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 potential future turning points employs synodic lunar cycles (the time it takes the Moon to align with the Sun relative to the Earth). While the synodic month averages 29.53058886 days (360 degrees ≈ 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.

 

 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 average 29.53-day synodic lunar cycle projection (red arrow) extending to Thursday, April 30 at 09:04. 

 

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

of one synodic lunar cycle generate the blue summation or composite projection line for April 2026.

 

Cowan's technique anchors the lunar cycle start date to a confirmed major market top or bottom, e.g. to Monday, March 30, 2026 at 20:20 EDT. Subsequent cycle projections are then generated at exact 360-degree intervals forward from that anchor. 

Anchored to the S&P 500's major low on Monday, March 30 at 20:20, 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 2026.

 

 

 Anchored to the S&P 500's major low on Monday, March 30 at 20:20, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 8th harmonics of the

17-week cycle (= Intermediate Term Delta cycle = 4-lunar month or 118-day cycle = 1/3 of a synodic lunar year)

generate the blue composite projection line from late March to late July 2026. The June 19 high should be

lower than the May 9 high, and the July 27 low should be lower than the March 31 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) to project potential turning points only rather than specific highs and lows, higher highs and higher lows, and lower highs and lower lows. 

 

» The sidereal lunar cycle works nearly perfectly. «

 

In 2021, Mario of "4X Other Way" presented the anchored projection of future turning points using the average 27.321661-day sidereal lunar cycle (≈ 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes, and ~11.5 seconds; the time it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth relative to the stars). Now, should the lunar cycle be synodic or sidereal? Both cannot be simultaneously correct or exact—at best, only one of them works "perfectly."

 

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

See also:

Bradley F. Cowan (2003) - 3-Step Guide to Market Timing via Astro Cycles. 

4X Other Way (2021) - The Law of Vibration and Lunar Periodicity in Market Forecasting. (video) 

David F. (2021) - Underlying Trend: Sigma-L.
TPR (2012) - The Delta Phenomenon.

TPR (March 19, 2026) - 20-Week Cycle Low in the S&P 500 and US Stock Indexes. 

Jeffrey A. Hirsch (March 25, 2026) - April Stock Market Performance in Midterm Election Years.

Nicholas D. Savino (April 4, 2026) - April 2026 S&P 500 Forecast.

Cosmic Cluster Days | April 2026

Heliocentric Cosmic Cluster Days (CCDs) do not exhibit a consistent polarity or directional bias in financial markets. The 'noise channel' functions as a signal filter, with its upper and lower bounds defined empirically. However, swing highs and lows that form within the noise channel may still correlate with short-term market trends and reversals.

 

Cosmic Cluster Days  |   Composite Line  |  Noise Channel

   

 For previous CCDs, click [HERE]. For background on the concept, click [HERE].

 

Q2 2026 Turning Points in the Geocentric and Heliocentric Bradley Indices. 

 

SoLunar Rhythm in April 2026.

 

 Forecast dates for change in trend:

April 6 (Mon) low, April 10 (Fri) high, and April 17-21 (Fri-Mon) low.

See also: 

Jeffrey A. Hirsch (March 25, 2026) - April Stock Market Performance in Midterm Election Years.

Jeffrey A. Hirsch (December 29, 2025) - 2026 Midterm Election Year Seasonal Patterns of US Indices. 

Nicholas D. Savino (April 4, 2026) - April 2026 S&P 500 Forecast.

20-Week Cycle Low in the S&P 500 and US Stock Indexes | Major Low in July

The projected 20-week cycle low arrived today, Thursday, March 19, at 9:35 AM, 118.12 days after the 40-week cycle low on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:30—in the expected price zone. 

 

 SPY (daily candles): 20-week cycle from November 21, 2025 into March 17-19, 2026.

[Projection as of February 22, 2026.] 

 

  SPY (daily bars): 20-week cycle from November 21, 2025 into March 19, 2026.

 

The final nominal 5-day cycle low within the nominal 20-week cycle was projected from the S&P futures low at the open on Sunday, March 15 at 5:00 p.m. (EDT) into the nested 20-week cycle low on Thursday, March 19 at 9:35 a.m. All projected times and dates of highs and lows in the thick blue summation lines, also shown in the charts below, are derived from current cycle periods and are—within the cyclic composite model—mathematically precise to eight decimal places. Cycle periods during the most recent 20-week cycle have been exceptionally stable and reliable; however, they may contract or expand by fractional harmonic offsets (IBPs and ITWs in Delta-lingo).

Tomorrow, March 20, 2026, at 10:46 a.m. EDT, Mercury stations direct precisely at the spring equinox as the Sun enters 0° Aries, with the New Moon conjunct Saturn and Neptune in early Aries.  

 

This creates a strong geocosmic reversal zone. Cycle lows or significant momentum shifts are likely in stocks, metals, grains, and interest-rate markets. 

