MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 27, 2025

REVIEW

 The S&P 500 closed lower after hitting new records on Friday, as investors took some profit to end a solid week centered on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House…. Despite Friday’s retreat, excitement toward Trump’s pro-business policies has largely pushed risk assets higher this week as investors focused on his inauguration. Traders were also relieved that there have only been threats on the tariff front from Trump — instead of formal action.

—Alex Harring and Yun Li, “S&P 500 Slides on Friday as Rally Pauses, But Stocks Notch Back-to-Back Weekly Gains,” www.cnbc.com, January 24, 2025.

The “Trump Bump” continued to propel global stock indices higher last week. S&P futures made a new all-time high (ATH), but the DJIA and NASDAQ fell slightly short. It was also a positive but bumpy ride up for Bitcoin, which actually made a new all-time high last Monday. Gold is also closing in on its all-time high, whereas the rally in Silver was even bumpier and fell well short of making even a high for the current primary cycle. Thus, many markets are looking very positive as the second Trump Era gets underway. Still, there are developing signs of intermarket bearish divergence as we approach next week’s New Moon and powerful Uranus station.

 SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMICS

 The difference between intelligence and stupidity is that intelligence has its limits.

—Adage quoted by Eric Nagler in “Letters to the Editor” section of the Wall Street Journal, January 23, 2025.

The week begins with Mercury ingressing into Aquarius on Monday-Tuesday, January 27-28. A New Moon will occur in Aquarius on Wednesday, January 29, followed by Uranus turning direct the next day, January 30. Uranus rules Aquarius and is considered the higher octave of Mercury (intellect), so the themes of both the planet Uranus and the sign of Aquarius will be highlighted.

What should we expect? Nothing. That’s because Uranus and Aquarius pertain to the unexpected or surprises that no one expects. Perhaps it is a shock, a symbolic or literal earthquake. On the one hand, it can signify brilliance, inspiration, and original thought. On the other hand, these cosmic entities can signify a lack of common sense, as the intent is often to disrupt rather than make things work better.

Both Aquarius and Uranus rule technology, innovation, and space exploration, so it should not be a surprise to see increased attention on the NASDAQ, which has been on a tear recently. Silver, however, is vulnerable to sudden declines when the Sun and Moon are both in air signs, like Aquarius. There will be three air-air solar/lunar combinations through February 17. This is the first.

Whenever Uranus is highlighted, we must also be aware of either a sudden reversal or a breakout to new multi-month highs or lows in markets. The stock market, Bitcoin, and Gold come to mind as they are near their yearly highs again. In the case of stocks, they are also in the early stages of their primary cycle. Markets in the early stages of cycles are usually bullish, too. Markets in their later stages are more prone to sudden declines. Bitcoin is entering the latter stage of its primary cycle, where its low is due in about 6-12 weeks. The high will likely occur any time before then.

On top of these factors, we also note that the Sun will form a harmonious trine to Jupiter in Gemini on January 30, followed by Jupiter turning direct on February 4. Jupiter is the optimist and likes things large and positive. This highlights the possibility of seeing new all-time highs in equity markets. The only cosmic drawback is the 1/8 semi-square cycle of Saturn and Pluto on Sunday, January 26. This may represent the resistance to the changes in power structures taking place in world leadership, as well as the severe and life-threatening weather conditions currently unfolding (extreme cold plus damaging wildfires in the U.S.). With Pluto, the fear of violence and/or retribution may also exist by those who felt mistreated.

 LONGER-TERM THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS

 Maybe you are in the habit of applying a hefty discount to claims by Donald Trump; no one could blame you. But he really does have the chance to lead America into the golden age he proclaimed in his second inaugural address. Historic circumstances, political dynamics and his own audacity could also enable him to achieve the legacy he wants as “a peacemaker and a unifier.” Mr. Trump has battled for ten years against anyone he perceived to have crossed him. His most formidable adversary still standing is probably himself.

—Lexington, “America Really Could Enter a Golden Age,” The Economist, January 21, 2025.

Democracy – a: a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies, laws, etc., according to law; b: political, social, or economic equality, the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges.

—Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

It was an exciting week highlighted by the U.S. Presidential Inauguration ceremony on Monday, January 20. As noted above, this kicked off strong rallies in many financial and commodity markets.

