August has its share of moves to beware; and announcement: Notes on Raymond Merriman's 7/30/12 preview

Folks, it's been an amazing ride. The market sagging down drastically for three days, then zigzagging like an arrow up for three days. Who can keep up? Well, we did warn you about a low coming in about the 25th, as you may have seen from a couple of methods. That certainly worked! and Raymond Merriman warned us all that there would be sharp moves and that a trader should not hold onto a position for very long. That worked too! I want my readers to be aware of what he is prognosticating for the upcoming week, and beyond. For example, he has a remark about August 2. And, he also has quite a discussion about August 8.

But I'm also going to announce a change in my approach here at Chartlines trading. I've decided that I'm not going to simply post in full articles that can be easily accessed by clicking the link to the authors website, or to where the author makes it available at another website. Certainly, when material can only be uniquely shown here, I'll show it. And as appropriate, for items that are available elsewhere, I may from time to time also include a quote along with the link to the article I recommend my readers examine.

Having said that, here's the link to Raymond Merriman's free public weekly preview comments for the week beginning July 30: http://www.mmacycles.com/weekly-preview/mma-comments-for-the-week/mma-comments-for-the-week-beginning-july-30,-2012/. Go ahead, click on that and it will pop up the browser window where you'll be in Raymond Merrimans website reading his fascinating article about what investors, traders, and really everybody should be aware of for the weeks and even months ahead.

This new approach will also enable me to spend more of my time doing my own analysis, looking at other sources, and from time to time adding additional links and comments where my readers should be aware of something. Therefore you will see posts coming along at this blog, and possibly more of them during the week. As for my own chart analysis contributions, increasingly I do those only via Twitter because of the incredible time savings. In the meantime, enjoy!

Happy Independence Day!

Solar-lunar cycle drift into mid-May but watch gold & silver: Raymond Merriman's 4/30/12 week comments

What a week, that began "as expected" then grew more bullish than most projections! For insight, we start our weekend analysis as usual with Raymond Merriman's weekly preview comments (thanks again, Ray!). These discussions of stocks, bonds, currencies, precious metals, crude oil, and other financial and economic matters are in addition to his analyses of other countries' markets, economy, and the social and political climate. Ray also provides detailed paid subscription services (daily, weekly and monthly) for the various markets, at his website always at the right side of the page. Here are Ray's comments for the upcoming week, from his site at Merriman Market Analyst - MMA Cycles Weekly Preview Comments:
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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning April 30, 2012

Written by Raymond Merriman

Review and Preview

This is a crazy world and a crazy time we live in.

On Thursday, after USA markets closed, the S&P ratings agency downgraded Spain's credit rating for the second time this year. It is, of course, completely consistent with the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto waxing square aspect that makes its first of seven passages on June 24, 2012. They are close enough to this aspect now to have an influence, and have been since late July 2011 when the USA's own Triple AAA credit rating was downgraded a notch for the first time ever. So how did stock markets around the world react? Well, at first they sold off modestly. But then many – including the USA – continued to rally to new multi-week highs. Likewise the USA Treasuries continued to rally near their all-time highs. Go figure.

Well, wait a minute. Maybe you don't have to go figure. Maybe it won't do any good to go figure, because when Uranus is dominant, no amount of logic or rational thought will work. If anything, Uranus tends to be illogical and irrational, albeit very innovative and unconventional. It pertains to the unexpected, and it probably has more to do with "contrary thought and behavior" than any other planetary dynamic. We are going to see a lot of that in the next three years. Come to think of it, we have already seen a lot of that since 2008 when Uranus first came into opposition to Saturn, setting off the 2008-2015 Cardinal Climax. This is just the next layer of this ongoing Twilight Zone saga.

I think it is quite safe to say there will be more downgrades of various nations' credit ratings in the next three years. Maybe equity and Treasury markets will continue to rally on such great news. But I wouldn't bet on it. More likely than not, in my opinion, is that eventually these downgrades will have a chilling effect on many financial markets. After all, the same thing happened in 1873-1878, which was the longest economic depression in the USA history, and the last time Uranus was in a waxing square with Pluto. That is, the USA stock market was making all-time highs, and staying quite closer to those highs until 1876, when the Uranus-Pluto square commenced its first exact passage. The country was in an economic depression but the stock market was strong. In the next two years, however, as the Uranus-Pluto square was fully in force, the stock market finally collapsed. Irrationality and illogic finally caved in to another Uranus dynamic: panic and loss of control. It doesn't have to be negative, but when it is, that is how it often materializes. Things are just very different, and we have to learn to adjust quickly.

