URANUS SQUARE PLUTO DISCUSSION... “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell, 1984

Does that mean the stock market falls 30%? Does it fall sharply as we get closer and closer to December 18, December 21, or even December 31? Maybe. And then again, maybe not. It did not happen quite that way, right away, in December 1999 as the world speeded into the Y2K death march. Here is what happened then. The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued rising right into December 30, 1999, reaching a new all-time high of 11,568. By January 5, it had fallen over 600 points to 10,958. Then it rallied again to another new all-time high on January 14, 2000, at 11,750. And then it started down. And it continued down… for the next 33 months to 7197 on October 10, 2002, a loss of 37.5%. In the NASDAQ, the damage was even worse. From its all-time in early March 2000 at slightly over 5000, it fell to nearly 1000 – a loss of 80% in the following 31 months....

Does that mean the stock market falls 30%? Does it fall sharply as we get closer and closer to December 18, December 21, or even December 31? Maybe. And then again, maybe not. It did not happen quite that way, right away, in December 1999 as the world speeded into the Y2K death march. Here is what happened then. The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued rising right into December 30, 1999, reaching a new all-time high of 11,568. By January 5, it had fallen over 600 points to 10,958. Then it rallied again to another new all-time high on January 14, 2000, at 11,750. And then it started down. And it continued down… for the next 33 months to 7197 on October 10, 2002, a loss of 37.5%. In the NASDAQ, the damage was even worse. From its all-time in early March 2000 at slightly over 5000, it fell to nearly 1000 – a loss of 80% in the following 31 months....

...There is a difference this time, however. If the sequester due to go into effect on January 1, 2013 is not repealed, then all the dividend and capital gain tax hikes will kick in immediately. Investors who hold stocks with dividends and gains will be penalized if they wait to exit after January 1, 2013. They have to get out by Friday, Dec 28, or Monday, December 31, or they will be hit by these higher taxes. Thus, it seems likely that selling will start in earnest before January 1, not after. In fact, it seems that it would start nearby to the day that Uranus turns direct on December 13, which also happens to be a new moon in Sagittarius. It is going to get wild. I would advise protecting yourself from a stampede out of stocks unless the White House and Congress actually show some willingness to budge on their positions and not just expect the other side to budge because they say so. That is not a very effective, sincere, or conscientious negotiating style.


In the words of Albert Einstein: “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has limits.” Thanks to market analyst Garret Jones for that one.

...At risk right now are two competing forces: the financial security of almost everyone in the United States, and the legacy of President Barack Obama. If it really is a cliff and not a slope that the country comes up against on January 1, then a lot of people will be hurt. If they get hurt, that will then progress quickly to anger and new demands. When there is anger and demands, the gridlock tightens, not loosens, and thus the government could descend into paralysis. Nothing gets done as fighting and blaming others just increases while the economy sinks, Obama’s second term turns from hope to more anger and despair, and as President during a time of financial despair, it could define his historical legacy as a failure. Yes, it will define Congress as a failure too, but history won’t remember Congress. They will remember who the president was. When political commentators state that this is the defining moment of Obama’s presidency, they are referring to the possibility wherein he is or isn’t able to negotiate an agreement out of this difficult situation.


This is the political and economic synchronicity of the Uranus-in-Aries and Pluto-in-Capricorn waxing square. There is the huge debt (Pluto) of governments (Capricorn) all over the world. No one wants to apply measures of austerity (Capricorn) required in government reforms (Pluto in Capricorn). They want what they desire (Aries), and if they don’t get it, people will become angry and the situation will become explosive every quickly (Uranus in Aries). Matters can quickly spiral out of control. Not only can people get angry, they can get violent and lives could be in danger (Uranus square Pluto).


