VP debate preview; Trump treated for Covid

 (6 October 2020) The roller coaster of 2020 never stops it seems.  President Donald Trump was diagnosed with the coronavirus last Friday but has returned to the White House after a short hospital stay. Trump's condition has improved since the weekend although doctors are watching him carefully in the event of further symptoms.  In some patients, the second week can be worse than the first week. 

Trump's diagnosis is reflected in a difficult planetary alignment.  As noted last week, the month of October was likely going to bring bad news for the president since he was experiencing an unusual multi-planet alignment of malefic planets.  The Lunar Nodes, Rahu and Ketu, have returned to their natal position where they also conjoin Trump's Sun and Moon, since he was born on a lunar eclipse when the Sun is conjunct Rahu and the Moon is conjunct Ketu. 

Trump's problems are compounded by the fact that Pluto and Mars are also in a degreewise alignment with the Lunar Nodes and thus deeply afflict both his Sun and Moon.  He is in a very tough spot indeed.  This week would appear to be a possible nadir in his fortunes.  As I noted in last week's update, the time around the VP debate would seem to carry an added burden for him.  This could reflect a poor performance by his VP Mike Pence, or it is possible it could also relate to other concerns, such his ongoing medical condition.  


Vice presidential debate

The VP debate takes place tomorrow, October 7, at 7.00 pm in Salt Lake City when Republican vice president Mike Pence will debate Democratic Senator Kamala Harris.  The debate promises to be highly confrontational given the strong Mars alignment with Ketu and Pluto.  In addition, the Moon will conjoin Rahu at the start of the debate and will likely amplify the emotional impact of the proceedings.  Intense feelings and unpredictable developments are more likely with this Moon-Rahu conjunction, particularly when the Mars and Pluto influence is factored into the equation. 

Predicting the possible performances of Pence and Harris is made more difficult because we only have the birth time of Kamala Harris.  Mike Pence's horoscope is therefore only estimated for noon and may not offer as much useful data on how the debate will unfold. Pence's chart shows the Rahu-Ketu-Mars-Pluto alignment highlighting his natal Mercury at 28 Taurus.  This suggests some disruptive news or developments are possible in the debate.  It also can greatly intensify his speech patterns and aims of communication. 

But all three of these planets are natural malefics and do not set up a positive outcome for the debate at all.  Rahu can sometimes coincide with situations of creativity and thinking 'outside the box' but the Mars and Pluto influence here seems unhelpful in a debate setting.  The emphasis is on tension and conflict rather than success or rationality.  Of course, we don't know his exact horoscope so it's possible that he could have other more favorable patterns.  But that cannot be known.

Kamala Harris' chart also looks troublesome.  The theme of conflict is also front and center since her Mars (28 Cancer) will feel the full effect of this nasty Mars-Rahu-Ketu-Pluto alignment.  It seems likely that antagonism and conflict will be prominent in her debate experience.  For example, Pence may try to paint her as a radical leftist who is fomenting racial divisions in the US.  By standard Vedic aspecting, her Mars is in an exact 120-degree/5th house aspect from Ketu, the South Lunar Node.  This is associated with intense and stressful attacks that demand quick responses.  By itself, it cannot be considered a favorable influence for a debate win.  However, I would also note that the Mercury-Uranus opposition does form a close 135-degree alignment with her Ascendant and should give her the ability to deliver effective and intelligent answers. 

 

But the larger problem for her is that Saturn is sitting on her 8th house cusp at 1 Capricorn.  While this placement is dependent on an accurate birth time (which is from a birth certificate at least), this Saturn placement is not good at all for making progress towards one's goals.  It suggests obstacles and setbacks and even scandal.  Saturn is finally moving forward again since its direct station on September 29, but as I see it, it is too close for comfort there.  This is another reason why I can't get too optimistic about Harris's chances in the debate.  It may refer to other ongoing negative situations unrelated to the debate, but it nonetheless casts a long shadow over her progress.

Harris' chart gets a bit better if we relocate her chart to Salt Lake City, there is a very nice placement of transiting Venus there on her 3rd house cusp. The 3rd house is associated with communication and Venus symbolizes beauty and harmony.  Therefore, there is at least some reason to expect Kamala Harris could do well in the debate, at least on the level of presentation.  Given these highly volatile aspects, I am reluctant to predict a clear winner in the VP debate.  And yet, Harris could have an edge here given the role of Venus in her relocated chart. 


