MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 16, 2024

REVIEW

 A measure of wholesale prices rose more than expected in November as questions percolated over whether progress in bringing down inflation has slowed…. The producer price index, or PPI, which measures what producers get for their products at the final-demand stage, increased 0.4% for the month, higher than the Dow Jones consensus estimate for 0.2%. On an annual basis, PPI rose 3%, the biggest advance since February 2023.

—Jeff Cox, “Wholesale Prices Rose 0.4% in November, More than Expected,” www.cnbc.com, December 12, 2024.

European markets closed lower Friday as investors reacted to disappointing data prints from two of the region’s largest economies. The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed 0.62% lower, also recording a weekly loss after three weeks in the green. Friday’s downbeat mood followed unexpected declines in both U.K. GDP and key export data from Germany. The U.K. economy contracted by an estimated 0.1% on a monthly basis, the ONS said Friday.

—Karen Gilchrist, “Europe Stocks Close Lower, Snap Three-Week Winning Streak; UK and German Data Disappoints,” www.cnbc.com, December 13, 2024.

The Trickster was in full force last week, which ended on the superstitious Friday the 13^th. Joining it was Mars turning retrograde last weekend, creating an especially combustible combination for financial markets.

Many of the world’s stock indices made all-time highs either last week or the prior week, within three trading days of our December 6-9 geocosmic critical reversal date (CRD) zone, which included the powerful Sun/Jupiter opposition on December 7 as well as retrograde Mercury and Mars. However, there was great intermarket bearish divergence in many regions as some indices made new all-time highs (ATH) slightly before the December 6-9 weekend, and others made it slightly afterward. This was the case in the U.S., where the DJIA and S&P made their ATH on December 4 and 6, while the NASDAQ peaked on Friday, December 13.

Bearish divergence was also evident in Europe, where the German DAX soared to another new ATH on Friday, December 13, but that was not the case with other indices in the region. In Asia and the Pacific Rim, it was just volatile as several indices made rolling weekly highs by mid-week, and most sold off by the end of the week.

Gold and Silver were also affected by the sudden retrograde reversal phenomenon. Both made nice recovery highs on Thursday, with Gold jumping to 2761 and Silver to 33.33. By Friday, each had plummeted sharply to 2663 and 30.75, respectively. Cryptocurrencies also made highs the prior week and secondary but lower highs last week, which is a short-term bearish pattern until both make new yearly highs now. Crude Oil was one bright spot last week, rising from allow of 66.98 right on the December 6 CRD and then rallying to a weekly high of 71.42 on Friday.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

 It seems we stood and talked like this before,

We looked at each other in the same way then,

But I can’t remember where or when…

 The clothes you were wearing, you were wearing then,

The smile you are smiling, you were smiling then,

But I can’t remember where or when…

 Some things that happen for the first time,

Seem to be happening again,

And so it seems that we have met before,

And laughed before,

And loved before,

But who knows where or when?

—Rogers and Hammerstein (and Lorenz Hart), “Where or When,” Chappell & Co, 1937

 Perhaps the most awaited geocosmic signature unfolding this week by many traders will be the end of the Mercury retrograde cycle. On Sunday, December 15, Mercury turns direct, which means market signals are likely to return to more normal patterns—no more fake-outs and false breaks of support and resistance, or so the theory goes. However, it may not work out quite that way this time because Mars has just started its retrograde cycle, December 7-February 23. More havoc than the Trickster can be on display when the god of war and passion makes a U-turn in the heavens.

There are three retrogrades that can be particularly challenging for position traders to navigate: Mercury, Venus, and Mars. These periods can be rewarding for aggressive traders who are nimble and prepared. Each tends to suddenly disrupt trends and complicate longer-term outlooks, although, in the case of Mercury, it usually has more to do with shorter-term outlooks.

Last week, we had both Mercury and Mars retrograde and the sudden reversals were intense, especially in metals, as the outlook for inflation is starting to return. This would mean less easing policies by the Federal Reserve. This will complicate the Fed’s job of safeguarding against both the prospect of higher inflation and its often direct relationship to eventual rising unemployment numbers, which then can turn the outlook of a strong economy into one of recessionary fears. Until last week, most economists were very optimistic about the future of the U.S. economy. Very few are looking for a recession in 2025, which by itself is often a forewarning, known as a “contrary market sentiment” indicator. That consensus could soon be changing under the weight of the uncertainty that comes with the retrograde factors.

