More on Bi-BB trading rules ... and gold

Randall Ashbourne, an associate of Astrological Investing, posts a weekly market report on his web site, theidiotandthemoon.com The following is this weekend's Eye of RA report: Week beginning February 17, 2014 

Less than 8 weeks ago, most of the stock market "experts" were predicting another rip-roaring year ahead.

Then, along came January and they were falling over each other to lament the start of "the big one".

And on Friday, the Nasdaq 100 hit new highs and the SP500 was in gushing Pollyanna mode, finishing the week only a half per cent away from its all-time high in mid-January.

As I've been saying ... the series of retrogrades involving Venus, Mercury and Mars is likely to cause confusion early in 2014.

American markets will be closed on Monday and we need to be aware that traders will return from the long weekend with a potential rethink.

Monday is the midpoint of the current Mercury Retrograde phase and there is at least some danger that trends which began at the start of the phase will go into reverse halfway through the cycle.

Unusually, stocks and gold prices have been running strongly in the same direction.

But the same mechanism we began discussing a couple of weekends ago to look for a potential turn in stocks, is now giving signals that gold's rise is nearing a "breather" stage.

Let's begin, though, with Pollyanna. We've been using the past few weeks as a real-time example of how to use the Bi-BBs when they show a particular pattern.

To reiterate:

1. Tightening bands warn of a very fast move

2. A break of the outer bands stalls the move or forces a countertrend

3. The first move is usually in the wrong direction

So, let's take a look at where we currently stand in relation to those signals. The extreme tightening provoked the fast move down and the breaking of the outside bands first caused a stall and the second break launched a strong countertrend ... indicating that the first move was in the "wrong" direction.

Now, if it were not for the astrological expectation that the midpoint of the Mercury Rx phase can reverse the trend in play, I'd tend to lean here towards Pollyanna gushing to new highs.

We do have a rule that astrological expectations do not over-ride technical conditions. The significance of that is the new, higher peaks in the MACD histogram strongly suggest this isn't going into a sudden reversal.

But, the index is hitting planetary resistance. As we discussed last weekend, the 500 is within a price zone where uptrending and downtrending primary planet lines intersect. If the rally continues when traders return on Tuesday, the maximum price likely to be reached in the week ahead is around the 1860s.

A reversal would probably take the index back to the 1760s over the next couple of weeks.

Gold is now showing some sparkle, indicating it is possible that the correction ended with the double-bottom recorded in late December.

But, is it too much, too fast? If the "normal" rules of Bi-BB trading hold true, then yes. The upside outer band has been broken decisively ... so there's a strong chance that price will stall, or change direction.

The last minor break of the upside band, on January 26, provoked a 5-day pullback.

However, we are now getting strong signals that gold may well be in the early stages of a new Bull leg which will, eventually, take out the old highs.

We last looked at gold in any depth in the January 20 edition, which you can access in the Archives. At the time I indicated I'd prepare a special report on gold. I've been waiting for this sort of move to occur. I'll wait a little longer to see the reaction to make sure that report is as useful as it can be.

However, the potential for future profits in gold itself, and the miners, is starting to look very good. Two things to take special note of in the Sun-Pluto chart below ...

Firstly, our Big Bird oscillator couldn't be happier. The canary is trilling like a lark. And secondly, price has escaped the barrier of a downtrending heliocentric Sun line which put a stop to all attempted breakouts from October 2012 to March 2013.

Everything is looking good - for the intermediate to long-range future. But, we need to see this Sun line breakout tested and confirmed before we can be certain that the final low in gold's correction has been cemented in place.

We're only halfway through the Mercury Retrograde phase ... and a few days after he goes Direct again, Mars goes into a long Rx cycle.
Safe trading - RA

Astrological Investing's associate, Randall Ashbourne, author of the eBook, The Idiot and The Moon, and The Idiot and the Moon, Forecast 2014, writes a free weekly column titled, The Eye of Ra on his web site in  which he explains the potential impact of astrological aspects and the current state of technical conditions. Ashbourne's charts are revealing illustrations of exactly what has occurred in the market and the probability of what to expect.
Important reading:  Randall Ashbourne's The Idiot and The Moon, Forecast 2014
(Disclaimer: This article is not advice or a recommendation to trade stocks; it is merely educational material.)
Copyright: Randall Ashbourne - 2011-2014

Happy Solstice ... and see you in 2014

Randall Ashbourne, an associate of Astrological Investing, posts a weekly market report on his web site, theidiotandthemoon.com The following is this weekend's Eye of RA report: Week beginning December 16, 2013

Stonehenge on the Winter Solstice

Pollyanna - the SP500 - topped out last Monday with a fairly precise hit of one of the important planetary lines we looked at last weekend.

However, the Time factor was off ... and that means we can't be sure this is an intermediate breakdown.

We'll return to the relevant chart in a moment.

This weekend will be the last Eye of Ra report for the year. I need now to shift my mental focus away from the current action and concentrate for a couple of weeks on what 2014 is likely to bring.

Astrologically, the coming week brings the Full Moon on Tuesday (NY time), the same day Uranus turns direct. Next weekend, Venus will turn Retrograde and the Sun enters Capricorn.

Neither the Venus nor Uranus change of direction has a reliable track record of turning markets in any particular direction.

And, in any case, everyone has their eye on what the US Fed will do this week.

Thank you for your company during the year and I wish you all the best during the holiday season.

Forecast 2014 should be ready the first week of January.

Pollyanna and the Nasdaq were the last of the major world indices to top out ...

The DJI and the DAX made their Highs on November 29; the CAC 40 peaked on November 7; the FTSE on October 30; and the ASX200 on October 28.

Last weekend, I indicated the SP500 had potential breakout or breakdown levels associated with a couple of important trines ... Mercury and Uranus or Jupiter and Saturn.

