The Markets are Fractal, and so are we…

Earl was in the zone. The former pit trader, a veteran of the Chicago Merc's frenzied floor, could still feel the market's pulse, even through the cold glow of his computer screen. He watched the 6 and 12-second candlesticks flicker and dance, their compressions and expansions painting a vivid picture of the market's ebb and flow. Like a seasoned fighter reading his opponent's every breath, Earl anticipated the market's next move, his instincts honed by years in the trading trenches.

“The markets are fractal,” he said, “You can do this on your time frame too.” My mind stopped thinking about the trade as I struggled to comprehend what he was saying.. What does he mean Fractal?  When I did not respond, he explained further, “Fractal- the same price movement, the same waves ebb and flow regardless of if you are looking at a 12 second chart or a daily chart. The same patterns emerge and repeat themselves.

One minute chart of the S&P500   

    Daily chart of the S&P500

As I reflected on that conversation, I saw a profound parallel between the market's nature and the essence of our spiritual journey.

The intense challenge of navigating the markets successfully has illuminated a fundamental truth about our human existence. The market, in its essence, is a collective energy wave—a manifestation of each participant's fears and desires, their triumphs and setbacks, their hopes and their despair. Every minute of trading encapsulates a fractal of the battle over price waged within each trader's mind. It's a struggle to stay anchored in the present moment, while the ghosts of past failures whisper doubts and the echoes of past victories roar with overconfidence. Or perhaps the struggle lies in projecting into the future—envisioning profits that promise comfort and security, or dreading losses that threaten self-worth and reinforce negative beliefs.

Just as human consciousness is a fractal expression of the universal source, so too are the markets a fractal of the universe of conscious humans participating in it

One way the market mirrors our spiritual truth lies in its fractal nature. Just as human consciousness is a fractal expression of the universal source, so too is each market movement a part of a larger wave, which itself is part of an even grander tide. Like the ocean, with its countless ripples and waves, the market is an interconnected mandala of movements, each reflecting and influencing the whole.

We, as individuals, are like those ripples on the water. From our limited perspective, we can't see the entire wave we're part of. Yet, we are an integral part of it, just as I am a ripple and together, we form a wave.

In practical terms, this means that what may seem like a terrible or tragic event in our lives can later reveal itself as a blessing in disguise. The promotion you missed might lead you to a more fulfilling job, or the heartbreak of a failed relationship could open the door to meeting your soulmate.

As day traders, we're taught to zoom out to the bigger picture when we want to improve our execution and achieve success. We analyze the market on a higher timeframe to gain the proper context for our micro-movements on a daily basis. On a weekly or monthly chart, the market might be trending upwards, even if we suffered losses last week.

The Creator has a timeframe invisible in scale to our human consciousness

Similarly, in life, you will inevitably face crushing setbacks. But if you zoom out to a larger timeframe—the timeframe of the Creator—you'll see that the universal "market" is always moving upwards. The Creator has designed it for your success, even if you can't see it from your current vantage point.

So, no matter the storm clouds gathering in your personal sky, remember this: you are a vital piece of the universe, a unique expression of its infinite self-discovery. A universe that is eternally growing, expanding, evolving. A universe born from an act of boundless love, willing to experience whatever is necessary to become the most magnificent version of itself.

And you, and I, are fractals of that breathtaking, grand design. We are not separate from it; we are woven into its very fabric. Embrace the journey, with all its ups and downs, knowing that even in the darkest moments, you are part of something infinitely beautiful and eternally unfolding.