Bradley Cowan’s Lunar Cycle Projection Methodology Applied to the S&P 500

One of Bradley F. Cowan's methodologies for identifying cycles in financial markets and projecting future turning points employs synodic lunar periods (the time it takes the Moon to align with the Sun relative to the Earth). 

Major low in the S&P 500 (SPY/ES) on Monday, March 30 at 20:20 EDT (Hurst 20-week cycle low),

followed by one synodic lunar cycle projection (red arrow) extending to Wednesday, April 29 09:04. 

 

While the synodic lunar month averages 29.53058886 days (≈ 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.88 seconds), orbital eccentricity causes individual periods to vary from 29.26 to 29.80 days, a difference of up to 12 hours and 57 minutes. 

 

Synodic Lunar Periods for New York City in 2026 (EST/EDT). 

 

Cowan's technique anchors the start date and time of the synodic lunar cycle to a confirmed major market top or bottom, e.g. to the major low on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 20:20 EDT. Subsequent cycle projections are then generated at exact 360-degree intervals forward from that anchor to April 29 (Wed) 09:04, May 28 (Thu) 21:48, June 27 (Sat) 10:32, July 26 (Sun) 23:16, etc.

 

Anchored to the S&P's major low on Monday, March 30 at 20:20 EDT, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th harmonics

of one synodic lunar cycle generate the blue summation or composite projection line to April 29 (Wed) 09:04.

 

Anchored to the S&P's major low on Monday, March 30 at 20:20 EDT, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th harmonics of the

8.4-week cycle (2-lunar month or 59-day cycle) generate the blue composite projection line for April and May.

 

Anchored to the S&P's major low on Monday, March 30 at 20:20 EDT, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th harmonics of the

 17-week cycle (= Intermediate Term Delta cycle = 4-lunar month or 118-day cycle = one third of the lunar year)

generate the blue composite projection line to July 26 (Sun) 23:16. The June 18 high should

be lower than the May 8 high, and the July 26 low should be lower than the March 30 low.

 

Bradley Cowan's synodic lunar cycle projections in stocks.

 

In his books "Four Dimensional Stock Market Structures and Cycles" (1993) and "Pentagonal Time Cycle Theory" (2009), Cowan further elaborates on this "anchored" lunar and planetary cycle projection methodology. However, unlike the highs and lows shown in the blue composite projection lines in the charts above, Cowan's methodology utilizes 45-degree synodic lunar cycle offsets (= 8th harmonic ≈ 3.6913 calendar days or 3 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes, and 28.3 seconds = April 03 (Fri) 12:55, April 07 (Tue) 05:31, April 10 (Fri) 22:06, etc.) to project potential turning points only rather than specific highs and lows, higher highs and higher lows, and lower highs and lower lows. 

 

Sidereal lunar cycle projections.

 

In 2021, a certain Mario of "4X Other Way" presented anchored projections of future turning points using the 27.321661-day sidereal lunar period (≈ 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes, and 11.5 seconds; the time it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth relative to the distant 'fixed' stellar background; to fixed stars such as Aldebaran, Altair, Deneb, Rigel, or Sirius). Now, should the lunar cycle be synodic or sidereal? Both cannot be simultaneously correct or exact—at best, only one of them works.

 

Reference:
Stock Market Geometry (2022) - Bradley Cowan's Lunar Cycle in Stocks. (video)

» Usually there will be an eclipse near the same degree of the zodiac once every 19 years [...] In this cycle the Sun makes a complete circuit of the sky and reaches the same Node at the same place on the ecliptic. This length of time is 6,585.32 solar days, which is 48 years and 11.33 days. The shortest time required for the Sun to travel from and return to the same node is 346.6 solar days, an interval known as an Eclipse Year. [...]  Nineteen of the eclipse years contain 6,585.4 days, which is precisely 223 synodic months. This is when the Nodes themselves become important in the predictions on the stock market. «

The Sun and the Moon, Jack Gillen, 1979.