Socially we see these types of events related to Uranus and Pluto happening more often now than usual, as on Friday when a gunman opened fire in an elementary school in Connecticut killing 26 people, including 20 children. This was within hours of Uranus turning stationary direct. Uranus, of course, is one of the principles involved in this powerful but dangerous geocosmic aspect that has the potential for these kinds of mindless, insane, tragedies. ... [link to www.mmacycles.com]

The following week will find the Sun making a translation to the Uranus-Pluto square. That is, on December 25, the Sun will square Uranus, and on December 30, it will be in a conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn. There may be further reversals in financial markets, or disruptions and sudden events affecting society and governance. It is not uncommon to see earthquakes, electrical blackouts, or high winds and storms during this time, especially near the full moon on December 28. In the northern regions, it can coincide with very large snowfalls and extremely cold temperatures. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

Suddenly everyone in the world realized what this column had stated from the beginning: we are going over the cliff. Even if a compromise is eventually achieved in the last days of this year, no one is going to believe it seriously addresses the real problems or that it will solve the crisis. It’s not an income tax problem. With that realization, the equity markets fell hard. They did recover somewhat, for hope springs eternal. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

The most important geocosmic signature coming up this week is the translation of the Sun to the Uranus-Pluto square, December 25-30. The Sun will square Uranus on Christmas Day, December 25, and conjunct Pluto on December 30. This major aspect of our times will be intensified with the full moon on December 28, forming a powerful T-square with Uranus and Pluto. These are not significators of an agreement or compromise. Instead, the two sides are more apt to drift further and further apart, and the blame game escalates, much to the disappointment of everyone. This time window also brings to light the same kind of energies that was witnessed the prior week when Uranus went direct.... [link to www.mmacycles.com]

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.” – Paulo Coehlo, “The Alchemist,” 1988.

During this season of the Winter Solstice, 2012, as an era of the Mayan Calendar ends, and the Uranus-Pluto unfolds in its 112-147-year waxing square cycle, we are brought into direct confrontation with our greatest fears. These are the fears of insecurity, of danger to our physical existence (and more so, those that we love) through the acts of madness and violence of individuals, and of potential financial loss through the gridlock of our political leaders who cannot find a path of compromise to avoid falling over the “Fiscal Cliff.”


In spite of all of these external anxieties, it is useful to reflect upon who you are and why you are here. And, in the words of Paulo Coehlo, to reacquaint yourself with your “Personal Legend.” There is no better time to do this than at the solstice.


May each of you have an enlightening holiday season and may the New Year bring you closer and closer to the realization of your dreams. Never give them up, even in moments of tragedy. They are your pathway to the experience of Oneness with the Infinite. They - and they alone - will bring you the freedom that we all seek, when a moment can become the awareness of eternity, and the realization can bring forth an outpouring of compassion for all. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

Thanks Luisport and thank you for your insightful posts throughout this year. Best wishes to you and yours during this Special time of year.

Thank you so much! It's good to know there are some friends that read it!

He was 100% right!!!

Our last column of two weeks ago discussed the translation of the Sun to the Uranus-Pluto square, December 25-30. We described it as follows: “This major aspect of our times will be intensified with the full moon on December 28, forming a powerful T-square with Uranus and Pluto. These are not significators of an agreement or compromise. Instead, the two sides are more apt to drift further and further apart, and the blame game escalates, much to the disappointment of everyone.” Indeed it was at that time that everyone was about to give up. But then Senator Mitch McConnell (the Republican leader of the Senate) requested help from Vice President Joe Biden when Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid had given up. President Obama granted the request, and within the next two days, McConnell and Biden worked it out – after the Sun had left its translation to the Uranus-Pluto square on December 30.
Why is this important to note to a Financial or Mundane Astrologer? Because following that intense planetary combination of December 25-30, the cosmic tension also broke up, and the energy shifted to the more optimistic and expansive signature of Mars trine Jupiter on January 4. This was the window of opportunity to get something done, and they did.
Now that energy shifts again this week, which will start with Mars in a more challenging square aspect to Saturn on Monday, January 7. Not only that, but the Uranus-Pluto waxing square is again translated January 12-16, when Venus first squares Uranus, and then conjuncts Pluto, exactly as the Sun did December 25-30. As suggested in our subscription reports, an agreement may be reached December 30-January 4, but no one will really like it when they dissect the details. Already we see the storm clouds gathering for the next round of arguments over raising the debt ceiling limit in the next month. Both Republicans and Democrats feel they gave away too much in the Fiscal Cliff agreements. This is baffling, since the agreement didn’t even reduce the deficit one cent. To the contrary, the projection is now that the deficit actually increased by $4 trillion over the next few years.... [link to www.mmacycles.com]

... So what is Mr. Obama going to do? A look at the transits to his natal chart is very revealing, as discussed at length in this year’s Forecast 2013 Book. His “favorable” aspects end at the end of January for quite some time. Transiting Neptune now begins its T-square to his natal Moon (in Gemini) square his natal Pluto (in Virgo). I think he is serious about not participating in any more discussions that make him crazy and don’t give him everything he wants. Neptune surrenders. Neptune withdraws, especially when in aspect to the sensitive natal Moon.


