The S&P 500 versus the Speed of the True Lunar Node

Financial markets correlate closely with the 4–14 day cycle of the retrograde–stationary–direct motion of the True Lunar Node (North Node). This cycle can be depicted best by charting the Speed of the True Lunar Node against the S&P 500 (where "speed" refers to the geocentric motion in degrees of longitude per day).

S&P 500 (daily candles) vs True and Mean Lunar Node Speed, December 2025 to June 2026.

On March 30, 2026 — the date of the major stock market low shown in the chart above — the True Lunar Node was positioned at approximately 3°–4° Pisces (retrograde) in the Buttonwood Agreement NYSE natal chart (May 17, 1792, 8:52 AM LMT, New York). Using the Placidus house system, it fell in the 11th house, the sector governing groups, large-scale public participation, collective sentiment, international alliances, and speculative market trends driven by the masses.

Expect potential short-term changes in trend when the True Lunar Nodal Speed (blue solid line in the chart above)

► equals the Mean Lunar Nodal Speed (red horizontal dashed line), or

► is at 0 (grey horizontal dashed line), or 
► reaches maximum and minimum extremes.

 

The absolute maximum of the True Lunar Nodal Speed is approximately +0.0015 degrees of geocentric longitude per day (brief direct motion); the absolute minimum is -0.1074 degrees per day (peak retrograde motion). Standstills (stations) of the True Lunar Node occur when its geocentric speed in longitude momentarily reaches zero, as it oscillates around its mean retrograde motion due to solar and planetary perturbations. 

 

True Lunar Node speed data generated by eph1.

 

The True Node is predominantly retrograde (negative speed, averaging –0.053°/day) but regularly slows, stations (speed = 0°/day), and briefly moves direct (positive speed, up to +0.0015°/day) for hours to days before resuming retrograde motion. These stations are most pronounced and prolonged near eclipse seasons (roughly every 173 days), when solar perturbations on the lunar orbit are strongest.

The S&P 500 versus the Speed of the True Lunar Node (solid blue line)
and the Speed of the Mean Lunar Node (blue dashed line), 2014 to 2016.

In addition to the phenomenon of eclipses, there is a period of approximately ±2 weeks around the equinoxes, when Earth crosses the ecliptic from south to north (spring) and vice versa (fall). During these intervals, geomagnetic activity tends to be relatively strong, though highly variable and unpredictable, as solar emissions impact both hemispheres in an unbalanced manner.

 The S&P 500 versus the Speed of the True Lunar Node (solid blue line), November 2015 to April 2016.

 

The S&P 500 versus the Speed of the True Lunar Node and Eclipse Crash Windows, October 2014 to December 2015. 

The physical wobbling and oscillation of the Moon in its orbit around Earth and the Sun are driven by square aspects and conjunctions in both longitude and declination relative to the Sun and Earth. Around solar and lunar eclipses, the lunar nodes undergo rapid transitions between direct motion (speed above zero), retrograde motion (below zero), and near-standstill phases (at or very close to zero), as indicated by the blue-shaded time frames in the charts above. During these periods, financial markets commonly exhibit sentiment extremes and elevated volatility.

Approximately every 86.5 days, a so-called Moon Wobble occurs when the Sun is conjunct, opposite, or square (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to the True Lunar Node. The lunar node begins wobbling about two weeks before the exact event and remains unstable until roughly one week afterward. When coupled with solar or lunar eclipses, the wobble effect can be extended. As the Sun approaches conjunction or opposition to the lunar node, its motion is nearly blocked (as indicated by the bluish shaded areas). These periods are potential crash windows in financial markets. 

 

The S&P 500 versus the Sun conjunct, opposite, and square (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to the True Lunar Node, 2011 to 2015. 

 

The Moon's Nodal Wobble refers primarily to the retrograde precession of the lunar orbital nodes—the points where the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic plane. This line of nodes completes a full 360° cycle westward (retrograde) relative to the vernal equinox in approximately 18.613 years, at a mean rate of about 19.35° per year or 0.053° per day.

