(19 October 2022) Stocks have moved higher this week on optimism that earnings season may bring better than expected results.  However, Wednesday’s pullback was a reminder of the fragility of the current rebound as bond yields moved to new highs after UK inflation hit the psychologically important 10% level.

Nonetheless, this week’s bounce is in keeping with our astrological expectations.  First, the entry of Venus into sidereal Libra on Tuesday tends to be bullish, even if this year’s ingress was marked by a potentially complicating influence from its simultaneous alignment with Mars.  But last week we also noted the presence of a second bullish influence in the four-planet alignment of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Chiron.   On Tuesday, the angular separation of the bullish pairing of Mercury and Venus was 13 degrees.  This matched the angular separation of another bullish pairing of Jupiter and Chiron.  While the week is not yet over, Tuesday was the high of the week and provided some confirmation of the effects of these two different positive influences.

There is some reason to be cautious for the next several sessions.  On the plus side, the Mercury-Venus separation will narrow to 12 degrees but still be within one degree of the Jupiter-Chiron angular separation.  This may act as residual, if declining, bullish sentiment.  Also we should note that the Sun-Mercury angular separation is just a bit under 13 degrees for Thursday’s session.  While probably not as positive as Mercury-Venus, this could act as another favourable influence as it resonates with Jupiter and Chiron.

However, some of this bullish influence could be offset by the square alignment of Sun-Venus with Pluto.  With the Sun and Venus are essentially moving as one in early Libra, the 90-degree alignment with Pluto suggests a more negative mood.  And if we throw in the approaching Saturn direct station on Sunday, Oct 23 which highlights its ongoing square with Uranus, there are also some potentially negative influences to consider here.

However, on a relative basis, sentiment could be subject to an even greater risk as we approach the Mars retrograde station on Oct 30, when the red planet reverses its apparent motion from forwards to backwards.  Mars is a malefic planet, of course, and the time around its retrograde stations can be volatile, especially if Mars forms alignments with other planets.  This is very much the case here as Mars will cast its full-strength 8th house aspect (i.e. 210 degrees) to Pluto at the end of October.

For more details, check out my weekly subscriber newsletter which is published every Saturday afternoon (EST).   In addition to reviewing the key planetary and technical influences on US and Indian stocks for the short and medium term, I also provide an astrological analysis of potential upcoming moves in currencies, gold and oil.

Photo Credit: A. Duarte