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks suffered a major reversal lower today after President Trump abruptly broke off stimulus negotiations with the Democrats.  With Trump postponing any hope of a stimulus until after the election, markets are more vulnerable here since much of the recent up trend had been based on stimulus hopes.   The sell-off appeared to confirm my forecast from last week of some turbulence on the alignment of Mars with stationary Pluto and Ketu, the South Lunar Node. 

I suspect we could see more turbulence this week as the Mars alignment will remain within range until Friday.  At the same time, it is important to note the potentially offsetting bullish influence of the Jupiter-Neptune alignment over the coming days.  This suggests that the market may see significant moves in both directions as the tense pessimism of Mars alternates with the optimism of Jupiter.  Nonetheless, caution is warranted.

For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil. 

The passing of RBG reshapes the race ahead of next week's debate

  (23 September 2020) Last week's passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has introduced a new dynamic into the US election campaign.  The loss of the left-leaning RBG could mark a significant rightward shift in the Supreme Court if Trump and the GOP carry through on their promise to appoint her successor.  As of now, Trump and the GOP-controlled Senate have the 50 votes necessary to confirm a new justice over the coming weeks, regardless of who wins the election on November 3.  The administration's term concludes on January 20, 2021 so even if Trump should lose the November election, the confirmation of a conservative justice such as Amy Coney Barrett or Barbara Lagoa could still take place sometime in November or December.

This development is likely a political boost for Trump.  The prospect of another conservative member of SCOTUS will likely increase the enthusiasm and turnout of his voting base.  Whatever his many shortcomings and failures, Trump has delivered on his campaign promise of appointing two and now, possibly three conservative judges.  In the US system of government, the judicial branch has a greater and more direct political importance than in, say, the British Parliamentary system.  Also, the focus on the campaign can now shift away from his administration's bungled handling of the Covid crisis and onto the more politically beneficial confirmation of a conservative justice. 

As I suggested three weeks ago, I thought that Trump's standing could improve in September due to the Mars retrograde cycle and the transit of Mercury to his natal Jupiter.  Interestingly, I highlighted the day of Mercury's conjunction to Trump's Jupiter on September 17 as the time of a possible favorable development.  As it happened, Justice Ginsburg passed away the following day, on September 18.  To be sure, Trump's polls numbers and betting odds haven't moved much in September, but there is some sense that the battleground states are very much in contention as we approach the first presidential debate next Tuesday, September 29. 

And the debates could be very important.  For Joe Biden, they are an opportunity to decisively put to rest the widely-held view that he may no longer be mentally sharp enough to be president.  The 77-year old Biden has at times seemed confused and incoherent on the campaign trail so a strong debate showing against Trump could help to solidify his support.  Trump therefore needs to make Biden look like he is incapable of leading the country in order to build more momentum towards his failing campaign.  

The planets for the first debate suggest a mixed picture for both candidates.  In Trump's chart, the transiting Mars-Saturn square will be closely aligned with his Venus-Saturn conjunction.  This is a difficult pattern that suggests frustration, tension and generally negative social interactions. Jupiter isn't helping him much here, although I do note that it forms an exact 120 degree aspect with his relocated Midheaven (10th house cusp) for Cleveland where the debate will be held.  That could indicate some favorable outcomes at least.  Transiting Venus will be conjunct his Mars in his 1st house.  This can be good for public perceptions (1st house) although the Mars influence on Venus is usually a sign of disagreements and conflict.  Well, it is a debate, after all. 

Mercury in Libra will transit Trump's 3rd house which should enhance his ability to communicate.  Of course, the slow-moving Rahu-Sun conjunction and Ketu-Moon conjunction is a huge wild card although its effects are not specific to the night of the debate.  This heavy nodal influence often marks situations of disruption and instability and may make Trump's behavior even more unpredictable than usual.  We may charitably say that he could succeed in keeping Biden off balance in the debate, but he also may not do himself any favors in the process.