 

This "wobble" or instability in nodal speed reflects heightened perturbations when the Sun's gravitational influence on the Moon's orbital plane is strongest. The True Node may exhibit rapid fluctuations in direction and speed (retrograde-stationary-direct), magnifying energetic or disruptive effects in observational contexts. Mean nodes remain steadily retrograde but also decelerate noticeably.
 

The Draconic Month—also known as the nodical or draconic lunar month—has a mean length of 27.212220 days (27 days, 5 hours, 5 minutes, and 35.8 seconds) and is one of the five distinct lunar orbital periods used in astronomy and astrology.

This Precession causes the Moon's maximum declination to vary between roughly ±18.3° (minor lunar standstill) and ±28.6° (major lunar standstill) over the cycle, influencing eclipse patterns, tidal extremes, and the apparent "wobble" in the Moon's orbital orientation as viewed from Earth. A secondary, shorter-term perturbation arises from solar gravitational effects, causing the True (osculating) Node to oscillate around the mean node by up to about ±1.5° with a dominant period of roughly 173 days.

The Moon's Extreme Declinations represent the annual instants of greatest northern (positive) and southern (negative) geocentric declination, which delineate the progression of the 18.613-year lunar standstill cycle. These events reach their peak values (±28.43°) during the major lunar standstill in 2025 and their minimum values (±18.33°) during the minor lunar standstill in 2034.

The Moon's Extreme Declinations and Standstill Cycle, 2025 to 2035.

These values reflect the combined effects of the Moon’s orbital inclination (≈5.15°) and the 18.613-year nodal precession relative to the ecliptic. During major standstill years the extremes approach the sum of the obliquity of the ecliptic (≈23.44°) plus the orbital inclination; during minor standstill years they approach the difference. The listed times mark the precise moments of zero declination rate of change (local extrema).

Eclipses occur when the Sun aligns closely with the lunar nodes (conjunction or opposition) near a new or full Moon, aligning the Sun, Earth, and Moon in three dimensions. Around these times—typically twice yearly in eclipse seasons separated by about 173 days—the True Node's geocentric motion slows markedly, often becoming stationary or briefly direct (positive speed) before resuming retrograde motion.

 

As observed from Earth, the Sun crosses both lunar nodes as it travels along the ecliptic. The interval between successive returns of the Sun to the same node is known as the draconic (or eclipse) year, approximately 346.6201 days. Hence, there are about 12.74 draconic months in one eclipse year, and 13.42 draconic months in one tropical (or solar) year. 

Equinoxes mark when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, aligning its apparent position with the intersection of the ecliptic and equator. The lunar nodes' alignment with equinox points modulates the Moon's Extreme Declinations and Standstill Cycles. When a node coincides near an equinox, it accentuates the 18.613-year nodal cycle's effects on lunar rising/setting azimuths and tidal variations. The True Node's oscillatory behavior can interact with these seasonal alignments, though without the pronounced speed reversal seen at eclipses. 

 

See also:

TPR (2012 to 2019) - The S&P 500 versus the Speed of the True Lunar Node (more historical chart examples). 
TPR (April 9, 2026) - Bradley Cowan’s Lunar Cycle Projection Methodology Applied to the S&P 500.

TPR (February 4, 2026) - 2026 US Stock Market Forecast Based on Jack Gillen's Principles.

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

There is a notable correlation between the speed of the True Lunar Node (North Node, Rahu)—defined as its motion in degrees of geocentric longitude—and short-term changes in financial market trends. This relationship becomes particularly evident when:

■ the speed of the true lunar node approaches zero, and
■ the lunar node changes direction (i.e., at the minima and maxima of its oscillations).

 On June 4, 2012 — the date of the major stock market low shown in the chart above — the True North Node was positioned at approximately 18°54' Sagittarius (retrograde) in the Buttonwood NYSE natal chart (May 17, 1792, 8:52 AM LMT, New York). Using the Placidus house system, it fell in the 5th house, the sector governing speculation, risk-taking, short-term market movements, creativity, and public sentiment.