Speaking of illogic and irrationality, many of the stock markets of the world were under pressure for the first half of last week. On Wednesday, April 25, The NASDAQ Composite was at its lowest level since March 8, in anticipation of a poor earnings report about to be released by Apple. But in typical Uranus fashion, Apple's earnings were anything but poor. They were spectacular and stock indices all around the world shot up sharply. By Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had reached 13,266, only 31 points off its three-year high of 13,297 achieved on April 2. In Europe, the German DAX and Netherlands AEX indices were at their lowest levels since December-January on Monday, April 23. But that was not the case in the Zurich SMI or London FTSE. All of these markets rallied nicely into Friday, setting up an excellent case of intermarket bullish divergence signals, a condition which also exists in the USA as well as Asia and the Pacific Rim. The biggest losers of last week were in Argentina and Moscow, whose stock indices continued to plunge all week. In Argentina, the Merval index is about to break below its lows of October 4.

Gold and Silver had an interesting week too. Both were depressed into mid-week. Silver fell to 2992, its lowest level since January. Gold fell to 1623.60, which was above its recent low on our April 4 critical reversal date at 1613. Thus this was another case of intermarket bullish divergence, and both metals rose smartly into the end of the week, suggesting that their primary cycle lows may be in. There are a couple of resistance areas that have to be surpassed to confirm this bias, but we will cover those in our weekly subscription reports due out tomorrow.

Short-Term Geocosmics

As discussed last week, there are no outstanding geocosmic signatures on the horizon until Venus turns retrograde on May 15. We expect all financial markets to either go sideways in a congestion range, or trend gradually in one direction from now until then. In the meantime, we will trade off the highest weighted value solar-lunar reversal zones, as posted every day for Stock indices and Silver on our web site at www.mmacycles.com.

Longer-Term Thoughts and Another Announcement

Last week I announced that I will be starting a new direction in life in the next year, involving a mentor-apprenticeship program on Financial Market Timing and Analysis, according to the unique methodology I have developed over the past 30+ years. I didn't expect any response yet, as I am still developing the concept. But… I got a huge response! I didn't know there was such an interest out there. I mean, I knew there was interest, but the response I received in the last week was overwhelming and humbling.

The project is called OLMTA – the "On-Line Market Timing Academy" – which is the name of the domain I purchased in 1993 and have kept all along, knowing that someday I would transition into this phase of my life. The point has come now where I realize that a lot of people know a little bit about many of the research studies I have published and the trading models I have formulated, but the integration of all of these studies and models needs to be taught to those who are as passionate about this study as I am - and want to see it continued well into the future after my days as an active market analyst are completed (say, about 10 years from now). Don't worry: I will still research and write books until I am done with this body. But, I have to care for this temple that I call my body, which means I will have to gradually slow down, or it won't serve these purposes that much longer. Mortality is a hard issue for me to fathom right now, and I know the key is to keep myself healthy, but when Pluto aspects so many of one's natal planets as it has mine over the past 4 years… well, you begin to realize what you have to do if you wish to look back and say "This lifetime was a truly remarkable one." For me, it has been already. But there is much more that I would still like to do.

In any event, OLMTA is being planned for launch in early 2013. Prior to that, I would like to have an introductory weekend workshop for traders and investors (and anyone else) who know very little about astrology, to introduce would-be apprentices to the ephemerides (tables of planetary positions) in order to know where planets are at any given moment; what they mean and how they used to determine a geocosmic critical reversal date, which is one of the cornerstones of financial market timing. In a sense, this would be a beginning course on Astrology, as it applies to financial markets. And then next year I would like to commence the actual OLMTA curriculum, which will involve 48 classes of 90 minutes each, spaced out in 8 separate three-day weekends over a two-year period, in the months of March, May, July and September 2013 and then again in 2014. The ten apprentices (minimum) will be those who are able to attend the classes and after-class discussions in person, although the classes themselves will be given via a webcast to others who wish to learn in a non-apprentice role.