Biden's chart is also afflicted by that Mars-Saturn square as it sets up against his Jupiter in the 9th house.  This could symbolize an inability to communicate his philosophy and campaign platform.   The Venus in Leo transit looks generally positive for him in the 10th house, although that may simply be a reflection of the greater social exposure he will enjoy as a result of the debate.  More worrying is the Moon-Neptune conjunction that is conjunct his 4th house cusp (IC) opposite his 10th house cusp (MC).  Moon-Neptune aspects can indicate situations of confusion or loss of self, especially when they are located around one of the chart angles as is the case here. 

Mercury in Libra will transit his 12th house opposite his Moon.  This suggests that Biden may have some difficulty getting the specifics of his message across to the debate audience. Moon-Mercury oppositions can indicate creative thinking but it is less well-suited for logical and orderly presentations. 

Overall, both charts have significant problems on September 29. Trump's may be a bit better, however, in terms of communication (Mercury in 3rd house, vs in the 12th in Biden's chart) and the Venus in the Ascendant with his Mars could actually boost his personal appeal, albeit through conflict.  I would not expect a clear win by either candidate, although I think that Trump could do better than Biden. 


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have retreated in recent days as the reality of the Covid second wave has begun to sink in.  US stocks fell sharply again today just as Mercury and Mars aligned with Saturn and Ketu (the South Lunar Node).  Since three of these four planets were natural malefics (i.e planets that tend to produce negative outcomes), it was no surprise that the market moved lower.  The downdraft was in keeping with expectations as I have previously noted both here and in my newsletter the likelihood of some significant declines in late August and throughout September, with a special focus on late September and this rare four-planet alignment.

Further declines are possible this week as Mercury and Mars remain in fairly close alignment with Saturn and Ketu.  Mercury will begin to separate tomorrow (Thursday) so that could indicate some lessening of the negative sentiment, however.  But Mars will stay in a tense square with Saturn well into next week so I would not expect much upside over the next few days.  It seems more likely that markets will trend lower going into next week. 


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil. 

When will the US election be decided?

  (16 September 2020) There are only 47 days left until the US presidential election.  However, an increasing number of people do not expect the election to be decided on November 3.  Due to a number of contested issues, both Republicans and Democrats have expressed a reluctance to immediately concede the election regardless of the result.  President Donald Trump has sought to raise questions about the legitimacy of a sudden surge of mail-in ballots due to the Covid pandemic.  And prominent Democrats such as Hillary Clinton have urged nominee Joe Biden not to concede on election night under any circumstances given the varying and confusing array of state rules pertaining to mail-in ballots.

Aside from the mutual distrust of both camps, several million mail-in votes likely won't be counted until several days after election day in any event as some states will accept votes that are postmarked November 3.  So even if there is a landslide win for either side, it seems almost certain that the winner won't be declared for up to a week after the election.  And then if we factor in the possibility (or likelihood!) of a legal challenge of the results, then we could be looking at some kind of repeat of the Bush-Gore stalemate.  The Supreme Court finally declared Bush the winner on December 12, 2000, 36 days after the election. 

We already know that the planets for this election look very afflicted as Mercury stations direct in a harsh square aspect with Saturn.  In this situation, Mercury may be seen to symbolize communications (i.e voting) and Saturn represents the denial or postponement of the results.  But if the planets look sufficiently tense to reflect a delay in the final decision, just when should we expect the results to be known?


The Bush-Gore election stalemate

To answer this question, it can be useful to examine the potential precedent of the Bush-Gore election stalemate in 2000.   On the day of the election, there were a number of tense planetary aspects.  Most famously, Mercury stationed direct in an exact square with natal Pluto in the USA chart.  This is an extremely bad influence that suggests communication/voting that is undermined through power and coercive measures.  While Bush appeared to win the pivotal state of Florida in the early morning hours of Nov 8, Gore challenged the results due to voting irregularities in several counties. 

The delayed result was likely also seen through the conjunction of Rahu and the Sun at 22 Gemini.  Rahu symbolizes distortion and confusion so its conjunction with the Sun (= government and leaders) is very appropriate at a time when the election could not immediately determine who would be the next president. 