 

The result is a rapid cycle of approximately 2–7 days, during which short-term trend shifts may occur, sometimes aligning with larger market moves. This behavior corresponds to the lunar node’s retrograde, stationary, and direct phases, recognized in both astrology and astronomy.  During lunar and solar eclipses, the node exhibits a pronounced “wobble,” oscillating quickly between these phases. As the Sun approaches a 180° opposition to the node (e.g., late May 2012), the node’s motion slows to near standstill. This condition—often termed a lunar standstill—is regarded as a potential crash window in equity markets.

In financial astrology, the North Node's placement in a national or corporate horoscope (or its transits over key points) is interpreted as indicating areas where external or collective forces exert significant influence on markets, capital flows, and economic activity. It frequently highlights overseas or foreign involvement, as the nodes are inherently tied to international and cross-border themes due to their connection with eclipses and global cycles. In the quadrant-based and time-dependent Placidus House system interpretations in this context include:

■ 7th House: Partnerships, alliances, and open enemies. The North Node here often points to foreign investors, international trade partners, or overseas corporations playing a major role in domestic markets or corporate deals.
■ 9th House: Long-distance matters, foreign countries, international law, and higher finance. A North Node placement or transit here may signify foreign capital inflows, influence from international institutions, or global news affecting investor sentiment.
■ 3rd House: Communication, media, short-distance travel, and local/international news flow. The North Node can indicate foreign news, rumors, or international reporting that drives market volatility or public reaction.
■ 2nd House: National wealth, currency, and financial resources. Here, the North Node often denotes foreign capital, overseas investment into domestic assets, or influxes of money from abroad that strengthen or inflate values.
■ 10th House: Government, national reputation, and authority figures. The North Node in this house may reflect foreign governments, international regulators, or global political influences affecting policy, trade agreements, or sovereign markets.
■ 12th House, 6th House, or 8th House (the "loss" or hidden houses): These placements are generally more challenging. The North Node here can indicate foreign-related losses, hidden foreign influences causing outflows, scandals involving overseas entities, supply-chain disruptions (6th), debt or crisis involving foreign creditors (8th), or secretive international dealings leading to financial leakage (12th).

 

The Lunar Nodes precess rapidly along the ecliptic, completing a full revolution—known as the draconitic or nodal period (associated with nutation)—in about 18.6 years, distinct from the saros cycle. The Moon's orbit is inclined ~5° to the ecliptic, while the ecliptic is inclined ~23.4° to the celestial equator. Consequently, once per nodal cycle, when the ascending node aligns with the vernal equinox, the Moon reaches its maximum northern and southern declinations (the Lunar Node Declination Cycle). At these extremes, it also attains its widest rising and setting azimuths, its highest and lowest meridian altitudes, and may produce unusually delayed first visibilities of the New Moon.

The True Lunar Node Cycle (Draconic Cycle or Nodal Precession Cycle) has a mean period of 18.61296 solar years (approximately 18.613 years or 6,798.38 days). Its 4th harmonic is 4.65324 years (approximately 4.653 years or 1,699.595 days). Accordingly, the North Node (Mean Node) advances 30° — entering a new zodiac sign — every 1.551 years on average. This is equivalent to:

≈ 18.61 months
≈ 80.93 weeks
≈ 566.5 calendar days
≈ 10.12 weeks per 1/8 segment (45°)
≈ 55 trading days per 1/8 segment (assuming ≈252 trading days per year)

The term "Moon Wobble," coined by Carl Payne Tobey (1902–1980), described periods when the Sun is conjunct either node or forms a T-square to the nodal axis. Based on his study of major disasters—fires, severe weather, and loss of life—he found such configurations frequently coincide with heightened risk, especially near eclipses, though not exclusively. These periods are associated with pronounced declinational instability of the Moon and an increased likelihood of environmental and material disruption.

