Venus charms markets; Mars enters Virgo this week

After a promising start to the week, disappointing Q2 earnings from heavyweights like Google and Bank of America pushed stocks lower by Friday's close. The Dow closed down 1% for the week at 10,097 while the S&P finished at 1064. The story was somewhat better in Mumbai as Indian stocks continued to defy gravity hitting new highs for the year midweek. The Sensex ended Friday up almost 1% at 17,955 with the Nifty closing at 5393. As expected, Venus came through for investors in the earlier part of the week as its minor aspect with the Jupiter-Pluto aspect focused some positive energy that boosted sentiment. We saw gains accrue on most global markets into Wednesday when luxurious Venus was forming a close angle with optimistic Jupiter -- a very sweet combination indeed. Once Venus took her leave, doubts about the recovery returned as bad earnings reports and consumer numbers put a damper on the bulls' glee club. Last week I noted that the entry of the Sun into sidereal Cancer on Friday might "introduce a new dynamic into the mix". Did it ever! After previously topping out around 10,400 midweek, the Dow plunged almost 3% on Friday.

We're currently residing in a sort of planetary antechamber now awaiting the main event to unfold at the end of July. Jupiter begins its retrograde cycle on July 23, then it forms its exact square aspect with Pluto on July 25, while Saturn opposes Uranus for the last time on July 26 and Mars conjoins Saturn on July 31. Planetary calendars don't get much busier than that.

This week Mars enters sidereal Virgo on Tuesday ahead of its conjunction with Saturn. As we saw with the Sun's ingress into Cancer last week, sign changes can bring about significant market developments. Mars is a malefic planet and its surplus of energy can sometimes correspond with urgent or sudden situations that require quick reactions. The emphasis here is on action, so we could see increased volatility early in the week. Virgo is a sign that is associated with analysis and logical systems so the simultaneous occupation of this sign by Mars and Saturn suggests that rational adherence to formal knowledge systems may suffer increased stress in the days and weeks ahead. (N.B. Mars will remain in Virgo until September 6 while slow moving Saturn loiters for a full two years.) We can also spot a close aspect between Venus and unpredictable Rahu going into midweek that might increase speculative activity. Rahu is often a negative influence on stocks due to increased uncertainty but its combination with Venus, the eternal shopper, could convince some people to buy something they don't really want or need.

"Life is a school of probability." -- Walter Bagehot

Stocks rise after Uranus station; Jupiter-Pluto this week

Stocks rebounded worldwide last week as we got a let up in the stream of bad economic data and investors went bargain hunting. In New York, the Dow gained more than 5% before closing at 10,197 and the S&P finished the week at 1077. In Mumbai, gains were somewhat more muted as the Sensex climbed 2% to close at 17,833 and the Nifty ended Friday at 5352. Last week, I had written about the potential for "reversals of fortune" and "changes in plan" around the Uranus retrograde station on July 5 and the Solar Eclipse on July 11. As it happened, the recent losing streak may have come to a temporary halt around the 5th and the Uranus station as most markets bounced higher after the long holiday weekend in the US.

Now that Uranus is moving backward it is approaching its final opposition aspect with Saturn due for July 26. While it is possible we could see some negative fallout from this aspect ahead of that date, recent evidence would tend to suggest that stresses and disruptions arising from this clash are more likely to appear after the aspect is exact, i.e after July 26. The rise in prices in the wake of this Uranus station is perhaps testimony to its inherent symbolism towards freedom, independence and risk taking. A stronger Uranus will therefore often translate into higher stock prices since risk will feel more appropriate to the investment community. This prevailing sentiment may shift once Uranus again encounters the full force of Saturn's conservative and pessimistic nature in late July.

In the meantime, we can spot another intriguing pairing of slower moving planets in the square aspect between Jupiter and Pluto. Due to Jupiter's slower than normal motion in the month ahead of its retrograde station on July 23, this aspect seems to offer some help to investors since Jupiter's optimism is connected with Pluto's drive for power and large organizations. Perhaps we see significant attempts to solve major financial challenges facing the economy in the coming weeks. And yet given the backdrop of the Saturn-Uranus aspect, one wonders how successful such efforts might be.