Jupiter/Saturn had the highest price level to watch - $1811.63. The index peaked on Monday at $1811.52 - close enough to a double-top with its November 29 peak.

I also indicated last weekend that breakdown through the lower price levels was likely to trigger strong, further correction. But the break had to happen on the day the aspects were exact. And that part didn't happen.

Compounding the problem of predicting the short-term direction into year's end is the fact that other indices have been in real correction mode for weeks.

The FTSE, for example, has lost almost 50% of the rally which started in June.

 

The ASX 200, below, has lost 50% of the rally ... though it had a little bounce from that level on Friday.

And the Pollyanna index has lost very little.

For the next couple of weeks, the trading volumes are likely to decline markedly. We can't rule out a bounce ... because a lot of the non-Wall Street indices have reached relatively strong support levels.

There'll also be a tendency for the big fund managers to want to end the year on a high note. And Benign Ben is nearing the end of his term and one suspects doesn't want to see it all come to an end with a sharp drop in the market he has taken to new highs.

But, what happens when Ben waves bye-bye?

And that's a topic for another year!

Warm regards, best wishes and ... Safe trading - RA
Astrologicalinvesting.com note:  Randall Ashbourne's Forecast 2014 will be available to purchase in January 2014 at 
www.astrologicalinvesting.com  as well as www.theidiotandthemoon.com 

Astrological Investing's associate, Randall Ashbourne, author of the eBook, The Idiot and The Moon, and The Idiot and the Moon, Forecast 2013, writes a free weekly column titled, The Eye of Ra on his web site in  which he explains the potential impact of astrological aspects and the current state of technical conditions. Ashbourne's charts are revealing illustrations of exactly what has occurred in the market and the probability of what to expect.
Randall Ashbourne's Forecast 2014 will be available to purchase at www.astrologicalinvesting.com/html/shop.htmlwww.astrologicalinvesting.com  as well as www.theidiotandthemoon.com 


(Disclaimer: This article is not advice or a recommendation to trade stocks; it is merely educational material.)
Copyright: Randall Ashbourne - 2011-2013

Solstice, June 20, 2012, Chart Analysis with discussion of Astrological Events

Summer Solstice, June 20, 2012
Chart for Washington, D.C. USA
The first day of summer in the Northern hemisphere
*June 20, 2012 is the Winter Solstice in the Southern hemisphere

by Marlene Pfeifle, CAP

Uranus square Pluto is the astrological theme for this chart and for the summer. The season begins with, and ends with, a repeat of the Uranus square Pluto aspect in September. (see exact dates in list above) This aspect is MOST significant not only because it is the closest planetary aspect by degree, but because of the implication of its meaning.

What it suggests in the Washington D.C. chart is a summer filled with demonstrations and demands from the people. It's an election year, and people want change and reform in government. (The first house represents the people. Pluto is the demand for transformation and reform - the fourth house Uranus, is the restless urge for reform in their government.)

Actually, they want change and reform NOW - and their demands will persist.
A square aspect is tense, dynamic energy pitting the nature of the planets and the signs they are in against each other to force an outcome. Uranus in Aries is bold, impatient, impulsive and rebellious in the quest for individual freedom; Pluto in Capricorn, like a dark version of the comic book superhero, Superman, will only accept "Truth, Justice, and the American Way". Pluto will expose corruption and eliminate whatever is necessary for a positive end result. However, Pluto in Capricorn DOESN'T want to "throw the baby out with the bath water" and likes to move slowly and deliberately with control, destroying what stands in its path, but resisting impulsive, impatient rebel rousing and "change just for change sake".

       Randall Ashbourne describes Uranus - Pluto energy in his Eye of Ra Report, "... "I mentioned last weekend the symbolism of the Uranus-Pluto square as being an Aries/Capricorn confrontation of aggressive rebellions against "the powers that be" ... and I discussed in (my) Forecast 2012 how this had started with the so-called Arab Spring uprisings, which would continue to spread as they have in Syria and Bahrain, but how the same sort of energy would also manifest in other parts of the world.

And it's fairly obvious almost everywhere. There are all sorts of power struggles going on in China. Dissidents are getting bolder. Greece is an obvious Western example, but so is the growing angst in Germany. In terribly polite Britain, Prime Ministers former and current, have been called into the public forum to explain their relationship with the Murdoch empire and whether policy was traded for publicity.

Uranus represents an energy which demands change, reform and radical restructuring of everything it considers "wrong". In Aries, the demands are aggressive and, if thwarted, will turn to direct action ... from taking over the streets to taking up arms.

Pluto represents great power and great wealth concentrated very narrowly. In Capricorn, it is very much all about control by the plutocrats. There are nuances between nations in exactly how it manifests. In some of the Arab nations, it's pretty easy to pick the dictators." - Eye of Ra report, week beginning June 18, 2012" - Eye of Ra report, week beginning June 18, 2012

It will be an intense summer in which the political climate will match the heat of the summer!

In the USA, political parties will officially nominate their presidential candidates at conventions - the Republican National Convention, during week of August 27; the Democratic National convention, during the week of September 3, 2012. With Pluto and Uranus in cardinal signs, we can expect ruthless, negative campaigns and rowdy demonstrations.

June 24 - Uranus square Pluto at 8° Capricorn (exact) - This is the first of a series of waxing squares between Uranus and Pluto during 2012 - March 2015.

    According to Raymond Merriman in his book, Forecast 2012, "..this is the most challenging time for world leaders to resolve their economic and political crises. In such a venerable climate, Gold is apt to remain a safe haven. Investors and speculators will seek protection by diversifying their portfolios with precious metals. A time that stands out in 2012 is the last tens days of June."

