Venus Looks Back
By Susan Abbott Gidel
September 30, 2018
(All times Eastern)
October’s astrological feature is that Venus—the planet that rules money—turns retrograde on October 5. Conventional wisdom is that when planets are retrograde, i.e., appearing to move backward in the sky, that do not operate at full strength. Because Venus rules money, this would imply bearishness for the stock market.
However, that does not appear to be the case when Venus is retrograde in the sign of Scorpio as it is this fall. This is surprising for a second reason as well—that Venus in Scorpio is in “detriment,” where it is weak. Indeed, the last two times Venus retrograde started in Scorpio—in 2010 and 2002—the stock market rallied.
Venus retrograde in 2010 saw the stock market rally 69 points from the time the retrograde began on October 8 until Venus backed up into the sign of Libra on November 7. Then, it changed direction and made a bottom 40 points lower two days before Venus (and Jupiter) turned direct in motion on November 18. Interestingly, Jupiter—the other “benefic” planet—also was retrograde throughout this entire period, which would have implied that there would not be much support as both were not working at peak capacity. But, that was not the case.
Venus retrograde in 2002 was flat-out bullish. The S&P 500 bottomed at 768 on October 10, the day Venus turned retrograde, and rallied to a high of 935 when Venus turned direct in motion on November 21 for a gain of 166 points. During this Venus retrograde, Saturn also was retrograde for all but the first day. To have the stock market rally while both Venus (money) and Saturn (limitation) were retrograde seems out of character, but perhaps a double-negative effect was in play.
This year, Venus in retrograde changes signs like it did in 2010. It starts out in Scorpio on October 5, then moves back into Libra on October 31, just before the New York close. It turns direct in Libra on November 16. Neither Jupiter nor Saturn are retrograde during this period. If it follows the pattern of 2010, stocks could rally into month’s end, then turn lower as Venus retrograde enters the sign of Libra.
October 24 Top Red Letter Trading Day
Wednesday, October 24 is this month’s Top Red Letter Trading day because of three coincident astrological factors. First, the Sun enters the sign of Scorpio on October 23 and then 13 hours later is exactly opposite Uranus in the sign of Taurus. This connection could bring unexpected banking decisions by leaders who would like to keep those decisions hidden. However, the full moon on October 24 brings that information to light.
This month’s dates of astrological note include:
Friday, October 5 Venus retrograde at 3:04 pm
Monday, October 8 New Moon in Libra at 11:47 pm
Tuesday, October 9 Mercury enters Scorpio at 8:40 pm
Tuesday, October 23 Sun enters Scorpio at 7:22 am
Wednesday, October 24 Full Moon in Taurus at 12:45 pm
Wednesday, October 31 Mercury enters Sagittarius at 12:38 am
Wednesday, October 31 Venus retrograde enters Libra at 3:42 pm
This month’s dates for potential market trend changes include:
Euro FX
- October 9 High
- October 26 Low
Gold
- October 10 High
Soybeans
- October 5 High
- October 15 Low (Crop progress at 3 pm)
10-yr. T-note
- October 18 Low (Fed minutes 10/17)
Red Letter Trading Days for October 2018
Tuesday, October 2—Secrets Outed
Be on guard for secrets that could blindside you on Tuesday, October 2. Pluto, ruler of the underworld and secrets, turned direct in motion on Sunday night. Throughout the trading day, Mercury, the town crier, is building up strength to confront Pluto as it makes an exact 90-degree angle at 8:03 pm Tuesday.
Mercury in Libra wants to get all the info out on the table and be fair about it. Pluto in Capricorn wants to transform business and government. Now that Pluto is moving direct, it will be harder to keep those business and government secrets hidden.
Tuesday’s reports include:
- Monday 11:30 pm Australia RBA Announcement
Friday, October 5—Money Changer
The big astrological news for Friday, October 5 is that Venus, the planet that rules money, turns retrograde in motion at 3:04 pm through November 15. Venus retrograde occurs about every two years and is a time to focus on what is truly valuable in relationships and finances.
When planets are retrograde, i.e., appearing to move backward in the sky, they are not working to the best of their ability. I like to think of them as being on vacation. Thus, with a Venus retrograde, conventional wisdom is that it is bearish for the market. However, that might not be the case this year.
Venus retrogrades five times every eight years, and comes back to within a couple of degrees of where it was eight years ago with each retrograde period. This year, Venus retrograde begins in Scorpio, just as it did in 2010 and 2002. In both those years, the S&P 500 rallied while Venus was retrograde!
Venus retrograde 2010 and 2002
Venus retrograde in 2010 saw the S&P 500 rally 69 points, or 6 percent, from the time the retrograde began in Scorpio on October 8 until Venus backed up into the sign of Libra on November 7. Then, the S&P changed direction and made a bottom 40 points lower two days before Venus turned direct in motion.