S&P 500 Index vs True Lunar Node Speed | August 2019

Lunar True Node Speed @ maxDirect = Aug 25 (Sun)
Lunar True Node Speed @ Mean = Aug 29 (Thu)
Lunar True Node Speed @ maxRetrograde = Sep 02 (Sun)
Lunar True Node Speed @ Mean = Sep 05 (Thu)
Lunar True Node Speed @ maxDirect = Sep 08 (Sun)

Before and after lunar and solar eclipses, the True Lunar Node starts wobbling (e.g., on Jul 16–17, 2019), moving quickly back and forth—retrograde, stationary, then direct. Financial markets correlate with this 4- to 14-day cycle of the retrograde–stationary–direct motion of the True Lunar Node.

About every 86.655 days, a so-called “moon wobble” (lunar libration) occurs when the Sun is conjunct (e.g., on Aug 16, 2017), opposite, or square (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to the Lunar Node (4 × 86.655 days = 1 nodical year, or eclipse year = 346.62 days). The Node starts wobbling about two weeks before the exact event and remains unstable until about one week after. If coupled with solar and lunar eclipses, the wobble effect can be extended. As the Sun approaches conjunction or opposition to the Lunar Node, its motion is almost blocked (with speed at or near zero). Notably, these periods are associated with exuberant mood and frenzy, often correlating with rallies or crashes in financial markets.

S&P 500 Index vs 18.61 Year Lunar Node Cycle │ January 2024

 

» The lunar node, quite abstractly speaking, is the point of intersection of the solar and the lunar orbits. There are, therefore, two nodes in opposite positions in the heavens: an ascending node or lunar north node, and a descending node - the lunar south node. The solar and the lunar orbits are not, in effect, in the same but in different planes, enclosing a certain angle. Thus there arise the two opposite points of intersection. The peculiarity of these two points of intersection is that they do not stand still but slowly move. The plane of the lunar path rotates in relation to the plane of the solar path; so the two nodes move a round. They move around the Zodiac in a contrary direction to the rotation of the planets, i.e., from Aries backward through Pisces, Aquarius, etc. A complete revolution of a lunar node takes place in 18 years and 7 months; after this time, therefore, the node — the ascending node, for example — is once again in the same position in the Zodiac as it was before. The ascending node is, thereby, the mathematical point that (at any given time and again after 18 years and 7 months [= 6,798.383 CD] the lunar orbit rises above the solar orbit, while at the opposite point the descending node sinks below it. «

Willi O. Sucher, 1937.

 

See also:

TPR (Dec 21, 2023) - S&P 500 Index vs 18.61 Year Lunar Node Cycle: Projection into April 2024.

 

The S&P 500 versus the Rhythm of the True Lunar Node

Financial markets correlate with the 4–14 day cycle of the retrograde–stationary–direct motion of the Lunar True Node (North Node). This cycle can be illustrated by charting the geocentric longitude and speed of the Node against, for example, the S&P 500 (where "speed" refers to geocentric motion in degrees of longitude per day).

 The blue dotted diagonal is the longitude of Lunar Mean Node.
The blueish verticals indicate the changes in the motion of the Lunar True Node.

 

Approximately every 86.5 days, a so-called “Moon Wobble” occurs when the Sun is conjunct, opposite, or square (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to the Lunar Node. The Node begins to wobble about two weeks before the exact alignment and remains unstable until roughly one week afterward. When combined with solar and lunar eclipses, this wobble effect may be extended.

As the Sun approaches conjunction and opposition with the True Lunar Node, its motion appears to slow significantly (as indicated by the bluish shaded areas). This period is considered a potential crash window in financial markets. 

 

The plane in which the Moon orbits the Earth is inclined at 5°09′ to the plane of the ecliptic, and this plane rotates slowly over a period of 18.61 years. Over this 18.61-year nodal cycle, the amplitude of the lunar declination gradually increases.  The maximum monthly lunar declination north and south of the equator varies between 18°18′ and 28°36′. Maximum values of lunar declination occurred in 1969, 1987, 2006, 2025, and 2043, while minimum values occurred in 1978, 1997, September 2015, 2034, and 2053.