Of particular note this week is an early week alignment between Venus, the planet of happiness, and the Jupiter-Pluto square. While Pluto is often malefic, this meeting involving two benefics tilts the scales towards the positive. The Sun enters sidereal Cancer late in the week so that may introduce a new dynamic into the mix.

Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on for diligence. -- Buddha

Ketu punishes markets; Uranus Rx and solar eclipse dead ahead

Gloom pervaded most world markets last week as the economic data coming out of the US continued to disappoint. There were more long faces on Wall Street as US stocks fell another 5% with the Dow closing under 10,000 at 9686 while the S&P ended the week at 1022. Indian markets were more steadfast against this bearish onslaught and ended only modestly lower as the Sensex closed at 17,460 and the Nifty at 5237. This negative outcome was unsurprising given the dominance of ascetic Ketu (South Lunar Node) in the sky last week. As I noted last week, spiritual ascetics like Ketu do not take much of an interest in money, and when they do, they can be dismissive of its importance. While Monday's Sun-Mercury conjunction did offer a short-lived boost to sentiment, especially in Asia where stocks managed a decent gain, the rest of the week was more decidedly bearish as US markets fell for five straight days. Both the Sun and Mercury had conjunctions with crazy, mad Ketu last week so that was the immediate cause for the rush to the exits.

More generally, we can see how the approach of the next Saturn-Uranus opposition is starting to take its toll on the market mood as US markets seem to have entered a new and more dangerous phase of this current correction that began in late April. Indian markets have largely been spared the bloodletting so far, although that can't continue indefinitely. Certainly, the economic fundamentals in India are stronger than the US economy and therein lies part of the explanation for their different paths. Astrologically, the natal horoscopes of the Indian stock exchanges are proving to be stronger in the face of these bearish transits. Natal charts are unique and so each entity -- whether a person, stock exchange, or corporation -- will be influenced in different ways by the same transits.

This week looks no less eventful as the Saturn-Uranus opposition is again highlighted by the retrograde station of Uranus on Monday, the 5th. As the planet of freedom and independence, there may be an even greater uneasiness in global sentiment as the restlessness of Uranus confronts the harsh reality of Saturn's unyielding structures. Volatility is likely to rise as investors may seek to reorganize and rebalance their portfolios in the face of new realities. There is a hectic or even occasionally frantic quality at work here that could manifest as sudden reversals of fortune, and unexpected changes in plan. To make things even more interesting, there is a total solar eclipse on Sunday July 11. Like planetary stations, eclipses also function as times of greater intensity and that are marked by interruptions of the status quo. Reversals are also more common near eclipses so if we have seen a down trend prevail leading into an eclipse, then the tables may turn around the eclipse date. Interesting times to be sure.

Markets sputter as Mercury enters Gemini

More dark days in the market last week as the disappointing economic data coming out of the US is conjuring up images of a Recession 2.0. In New York, the Dow slid almost 3% to close at 10,143 while the S&P finished at a meager 1076. As has been the case recently, Indian stocks fared somewhat better as the Sensex was little changed on the week at 17,574 and the Nifty at 5269. I had expected some upside in the early going on the Sun-Jupiter-Uranus pattern and we did get it although it was excruciatingly fleeting: Monday closed higher in Mumbai but we only saw significant intraday gains in New York which faded away by the close. I wondered if Mercury's entry into Gemini on Tuesday might would tilt the game in favour of the bears and that seems to have largely come to pass. US markets fell on all days this week with the exception of Friday's flat performance, while Mumbai was significantly lower Thursday and Friday. It's worth noting that the bearish Mercury-Saturn aspect that I mentioned last week did deliver its gloom on schedule as Thursday saw a down day in most global markets.

