviews are starting to come in, and we will post them here over the next few weeks. The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing series is truly a life’s work of grand proportion. Raymond Merriman has built the foundation upon which Financial Astrology can securely rest. Volumes 1-4 were more than a foundation, they were an edifice, and Volume 5: Technical Analysis and Price Objectives, is the pinnacle. Coupled with the timing strategies of the first 4 volumes, these volumes provide a complete trading methodology, brilliantly and logically presented, that any person who makes the time and the effort to understand, may trade profitably.”- Duke O’Neil, President, Capstone Capital Wealth Management, Boulder, Colorado.
The retail price of this new book is $144.00. If you are interested in this unique and integrated methodology for analyzing and forecasting stock indices, you can save big bucks by ordering all five volumes, or choice of any four now at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/, or just go to www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to the announcement. If ordering all five volumes, you will save $99.00! For more information on this book, go to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnplAS5m2AI, describing this new book. It is “the missing link.” You may want to check this video out, as it contains some interesting long-term tips.
Events:
January 6-7, 2012: Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2012 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 6 lecture on “Uranus Square Pluto: Consequences of the Debt Crisis for Financial Markets.” January 7 workshop on “Financial Astrology and Perspectives for 2012: This workshop will discuss the projection of these studies onto today’s financial, markets, including precious metals, equity markets, and currency prices – where are we in the long and short-term cycles and where are we headed. 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.
January 21, 2012: Amsterdam, Netherlands. “Forecasts for 2012,” 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, followed by a 60-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers. 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-amsterdam, or www.markettiming.nl.
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com. A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3.
March 9-11, 2012: The 12th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org. +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org.
April 19 and 21, Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com. Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
May 24-29, 2012: UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com. There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
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 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.
5 DECEMBER 2011
Review and Preview
The highly anticipated Sagittarius rally in equity markets finally materialized last week. And in typical Sagittarian fashion, it was not a modest rally. It was huge, and it happened all over the world. You have to love Sagittarius when he behaves that way. It is like Santa Claus finally showed up, albeit a little late. Well, maybe he was under a Saturn transit the prior week.
Most equity markets bottomed on November 25, the prior Friday, and also an exact critical reversal date based on the market timing principles of Financial Astrology. From that low, world equity markets soared immediately as the new week began. In Europe, the Netherlands AEX index rallied from a low 268.75 on November 25 to a high of 303.82 one week later on December 2, a gain of 13%. In that same one-week interval, the German DAX rallied from 5366 to 6165 (+14.9%), the London FTSE from 5075 to 5595 (+10.2%), and the Zurich SMI index from 5307 on November 23 to 5766 (+10%). The Moscow MICEX index rallied from 1383 to 1523 (+10%). The gains in Europe were a result of a deal emerging on the Euro debt crisis involving the European Central Bank and the euro-zone governments. Investors have been looking for something more definitive like this for some time. And yet, it still isn’t really definitive. Maybe it will become more definitive when these leaders meet at the December 9 euro-zone summit in Brussels. It is interesting that this meeting will take place within hours of a lunar eclipse and Uranus changing directions on December 10. More on this later.
In Asia and the Pacific Rim, the gains were more modest. The Australian All Ordinaries, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, and Tokyo’s Nikkei indices all rallied 6.3-9.6% from November 25 through December 2, This pattern was not repeated in China’s Shanghai index, which made a triple bottom to its yearly low, as it fell to 2319 on November 30.
In the USA, the Dow Jones Industrial Average bottomed at 11,231 last Friday, November 25, for the worst Thanksgiving trading week in 70 years. But on Monday, November 28, it was up nearly 290 points, and Wednesday was up nearly 500 more points. By Friday, the DJIA was as high as 12,146, a gain of over 900 points from the dismal performance of the prior week, before giving back 100 of those points by Friday’s close. Now that sounds more like the Sagittarius we know and love! The NASDAQ Composite soared from a low of 2441 on November 25 to a high of 2659 one week later on December 2, a gain of 9%. Brazil’s Bovespa and Argentina’s Merval indices both rallied 8.1% from their lows of the previous week.
Gold and Silver also showed renewed signs of life. After falling to a low of 1667 on November 21, Gold rallied smartly to 1767 on Friday, December 2. Silver also performed in a manner fitting to Sagittarius, rising from a low of 3065 to 3374 during the same interval. Although these are all positive signs, they are still below their lows of the first half of this primary cycle (1804 in Gold, 3570 in Silver). When they get above those levels, it reaffirms the bull market and then its “off to the races,” which is one of Sagittarius’ favorite pastimes, for the symbol of Sagittarius is the centaur, half-man, half-horse. Until then, it is only half-man.
Short-Term Geocosmics
We have been discussing the nature of Sagittarius the past two weeks, for the Sun is in this sign of optimism and exaggeration from November 22 through December 22. But there is so much more going on in the heavens these days that lend to this idea of “wild times.” For one, Mercury is now retrograde, also in Sagittarius, November 24 through December 13. The weekend (December 2-5) is the middle of this retrograde zone. This is a time when markets can encounter a sudden change in direction, especially if they didn’t reverse around the time of the retrograde. In this case, stock markets did reverse within one day of the retrograde date, so it need not reverse here (although it could for 1-4 days). Mercury retrograde is important to Financial Astrologers, for it denotes a time when economic reports and political announcements are often in contradiction to one another. Investors become confused by the mixed messages. That’s why it would be wise not to take the optimistic messages about the euro-zone meetings and policy considerations too seriously just yet. There will be more to the story than was implied last week.