Venus retrograde in 2002 was flat-out bullish. The S&P 500 bottomed at 768 on October 10, the day Venus turned retrograde in Scorpio, and rallied to a high of 935 as Venus turned direct in motion on November 21 for a gain of 166 points, or 22 percent.
This year, Venus changes signs like it did in 2010. It starts out in Scorpio, then moves back into Libra on October 31, just before the New York close. It turns direct in Libra on November 16. If this year’s market movement follows the same pattern as in 2010, look for a rally into month’s end, then a turn lower.
Venus Retrograde Podcast
For more insights into how to use the Venus retrograde energy, take a listen to the latest Astrological Insights podcast from Intention Beads, where I was a guest earlier this week.
Friday’s reports include:
- 8:30 am US Employment Situation
- 8:30 am US International Trade
- 8:30 am Canada Labour Force Survey
- 8:30 am Canada Merchandise Trade
Tuesday, October 9–Balanced Beginnings
The New Moon in Libra at 11:47 pm Monday portends pleasant, new beginnings. Trading temperaments will have an aura of balance, and could stay that way for the next two weeks.
For the last two trading days, the S&P 500 has held support at 2863-2865, an area that represents the price conversion of the cash index natal Sun, and the S&P 500 futures contract natal Venus and midheaven. Converted from the sign of Pisces, these can be considered end-of-cycle price areas that provide significant resistance, and then later support once surpassed to the upside. The S&P 500 first broke through on August 24.
Tuesday’s reports include:
- Monday 8:30 pm Australia Merchandise Trade
- 8:15 am Canada Housing Starts
Wednesday, October 10—Secrets Explode
Watch out for volatility on Wednesday, October 10 as deep, dark secrets could explode into the light. It starts with Mercury, the communicator, entering the secretive sign of Scorpio at 8:40 pm Tuesday. By Wednesday at 1:36 pm, Mercury is exactly opposite Uranus, known for being explosive.
Enhancing the potential for volatility is that money planet Venus is in its sixth day of being retrograde, its most volatile and unstable time. On top of that, Venus (also in secretive Scorpio) is making a 90-degree square to Mars in Aquarius (ruled by Uranus) at 10:29 pm Wednesday, so the tension will be building throughout the trading day.
Wednesday’s reports include:
- 4:30 am Great Britain Monthly GDP
- 8:30 am US PPI-FD
Friday, October 12—Power Plays
Overnight trade could continue to feel the pressure of the last two big down days. At 12:11 am, power plays are heightened as the Sun makes an exact 90-degree angle to Pluto. Both are in Cardinal signs, so are in action-taking mode. The Sun in Libra wants to cut a deal while Pluto in Capricorn keeps pressing to get exactly the terms it wants.
At 4:20 am, Mercury and Saturn could help smooth things over. Mercury in Scorpio is willing to provide the research if Saturn in Capricorn is willing to use the information wisely.
Friday’s reports include:
- TBD Singapore MAS Announcement
- 2:00 am Germany CPI
- 5:00 am Eurozone Industrial Production
- 8:00 am India Industrial Production
Monday, October 15—Sweet Talk
Everything is hunky-dory on Monday, October 15, even though it might not be easy to see. Throughout the trading day, Mercury and Venus are getting closer and closer, reaching their exact conjunction at 4:21 pm. Both planets are in the sign of Scorpio, so their sweet (Venus, ruler of love and money) talk (Mercury) could be hidden from view.
Monday’s reports include:
- 8:30 am US Retail Sales
Friday, October 19—Confused and Angry
Volatility could continue into Friday, October 19 with Mercury, the planet that rules trading, stock indexes and communications, in a couple of tough aspects.
First, at 5:47 am, Mercury makes a 120-degree trine to Neptune. Both planets in water signs (and Neptune strong in its own sign of Pisces), makes it easy for Mercury to be deceived. Needed details are hidden from view.
Second, at 1:23 pm, Mercury makes a 90-degree square to Mars, putting up its fists and declaring “them there’s fightin’ words.” Look out for a rough time going into the week’s close.
Oh, and it’s the 37th anniversary of the Crash of 1987 that sent the DJIA down 508 points, or 22.6%, on that single day. Astrologically, it means that the Sun on Friday is exactly where it was on October 19, 1987—a vibe that is baked into market memory.
Friday’s reports include:
- Thursday 7:30 pm Japan CPI
- TBD China Retail Sales
- 8:30 am Canada CPI
- 8:30 am Canada Retail Sales
- 10:00 am US Existing Home Sales
- 3:00 pm US Cattle on Feed
Monday, October 22—Going Deep
The news and secrets get nothing but deeper on Monday, October 22. Communicator Mercury is in the sign of secretive Scorpio while Pluto, the planet that co-rules Scorpio is in the business/institution sign of Capricorn. The pair make an opportunistic connection in the sky at 3:14 pm.