Tom McClellan observes that the 2026 price structure closely mirrors 2025, with the tightest alignment achieved by shifting the data 343 days to synchronize even minor fluctuations. This offset approximates the above mentioned Eclipse Year (346.62 days)—the interval required for the Sun to return to the same lunar node (the intersection of the Moon's orbit with the ecliptic). Because this draconic cycle is shorter than the solar year, it governs eclipse seasons, which recur about every 173 days and drift earlier each calendar year. The cycle is driven by the westward precession of the Moon’s orbital nodes, completing a full rotation roughly every 18.6 years and thereby defining the 346.62-day periodicity. However, intermediate- and longer-term analogs are generally unstable and break down at some point. If Tom McClellan’s "Stock Market Matching the Year Ago" analog continues to hold, it implies a sustained bullish trend into the summer of 2026. This conflicts not only with intermediate-term cycles but with typical seasonal weakness from May to October—especially in a presidential cycle’s second year. 

See also:

Jack Gillen (2002) - Moon-Stats (2026 to 2034). 

Louise McWhirter (1938) - S&P 500 Short-Term Forecasting Methodology. 

TPR (2015) - The S&P 500 versus the Moon and Planets Transiting 14° Cancer. 

TPR (2012) - The Delta Phenomenon.

Different Projection Techniques for the S&P 500 Transitioning into Q2

 S&P 500 (daily bars) - Elliott Wave projection with a final retracement into the end of March, 

followed by a decline into mid-May, below the August 2024 low.

S&P 500 is ready for the next, and final leg up. With price confirming a bullish WXY model at Friday's 5,603 low, I am expecting one more leg up under the 2nd wave targeting 5,750-5,825 to set up for the ultra bearish 3/4/5 wave sequence.

S&P 500 (3-day bars) - Elliott Wave count projecting a decline into late Q1 2026, 

below the October 2023 low.

 

The 16-year rally ended at the 6,147 high with a bearish ending diagonal formation. We're now in the early stages of a catastrophic decline, and price is expected to break this 6-month range escalating much lower. Although I mirrored the path of the 2007-09 crash, this week's rally could easily be the last chance to sell before a 40-60% decline. 

Reference:

Trigger Trades, March 22 & 23, 2025.

 

 

Late-March Rebound: Over the past 20 years, the S&P 500 has risen 18 times between March 23 and April 27.
Bullish from March 23 Low to April 27 High (2004-2023). Average move higher: +4.78% (during 18 out of 20 years, up = 90%).

 

2025 Roadmap for the S&P 500 based on Spectrum Cycle Analysis,

with the ideal Q1 low being March 28, 2025, which will set up the final leg up. 

Namzes on X, January 6, 2025.

 

S&P 500 projection for 2025 (timing, not magnitude) with seasonally strong windows in the bottom panel.

Namzes on X, January 6, 2025.

 

Weekly S&P 500 with nominal 180 weeks / 41-Month Kitchin Cycle topping | October 23, 2024

 

Weekly Preview for March 24-28: Short term cycles - early next week 20d low then higher,
Krasi, March 22, 2025.

 80 Day Low in mid March, and 20 Week Low in mid May.

David Hickson (March 10, 2025) - S&P 500 Hurst Cycles Update.

 

S&P 500 Index (daily bars) vs 56 Year Cycle.

2025 in J.M. Funk’s '56-Year Cycle of Prosperity and Depression'.

See also:

¡¡ David Hickson (March 24, 2025) - S&P 500 Hurst Cycles Update: Targets and Levels to Watch. (video) !!

Jeffrey A. Hirsch (March 21, 2025) - End of Q1 – Prone to Volatility and Weakness since 1990.

TPR (March 11, 2025) - S&P 500 Premium and Discount Levels in the Current 18-Month Cycle.

  Lars von Thienen (December 8, 2024) - The Cliff - Don't Be a Lemming. 

Lars von Thienen (November 1, 2024) - The 41-Month Kitchin Cycle Topping Patterns in US Stocks.

 TPR (December 10, 2024) - 2025 in J.M. Funk’s '56-Year Cycle of Prosperity and Depression'.

2025 Outlook on S&P 500, Cryptos, Currencies, Metals & Energy │ Namzes

In 2025, the S&P 500 is expected to head toward a multi-year major market top. The overall structure of the S&P 500 is forecasted to rise until mid-January, followed by a correction of more than 10% into late February or mid-to-late March, and then a melt-up into a major top in mid-July or late-August. This will be followed by an approximately 17% drop into late October that will trigger a bear market.

