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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning February 6, 2012
Written by Raymond Merriman
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. It will be interesting now to see if President Obama changes his tune that the weak economy is not his fault, but the result of Republican obstructionism. Chances are he will take credit now that the economy improves, and continue to fault Republicans when it softens. Or how about the Republicans? Will they continue to hold Obama responsible, and now give him credit that the economy is rebounding? Or will they take credit for convincing him in late 2010 to delay the Bush Tax hikes for two years, which has allowed businesses to hire, knowing that their taxes- and their customer's taxes - wouldn't go up? Or was it the payroll tax reductions that were implemented last year that allowed both workers and businesses to maintain more cash, but of course it added to the overall national deficit? No matter. Everything looked up last week, especially after the reports came out, and it sets the stage for great confidence headed in to 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 8, 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 $712,000 (now $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 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. 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. details soon.
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.
Copyright MMACycles 2007-2012; you may link to this site or page, but you may not distribute these texts in any way (by email or otherwise).
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