Mercury and the Sun continue their transits through the minefield of sidereal Gemini this week. While the worst of Saturn's aspect is now behind them, they still have to contend with Ketu, the planetary equivalent of a ornery curmudgeon who hates money. Ketu, (a.k.a. the South Lunar Node) is known as a planet of renunciation and spirituality in Vedic lore. Since it is more inclined towards otherworldly pursuits, it often takes a dim view of such mundane matters as speculation and profit. In most cases, this is a bearish influence but we should note that Ketu is also known for its unpredictable quality, like a holy man who buys lotto tickets just to challenge stereotypes. Before the midweek encounter with Ketu, we will see a Sun-Mercury conjunction in Gemini. Since Mercury rules Gemini, this ought to generate some enthusiasm for trading and presumably give a Burroughsian shot in the arm to prices.

At the same time, however, Mars will be in aspect with Rahu which may create an unstable environment in some way. By itself, the Mars-Rahu suggests an excess of energy that one finds in accidents and disputes. In the context of the market, it could translate simply in terms of high trading volumes and a rapid cycling of porfolios. With Sun-Mercury providing some positive cover, one would be forgiven to think that optimism will prevail. In the current cosmic climate of Saturn-Uranus oppositions and such, that is not a certainty. And all of this comes on the heels of today's (June 26) partial lunar eclipse at 10 degrees of Sagittarius. Now that we're into eclipse season -- the solar eclipse arrives on July 11 -- we should look for an increase in intensity of both actions and their consequences.

"Maturity of mind is the capacity to endure uncertainty." --John Finley
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Jupiter-Uranus to the rescue again?

Stocks continued to rebound last week as Europe showed hints of stabilizing with bond yields stepping back from the brink. In New York, the Dow closed almost 3% higher at 10,450 while the S&P finished at 1117. Mumbai also continued its winning ways as the Sensex ended the week at 17,570 with the Nifty at 5262. Gold also made news as it climbed to a new all-time high of $1260. Overall, the bulls took the reigns and took the key indexes over their 200 day moving averages, a key technical indicator. While I expected some upside last week, I thought it might be confined more to the early week and the Venus-Jupiter-Uranus alignment. Certainly, that did lift markets here but I overestimated the negative effects of the Sun's entry into Gemini later in the week. Markets were mostly flat after Tuesday, so while gains were harder to come by, the selling has yet to materialize.

It's important to note that the Sun will transit sidereal Gemini for the next four weeks until July 16. I believe that this will mean that rallies will tend to be shorter and selloffs steeper during the duration of this transit. Again, my reasoning here is based on very basic astrology: Saturn at 4 degrees of Virgo casts its full strength square aspect to Gemini and while Ketu (South Lunar Node) currently sits near the middle of the sign at 18 degrees of Gemini. This is a double dose of potential bearishness that is likely to act as a drag on optimism. Besides the powerful aspects involving slow moving planets (Saturn to Neptune; Saturn to Uranus, etc), the upcoming Gemini transit of the Sun and then Mercury demands close attention.

This week will see the Sun form square aspects to the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction early in the week. The Sun will first aspect Uranus on Monday, and then follow suit with Jupiter on Tuesday and into Wednesday. While square aspects are not the most positive angles, this trio of planets work quite well together so we should expect buyers to outnumber sellers and hence prices should rise. Mercury enters Gemini on Tuesday so that may complicate matters somewhat, although any negative fallout from this ingress may take a few days to appear. Mercury comes under the aspect of Saturn on Thursday so that increases the likelihood of a decline near that day.

All this increasingly feels like the calm before the storm.


"Life was always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act." -- Paulo Coelho

Jupiter-Uranus saves markets

Markets teetered near their recent lows before bouncing higher last week as Euro concerns moved to the back burner on more hopeful economic data. In New York, the Dow climbed back over the 10k level and ended almost 3% higher at 10,211 with the S&P coming in at 1091. The situation was a little less rosy in Mumbai, however, as markets edged lower with the Sensex finishing at 17,064 and the Nifty at 5119. US markets survived a near-death experience on Tuesday as the key indexes flirted with recent May low, a violation of which would have likely sparked near panic selling. Astrologically, this coincided with the high-energy alignment of Mars with the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. The move by Venus into Cancer introduced a measure of optimism midweek which got a further boost Thursday and Friday when Mercury joined the party with Jupiter-Uranus. While we are currently trapped in the vice-like grip of some very heavy and portentous planets, I did expect some relief rally here so it was nice to see that come to fruition.