However, it was also disappointing (to me) to see both the outgoing and incoming presidents’ apparent lack of sincerity regarding their campaign promises of valuing the principles of democracy. Both issued pardons to several people that very day (and recently) who have broken laws and were 1) close associates and even family members, in the case of President Biden, or 2) supporters of President Trump’s election denial claim that led to violence against police officers he claimed to support, as well as threats to kill Vice President Pence, on January 6, 2021. This is not an example of democracy in action but rather the granting of special privileges based on hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions. As newly inaugurated Vice-President Vance stated recently regarding the matter of pardoning the January 6 violent protesters, “If you committed violence on that day, you shouldn’t be pardoned.” Or even President Trump’s own promise that “I’m going to do case-by-case. We’re going to look at each individual case.” Obviously, that was not the case, as he sprung everyone (or almost everyone) involved with no review. So, the inauguration was both a day of excitement and disappointment for many who value democracy and truthfulness, including this writer.

This is the type of conundrum represented by the approaching Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Aries, 2025-2026, that will either make or break the dream of a “Golden Age” for the U.S. If you want a “Golden Age” under Saturn/Neptune, you have to be a person of your word. Deception is the downside of this aspect.

While I am editorializing, let me take the opportunity to agree with those who insist that President Trump ran a brilliant campaign. I would also agree he is a brilliant deal-maker and has a gift for raising revenues, personally and for the nation. However, as gifted as he is at making money, little in his personal history indicates that he is gifted at managing money. To think that he is angling for a voice/influence on decisions that the Federal Reserve Board, or even the U.S. Treasury Secretary, should not give anyone comfort. This is especially true given the Saturn/Neptune conjunctions of 2025-2026, making a T-square to the Federal Reserve Board’s natal Sun/Pluto opposition (power struggles) and square to the U.S. natal Venus/Jupiter conjunction. The latter is one of the classical bankruptcy aspects if not attended to with a talent to control the expense side of the ledger.

Yet we are now entering the powerful “Aries Vortex” this spring (Saturn and Neptune crossing from Pisces to Aries, which is also the midpoint of Uranus and Pluto). This unusual cosmic alignment offers the possibility of the very “Golden Age” President Trump promises. It will be turbulent, at least at first. And with all the personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars) retrograde back-to-back between December 7, 2024, and April 12, 2025, chaos is probably the dominant theme of this period of such sweeping changes being enacted. I will discuss this on Saturday’s just-announced webinar.

New and bold initiatives will begin, executive orders will be pronounced, and promises will be made. However, the implementation will likely be fraught with confusion and misjudgments initially. This could lead to volatility in the world stock markets. How long this lasts depends on the flexibility of the decision-makers to recognize a bad trade or decision as quickly as possible and make revisions. This time band of uncertainty and volatility might end by spring, or it could last into 2027. The planets are not entirely causal, but they do correspond to the nature of choices before us, and those choices will determine the outcome.

With Saturn/Neptune entering Aries (i.e., the “Aries Vortex”), it is imperative to be truthful, honest, and transparent and consciously avoid behaviors that may be construed as corrupt, deceptive, or undemocratic if you claim to run a democratic enterprise. If our leaders can do that, then yes, the U.S. (and other nations of the world, too) can be on the verge of a new “Golden Age,” one that we have been anticipating over the past three years as a “Techno Renaissance.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: WHAT THE &%#@?! IS HAPPENING? AN ASTROLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE PLANETARY MOVEMENTS NOW UNDERWAY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025, NOON EST. We are pleased to announce that MMA will host a 60- to 90-minute webinar with noted financial market analyst Raymond Merriman on Saturday, January 25, starting at noon EST. The cost is $35. A recording of this event will be available by Monday, January 27, to all who sign up. Note: This is different from the Forecast 2025 webinar taking place on February 16, which will cover specific financial markets, investments, and their timing.

About this new webinar: All the personal planets are in back-to-back retrograde cycles through mid-spring, which is unusual and meaningful. We call this “retrograde chaos.” All the outer planets are in the process of ingressing into new signs for the first time in 300 years — and before that, it was another 300 years. We refer to this outer planet ingress period as a time of great “turbulence.”

This is the middle of the “New Aira” (2020-2032) and the advent of “The Aries Vortex” (2025-2026). What do these mean for the world and individuals? Understanding these challenges, as shown by the cosmos, can make the difference between success and failure or between stress and excitement about new opportunities. Join us for an insightful look at what these cosmic indicators say — it will help you plan your year ahead. To register, click here.