But that’s not all. As if the Sun in Sagittarius and Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius isn’t enough to stir the markets, there is more wildness to come at the end of this week. On Saturday, December 10 (just after the euro-zone leaders meet), there is a lunar eclipse in Gemini-Sagittarius. And on the same day, the master of the unexpected and surprise – Uranus – turns stationary direct. This is not only wild and volatile, it can also be highly disruptive and unstable. Since it involves Uranus, it will be hard to predict the exact circumstances, except that they will not come out as expected. At best, these are new and brilliant ideas, but chances are that opposing forces advise caution rather than speediness of action, for fear of making a mistake. This might not be a bad idea, for with Mercury retrograde, misunderstandings and miscalculations are the norm. On the other hand, it may represent a missed opportunity to start something that has promise, only because there is resistance to the very change that everyone says is needed.
The likely result is more finger pointing and blame, and the opportunity to move forward is indeed missed – or dismissed as too radical - once again. It is more fun to just go to the races, except in this case the race may be into the abyss of debt that grows bigger and bigger, more and more ominous, as we head into the Uranus-Pluto waxing square of June 2012. The Uranus station on December 10 should give us a shock as to what 2012-2015 will look like – again. We keep seeing these signs, like the downgrade of the USA credit standing last August when Mars made a T-square to the Uranus-Pluto square. Here is another chance to see if political leaders can come up with something truly brilliant, or instead cause another earthquake of confidence in the entire political, financial system by their failure to agree to anything sensible.
Long-Term Thoughts and Transit Tales
I just finished the Forecast 2012 Book. You can get a preview of this year’s book at http://www.youtube.com/RaymondMerriman . The thing is, we have been in this Twilight Zone of a reality since the Cardinal Climax began in 2008. It lasts until 2015. But the last three years (2012-2015) contains the 126-year Uranus-Pluto first quarter cycle, also known as a waxing square. And that’s what we consider a “big one.” When you look back in history, I think you will see similarities between today and the end of the Italian Renaissance when the Medici banking empire collapsed. You will see similarities to 1848-1877, when the California Gold Rush, Civil War, Emancipation, and the longest economic Depression in the USA history occurred (1872-1878, the last waxing square between Uranus and Pluto), even while stock markets made new all-time highs in the beginning of it. You will see similarities to 1932-1934, which was the last square between Uranus and Pluto (waning). And finally there are similarities to 1965-1966, which was the conjunction that began the current Uranus-Pluto cycle, so the themes of that period are being manifested again during this first quarter phase cycle of 2012-2015. These are not periods of calm and ease. They are turbulent, both socially and politically, but also in terms of mother nature (Uranus rules earthquakes, Pluto rules destruction, and together they relate to the possibility of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, especially with Uranus in Aries in 2011-2018).
It all sounds so dangerous and ugly, and … well… it has been, hasn’t it? Do you know anyone who isn’t suffering in either love, health, or lack of work these days? But these are also very exciting times because you know – you really know – that history is being made right now, that something very significant is happening and which will result in a transformation of human activity that is very large in scope. There is a massive transference of power taking place, and it is not just between nations. It is within the human spirit. The urge is to be free (especially financially free) of dependency upon others, upon political leaders and processes led by people who claim to have the interest of the populace in mind but who really care most about protecting their own turf. This urge for freedom is increasing at a speed not seen since the mid-1960s.
The real transference of power however involves the individual, who through the internet and social media, is becoming ever more connected with the rest of the world. The evolution of humanity is towards becoming more and more connected with one another, and in this process, the individual’s thirst for freedom is only going to grow. Yes, it may tear structures down in the process, and it may be uncomfortable for many who hold onto the past and their claim to political territory. But it will lead to something profound. It will not end with chaos, although there will probably be a sense of that as inevitable we continue through this close-to-the edge abyss.
What is inevitable is that we are constructing the “information superhighway” as a means of connection. It’s nice that politicians want to rebuild the infrastructure of highways and bridges that in a former age allowed us to connect with one another like never before. But that is an age that is already transforming into this new era and new urge to connect. Once we exit this Twilight Zone of 2008-2015, and as we get closer and closer to the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of January 2020 (not far from the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of December 2020, and in proximity to the 2020 presidential election), true political leadership will likely manifest, as I understand the stars. Until then, we have to just be very careful to whom we hand the keys of power to. It isn’t so much that humanity needs a bold and exciting leader who is willing to take great risks with our Treasuries and collective psyche, and in the process antagonize great polarities between people. What we need between now and 2020 is someone who is an able and competent manager of these dynamics.
Will we get it in the USA with the 2012 election? I don’t know. But this is the season of Sagittarius, and hope springs eternal. It helps also that the stock market is rising now. Let’s see if we can continue this trend past next week’s lunar eclipse and Uranus station.