This is the projected plan for now. Future announcements on the OLMTA project will be uploaded onto our web site at www.mmacycles.com, and via email to those who have expressed an interest. However, like all plans made under the dominance of Uranus and Pluto in one's chart, changes or modifications could happen as a result of events that I cannot yet foresee. Speaking of which… this Uranus-Pluto waxing square will take place at 6 - 15° of cardinal signs. In prior columns, I have discussed how this will possibly transform the lives of anyone who has natal planets there. Of course, all people born in the first half of cardinal signs qualify, which is about 15% of the world. You have recently gone through Uranus and Pluto themes in the past 4 years, or you are about to.

But there are also generations of people who will be affected, such as the baby boomers who have natal Neptune and/or Uranus at 6-15° of Libra or Cancer respectively. That whole generation, from the mid-1940's through the mid-1950's, is powerfully affected by this dramatic transit. But there are other large groups of people who were born with Uranus or Pluto in 6-15° of Capricorn (January 1987-November 1992), Pluto in 6-15° Libra (November 1973-September 1978) or Uranus in 6-15° Libra (October 1969-August 1972). In other words, this Uranus-Pluto square is going to have generational as well as personal and individual manifestations. This debt explosion (Uranus-Pluto) is having huge consequences to huge numbers of people worldwide who are now being forced to readjust their future plans in ways they never prepared for.

In a very real sense, this is an evolutionary challenge for all of Humankind. It will likely not only transform the way we handle money and in the future expect our leaders to manage the monies of our nations, but it will also alter the expectations and demands we make upon those leaders in other ways. Power is undergoing a transformation, from the leaders of government, banking, and business into the hands of the individual - the "people" – who are undergoing an evolutionary drive to connect with one another. And since money and power are virtually the same thing in today's world, well… you can understand this movement to redistribute wealth by many of today's political leaders. It taps into a popular but raw collective nerve. And in typical Uranus-Pluto symbolism, it is like setting a match to a stick of dynamite. We will discuss the dangers and opportunities this presents in future columns as we head into the 2012 Presidential Elections, both in the USA and France. Astrologically, 2012-2020 is like 1776-1786 all over again.

Announcements

The DVD of the Denver Workshop on Financial Market Timing will be available May 7!!! This financial markets workshop offers a completely unique and original perspective, integrating 1) Market Timing studies, 2) Price Objective calculations, 3) Technical Analysis, 4) Pattern Recognition studies, and 5) Trend Analysis. The primary focus of this workshop is on Market Timing Studies, particularly Cycles Analysis and Geocosmic Studies, as leading indicators that identify when to anticipate a reversal in all financial markets. Gold and the U.S. stock market are studied in great detail, especially regarding their current status. There is a wealth of timely and valuable information in this DVD, especially pertaining the forthcoming Venus retrograde period (May 15-June 27), the forthcoming Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012, lasting through March 2015, and the important Jupiter correlation to stock market cycles coming up August-November 2012 and March-May 2013. The cost for this 4-hour DVD workshop is $180.00 plus postage. To order, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd-of-boulder-workshop-on-financial-market-timing!!!/. Or call Amber at 1-248-626-3034. If you are a trader or investor who appreciates the value of market timing – especially in the next few months – this is a presentation you will not want to miss!

June 23: A special 5-hour workshop on "The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver." 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver, or call 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at31 (02) 294-415-918 to register 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 will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!

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.

NEW! Now available Mini-Congress 'Outlook for 2012' on CD!!! Recordings of the congress "Outlook for 2012," held January 21, 2012 in Amsterdam, are now available on CD, with audio and PDFs of PowerPoint slides. All lectures are spoken in English. The following presentations are included on this CD: "2012 End Time of Dawning" by Irma Schogt (20 minutes);"Happy New Year" by Drs. Karen Hamaker-Zondag (20 minutes , regarding ECB and Federal Reserve Board); "2012: The Center of the Storm" by Antonia Langsdorf (20 minutes, regarding Mayan calendar and astrology); "Forecast for 2012" by Raymond Merriman (1 hour). Total length 2 hours, with PowerPoint slides sent online in a PDF document. Cost is $55.00 plus postage. Please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/cd%27s-now-available-on-the-forecast-2012-mini%11congress-in-amsterdam,-january-21,-2012/, or www.mmacycles.com for ordering info.