NOTE 2: SPECIAL “10-DAY FLASH DISCOUNT” RATE OFFER TO MMA SUBSCRIBERS AND READERS OF THIS COLUMN FOR THE MARCH 7-9, 2025, COSMIC PATTERNS ASTROLOGY CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO, FL – FEATURING MMA MARKET ANALYSTS ON A SPECIAL FINANCIAL TRACK!!! This discount is available exclusively to MMA readers from January 24 to February 2, 2025. and is not retroactive. Grab this while you can!

 To take advantage of this special “Flash 10% Discount Rate” on the conference AND Ray Merriman’s pre-conference workshop on Financial Market Timing, call +1-352-373-1504 or click here. The discount code for Ray Merriman’s Pre-Conference Workshop is RMPRE10CONFIN. The discount code for the main conference is RMMAIN10CONV. After you complete the form, make sure to include the discount codes in the “STD CODE” box. NOTE: The regular amount will be shown, but your credit card will not be charged automatically. They will charge it once your registration is confirmed and finalized. Their department will respond within 24 to 48 hours after they receive your order.

To book a room at the Florida Hotel and Convention Center, where the event takes place, click here.

The Financial Track will include Raymond Merriman (USA), Christeen Skinner (UK), Gianni Di Poce (USA), Wiebke Held (Germany), Pouyan Zolfagharnia (UK), and Ulric Aspegrén (Switzerland). For more information on the event itself and speakers’ topics and bios, click here. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

NOTE 3: MMA’s Annual Forecast 2025 Worldwide Webinar with Raymond Merriman. Sunday, February 16, 2025, Noon EST. From the comfort of your own home or office, you can tune in to Raymond Merriman’s annual worldwide Forecast 2025 Webinar. This broadcast will address the theme from this year’s Forecast 2025 book, with special updates on financial markets since the book was written in November 2024. This presentation will include trading plans for the DJIA, Gold, Silver, Bitcoin, Inflation, and Interest Rates. A special guest will be Wiebke Held of Cologne, Germany, a top MMTA graduate and editor of the new MMA Tech Cycles Report, who will give her outlook on the NASDAQ using the MMA timing methodology. If you are unable to attend live, a video recording will be available the following day. The cost is $60 for this special three-hour webinar. Registration for the Forecast 2025 Webinar is now open. Save the date! Sign up now!

NOTE 4: THE JANUARY ISSUE OF THE MMA Monthly Cycles Report Plus+, edited by Pouyan Zolfagharnia, will be issued this week. This market letter has become a very popular addition to the MMA Cycles Report (it’s less technical, more visual, and contains horoscopes of current importance, high-quality analysis, and updates on MMA Cycles Report markets). The mid-month addendum to the MMA Cycles Report covers Pouyan’s outlook on Gold, Silver, the NASDAQ, and Crude Oil. It has stunning graphics and charts (people love it!) and is very readable. It contains more illustrations and references to geocosmics than most MMA Cycles reports and is only available by subscription only to those who also subscribe to the MMA Monthly Cycles Report. If you wish to try this month’s addendum, along with the latest issue of the MMA Monthly Cycles Report, sign up online at the link above. A subscription for a monthly copy of both reports is $55. That will give you both the most recent January copy of the MMA Cycles Report and the monthly MMA Cycles Report Plus+ addendum coming out this week. For further information and ordering instructions, please click here.

 NOTE 5: GET READY! The NEW monthly MMA Technology Cycles Report will launch on February 18!!! This new monthly report will be written by top MMTA graduate Wiebke Held of Cologne, Germany, whose excellent two-year research papers were based on extensive studies of long-, intermediate-, and short-term cycles in the NASDAQ spot index (not futures). This report will differ in style and substance from the other MMA monthly reports (more condensed, less technical). It will provide an outlook not only for the NASDAQ but also for the QQQ (ETF) and specific technology stocks such as NVIDIA and Apple. It will also include unique CRDs (critical reversal dates) specific to the NASDAQ, based on Held’s meticulous research. Focusing on the NASDAQ is crucial because of the outsized role technology will play in financial markets — especially with Pluto already in Aquarius for the next 20 years and Uranus about to enter Gemini for seven years starting in July 2025. Additionally, much of this report will be generated by Wiebke’s own AI applications. Truly, this will be an exciting report, highlighting many new features of our technology renaissance. This is the future of market timing applications in this “New Aira.”

The first edition of the report will be issued complimentary to anyone on the mailing list of this free weekly column or to those who sign up for the February 16 MMA annual webinar on Forecast 2025. If you want to receive the FREE first issue of this new report, sign up for this weekly distribution list now at https://www.mmacycles.com/free-weekly-forecast/!