More fundamentally, natal Mercury (communication) at 3 Cancer was afflicted by Transiting Saturn (4 Taurus) through its 60 degree/3rd house aspect within just one degree.  These latter two afflictions by slow-moving malefics were a major reason why this election was so unprecedented.  Finally, we can see that Venus (social harmony, happiness) was exactly opposite Mars (conflict, disputes) on election day. Not surprisingly, the whole country was frustrated with the electoral indecision as Al Gore sought to formally contest the results.

On the basis of this overview, it seems logical that the resolution of this legal dispute would occur when: 1) the afflicting planets had sufficiently moved away from their positions on election day, and/or 2) positive influences would be more prominent in the USA chart reflecting some kind of closure on the matter. 

The Supreme Court finally handed down its decision on December 12 and awarded the election to Bush.  We can see that the two major afflicting planets had moved off somewhat as Rahu (21 Gemini) was now one degree past its exact conjunction and Saturn (1 Taurus) was two degrees past its exact 60 degree/3rd house aspect to natal Mercury.  Transiting Mercury was conjunct Pluto at 19 Scorpio just barely past its exact opposition with Uranus.   This alignment highlighted the sudden resolution of the fierce legal contest which had captivated the country.  The opposition aspect carries some unease, however, and this may have reflected how many people, especially Democrats, were not at all satisfied with the judgment. 

And while the negative influences had lessened by Dec 12, we can see that benefic Jupiter (10 Taurus)  had moved into a more favorable position sitting on the 6th house cusp (9 Taurus) representing conflict and legal issues.  Jupiter is the planet of justice and knowledge, so its conjunction suggested the legal resolution to the conflict.  In addition, Jupiter aligned with benefic Venus and Neptune (11 Capricorn) very near the 2nd house cusp (prosperity, wealth, stability) and thereby further highlighted the underlying positive influences on the Ascendant (9 Sagittarius).


Will history repeat in the 2020 election?
 
Looking ahead to November 3, we can see a similar pattern of afflictions involving Mercury (communication, voting) and the Sun (government, leaders).  Just as in 2000, Saturn will align with natal Mercury thus again setting up the possibility of a blocked or delayed vote results.  This time around, Saturn (2 Capricorn) will oppose Mercury suggesting the likelihood of a delayed result.  Also like 2000, we can see that transiting Mercury (1 Libra) will be involved with Saturn by a square aspect and thus will be further implicated with the affliction to natal Mercury through a T-square alignment.  And the parallels go even further since Mercury will station retrograde on election day.  Mercury stations, both direct and retrograde, are very troublesome when they are aligned with malefics, especially by hard aspect (0,45,90,180), as it is here. 

The Sun (government, leaders) will be under the square aspect of retrograde Mars (21 Pisces) within one degree.  This suggests intense conflict involving government is likely around election day.  Even more worrying is that transiting Rahu (26 Taurus) aspects natal Saturn (24 Virgo) within just two degrees.  Saturn symbolizes structures, tradition and order so its simultaneous affliction by Rahu may well represent a climate of chaos where social stability and social order are called into question.  The Rahu influence here on Saturn suggests a very tumultuous and unpredictable post-election period, probably even more so than we saw back in 2000.

The Bush-Gore case suggests that resolution of the election is more likely to occur when malefics are less prominent (i.e. separating from their initial alignments) and when benefics are stronger through closer alignments with natal planets in the USA chart.

With transiting Saturn due to exactly conjoin Mercury around November 20, some kind of resolution may become more likely only after that date.  Jupiter is due to align with both Saturn and natal Mercury on December 1 or so.  Jupiter's influence is likely to move the conflict closer to some kind of resolution.   Mars is due to move past its exact square aspect to the Sun in early December, thus suggesting that conflict involving government is more likely to wane.

However, we can see that Rahu will remain in close aspect with natal Saturn in December and January so the disruption and chaos could extend into the holidays.  And yet Jupiter will conjoin the 2nd house cusp (prosperity, wealth) in the first week of January.  This is a strong indication that whatever uncertainty may remain is likely to be resolved around the time the Congress meets (January 6, 2021) to count the electoral votes. 

The transit chart for the second week of January (especially Jan 11) looks quite positive and should coincide with some significant resolution of the dispute.  I still think Biden is more likely to be the winner but I must admit I am far from being certain in that prediction. 

