Weekly column: Astrological and economic outlook for spring

Review

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped on Friday, but clinched its best week of the year after back-to-back record-setting sessions….One reason for the market optimism stems from this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The central bank left rates unchanged, and commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell reinforced that cuts are coming despite a recent bout of hot inflation readings that led some investors to fear a postponed easing timeline

—Samantha Subin, “Dow Closes 300 Points Lower Friday, but Notches Best Week since December,” www.cnbc.com, March 22, 2024.

That doesn’t mean the Jupiter/Uranus express headed to its major destination on April 20/21 has been derailed. It just means there is a pause as Venus will first conjoin Saturn on March 21, followed by a powerful solar eclipse, and Mars conjoining Saturn, April 8-10. It may get a bit rocky short-term, but the magnetic pull of Jupiter and Uranus is still poised to outweigh other cosmic forces.

—Ray Merriman, MMA Free Weekly Column, March 18, 2024.

The pause in global stock markets ended last week as many indices shot up to new highs. The rallies were especially strong on Wednesday and Thursday after the Fed announced it would not cut rates just yet (as expected), while the Bank of England actually did lower rates, and the European Central Bank stated it would soon follow. On that news, several European and U.S. stock markets shot up to new all-time highs.

However, on Friday, equities sold off sharply in the U.S. but they still ended the week higher. This confirms our thoughts that stock markets would pause, then become a bit ragged and choppy, but would continue their advance to new highs associated with the forthcoming Jupiter/Uranus conjunction on April 20/21.

Stocks were not the only beneficiary of the central bank’s dovish tone last week. Gold soared to a new all-time high late Wednesday at 2223. However, by Friday, it had fallen back to a low of 2158. Silver also rallied on the Fed’s announcement, to a high of 25.97 early Thursday. By Friday, it had fallen to 24.58.

Bitcoin and Ethereum had sharp sell-offs last week. From its all-time high of 73,803 on March 13, Bitcoin dropped all the way back to 60,760 one week later, a loss of 17.6%. Ethereum had a multi-year high of 4093 on March 13, followed by a selloff to 3058 one week later, for a loss of slightly over 25%. As subscribers know, we are looking for a decline of 20–50% for the 16-month cycle trough in Bitcoin. The criterion is being fulfilled in Ethereum already, after only one week.

Crude Oil made a new 4-month high last Tuesday, rallying to 83.12 before pulling back modestly as it remains above 80.00. Given that Jupiter is a co-ruler of Crude Oil, it could still break out into April 20/21 when Jupiter conjoins Uranus, the king of breakouts.

Short-term geocosmics

Home sales rose in February from the month prior, marking the first time in more than two years that sales increased for two consecutive months. Sales of existing homes, the majority of purchases, surged 9.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.38 million, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had estimated sales of previously owned homes to fall 1.3% in February.

—Will Parker and Nicole Friedman, “U.S. Home Sales Jumped 9.5% in February,” Wall Street Journal, March 21, 2024.

Interest rates are likely to come down later this year, with the Federal Reserve on track to start cutting rates. But mortgage rates might not follow as quickly….In short, prospective homebuyers might get a little help from the Fed later this year. But not that much.

—Telia Demos, “The New Normal for Mortgage Rates Will Be Higher Than Many Hope,” Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2024.

You can’t always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes, you just might find,

You get what you need.

—Keith Richards/Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones,

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” 1969

We now leave the gentle season of Pisces and start a new cycle, beginning with Aries and the spring (vernal) equinox of March 19/20, depending on where you live. It’s like going from a cozy, pleasant slumber to the rude awakening of an overly loud alarm clock. Get up! Pay attention! The house is on fire!

The first month of spring (Aries) might be a little more dramatic than usual this year because it contains both a lunar and solar eclipse on March 25 and April 8, respectively. Not only that, but the solar eclipse in Aries will also be conjunct Chiron, the “wounded healer.” This means there is a danger of harm, especially in war games (Aries territory). Once again, right on cue, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued yet another dire warning to the world. Not only did he reiterate another threat of possible nuclear weapons if NATO troops enter Ukraine, but he also announced 100,000 more troops would be sent to Kyiv for a new offensive this summer according to Reuters. This is not just April’s solar eclipse in Aries conjoining Chiron, but it reflects the even greater matter of the “Aries Vortex” coming up in 2025–2026, as covered in recent MMA webinars. We will revisit this topic and financial markets again on April 20 at a speech to be given live at Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

In terms of financial markets, my observation is that solar eclipses tend to be more often positive than negative for stocks. However, they do not usually correspond to the culmination of primary cycles (lows or highs). They can reflect sharp gains and losses right before or after the eclipse. With the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction two weeks later, my view remains that stocks can still go higher and maybe continue even into May through June due to additional favorable Jupiter aspects arising then.

Yet, as previously mentioned, markets can get ragged here. Mercury will turn retrograde from April 1 through April 25. The “Trickster” can cause sharp price movements (up and down) in short spans of time, especially in its first 10–12 retrograde days. During the Mercury retrograde period, we will have the solar eclipse, which can also coincide with sharp price swings, followed by Mars conjunct Saturn on April 10. Combinations like this can also propel sharp price swings (reversals) in foods (watch grains, orange juice, and cocoa, and by association, also live cattle and meats). These are not likely easy markets to navigate, but until proven otherwise, keep the focus on the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction of April 20/21 as a marker for trends to continue in markets.

Key words to remember during this particular Aries season are “danger and aggression.” Key behaviors to exhibit for best results are “caution and avoidance of risk.” It’s fine to start new initiatives as long as one is fully aware of the consequences. In other words, backup plans will be important when things don’t immediately go quite the way one wants (Mars/Saturn = “frustration and delays”). Efforts can still be successful for those who are both patient and farsighted.

Note that this may be a “bully’s season.” Avoid the bully. There is nothing to gain by being a bully or giving in to a bully. There is much to gain, however, by being self-motivated and independent (not dependent on others who may frustrate and cause upset). It is useful to work hard on projects deemed as personally important, even if you have to work alone. In fact, it may be better to work alone than with others who fall behind in their commitments, especially during the week of April 10.

Mark it down. But don’t set your alarm clock to it.