We are soon to find out how serious Mr. Obama is when he threatens to not lead or even engage in discussions about the debt ceiling limit. This could have a huge impact on the USA’s credit rating. What will this mean to the USA government – and to the financial stability of the world – as it occurs at the very same time that the Secretary of Treasury resigns? It could get… confusing. Welcome to Neptune in Pisces, land of the giant fog. But it is also a time to remember your dreams and what can make them possible. The first step is to have a dream, and not just a grievance. And the dream must connect to your heart. Only then can you – which includes the political leaders of the world - avoid the fear of the fog and the uncertainty it brings with it. Deep inside you must know that “… when you are loved, and when you love, you can do anything in creation.” Essentially, that is what healing is all about – and the world needs a healing right now, which comes from giving and receiving love. This too is the domain of Neptune in Pisces.... [link to www.mmacycles.com]

The major geocosmic signatures taking place in the next week will be the translation of Venus to the Uranus-Pluto waxing square. On January 12, Venus will form a square aspect (last quarter cycle phase of the Venus-Uranus cycle), and on January 16 Venus will form a conjunction to Pluto, the start of that planetary pair cycle.... [link to www.mmacycles.com]

“The fiscal cliff may have been avoided, but an even higher stakes standoff – this time over the debt ceiling limit – is just around the bend…. There are no great options. Most of the ideas floated so far would either severely disrupt the public markets for treasury debt or rely on a constitutional claim of executive authority that we would very likely spend the next two years locked into an impeachment fight.” “The Debt Ceiling’s Escape Hatch, Edward D. Kleinbard, International Herald Tribune, January 11, 2013.

Here it comes - another layer of the Uranus square Pluto aspect. The Uranus-Pluto-Jupiter-Mars grand square of April 21, 2014 at 13 degrees of cardinal signs, will be hitting the USA Sun-Saturn square at 13-14 degrees of cardinal signs. It begins its effect in 2013 and last through 2014. Its influence could start as early as February 2013, and it peaks within a few months of April 2014. Since the Uranus-Pluto square is going to coincide with a crest during its central time band (June 24, 2013-March 17, 2015), the following retracement in world equity prices will likely be quite steep, once the peak is realized. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

There is hope with the grand water trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune on July 17, 2013 to come to a consensus, a Grand Bargain, and a willingness to work together on many issues. But if they fail to secure long-term agreements and a sense of trust in working together around that time, it’s going to be a challenging year to follow. The grand trine only lasts a few weeks, whereas Uranus square Pluto lasts nearly 3 years. More on this as we go along. In the meantime, it won’t hurt for our leaders to choose a path that believes in miracles as opposed to grievances. It will hurt if leaders give up the role of being kind and compassionate. It’s a choice astrologically between the Jupiter-Neptune-Saturn grand trine, and the Uranus-Jupiter-Pluto T-square, with Mars making it a grand square. One is compassion and working together, while the other is war and divisiveness. The leaders have a choice to make. If they succeed, we start the foundation of social and economic healing and recovery. If not, the people will begin asserting themselves and make the choices about their leaders. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

Longer-Term Thoughts on the Remarkable Uranus-Pluto Square – The Saga of the “Financial Twilight Zone” Continues….


“Jens Weidemann, Bundesbank president… described Japan’s new government’s pressure to make the BOJ (Bank of Japan) more proactive as an ‘alarming infringement’ of central bank independence, which could lead to the ‘politicisation of the exchange rate.” - Financial Times, London, January 24, 2013.


“Germany is the country whose exports have benefitted most from the euro area’s fixed exchange rate system. He’s (Weidemann) not in a position to criticize.” –Akiri Amari, Japan's Minister of Economy , Financial Times, London, January 24, 2013.


“The last time there was a competitive devaluation of currencies, it ended up where it did, in the Second World War.” Delma Rousseff, President of Brazil during her election campaign, 2010.


