Planetary Highlights for May 2026

Geopolitical and War Cycles

The only signature for peace out there is into June 9, with Jupiter conjunct Venus in Cancer. We had thought that was a window for Ukraine/Russia, but for now, it appears to be a window for Iran/U.S. We are not hopeful about Mars in Aries after May 12, as it will create more aggression, along with Pluto stationary retrograde on May 6. There are also conflicts breaking out in Africa now that are significant, and Lebanon/Israel is not an easy fix.

We do not see a regime change until 2027, and Iran is willing to inflict economic pain on its people to survive, while the U.S. consumer and the Republican Party cannot deal with higher gasoline prices. Seasonally higher gasoline cycles are expected to continue into at least June and July, and even if crude goes lower, refineries around the world are in trouble anyway. Some patterns suggest crude at $138.00-$140.00 this spring.

The longer-term implications of Hormuz are connected to fertilizer shipments, impacting food production and leading to problems in the fall and winter after Jupiter leaves the “food sign” of Cancer. Probably buy some extra cans when you shop as we move into the fall and winter.

May Overview

May opens with a tense information cycle, as Mercury is combust by the Sun from May 1 to 26, which can create market edginess, especially between May 9 and 19. Usually, Mercury combustion is positive for commodity price expansion — generally positive for grains at least May 6-10. The rule is never to be aggressively short during Mercury combustion, but it is in the bearish sign of Aries. With Mercury in Aries and squared by Pluto into May 5, world politics may be marked by sharp rhetoric, pressure campaigns, cyber or intelligence themes, and aggressive negotiation tactics.

Venus in Taurus through May 14 is one of the stabilizing signatures of the month, supporting tangible assets, food, land, agriculture, metals, luxury goods, and value-oriented sectors. The Saturn sextile to Venus into May 2 adds a conservative, disciplined tone that may favor defensive positioning, dividend themes, and practical fiscal negotiations.

Pluto stationing retrograde on May 6 intensifies themes of power, debt, secrecy, and institutional control. Financially, Pluto stations often correlate with pressure on leverage, banking stress, sovereign debt, taxation, or hidden risks. May could expose structural weaknesses beneath otherwise strong index-level performance. We wonder if another nail in the coffin for lower rates will come out, as oil inflation will not go away.

Mars entering Aries from May 12 to June 20 is one of the most forceful signatures of the month. In markets, Mars in Aries can support risk-taking and momentum trading, but also raises volatility risk in crude oil, defense stocks, industrial metals, transportation, and speculative technology.

Mid-month brings a shift as the Sun conjoins Mercury on May 14, the Sun enters Taurus, and Venus moves into Gemini on May 15. Markets try to reprice growth, inflation, and earnings expectations more coherently. Venus in Gemini favors trade, media, advertising, and short-term deals, but can scatter conviction.

The most volatile window appears around May 22 to 28. Sun conjunct Uranus on May 22 points to shocks, surprises, technological breakthroughs, and sudden market reversals. Venus square Neptune the same day can produce confusion in currencies, luxury, entertainment, crypto, and sentiment-driven assets. Pluto square Mars on May 26 is confrontational and can intensify geopolitical or financial stress. Saturn squares Venus on May 28, suggesting a sobering close to the month with tighter liquidity and weaker consumer optimism.

Stock Market and Financial Cycles

We missed the significance of the Mercury/Pisces and Jupiter in Gemini Parivartana yoga on the stock market. Jupiter is aspecting Rahu in Aquarius, the home of tech and biotech, and the market ran higher. Jupiter will still have the positive aspect on Rahu until late May, but the market is overbought now and ready for a pullback at least into May 11, if not May 15 — estimated from S&P cash 7220, with a maximum of 6840 cash.

We are still open to new highs in the stock market into late June/early July — potentially 8100 on the S&P, which is a bit surprising. Problems may erupt nationally with the Jupiter opposition to Pluto in late July, and it may cause significant unrest. We still see weakness into the end of the decade.

Sector Outlook

Crude Oil and Energy

Crude oil would have to take out 92.50 to issue a sell signal. A breakout above 120.00 would lead to 138.00-140.00, with June-cycle highs in gasoline. Long-term crude oil models suggest $178, $207, and $225 over the next few years. Inflation cycle highs are due into April 2027.

Interest Rates

Short-term rates may decline in early May for a brief period, but oil inflation is not going away. The Saturn-Neptune conjunction signals ongoing financial instability. Longer-term pressure for higher rates remains upward into late 2026 and May 2027 as global debt mounts. Inflationary peaks are due into April 2027.

Metals

Gold and silver have already exceeded expectations, but huge moves are often followed by months of consolidation. The next cycle high is due into October 2026. Seasonal lows for gold often come in early August, then gold is rekindled with Sun in Leo. We may have a chance to buy silver at $54.00 and gold at $3,600-$4,000 if we get a break in late June or July. Long-term cycles support silver toward $148-$155 and $225 next year, and gold toward $10,800 into 2028.

Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin is running out of time to break out to 81,000 and should pull back with the NQ 100 into mid-May. We are looking for 99,000 into the late June high, but are concerned about another fall into October and November. There is a two-week pullback coming around May 15. Long-term upside targets remain near $225,000 into 2027-28.

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Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Trading involves risk of loss. This is not investment advice.