Uranus in the fourth house suggests the possibility of unusual, disruptive, destructive weather.  One never really can predict Uranus energy as it represents what is unexpected.  Earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and loss of electricity due to the unusual weather are possible. Have a first aid kit handy, along with plenty of batteries, and extra food and water supplies in case of emergency. Keep your fuel tank filled in case you need to evacuate quickly.

Uranus turns retrograde July 13 When Uranus turns retrograde, Kaye Shinker taught that for the markets "about 4 days before the exact retrograde Uranus reverses the market trend.  Following the Rx motion 80% of the time the markets creep up."(The Textbook for Financial Astrology)

Click here to read the rest of the upcoming astrological events and chart anaylsis by Marlene Pfeifle

Venus Retrograde - Example in the Markets

In my next new Moon newsletter I remind readers that Venus is retrograde until June 27.

Reiterating last month's warning of what to expect with Venus retrograde "The markets enter an ever- changing environment of unpredictability. Since Venus rules money, it is possible that the Federal Reserve Board goes back and forth on decisions made as it revisits and reevaluates past polices."

Yesterday's opening rally and the disappointing close is an example of that. Within minutes of the opening the Dow industrials were over 150 points higher than Wednesday’s impressive 287-point gain. This was the result of the news of China’s central bank's decision to cut interest rates for the first time in four years, and the hopeful anticipation of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to announce QE3 in the near future. 

However Bernanke failed to outline any new stimulus plans and within an hour of the close, profit-taking took back almost all of the early gains.

The New Moon in Gemini, May 20, 2012

Read this New Moon report in it's entirety at www.astrologicalinvesting.com/html/newsletter.html    New Moon forecasts show the general trends and financial outlook for the lunar month based upon location of the chart.* (see note )

 The New Moon in Gemini, May 20, 2012 (Chart from the point of view of Wall Street and the NYSE. (Click for larger PDF image)

Are you ready for this? TWO new Moons in Gemini this year! Gemini is the sign of the twins so it naturally makes perfect sense to have two in Gemini - however, two new Moons in the same sign doesn't happen often in Gemini, or any of the signs.  Only when a new Moon is at the very earliest degree of a sign can it happen. The Moon's cycle is 28 1/2 days - this new Moon in Gemini is at 0° 20' Gemini; the next new Moon in Gemini will be at 28°43' on June 19th.
But more importantly than twin new Moons, this New Moon is a solar eclipse!
And a Lunar Eclipse, Full Moon, follows on June 4.
I'm going to digress from my usual format of presenting the new Moon report, and discuss eclipses... and how this eclipse, and the following Lunar eclipse could potentially impact the financial market.

Eclipses happen on either a new Moon or a full Moon
A new Moon eclipse is a solar eclipse - a full Moon eclipse is a Lunar eclipse.  An eclipse is important astrologically because the energy has a long lasting influence - just how long of an influence varies.   Study has gone into exactly how long an eclipse has influence, yet there is actually no definitive answer.  Some say energy from a solar eclipse can be felt for as many months that are equal to the minutes/hours the actual eclipse lasts, or the amount of time the shadow of the eclipse can be seen.  Some simply say the energy of a solar eclipse can be felt up to 6 months, or until the next solar eclipse; Lunar Eclipses, not quite as long.

In any case, the reason the influence is long lasting is that the degree of the eclipse becomes very sensitive and the energy of the eclipse can dramatically reappear as transiting planets aspect the degree of the eclipse and other planetary positions in the eclipse chart.  

Transiting planets can trigger problematic international world affairs and harsh geological events.  Events that have potential to impact financial markets.

Malefic energy?
Ancient astrologers stressed the "malefic" quality of eclipses.  In reality, the energy is simply increased, intensified action. Therefore, challenging aspects (squares and oppositions) from outer planets, which are difficult to begin with, have added intensity which makes them more problematical.  Trines and sextiles - the so-called "easy" aspects can also be problematical, but most of the time the end results are fortunate.

Both the challenging and the easy aspects in an eclipse chart portend transformation and change.  In the end, it's really how well things are managed.

Earthquakes are associated with eclipses
The area over where the shadow of the eclipse passes is especially susceptible to seismic disturbances.  This solar eclipse begins in eastern Asia and crosses the North Pacific Ocean where it ends in the western United States. The greatest point of the eclipse is in the Pacific Ocean at 49°05.3'N 176°16.8'E. The ring of fire will be activated. View image of the path of the eclipse

Overall increased volatility in the financial market
Near the date of the eclipse, before and after,  there is a marked increase in volatility.  Eclipses have coincided with market reversals in either direction.

Check the first trade or IPO charts you are holding or considering to buy/ sell.  Look to see if they have planets within 5 degrees of 0° and 14° in mutable signs. (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces)
As for individual stock prices, solar eclipses have both positive and negative effects, depending upon which planet it aspects in the stock's IPO or First Trade chart.   (If the chart of incorporation is impacted by the solar eclipse it may or may not influence the price of the stock.)

Solar Eclipses have a predicable influence on individual stocks.

• With Sun, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus or Neptune you may see a positive affect on the price of the stock - but especially so with Venus and Jupiter, the money planets.
• If the chart has Saturn or Pluto within 5° of 0° Gemini be careful - this eclipse could impact the stock very negatively!
• Oppositions and squares are important to watch as well, but the conjunction makes the strongest impact. Trines, sextiles and minor aspects are not reliable indicators of whether the price of a stock will move up or down
• Sixteen of the DJI incorporation charts will be impacted by this eclipse. However, only four of the Dow's IPO charts will be.
• Exxon-Mobil (XOM) and AT&T ( T ) have Pluto at 0° Gemini in their chart incorporation. This suggests some sort of shake-up or transformation of the corporation. It will be interesting to see if it will have an influence on the price of the stock.
• The IPO chart of Verizon (VZ) has Jupiter at 0° Gemini. This is very promising for the price of stock! Also, because VZ is in the "Gemini Sector" (governed by Gemini and the planet Mercury) this eclipse foreshadows a very promising year for VZ as Jupiter transits Gemini.