 

The plane of the lunar orbit precesses in space, completing one revolution in 6,798.3835 days, or 18.612958 years. The Lunar Node enters a new zodiac sign (30°) approximately every 1.551 years, or about 18.613 months. This corresponds to 1.55 years, 80.9 weeks, or 566.53 calendar days, which can be divided by eight to yield a 10.12-week cycle, equivalent to roughly 55 trading days.

 

S&P 500 versus the True Lunar Node's Speed │ August 2017

 Upcoming Turn-Days: Aug 04 (Fri), Aug 12 (Sat), Aug 16 (Wed), Aug 19 (Sat), Aug 28 (Mon), Sep 02 (Sat).

 

Lunar eclipses (e.g., Aug 07, 2017) occur at full moon, and solar eclipses (e.g., Aug 21, 2017) occur at new moon, but only when their alignments take place in three dimensions. Relative to Earth’s orbit, the plane of the Moon’s orbit is inclined, with a mean inclination of 5.1454°. Eclipses occur only near the nodes, where the lunar orbit intersects the solar orbital plane. Earth’s mean orbital plane is called the ecliptic (a term synonymous with “eclipse”).

There are two nodal crossings of the ecliptic per nodal period: the ascending node and the descending node. Half the nodal period is the shortest possible interval between two eclipses. Solar and lunar eclipses differ significantly: during a total solar eclipse, the Moon’s shadow forms only a narrow band on Earth, whereas Earth’s conical shadow at the Moon’s mean distance is over 9,000 km wide—nearly three lunar diameters. As a result, only a small percentage of people experience each solar eclipse, while roughly half the world can view each lunar eclipse.

Before and after lunar and solar eclipses, the True Lunar Node begins to wobble (e.g., around Jul 30, 2017), moving rapidly back and forth—retrograde, stationary, then direct. Financial markets are said to correlate with this 4–14 day cycle of retrograde–stationary–direct motion of the True Lunar Node.

Approximately every 86.655 days, a so-called “moon wobble” (lunar libration) occurs when the Sun is conjunct (e.g., Aug 16, 2017), opposite, or square (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) the Lunar Node (4 × 86.655 days = 1 nodical year, or eclipse year = 346.62 days). The Node begins wobbling about two weeks before the exact event and remains unstable until about one week after. If coupled with solar or lunar eclipses, the wobble effect can be extended.

As the Sun approaches conjunction or opposition to the Lunar Node, its motion is nearly blocked (speed at or near zero). Notably, these periods are associated with exuberant mood and frenzy, often correlating with rallies or crashes in financial markets.

S&P 500 vs True Lunar Node Speed | Exuberant Mood and Frenzy

The Lunar Node Wobble:
Node @ 0 = Nov 29 (Fri), max Direct @ High = Dec 02 (Mon), @ 0 = Dec 04 (Wed), Mean @ -0.053 = Dec 07 (Sat),
max Retrograde @ Low = Dec 09 (Mon), @ -0.053 = Dec 10 (Tue), @ 0 = Dec 14 (Sat), @ High = Dec 17 (Tue),
@ 0 = Dec 19 (Thu), @ Low Dec 23 (Mon), Annular Solar Eclipse = Dec 26 (Thu), @ 0 = Dec 27 (Thu),
@ High = Dec 27 (Sun), @ 0 = Dec 31 (Tue), @ Low = Jan 01 (Wed), @ 0 = Jan 03 (Fri), @ High = Jan 07 (Tue),
@ 0 and Penumbral Lunar Eclipse = Jan 10-11 (Fri-Sat), @ Low = Jan 13 (Mon), @ 0 = Jan 18 (Sat), etc.