Announcements
The launch for our own E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book will take place Friday, December 9 at 1:00 PM, EST. If you have ordered the E-Book version, you will be sent a special download code and password this week, and then you will be able to enjoy your E-Book version as early as 1:00 PM, December 9 (English only). The cost for this version is also $55.00. However, many of you have asked about getting both versions in a “bundle” deal. We are pleased to announce that we will offer such a “bundle deal” at $90.00 plus postage if you order both the hard printed copy and the E-Book. If you have already ordered the hard copy, you may then add the EBook version for $35.00. But you will have to call or email us in that case, since we won’t be listing the EBook separately for this price on our web site. Call 1-248-626-3034 or email us at ordersmma@msn.com to add the EBook version of Forecast 201 to your previous order. If you wish to order the “bundle” of both at $90.00 plus postage, please go to bottom of page at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/forecast-2012-book-due-out-december-15/ . And then click “bundle” on the order form for an additional $35.00.
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63 .
MMA’s “Forecast 2012 Book” is now at the printer and will be ready for distribution December 12-15 to those who pre-order it by December 10. This year’s rate will remain at the same rate it has been for past two years, $55.00 (plus postage, unless ordering the EBook version). The annual Forecasts Book, written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. Although 2011 is only a little more than 75% over, several forecasts made in the 2011 book have already unfolded. For a list of some of these forecasts, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to “Scorecard for 2011 Forecasts.” There you can also place your order for the Forecast 2012 and assure your book is delivered via the first mailing of December 15. Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
An E-Book version will also be ready for distribution soon an I Pad, I Phone, and Amazon.com Kindle in about two weeks. This version will not contain the advertisements or the planetary ephemeris or calendar for 2012, as will be the case in the print bound edition and our own EBook version. The cost will be $45.00 via these two mediums. Just as soon as these versions are approved, we will post instructions on how to order them directly through Apple and Amazon, probably around December 15.
If you wish to hear more about this year’s Forecast 2012 Book, please visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/RaymondMerriman . There is a new video there highlighting three great market calls from last year’s book, plus a preview of this year’s book. It should be quite a year coming up!
The printed version of Forecast 2012 will be translated into several different languages (including English) again this year, and many of these publishers are currently offering pre-publication specials as follows:
Dutch: at www.markettiming.nl
Italian: at www.astrofinanza.com , and http://www.astrofinanza.com/mma/shop.html
German: at http://www.mma-europe.ch/
Japanese: at http://merriman.jp
Russian: at http://www.mmafinance.ru/
Spanish: at www.mmacycles-spanish.com .
Each of these will also offer the English version of Forecast 2012, as will our Chinese distributor at http://www.zzdcycles.com . “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 first of several “Forecasts 2012” speeches will take place in our live webcast to the world on December 18. From the comfort of your own home or office, you can tune in to this first presentation. All you need is a computer (PC) with speakers and internet connection. The thrust of this year’s presentation will be upon Gold, Silver, Stock markets, and currencies, as well as politics and the economy. The cost for this live webcast is $45.00. The starting time will be 1:54 PM, Eastern Time. For information to be a part of this event, go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/forecast-2012-live-webcast-december-18,-2011!!!/ . Or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log in will be sent upon making reservations. Sign up now and reserve your space for the first Forecasts for 2012 presentation of the year!
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. 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 $712,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois. (He is up another $120,000 in the past month.)
“The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 5: Price Objectives and Technical Analysis” is now out! The comments and reviews are starting to come in, and we will post them here over the next few weeks. The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing series is truly a life’s work of grand proportion. Raymond Merriman has built the foundation upon which Financial Astrology can securely rest. Volumes 1-4 were more than a foundation, they were an edifice, and Volume 5: Technical Analysis and Price Objectives, is the pinnacle. Coupled with the timing strategies of the first 4 volumes, these volumes provide a complete trading methodology, brilliantly and logically presented, that any person who makes the time and the effort to understand, may trade profitably.”
The retail price of this new book is $144.00. If you are interested in this unique and integrated methodology for analyzing and forecasting stock indices, you can save big bucks by ordering all five volumes, or choice of any four now at http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/books/the-ultimate-book-on-stock-market-timing-volume-5/ , or just go to www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to the announcement. If ordering all five volumes, you will save $99.00! For more information on this book, go to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnplAS5m2AI , describing this new book. It is “the missing link.” You may want to check this video out, as it contains some interesting long-term tips.
We also report that just recently we sold out of the last copy of Volume 2. It will be rewritten and all the studies therein will be updated next year. In the meantime, we still offer the other 4 volumes. And if you pre-order the updated Volume 2, the cost to do so at this time will be $75.00. Once we get closer to completion, the new price will become $125.00. You may be able to secure a copy of this now out-of-print book on Amazon.com, but I do not know what the price will be there. Usually it is 2-5 times higher than the retail price. There is always a premium on our out-of-print books. They are in great demand – and for a reason!