If you are interested in obtaining all the DJI charts, click here. The charts and data can be purchased separately, but are also found in Kaye Shinker's, The Textbook for Financial Astrology, Book 3.

An astrological trip around the Solar Eclipse chart:
Intense, high energy is suggested by the planetary positions.

The very powerful Scorpio chart rulers, Mars and Pluto, are trine - meaning, energy flows easily and in support of each other when in action.

The high energy of the chart is even more pronounced because the solar eclipse falls in an angular house.
Angular houses in the horoscope are dynamic. Planets in, and rulers of, angular houses express the most action and have the strongest impact.

Mars, co-ruler of the chart, is in an angular house (10th); Uranus is the 4th house, also angular; and, one must to give importance to how close Jupiter is to the 7th house cusp. Jupiter this close can act as if it were actually IN the 7th, which is very fortunate.

What makes this new Moon Solar Eclipse formidable is the square between Neptune and the 7th house Solar Eclipse, and Uranus in the fourth house square Pluto in the second. These could be considered ill-fated and very challenging aspects; yet there is a lot of supportive, favorable energy suggested in the chart otherwise, by house rulers and planetary rulers.

The Solar Eclipse New Moon in the seventh house square Neptune in the third house
Eclipses portend powerful change and transformation governed by the house and sign it falls in the horoscope.

In the 7th house and square Neptune, this eclipse suggests increased tensions and threatening developments arising in foreign affairs. Scandal, especially involving women, and outbursts of sensationalism in the media are prevalent. There is outrage over various forms of vice. Markets react unfavorably to dire political news, the issues of the current debt, national credit and monetary policy.

Solar eclipses in the sign of Gemini suggest multiple newsworthy events
Unexpected incidents involving travel - in the air, by rail, land, and on the sea - are possible, as well as events involving all types of communications, the media, and education.

Venus in the seventh house trine Saturn in the 11th house
Venus in her own house gives strength to Venusian energy, favoring a positive outcome in events. Even though Venus is retrograde and not strong by sign, Venus is trine an exalted Saturn in Libra. Saturn gives steadiness and fortitude to an otherwise flighty and unfocused Venus. Additionally, the sign Venus is in is governed by - ruled by - is Mercury. Mercury is in a very favorable aspect with Jupiter - conjunct - and all this mitigates problems and any anxiety resulting from the negative events suggested by the eclipse.

Venus in the seventh house is fortunate for foreign affairs. Therefore, a fortunate outcome will result even if there are tensions, difficulties and misunderstandings in foreign affairs and with foreign diplomats and state visitors.

With Venus being retrograde, old problems may resurface regarding money and finances. However, Venus trine Saturn is fortunate for the general prosperity of the country, and for all money matters, resulting in increased revenue, business, and the value of stocks.

Mars in the tenth house trine Pluto in the second house
High energy. This adds to the volatility of the market. National expenditures may increase, as well as taxes and Wall Street is angry over government actions.

Mars in the tenth causes military questions to rise, warlike rumors and activity is in the news.

A prominent person either in business or politics may become ill, or die.

Pluto in the second house square Uranus in the fourth house
The house where Pluto falls in a New Moon chart is where to expect transformation and change. Change in monetary policy should be no surprise - especially with Venus retrograde. However, Uranus energy is always surprising and unpredictable. So what's the shocking surprise? Who can predict Uranus?!?!

This aspect comes within 1 degree at the full Moon, so we will have to wait and see -

Uranus in the fourth house square Pluto
This spells problems for the current administration. Uranus here puts obstacles in the way and gives the opposition power.

Mercury conjunct Jupiter in the sixth
This is very fortunate for employment. Public services benefit and new regulations may be introduced. Good for trade and commerce abroad, railways, shipping and education. Jupiter favors prosperity in general. Mercury gets the word out - lots of media and coverage on the news.

***

Comments - Always keep this in mind:

• New Moons statistically are times when the market is up - Full Moons statistically are not.
• Eclipses are times of increased volatility in the market and exaggerated energy.
• There is always risk in the market! More so during an eclipse. 

Knowing how astrology actually coincides with market cycles and understanding the market trend will help you become more profitable in the market - more so than just reading transits in a mundane horoscope. Knowing both astrology and technical aspects is your best bet. Each weekend, my associate, Randall Ashbourne writes a stock market forecast in his Eye of Ra Report on his web site, http://www.theidiotandthemoon.com/. The information on the web site is free, I hope you take advantage of the valuable information he shares in his books and on the web site.

A look at the Venus Retrograde Effect

Last week, I sent out the New Moon newsletter early because of the upcoming Venus Retrograde station.  In the newsletter I said:   "May 15 - Venus turns retrograde for 33 days. The markets enter an ever- changing environment of unpredictability. Since Venus rules money, it is possible that the Federal Reserve Board goes back and forth on decisions made and revisits and reevaluates past polices. When monetary policy changes occur one should not be surprised to see reversals in interest rates, currencies, and the stock market. Venus Rx coincides with reversals when there is a cycle crest due, or a trough due. Have firm stops in place - this is an extremely volatile time in the market! 
Randall Ashbourne, an associate of Astrological Investing,  posts a weekly market report on his web site, theidiotandthemoon.com This weekend he posted charts which are revealing illustrations of exactly what has occurred in the past during Venus Rx coinciding with a Sun-Jupiter conjunction.   In the following report from Mr. Ashbourne's Eye of RA Weekly Market Report, Week beginning May 14, 2012, he discusses how statistically the chance of a significant trend change is higher than normal, considering not only Venus Retrograde, but the May 13 Jupiter- Sun conjunction in Taurus.   Astrological events will be extremely important for the markets this coming week, so with his permission, I am posting...