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:

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 evening on the top floor of the Marriott. If you are interested in attending, please contact us and reserve your space! No cost to subscribers! Otherwise $95.00 to participate.

June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on "The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver." 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is € 345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver 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 will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special. You may also register by calling 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at 31 (02) 294-415-918. Register now as seating is limited!

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.

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).

For other language editions of MMA´s weekly comments:

• Chinese : www.zzdcycles.com
• Dutch : www.markettiming.nl (Nederlands)
• German : www.mma-europe.ch (Deutch)
• Japanese : www.merriman.jp
• Polish : www.astrobiznes.pl (Polska)
• Russian : www.urania.ru
• Serbian : www.mma-balkan.com
• Spanish : www.mma-spanish.com.ar (Español)

Geocosmic signature market "magnets", & mentorship: Raymond Merriman's 4/23/12 week comments

If this week was a countertrend rally then upcoming weeks will be interesting..! And Raymond Merriman has thought-provoking insights (as usual) to share about that, in this weekly preview (thanks again, Ray!). These discussions of stocks, bonds, currencies, precious metals, crude oil, and other financial and economic matters are in addition to his analyses of other countries' markets, economy, and the social and political climate. Ray also provides detailed paid subscription services (daily, weekly and monthly) for the various markets, at his website always at the right side of the page. Here are Ray's comments for the upcoming week, from his site at Merriman Market Analyst - MMA Cycles Weekly Preview Comments:
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MMA Comments for the Week Beginning April 23, 2012

Written by Raymond Merriman

Due to travel obligations and this weekend's workshop on Financial Markets in Boulder, Colorado, this week's column will be brief. Normal column will resume next week.

Review and Preview

Financial markets continued to trade within rather narrow ranges last week, perhaps reflective of the uncertainty about future economic trends coincident with Mars changing directions. Still, we had some excitement early last week in stock indices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, had a sudden burst up of nearly 200 points on Tuesday, and it looked like it was ready to soar to new yearly highs. The Treasury markets in the USA reached new cycle highs on Monday, April 16, too. But then, typical of Uranus-Pluto principles, news of more debt problems in Spain and the uncertainty of the French elections led investors to become immediately cautious. There was no follow through in either stocks or Treasuries for the rest of the week. The Sun is also moving into the slow moving sign of Taurus, so it may be "wait and see" for now.

The Euro currency fell to 1.3000 last Monday, below the neckline support of a head and shoulders chart formation, and it looked like it was ready to tumble. But then just as suddenly – and consistent with Mars changing directions – the Euro reversed and proved to be one of the stronger market performers last week. You would think that would help Gold and Silver, but it didn't. Gold fell back to 1631 on Thursday, not far from its recent low of 1613 on April 4, which was an important critical reversal date. But it still struggled afterwards and failed to close back above 1650.

In all, it is possible that several markets may have made a significant trough or crest last week from which prices have started to reverse. But the reaction so far to those lows and highs has not been impressive enough to state with certainty that a reversal has indeed begun. Maybe the new moon in Taurus on Saturday, April 21, will set the new trends in a more obvious light. After all, Taurus rules money and assets, and a new moon represents a new lunar cycle. The idea is that new activities commence under the new moon and continue into the full moon two weeks later. This is known as the "waxing phase" of the moon. Sometimes this works as a short-term trend in financial markets too, especially in the absence of other geocosmic factors.

Short-Term Geocosmics

And speaking of an absence of other geocosmic factors… that is the case now. There are no outstanding geocosmic signatures in effect for the next 4 weeks. Well, there is a trine between the Sun and Mars on April 23, and another trine between the Sun and Pluto on April 29, but our studies reported in Volume 3 of the Stock Market Timing series do not classify these as Level 1 (strongest) types. They are Level 2 types, which may correlate to short-term swings in various markets. But for the next four weeks, we will rely more upon solar-lunar combinations, as traders, for market entry and exit opportunities. You can see these solar-lunar values listed every day on the top of our web site at www.mmacycles.com for stock indices and Silver. Anything with a weighted value over 120 has a higher than expected probability of correlating with an isolated high or low from which these markets reverse at least 2.5%.