The takeaway here may be that the November election is likely to be disputed with a final decision only becoming possible in early December and more likely taking place in January.


Weekly Market Forecast

Stock markets have generally tracked higher in recent days, perhaps on an oversold bounce following the tech decline of the previous week. As expected, we got some upside early this week around the Moon-Venus conjunction and the aftermath of the Jupiter direct station over the weekend.  However, stocks pulled back a bit today following the Fed's latest statement on the economy. 

The planets for the rest of this week do not look very positive.  The probable culprit is the alignment of the Sun, Saturn and Ketu, all in the first degrees of their respective signs. While the near-stationary Jupiter may have a positive influence on sentiment, it seems unlikely to offset the caution suggested in the powerful Sun-Saturn-Ketu pattern.  The ongoing Saturn-Ketu alignment will likely bring another spike in pessimism next week when retrograde Mars and Mercury move into that configuration.



For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.

Tesla falls 30% as tech bubble bursts

  (9 September 2020) The Covid tech bubble finally rediscovered the forces of gravity over the past week as big tech firms such as Apple and Tesla saw their share prices fall sharply.  Ironically -- but perhaps not surprisingly -- the high-water mark for the tech sector may have been last week's stock splits of market darlings Apple and Tesla.  Both high-flying stocks began trading the new post-split shares on Aug 31.  Tesla peaked on Aug 31 and Apple just one day later and both have suffered huge declines since.  Tesla fared worse, falling more than 30% from its high last Monday.  

We can see how the current planetary alignment may have negatively impacted the Tesla share price.  Using the Tesla IPO horoscope for June 29, 2010, it is clear that the current tense alignment of Mars, Saturn and Ketu has highlighted a couple of key points in the chart.  First, the Ascendant at 1 Leo is activated by Saturn (1 Capricorn) as it approaches its direct station in that same degree on September 29.   Saturn is a malefic planet, of course, so whenever it forms close alignments to key points in the chart (e.g. Ascendant, Sun, or Moon), stress and disappointment are more likely and prices are more likely to fall.

Ketu (South Lunar Node) is also in close alignment with the Ascendant and conjunct the 5th house cusp at 2 Sagittarius.  Both Saturn and Ketu are slow-moving planets and have been sitting on that pivotal first degree of their respective signs for a couple of weeks.  And yet Tesla's price kept rising right up until Aug 31 despite this ongoing dual affliction by malefic planets.  Why?

On August 31, Venus and Mercury also aligned with Saturn, Ketu and the natal Ascendant at 1 Leo.  Unlike Saturn and Ketu, Venus and Mercury are benefic planets that are usually prominent during periods of increasing prices.  Tesla hit a post-split peak of $500 on Aug 31 as Venus (0 Cancer) and Mercury (27 Virgo) joined the fray and thereby lent a more positive energy to the ongoing Saturn and Ketu configuration. 

Once Venus and Mercury moved out of alignment (in the first days of September), the full negative influence of the Saturn and Ketu could be felt.  Ketu also slipped back one more degree from 2 Sagittarius to 1 Sagittarius and thus formed an exact aspect with the Ascendant.  We should also make note of the Mars retrograde station at 4 Aries.  This station is likely a bearish influence on the chart because: 1) it aligns with malefic Saturn (4 Virgo) and 2) it is only three degrees from conjoining the 9th house cusp and thus aligning with the Ascendant. 

Looking ahead, I would think Tesla is unlikely to return to its previous highs anytime soon.  As Mars begins its retrograde cycle today, its alignment with Saturn and Ketu and the Ascendant will tighten. This is likely to coincide with further weakness.  Late September in particular seems likely to correspond with some additional selling.


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have generally declined in recent days as last week's Venus-Mars-Mercury alignment coincided with a significant downdraft in the markets.  Today's bounce was not unexpected given the favourable Sun-Jupiter alignment, however. 

The rest of this week looks uncertain.  The Sun-Neptune opposition leans bearish for Friday and could put market bulls on a more defensive footing.  After its retrograde station today (Sep 9), Mars is now stronger than usual as it moves backward through the sky until mid-November.  Therefore, we should expect heightened tension and conflict during this period, as small disputes can suddenly escalate into significant conflicts.  Perhaps not surprisingly, the uncertainty of the US elections will occur during this Mars retrograde period. 

