Weekly column: Astrological perspectives on economic trends

Review

Inflation rates are falling and the global economy is on track for a soft landing, but the outlook for growth is tepid and rising trade barriers are a headwind, the head of the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.

—Paul Hannon, “IMF Sees Soft Landing for Global Economy, But Weak Growth Ahead as Trade Barriers Rise,” Wall Street Journal, October 17, 2024.

U.S. receipts for the 2024 fiscal year hit a record $4.919 trillion, up 11%, or $479 billion, from a year earlier. (Yet) the U.S. budget deficit grew to $1.833 trillion for fiscal 2024, the highest outside of the COVID-19 era.

—David Lawder, “US Budget Deficit Tops $1.8 Trillion in Fiscal 2024,” Reuters, October 18, 2024.

Yes, you read that last quote correctly. The U.S. tax receipts reached a record 4.919 trillion, up 11% from a year earlier. Yet the U.S. budget deficit rose by a whopping $1.8 trillion. The U.S. doesn’t have a tax problem. It has a spending problem. The government is not wisely performing its fiduciary role of managing the nation’s finances. How can you spend $1.8 trillion more than you take in when your receipts are at record levels and 11% higher than the prior year? Although these figures apply to the U.S., the behavior has been similar under other governments since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

Yet, this type of questionable fiscal (mis)management, backed by uncontrolled spending, has been a boon for world stock markets. Last week saw several global indices rallying to multi-week, multi-month, or even all-time highs. In Asia and the Pacific Rim, Australia’s ASX index soared to a new record high. In China, the Shanghai Composite rose to its highest level since December 2021 on October 8. It fell hard over the next ten days but rebounded smartly by the end of last week. The only market in this region that struggled was India’s Nifty index, which fell to its lowest level since mid-August. However, that was after posting a new all-time high on September 27. Japan’s Nikkei index crossed back above 40,000 during last week, reaching its highest mark in three months.

In Europe, the German DAX attained another new all-time high on Thursday, October 17. The Netherlands AEX, Zurich SMI, and London FTSE also recorded multi-week highs, but not new all-time records.

In the U.S., both the DJIA and S&P soared to new all-time highs late last week. The NASDAQ also rallied but still remains slightly below its all-time high recorded in mid-July under the Mars-Algol-Uranus conjunction in late Taurus. This intermarket divergence is still a concern for bulls going forward.

Metals and cryptos also had a good week. Gold broke out to another all-time high of $2737 on Friday, while Silver tested $34, its highest mark since December 2012. Huge spending and debt acceleration, combined with instability and the threat of war on the world stage, provide a rush to own metals. Likewise, Bitcoin continued to rally and is now nearing $70,000, its highest price since July and not far from its all-time high made in mid-March 2024. Crude Oil, on the other hand, did not fare so well. After posting a 2-month high of 78.46 on October 8, it fell back to 68.17 just ten days later on Friday, October 18, a loss of 13%. You would think the tension in the Middle East would cause fears of disruption of oil deliveries. But apparently, it is causing an increase in production instead. With Saturn (depressed prices or supplies) soon to turn direct in Pisces (sign ruling Crude Oil) on November 15, we can make an astrological case that a long-term cycle low may be nearby.

Short-term geocosmics and longer-term thoughts

One of the astrological reasons why the stock market keeps chugging to new highs is that there have been no three-star geocosmic critical reversal dates since early September. That is, there have been no cases of Level 1 signatures (strongest) gathering close to one another for some time. Yes, there have been isolated cases of a Level 1 signature here and there, but not two or more in quite some time. In fact, this condition persists until the end of the year, although there Saturn direct takes place on November 15 and the Sun in opposition to Jupiter on December 7. Both have a high correlation to primary cycles within 10 trading days, usually four or less. But there is little supporting geocosmic signatures nearby to either of these geocosmic events.

The early December period offers the best prospect for a reversal from a primary cycle trough or crest, given that Mars turns retrograde and Neptune turns direct on December 5 and 7. Neither of these are Level 1 signatures. Nevertheless, when two planets change direction close in time to one another, that often corresponds with a noteworthy reversal in the trend of various financial markets. Also, Mars turning retrograde in Leo might prove to be an important turn in Gold.

On the political front, the U.S., and even the world, is riveted on the U.S. presidential election that takes place on November 5, two weeks from this Tuesday. In recent election cycles, the period heading into Election Day has been more bearish than bullish. In every case in this new century, you can see major or primary cycle lows in the last two weeks of October through the first two weeks of November. Given that the market is rising now, a repeat of this pattern suggests a selloff could begin any day but probably not last beyond November 19 when Pluto leaves Capricorn for the final time and moves into Aquarius for the fifth time now, through which it will trek for many years. And this event follows Saturn turning stationary direct on November 15.

One factor that might affect this pattern is the outcome of the election or, rather, the acceptance of the election outcome. For either side to dispute, the results could indefinitely prolong a stock market decline, depending on how long the results are contested. With Mars leaving Cancer and entering Leo and Pluto in the last degree of Capricorn, in opposition to one another during election week, the possibility of a dispute—even a violent dispute—cannot be dismissed. Mars and Pluto are in a hard aspect which is symbolic of a fight to the end. No one gives up easily—and the loser is not usually gracious in defeat. The problem with this is that it rattles the people’s faith in democracy and their trust in the election/voting process.

As an interesting side note, Kamala Harris will celebrate her 60th birthday this Sunday, October 20, in Stonecrest, Georgia. Her return occurs at 1:20 PM on October 20 and finds the Sun posited right on the MC, in a separating trine to Jupiter, which is a favorable placement for one’s solar return. In recent columns, I pointed out that Kamala’s popularity would likely peak in August-early September, and indeed, that seems to be the case. I also suggested that Trump would get a Jupiter station bump in the first two weeks of October and Kamala would meet a Pluto wall of resistance and criticism, which has also come to pass. Now, Trump’s chart shows that a pullback is possible, and Harris may continue to struggle with Mars entering into a cardinal T-square with her Sun/Moon opposition. Who can hang on the longest?

Both Trump and Harris were born under a Full Moon, and it is interesting to note how Trump has taken a big lead among young males (Sun, Mars) while Harris has a commanding lead among young women (Moon, Venus). Which sector has the most passion to turn out and vote? The women I talk to seem more energized than the men in this election, and I think the polls may underestimate this. Yet Trump’s poll numbers have always been underestimated in the past. Supporters of each candidate feel that their leader will win by a landslide. I doubt that. I also think more people still have not made up their minds than the polls indicate.