Before and after lunar and solar eclipses, the True Lunar Node begins to wobble (e.g., Dec 26, 2019 (Thu) = annular solar eclipse; Jan 10–11, 2020 (Sat–Sun) = penumbral lunar eclipse), moving rapidly back and forth—retrograde, stationary, then direct (see “Moon Wobbles” in a NASA animation here). Financial markets are said to correlate with this 4–14 day cycle of retrograde–stationary–direct motion of the True Lunar Node.  

 

Approximately every 86.655 days, a so-called “moon wobble” (lunar libration) occurs when the Sun is conjunct, opposite, or square (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to the Lunar Node (4 × 86.655 days = 1 nodical year, or eclipse year = 346.62 days). The Node begins wobbling about two weeks before the exact event and remains unstable until about one week after. 

 

If coupled with solar or lunar eclipses, the wobble effect can be extended. As the Sun approaches conjunction or opposition to the Lunar Node, its motion is nearly blocked (with speed at or near zero). Notably, these periods are associated with exuberant mood and frenzy, often correlating with rallies or crashes in financial markets.

DJIA vs Lunar North Node in Zodiac Signs | Louise McWhirter

The mathematically calculated Lunar Nodes are sensitive points in space where the Moon’s orbit around the Earth intersects the ecliptic - the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The Ascending Node is where the Moon crosses from south of the ecliptic to north of the ecliptic. The Descending Node is where it crosses from north of the ecliptic to south of the ecliptic. In Western astrology the Ascending and Descending Nodes are known as the "North Node" and the "South Node". 

 

Only the North Node is usually marked in horoscopes, as the South Node is by definition at the opposite point in the chart. In Vedic astrology, the North and South Nodes are called Rahu and Ketu respectively, and both are marked in the chart. Nodes always move retrograde and are considered natural malefics. 

 

Astrologically the Nodes are thought to powerfully influencing both the affairs of nations and of people. Eclipses occur only near the Lunar Nodes: Solar eclipses occur when the passage of the Moon through a Node coincides with the New Moon. Lunar Eclipses occur when passage coincides with the Full Moon. The plane of the lunar orbit precesses in space and hence the Lunar Nodes precess around the ecliptic, completing a revolution (called a Draconic or Nodal Period, the period of nutation) in 6798.383 days or 18.612 years. The Nodes need 1.55 years to pass through one zodiac sign.

 

In her book 'Astrology and Stock Market Forecasting' published almost 80 years ago, financial astrologer Louise McWhirter described a theory of the business cycle. She claimed the low point of the depression was reached in summer of 1933 (Lunar North Node in Aquarius) and predicted the next peak in economic activity would occur in November 1942 (NN in Leo). Her prediction for recovery in 1942 coincided with the massive economic stimulus spending set in motion by the build-up for World War II. Looking at 100 years of stock market prices she consistently found the North Node in the sign of Aquarius during periods of low economic activity. At the halfway point in the 18.6-year cycle, the North Node is moving into the sign of Leo, where economic high points have historically been recorded. After this, the long-term trend moves lower as the North Node slowly and systematically makes its way back to the sign of Aquarius, where the cycle begins anew (see also HERE).

Enlarge

 

Using McWhirter’s method, one would have expected the lowest economic period between January 2008 and August 2009 (NN in Aquarius), and then gradually improving from below normal levels to normal levels between August 2009 and August 2012 (NN in Capricorn, Sagittarius and Scorpio). The period between September 2012 and February 2014 was projected to be an above normal period for economic performance (unfortunately the red line of the averaged composite in the above chart doesn't clearly reflect this pattern). 

Though a considerable market correction between now and Q1 2016 is likely (HERE & HERE), a larger ensuing double-dip recession wouldn’t fit into the McWhirter-pattern (HERE). Instead the general upward trend should continue into the major peak-out between May 2017 and November 2018 (NN in Leo - HERE), followed by collapsing and declining markets into the 2020s (HERE).