Next week is mixed with some upside possible on next Monday's Moon-Venus conjunction.  The outlook seems less positive after that, however, as the Sun is due to align with the Saturn-Ketu alignment.


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil. 

Will Mars retrograde boost Trump's campaign?

  (2 September 2020) With just two months to go before the election, President Donald Trump finds himself trailing in the polls behind Democratic challenger, Joe Biden.  While Trump has seen a slight uptick in support over the past few weeks, Biden still enjoys a solid 7-point lead.  Trump's polling numbers have trended modestly higher in August as he has benefited from the ongoing rioting and civil unrest in cities such as Portland, Seattle and most recently, Kenosha, Wisconsin.  As an early indicator of possible growing support, political betting markets now see a 50% chance of a Trump win in November.  This is up from just a 35% chance of winning at the beginning of August.  Betting markets are less reliable than polls, however.

This upward trend in support may well continue into September.  Previously, I suggested that the Biden-Harris campaign would likely experience a significant setback in September.  This was closely related to the Mars retrograde station that occurs on September 9.  With Mars due to turn retrograde at 4 degrees of sidereal Aries, this will directly impact the horoscopes of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.  The Mars influence will likely reflect a general increase in stress and activity but it is likely to also create problems for them.  For example, Mars will station in Biden's 6th house of enemies and conflict.

By contrast, the Mars retrograde station may actually be a plus for Trump.  That is largely because Mars stations retrograde in his benefic 9th house in a sign that it rules (Aries).  Favourable outcomes around this time are more likely in areas of long distance travel, higher knowledge and religion, and law. 

Some possible manifestations could be a positive development involving an overseas ally (e.g. Taiwan, Israel, UK) or a helpful legal development.  Trump already won a court appeal to keep his tax returns secret until after the election, so that may be part of this 9th house influence. But we should keep an eye out for further favourable developments in the legal sphere for Trump, including the handling of the election itself.  There is considerable debate about mail-in ballots and the ability of the post office to handle the increase in mailed ballots due to Covid.

Mars (4 Aries) will also align with Trump's natal Mars (3 Leo) at this time.  This Mars-Mars combination is also suggestive of conflict and disputes. But since he was born with Mars rising, conflict is a normal condition for him. He is usually comfortable with a certain amount of conflict and anger so he is more likely to gain some advantage from any new conflictual situation. 

The other reason why Trump is likely to do well in September is because Mercury will be conjunct his natal Jupiter (24 Virgo).  Jupiter is his current major dasha lord so any favourable transits to Jupiter are likely to coincide with positive outcomes.  Since Jupiter is in Trump's 2nd house of wealth, there may be positive economic news for him and the US in general.  The exact Mercury-Jupiter conjunction takes place on September 17 so that could be an interim high-water mark for Trump. 

However, I would expect Trump's fortunes to worsen in late September as Mars casts its square aspect more exactly to Venus and Saturn.  And with the lunar nodes returning to their natal position (Rahu-0-Rahu; Ketu-0-Ketu) in October, Trump seems less likely to do well in the final month of the campaign. 

For now, I still think Joe Biden will have more votes on election night and it seems likely that he will be the next president.  That said, given the likelihood of some post-election uncertainty, the final result may not be known for some time afterwards.  This creates some uncertainty in terms of making a prediction about the final outcome.


Weekly Market Forecast
 
US Stocks have continued their relentless upward ascent this week on hopes for an early Covid vaccine.  Other stock markets have been more mixed with Japan and Germany mostly flat over the past week with some profit-taking place in India.  I thought we might have seen more downside by this time given the ongoing Mars-Saturn-Ketu alignment, however.

While we have yet to see any negative impact from this alignment, it will remain in place to some degree for the next month or so.  Therefore, it seems more likely that stocks will move significantly lower eventually. 

Tomorrow and Friday lean more bearish in this respect as Mars aspects Venus.  This aspect won't last too long but it could break the current bullish spell over the market.  And then next week we will see if there is any immediate fallout from the Mars retrograde station on Wednesday Sep 9.   To be sure, there are some interesting times ahead. 