Events:
December 18, 2011: “Webcast” for Forecast 2012!!!” A“Virtual On-line Discussion and Forecasts for 2012 with Ray Merriman!” will take place on Sunday, December 18, 2011, starting at 1:54 PM EST. The cost for this live webcast is $45.00. For information to be a part of this event, go to our got to website at www.mmacycles.com , under EVENTS. Or call us at 1-248-626-3034. Instructions to log in will be sent upon making reservations.
January 6-7, 2012 : Zurich Switzerland. “Forecast 2012 Symposia” sponsored by AstroData. January 6 lecture on “ Uranus Square Pluto: Consequences of the Debt Crisis for Financial Markets.” January 7 workshop on “Financial Astrology and Perspectives for 2012: This workshop will discuss the projection of these studies onto today’s financial, markets, including precious metals, equity markets, and currency prices – where are we in the cycle and where are we headed. 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 .
January 21, 2012: Amsterdam , Netherlands . “Forecasts for 2012,” 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM, followed by a 60-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing and to take place at. 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 .
March 1 and 3, 2012: Hong Kong. “Forecast 2012” on Thursday, March 1, and a full day intensive on “Financial Market Timing” on Saturday, March 3, with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Currencies, and Equity Markets for 2012. Organized by Earlthorn.Com at the Excelsior Hotel, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Contact Teresa Wong at 852-2529 1211 (phone), or by e-mail at earlthorn@hknet.com . A special 90-minute private meeting with MMA Subscribers will follow the workshop on March 3.
March 9-11, 2012 : The 12 th Annual Balkan International Conference, Belgrade, Serbia. Featuring a pre-seminar workshop on Financial Astrology with Raymond Merriman. For further information on this fantastic gathering, contact www.keplerunited.org . +381-11-267-31-92 or email info@keplerunited.org .
April 19 and 21 , Boulder, Colorado. “Forecast 2012” with Raymond Merriman, plus a workshop on “Financial Market Timing,” focusing on equities and precious metals. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com . Once again, a private meeting for MMA subscribers will follow the workshop.
May 24-29, 2012 : UAC!!! The world’s largest astrological conference. Taking place at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Go to www.uacastrology.com . There will be an awesome Financial Track, featuring some of the top Financial Astrologers and researchers in the world. There will be private meeting for MMA on Friday or Sunday evening on the top floor of the Marriott.
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 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.
week of 28 nov
MERRIMAN
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 28, 2011
Review and Preview
It was a bad week for equity and commodities markets around the world. It was a bad week for Americans, its President, and Congress as well. It was the week that began with the Debt Reduction Super Committee’s inability to agree to reduce the USA deficit by $1.2 trillion, thus moving the United States ever closer to yet another downgrade of its credit standing. With Uranus within orb of its waxing square to Pluto, all touching off key parts to the USA natal chart, it is coming – unless different choices will be made by leaders very soon, and different than we have witnessed in the past five months.
It was the week that the Sun moved out of the foreboding and ominous debt-related sign of Scorpio when changes could have and should have been made to secure the credit worthiness of the USA, paving the way for its entrance into Sagittarius where everyone would celebrate hard because hard decisions had made and the future looked bright again, But they failed to choose that Sagittarian possibility. Instead they chose the Sagittarian path of panic and hysteria because these decisions hadn’t been made and the future suddenly looks harder and more out-of-control than anyone wanted to believe possible. They figured they could “kick that can down the road” again into the 2012 elections, when voters would make that decision for them. Never mind that voters just made that decision a year ago.
The only problem is that the credit rating agencies may not wait that long before downgrading the USA creditworthiness for a second consecutive time – another first in USA history. The markets didn’t like the government’s choice to not make a choice. The USA stock market sold off. In fact, according to Friday’s Wall Street Journal, this was the worst Thanksgiving week since 1942, when Thanksgiving was officially declared to be the fourth Thursday of November. Usually it is a week of gains, and in particular, the day before and the day after Thanksgiving are two of the most consistent up days in stocks of any days in the year. Not this time. In fact, its performance was the worst in nearly 70 years.
In Sagittarius, everything is big and exaggerated. It’s usually positive because Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter and both represent the principal of hope and optimism. But they are also associated with the principals of risk-taking and gambling. What happens when Mercury is turning retrograde as well? You take a risk, raise the ante, bluff your opponent, and then your hand is called out. You have nothing to back up your exaggerative and over-confident posturing. Instead of winning big, you lose it all. Instead of celebrating, you panic, because this isn’t the way it was supposed to turn out. This is how the USA economy is played in the game of political poker - with taxpayers’ monies and future - in the 21st century.
But there are things to remember about how markets function, at least to a technical analyst. For one thing, there are rules for bull markets. In bull markets, each cycle high and each cycle low of the same cycle type is higher than the prior one. If we look at the behavior of the market over the past few weeks, we will see that this bullish characteristic is still in play. For example, nearly all of the world’s markets made long-term cycle lows in late September or early October. They all rose sharply into our three-star critical reversal zone of October 28-31, some appreciating as much as 20-30%, as in Europe. In the USA, the Dow Jones Industrial Average moved from a yearly low of 10,404 on October 4 to a high of 12,284 on October 27, a gain of 18% in a little over three weeks. That pattern happened all over the world.