There is more to the cosmic storyline of this outlook. We are also headed into the second of three Jupiter/Saturn waxing squares on December 24. The first was August 19, right between the two yearly highs in the Treasury market of August 5 (Mercury retrograde) and September 17. Over the following two months, Treasuries collapsed in their steepest decline of the year. The Dollar also bottomed (and other foreign currencies began to fall) near the same period as that first passage. For the record, Soybeans made their yearly low then, too, but that doesn’t tie into the overall economy as much. However, it might be in 2025 and especially 2026 if a drought occurs, which, according to studies by MMA Grains Analyst Wyatt Fellows, often happens under hard aspects between Saturn and Neptune (see the new Forecast 2025 Book). In 2026, Jupiter will transit through the fire sign of Leo, which increases the odds for a drought that year over 2025 when Jupiter is in the water sign of Cancer during the growing season.

The point here (and yes, I do have a point to make) is that Jupiter and Saturn, in hard aspect, indicate the return of worries about the future of the economy. When traders worry about that, they often pause purchases, and if the worries persist, they start to sell. The first passage in mid-August did that. Now it seems we are headed into another bout of increasing (Jupiter) worries (Saturn) as we round the bend to the end of this year.

I have a disturbing thought that this could be 2018 all over again. Usually, Sagittarius is a season for optimism in global stock markets. However, in 2018, the stock market made a new all-time high in the first week of December, and then by December 26, the DJIA had lost 16%. Yes, it was that fast, and everyone was caught off-guard. With Mars turning retrograde in the first week of December as U.S. stock indices made new all-time highs, and with Jupiter square Saturn looming ahead on December 24, I wonder if this might be Deja vu all over again.

I also remember our outlook at the beginning of 2024 when we expected all-time highs in stocks (as well as Gold and Bitcoin) going into Jupiter square Saturn (after Jupiter conjunct Uranus), followed by a 4-year cycle low before the final passage ends in mid-2025. That 4-year cycle in stocks has been altered due to a different sequence of cycle patterns pointing to a 3-year cycle low (half-cycle to the 6-year cycle), but it is still due in 2025. But hey! I don’t want to be the Scrooge of this holiday season. So, I would also like to point out that the December selloff into the holiday season in 2018 turned out to be a tremendous buying opportunity for stocks.

It could turn out that way again. So, we can still be optimistic and see a selloff here as an unusual buying opportunity if it unfolds. That would be typical of Mars retrograde headed into Jupiter (in volatile Gemini) square Saturn. Then we have Venus retrograde to look forward to starting March 1. There is no let up for market whiplashes into the middle of 2025. Good for short-term traders. It’s not so good for those encumbered with an abundance of planets in fixed signs who just want to buy and hold.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: FORECAST 2025 IS NOW AT THE MAILING HOUSE AND WILL BE MAILED OUT AS SCHEDULED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 16!!! The arrival of overseas orders takes longer, and the exact date depends on the mailing house in the receiving country.

 Not only that but the Forecast 2025 eBook and M4B Audiobook have also been released early, as of this past week! If you ordered either of these, then you should have received them by now. Here is a note received today from one reader who has already read the eBook:

“I had pre-ordered the 2025 Forecast earlier this summer and was so excited to receive the book yesterday that I finished reading it within two days. Your work, along with the contributions of many members of your team, is invaluable to the collective understanding of mundane astrology, financial astrology, and the global climate. I couldn’t imagine investing in the stock market now without ordering your forecast each and every year. Thank you for providing valuable insights into the world and national economy, the current political climate in the U.S., and the overall stock market. You approach difficult topics in our current climate with honesty, compassion, and deep respect for humanity.”

 MMA’s annual Forecast book is an astrological-themed almanac that has served students of cycles and markets since 1976. It provides a cyclical outlook on the collective world psychology, national economy, geopolitical overview, socio-cultural trends, weather and natural calamity potential, as well as financial market projections for the U.S. stock market, the U.S. Treasury market, interest rates, Gold and Silver, currencies (the Euro, U.S. Dollar, Swiss Franc, and Japanese Yen), Bitcoin, Crude Oil, and Grain markets. Additionally, it provides the three-star critical reversal dates for each market for the year, which have an 80%+ accuracy over the years for trading cycle highs and lows when given an orb of three trading days. The book is 200 pages, 8.5″ x 11″, and has set the standard for all astrological almanacs written today.

