MMA FREE WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING January 6, 2025

REVIEW

Whoa! That was one rocky, end-of-year holiday sleigh ride for financial markets! But then again, when you have the long-term Jupiter/Saturn waxing square on December 24, followed by the disruptive Venus/Uranus waning square on December 28, it was not likely to follow the typical “Santa Claus” rally script that many analysts expected. In a twist of the usual bullish seasonal pattern, many global stock indices exhibited declines into possible primary cycle lows and double bottoms within just a couple of days of these aspects. At the end of last week, new life seemed to enter as markets rallied smartly. After all, when strong aspects involving Saturn coincide with depressed prices, most markets rally shortly after.

In the Far East and Asia, a possible primary cycle low occurred on December 20 in the Australian ASX as the index dropped to its lowest price since early September, and then began a rocky rally. The Indian Nifty index made a double-bottom low (and possible primary cycle) on December 20 and 31. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong also made double bottoms on December 14 and January 2. China’s Shanghai Composite took a beating on January 3, falling to its lowest level since October 18. Japan’s Nikkei index was closed much of this time, but bucked the downward trend of the season with a rally back above 40,000 on December 27, its highest mark since July 18. But that was under Venus square Uranus when the Nikkei usually reverses within four trading days.

In Europe, it was also erratic. After posting a new all-time high on December 13, the German DAX fell hard into a possible primary cycle low on December 20, just two trading days before Jupiter square Saturn. The Zurich SMI fell even harder on December 20, to its lowest level since May 3. The Netherlands AEX and London FTSE also exhibited new multi-week lows on December 20. Europe didn’t do so well headed into the Christmas Eve Jupiter/Saturn square.

In the Americas, Brazil’s Bovespa index got hammered on January 3, falling to its lowest level in over a year. But in the U.S., there were strong bullish triggers off lows that formed over the holidays. The S&P and DJIA both made possible primary cycle lows on December 20 (again, just two trading days before Jupiter square Saturn). But the NASDAQ diverged, making its possible primary cycle low on January 2. All three markets were sharply up on Friday, January 3. You have to love those intramarket bullish divergence signals when one of the markets in a region bottoms during a 3-star CRD (geocosmic critical reversal date) time band and a period when primary cycle lows are due, but the others hold declines in a double-bottom chart formation.

In other markets, Silver posted a new 3-month low on December 19 with a double bottom on December 31, while during the same period, Gold held well above its primary cycle trough of November 14, for a case of intermarket bullish divergence. We like to see Gold leading the way up in a new primary cycle after this type of signal from a geocosmic critical reversal zone. However, we now need to see Gold continue its rally above 2761 to confirm this is also a new 50-week cycle headed to new all-time highs.

Bitcoin and Ethereum also appear to be exhibiting new life as of Friday, following BTC’s 15% decline from its all-time high of 108,379 on December 12 to a major cycle low of 91,262 on December 30. Now, we will see if it can make a new all-time high, or just a secondary high in the next couple of weeks before falling to its primary cycle low, which is due at the end of this current major cycle phase. Crude Oil is also enjoying a good run, rising to a high of 74.35 on Friday, January 3, its highest level since October 14.

SHORT-TERM GEOCOSMIC

Our last column of two weeks ago stated, “In terms of market behavior, Jupiter/Saturn waxing squares have a very high correlation to primary cycles (troughs or crests), usually within one week.” Mark that as another hit and a positive sign for stock markets.

However, concerns are remaining on the geocosmic front. We are still in the retrograde chaos period where bullish and bearish technical signals can easily and quickly turn into fake-outs. This whipsaw period began November 25-December 15, first with Mercury turning retrograde. Next, this was followed by Mars going retrograde (December 7-February 23), and Venus doing its turnaround act from March 1 to April 12. And before Venus turns direct, Mercury the Trickster returns for an encore (retrograde cycle) from March 15 through April 7. It’s never easy and clear when personal planets are retrograde, and in this case, all three personal planets will be in retrograde motion, back-to-back, from November 25, 2024, through April 12. 2025. Think of this as two steps forward and then two steps back, over and over again, by one of your dance partners, but not in rhythm with you (or the masses). Hence, there is the potential for many fake-out bullish and/or bearish signals.

Our rules for these retrogrades remain the same: take profits quickly as a short-term trader. Don’t marry your position unless you enjoy chaos. Some people do. Position traders don’t, but aggressive, short-term traders might. It’s like we are all turning into Geminis (with Jupiter in Gemini square Saturn in Pisces still in the orb). It’s a mutable dilemma.

