Toughen Up
(All times Eastern)
The three big astrological highlights for April suggest it is time to brace yourself for a tough, volatile time.
“Bad” boys, Pluto and Saturn are getting closer and closer in the sky as they converge for their exact conjunction on January 12, 2020 in the sign of Capricorn, a day to already mark on your calendar as one that could bring the hammer down. In April, both Pluto and Saturn are exactly aligned with the Moon’s South Node; Pluto on April 4 and Saturn on April 30 (the day it turns retrograde in motion).
The South Node represents the past, and when Pluto and Saturn are aligned there, the energy is to let go of whatever from the past is no longer needed, especially debt and organizational structures that need pruning. Thus, changes to the Fed’s portfolio, and shifts in either budget or structure to other government departments and agencies could be in the news all month.
On April 10, Jupiter turns retrograde in motion for four months, until August 11. Jupiter wants to expand and be bullish. When it is retrograde, its supportive energy is simply not as strong. Not that the market can’t rally, just that it may take more news and energy to do so. This is the main reason that April 10 is this month’s Top Red Letter Trading Day. Pluto and Saturn also turn retrograde this month, on April 4 and April 30, respectively, adding to the weaker energy.
Finally, watch out for complete out-of-the-blue actions from all corners starting Easter Sunday, April 21, through June 12. That’s when the planet Mars is “out of bounds,” where its aggressive, proactive energy is completely unpredictable and uncontrollable. In the markets, this could translate into wild volatility for these six weeks.
This month’s dates of astrological note include:
Thursday, April 4 Pluto conjunct South Node in Capricorn
Friday, April 5 New Moon in Aries
Wednesday, April 10 Jupiter retrograde through August 11
Friday, April 19 Full Moon in Libra
Saturday, April 20 Sun enters Taurus, Venus enters Aries
Sunday, April 21 Mars out-of-bounds through June 12
Wednesday, April 24 Pluto retrograde through October 3
Tuesday, April 30 Saturn retrograde through September 18
Tuesday, April 30 Saturn conjunct South Node in Capricorn
This month’s dates for potential market trend changes include:
Crude Oil
- Low on Monday, April 15
Euro FX
- Low on Monday, April 29
Gold
- High on Tuesday, April 9
Soybeans
- Low on Tuesday, April 2
- High on Monday, April 29
S&P 500
- High or Low on Friday, April 5
RED LETTER TRADING DAYS FOR APRIL 2019
+Tuesday, April 2—Detailed Dreams
Trading debt gets a boost on Tuesday, April 2 as Mercury and Neptune align at 5:36 am for the last of three times since February 19. Mercury, the communicator, might also reveal more clarity about the Fed’s rate hike or portfolio plans, which were in the news at the time of the first alignment between these two planets.
The S&P 500 tested the formidable planetary price resistance at 2863-2865 all day Monday, ultimately breaking through slightly and closing at 2867.19. The next-high clusters of planetary price resistance are 2911-2914, then 3010-3011. On the downside, the next lower end-of-cycle support is 2503-2505.
Based on previous planetary positions at market lows, look for a potential low in soybeans on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s reports include:
- Monday 11:30 pm Australia RBA Announcements
- 2:30 am Swtizerland CPI
- 8:30 am US Durable Goods Orders
-Thursday, April 4—Debt Pressure
Pressure on debt issues comes to a head on Thursday, April 4 when Pluto is aligned with the Moon’s South Node at 3:17 pm. Pluto wants to transform by getting rid of what is no longer needed. The South Node represents things of the past that are difficult to let go, so Pluto’s connection can help break the logjam. Because Pluto rules debt and Capricorn rules business and government, ideas on how to reduce/remove/transform institutional debt may be in the fore.
Thursday’s reports include:
- 4:00 am Reserve Bank of India Announcement
- 7:30 am European Central Bank Minutes for March meeting
- 8:30 am US Jobless Claims
-Friday, April 5—New/Old Tension
New beginnings occur at New Moons, and especially so on the New Moon in Aries, exact at 4:50 am on Friday, April 5. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, so is the leader among leaders when it is time to get something started.
However, the New Moon is at a 90-degree angle to Saturn in Capricorn, creating tension between wanting to move forward with something new and sticking with the tried and true, particularly as it concerns business and government. So, stay closely tuned to progress in the US/China trade talks to see if the New Moon or Saturn is prevailing.
Based on planetary positions at previous highs and lows, the S&P 500 could make either a high or low on Friday, but the edge goes toward a low. On Tuesday, the gold market could make a high.
Friday’s reports include:
- Thursday 7:30 pm Japan Household Spending
- 5:00 am Eurozone Retail Sales
- 8:30 am US Employment Situation
- 8:30 am Canada Labour Force Survey
-Wednesday, April 10—Big Deflator
Wednesday, April 10 is this month’s Top Red Letter Trading Day because Jupiter turns retrograde at 1:01 pm—just under an hour before FOMC minutes of March 20 are released at 2:00 pm—and could dampen growth and optimism through the summer as a result. At the Fed’s March 20 meeting, it decided to not raise interest rates then and perhaps not the rest of the year; the minutes will provide insight into those decisions.