The chances of a significant trend change nearby are much - MUCH - higher than normal. That's not a guarantee, but it is a statistical imperative we shouldn't ignore out-of-hand.

I realise that, often, "show me" works a lot better than "tell me" - and in a few moments I'll do just that and your brain can draw its own conclusions.

The coming week is one of this year's extreme high energy zones in terms of astrological impacts. This week kicks off with the Sun conjuncting Jupiter in the sign of Taurus.  Mercury and Mars will make a Grand Trine with Pluto.  It is the statistically positive period between the 3Q and New Moon.  (Read Randall's article, The Moods of the Moon)

But the most significant event of the week is that Venus turns retrograde. It's an optical illusion; when viewed from the Earth, the planet appears to be going backwards.

Yeah, yeah ... we all know that couldn't possibly have any impact at all on stock markets, gold prices, currency swaps etc.

It's Spooky Stuff.  Just like the ASX200 and the FTSE halted last week's declines pretty much exactly at price lines worked out from the position of Saturn in the sky.  You can check that out on the charts in a little while.

Okay, so the Bears are growling, happily slurping up the honey from their Shorts and looking forward to making lots more as the dive continues.

Last weekend, I made a couple of comments ... that "from a purely technical reading it sure looks like the Chicken Little roadshow is back in the Big Apple" ... and also that "The problem, as I see it, for a resumption of the Bear trend is the Sun's approach to a conjunction with Jupiter."

So, let's review the state of the markets and try to work out which is more likely to play out this week - more of the Chicken, or a Bullish revival.

We'll begin by looking at the lunar phases, since we are now in the Quarter phase leading up to the statistical high timeframe of a New Moon ... and this New Moon will be a Solar Eclipse in very early Gemini, one of the two signs which can spark wide-range price moves.

Here we have the New Moon-Full Moon chart for Pollyanna, the SP500. (click chart to view larger image) 

New Moons are solid red bars (prices should fall or flatline from that point) ... Full Moons are solid blue bars (prices have a statistical tendency to rise after the Full Moon).

Okay, we're between a blue and a red. Since the spike Low last August, there have been only 3 occasions when Pollyanna prices have been lower at the red bar than they were at the preceding blue bar.

There is only one red bar which came in at a Low. In every other instance, there was a distinct tendency for prices to rise in the few days immediately leading into a New Moon red bar.

To be blunt, it is statistically a bad bet to be Short the market in the week before a New Moon.

Okay, so that's the first part of this weekend's "show me" exercise.  

Now we're going to turn our attention to the Venus Retrograde effect.This is an astrological event which has the power to turn markets on their head! (Click chart to view larger image)

Now, it's not always the case ... but, as I said earlier, it's a statistical imperative we shouldn't lightly dismiss. This chart is an SP500 Weekly going back to the late 90s and the red bars are the weeks in which Venus went Retrograde.

THE Low of two Bear markets ... and the almost-final High of the 2007 Bull market. Okay, so the coming week is going to have one of those solid red Venus Rx bars ... but it's also going to coincide with the Sun conjunct Jupiter aspect.

As I've indicated a couple of times in the past few weeks, this is another one of those astrological aspects that has a very high historical tendency to move markets. 

In this chart, the annual Sun conjunct Jupiter weeks are marked with the solid blue bars.

Now here is a monthly chart of the Dow Jones Industrial Average spanning from the early 50s into the 1980s ... showing what happened in the months after the Sun met up with Jupiter, or Venus went Retrograde. (click chart to view larger image)

Both of these aspects have a distinct tendency to be in effect as markets are making important trend changes.  And this week, we get both of them together.


Okay, let's take a quick look at how things went last week. (click chart to view larger image)
 Last weekend, I posted a Bi-BB weekly for Pollyanna ... a technical system outlined in the book and which can be used profitably without relying in any way on The Spooky Stuff. I indicated last weekend it provided alternative weekly price targets for the 500 - and the middle band was then priced at 1350.28

Polly's Low for the week was 1343 ... so 1350 was a pretty good target to aim for.    

I mention this merely to emphasise that simple not only works, it actually works great. You do NOT need expensive software and complicated techniques to be able to trade reliably, safely and successfully.

The next couple of charts are the Weekly Planets for the FTSE and the ASX200 and need no explanation. (click charts to view larger image) 

  

 

Both indices hit weekly price targets and have bounced - and if you consult the Canary on the FTSE daily, you'll notice some positive divergence between the oscillator and the price behaviour. (Read Randall's eBook titled, The Idiot and The Moon for complete information on his trading tools, "the Canaries" and the oscillators he recommends using.)
 
I'd thought the high astro energy this coming week might produce a secondary High in the markets - and I guess that's still possible.

As you can see from past performance, there's a tendency for Venus Rx and Sun/Jupiter to be present at either High OR Low points.

Whichever one it turns out to be, the odds are it will set the tone for the months to come
Safe trading - RA

(Disclaimer: Randall Ashbourne's report is not advice or a recommendation to trade stocks; it is merely educational material.)

Venus retrograde orb showing an effect

It is clear that the orb of the Venus retrograde station is showing an effect. On Thursday the big news reported was of how an overconfident J.P. Morgan trader Bruno Iksil - whose very fitting Neptune in Pisces nickname, "The London Whale" - made an ill-fated attempt to hedge derivatives.

What? Derivatives - AGAIN?!?!? No doubt this will call for stricter regulation of Wall Street and will complicate the efforts of banks to fight certain regulatory changes.

Heads Up! Venus Rx May 15

Venus goes retrograde on May 15, five days before the new Moon Solar Eclipse.  Venus going retrograde often coincides with a market reversal when a cycle crest or tough is due.   