 

Schematic trajectory of the current 40-week cycle from November 21, 2025 into the 18-month cycle low in mid-July (±).

At the same time, March triple witching and options expiration may drive higher volume and support a bullish turn in the US stock market into the next 10-week cycle, with an early April lower high. Lower highs and lower lows are expected into a major low of at least 18-month cycle magnitude by July 2026.

 

The upcoming 10-week cycle (80-day cycle).

 

Reference:

TPR (February 22, 2026) - S&P 500 Hurst Analysis: Projection into Mid-March 20-Week Cycle Low. 

TPR (2025) - Insights into J.M. Hurst's 40-Week Cycle AKA the 9-Month Cycle.

 

The principle of harmonic nesting and the synchronicity of lows:

Hurst Method Nominal Market Cycle Chart by Richard Russell, Dow Theory Letters, 1985.

See also:

@Fiorente2 (March 16, 2026) - The 60-Year Cycle in US Stock Indexes Revisited.
TPR (March 16, 2026) - Louise McWhirter’s Forecasting Theory: The US Stock Market Through 2028. 
Larry Williams (February 19, 2026) - 2026 Market Update: Crude, NatGas, Metals, Stocks, Cocoa.

TPR (2012) - The Delta Phenomenon. 

The 60-Year Cycle in US Stock Indexes Revisited | @Fiorente2

Multiple long-term cyclical frameworks suggest that US equity markets may be entering a period of heightened volatility and potential trend transition during 2026. The convergence of several key cycles—including the 60-year cycle, the 22-year cycle, and planetary timing structures involving Saturn, Venus–Uranus, and Jupiter–Saturn—points to a series of possible inflection points beginning in March 2026 and extending through mid-year. Measured from the April 2025 market low, these cycles begin to cluster between March and July 2026. While the February 2026 highs across several indices may represent an important crest, the possibility of cycle inversions or secondary tops remains open.

 

Long-Term Cycles

A central structural reference is the 60-year cycle measured from the April 2025 low. Historically, this cycle has corresponded with major turning points in US equity markets. Notably, the NYSE Composite reached a comparable high exactly 60 years earlier. However, the present market has not yet produced the decline typically associated with this cycle. Instead, market behavior may be following the 22-year cycle more closely, suggesting a gradual and phased decline that could extend into mid-August 2026.

Chart 1 — NYSE Composite and Long-Term Cycles: Interaction between the 

60-year and 22-year cycles measured from the April 2025 market low.

An earlier trough may occur near the end of June, corresponding with approximately 15 degrees of heliocentric Saturn movement measured from the April 7, 2025 low. A late-June to early-July 2026 trough would also coincide with three Venus–Uranus heliocentric oppositions projected from the April 2025 bottom. Within this framework, a shorter-term inflection point appears around March 13, 2026, where a temporary rebound may occur.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

The DJIA exhibits several notable cyclical alignments. The index reached a peak in early February that squared out along a Saturn 1×2 timing line, aligning closely with the equivalent date 60 years earlier. In addition, the heliocentric synodic cycle of Venus and Uranus has tracked recent turning points with remarkable precision, with several inflection points occurring within only a few days of major price reversals.

Chart 2 — DJIA Saturn Timing and Venus–Uranus Synodic Cycle: Alignment of Saturn timing

lines and Venus–Uranus heliocentric aspects with recent market turning points.

 

S&P 500

Applying Saturn timing lines derived from prior highs and lows to the S&P 500—combined with the Venus–Uranus synodic cycle—suggests the index may be declining toward a potential trough around mid-March 2026 during an initial corrective phase. This move could represent the first leg of a broader cyclical decline associated with either the 60-year or 22-year cycle. Historically, these cycles often move in similar directional phases for extended periods, reinforcing the prevailing market trend.

Chart 3 — S&P 500 Cyclical Timing Structure: Saturn timing lines and the Venus–Uranus

synodic cycle suggest a possible corrective phase developing in early 2026.

Nasdaq Composite

Because the Nasdaq Composite did not exist 60 years ago, the analysis relies primarily on the 22-year cycle. A Saturn planetary fan projected from the January high provides a framework for estimating potential downside trajectories should the current downtrend continue. While the 60-year cycle likely influences the broader market environment, its historical behavior cannot be directly evaluated for the Nasdaq. The Venus–Uranus heliocentric synodic cycle projected from the April 2025 low nevertheless identifies several well-defined inflection points that align closely with recent price movements.

Chart 4 — Nasdaq Composite with Saturn Planetary Fan: Potential trend pathways

using Saturn planetary fan geometry and Venus–Uranus timing.