The cost for the print edition of FORECAST 2025 is $66, but copies are limited. There are no second printings. When they are out, they are out. The eBook version is available for $55 and does not have a limit. The Forecast 2025 Audiobook is also now available for $29.99 and is not limited. It can be ordered by clicking here. This audio version will not include the financial markets nor the ephemeris and geocosmic calendar for each month, which is included in the print and eBook versions. It covers the first part of the book. It makes an excellent companion when exercising, working around the home, or driving about, and you can listen to it at your convenience.

 MMA also offers a special “bundle” discount rate for those who wish to order both the eBook and printed editions of Forecast 2025 for $86.

To pre-order Forecast 2025 now, please click here.

 NOTE 2: RECORDINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE “SPECIAL MMA OPTIONS WEBINAR” with Derek Panaia and hosted by Raymond Merriman, which took place last Sunday, December 8. This was in the MMA three-star critical reversal date (CRD) zone (Dec. 6-9) and has already generated profits on the first trade setup in Gold that more than covered the cost of the webinar many times. There are still several trades to be initiated from this event, and those in the Options + Discord group will receive advice on these as we go along. For instance, the first trade setup was to buy call options and call spreads on Gold right after the webinar ended and the overnight pre-market for Monday opened. By Wednesday, we took off the first third of that trade as Gold ran up $120. The option spread advised was fulfilled at the given mark, and so was the first price objective given within just two days.

In addition to Gold, setups and option strategies with limited risk were discussed in the S&P, Crude Oil, T-Notes, and/or Soybeans, as primary cycle (or secondary) lows or highs were due by Thursday. We saw the setup developing by Thursday in the S&P, Crude Oil, T-Notes, and Soybeans. We even had time to go over the outlook for Silver. In other words, the recording is still valid and valuable.

The cost for this 2.5-hour webinar recording is $95. We also offer an Options+ package, which will include at least three additional follow-ups from Derek as technical signals unfold after the webinar. The cost of the recording and “Options +” is $195. Click here to order your copy of the webinar and/or join Options+ discussions for the next month. Note: Keep in mind that options trading is speculative, and this webinar is designed for speculators who have some basic knowledge of options. For those who don’t have that basic knowledge, MMA offers a recording of Derek’s webinar on option principles on its website for sale.

 NOTE 3: THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report was issued last week. It covers the outlook for the U.S. stock market, Gold, Silver, Copper, Treasuries, the Euro currency, Crude Oil, and Soybeans. The MMA Monthly Cycles Report also provides MMA’s original geocosmic critical reversal dates (CRDs) and solar/lunar reversal dates over the next several weeks, as well as trading strategies for both position and aggressive traders. If you want to try out a one-month subscription to the MMA Monthly Cycles Report, you can sign up for the December Report for only $35! Or save by ordering a three-report or twelve-report subscription.

 NOTE 4: THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT! YOUR PERSONAL “JUPITER REPORT“ — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY.” This newest product is written by Raymond Merriman. It is a 30-40 page report that all traders (and even non-traders) will find to be of great value. It identifies the times during the year when Jupiter transits are highlighted in your natal chart. It delineates the meaning of Jupiter’s transits to your natal planets and angles over a 14-month period (including one month before your order and one month after the year ends). Why is this valuable? Because transits of Jupiter identify special opportunities for financial gains, success in one’s career and social life, popularity, and good fortune (luck) when under harmonious aspects and used correctly. However, they can also indicate periods of misjudgments leading to losses if Jupiter is afflicted and one is not properly prepared. As an added bonus, each transit is ranked from –3 to +3 in terms of favorability for trading. Traders may find this most valuable! Would you like to know when you are under a +3 transit and, therefore, most likely to experience trading successes? Or a –3 transit with stronger-than-usual potential for misjudgments and losses? You betcha! The cost for your 14-month Jupiter Report is $69. Click here to order!!!

Here is what others say about the new Jupiter Report, which was launched less than one month ago:

“I want to let you know how much I like the Jupiter Report. It is very detailed and informative! The graphs with the orb dates are very helpful.” — D.M.

 “The new report on Jupiter is very well done. The interpretations are insightful and inspiring, and the report itself is aesthetically pleasing and extremely informative as well as easy to read.” — H.V.A.

 NOTE 5: THE MMA Solar-Lunar App now offers reversal signals on the NASDAQ to all subscribers! Now, there are four markets with daily weighted values provided: the DJIA, NASDAQ, Gold, and Silver.