The markets have entered an ever- changing climate of unpredictability now as the impact of  the station of Venus retrograde begins to have an affect. On the day of Venus retrograde world markets will be extremely volatile.

Since Venus rules money,  don't be caught by surprise if the  Federal Reserve Board goes back and forth on decisions made.  World leaders and global banks will revisit and reevaluate past polices. When monetary policy changes occur one should not be surprised to see reversals in interest rates, currencies, and the stock market.  
 Venus rules values, and when retrograde it is not the best time for mergers, acquisitions, new business partnerships, social events, and weddings.  Nor is it a good time to purchase high ticket items.


In the market Venus Rx coincides with reversals.    Have firm stops in place - this is an extremely volatile time in the market!


June 5/6 - Transiting Venus crosses over the face of the Sun!More than a century will elapse before the next transit in 2117. You might want to go outside and have a look!  After that, there will not be another Venus transit crossing the Sun until 2117 (December 11).

The New Moon in Taurus 2012

Read this New Moon report in it's entirety at www.astrologicalinvesting.com/html/newsletter.html    New Moon forecasts show the general trends and financial outlook for the lunar month based upon location of the chart.* (see note )

The New Moon in Taurus, April 21st.
Last month the Sun in Aries came roaring in like a Lion. And Aries isn't going out  like a spring lamb. We had a Super Full Moon on April 6, which triggered extreme weather worldwide. Monstrous tornadoes in the Fort Worth / Dallas area near my daughter's home did some severe property damage. Unbelievably, no one died and thankfully no one in my family was impacted by the devastation. (whew!)

Super Moons often predict natural disasters such as severe weather, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. Richard Nolle created the term "Super New Moon" and goes into detail on his web site discussing Eclipses, Super Moons and the "Max" cycles of the planets.

Ok, that's enough talk about the weather, let's turn our attention to the next New Moon. 

 Here is the New Moon chart from the point of view of Wall Street and the NYSE. 

A Time to Slow Down.

Aries is all action. Mars, the ruler of Aries has been back  in direct motion since April 13. Mercury went direct on April 4th and re-entered Aries, once again in mutual reception with Mars. The Moon entered Aries on the 18th and made a conjunction with Uranus in Aries. Energized Aries,  on track and ready to go Full Speed Ahead! But, uh, hold on, wait just a minute, oh oh, the Sun moved into Taurus on the 19th.

Taurus would prefer not to move. If he must move he does it best unhurried, measured and deliberate. Just between you and me, I'm certain the Stubborn Bull is enormously amused at the irony of the driving energetic Aries Sun having met with resistance from an opposition to Saturn on the 15th. A yellow caution light - Saturn's warning to the Sun, "Slow Down!"

In Taurus, the Sun's energy is about taking stock of what one has - finding security and contentment in that. Taurus is ruled by Venus and thoroughly enjoys what he has accumulated. Taurus energy is practical, interested in solid investments, and is not into taking risks.

It is cautious, stubborn, and slow to act energy. When there are many planets in Taurus, markets can congest. "If prices were to break below support or above resistance, a sense of panic could emerge because of the "security" issue of Taurus." from Ray Merriman's book, Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing.

The New Moon in the second house
The second house is Taurus' natural home, a house naturally ruled by Venus, and concerns itself with money and values. A New Moon in Taurus here suggests changes in financial affairs and an emphasis on earned income.

Frugality and conservatism toward spending is strong in Taurus, however, the New Moon trines Mars, and the next day the Moon conjuncts Jupiter - which suggests this New Moon could push the market further upward with financials leading the way. (Taurus ruled stocks include banks and financial institutions - The Textbook for Financial Astrology, Book 1, )

Short-term price highs often occur during the New Moon phase, and this New Moon should not be an exception. Read Randall Ashbourne's article, The Moods of The Moon. 

A little side note: Kaye Shinker liked to remind her students, "the time to open a savings account is when the Moon is in Taurus." When it's a New Moon in Taurus it is even a better time!
New Moons are the time to begin new projects. With the Taurus New Moon in the 2nd house, open a savings account and begin a project that will become a money generator! 

Jupiter in the third house
The house where Jupiter falls in a New Moon chart is where we expect to see abundance, expansion and optimism - we can, however, see an opposite effect when Jupiter over reacts. When Jupiter over-reacts, it is over-the-top!

The third house is ruled by Mercury and is Gemini's domain. As Jupiter prepares to leave Taurus in June, we will see Gemini ruled stocks come into favor. What is interesting about Jupiter here is that the stocks that will come into favor as Jupiter transits Gemini are the stocks that will be influenced this month by Jupiter.

Stocks in the transportation and communications sector will see a positive effect with Jupiter in the third, as well as the education sector.

People are concerned with education for their children, local infrastructure may find funds approved and those seeking new employment find themselves enrolling in school again. 

A very important word to the wise: Jupiter is at 17° 55' degrees of Taurus - past the mid point of Taurus. History has shown that the market begins a steady downward trend from when Jupiter is near the end of Taurus until Jupiter arrives in Leo. Have firm stops in place keeping in mind that history often repeats itself, and don't underestimate Taurus' security issues. Read Randall Ashbourne's article, Jupiter's cycle and its effects on Wall Street. 

So...What do we do if in fact the market goes south? Well, even in a Bear market, there are stocks that outperform. It is time to look at stocks that typically do well when Jupiter is in Gemini. Throughout Kaye Shinker's Textbooks for Financial Astrology Kaye discusses how to pick stocks. The Textbook for Financial Astrology, Book 1, lesson 9 includes lists of industries Jupiter will expand through the signs.