This week may be notable given that 1) Mars just formed an opposition to Pluto on January 3 (terrorism and brutal attacks taking human lives) and 2) Mars retrograding back into Cancer on January 6-April 17. The last passage of Mars in Cancer (September 4-November 4) was quite bullish for Gold. Now we see if it does the same when retrograde. On January 15, Mars in Cancer will be opposed by the Sun in Capricorn, just two days after the Full Moon. This could be a particularly dangerous time (terrorism), but it could also indicate unusually harsh weather conditions (cold) threatening safety to people in northern climates.

So what is one to do during this cosmic storm of retrograde personal planets? First of all, refrain from overtrading. Secondly, if you are familiar with options, consider writing calls on strong rallies against your underlying positions. Third, try not to be oversensitive and/or cynical and critical of others. Low-level emotional reactions will get you nowhere. It will only make you appear small-minded, creating unwanted reactions from others as they run from you rather than towards you. Mars is all about “me.” Mars in Cancer is all about “me being needy” of someone’s time and attention who doesn’t want to give it. If you want something, be independent and go for it. Don’t depend upon the unwilling to do it for you. Don’t drag your feet on required actions. If you do as a trader during this time, you will miss the opportunities presented, at least short-term. And if you are too late, you may be tempted to blame someone else for your missed opportunity. Be conscious not to do that. Be independent and alert, especially with the family and those you love.

And finally, Happy New Year! It should be an interesting and exciting one, especially after mid-April. Until then, learn to find the opportunity in chaos. Its there. It may have just erupted in many financial markets discussed in this week’s column. But the direction may be rocky. Knowing this, you can navigate accordingly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 NOTE 1: 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 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 historically achieved over 80% accuracy for trading cycle highs and lows 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 does not have a 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 that will be included in the print and eBook versions. It covers the first part of the book. It makes an excellent companion when working out or driving and you can 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 pre-order Forecast 2025 now, please click here.

 NOTE 2: 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 her extensive studies on long-, intermediate-, and short-term cycles in the NASDAQ spot index (not futures). This will be a different report in style and substance than the other MMA monthly reports (more condensed, less technical), as it will not only give the outlook for the NASDAQ and QQQ but also for specific technology stocks like NVIDIA and Apple. It will also provide different CRDs (critical reversal dates) that are unique to NASDAQ and based on Held’s meticulous research. Focusing on the NASDAQ is important because of the outsized role technology will play in financial markets, especially with Pluto already in Aquarius for the next 20 years, but Uranus will also enter Gemini for seven years starting in 2025. Additionally, much of this report will be generated by Wiebke’s own AI applications. Truly, this will be an exciting report that will highlight many of the new features in our burgeoning 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 who is on the mailing list of this free weekly column or who signs 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 now!

NOTE 3: Come Join us at the March 7-9, 2025 “Convergence 2025 Conference” in Orlando, Florida,” sponsored by Cosmic Patterns software. This will be one of the top astrological conferences of 2025 and will include a track on “Research and Financial Markets.” It will include MMA market analysts Ray Merriman, Gianni Di Poce, Pouyan Zolfagharnia, Ulric Aspegrén, and Wiebke Held, along with well-known financial astrologer Christeen Skinner of the U.K. For further information, please go to https://cosmicpatternsconference.com/. You can also hear and read about this exciting gathering on YouTube (click here). We look forward to seeing many of you there!

NOTE 4: THE “JUPITER REPORT“ — YOUR MOMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY – IS ALSO NOW AVAILABLE. 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!!!

NOTE 5: 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 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 week.

EVENTS

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

 January 10, 2025: “Trends for 2025,” A live webinar sponsored by AstroData of Zurich, Switzerland. Claude Weiss, Verna Bachman, Monica Kissling, Alexandra Klinghammer, and Raymond Merriman will give their outlooks on 2025. This event is in German, and Merriman’s presentation will be translated from English to German. The title of his presentation will be “ENTERING THE “ARIES VORTEX”: Retrogrades, Outer-Planet Ingresses and Aspects, Chaos and Opportunity. It will take place in the afternoon, in the Eastern time zone. For further information, contact www.AstroData.com.

 February 16, 2025: The 2025 Forecast Webinar with Raymond Merriman. Save the date!!! Details and registration will open next week. In addition, all participants will receive the first a complimentary copy of the new monthly “MMA Technology Report,” which will come out the following week (see announcement above).

 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).

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 all graduates of the Merriman Market Timing Academy (MMTA). And 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 as MMTA’s two-year program – none anywhere that comes close to the interaction, depth, and understanding of market patterns and their correlation to cycles and geocosmic studies, whether short-, intermediate- or long term. Registration for the fourth offering of MMTA (since 2013) will begin around the spring equinox. 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 8 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 2-hour segments on approximately 20-24 Saturdays/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.