Jupiter is strong in its ruling sign of Sagittarius, so while it is retrograde through August 11, attention may be focused on a review of the truth and reexamining questions of justice. Jupiter retrograde is not necessarily bearish for the stock market, but it certainly isn’t as helpful as might be while in direct motion, so rallies could be harder to muster.
Three other planetary transits also contribute to April 10’s status as top day for the month:
- Money planet Venus is aligned with Neptune in Pisces (a Water sign) at 2:13 am, which could mean that money dissolves or disappears.
- The Sun in Aries is at a 90-degree angle to Saturn in Capricorn at 4:47 am, which pits go-for-it leaders vs. the traditional establishment.
- Mercury in Pisces is 60 degrees away from Pluto in Capricorn at 5:45 pm, after the close. This is a fleeting aspect that could yield intuitive insights or research.
Wednesday’s reports include:
- 4:30 am Great Britain Monthly GDP
- 7:45 am Eurozone ECB Announcement
- 8:15 am Canada Housing Starts
- 8:30 am US CPI
- 10:30 am US EIA Petroleum Status
- 2:00 pm FOMC Minutes of March 20
-Friday, April 12—Power Issues
Power issues are coming into play on Friday, April 12, as the next day’s exact square between the Sun in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn gains strength. This aspect shows leaders from several corners all trying to make structural transformation in their own image.
A similar theme comes from a shorter influence, that of Mercury square Jupiter at 12:18 am Friday. These two planets suggest challenges to truth and justice, and a review of previous information because Jupiter is retrograde.
Late morning, at 11:08 am, the money planet Venus makes a pleasant aspect to organizer Saturn, so there is opportunity to find solid, long-term support for plans and money-making ventures.
Friday’s reports include:
- TBD China Merchandise Trade Balance
- 5:00 am Eurozone Industrial Production
- 8:00 am India Industrial Production
+Monday, April 15—Big Money and Growth
One of the best planetary connections for big growth—Sun trine Jupiter—occurred Sunday morning, but should still have an effect on Monday’s trade. The Sun is in its most favorite sign of Aries while Jupiter is in its ruling sign of Sagittarius to make this aspect particularly noteworthy.
On Sunday night, Venus and Pluto connect for the opportunity to create big money in the overnight trade and into Monday. However, the money planet Venus comes up to a tense 90-degree angle to Jupiter on Monday night, so could the big money potential could fall short quickly.
Look for a potential low in crude oil prices on Monday as the transiting Sun aligns with the market’s first-trade Mars. Meanwhile, transiting Mars is opposite the market’s first-trade Jupiter and Uranus. Planetary price support in nearby May is at $62.30-$62.90, then $60.90-$61.00. Resistance is at $68.80.
Monday’s reports include:
- 10:30 am Canada BOX Business Outlook Survey
+Wednesday, April 17—Active!
Get your trading finger warmed up for Wednesday, April 17! The planet that rules trading, stock indexes and communication, Mercury, enters the sign of Aries at 2:01 am amid a plethora of overnight reports. Mercury in Aries could mean feisty messages, aggressive trading and high volatility.
The 10-year T-note could find a low on Wednesday as three planets activate the important Venus/Mars opposition in its first-trade horoscope chart.
Wednesday’s reports include:
- Tuesday 6:45 pm New Zealand CPI
- Tuesday 7:50 pm Japan Merchandise Trade
- Tuesday 10:00 pm China Fixed Asset Investment
- Tuesday 10:00 pm China GDP
- Tuesday 10:00 pm China Industrial Production
- Tuesday 10:00 pm China Retail Sales
- 4:00 am Italy CPI
- 4:30 am Great Britain CPI
- 8:30 am US International Trade
- 8:30 am Canada CPI
- 8:30 am Canada Merchandise Trade
- 10:30 am US EIA Petroleum Status
+Thursday, April 18—Even-Keeled
On Thursday, April 18, the Moon is getting ever close to its monthly opposition to the Sun, which is exact on Friday at 7:12 am. However, the markets are closed for the Good Friday holiday, so full moon effects could appear early.
The full moon is at 29 degrees of Libra, and the second consecutive full moon in that sign, and could shed light on the end of an important matter, e.g., the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Last month’s full moon on March 20 (the same day as the spring equinox) was at 0 degrees of Libra, and shed light on something new. That’s the day the Fed announced that there might not be any more interest rate hikes this year.