Astro Economics Stock Market Newsletter does the research for you! "In the coming cycle shift, look for Media (including Social Media), stocks, Education, Leisure, Travel, Transportation (particularly air), Retail-Internet and high-tech products." Grace Morris 

Venus in the fourth house
Housing, land and real estate values are the areas Venus in Gemini will influence. Venus in the 4th is good for farming and agriculture. We should see some balmy spring weather that will benefit crops. People will be looking to improve their holdings in real estate, financing new homes and beautifying their environment.

Venus moved into Gemini on April 4. In Gemini, Venus values newness, variety, and change.
A Gemini theme begins to emerge this month as the two money planets, Venus and Jupiter are influenced by  Gemini; in house placement (Jupiter in the third) and sign placement (Venus in Gemini)  And the next two (yes two!) New Moons will occur in the zodiac sign of Gemini.

Smart investors will be buying in the sector ruled by Gemini in advance of Jupiter's entry into Gemini in June. 

Mars in the seventh house
Mars turned direct in Virgo on April 13 and is now operating with all batteries charged. Energy is focused, assertive, and critical. Mars in the 7th house is combative, and not good at compromise or peaceful negotiations. Grave danger of international disputes and military actions in foreign countries could impact the market. 

Saturn in the eighth house
The house where Saturn falls in a New Moon chart is where you expect limitations to be set. Restrictions will be on insurance, financial institutions, and taxes. Now that the Buffet Rule has been ruled out, what next? 

Pluto in the eleventh house
Planets in the eleventh house have investors focusing their attention on dividends, bonuses and earnings from investments. (From the Textbook for Financial Astrology, IV) Shareholders and the board of directors for corporate entities engage in a deeply intense discussion of earnings and dividends. 

Neptune, Mercury, and Uranus in the first house
"The first house in a Mundane chart represents the people, the general condition of the country, and in a general sense the public health." (Raphael's Mundane Astrology)

Lots of speech making going on, busy political meetings and debates - more of the same, but people want change.
Railways, motoring and aviation are spotlighted. 

Moon phases  - (Read Randall Ashbourne's article, The Moods of the Moon - Trading the Mood Swings of the Monthly Lunar Cycle)

•  1st quarter Moon, April 29
•  Full Moon, May 5
•  Last quarter Moon, May 12
•  Next New Moon, May 20.

HEADS UP! - Upcoming astrological events
May 15 - Venus turns retrograde for 33 days. In financial astrology Venus has dominion over money, which includes monetary policy. Be prepared if the Fed reverses decisions during Venus Retrograde. 
Retrograde Venus often coincides with a market crest and then a sharp decline. According to Bill Meridian in his article The Effect of Planetary Stations on U.S. Stock Prices, from the book Financial Astrology, historically the Dow Jones Industrial average tends to bottom at the station and rise about 1 1/2% in the following 50 days after the station. 

May 20 - Solar Eclipse at 0° Gemini
The next New Moon is a Solar Eclipse. Because the Sun, Moon and Earth are all in alignment, a solar eclipse has a longer lasting influence than a typical New Moon. Check to see if any stocks you are holding have planets at 0° Gemini in their first trade or IPO chart. Solar Eclipses can produce significant consequences on stock prices. 

Safe Trading! Marley

The Textbook for Financial Astrology is your basic guide to investing in the markets.

Rollercoasters on Wall street

Financial Astrologers have real numbers to use when they research the effects of planetary motion. The next two weeks have several interesting planetary patterns. Mercury is sextile Neptune which suggest that messages are scrambled. Pluto turned retrograde April 4,2009 and his change in direction usually reverses the markets. Sun sextile Jupiter has a reputation for pushing up the market indexes, but it is exact on Good Friday and Passover. 

Then on April 15 Tax day Mars is conjunct Uranus in the morning and none of us will feel confident that the answer to two plus two is still four. In the afternoon the Sun will sextile Neptune assuring all of us that two plus two is five. 

April 17 we are exhausted and finally Venus turns direct  80% of the time when Venus changes apparent direction the market goes in the exact opposite direction it had established earlier in the week. The following week is a roller coaster ending with the New Moon and Mercury square Neptune the Red Flag aspect that warns you to double check the truth of every message.

Take a peek at my article

I just posted it on our website, Fire Engine Red Flags.  Know that Venus was Retrograde for 40 days therefore at every level folks made organizational mistakes. The Toxic asset program is just one blatant example. Goldman can buy Citi's toxic assets and then sell them back to Citi. All of these assets are now backed 85% by the government.  It is so exciting riding the Roller Coaster on Wall Street. Every new government program has to have a loophole somewhere. Wall Street fellows love detective work.  

I make notes all over the Corporate charts in Textbook for Financial Astrology Book 3.  They are starting to look like my road map for the City of New Orleans. 

April Fool! Venus Rx T-Square Pluto, Moon

Sorry... It's not so funny for you who may have a natal planet or point at 3 or 4 Cardinal in your natal chart!

The Moon changes signs today as she ingresses into the cardinal zodiac sign of Cancer. At 6:06 pm EDT today the Moon will exactly oppose Pluto in Capricorn and together they will form a T- square to Venus retrograde at 4 Aries.

Venus rules the value of stocks, and the market is surely in for a bumpy ride.

The day begins with Moon square Uranus at 1:48 am, then a trine to Neptune at 5:03 am before she goes Void of Course during the NYSE trading hours. The first aspect she makes after her entrance into Cancer is the opposition to Pluto, then an exact square to Venus at 7:28 pm EDT.

Unpredictable market fluctuations occur during Void of Course Moons, and it is never a good day when Luna makes such harsh aspects. I imagine overnight trading will react from the T-square as well. And since we are half-way through the Venus Rx period, it is expected that the market will continue this pull-back that began last Friday.

About the photo -
I was always sure that the photographer who shot this photo had something completely different in mind, but back in the early 80's when I saw the poster hanging on display, all I could see when I looked at it was Pluto exposing himself to Venus! I cracked up laughing at the irony, and felt compelled to purchase a copy for myself.