Historical Analogue: 1966 vs. 2026

A striking historical comparison can be observed when examining the 1966 market cycle. In 1966, the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a peak near 1,000 on February 9 and subsequently declined to approximately 500 by October 10. Overlaying the current 2026 decline from the February 9 peak onto the 1966 pattern reveals a broadly similar percentage trajectory thus far. While historical analogues should be treated cautiously, the comparison provides a useful framework for evaluating the potential magnitude of the present correction.

Chart 5 — DJIA Historical Comparison: 1966 vs. 2026. Overlay analysis shows

similarities between the 1966 decline and the current market structure.

Planetary Time Clusters

Market volatility often increases when multiple planetary geometries and transit aspects occur within a narrow time window. The chart below aggregates cumulative hard aspects (0°, 90°, and 180°) of planetary transits together with major planetary geometries. These elements form Time Cycle Clusters, which historically correspond with periods of heightened volatility and increased market activity.

Chart 6 — DJIA and Planetary Time Cycle Clusters: Periods historically associated with elevated market volatility.

Jupiter–Saturn Structural Cycle

Another important framework is the long-term Jupiter–Saturn cycle. Projecting three Jupiter–Saturn cycles forward from the October 1966 market low produces an alignment in May 2026 corresponding with the original 1966 trough. This alignment could represent either a high or a low. However, because the second Jupiter–Saturn cycle corresponded with a market peak, the probability may favor a cyclical trough around May 2026.

Chart 7 — DJIA Jupiter–Saturn Cycle Projection: The chart projects three full Jupiter–Saturn cycles

forward from the October 1966 market low, resulting in a precise alignment marked in May 2026 

that corresponds to the original 1966 trough.

 

The Jupiter–Saturn synodic cycle measured from the October 10, 1966 low—using 90-degree increments—aligned closely with the 2007 market peak, occurring just 13 days before the October 10, 2007 high. Extending the third segment of this cycle projects forward to May 20, 2026, which occurs 18 years and 7 months after the 2007 peak. This represents 1080 degrees of Jupiter–Saturn motion, or three full cycles measured from the October 1966 low.

Since 2018, several major market crests—including those in 2021, early 2022, and February 2026—have aligned with a Jupiter planetary line drawn through these peaks. If this pattern continues, the February 2026 high may represent an interim crest similar to the 2022 peak, with a potential trough forming between April and July 2026. The current decline may represent only the initial phase of a broader corrective structure similar to the 1966 market decline, although confirmation remains premature.

Macroeconomic conditions remain relatively resilient, and a rapid improvement in geopolitical conditions could quickly restore bullish sentiment. Such developments could produce a secondary market top within the April–June window. At present, the balance of cyclical evidence suggests that the February 2026 peak may represent an important market crest. However, as with all cyclical models, inversions remain possible and should be considered within the broader analytical framework.

Reference:

@Fiorente2 (March 15, 2026) - Gann Master Cycle: The 60-year cycle revisited, Part 2. 
@Fiorente2 (March 8, 2026) - Gann Master Cycle: The 60-year cycle revisited, Part 1.

 

See also:
W.D. Gann (1950s) - Major Time Cycles in the Stock Market. 

Louise McWhirter’s Forecasting Theory: The US Stock Market Through 2028

Louise McWhirter first presented her theory in her 1937 book "Astrology and Stock Market Forecasting." The model in the chart below demonstrates her claim that primary trends in business volume, finance, and stock prices are systematically delineated by the retrograde motion of the lunar North Node (NN) through the twelve signs of the zodiac. 

The draconic period of the true (osculating) lunar North Node is 18.612958 years (6,798.383 days). On average, 
each 30° zodiac sign is traversed in 566 days, or one year, six months, and nineteen days (1.55108 years).

 

The zodiac wheel is divided into four quadrants: "above normal," "normal," "below normal," and directional zones marked "prices up" (Leo through Libra) and "prices down" (Aquarius through Aries). Prominent arrows labeled "NODE TREND" and "TRANSITION PERIOD" indicate the clockwise retrograde flow, with gradual shifts occurring across defined transition zones near Scorpio–Sagittarius and Taurus–Gemini. Four pivotal turning points occur when the North Node enters the fixed signs, corresponding symbolically to the four heads of the cherubim in the Book of Ezekiel:

 

■ Aquarius represents the extreme low of business activity and the bottom of the cycle.

■ Leo signifies the extreme high of business activity and the top of the cycle.

■ Taurus marks the point at which business activity reaches a normal level while the overarching trend remains downward.

■ Scorpio indicates business activity reaching a normal level while the trend is upward.

 

The intervening signs provide precise transitional and amplifying effects:

 

► Aquarius: Extreme low of business activity, the bottom of the cycle.
► Pisces: Business activity approaches the bottom of the cycle.
► Aries: Business activity starts to fall below the normal level.
► Taurus: Business activity reaches a normal level, but the trend is going down.
► Gemini: Business continues to fall lower towards the normal level.
► Cancer: Business activity fades from the top.
► Leo: Extreme high of business activity, the top of the cycle.
► Virgo: Business activity goes even higher.
► Libra: Business activity starts to go above the normal level.
► Scorpio: Business activity reaches a normal level, and the trend is going up.