But the study of cycles consistently illustrates that corrective declines take place every 5-7 weeks a primary cycle trough (80% rate of frequency), or if that skips, then a more serious decline into weeks #8-10. Last week was the 7 th week since October 4, and prices of all equities are declining into this period from the highs of October 27-31. And so far, none of these declines have been lower than the lows of late September and early October, except in Japan. Not only that, but in many cases, the decline has only been in the normal 40-60% retracement zone of the move up from October 4-28. The decline in the DJIA, for instance, has been to a low of 11,243 on Friday, November 25. This is a correction of 55% of the previous move up. So far, this is within the range of “normal.” Yet it seems everyone is ready to panic. Everyone is ready to be the negative side of Sagittarius, just because politicians and political leaders are behaving badly. Well, if any sign knows how to do “the bad thing good,” it is Sagittarius. However, they can also be gamblers, and when they lose, they lose big and then it becomes evident that they do everything bad and big. The politicians gambled big last week and neither side gave in, and now we all stand to lose big time.
Last week didn’t produce the happy ending that Sagittarius and Jupiter count on. It didn’t produce the happy ending that I projected last week could occur, based on my own understanding of the Sun, Mercury, and Venus traveling into and through Sagittarius, and the historical seasonality of stock prices rallying so consistently on the days surrounding Thanksgiving. But the “good will” of all that is in contrast to the reality of the ever enveloping waxing square between Uranus and Pluto, which will hang over world political and banking leaders for the next three years like a gathering storm cloud suffering constipation, getting bigger and bigger, more and more ominous, and ready to burst at any moment. We already saw signs of this suffering when Uranus and Pluto came within one degree of exactness last July and August. The agonizing spectacle of Congress and the president struggling to reach a debt ceiling limit reprieve, finally secured at the very last moment, but leading to the economic diagnosis from the S&P credit rating agency that the USA financial health system was in a deteriorating state – its financial well-being was downgraded for the first time ever. And now, 3 months later, the diagnosis is reconfirmed through the unwillingness of the patient to take its diagnosis seriously. The condition is worsening. At some point, as the Uranus–Pluto square will unleash its full force, and all that Pluto waste will come crashing down.
Here is why it was a bad week for President Obama. He took another huge gamble with America’s future, and of course his own future. He bluffed that by sticking to the idea that taxes on the wealthiest must be raised, American’s would buy into his campaign fight that these wealthy people are not paying their “fair share” and that’s why the economy is suffering. It was a gamble because he knows that the 2010 election was mandate against his wishes for higher taxes to anyone. The Republicans had a major victory, with most being elected on the promise not to raise taxes. So by making that the “line in the sand” to reduce the deficit by the needed $1.2 T, he gambled that Republicans would go against their campaign promise rather than accept deep cuts in the military budget, their “sacred cow.” Of course, by doing this, he risked deep cuts that would also take place in social entitlement programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, sacred cows of his own Democratic party. The Republicans couldn’t back down from their promise of new taxes this time as they did in 1990, but instead they did offer a sizable “tax revenue enhancer” of cutting back on tax loopholes, which would result in a lot more revenue for the country than simply raising the tax rate of those who make over $250,000. But he didn’t take it. His campaign posturing had already begun, and it was centered on this idea of the wealthy “paying their fair share” of taxes, not by taking away their sacred “tax loop holes,” because after all, don’t those people who contribute the most to presidential campaigns benefit from those loopholes the most? And as far as “fair share” of taxes, according to the Tax Foundation, the “dreaded top 1% earn about 20% of income today (in America)… and they also pay 37% of the federal income taxes,” according to Arthur Brooks in a Wall Street Journal article on November 25.
Yet that is not why it was a bad week for Mr. Obama. It was a bad week because when he returned last Monday from his trip to Australia, just as the Debt Reduction Super Committee was about to announce its failure in his absence, the Wall Street Journal printed an explosive opinion piece titled “The Hillary Moment.” Written by well-known Democratic Party strategists Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen, the article was a passionate appeal for President Obama to step down from running for a second term. “President Obama can’t win by running a constructive campaign, and he won’t be able to govern if he does win a second term,” the article stated. It went on to argue, “By going down the re-election road and into partisan mode, the president has effectively guaranteed that the remainder of his term will be marred by the resentment and division that have eroded our national identity, common purpose, and most of all, our economic strength… If President Obama is not willing to seize the moral high ground and step aside, then the … Democratic leaders in Congress… must urge the president not to seek re-election.” Bam! From leaders within his own party! And this was then doubled down by liberal news commentator Chris Matthews, who was an ardent supporter before, in a YouTube video gone viral, titled. “The Thrill is Gone“ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB4b11_LREA.
