This book is Merriman's fourth book in a series of comprehensive volumes in the Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing series:
Volume I. Cycles and Patterns in Indexes
Volume II. Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles
Volume III. Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles
Volume IV. Solar/Lunar Correlations to Short-Term Trading Reversals
Volume V. Technical Tools and Trading Cycles (not yet completed)

As is the case with his previous volumes II and III, the reader unfamiliar with astrology will have difficulty in understanding the book. Many of the astrological terms are neither clearly defined, nor explained as to their importance. Those readers familiar with astrology will have no such problems. Readers unfamiliar with astrology and the financial markets, should first read Merriman's 60-page basic primer "Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing."

Volume IV is a 241-page paperback (8.5" x 11"). Very few researchers and market analysts have the stamina, knowledge, time, and skill to write one ground-breaking book on the markets. Merriman has accomplished that feat four times over, and he is not done yet, with a fifth volume underway.

As I expected, Merriman has produced exhaustive research on the correlation of geocosmic signatures with high and low points in three equities markets. The book's hypothesis is that short-term traders can take advantage of specific reversal dates during the year that can be identified by using specific solar/lunar combinations. Most researchers who have found statistically valid correlations of data to stock prices that can be used for profitable trading, tend to keep it to themselves, and not share it with the public. Merriman has taken the opposite road and shares his years of research with all of us. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us (short-term traders) to give his findings serious consideration. Any edge that we can get in the markets is something that should be examined and put to the test.

Merriman's reviews 60 years of DJIA price data coupled with all the Sun-Moon combinations. He also reviews similar combinations with almost two decades of data for the Nasdaq composite and the Japanese Nikkei index. He focuses on determining the important reversal dates ( one or three day time bands a few times a year) - 4% or more changes in value -- for specific Sun-Moon combinations. Traders can get ready to act on these reversal points with minimal risk. Traders who use the QQQs, SPYs, and DIAs, as well as futures and options can benefit from Merriman's identification of these timeframes.

Merriman found that certain lunar cycles and certain Sun-Moon signs correlate consistently with tradable highs and lows in the financial markets, and identifies them. At the end of the book, Merriman has a chapter devoted to a short-term trading methodology that clearly spells out the 16 steps required to take advantage of the key reversal dates. He covers a few intraday technical indicators with his 16-step methodology, and then shows a detailed example.

In summary, this book is another significant contribution in the area of timing the market -with specific emphasis on using solar/lunar correlations to identify high probability key reversal dates. For those readers with a solid understanding of these subject areas, the usefulness of this book is apparent. For other readers who feel that the material presented is useful, but cannot fully understand it to use it, then consider Merriman's other services that include newsletters, seminars, software, annual forecasts and reports ... In conclusion, Merriman continues to add significant value to short-term trader's ability to profit from identifiable and profitable market situations. Those who take the time to study his work will find a new tool to use.

Many traders and investors do not pay attention to cycles in stock prices. After reading this book, they will change their tune. Cycles should play a major role in your stock market arsenal and this book clearly lays out the case in excrutiating detail.

This book is Volume I of a 5-part series on " The Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing" by Raymond Merriman:

Volume I. Cycles and Patterns in Indexes
Volume II. Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles
Volume III. Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles
Volume IV. Geocosmic Correlations to Short-Term Trading (not yet completed)
Volume V. Technical Tools and Trading Cycles (not yet completed)

This 227-page 16 chapter book provides solid evidence that cycles exist in stock prices. The book documents the cycles and patterns with 5 graphs and charts, 18 figures and diagrams, and 25 tables.

Merriman begins by explaining cycle characteristics -- definition of a cycle, troughs and crests, time band, and distortions. Then he covers the three basic categories of cycles (primary, long-term, and short-term) followed by their subcycles known as phases. Next, Merriman covers trends and teh criteria for identifying bull and bear markets.

Long-term cycles (80-year, 54-year Kondratieff) and their subcycles are then reviewed with examples. One chapter is devoted solely to the 18-year cycle in stock prices because that time interval occurs frequently. Multiples of the this cycle -- 36-year, 54-year, 72-year and 90-year -- are covered as they also appear over time in the past 200 years or so. Merriman provides a table of 18-year cycles from 1797 to 1990 showing the cycle highs and lows, accompanied by 12 charts illustrating the cycle high and low points.

Merriman then delves into the subcycles of the 18-year cycle with a detailed discussion of the eleven cycle periods from 1797 to 1990. He then moves into the well-known 4-year cycle pinpointing all of these cycles since 1896 with the month and year of the cycle troughs. This is further supported with a table indicating every 4-year cycle trough, crest, and trough; months up and down; low, high, and low of cycle; % up and % down. All the cycles in the table were grouped in terms of the larger 18-year cycle. The structure of the cycle is reviewed using 27 graphs of each 4-year cycle pinpointing the high and low poits. Additional information is provided on the two- and three- phase 4-year cycles and subcycles, and a table showing the 4-year cycle from 1895 and the proximity to the U.S. Presidential Election. Details on the 22.5 months cycle are also included.