Meanwhile, the nightmarish never-ending oil spill in the Gulf is reaching a point that it may be affecting overall US market sentiment. Revised leak rates and more dire predictions of environmental damage are contributing to the overall gloomy mood on Wall Street, even if there may be relatively little direct impact on the economy as a whole. As we know, the markets are driven by sentiment in all its glorious "animal spirits" irrationality, and this is where understanding planetary influences can become so helpful for gaining extra insight. So while there may an increase of entrepreneurial enthusiasm from the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction here, it is important to note that Jupiter is now separating from Uranus, so this effect may be prone to weakening in the days to come. Furthermore, Saturn will begin to replace Jupiter as the primary interface for Uranus. It was Saturn and Uranus that started this latest negative phase in the market back on April 26 when it last formed its opposition aspect. Yes, folks, its coming back for yet another return engagement. In other words, we cannot expect too much smooth sailing anytime soon.

This week begins with a text book instance of favorable planets. Venus, the planet of love, luxury and enjoyment, will come under the aspect of Jupiter-Uranus on Monday and Tuesday. Since Jupiter is the very embodiment of bullish optimism, one would tend to think a positive result would be likely. Of course, all the background influences are looking unsettled at best, so we should not become too complacent even with bullish patterns. On Tuesday, the Sun enters sidereal Gemini. This may result in more sober thinking (hint: this is a euphemism for gloom) since the Sun will come under the aspect of plodding, deliberative Saturn. Later in the week Mercury, the planet of commerce and communication, forms an aspect with Ketu, the planet of sacrifice and renunciation. Not a good combination for financial markets I should think.

"Caution is the eldest child of wisdom" - Victor Hugo

Mars does damage; hopes now pinned on Jupiter-Uranus

Another week of fear and loathing in the financial world amidst a sea of less than cheery news. Hungary's potential for default pushed the Euro below 1.20 for the first time since 2006, a US employment report that showed precious little in the way of new jobs, and the never-ending oil Gulf spill threatens to put the entire US eastern seaboard in a choke hold. After gamely pushing back to its 200-day moving average on Thursday, Friday's jobs report sent the Dow below 10,000 closing at 9931 down more than 2% on the week. In Mumbai, the picture was somewhat rosier since Indian markets were largely spared Friday's carnage. The Sensex closed at 17,177 while the Nifty finished at a respectable 5135. Mars over-fulfilled its role as the planetary villain last week as the Mars-Saturn aspect coincided with Tuesday's decline worldwide. The Mars-Neptune opposition manifested a little later than expected (but still right on time), as Friday's selloff occurred when Mars (4 Leo 41) was almost exactly opposite Neptune (4 Aquarius 47).

Of course, these Mars aspects have become extremely potent here because the planets being aspected (Saturn, Neptune) are involved with larger and more clearly negative celestial alignments. It is critically important to recognize that these aspects are going to hang around for while and will create more tension and anxiety in financial markets for much of 2010. For example, Saturn and Uranus are in close opposition aspect until late July. Saturn and Neptune will form a quincunx aspect until the beginning of July. And by the time August rolls around, Pluto will join in and square Saturn. All told, this sequence of aspects this year is among the very the worst imaginable.

This week begins with Mars aspecting the conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus. This looks like a very energetic and intense combination that suggests major moves are possible. Jupiter and Uranus are often seen as optimistic and risk-taking planets but against the larger backdrop of all that Saturn energy, it will interesting to see how these divergent impulses play out. Mars is not an energy that is easily integrated into an already tense environment although Jupiter can be a very forgiving planet. Later in the week, Venus enters Cancer and Mercury will move in sync with Jupiter and Uranus which suggests that despite the gathering gloom, the cup may actually be half full -- if only for a short while.