“Obama may be forced to choose: bombing Iran or an Iranian bomb.” – Karim Sadjadpour, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Wall Street Journal, January 2, 2013.


In all this discussion about currency wars, central bank monetary manipulation, irresponsible government fiscal management (and even mismanagement), there is one important historical correlation that continues to be overlooked and too conveniently dismissed: Financial Astrology. More specifically, the history and the symbolic themes posed by the most powerful and longest lasting planetary aspect of at least the past 100 years: Uranus square Pluto.


Forget the fact that this is the first time these two planets have been in a square aspect since 1931. Forget the fact that this is the most potent part of the 2008-2015 Cardinal Climax, a planetary drama that last took place 1928-1934, and was outlined every year in our annual Forecast books since 1994, leading right up into the financial crisis that indeed did begin in 2008. No, that is what we did yesteryear. Let’s talk about now, within the context of the Uranus-Pluto square of June 24, 2012 through March 17, 2015, a reality that we are thoroughly immersed in today.


Let’s start with the idea that Pluto rules debt. As such, it is one of the planets that has dominion over money. For what is money? It is credit and debt - and really, mostly debt. Somebody makes money and pays for goods or services, and thus has a credit. Somebody spends, and thus has a debt. If you spend more than you make, you are essentially in debt. If you fail to pay back what you borrowed and spent, then you eventually default, or go bankrupt. This happens frequently when Jupiter is in a hard aspect to Pluto. It can happen that one spends much more than one expected to spend when Jupiter is also in a hard aspect to Uranus. From mid-2013 through mid-2014, Jupiter will be in a hard aspect to both Pluto and Uranus. They are in a powerful T-square with one another. And they hit important planets in the charts of the United States, the European Union, and Iran. That is why it important to resolve the debt crisis by this summer: the favorable aspects end and the Uranus-Pluto-Jupiter T-square begins.


When a country’s central bank makes a decision to change its nation’s currency rate vis-à-vis that of other nations, it usually does so in order to adjust its economy. If its economy is too strong, it may raise interest rates in order to slow it down to a sustainable rate and thus avoid inflation. If its economy is too weak, it may lower interest rates in order to stimulate economic activity. It is willing to risk an uptick in inflation. That may lower its currency value too, so that nation’s companies can compete for a greater share of world markets, thus increasing domestic employment. When this starts becoming contagious – when several other countries all at once try to stimulate their economies by devaluing their currency - you get what you have today: currency wars. And historically, currency wars often precede the other kind of wars: military wars.


Did I mention Uranus was in Aries? Aries is the sign of combat, wars, disagreements that can escalate into destructive conflicts. Uranus is not a planet known for diplomacy or agreements. It likes to do things its own way – a lot like Aries. In a square aspect to Pluto, increasing debts can lead to currency wars, which - if not contained – can escalate into disputes that lead to… well, you get the idea.


What will be the end result? In my opinion, it will be a huge transformation of the value of currencies and indeed possibly even the concept of currency itself. I make it no secret that I believe the result will be a return to currencies backed by hard assets, like Gold, even though all the central bankers and all the politicians of the world oppose this view. They have to. Their existence and sense of importance depends upon the continuation of the illusion that fiat paper currency is solid, given the good will, promise, and trust of the governments which they back (or rather, who back the bankers).


Let me ask you something. Recently the U.S. government (was it the White House?) was scorned for floating the idea of minting a one-ounce Platinum coin and giving it a face value of $1 trillion. “Ridiculous!” “A farce that will do nothing to solve the real problems!” they shouted. True enough. It is a farce. It does nothing to solve the debt crisis, really. But is it any more of a farce than accepting that central banks can print fiat paper money out of thin air, then use that money to buy a nation’s bonds, and thereby make the nation “owe it” back that very money that was created out of nothing and is backed by nothing more than paper and “trust”? If the Fed and other central banks can create a U.S. debt payable in paper created out of thin air, then why can’t the U.S. government pay back that debt by minting a Platinum coin that is worth a very tiny fraction of the value it stands for? It is a less farce.


