From February 13 to 17, stocks rose for the seventh straight week on falling inflation data, encouraging corporate earnings and favourable cues from Europe.
Equity markets rose more than 3%; the Sensex closed at 18289 and the Nifty at 5564.
While I thought we would see some midweek upside, the absence of any declines around the Saturn aspects was another sign that we remain very much under the cosmic influence of bullish Jupiter. As a result, the early week Mercury-Saturn aspect corresponded with only a slowing of the rally’s momentum. Wednesday’s strong gain fits nicely with the bullish Mercury-Jupiter aspect, while Friday’s positive outcome seemed somewhat at odds with the approaching Sun-Saturn aspect.
The inability of Saturn’s retrograde cycle to break Jupiter’s hold on the market adds more weight to the notion that the rally may last a while longer. Previously, I had noted that the reversal of Saturn’s apparent motion starting February 7 offered a possible turning point for the market, subject to other influences and short-term triggers. As in all human sciences, financial astrology is only, at best, probabilistic and such patterns do not always play out according to their apparent potential. This market is still very much in Jupiter’s domain — stock rallies have shown close correspondence with its recent aspects.
Global markets bottomed in early October after the culmination of a key Saturn aspect and the beginning of Jupiter’s aspect with Pluto.The subsequent interim high in late October coincided with the exact Jupiter-Pluto aspect. The rally off the December low has mirrored Jupiter’s rising strength through its aspects with Uranus, Saturn and Neptune. While I knew these aspects had some bullish potential, I was unsure just how strongly they would manifest.
In hindsight (always 20-20, of course), Jupiter’s long sequence of aspects has carried the market 20% higher. With Jupiter slated to make another aspect with Pluto in March, it seems fairly likely that the bull run may have further to go.
This week again offers some hope to the bears. Irascible Mars is front and centre here as it is in mutual aspect with Mercury, the planet of trading and commerce. In addition, Mars aspects Venus, symbolising value and buying. This three-planet alignment is closest on Wednesday and particularly Thursday, so that tilts the scales in favour of declines on those days.
That said, the bears have had very little to cheer about lately as Jupiter has been strong enough to offset most negative aspects. Therefore, it remains to be seen if this will occur yet again.Both of these Mars aspects have fairly good track records for declines, so their near-simultaneity is definitely worth noting.If the bearishness does manifest midweek, then Friday is more likely to see a rebound as the Moon conjoins risk-taking Uranus while Mercury and Venus are moving in harmonious close aspect.
Crude oil posted a strong gain last week on falling supply data. WTI crude gained 5%, closing near $104 as it broke above recent highs. While I expected some midweek gains, this bullish outcome was somewhat surprising, given the early-week Saturn influence.This week’s Mercury-Mars opposition aspect looks like a significant obstacle for crude.
Some declines are, therefore, more likely during midweek. Thursday’s entry of the Moon into watery Pisces with Uranus may well fuel more buying late in the week, however.
Gold held steady around $1,726 last week as the stalemate continued between bulls and bears.
The writer is a neo-Vedic astrologer specialising in
predictive astrology.
He runs the website www.
modernvedicastrology.com
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