It was a bad week for the markets. It was a bad week for Obama. It’s a harbinger of what is to come under Uranus square Pluto. But you know what? The stock market decline of last week broke some important support. And reversal zones with Uranus involved can just as easily become breakouts as reversals. Breakouts begin with support levels breaking down. But the most important support zones – the 40-60% correction areas - are still holding. It may reverse yet, or if the DJIA breaks below 10,950, we know we have something to really worry about. And the same is true with Obama’s re-election chances. Despite the fact that he took a huge gamble with America’s economic future last week, and despite the fact that so many within his own party are starting to turn on him, he is still the incumbent and transits to his own natal chart still show his power potentially growing in the world, for better or worse. He can still win and it very unlikely that he will take “the moral high ground” that Cadell and Schoen pleaded with him to take. Chances are that is not part of his game plan. After all, he is a Leo. What Leo would ever realize he/she is the issue? No. In his world, where that Leo Sun and Mercury is squared by Neptune, he is the rescuer, the savior, who might also be the underdog and victim. That’s his world. And that is how the election is going to be framed, especially now that transiting Chiron and Neptune are about to square his natal Moon, and move into opposition to his own natal Pluto. This is just a different reality than most of us live in. The challenge will be to connect the two.
But you know what I still can’t understand? How is it unfair that 1% of the people make 20% of the nation’s income, and then pay 37% of its taxes? And why will raising their taxes make more of a difference to solving our financial debt problem than eliminating the tax loopholes that account for so much more lost revenues? Doesn’t that mean less money for consumers to spend, which is really the key to raising revenues by climbing out of this high rate of unemployment problem? Why does raising anyone’s taxes in a financial crisis, as well as defeating a balanced budget amendment (yes, that was defeated in Congress too last week) help us get back onto on the road to fiscal sanity and economic control of our destiny? In an economy that continues to fall further and further into debt and risk threat of further downgrades, how can raising taxes on anyone and refusing to balance a budget be considered fiscally responsible? Answer me that!
Due to deadline for Forecast 2012 Book coming up, I will have no Short-Term Geocosmics or Longer-Term Thoughts this week. They will resume next week, as the Forecast 2012 Book is now written and will go to the printer next week. For a preview of the Forecast 2012 Book, please see our most recent video at http://www.youtube.com/RaymondMerriman.
Announcements
Our new 2012 MMA Catalogue is now out!! You can download this catalogue directly at http://www.mmacycles.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=41&Itemid=63.
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, as I no longer offer personal consultations. These 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, Gold and Silver. The daily reports cover all stock indices listed above, as well as futures in Euro, T-Notes, Soybeans, Gold and Silver. 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 $712,000. Thanks for your excellent publications.” - Bryden C., Small Business Owner, Illinois. (He is up another $120,000 in the past month.)
It's that time of the year again! MMA’s annual Forecast Book is now being written. The Forecast 2012 Book is now written and with the editors. It will go to the printer early this week and be ready for distribution to those who pre-order it by December 10. Distribution will take place December 10-15. This year’s rate will remain at the same rate it has been for past two years, $55.00 (plus postage, unless ordering the EBook version). The annual Forecasts Book, written by Raymond A. Merriman since 1976, is one of the most unique, affordable, and accurate glimpses into the coming year. Utilizing the study of cycles and geocosmic factors, this annual Forecasts book outlines forthcoming trends pertaining to political, economic, and financial markets throughout the world. Although 2011 is only a little more than 75% over, several forecasts made in the 2011 book have already unfolded. For a list of some of these forecasts, please go to the front page of our web site at www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to “Scorecard for 2011 Forecasts.” There you can also place your order for the Forecast 2012 and assure your book is delivered via the first mailing of December 15. Or call us at 1-248-626-3034.
If you wish to hear more about this year’s Forecast 2012 Book, please visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/RaymondMerriman. There is a new video there highlighting three great market calls from last year’s book, plus a preview of this year’s book. It should be quite a year coming up!
************************************
through november 21
look back to check how intensely this guy studies the financial world
and judge for yourself.
MMA COMMENTS FOR WEEK BEGINNING NOVEMBER 21, 2011
Raymond A. Merriman ©
Review and Preview
As we quickly approach the end of the Sun’s passage through the dark and murky waters of Scorpio and the start of a new 30-day journey into the optimistic and exaggerative sign of Sagittarius, we see many signs of.…. uncertainty and confusion. The past four weeks through Scorpio have been no joy ride. But then, when has Scorpio ever been associated with lightness and ease? As we look back over the past month, we see that Greece has hit the wall on its debt problems, which cost it a change of leadership. We see that Italy has hit the wall on its debt burden, and it has led to the resignation of its leadership. We see Spain is on the brink too, along with Portugal and Ireland, in what is being feared as a “contagion” spreading throughout Europe, and even into the United States. Contagion: that’s a good word for Scorpio. It is also a good phrase to describe the more serious danger lurking in the future with Uranus and Pluto coming into their 3-year waxing square aspect. It’s the main theme of this year’s Forecast 2012 Book.
After reaching an intermediate-term high on October 28 (+/- 1 trading day), stock markets around the world have been in a corrective decline ever since. In fact, the lowest price since October 28 was realized this past Friday, November 18, in many indices. About the only three that didn’t make a new low for November last week was the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Australia’s All Ordinaries, and China’s Shanghai Composite. Thus there is the potential for intermarket bullish divergence if these indices can find some traction quickly.