The more honorable and patriotic act would be for central banks to forgive the debt of the nations that they hold – that they hold by virtue of the fact they can create “money out of nothing” to buy that nation’s debt. I proposed this idea two years ago during the first quantitative easing decision of the Federal Reserve Board. I suggested that the Fed make a deal with the White House and Congress: forgive the debt (or at least the $3T they added on during the 2008 meltdowns) in exchange for a balanced budget. That would be patriotic and it would work as long as the government kept their word (that is asking a lot, but they can do it if they choose to do it).


And now over two years later, other market commentators and economists are coming up with the same idea about central banks forgiving the debt of nations that they represent. Don’t worry: I am an astrologer and therefore I never fear that credit for these ideas will actually go to the source of where they came from, which is inside my own head. And I will never lack for creative ideas and solutions to current problems. It is why you read me… you never know what I am going to come up with, but you always know that it will be inspired by knowledge of the oldest science known to Man – Astrology.


But back to this moment, which I am trying to seize as I complete this European lecture tour to money managers in Amsterdam and bankers and investors in Zurich (yes, they ARE interested in Financial Astrology – just don’t tell anyone). There are many things government and banking leaders can do that would lead to a positive outcome of this Uranus-Pluto square. But they won’t get re-elected if they do – or so they think. So they instead pursue this path of currency wars, which will have a very bad ending if they don’t get a grip on reality soon - like, by mid-2013.


The Platinum coin idea is a farce and it won’t work, expect for three things. First, it would prevent a USA default because it would enable a temporary avoidance of the debt ceiling crisis whenever it arises. It will give leaders time to work out a responsible plan without defaulting and having its nation’s credit worthiness downgraded again (and the chaos that could create in world markets). Second, it would foster discussion on the farce that central banks print money out of thin air and then make taxpayers and governments responsible for paying it back with money they worked hard to earn. Third, that would then lead to serious discussions as to why the world needs to get back to a Gold Standard, or some sort of currency relationship that is backed by real assets, and not just the promise of the central banks and governments who are losing credibility fast.


It’s time for a new era of sanity. This could be the heroic legacy of the Uranus-Pluto square, especially given that there is also a grand trine this summer between Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. This is the window of opportunity evolving right now. We should all pray that the leaders of the world themselves continue to seize this moment and rectify the financial atrocity they have co-created for our children’s future, and not fall down on their spiritual and humanistic duty to the world for which they were chosen – elected - to fulfill. Our hopes and dreams for a financially secure future rest in their hands. And as Barack Obama is fond of saying, “The time to act is now.” Quit this unwinnable path of currency wars, and return to a path where currencies – money – once again have a real value. Bring on that Platinum coin. It’s the first brilliant idea you have come up with, because it will lead us to an open discussion about what has happened with credit and debt since the 1960’s when the Uranus-Pluto cycle began - and how to correct it.


“The current political regimes do not trust the markets. It is fair to say that the distrust is mutual… More and more investors want real assets. They want out. They want something outside of the whole financial system where the authorities are becoming more and more repressive. Trust has been lost. Sadly, not all investors have the flexibility to take their funds and park them outside of the financial system; they’re stuck.” Repressionomics; Ineichen Research & Management; www.ineichen-rm.com. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

in spite of the fact that Pluto has been stripped of ranks, degraded?

naaa... it's the same Pluto!

“There is a belief system – a venom almost – there is a whole sector of human beings who not only bitch about the way the world is, they even become more hostile if someone dares to suggest an idea or thought that could make it better.” – Dan Gilbert, chairman of Quicken Loans and owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers professional basketball team, Detroit Free Press, January 31, 2013.


“Even among the president’s supporters, one is hard put now to find anyone who doesn’t recognize that Mr. Obama’s original appeal to hope and change has given way to search and destroy… The original argument for the Obama presidency was that this was a new, open-minded and liberal man, intent on elevating the common good. No one believes that now.” – Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal, January 31, 2013.

In years past, I have indicated that Obama could be vulnerable to an impeachment effort in his second term. It is on the basis of this forthcoming transit. Neptune, at its worst in this type of configuration, may represent a scandal or disgrace, a great embarrassment. But in the theory of astrological dynamics, the belief is that character is destiny. And so whether Mr. Obama rises to a great height as a great leader, or falls from grace in these next 2-3 years, is entirely dependent upon his character, especially regarding the dynamics of trustworthiness and compassion. The choice will be his, and the result of his choices these next 2-3 years will secure his role in history.

