Review and Preview

Did you hear that big “thud” on Friday? That was the sound of Jupiter-Uranus express barreling down the tracks to the thrill and awe of all. One day big gains, the next day big losses. Who is in charge here? Well, Mr. Uranus in Aries, of course! And he never strives for consistency or predictability, only surprise and the unexpected. You won’t fall asleep on his watch, because if you do, you miss it. Do you remember what it was like in the early 1990’s when the internet and email just exploded onto the scene? If you didn’t catch on right away, you were left behind. It’s going to be the same way this year. Uranus rules the internet and technology too (among other things), but there are no rules whenever he is in charge. You make them up as you go along, or you rebel… kind of like stock markets are doing right now. If you are trying to be an investor in a world where traders now rule, you are like the stone that took forever to get an email account in the early 90’s, and have a lot of catching up to do.

In the shortened holiday week that was, the Dow Jones was down 125 points on Tuesday, up 225 points on Wednesday, quiet on Thursday ahead of the Employment reports, then went spastic on Friday when it was learned that employment in the USA increased by 431,000 in May! But 411,000 of those were government census workers, which are temporary jobs. The market (DJIA) was underwhelmed and swooned over 200 points right after the bell and closed down over 300 after the final bell. Uranus and Jupiter in Aries like bells. They like races, and they like to go fast. The new age of competition – perhaps ruthless competition – is about to begin. But what are they racing for? Probably just for the hell of it. They will soon get bored with all this back and forth, and chances are they will race to the top of the mountain – just for the thrill to jump off.

If you can, imagine a scene like getting into a brand new Ferrari. Glittering in the night lights, you jump into the driver’s seat and take it for spin – at top speed. After all, it is Uranus in Aries! And speed matters. Suddenly the lights go out and the accelerator gets stuck. Speed kills too. Well, now you probably get a sense of how the Federal Reserve and other Central Bankers are feeling as this Jupiter-Uranus conjunction forms a T-square to the FRB natal Sun-Pluto opposition for the next three months, and they try to deal with a debt crisis the likes of which they have never seen before. There go the Treasuries and the Dollar to the Moon, as the so-called safe haven for the same frightened investor types who resisted learning the new technologies of the early 1990’s. Soon, at 3% for 10-Year Notes, they will come out of their shell and jump into the stock market. But does the DJIA have to drop to 9000 (or even lower) first before that catapult is launched? Maybe. With Jupiter and Uranus, rallies and/or declines are likely to be more than most expect, in all markets.

And when the Treasuries take that dive as interest rates suddenly rise (for they surely will at some point), what happens to stocks shortly after? You better learn to trade short-term, or hope that Central Bankers and the IMF have that Ferrari system checked carefully (i.e. records in order) before they take that next spin, make that next great big loan, print that next big batch of paper fiat currency. Changes are coming. And maybe an audit too.

Last week was not only a wild see-saw in stock prices. The Euro currency also fell below 1.2000 for the first time since spring 2006. It may be close to a bottom — within the next two months (maybe 1.1000-1.1500). Which means Treasuries and U.S. Dollar may be close to a top, time-wise. But in that short time, the race is on, and the markets will move very fast and very sharp. It’s the way Mr. Uranus in Aries – now with his pal, Zeus — likes it. Big and wild. Fast and furious. Just keep checking the engine, lights, accelerator, and brakes. Its dark out there, and do they really know where they are going this late into the night?

Short-Term Geocosmics

This is the week that Jupiter makes its long anticipated entrance into Aries and forms its first of three conjunctions to Uranus. We will now officially be into a “New Era,” per the themes of Aries. We will also enter a yet deeper layer of this incredible Cardinal Climax celestial phenomenon that began in 2008 and will last to some extent into 2023. But the peak is 2008-2015, just as the last such peak was 1928-1934. On May 28-29, the 84-year orbital cycle of Uranus moved into Aries. On Sunday, June 6, Jupiter will make its entrance through the portal of the new zodiac (Aries). Two days later, on June 8, Jupiter and Uranus will make the first of three 14-year cyclical conjunctions. Do you believe in miracles? If so, this may the time that may validate that belief (now through September 18, when the second passage of this conjunction takes place).

Under Jupiter and Uranus, anything can happen, and it will likely be big. In the early degrees of Aries, there may be a feeling of a new day. It is a time of much activity, and therefore hopes that things will get better. Jupiter co-rules Crude Oil, so there may finally be a fix that stops the deadly oil leakage taking place for nearly 50 days now in the Gulf of Mexico. There may also be a new and brilliant idea on how to correct the economic debt problem plaguing Europe. It may not happen next week, but sometime very soon.

Jupiter and Uranus entering Aries are not the only sign changes now taking place. On Monday, Mars will finally leave Leo for the cool and clean sign of Virgo. It is yet another reason to think that efficient minds will figure out ways to solve the problems of European debt and the Gulf of Mexico oil leakage disasters. On Thursday, June 10, Mercury will enter its home sign of Gemini (along with the Moon). They will both form a mutable square to Mars the next day, June 11. That’s more of the “too-fast, hit-the-tree” type of signature. Words matter and it is best keep one’s thoughts under control, unless you like an argument, or risk offending others. It will be interesting to watch Mr. Obama’s words late this week, as his natal Moon is in Gemini.

Longer-Term Thoughts

The Cardinal Climax. Pluto is already there, in the cardinal sign of Capricorn, and has been since the “Great Economic Crisis” exploded in 2008. It will be there though 2023. Saturn was there, in the cardinal sign of Libra, briefly from late October 2009 through mid-April 2010, squaring Pluto, and coinciding with the debt explosion in Europe. Saturn will return into Libra on July 21, 2010, moving once more towards its waning square to Pluto. It will remain in Libra through October 5, 2012. And now Jupiter and Uranus enter the cardinal sign of Aries. Uranus will be there through August 14, then return briefly to Pisces until March 12, 2011, where it will remain until 2018-2019. Jupiter’s initial visit into Aries is also brief. It will return to Pisces as well on September 8, lingering around (is there a better word to describe the motion of Pisces?) until it re-enters Aries January 22-June 4, 2011.

If you are tired of all the words and all the (broken) promises of plans never carried out, you may be in for a big surprise. Cardinal signs are action periods. Plans may actually be launched. It doesn’t mean they work out, for in Aries, actions are oftentimes more impulsive than correctly and wisely thought out.

But for market people, the picture ahead is likely to become much clearer than it was with Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces, the sign of abstract and altruistic thought and pursuits. With these planets in Pisces, people wanted to believe in something or someone. They wanted to believe in the existence of a Wizard of Oz, a government or leader who can fix anything. Now, in Aries, they are likely to discover the Wizard of Id, one who thinks they can fix everything faster and better than anyone. But this can only be done if one works within the limits of reality, or what is actually possible. Words matter. But action speaks louder than words.

Still, it is Jupiter and Uranus in Aries now and it is nearly summertime in the northern hemisphere. It is a time to be excited, have fun, travel, and meet many new people. But think a little bit about tomorrow. Hangovers are not much fun when you act solely on impulse.