  2025 Roadmap for the S&P 500. 

 

S&P 500 projection for 2025 (timing, not magnitude) with seasonally strong windows in the bottom panel.

Namzes on X, January 6, 2025.

The S&P 500 is projected to rise until around January 17, reaching approximately 6,250, then experience a 10%+ correction by the end of Q1, targeting around 5,600. Key buy points are expected around February 26 and in the second half of March, with the ideal date being March 28, which will set up the final leg up. A minor buy point is likely around June 27. 

 

 » What we can expect in 2025 is a dip-rip-crash structure. «

The major top is anticipated around July 17, with the possibility of a lower high or a double top/divergent high by August 22, with a minimum target of 6,500 and an upside target of approximately 7,000. After this, the market is expected to drop into a low around October 27, aligning with seasonal and nested cycle lows, followed by a bounce that ultimately fails. The S&P 500 is expected to end the year in the red, setting up for a challenging 2026, with a year-end target of 5,650.

 

In 2025 we face a conflict between the Decennial Cycle (years ending in "5"), which is typically the best year, and other cycles that suggest the market will peak in 2025. I will provide commentary on each cycle, starting with the 3.5-Year Kitchin Cycle (41-Month Cycle). 

 

1.) The current Kitchin Cycle began in October 2022 (when we accurately called the bear market low), and 2025 will be year 3, which usually marks the peak. After that, the market is expected to decline into late 2026, which aligns with the ideal low of the next 3.5-year cycle. 

 

 2025 will be year 3 of the 3.5-year Kitchin cycle.

2.) Looking at the 4-Year Presidential Cycle, 2025 (the first year) is expected to follow a pattern of a spring dip, a summer rally, and a fall crash. I believe this is the key setup for next year, followed by the second year (2026), which is typically the weakest in the 4-Year Cycle. 

 

3.) The longer 18.6-Year Cycle is entering its peaking window in 2025, or possibly 2026. We are entering year 17 of the cycle, so we should begin watching for signs of a top, such as a marquee event like the SpaceX IPO. Market tops are a process, but we should start looking for indicators like weakening economic data, deteriorating market breadth, and earnings rolling over.

 

 The 18.6-Year Cycle is peaking in 2025, or possibly 2026.

 

4.) The Decennial Cycle shows that years ending in "5" are typically the most bullish in the 10-Year Cycle and rarely have negative returns. However, I believe we may have pulled some of the gains from 2025 into 2024 (since year 4 usually experiences sideways consolidation, setting up a blow-off top in 2025). Given the strength of the Decennial Cycle, we must be mindful that the fall of 2025 could be stronger than I currently anticipate. The average seasonality for year 5 is shown in the second chart.

 

 Years ending in "5" are typically the most bullish in the 10-Year Cycle.

 

 A close-up of the typical Year 5 seasonality.

5.) I analyzed the years within the 4-year cycle pattern and identified the 11 most similar years, based on a high correlation score and comparable structure. From this analysis, I created a composite historical projection, shown in green. I’ve also included the composite 4-year cycle for reference, and you can see that the best-matching years closely follow the typical 4-year path.

 

The green composite line represents a historical projection based on 

the 11 most similar years within the 4-year cycle pattern.

6.) The 5-Year Liquidity Cycle, proxied by the M2 year-over-year (YoY) change, is expected to peak in the second half of 2025 and then decline until late 2028 or early 2029. The Reverse Repurchase Agreement (RRP) is nearly drained, and while the Treasury General Account (TGA) could provide a temporary boost if it’s spent down, the Fed will soon halt Quantitative Tightening (QT). However, other central banks can't ease much due to the strong U.S. dollar. Maintaining historically overvalued equities will require a significant liquidity injection.

 

 Maintaining historically overvalued equities will require a significant liquidity injection.

The ideal bottom of the 5.3-year inflation cycle falls around the end of 2025. It largely depends on oil, which should begin its multi-quarter run sometime in 2025:

 

 The bottom of the ideal 5.3-year inflation cycle falls around the end of 2025.