These next two weeks may offer the first glimpse of how he will react to this cosmic challenge. The hope is that he returns to the spirit of his original message of “hope and change,” intent on elevating the common good, and refrains from the temptation to “search and destroy,” as described in the Wall Street Journal article. The quality of this nation’s future – as well as his own personal future - may depend greatly upon this choice of direction. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

“U.S., S&P Settle in for a Bitter Combat,” U.S. to Sue S&P Over Ratings,” “Payback for a Downgrade?” In these articles, the U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit seeking $5B in damages against the S&P rating agency for committing … “fraud when it issued high credit ratings on mortgage-related securities prior to the financial crisis of 2008.” Well, OK. But why S&P, and not Moody’s and Fitch’s and other ratings’ agencies, which also issued high ratings for the same securities based on their opinions of these securities at the time? Perhaps it was because S&P – and not the other credit agencies – actually downgraded the USA credit worthiness in August 2011, a move that perhaps “peeved” the White House. Whenever Pluto (or Scorpio or the 8th house) is involved, it can coincide with “Payback Time.” This was the conclusion of the Wall Street editors on February 6, and once again casts Mr. Obama as a person intent on punishing his enemies, rather than being “… intent on elevating the common good.”

As if that was not enough, this was followed by these headlines: “The Real Problem with Obama’s Drone Memo,” and “King of Drones.” Here the White House is accused of another power grab. The memo seeks to grant Mr. Obama the power to identify and “…kill al Qaeda operatives, including U.S. citizens.” Unlike torture, which the White House frowns upon as inhumane and barbaric, this memo makes it seems better to just kill a U.S. citizen who is perceived as being cozy with al Qaeda (or some organization perceived to be related to al Qaeda), rather than allowing these citizens “due process of law.” In this editorial, the Wall Street Journal states, “Hypocrisy aside, the justice department makes an adequate legal case… (but it is) being denounced on the anti-terror left.” However, the conflict now comes up: is Obama a far left radical peacenik, as many claim, or is he truly seeking such colossal powers over the life and death of some U.S. citizens that he might perceive as a threat to the security of this country? In addition, how do Americans feel about their leaders being associated with “killing” anyone? This is yet another case of “Payback time” for one’s enemies.

This in turn was followed by the article “Obama Blocked Rebel Arms – White House Opposed Pentagon, CIA, State (Hillary Clinton) Plan to Ship Weapons to Syrian Resistance.” Now Obama has the conflict of appointing his dream team for national security, but then choosing to go against their advice on a very sensitive military matter along the lines of which he frequently states is one of his greatest values: the right of people to seek freedom from oppression and his commitment to help these people achieve it. Another embarrassment (Neptune).

At the end of the week, there was yet another story: “Hyatt Board Member Eyed for Commerce.” Penny Pritzker of Hyatt Corporation was a major fundraiser in the emergence of Barack Obama’s political career. And now she is in line for a top cabinet post. Here we have another case of “Payback Time,” but in this case, it is in the form of a reward for help given by one’s friends. It brings back memories of Harriet Miers, a friend of George W. Bush, who was nominated (by Bush) for a vacant position on the Supreme Court. She never made it because her friendship with the president was not perceived as a solid qualification for such an appointment.

In short, it was not a good week for the president. It was a classic example of what can happen when transiting Mars is conjunct Neptune, and both form a T-square to one’s natal Moon-Pluto square. It is a challenging time. It is a time when your reputation may be on the line and others speculate on nefarious, underlying motives for your actions. Likewise, you may question the motives behind the actions of others who appear to be against you.

Fortunately, for Mr. Obama, Mars leaves this combination next week. However, Neptune will remain in orb of this same combination for the next two years. This is not the time for the president to come across as “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” as the White House proclaimed recently. That is exactly the wrong solution for dealing with a hard Neptune transit. To the contrary, the more successful path would be a return to his original and positive vision for the USA in which he was “… intent on elevating the common good.” That is more in line with an expression of Neptune that in turn would elevate the president to the highest level possible under this transit.