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.


Trump photo: C-Span.org

Markets await keynote speech from Fed Chair Powell

  (26 August 2020) US stocks continued their march to new record highs this week as investors look forward to tomorrow's keynote speech by Fed Chair Jay Powell at the annual Jackson Hole Conference.  Powell is expected to announce a major shift in the Fed's inflation policy, most likely to allow for more inflation through the notion of "average inflation".  So instead of keeping its strict inflation ceiling of 2% per year, the Fed would temporarily accept higher rates of inflation without having to raise interest rates.  The higher limit for inflation is designed to give the Fed more leeway in its various stimulus efforts, including more QE (quantitative easing), active management of the bond yield curve, and perhaps even buying stocks directly. 

While this would be a major departure for the Fed, a similar approach has been in effect with decidedly mixed results in Japan for 20 years as that country has struggled to fuel any kind of economic growth and inflation given its shrinking and aging population.  Needless to say, any hint of more QE is good news for the stock market as the trillions of dollars handed out to banks and hedge funds invariably find their way into riskier assets in search of a return. 

Tomorrow's (Thursday Aug 27) speech could therefore move markets significantly.  If he announces new easing initiatives, then stocks could well extend their climb.  More upside in stocks would also likely mean higher prices for gold and higher bond yields, as inflation expectations rise.  But if Powell only delivers the same message of an "accommodative policy" without much in the way of new ideas, then stocks could decline in disappointment or even as a 'sell the news' event after the policy is announced.

One intriguing window on the Powell speech may be seen in his natal horoscope (Feb 4, 1953).  No doubt, the Fed Chair is feeling under significant strain and a heavy workload as the Covid crisis drags on into its sixth month.  The Mars-Saturn square aspect is currently aligning with his Saturn (4 Libra) through square and opposition aspects.  Both Mars and Saturn are malefics and therefore reflect more difficulty during the time when their aspects are closest.  Powell's Saturn symbolizes his responsibilities, restrictions, discipline and labor.  The double affliction here suggests this is a highly stressful situation as he attempts to map out what will invariably be a controversial new policy. 

But how will the market react?  This is harder to say.  The planets tomorrow are very mixed.  Bullish Venus aligns with Jupiter and Neptune which could easily translate into more upside for stocks.  However, I suspect that some of the gains we've seen already this week have been the result of the approach of this alignment so it is unclear how much of this energy is left.

At the same time, Mars and Saturn align with malefic Ketu and the Moon right at the time that Powell will be delivering his remarks in the morning.  This suggests some negative fallout is very possible, even if it may not immediately affect the stock market.  Since Venus and Jupiter may already have had their energies manifested this week, there is some added downside risk with the Moon highlighting this nasty Mars-Saturn-Ketu pattern.  Overall, the planets here lack clarity and I would not be surprised by any outcome.  But some caution is clearly warranted.

We can also see that the upcoming Mars retrograde station on September 9 will directly oppose Powell's Saturn. This suggest that whatever stress he may feel this week is likely to intensify in September.  Moreover, Powell's Saturn is also aligned through minor aspects with his Rahu (19 Capricorn) and his Mars (4 Sagittarius).  Therefore, the Mars station will align not only with Saturn but with his Mars and his Lunar Nodes (Rahu and Ketu).   I would therefore expect Powell to come under intense pressure around that time.  With Powell's chart coming under increasing affliction in the weeks ahead, it increases the probability of more uncertainty in the financial markets.   


For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   I outline the key technical and planetary influences for US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, as well as currencies, gold and oil.

Democrats nominate Biden for president

  (19 August 2020) The 2020 race for the White House entered the home stretch yesterday as Democrats formally nominated Joe Biden to run against President Donald Trump in the November election.  Things are looking up for the former Vice-President, as Biden currently enjoys a 5 to 10 point lead in the polls while Trump struggles to gain a foothold amid the chaos of the Covid pandemic.  