There is a 33-page chapter on all the cycles evident in the Japan Nikkei Stock Index. Technical analysis is the title of a chapter that deals with investing vs. trading, and market timing vs. buy-and-hold. Included is a table showing the 4-year cycle crests in U.S. stock prices and the length ot time needed to get back to the crest.

In summary, Merriman provides a truly enlightening and useful guide to identifying and using cycles to time the market with increased precision. Students of the market will find that this book offers another important tool to conquering the market. Cycle review should be part of every trader's and investor's methodology, otherwise optimal results may not be obtained.

This book is Merriman's third in a series of encyclopedic tomes on the Ultimate Book on Stock Market Timing series:

Volume I. Cycles and Patterns in Indexes
Volume II. Geocosmic Correlations to Investment Cycles
Volume III. Geocosmic Correlations to Trading Cycles
Volume IV. Geocosmic Correlations to Short-Term Trading (not yet completed)
Volume V. Technical Tools and Trading Cycles (not yet completed)

Unfortunately for the reader (including myself) not familiar with astrology and the terminology, the book was hard to understand in many spots. Many of the astrological terms are neither clearly defined, nor explained as to their importance.
I found the book tough going in a number of spots, but totally fascinating. The amount of material to digest is substantial, but the reward can be great if Merriman's findings are implemented.

For readers that are not familiar with astrology, you are encouraged to read Merriman's basic primer on the subject, titled: "Basic Principles of Geocosmic Studies for Financial Market Timing." It is a small book - about 60 pages ... . That's the entry level book for astrology and finances. Moreover, "Merriman on Market Cycles: The Basics" is the entry level book for the study of cycles applied to financial markets. It too is small, about 70 pages ... .

To say that Merriman is a prolific writer is an understatement. His latest exhaustive book (Volume 3) is a mere 439 pages in its 8.5" x 11" paperback format. In this work, Merriman has analyzed 3,000 geocosmic signatures that he correlated with varying cycles in the DJIA and S&P 500 futures prices.

Merriman begins with a discussion of "critical reversal" dates. He focuses on pinpointing astrology signs that have a high correlation with major stock market turning points, especially primary cycles (occurs approximately every 19.5 weeks (mean)).

The book's hypothesis is that astrologically determined reversal dates (a reversal of at least 4% in price) will accurately time a "major half-primary and/or primary" cycle low or peak within three trading days a large percentage of the time. According to Merriman, trading cycles are those encompassing the primary cycles and sub-cycles. His focus is to help position traders (not day traders) who are in the market a few days or longer improve their overall performance by using his methodology.

There is a short chapter covering the primary cycle and its phases. Another chapter covers geocosmic studies. A key point is that planetary cycles correspond with stock market cycles. Merriman spent a great deal of time and effort in analyzing the massive database and then presenting the data and conclusions to the reader.

As far as I can understand, the findings of using geocosmic signatures as a timing tool indicate that the probability of a major price reversal in stock prices ranges between 74% to 91% when a timing signal is given. There is a minimum probability of 74% that a stock market reversal will occur within 3 days of a geocosmic signature and almost a 60% probability that this signature will be within two trading days.

Merriman provides an interesting 7-page table showing ALL the significant turning points in U.S. stock prices between 8/1/82 through 5/1/01. It showed that 74 turning points are within their cycle times, geocosmic signatures (probability), and critical reversal dates. This data validates Merriman's hypothesis that there is strong correlation between these variables. After all, Merriman objective is to identify the high probability cycle times for position traders.

In summary, this book is a significant contribution in the area of timing the market using astrological signs and cycles in combination. For those readers with a solid understanding of these subject areas, the usefulness of this book is self-evident. For other readers who feel that the material presented is useful, but cannot fully understand it to use it, then consider Merriman's other services that include newsletters, seminars, software, annual forecasts and reports. ... In any case, Merriman has continued to add scholarly works with significant value to the trading arena.

Wish I would have read this book before Sept 11th, 2001 because a strong market move (80% chance to be downward) was likely to occur within 4 days of 9/6/01. Provides a plethora of unbias qualitative observations which are organized & presented from multiple angles, so the reader can quickly integrate celestial factors which currently are and will in the future open the door for the S&P to abruptly move. Glad I bought it.

On a side note - Merriman's annual "Forcasts" series is a steal.
In the 2001 edition (written in fall of 2000) p71 Merriman explores the strong possibility for terrorist tensions rising in August of 2001 with one focal point around Sept 7th 2001. Since I had read his comments prior to, the fateful events of 9/11/01 were not as much a shock to me as they were a "a-ha, so thats how this is going to play out this time..." One should check out the ominous possibilities he explores with Bush.

I'm looking for a long time after a good book about solar returns. One that gives practical, useful and reliable information, based on real lives and persons. Till now I've not found it, but Raymond Merriman's book gives some refreshing delineations based on his own experience. The content is good and far better than the book by Kirby & Stubbs. He deals with house cusp conjunctions to planets, different kinds of planetary aspects not found in other books (e.g. aspects of planets in house to ruler of house, aspects of the progressed solar return moon). All in all this is one of the better books on the subject and you should read it since solar returns are a very good predictive tool!

Just a compilation of known - like what zodiac signs, planets and aspects are.