(13 March 2022) Markets remain under pressure here as the war in Ukraine enters its third week.   The West’s unprecedented level of sanctions have economically isolated Russia from the rest of the world but have also wreaked havoc in commodity markets.  Wheat, oil, gold and numerous other commodities have seen near-record price spikes as a result of the twin disruptions of Putin’s “special military operation” and the subsequent sanctions.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing, however, and there have been signs of progress in recent days that a ceasefire and an eventual settlement is still possible.  News of the negotiations may have been one reason why oil and gold retreated sharply from their recent highs at the end of last week.

The planets this week are very much a mixed bag.  Venus continues to slowly separate from bearish Mars following its exact conjunction on March 6.  While the extended conjunction of Venus-Mars in late February and early March was a key ingredient in the unraveling of the stock market, there is not much evidence yet that the affliction has lessened.  With Venus still just one degree away from Mars, the repairing of sentiment could be a protracted process.

There are several telling short term alignments this week.  The early week Mercury-Venus alignment offers some hope for gains on Monday or perhaps Tuesday.  The overnight Monday morning (4:00 a.m. EDT) Moon-Mars opposition could throw a wrench into things, but there is a chance for a surprise to the upside.  Tuesday morning’s (7:00 am. EDT)  Moon-Saturn opposition looks challenging but the entry of the Sun into sidereal Pisces could bring some optimism.  And the fact that Jupiter will very sitting very close to the midpoint of the Sun and Mercury may also be helpful, even if not decisive.

Wednesday is the FOMC meeting in which the Fed is widely expected to raise rates by 25 basis points.  Investors will focus on the press conference for clues about Powell’s future plans, including the schedule for unwinding the Fed’s balance sheet of $8 Trillion in QE assets.  The planets don’t look good.  Mars casts its malefic 8th house aspect to the Moon in the afternoon.  Venus is parallel bearish Saturn in declinations and the Mars-Neptune midpoint is conjunct the midpoint of Mercury and Saturn.  While midpoints may be seen as secondary influences, this nonetheless damages the outlook.

The late week looks mixed but with some upside possible.  Thursday’s Moon-Jupiter opposition could be a plus, as is the Mercury-Venus-Chiron-Uranus alignment.  But the evenly-spaced Saturn-Mars-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn is still worrisome.  Friday’s Mercury-Venus parallel in latitudes looks more bullish, however.

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: manhhai