As I have noted previously, the Biden-Harris ticket has a very good chance of winning this election. Trump's transits on Election Day, November 3, look difficult and are likely to see him losing, at least initially before any possible legal challenge.  By contrast, the transits of Joe Biden and his Kamala Harris look better.   On November 3, the Sun (18 Libra) conjoins Biden's 1st house lord Mars (19 Libra) and suggests public prominence while Jupiter (27 Sagittarius) aligns with Mercury (28 Libra) and the unequal 10th house cusp/MC (26 Leo).  And the Mercury direct station that occurs on Election Day aligns exactly with Harris' Ascendant and should give also confer an advantage to the Democrats. 

Another window on the election can be seen through the combined chart of Biden and Harris.  The Davison relationship chart is often used in Western astrology but is relatively unknown in Vedic astrology.  The relationship chart is calculated by taking the temporal and spatial midpoint between the horoscopes of two people to create a third chart.  This chart then reflects their combined fortunes such as through their business, political or romantic relationship. 

The relationship chart for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is cast for November 5, 1953 at 8.29 a.m. at 39N36 and 98W57.   If we look at the transits against this chart, there is an obvious trouble spot coming up: the Mars retrograde station.  The Mars Rx station at 4 Aries on September 9 was always going to figure prominently in this election because it fell near the 9th house cusp of Donald Trump's chart squaring both his Saturn and Venus.  This suggests conflict and frustration, possibly involving foreign countries. 

What is noteworthy here is that this Mars station in early September also hits the Biden-Harris relationship head-on as Mars (4 Aries) will exactly oppose the Moon (4 Libra) and square the Lunar Nodes (4 Cancer/Capricorn).  Last week, I suggested that Kamala Harris was likely to experience a setback around this same time frame in early September since the Mars station would conjoin her Moon at 4 Aries (=sharp conflict).  The Biden-Harris relationship chart offers confirming evidence that conflict will predominate around the time of the Mars retrograde station.  While the Mars alignment to the Moon will be exact on September 6-10, the influence could have a wider manifestation from Sep 1-15. 

One possible scenario here is that Trump gets entangled in a foreign conflict which puts Biden at a disadvantage, if only because international conflicts push the president into a leadership role.  Trump is more likely to make hay from such an incident because Mercury, his 11th lord of gains will be favorably transiting his 2nd house of wealth and thereby also conjoining Jupiter, a benefic planet.   The exact Mercury-Jupiter conjunction takes place on September 18 and could mark a positive development for Trump which may well be reflected in an improved polling result.

Nonetheless, I still think Biden will finish fairly strong in the campaign and should win on November 3.  What happens after November 3 is less clear perhaps given the possibility of legal challenges, although I would still favour Biden to be one who is sworn-in on January 20, 2021. 


Weekly Market Forecast

Stocks have drifted higher over the past week in the absence of any clearly negative news.   The Fed's QE program buys up debt in order to depress interest rates (e.g. inflation adjusted yields are now negative) and thereby push investors into riskier assets like stocks.  So far, it's working perfectly as the S&P 500 and NASDAQ have made new all-time highs in the middle of this Covid pandemic.  The expansion of the QE program to now include corporate debt means that the Fed can now buy bonds issued by the likes of Apple and with the Fed's money, Apple then buys up his shares and thereby boosts its share price. This is the roundabout way in which the Federal Reserve is actively boosting the stock market.  So it's no surprise that Apple is now trading at an all-time high.  This is good news if you own Apple stock but not so much if you are unemployed.  Incredibly, it's all legal. 

So far, my suggestion of a pullback has fallen flat.  The melt-up in stocks has continued into this week despite the supposedly bearish Mars-Saturn square.  We saw a minor pullback today (Wednesday) but nothing much to write home about.  Nonetheless, the US dollar did rally after the release of the Fed minutes so there are hints that the tide may be turning here.  Much of the Covid stock rally has occurred as a direct consequence of the falling dollar as the Fed prints more money to get the economy moving. If the dollar rallies further, then stocks will become more vulnerable. 

I still think that stocks are more likely to decline as the Mars-Saturn square will align with the South Lunar Node (Ketu) over the coming days.  According to Vedic astrology, Ketu is an anti-materialist influence that exalts the spiritual life over all other considerations.  In terms of financial markets, its influence tends to make growth and profit less compelling on a collective level and thus declines are more likely as investors sell their positions. 



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