Now this doesn't mean that markets will just go sideways in the bigger picture. If a new trend did indeed commence within a few days of Mars turning direct on April 14 (and its possible, according to Mars just turning direct), then those trends may proceed without too much interruption into the next big geocosmic event, which will be Venus tuning retrograde on May 15. Think of it like this: The most powerful geocosmic signatures are like magnets. Financial markets either rally or fall into these magnet zones. Then they exhaust their energy and reverse in the opposite direction. May 15 is the next high energy geocosmic period, or magnet zone. Financial markets may be pulled in one direction or the other from now until then.

Due to travel obligations and this weekend's workshop on Financial Markets in Boulder, Colorado, this week's column will be brief. Normal column will resume next week. Review and Preview Financial markets continued to trade within rather narrow ranges last week, perhaps reflective of the uncertainty about future economic trends coincident with Mars changing directions. Still, we had some excitement early last week in stock indices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, had a sudden burst up of nearly 200 points on Tuesday, and it looked like it was ready to soar to new yearly highs. The Treasury markets in the USA reached new cycle highs on Monday, April 16, too. But then, typical of Uranus-Pluto principles, news of more debt problems in Spain and the uncertainty of the French elections led investors to become immediately cautious. There was no follow through in either stocks or Treasuries for the rest of the week. The Sun is also moving into the slow moving sign of Taurus, so it may be "wait and see" for now. The Euro currency fell to 1.3000 last Monday, below the neckline support of a head and shoulders chart formation, and it looked like it was ready to tumble. But then just as suddenly – and consistent with Mars changing directions – the Euro reversed and proved to be one of the stronger market performers last week. You would think that would help Gold and Silver, but it didn't. Gold fell back to 1631 on Thursday, not far from its recent low of 1613 on April 4, which was an important critical reversal date. But it still struggled afterwards and failed to close back above 1650. In all, it is possible that several markets may have made a significant trough or crest last week from which prices have started to reverse. But the reaction so far to those lows and highs has not been impressive enough to state with certainty that a reversal has indeed begun. Maybe the new moon in Taurus on Saturday, April 21, will set the new trends in a more obvious light. After all, Taurus rules money and assets, and a new moon represents a new lunar cycle. The idea is that new activities commence under the new moon and continue into the full moon two weeks later. This is known as the "waxing phase" of the moon. Sometimes this works as a short-term trend in financial markets too, especially in the absence of other geocosmic factors. Short-Term Geocosmics And speaking of an absence of other geocosmic factors… that is the case now. There are no outstanding geocosmic signatures in effect for the next 4 weeks. Well, there is a trine between the Sun and Mars on April 23, and another trine between the Sun and Pluto on April 29, but our studies reported in Volume 3 of the Stock Market Timing series do not classify these as Level 1 (strongest) types. They are Level 2 types, which may correlate to short-term swings in various markets. But for the next four weeks, we will rely more upon solar-lunar combinations, as traders, for market entry and exit opportunities. You can see these solar-lunar values listed every day on the top of our web site at www.mmacycles.com for stock indices and Silver. Anything with a weighted value over 120 has a higher than expected probability of correlating with an isolated high or low from which these markets reverse at least 2.5%. Now this doesn't mean that markets will just go sideways in the bigger picture. If a new trend did indeed commence within a few days of Mars turning direct on April 14 (and its possible, according to Mars just turning direct), then those trends may proceed without too much interruption into the next big geocosmic event, which will be Venus tuning retrograde on May 15. Think of it like this: The most powerful geocosmic signatures are like magnets. Financial markets either rally or fall into these magnet zones. Then they exhaust their energy and reverse in the opposite direction. May 15 is the next high energy geocosmic period, or magnet zone. Financial markets may be pulled in one direction or the other from now until then. Longer-Term Thoughts and Transit Tales I had a reader last week request that I share the efforts that I undertook to cure my double vision problem, which started in late November 2011. I did a lot of things, but basically the optical specialist I went to called it right. She said the double vision would clear up in about 90 days all on its own. There was nothing I needed to do, and especially not surgery. It started clearing up in 95 days. Nevertheless, there were several things I did that I think helped strengthen my vision along the way. I think Ruta Graveolens, a homeopathic cell salt recommended by an MMA subscriber, helped ease the eye strain from computer work. I think eye exercises and using pinhole glasses recommended by another subscriber helped strengthen the eye muscles. Another eye doctor advised me to look up from the computer screen every three minutes, to avoid eye strain, and then not to work more than an hour at a time without a break. Lutein and Zeaxanthin were probably helpful nutrients that I took. It is interesting that as my double vision malady started to leave and my eyes returned more to normal, the eye doctor also determined that my eye sight had actually improved for the first time in many years. I am getting close to 20-20 vision again, even though I still see double late at night when driving. Perhaps more interesting for those who are students of astrology is that my progressed Mercury (my ruling planet) had just turned retrograde in Pisces in the 6th house of health, the week that the eye distortion began. Mercury turns retrograde about every 4 months (usually slightly shorter). It stays retrograde about 19-24 days. The time between turning direct and the next retrograde period is about 88-101 days. In the astrological technique known as secondary progressions, every day after birth is equivalent to one year of life. Therefore, most people will go through a 19-24 year period once in their lifetime when progressed Mercury is retrograde. This is my time. It will last 22 years. What does it mean when progressed Mercury goes retrograde in your chart? One of the things it could mean is that you go back over the issues of the last 19-24 years that you need to work out or revisit that involve Mercury, planet of communication and learning. In my case, it means I will probably be rewriting and updating all the books I have written in the past 22 years (good lord, do I really have to do that?). But beyond that, I think it means I am about to enter a new phase of life where I teach – mentor - others in the methods of market timing and market analysis that I originated over the past 22 years. In fact, I have recently decided to do this – since progressed Mercury has turned retrograde - and nothing has excited me this much in many years as this new life work I will soon take on. The idea is that in early 2013, I will start a 2-year apprenticeship program for perhaps 10 students. It is my hope that I can train them in this unique methodology of market timing and market analysis that I devoted my life to researching and developing. After all, what is the purpose of life for a Capricorn if he can't create something like a body of work that will continue on after he evolves to the next level of consciousness?