Monday’s reports include:
- Sunday TBD China GDP
Wednesday, October 24—Money Surprises
Big money surprises are due on Wednesday, October 24, this month’s Top Red Letter Trading Day. From a market perspective, it could mean unexpected banking decisions by leaders. From a personal perspective, it could mean you won the $1.6 billion Mega Millions lotto on Tuesday night. In either case, the Full Moon is highlighting money surprises that have long-lasting effect.
The Full Moon in Taurus is exact at 12:45 pm on Wednesday. The Moon is aligned with Uranus in Taurus, which can bring unexpected financial changes. They are both opposite the Sun (leaders) and Venus (money), which rules the sign of Taurus.
Other times of peak energy include: (1) 8:47 pm Tuesday, when the Sun (leaders) is exactly opposite Uranus (unexpected change); and (2) 8:52 am Wednesday, when money planet Venus is exactly 60 degrees from Saturn in Capricorn, the planet and sign that can make money last a long time.
Wednesday’s reports include:
- (Tuesday 11:00 pm Mega Millions drawing)
- 3:00 am France PMI Composite Flash
- 4:00 am Eurozone PMI Composite Flash
- 10:00 am US New Home Sales
- 10:00 am Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report
- 10:30 am US EIA Petroleum Status
Friday, October 26—Deep Pockets
Daddy Warbucks comes to the rescue on Friday, October 26 as the Sun and Venus conjoin at 10:16 am. Both planets are in the sign of Scorpio, so deep pockets are available for leaders (the Sun) to review the state of finances (Venus retrograde) and decide to spend more!
Friday’s reports include:
- 8:30 am US GDP
Monday, October 29—Big Talk
Watch for a lively, big-volume trading day on Monday, October 29. Mercury, the planet that rules trading and communication is exactly aligned with Jupiter, the planet that exaggerates, at 7:05 am. This pair also indicates the potential for a lot of big talk, but no action.
Monday’s reports include:
- TBD Bank of Japan announcement
- 8:30 am US Personal Income and Outlays
Wednesday, October 31—Money Tricks
More tricks than treats are in store for Wednesday, October 31, but the end-of-month close could be a pleasant one.
The tricks start at 12:38 am when Mercury, the planet that rules trading and communications, enters the sign of Sagittarius. This is opposite the sign that Mercury rules (Gemini), so Mercury is at a bit of loss in this sign.
Then, at 4:45 am, money planet Venus is opposite trickster Uranus. This connection is the big one that indicates money tricks that come out of the blue and from deep, hidden places.
Right before the close, at 3:42 pm, Venus retrograde breathes a sigh of relief as it enters its own sign of Libra. This should lighten the pressures of the day and create a pleasant close.
Wednesday’s reports include:
- Tuesday 7:50 pm Japan Industrial Production
- Tuesday 8:30 pm Australia CPI
- Tuesday 9:00 pm China CFLP Manufacturing PMI
- 3:45 am France CPI
- 5:00 am Eurozone HICP Flash
- 5:00 am Italy CPI
- 8:30 am Canada Monthly GDP
- 10:30 am US EIA Petroleum Status
September Review–Falling Back
Source: Barchart.com
Monday, September 24 was this month’s Top Red Letter Trading Day because it is the first trading day after the fall equinox, which was one of W.D. Gann’s favorite dates to look for a potential change in trend. Indeed, the S&P 500 market set a record high on the previous Friday at 2940.91 and then turned lower.
Both Mercury (trading and stock indexes) and the Sun entered the sign of Libra between Friday’s close and Sunday night’s open. On Monday, tension thickened as the Sun, Mercury and Moon were all at a 90-degree angle to Saturn in Capricorn, with the Full Moon in Aries exact at 10:52 pm.
Saturn in Capricorn is all about following the rules and was the ultimate expresser of the combined energy with the Sun, Mercury and Moon. Saturn’s job was to deal with how to express emotional outrage vs. being balanced in how to communicate. That energy played out three days later via live broadcast as the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from both Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh regarding the latter’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
Venus Support
Note that the S&P 500 successfully tested support at 2865 on September 6-7. That index level comes from the conversion of the zodiac degrees of both Venus and the Midheaven of the horoscope chart when the S&P 500 cash index began on March 4, 1957. The Venus/MC price appears often as resistance/support on long-term S&P price charts. The next Venus/MC price higher is 3225. The next one lower was 2505, site of the 2017 high.
All information in this newsletter is merely the personal opinion of the author and not that of any other person, company or entity. This information is not to be construed as financial advice, nor relied upon as such. Please contact your broker or financial advisor for trading and investment advice. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future market behavior.
© Copyright 2018 SusanGSays LLC