This app is an ideal tool to have in your back pocket if you are a short-term swing trader looking for high-probability dates that identify isolated lows and highs in the DJIA, NASDAQ, Gold, and Silver markets. Since it was first introduced three months ago, it has been uncannily accurate in identifying swing lows and highs in each market. It is available only on Apple products (iPhone and iPad) at this time, although we are getting close to developing it for Android phones, too, possibly by the end of this year.

How does it work? Based on historical frequencies, the higher the weighted value, the greater the probability of a swing trade reversal in the next 1-7 trading days (usually 2-5 days). Built into the app are instructions for ideal setups and explanatory FAQs. It’s pretty amazing!

P.S. The MMA Solar/Lunar App gives each market an average of one trade per week every five trading days. It is designed for “swing trades” looking for 2-5% moves from isolated lows or highs. If you like active trading signals based on solar/lunar combinations, the MMA App is for you!

To learn more about the MMA App, click here. To order it, go to Apple’s App Store and type in Merriman Solar/Lunar Reversals.

 SPECIAL ALERT: We are working on a Bitcoin and Ethereum Lunar App. The projected release date is late January-February. Stay tuned for information on how to order.

 NOTE 6: The MMA Weekly YouTube show, “Geocosmic Week in Review and Look Ahead,” with Gianni Di Poce, is conducted on Wednesday evenings! Each 5- to 20-minute FREE episode reviews the previous week’s market activity and offers a preview of the geocosmic signatures in effect for the coming week and beyond.

NOTE 7: MMA’s Free Weekly Column Podcast Is Available on SPOTIFY, APPLE, and AMAZON! Now you can listen to a podcast of this weekly column by Thomas Miller on Saturdays! Thomas has an excellent voice and brings the weekly column to life in a personable and, at times, humorous fashion. Just follow Merriman Market Analyst on Spotify or Apple to listen to all our episodes. A new podcast episode will be released every weekend. This is a FREE service and is available to everyone. Check out our podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music. It makes for great listening! Please note that this podcast will be on vacation for the next two weeks.

EVENTS

February 16, 2025: The 2025 Forecast Webinar. Save the date!!! Details are coming soon.

 March 7-9, 2025: Cosmic Patterns Inc. presents its Convergence 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida. This will be one of the top astrological conferences of 2025 and will include a track on “Research and Financial Markets.” MMA market analysts Ray Merriman, Gianni Di Poce, Pouyan Zolfagharnia, Ulric Aspegrén, and Wiebke Held will speak, along with well-known financial astrologer Christeen Skinner of the U.K. There will also be several other well-known professional astrologers speaking, including Lynn Bell, Charlotte Benson, Georgia Stathis, Öner Döşer, Pam Gallagher, Demetra George, Aleksandar Imsiragic, Dr. Lea Imsiragic, Rick Levine, Darri Low Murphy, Anne Ortelee, Joni Patry, Kathy Rose, Gisele Terry, and Fei Cochrane. For further information, please go to https://cosmicpatternsconference.com/. You can also hear and read about this exciting gathering on YouTube (click here). SIGN UP NOW for the best rate before the next cutoff date.

Disclaimer and statement of purpose: The purpose of this column is not to forecast the future movement of various financial markets. However, that is the purpose of the MMA (Merriman Market Analyst) subscription services. This column is not a subscription service. It is a free service, except in those cases where a fee may be assessed to cover the cost of translating this column from English into a non-English language. This weekly report is written with the intent to educate the reader on the relationship between astrological factors and collective human activities as they occur. In this regard, this report will often cite what happened in various stock and financial markets throughout the world in the past week and discuss those movements 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, month, or even years and the author’s understanding of how these signatures may affect human activity in the times to come. The author (Merriman) will do this from the perspective of a cycles analyst looking at the military, political, economic, and even financial markets of the world. It is possible that some forecasts will be made based on these factors. However, the primary goal is to both educate and alert the reader as to the psychological climate we are in from an astrological perspective. The hope is that it will help the reader understand the psychological dynamics that underlie (or coincide with) the news events and their potential effect on financial markets.

 No guarantee as to the accuracy of this report is being made here. Any decisions in financial markets are solely the responsibility of the reader, and neither the author nor the publishers of this column assume any responsibility whatsoever for anyone’s trading or investment decisions. Readers of this report should understand that commodity futures and options trading are considered high-risk.