Announcements

June 23: A special 5-hour workshop on "The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver." 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver, or call 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at31 (02) 294-415-918 to register 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 will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!

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.

Special Offer Now in Effect: We will now offer a free copy of the Forecast 2012 Book (printed copy) to any purchasers of the following subscription reports: 1 year of any MMA Cycles Report or any length subscription to an MMA Weekly or Daily report. The book is free to those who place such an order, but normal postage rates will apply to send the book. This special offer is not advertised on our website at this time, so if ordering, do the following: order the subscription report of your choice, and then during the payment process, write in (under comments), "Please include free copy of Forecast 2012 Book." Or, call Amber at 1-248-626-3034or email her at ordersmma@msn.com with this same request.

We ordered more DVD's of the "Forecast 2012" webcast, which went extremely well. The cost of this DVD is $59.95 plus postage. To order a DVD or CD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd%27s,-cd%27s-and-archived-broadcast-of-forecast-2012-webcast-now-available!!!/. Or go to our home page at www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to the announcement. For those ordering CD's, a PDF file of the charts will be emailed along with the order. "I just wanted to say that Ray's presentation was EXCELLENT! Great presentation and the WEBINAR was outstanding. Once again…THANK YOU!" Matt M., trader, Boulder, CO.

NEW! Now available Mini-Congress 'Outlook for 2012' on CD!!! Recordings of the congress "Outlook for 2012," held January 21, 2012 in Amsterdam, are now available on CD, with audio and PDFs of PowerPoint slides. All lectures are spoken in English. The following presentations are included on this CD: "2012 End Time of Dawning" by Irma Schogt (20 minutes);"Happy New Year" by Drs. Karen Hamaker-Zondag (20 minutes , regarding ECB and Federal Reserve Board); "2012: The Center of the Storm" by Antonia Langsdorf (20 minutes, regarding Mayan calendar and astrology); "Forecast for 2012" by Raymond Merriman (1 hour). Total length 2 hours, with PowerPoint slides sent online in a PDF document. Cost is $55.00 plus postage. Please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/cd%27s-now-available-on-the-forecast-2012-mini%11congress-in-amsterdam,-january-21,-2012/, or www.mmacycles.com for ordering info.

Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is also in two different formats, 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 of the printed copy. 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:

April 21, Boulder, Colorado. A workshop on "Financial Market Timing," April 21, 10 AM – 4 PM, focusing on equities and precious metals. Location: Naropa Nalanda Campus Bldg, 63rd and Arapahoe Road, Boulder, CO. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com or call 303-641-6838 or 303-604-2777.

April 27: Scottsdale, AZ., 7:00 PM, Scottsdale Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale, AZ (no reservations needed, just show up). "Political, Economic and Financial Markets Outlook for 2012: The Uranus-Pluto Waxing Square." For details, contact programs@azastrologers.org, attention Arlene Houghland, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org,623-376-6141.

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 evening on the top floor of the Marriott. If you are interested in attending, please contact us and reserve your space! No cost to subscribers! Otherwise $95.00 to participate.

June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on "The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver." 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is € 345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver 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 will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special. You may also register by calling 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at 31 (02) 294-415-918. Register now as seating is limited!

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.

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; you may link to this site or page, but you may not distribute these texts in any way (by email or otherwise).

For other language editions of MMA´s weekly comments:

• Chinese : www.zzdcycles.com
• Dutch : www.markettiming.nl (Nederlands)
• German : www.mma-europe.ch (Deutch)
• Japanese : www.merriman.jp
• Polish : www.astrobiznes.pl (Polska)
• Russian : www.urania.ru
• Serbian : www.mma-balkan.com
• Spanish : www.mma-spanish.com.ar (Español)

Owners of websites:

Longer-Term Thoughts and Transit Tales

I had a reader last week request that I share the efforts that I undertook to cure my double vision problem, which started in late November 2011. I did a lot of things, but basically the optical specialist I went to called it right. She said the double vision would clear up in about 90 days all on its own. There was nothing I needed to do, and especially not surgery. It started clearing up in 95 days.

Nevertheless, there were several things I did that I think helped strengthen my vision along the way. I think Ruta Graveolens, a homeopathic cell salt recommended by an MMA subscriber, helped ease the eye strain from computer work. I think eye exercises and using pinhole glasses recommended by another subscriber helped strengthen the eye muscles. Another eye doctor advised me to look up from the computer screen every three minutes, to avoid eye strain, and then not to work more than an hour at a time without a break. Lutein and Zeaxanthin were probably helpful nutrients that I took. It is interesting that as my double vision malady started to leave and my eyes returned more to normal, the eye doctor also determined that my eye sight had actually improved for the first time in many years. I am getting close to 20-20 vision again, even though I still see double late at night when driving.

Perhaps more interesting for those who are students of astrology is that my progressed Mercury (my ruling planet) had just turned retrograde in Pisces in the 6th house of health, the week that the eye distortion began. Mercury turns retrograde about every 4 months (usually slightly shorter). It stays retrograde about 19-24 days. The time between turning direct and the next retrograde period is about 88-101 days. In the astrological technique known as secondary progressions, every day after birth is equivalent to one year of life. Therefore, most people will go through a 19-24 year period once in their lifetime when progressed Mercury is retrograde. This is my time. It will last 22 years.

What does it mean when progressed Mercury goes retrograde in your chart? One of the things it could mean is that you go back over the issues of the last 19-24 years that you need to work out or revisit that involve Mercury, planet of communication and learning. In my case, it means I will probably be rewriting and updating all the books I have written in the past 22 years (good lord, do I really have to do that?). But beyond that, I think it means I am about to enter a new phase of life where I teach – mentor - others in the methods of market timing and market analysis that I originated over the past 22 years. In fact, I have recently decided to do this – since progressed Mercury has turned retrograde - and nothing has excited me this much in many years as this new life work I will soon take on. The idea is that in early 2013, I will start a 2-year apprenticeship program for perhaps 10 students. It is my hope that I can train them in this unique methodology of market timing and market analysis that I devoted my life to researching and developing.

After all, what is the purpose of life for a Capricorn if he can't create something like a body of work that will continue on after he evolves to the next level of consciousness?

Announcements

June 23: A special 5-hour workshop on "The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver." 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is €345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver, or call 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at31 (02) 294-415-918 to register 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 will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special, and a great opportunity to meet some very impressive market timers who will be present. Register now as seating is limited!

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.