Thursday’s reports include:
- Wednesday 9:30 pm Australia Labour Force Survey
- 4:30 am Great Britain Retail Sales
- 8:30 am US Jobless Claims
- 8:30 am US Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey
- 8:30 am US Retail Sales
- 8:30 am Canada Retail Sales
- 3:00 pm US Cattle on Feed
-Monday, April 22—Expect the Unexpected
All you can say about Monday, April 22 is to expect the unexpected. That’s because the Sun and Uranus are exactly aligned in the sign of Taurus at 7:07 pm Monday, which means that leaders could take completely unexpected action regarding money. The topic also could be about the environment as Taurus is an Earth sign and the Sun/Uranus conjunction occurs on the 49th annual Earth Day.
Since the markets closed last Thursday, the Sun has entered the sign of Taurus, which brings more slow-and-steady to leadership vibes, and Venus has entered the sign of Aries, which puts money into motion faster. Also, be aware that the planet Mars moved “out of bounds,” where it remains through June 12 so any type of assertive actions could be erratic and completely without rhyme or reason.
Monday’s reports include:
- 10:00 am US Existing Home Sales
-Wednesday, April 24—Power Review
The second of three heavyweight planets to turn retrograde in motion this month—Pluto—begins its backward-looking journey on Wednesday, April 24 at 2:48 pm. Pluto is the planet that destroys and takes away in order to transform. In the sign of Capricorn, Pluto has been transforming the structure of business and government since 2008, and it is not finished until 2024 when it enters Aquarius.
This Pluto retrograde period extends through October 3, and will put the focus on reviewing the current state of power structures. As Pluto rules debt, its retrograde spotlight could shine on the Federal Reserve, in particular.
S&P 500 Planetary Price Resistance
As the S&P 500 closes in on its all-time high of 2940.91, set on September 21, 2018 (the fall equinox), the price conversions from planetary positions in the first-trade horoscopes of the cash index, S&P 500 futures contract and the E-mini S&P 500 futures contract point to 3010-3011 and 3058-3063 as the next significant resistance areas.
On the downside, the market held well this week at the 2911-2914 planetary price conversion level. The major line of demarcation, however, is 2863-2865, which marks the end-of-cycle conversions that established the highs in 2015, 1999 and 1987, and the lows of 2015 and 2016.
Wednesday’s reports include:
- Tuesday 9:30 pm Australia CPI
- 4:00 am Germany Ifo Survey
- 10:00 am Bank of Canada Announcement
- 10:00 am Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report
- 10:30 am US EIA Petroleum Status
-Tuesday, April 30—Structural Review
Structural review and purging is in order for the next 4.5 months as Saturn turns retrograde in motion at 8:54 pm Monday, during the overnight session for trade date April 30. Saturn is the planet of restriction, and in its current sign of Capricorn (which it rules), structure and organization of business and government are on the agenda. Saturn remains retrograde until September 18.
Retrograde planets appear to be moving backward in the sky, are not working at full power, and ask us to review, reconsider, reflect, research, etc. In addition, on April 30, Saturn is aligned with the Moon’s South Node, which emphasizes the idea that it is time to let go of what is not needed. Pluto was aligned with the South Node on April 4, when the United States and China were meeting over trade talks in Washington, D.C. The trade issue theme could be up for serious review while both planets are retrograde—particularly because Saturn/South Node are opposite the US natal Mercury, ruler of trade—so no conclusion may be in store until they move direct in motion this fall (Saturn on September 18; Pluto on October 3).
The FOMC meets on Tuesday under this new “review” energy of Saturn, so may be in the mood to reconsider its current approach toward interest rate hikes and portfolio structure. With Saturn retrograde, there also could be pressure to review the structure of the Fed itself.
Tuesday’s reports include:
- Monday 9:00 pm China CFLP Manufacturing PMI
- 2:45 am France CPI
- 5:00 am Italy CPI
- 6:00 am Italy GDP
- 8:00 am Germany CPI
- 8:30 am Canada Monthly GDP
March Review–Spring Equinox Trend Change
Source: Barchart.com
I picked Wednesday, March 20 as the Top Red Letter Trading Day for the month because of Fed announcements that afternoon, even though the day’s important astrological events—spring equinox and full moon—occurred after the markets closed. As I wrote: “But, that only means that energy is building for a potential trend change on this month’s Top Red Letter Trading Day and could continue into Thursday’s trade.”
Indeed, the S&P 500 peaked on Thursday, March 21 at 2860.31, not only at the spring equinox, but also just below end-of-cycle planetary price resistance at 2863-2865. It’s interesting to note that in 2018, the S&P 500 made its yearly high at the fall equinox.
I also wrote: “This year, the spring equinox (when the Sun enters the sign of Aries), also features a full moon at 00 degrees of Libra, known as a “world point,” with significance for the entire planet. Thus, the news and activities surrounding March 20 carry added importance and weight that goes beyond just a single market or single announcement.” To me, that news was that New Zealand announced just minutes after the full moon occurred that it would move to ban assault weapons, an action in response to a mass shooting less than a week before.
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 2019 SusanGSays LLC