Expect a sharpened trading focus next week during the Mercury transit, reports Susan Gidel.

In a rare sighting, the planet Mercury will travel between the Sun and Earth on Monday, Nov. 11 in an inferior conjunction with the Sun. From our point of view, Mercury will appear as a tiny black dot crossing the Sun, in the middle of the orb at 10:22 am. EST (Like an eclipse, don’t try to see this with the naked eye).

Mercury’s passage between the Sun and Earth occurs just 14 times this century. The last one was on May 9, 2016 and the next is Nov. 13, 2032. The Sun/Mercury conjunction also means that Mercury is “cazimi,” or in the heart of the Sun from 7:26 am—1:24 pm EST, a period in which it is super-energized. So, pay special attention to “aha” ideas during that time. Your trading might be especially sharp during this timeframe as well.

Interestingly, gold and 10-year Treasury notes could find significant lows on Monday, Nov. 11 as Mercury traverses the Sun. Highs in soybeans and crude oil could be on tap for later in the week.

Monday, Nov. 11

  • Low in Gold: Five planets in gold’s first-trade horoscope are activated by planets in the sky, including the three that are associated with significant trend changes—Sun, Mercury and Venus. The transiting Moon and Uranus are trine (120 degrees) first-trade Sun. Transiting Saturn is exactly aligned with first-trade Mercury while the Sun/Mercury conjunction in the sky is exactly 60 degrees away. Finally, transiting Mars is at a 90-degree angle to fist-trade Venus. Other planets being activated include Saturn and Neptune. Look for December gold to find support near $1,423 per oz., the end-of-cycle Jupiter price conversion level.
  • Low in 10-year Treasury note: The full moon aligns with the position of the Sun when the 10-year T-note futures first started trading in 1982. In addition, Mercury is traveling tightly with the Sun, putting two planets opposite the first-trade Sun and one conjunct. Adding pressure is that transiting Mars is conjunct first-trade Pluto, ruler of debt, and also that Venus, the planet that rules money, has an uncomfortable position with the first-trade Sun. Look for support in the December contract at the Saturn price conversion level of 127-07.

Thursday, Nov. 14

  • High in Soybeans: The significant Moon/Jupiter axis in the first-trade soybean futures horoscope is activated at both ends. The transiting Moon is conjunct the natal Moon and opposite natal Jupiter, while transiting Venus is conjunct natal Jupiter and opposite the natal Moon. This is a lesser-strength transit than a similar one on June 4, when transiting Jupiter was conjunct Jupiter and transiting Sun and Moon were conjunct the Moon, and July beans peaked at $8.94 ½ per bushel before falling almost 50¢ over the next week. The Ascendant’s price conversion of $9.50 looks to be significant resistance, especially with the transiting Sun aligned the market’s natal Ascendant. 

Friday, Nov. 15

  • High in Crude Oil: Transiting Mars, often a trigger planet, is aligned with the crude oil market’s first-trade opposition between Mars and Pluto. This connection could represent a final ka-boom, especially with transiting Jupiter in a helpful position. Also significant is that transiting Mercury is opposite the market’s first-trade Venus while the transiting Moon is directly opposite the market’s ruler, Neptune. In the December contract, look for stiff resistance at $57.20 per barrel, then $60.90.

Last Week’s Scorecard (through Thursday’s close)

Pretty Darn Good

  • High in Soybeans on Friday, Nov. 1: The January contract peaked the following Monday at $9.42 ¼ per bushel, below the planetary price conversion resistance of $9.50.
  • Low in Euro FX on Tuesday, Nov. 5: The December contract made a big-range down day and closed on the lows. The day’s high of 1.1169 just below the Mercury price conversion level of 1.117 and the low of 1.1092 just above the Saturn conversion level of 1.107. The Saturn support area was hanging in there during Thursday’s trade, with a close at 1.10735 after making a low at 1.10610.
  • High in S&P 500 on Wednesday, Nov. 6: Through Thursday, Nov. 7 record high of 3097.74 and record-high close of 3085.18, the call for a high on Wednesday looks pretty darn good. Especially as the day’s two records are each 5 points away from the Neptune price conversion level of 3092.

The position of planets in the sky as they relate to their positions when a market first began trading can provide clues to potential trend changes. The energy is strongest on the days noted in this post, but it is not unusual for the effect to be seen a day or two either side. See backgrounder “Market Analysis with Astrology” for further information. 
Susan Gidel is editor of the Red Letter Trading Days newsletter.