We will continue to track this aspect to Mr. Obama’s chart in future columns. Why? Because his success in navigating through this period could translate as a confidence booster to financial markets and other economic matters currently besieging the world.
[link to www.mmacycles.com]

The Uranus-Pluto square continues to manifest in explosive and unexpected ways, both in precious metals and in human lives.


Over 1000 people were injured when a meteor shower struck central Russia on Friday.


Over 4000 people suffered on the Carnival Cruise ship after an engine room fire rendered the ship without electrical power for the next four days, causing toilets to overflow the “…stinking, crippled ship,” until it could be escorted into the port at Mobile, Alabama.


This is all consistent with the mundane astrological principles of Uranus square Pluto, which remains in effect through March 2015. It is a dangerous signature, one that can threaten the lives of many people, due to unexpected natural or out-of-control, man-induced, disasters. The thing with this aspect is that you cannot really do anything to prevent or avoid its sudden eruption. All you can do is control your response and reactions when it does strike. [link to www.mmacycles.com]

We continue to troll through the middle of a long time band of consecutive geocosmic signatures, stretching from January 25 through March 6. Perhaps the most important of these signatures is Saturn turning retrograde on Monday, February 18. This will be followed by the Sun conjunct Neptune on February 21. Both are Level 1 geocosmic signatures (strongest and most reliable indicators of market reversals) as described in “The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing, Volume 3: Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles.”


Saturn retrograde is especially important, and will highlight the themes of Saturn for the next few days. Those themes involve delays, demand for accountability, restrictions, unusually cold weather, and the fear or sense of loss. In financial markets, we have a rule: any market that is declining into a major Saturn signature is a candidate for buying. Several markets have been declining into this period. Be alert. Do your homework and research, and see which of those markets have the best looking technical studies to support a rally at this time. And then muster up the courage to act upon your analysis, with proper risk management parameters in place (at least have a mental stop and the discipline to act if it is hit). [link to www.mmacycles.com]

The next three weeks will be very interesting to observe, for in the USA, the budget sequester devised by the White House (and agreed to by Congress) back in 2011 is due to take place on March 1, unless Congressional leaders and the White House come to an agreement to stop or modify it. That is not likely under Mercury retrograde with the Sun in Pisces. Or if they do agree, then the terms of the agreement may likely need to be modified later. Decisions like this under Mercury retrograde tend to take place before sufficient discussion is completed. There are facts and figures that are often distorted, or subject to change quickly, which prevents an intelligent decision being made with all the proper information.


Next week should be particularly interesting early on, for not only is Mercury retrograde, but there is a full moon on Tuesday that makes a T-square to Jupiter. Not only is proper information lacking to make an informed decision, but also the information that is imparted tends to be overblown. Jupiter is the planet of excess and exaggeration. Under a full moon, these principles are intensified. In market parlance, this can translate as a powerful rally based on inaccurate or exaggerated information, or a sharp decline based on hysteria rather than objectivity. Neptune is also involved in the full moon T-square configuration, for it is still nearby to the transiting Sun in Pisces.
[link to www.mmacycles.com]

Let’s end this week’s column with a brief discussion of Pisces too, for not only is the Sun and Neptune in Pisces, but so is Mars, Venus, and Mercury. That’s five of the ten planets (including the sun and moon, which aren’t planets, but in astrology they have an influence like planets). Thus, the principles of Pisces and its ruler Neptune are highlighted now, along with Mercury retrograde – which behaves a lot like Pisces and Neptune. The challenge for everyone will be in the practice of discernment versus blind faith. What is truth? Who and what do you believe, since under this combination, words all sound great, but may be totally inaccurate and overblown? In fact, you should believe only your own personal experience and reason now.


Just make sure that the words you express are accurate and really represent what you want. In other words, when you place an order in the market, make sure you check “buy” instead of “sell,” if that is what you really want to do. And by all means, protect your computer and its files from crashes. Be careful what you say on the phone or write in those instant message texts. With the fantasy nature of Pisces involved, this is a prime time to experience embarrassment related to something leaking that you wished had stayed private. On the other hand, it may be a very good week for romance. Just don’t open your mouth and speak out loud about what is on your mind, because you really don’t know - or have - all the facts. This message applies to politicians too. Please go home for three weeks and sequester yourself in silence. Then come back and do the right thing that reflects the will of the people you represent. [link to www.mmacycles.com]