NOTE 6: THE “JUPITER REPORT“ — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY — IS ALSO NOW AVAILABLE. This newest product is written by Raymond Merriman. It is a 30- to 40-page report that all traders (and even non-traders) will find highly valuable. 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). As an added bonus, each transit is ranked on a scale 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!!!

NOTE 7: THE MMA Solar-Lunar App now offers reversal signals on the NASDAQ to all subscribers! The app now provides daily weighted values for four markets: 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. 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.

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

 NOTE 8: 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 9: 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!

NOTE 10: FORECAST 2025 IS NOW AVAILABLE in paperback, eBook, and audiobook!!!

 MMA’s annual Forecast book is the standard of astrological-themed almanacs that has served students of cycles and markets since 1976. It provides a cyclical outlook on collective world psychology, the national economy, geopolitical overview, socio-cultural trends, weather and natural calamity potential, as well as financial market projections for the U.S. stock market, 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 2025, which have historically achieved over 80% accuracy for trading cycles within an orb of three trading days.

The printed book is 200 pages, 8.5″ x 11″, and costs $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 has no limit. The Forecast 2025 Audiobook is also now available for $29.99, has no limit, and 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 are included in the print and eBook versions. It covers only the first part of the book. The audio version is an excellent companion for workouts or driving, allowing you to listen 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 order Forecast 2025 now, please click here.

EVENTS

 We have a big year lined up with several exciting events. Save the dates!

 JANUARY 25, 2025, NOON EST: THIS SATURDAY! “WHAT THE !@#$%^& IS HAPPENING? An Astrological Interpretation of the Planetary Movements Now Underway.” MMA hosts a 60- to 90-minute webinar (lecture) with noted financial market analyst Raymond Merriman on Saturday, January 25, starting at noon EST. The cost is $35. A recording of this event will be available by Monday, January 27, to all who sign up. Note: This is not the same as the Forecast 2025 webinar taking place on February 16, which will cover specific financial markets, investments, and their timing. For more information, see “Announcements” above. This is more of a cosmic weather report, providing insight and understanding of the times we are living in. To register, click here.

 FEBRUARY 16, 2025: MMA’s Annual Forecast 2025 Worldwide Webinar with Raymond Merriman. It starts at noon EST. From the comfort of your own home or office, you can tune in to Raymond Merriman’s annual worldwide Forecast 2025 Webinar. This broadcast will address the theme from this year’s Forecast 2025 book, with updates on financial markets since the book was written in November 2024. This presentation will include trading plans for various financial markets based on the possibility of big moves related to the powerful geocosmic signature of mid-June 2025. A special guest will be Wiebke Held of Cologne, Germany, a top MMTA graduate and editor of the new MMA Tech Cycles Report. She will provide her outlook on the NASDAQ using the MMA timing methodology. If you are unable to attend live, a video recording will be available the following day. The cost is $60 for this special three-hour webinar. Registration for the Forecast 2025 Webinar is now open. Save the date — sign up now!

 MARCH 7-9, 2025: NOTE THE SPECIAL ONE-WEEK FLASH SALE ON THIS EVENT! 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 from 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). NOTE: You can save $45-55 by registering this week during a special “Flash Discount Window” secured for MMA readers. See details in the Announcements above!

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2025 (exact beginning dates to be decided shortly): MMTA4 will begin! This is the two-year training course in the unique, one-of-a-kind MMA market timing methodology. Many of the excellent analysts covering various markets in the annual Forecast book, monthly MMA Cycles Reports, and weekly MMA market reports are graduates of the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). Readers of these reports know they are exceptional analysts (and traders, too!). There is no other educational training program to become an analyst or trader like MBTA’s two-year program—none anywhere that comes close to the interaction, depth, and understanding of market patterns and their correlation to geocosmic studies and cycles, whether the cycle is short, intermediate, or long-term. Registration for the fourth offering of MMTA (since 2013) will begin shortly after Venus turns direct (mid-April). The cost for the full two-year program will be $24,000 and will include three software programs (retail value $3000+) for market charting, geocosmic timing indicators, and research studies correlating market behavior to MMA’s proprietary timing models, as created by Raymond Merriman. The course also includes Zoom recordings of each class, with PowerPoint slides and eight workbooks covering the material of each class. Plan now if you are interested in being a student in the next MMTA class! The live courses will take place in two-hour segments on approximately 20-24 Saturdays per year. If you can’t be there during the live class, recordings will be available the following Monday.

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 of educating 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.