The Sun, the Moon, and the Number 56 | David McMinn

A 56-year cycle has been established in trends of US and western European financial crises since 1760 (Funk 1932; McMinn 1996). Clearly, many major financial crises are precipitated by some mechanism, as they tend to occur preferentially in patterns of the 56-year cycle and not as random events. Numerous cosmic factors were examined for some link with the timing of financial crises.

 

Traditional astrology and sunspots were the initial areas favoured for assessment, but no significance could be realized. This is hardly surprising, as rigorous research has offered little support for astrological theory (Dean and Mather 1978; Culver and Ianna 1984). However, the 56-year cycle was found to correlate very closely with cycles of the sun and moon.

The author believes changing mob psychology forms the basis of cycles of financial crises. This repetitive cycle of speculative frenzy, panic, and pessimism has persisted throughout modern economic history; people learn very little from the greed and foolishness of the preceding generation. People are hypothesized to undergo alterations in mass mood in accordance with changing sun-moon cycles. Financial crises occur when there is a sudden shift in sentiment from optimism to fear.

This paper follows directly on from the work of McMinn (1996). The underscored years are listed as major crises by Kindleberger (1989).

Solunar Cycles: The nodal cycle (or nutation cycle) equals 18.6 years. The north and south nodes are two hypothetical points, 180° apart on the ecliptic circle, where the plane of the earth’s orbit around the sun (the ecliptic) is intersected by the plane of the moon’s orbit around the earth. (The moon’s orbit is inclined at 5° to the ecliptic.) The ascending (north) node is the point where the moon crosses from below to above the ecliptic. The descending (south) node is where the moon crosses from above to below the ecliptic. The moon’s north node takes 18.6 years (one nodal cycle) to complete one cycle retrograde (clockwise) through the ecliptic circle.

The solar year equals 365.24 days. This is the time the sun takes to complete one cycle of the ecliptic circle. This time unit forms the basis of the 56-year sequences, the 36-year subcycles (9, 18, 36, 54 years), and the various artifact subcycles (10/20 years, 13/26/52 years, etc.).

The eclipse year equals 346.62 days. This is the time the sun takes to complete one cycle, north node to north node. For an eclipse to take place, the sun-moon-earth must align in a straight line, which can only happen when the sun and moon are near the north and/or south node. A solar eclipse (partial or total) can occur only when a new moon (i.e., the sun is 0° to the moon) is within about 19° of the nodes. Similarly, a lunar eclipse may only be evident when a full moon (i.e., the sun and moon are 180° apart) is within about 12° of these points.

The saros cycle equals 18.03 years. It has been widely appreciated for millennia and was known to the ancient Babylonian astronomer-priests. Every 223 lunar months (one saros cycle), the sun, moon, and the moon’s nodes align in the same relative angles to each other within a fraction of a degree. One saros cycle of 18 solar years is equal to 19 eclipse years.

The half-saros cycle equals 9 years. Every 9 solar years (or 9.5 eclipse years), the moon’s mean relative position is the same angle to the north node, with the sun 180° on the opposite side of the zodiac.

The 56-year cycle. Every 56 years, the sun conjuncts (0° angle) the moon’s north node in almost the same zodiacal position (3° clockwise) and on the same date (minus three or four days). Every 56 solar years (or 59 eclipse years), the sun’s relative position is approximately the same angle to the north node, with the moon 180° on the opposite side of the zodiac.

A similar alignment of solunar cycles occurs every 56 years (692.5 lunar months), as is evident for the half saros (111.5 lunar months) (see Table 1). The 5 in the latter two figures result in alternating solar/lunar eclipses and full/new moons every 111.5 and 692.5 lunar months, respectively.
These cycles—based on the angles 0° and 180° between the sun, moon, and nodes—repeat to within one degree. This is an astonishing astronomical fluke.

 

Solar year: one cycle of the sun from spring equinox to spring equinox; equal to 365.2422 days
Eclipse year: one cycle of the sun from north node to north node; equal to 346.6200 days.
Synodic month: interval between two successive new moons; equals 29.5306 days
Tropical month: one 360° cycle of the zodiac (tropical) by the moon; equal to 27.3216 days.
Nodical month: one cycle of the moon from north node to north node; equal to 27.2122 days.