7.) On the macro front, GDP growth is expected to peak in mid to late 2025, with rising unemployment signaling a recession in early 2026 or late 2025. The 5-year liquidity cycle is expected to peak around mid-2025 and roll over, which will create challenges for overpriced equities and crypto. The Fed’s actions regarding liquidity will be crucial, particularly if it continues supporting asset prices without real economic justification. 

 

 GDP peaking phase around mid to late 2025.

■ Bitcoin will experience a deep retest into a March 2025 low, followed by one more run at the 2024 highs in early summer, after which crypto will enter a multi-year bear market. In my opinion, there is a high probability that the next 4-year cycle (2026+) will be left-translated, with Saylor and MicroStrategy (MSTR) being liquidated and the Tether-fraud (USDT) likely exposed. Meanwhile, almost all altcoins will lose 99-100%. It is currently unclear whether Bitcoin will act more as a NASDAQ proxy or a monetary hedge in the years ahead. Many altcoins may have already peaked for the cycle, but some, like Ethereum (ETH), still have more upside.

 

■ The Dollar is likely to remain in an uptrend into 2025-26. There is a potential pullback early in the year, helping risk assets push higher, followed by a rally into spring (and a subsequent sell-off in risk assets). Then, a big correction in the USD is expected into the July-August low, which should coincide with the stock market top.

 

■ In the Euro, an 18-month cycle low is due and will likely occur around March 2025. The subsequent 18-month cycle is likely to be left-translated, with a drop into the 2026 four-year cycle low, targeting below parity with the dollar.

 

 EUR going to crash into 2026 low.

■ The Yen is expected to begin a multi-year uptrend, leading to trillions in capital flowing back to Japan in the years ahead.

 

 » ¥ strength leading to repatriation or repatriation leading to strong ¥? «

 

■ Bonds remain in a secular bear market, so any rally in bonds will be cyclical (driven by a growth scare or recession), followed by a significant rally in rates. A potential counter-rally in bonds is expected in Q1 2025, but it is likely to fail. The technical target for TNX is 5.5%.

■ Given that 2022 was the 8-year cycle low in Gold, we now have a bullish intermediate and long-term bias. There is a potential low in the spring around the 2,400 support, followed by a push higher towards 2,800–3,000+ into 2026. Central banks won’t stop buying as the war cycle and geopolitical tensions intensify, while governments debase currencies.

 

 Gold upward bias from Q2 2025 onwards.

 

■ Silver is expected to reach 38.00 within the next 6 quarters.

■ All energy should be in an uptrend over the next 6-8 quarters, with Natural Gas likely leading (reaching a new all-time high in 2026).  

 

 US Natgas Prices Highest since December 2022. 

 

The next best entry opportunity in Natural Gas is likely to occur
at the end of January to early February 2025, with a confluence of
the 100-day cycle low and the seasonal low. The above is composite
cycle chart from December 3, 2024 for reference.

 

The 3.5-YearCrude Oil cycle (left chart) is starting with long consolidation. 

Leading indicators (second chart) pointing to expansion move due in 2025-26. 

 

Crude Oil is expected to reach the 80 in the spring of 2025, then 100, and 150 by 2026. 

 

 

» Energy will outperform after big tech tops. «   

My Crude Oil leading indicators and cycles suggest a big move in the next 2 years, but the exact timing of the expansion is hard to pinpoint, potentially around the end of 2025 into 2026. [see also HERE]. Uranium is likely to return to 100+ in 2025, and Coal should also see gains.

 

Reference:

Namzes on X, December 27, 2024.

 

 » Larry Williams is more bullish than me, but also cautious beyond 2025. «

The S&P 500 versus the True Lunar Node's Speed

 Market CITs are likely when the Lunar Node’s speed (degrees of longitude per day) is at a minimum, maximum, or near zero. The Eclipse Crash Window opens and closes approximately 21 days before and 21 days after solar and lunar eclipses.  The table on the left shows the nodal speed at its minimum, maximum, and near zero during the next 30 days. The Sun will conjunct the Lunar Node (North Node) on Sep 24 (Thu).