It wasn't until recently that I discovered the real story behind the photo... and a regular Venus Retrograde experience to discover the history of a piece of "art" that one has owned for a while!

It is an actual photo of a popular political figure from Portland, Oregon. Bud Clark, who served as Mayor of Portland from 1985 to 1992, and was known for his eccentric behavior. Expose Yourself to Art was taken and widely distributed before he ran for Mayor; however the poster did nothing to deter his winning the election. He astonished the incumbent, Frank Ivancie, who had not taken Mr. Clark seriously as an opponent. Ivancie mocked Clark saying (his) "only claim to fame is exposing himself to a downtown statue."

According to the photographer, Michael Ryerson, who took the photo, "Bud was very active on the Venereal Disease Action Council, and he wanted to make a poster drawing attention to their cause. The Council had produced a T-shirt to promote awareness in the high schools, which at the time had an alarmingly high level of this problem. It was titled "Zap the Clap," which was on the T-shirt he was wearing (under the overcoat.)"

Although the poster now hangs on an attic room wall, it once hung in my bedroom. I can't remember if Venus was Retrograde back when I decided it needed a spot on my bedroom wall, but it must have been. The rule we astrologers give to our clients who are interested in decorating their homes is to never buy anything during Venus Rx, because you have a good chance of buying something that lacks good taste.

Still...I think it's funny.

Aries Fiscal Cents

Aries is getting clobbered by the Venus retrograde. And to make matters worse it is during the solar return for Aries which means they have to squeeze every penny twice until their next birthday. About half of the Pisces Sun Sign have the same problem including me therefore empathy is available.
Until April 17 each Sun Sign is suffering with Venus Retrograde. Venus in Aries finds all sorts of reasons to be depressed, tired, anxious, and miserable. In financial astrology Venus represents earned income and what the government doesn't take off the top, new excise taxes and higher insurance premiums will. You may ask questions by writing a comment. 

Aries New Moon begins March 24, 2009
Fiscal Cents predictions begin with the New Moon.

Happy Solar Return to Everyone born in the sign of Aries.
Venus turned retrograde in Aries on March 9 making life very challenging for Aries. It will turn direct on April 17. If you are born between March 8th and April 17 then Venus retrograde will appear in your Solar Return. This means that during the year ahead you will have to work twice as hard to earn your money. However the house placement of Venus retrograde in your Solar Return will be very important. Easy Predictions with Solar Returns gives excellent delineations to guide you through the year. Every Sun Sign should be extra cognizant of the need to save the receipts for every item purchased. Basically Venus transiting the sign Aries is always a challenge. Each Sun Sign has to expend every bit of extra energy just to get started on a project.
On the web site you will find the article that delineates the house position of your natal Venus, Money in Your Chart, be sure to read it.

Aries: Venus is in Aries for a long time this year, therefore take advantage of every opportunity to earn money. Keep your cash out of your sight preferably in a bank. You have once again been pushed into a leadership position. This would be a good month to take a few classes then teach your employees everything you learned.
Follow the link for Fiscal Cents predictions for all the Sun Signs.
We suggest that you also read your Rising Sign as well as your Sun Sign.

Keep your $ safe

Venus Retrograde continues through April 17th.
Venus according to financial astrology represents earned income and when she is retrograde she is busy researching all sorts of new ideas as to how to increase the supply of earned income. For example: the Japanese curious to know why cars were not selling engaged some researchers to find out why young people did not choose to spend $8100 per year in taxes and insurance just for the convenience of owning a car.
Venus retrograde is pushing everyone to rethink their budgets. People are discussing ways to add to their earned income, ways to spend their income judiciously and ways to profit from the resources they have available. Hopefully they are all taking notes and discovering hidden gems within their own environment.
Venus retrograde is also helping folks understand where they are throwing money and resources into a black hole. Whether it is an environmental problem or just wasted pennies around the house. Paper towels, plastic containers, leftovers are essentially trash waiting to happen. Small changes in habits and household routines eliminate the wasted money. People are also learning about using time and energy efficiently and trying evaluate ways to economize.
Individuals should take a look at the placement of Venus in their chart to obtain further information. For Example:Venus in the ninth might spend the retrograde period exploring the internet looking for ways to earn money sharing their knowledge. Click here to read my article on Money in Your chart
All economies are engaged in quite a bit of introspection into the elements of what is a wealthy nation. Hopefully by April 17th we will have enough answers to begin working on projects that accomplish the task.

Venus Retrograde Pisces New Moon

Pisces Fiscal Cents

When I wrote the Fiscal Cents column this month I realized that Venus had decided to retrograde in Aries the sign of its detriment. Venus just really gets all self-centered in Aries. Venus in Aries likes to have a sugar daddy and/or a trophy wife. Venus in Aries throws money at a problem and doesn't even want to know the unintended consequences. They will live on the edge and say to you "what is the worst thing that can happen? "

Venus spends a long time in Aries. If your birthday is between March 5 and April 17 Venus will be retrograde in your Solar Return. This means that for one entire birthday cycle you have no sense of color, design, or thrift with your earned income. You can be a walking patsy unless you have a very clever partner or buddy who will look after your checkbook.

Of course each Solar Return will have the Retrograde Venus in a different house and that is where you will be most vulnerable. At the bookstore on our website you can purchase a little book Easy Predictions with Solar Return by Deanna Rose and the reading you glean from there will help you through the next 12 months.

Enough of the personal stuff, what about a business with an incorporation date between March 5 and April 17? Not a good investment this year. Could be a terrific Dow 30 company like GE or Intel but they really are going to have a tough time earning money. The Textbook for Financial Astrology Book 1 tells about Venus retrograde and Book 3 has the charts for the Dow 30..