Gold and Silver also exhibited signs of bullish intermarket divergence late last week, after a sharp decline pummeled prices first. Silver fell hard, all the way down to 3094 on Friday morning, well below its 3210 low of November 1. Gold also fell hard, down to 1711 Thursday night and Friday morning. But that was well above its low of November 1 at 1681.20. Crude Oil, on the other hand, just kept rising until Friday. Light Crude reached 103.37/barrel on Thursday, its highest level since May, and quite a recovery from its yearly low at 74.95 on October 4.
Short-Term Geocosmics
Next week is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States (Thursday, November 24), and the start to the holiday gift purchasing season. Usually this is a bullish season for stocks.
You would also think equity prices could rally next week because the Sun leaves the debt-obsessive sign of Scorpio to the “spending-without-a-care” sign of Sagittarius. The former worries about how it will make to next week, while the latter thinks about how it can score tickets to the Super Bowl or Times Square for New Year’s Eve and how it can get onto the most exciting party list (and brag about it). Sagittarius is the risk taker, the gambler, so the collective mood will suddenly turn to thinking about buying in at these low prices in equities (and other markets).
But there are some problems. First off, the “Too Preposterous to Succeed” Congressional Debt-Cutting panel hits its deadline this Wednesday, November 24, or else automatic spending cuts across the board go into effect. Except, they don’t really go into effect until January 2013. And of course if these automatic spending cuts are elected, the newly elected lawmakers following the 2012 election can simply elect to rescind them and start all over again. How can this be? Well, it’s the same old astrological story we have seen so many time in the last three years. That is, every important piece of legislation comes up as Mercury turns retrograde. And lo and behold, it is happening again. Mercury starts its 3-week retrograde motion on November 23 or 24, depending where you are in the world. Thus we might expect the same fate as every other piece of legislation enacted over the past three years. It will be rewritten, modified, and changed because there simply wasn’t enough understanding and consensus to make enough people feel good about what they were deciding. It’s bound to be a decision that no one likes, whether they go for it or not. The problem for equity markets is that they don’t like this kind of uncertainty generated by politicians, and so the approval of Congress is likely to fall even further – except it can’t fall any further after these endless series of no-starts because it is already near single digits.
Do I sound cynical? Well, it is the last days of Scorpio, the part of this sea creature that contains its stinger. And true to form, the more we get into these last few degrees, the more stinging the attacks of the parties on one another as to why this too shall fail. Even if they succeed in reaching an agreement, it is unlikely to please everyone, and maybe not even anyone.
So here is the message of Sagittarius: the markets want to go up. Investors are looking for any reason to buy now as we enter the season of giving. But if they don’t get it, then they turn their optimism and buying power into pessimism and selling power. Sagittarius likes things big and loud. They prefer positive over negative. But if it is negative, then let’s make it a big negative. Let’s have a panic if we can’t have a picnic.
All things considered, Financial Astrology is more positive than negative this week. But if it turns negative, watch out. Have you noticed that every week this month has witnessed 400-600 point downturns from isolated highs? Wouldn’t it be nice – and appropriate from a Financial Astrology point of view - if that suddenly changed as we start the season of Sagittarius this Tuesday? Why not? The results of the deficit-cutting panel’s deadline this week really means nothing. It can all be changed after the election, and given that Mercury is retrograde, no doubt it will be changed. There really is no reason for investors to hold back their buying based on politics or geocosmics right now. It’s all going to be good, in a Sagittarian-world view.
Now, how do I score those tickets to the Super Bowl… and that New Year’s Eve Party in New York?
Longer-Term Thoughts and Personal Transit Tales
Due to deadline for Forecast 2012 Book coming up, I will have no Longer-Term Thoughts this week or next.
For a preview of the Forecast 2012 Book, please see our most recent video at http://www.youtube.com/RaymondMerriman.
The following is an excerpt of a piece by
Raymond A. Merriman
Internationally-Known and Respected Financial Cycles Analyst
MMA COMMENTS
For Week Beginning OCtober 10, 2011
Longer-Term Thoughts
The extreme and increasing volatility in financial markets is symptomatic of (and a correlate to) an even bigger drama going on the heavens right now. This is known as the approaching square of Uranus and Pluto, a cosmic event that happens about every 126 years. It’s quarter cycle phases are also very important. These two planets began their long-term cycle with the conjunction in 1965-66, when both planets were also in opposition to Saturn. This is the first quarter cycle of the new longer-term cycle. The previous quarter cycle occurred in 1931. You don’t have to search your history books to figure out what happened in 1931 or 1965-66 to societies around the world, their economies and financial markets. Fundamental, structural changes on many levels of the human experience were enacted.
Now we are going through it again, as outlined in every Forecast Book since 1994. Each book stated that the period of 2008-2015 would be very much similar to 1928-1934. In many ways, it would also repeat the themes of the mid-1960’s, since all quarter cycles relate to the dynamics that were underway at the time of the conjunction.