Special Offer Now in Effect: We will now offer a free copy of the Forecast 2012 Book (printed copy) to any purchasers of the following subscription reports: 1 year of any MMA Cycles Report or any length subscription to an MMA Weekly or Daily report. The book is free to those who place such an order, but normal postage rates will apply to send the book. This special offer is not advertised on our website at this time, so if ordering, do the following: order the subscription report of your choice, and then during the payment process, write in (under comments), "Please include free copy of Forecast 2012 Book." Or, call Amber at 1-248-626-3034or email her at ordersmma@msn.com with this same request.

We ordered more DVD's of the "Forecast 2012" webcast, which went extremely well. The cost of this DVD is $59.95 plus postage. To order a DVD or CD, please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/catalogue/multimedia/dvd%27s,-cd%27s-and-archived-broadcast-of-forecast-2012-webcast-now-available!!!/. Or go to our home page at www.mmacycles.com and scroll down to the announcement. For those ordering CD's, a PDF file of the charts will be emailed along with the order. "I just wanted to say that Ray's presentation was EXCELLENT! Great presentation and the WEBINAR was outstanding. Once again…THANK YOU!" Matt M., trader, Boulder, CO.

NEW! Now available Mini-Congress 'Outlook for 2012' on CD!!! Recordings of the congress "Outlook for 2012," held January 21, 2012 in Amsterdam, are now available on CD, with audio and PDFs of PowerPoint slides. All lectures are spoken in English. The following presentations are included on this CD: "2012 End Time of Dawning" by Irma Schogt (20 minutes);"Happy New Year" by Drs. Karen Hamaker-Zondag (20 minutes , regarding ECB and Federal Reserve Board); "2012: The Center of the Storm" by Antonia Langsdorf (20 minutes, regarding Mayan calendar and astrology); "Forecast for 2012" by Raymond Merriman (1 hour). Total length 2 hours, with PowerPoint slides sent online in a PDF document. Cost is $55.00 plus postage. Please go to http://www.mmacycles.com/the-news/about-mma/cd%27s-now-available-on-the-forecast-2012-mini%11congress-in-amsterdam,-january-21,-2012/, or www.mmacycles.com for ordering info.

Copies of the printed version of Forecast 2012 are still available. The E-Book version of the Forecast 2012 Book is also in two different formats, 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 of the printed copy. 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:

April 21, Boulder, Colorado. A workshop on "Financial Market Timing," April 21, 10 AM – 4 PM, focusing on equities and precious metals. Location: Naropa Nalanda Campus Bldg, 63rd and Arapahoe Road, Boulder, CO. Sponsored by ROMA. For more information and registration, contact dralagifts@msn.com or call 303-641-6838 or 303-604-2777.

April 27: Scottsdale, AZ., 7:00 PM, Scottsdale Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd, Scottsdale, AZ (no reservations needed, just show up). "Political, Economic and Financial Markets Outlook for 2012: The Uranus-Pluto Waxing Square." For details, contact programs@azastrologers.org, attention Arlene Houghland, or go to www.AzAstrologers.org,623-376-6141.

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 evening on the top floor of the Marriott. If you are interested in attending, please contact us and reserve your space! No cost to subscribers! Otherwise $95.00 to participate.

June 23: Amsterdam. A special 5-hour workshop on "The Gold Market: Forecasting the Future Price of Gold and Silver." 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Hotel Park Plaza Victoria. Amsterdam, Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam 1012 LG, Netherlands. Sponsored by Schogt Market Timing. This is a special workshop on precious metals you will not want to miss!!! Cost is € 345 ex VAT. Subscribers of any MMA reports (trials excluded) receive a 15% discount. For further information, please go to http://www.markettiming.nl/en/producten/workshop-gold-silver 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 will be taking place then, right near the summer solstice! This will be special. You may also register by calling 31 (02) 294 415 917, or by fax at 31 (02) 294-415-918. Register now as seating is limited!

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.

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; you may link to this site or page, but you may not distribute these texts in any way (by email or otherwise).

For other language editions of MMA´s weekly comments:

• Chinese : www.zzdcycles.com
• Dutch : www.markettiming.nl (Nederlands)
• German : www.mma-europe.ch (Deutch)
• Japanese : www.merriman.jp
• Polish : www.astrobiznes.pl (Polska)
• Russian : www.urania.ru
• Serbian : www.mma-balkan.com
• Spanish : www.mma-spanish.com.ar (Español)