 

Note: These are average figures. Perturbations exist in the motions of the earth and moon around the sun and deviations from these figures are evident.
 

These 9- and 56-year solunar cycles would not arise if the radii of either the earth-sun or earth-moon orbits varied a little from their current mean distance. The reasons for the importance of 0°/180° angles in these two cycles is unknown, though it may be related to the fact that the north and south nodes are always 180° apart in zodiacal and aspectual circles.

Perturbations. Most importantly, solunar cycles are expressed in terms of mean periods, with considerable fluctuations around the averages. For example, the zodiacal position of the moon may vary by as much as 8° from its mean position.

2026 in W.D. Gann’s "Financial Time Table"

W.D. Gann’s Financial Time Table from 1784 to 2008 is based on the 18.612958-year lunar nodal cycle (6,798.383 days, the time for the Moon's north node, also referred to as the True Node, to complete one orbit relative to the ecliptic). Compiling his Financial Time Table in 1909, however, Gann approximated the lunar node's period without an ephemeris by simply alternating 18- and 19-year intervals to achieve an average of 18.5 years—an error of 47.33 days per cycle, meaning Gann's cycle is lagging behind the node's true position.

 

» Gann himself was quoted as saying that this was his greatest market discovery. « 

 

Fast-forward to late 2025, Gann's error sums up to 300 days. Hence, the exact criteria and starting date to which he anchored his cycle, including his annotation: "Dec. 25, 1989 revises to Mar. 13, 1934," remain unclear and subjects of debate. The table’s basic conceptual congruence with Louise McWhirter's 1937 "Theory of Stock Market Forecasting" led analysts to suspect "Louise McWhirter" was merely a Gann alias used to correct the flawed astronomy of his 1909 Time Table and provide an elaborated astrological theory of the lunar node's 18.6-year cycle and its impact on the US business cycle and stock market.

 

US GNP vs North Node: A Projection into 2025, Graham Bates, 1994.

 

 » "W. D. Gann" and "Louise McWhirter" share the same numerological root of “9”. « 

Regardless, even though the extended version of the original table into 2121 did not correct Gann's error, it forecasted a market panic in 2020 (accurate), and high stock prices in 2022–2023 (accurate?). For 2024, 2025, and 2026, Gann's table warns about a "major panic CRASH! 4 years of falling prices, business stagnated, breadlines, soup kitchens, despair, unemployment." Correct? For 2027 to 2031, the table announces "extreme low stock prices, strikes, repression, [and] despair" to be followed by the "beginning of [a] new business generation of 18.6 years. 4 years of rising stock prices and improving business. Markets bare of goods. Young men becoming prominent." Time will tell.

 

Gann claimed his time table accurately forecasted over a century of significant events, including the 1907 Panic, the 1929 Crash, and the post-World War II boom. This framework has shown continued relevance in modern validations, such as the 2020 COVID-19 market panic, which aligned with a projected low year in the table. Furthermore, the 2022–2023 stock highs preceded an anticipated downturn, also fitting the established pattern. 

  

 » Major crash in 2024–2026 with prolonged economic stagnation, and a recovery by 2028–2030. «

W.D. Gann's original "Financial Time Table" adjusted and extended into 2121.

 

While appealing, the table’s predictions should be approached cautiously, considering external factors and the debated accuracy of Gann’s methods. 

 

» Maybe Gann’s table should be shifted for a few months in view of 18.5M approximation vs 18.6M desired value. « 

Branimir Vojcic, 2025.

 

Branimir Vojcic is right: For higher degrees of conviction, diehard Gann aficionados may want to re-anchor the exact lunar nodal period to a specific date (e.g., sign ingress, natal chart, crash low), and derive further clues from "Louise McWhirter."

 

 S&P 500 vs Lunar North Node moving through the Zodiac, 1950-2028.

» We shall find out soon enough. «