Weekly column: Will euphoric markets buckle under Gemini's chaos?

Review

Inflation eased slightly in April, providing at least a bit of relief for consumers while still holding above levels that would suggest a cut in interest rates is imminent. The consumer price index increased 0.3% from March, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. That was slightly below the Dow Jones estimate for 0.4%.

—Jeff Cox, “CPI Report Shows Inflation Easing in April,” www.cnbc.com, May 15, 2024.

Argentina’s monthly inflation rate eased sharply to a single-digit rate in April for the first time in half a year. Data released Tuesday showed an indicator that boosts Javier Milei’s austerity program aimed at fixing the economy. Annual inflation is at 289%.

—Associated Press, “First Single-Digit Inflation in Months,” May 15, 2024.

The “translations” of the Sun and Venus to the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Taurus (the sign of finances) last week lifted the U.S. and several global stock indices to new all-time highs and also propelled significant rallies in Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin. It fits, as any transiting planet touching off the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction can have a powerful bullish effect when prices are near their all-time or yearly highs. With Jupiter remaining prominent into the first week of June, this euphoria may continue.

The question is: How long can this euphoria and bullish behavior last? With the emphasis in Taurus, traders and investors are prone to be complacent. That may be an unwise choice of activity, as the convergence of all the planetary benefics in Taurus is coming to an end. The next month will probably not be a favorable time for traders and investors to adopt the lifestyle of a “couch potato.”

Short-term geocosmics

Well, come over, baby, we got chicken in the barn

Whose barn, what barn, my barn

Come on over, baby, better got your bull by the horn

We ain’t fakin’, whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on

—Jerry Lee Lewis, “Whole Lotta Shakin Going On,” 1958

Having the Sun and Jupiter in the stable and grounded sign of Taurus has been good for both the economy and the stock market over the past month. Inflation has stabilized, and many of the global stock indices of the world bottomed April 17-19, just as the Sun left Aries and entered Taurus, the sign of the bull. Now, they are making new all-time highs.

All that stability may suddenly change as both the Sun and Jupiter leave the pleasant pastures of Taurus the Bull for the more disruptive and chaotic sign of Gemini this week. Yes, there is going to be a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on in the next month—and probably the next year, as Jupiter will be in Gemini from May 25, 2024, through June 9, 2025. In Gemini, it will be more challenging to grab your bull by the horns. Gemini is a mutable “dual” sign, symbolized by twins going in different directions, which means sudden reversals to long- or intermediate-term cycles are more likely than usual. New highs can be followed by sudden downturns and vice-versa. Governmental and banking policies are also vulnerable to sudden changes, and investors may feel whipsawed by the reaction of markets to these surprising course changes.

Chaos (Jupiter in Gemini) is going to be on the rise, which may favor the fortunes of Gemini Donald Trump (known for his “chaotic” leadership style) in the upcoming presidential election. On Election Day, transiting Jupiter (planet of luck and good fortune) will be conjunct with his natal Sun (symbol of one’s leadership). And yet, we have the twin parties of U.S. politics (Republicans and Democrats) headed in opposite directions. This will likely create an opportunity for a third-party candidate, such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., adding yet another element of possible surprise. Interestingly, leaders of both the Republican and Democrat parties are claiming the mantle of democracy, yet both are trying to prevent RFK Jr. from participating in the debates. But Jupiter in Gemini will want to hear all sides in a debate, not just a brawl that has mostly entertainment drawing power. Additionally, Gemini is an air sign, and air signs value choice and fairness. This effort to censor RFK Jr. may backfire.

The powerful stellium of the Sun, Venus, Jupiter, and Uranus May 13-23 is following the upside breakout course for stocks suggested last week. This is the first “translation” of the powerful 14-year Jupiter/Uranus conjunction of April 20-21 by faster-moving planets (including the Sun), which means the air of excitement suggested by Jupiter and Uranus is back. This pertains to the field of technology and especially AI, as part of the technological renaissance. New innovations and applications may be announced during the next month, which can further elevate stock markets. However, traders and investors must also be prepared for over-reaction, as in a bubble, while Jupiter (exaggeration and over-optimism) is in the volatile sign of Gemini. Gemini is an excellent astrological symbol of the concept of “what goes up, must come down.” Or, “the higher they go, the harder they fall.”