So let us consider for a moment what types of human activities were highlighted within two years of the conjunction between Uranus and Pluto that took place in 1965-1966 (say 1963-1968), with emphasis upon the parts of human activity that are ruled by these two planets according to the principles of the oldest known study to Man. Uranus rules the masses, the “world-view” if you will. It is the dynamic associated with changes - sudden changes - often involving the masses or large groups of people. Uranus is new, the future, and is said to have no regard for tradition and authority. It desires freedom, liberation, and equality for all. It is also the planet that is “disconnected” from others. It is an alien, a stranger, a non-conformist. It is revolutionary and rules youth movements. Uranus doesn’t grow old, but it can become estranged.
Now let’s consider Pluto, the planet of reformation. It looks at something and if it decides it is not right it sets about to correct it – by almost any means possible. Sometimes making something right means you have to tear it down first and then rebuild it. Uranus is like a tornado or storm that comes suddenly out of nowhere. Pluto is like the storm that looms big in the distance and rolls in slowly. You know it is coming and there is little you can do to avoid it. You just bunker down and hope to survive its fury. Pluto rules death, death and taxes. You know they are all coming and all you can do is make sure all your affairs are in order before they hit. Or, if you are intelligent enough, you actually make changes where possible and reverse the momentum by changing the actions that may have caused it in the first place before it is too late. Regarding debt, you either reverse your policies or you go bankrupt, or into default if you are a nation. The debt becomes so enormous that you can never get out from under it. All you can do is surrender, and promise to start over – or else give up your life and/or its freedoms.
So Uranus and Pluto pertain to the debt explosion we are now going through, and which this column identified long ago would likely happen from 2008-2015. But it is more than that. It also contains the seeds for a revolution of some sort, and social transformation on a huge global level, and especially for the United States of America, since the Uranus-Pluto square makes a grand square to the USA's natal Sun-Saturn square.
The “Occupy Wall Street” protest movement now sweeping the country is a perfect example of Uranus (masses, young people) demanding fundamental changes in government, banks, and businesses. The movement hasn’t really defined its goals clearly, but it is not so difficult to see where this going, given the principles of astrology, especially Financial or Mundane Astrology. We had a similar phenomenon arise in the mid 1960’s. It started out as a peaceful “flower child” movement where the youth “turned off, tuned in, and dropped out” in protest against the values of the previous generation – the one Tom Brokaw keeps referring to as “The Greatest Generation.” That would be a subject of great disagreement if you asked those Baby Boomers at that time (and maybe even today). But the 1960’s ‘peaceful revolution” soon turned violent when political activists entered that massive group gathering and successfully steered it into an anti-war, anti-government movement. It soon evolved and expanded further into violent race riots. There were three hugely important assassinations that occurred during that period too: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy. The movement was so powerful that it 1) caused the sitting president to drop out of the 1968 presidential election, and 2) led to violent confrontations between police and demonstrators at the 1968 Democratic presidential convention in Chicago.
I bring this up because 2012-2015 will be the first quarter cycle of that Uranus-Pluto cycle that occurred in 1965-1966. The seeds that were planted in the mid-1960’s are starting to blossom now (I am not sure “blossom” is the right word). The bottom line is that this period - now through 2015 really – can be “humanity’s finest moment,” when it fundamentally changes the dynamics and policies that have led to this horrendous world-wide debt explosion. It can be humanity’s finest moment if it can rise above the hatred of racial prejudices and social inequalities.
As one looks at the race for the USA presidency in 2012, it is disturbing to observe these divisive polarities as well as the Republican mantra that their most important duty is simply to defeat Barack Obama. Really? That’s the most important duty of conservatives and Republicans? Let me suggest that they also consider the ramifications of simply defeating Barack Obama within the context of Uranus and Pluto in square aspect, as well as the ramifications if he wins with this type of prioritization of goals. If Barack Obama is re-elected in this type of hostile “mass polarity” climate, the probability is great that 1) he could be impeached if at the same time Republicans gain control of both the House and the Senate, as early polls suggest will happen, or 2) there could be revolution within the country (within many countries), including an overthrow of the government. If Obama is not elected, there will still be danger of revolution in the USA and perhaps its government, but it will likely be brought about by massive race riots. The same is true if he is elected and impeached.
As historic as 2008 was because it resulted in the election of the first African-American president ever in the USA, the study of astrology suggests that the election of 2012 will be just as historic and important. But it is not the election itself that fascinates me so much. It is what happens as a result of it afterwards. Humanity – and especially America - steps up and exhibit its finest moment ever and transforms this hostile economic and social climate into something to be proud of, or else it sinks to its lowest level and falls into an abyss that is nothing short of tragic, both economically and socially.
Watch the protest movement of “Occupy Wall Street. Watch who infiltrates this movement and tries to steer it into a political activist movement with the potential to unleash a very violent force. Maybe it becomes the left’s own Tea Party movement. If Obama wants to be a hero and increase his approval ratings, perhaps he will choose to send in the Marines or Army to stand between the New York police force and the protestors the moment the police start to turn violent. He can create the narrative whereby he protects the protestors’ right to assemble and free speech (he is all about creating narratives before action). You think we live in interesting times? It’s about to ratchet up another notch. Let's hope our leaders step up and make this our generation's finest moment. It is possible if they lead in that direction, rather than the divisive and polarizing directions currently underway.
Raymond A. Merriman
copyright Raymond Merriman