► Sagittarius: Business continues to go higher towards the normal level.
► Capricorn: Business activity turns up from the bottom.

 

These phases are not instantaneous but unfold within the broader nodal transit and transition periods shown on the wheel. The following ingress dates, drawn directly from the established nodal cycle, demonstrate the theory’s practical application across recent and forthcoming years:

 

► November 11, 2015: NN enters Libra. 

► May 9, 2017: NN enters Virgo. 

► November 6, 2018: NN enters Leo. 

► May 5, 2020: NN enters Cancer. 

► January 18, 2022: NN enters Gemini. 

► July 17, 2023: NN enters Taurus. 

► January 11, 2025: NN enters Aries.  

► July 26, 2026: NN enters Pisces.

► January 27, 2028: NN enters Aquarius. 

► August 2, 2029: NN enters Capricorn. 

► January 26, 2031: NN enters Sagittarius. 

► October 2, 2032: NN enters Scorpio. 

► April 2, 2034: NN enters Libra. 

► October 25, 2035: NN enters Virgo. 

[The intervals reflect the variable motion of the true North Node, ranging from 542 to 623 days while averaging to the theoretical 566.532-day mean.] 

As of March 2026, the North Node resides in Aries, a phase in which business activity begins to fall below the normal level within the “prices down” quadrant. This downward pressure persists until July 26, 2026, when the Node enters Pisces. Throughout the remainder of 2026 and the entire year of 2027, the Pisces transit prevails, during which business activity steadily approaches the bottom of the cycle. The subsequent ingress into Aquarius on January 27, 2028 will mark the extreme low, completing the descent that commenced in Aries.

 

Louise McWhirter’s Nodal Cycle theory
parallels Gann’s Financial Timetable.

 

McWhirter’s model suggests subdued business volumes, contracting financial activity, and a prevailing downward bias in prices through 2027. While this part of her theory does not specify intra-sign turning points and acknowledges that secondary factors (such as other planetary cycles or policy interventions) may modify outcomes by up to 20%, it supplies a disciplined structural overlay that contextualises shorter-term technical, fundamental, and sentiment indicators. 

 

See also:

TPR (2018) - Louise McWhirter's Theory of Stock Market Forecasting. 

Louise McWhirter (2018) - S&P 500 Short-Term Forecasting Method.

TPR (2015) - S&P 500 vs North Node: Louise McWhirter's Theory of Stock Market Forecasting.

TPR (2025) - 2026 in W.D. Gann’s "Financial Time Table." 

 TPR (2012) - W.D. Gann's "Financial Time Table" Extended and Adjusted ( 1784 - 2121).

    Graham Bates (1994) - US GNP vs North Node: A Projection into 2025.

S&P 500 Forecast for March 2026 | Nicholas D. Savino

Following a brief correction through March 3 (Tue), the forecast projects a rally toward a peak around March 9 (Mon). This high is expected to be followed by a decline into March 16 (Mon), a rally leading into March 27 (Fri), and subsequent weakness heading into the end of the month.

 

March 3 (Tue) Low, March 9 (Mon) High, 

March 16 (Mon) Low, March 27 (Fri) High.

 

This forecast focuses on directional timing and is not scaled for price.

 

Reference:

Nicholas D. Savino (March 1, 2026) - S&P 500 Forecast for March 2026.   

[check for updates] 

 

S&P 500, NASDAQ, DJIA, and Russell 2000 (daily bars) and 20-week cycle.

 

S&P 500 (daily bars) vs 22-year and 60-year cycles.

 
See also:
Jeffrey A. Hirsch (February 25, 2026) - February Stock Market Performance in Midterm Election Years.

TPR (February 22, 2026) - S&P 500 Hurst Analysis: Projection into Mid-March 20-Week Cycle Low. 

Larry Williams (February 19, 2026) - 2026 Market Update: Crude, NatGas, Metals, Stocks, Cocoa.

Larry Williams (1998) - The Oops! Reversal Setup.

Cosmic Cluster Days | March 2026

Heliocentric Cosmic Cluster Days (CCDs) and financial markets do not display a consistent polarity or directional bias. The 'noise channel' serves as a signal filter, with the upper and lower limits of the channel being empirically defined. 

 

Cosmic Cluster Days  |   Composite Line  |  Noise Channel

   

That said, swing directions, along with swing highs and lows also within the 'noise channel,' may correlate with or coincide with short-term market trends and reversals.

 

 For previous CCDs, click [HERE]. For background on the author, concept, and calculation, click [HERE].

SoLunar Rhythm in March 2026.