The Square of 9 is probably W.D. Gann's most famous Master Chart. Many traders use
this chart regularly as a primary trading tool. However, it is my personal belief that most
traders are only using a few simple techniques and are not fully utilizing the true potential
of this multidimensional Master Calculator.
What is the Square of 9 The Square of 9 is basically a spiral of numbers starting with the
number one in the center (or apex of the Great Pyramid) with the number 2 immediately
to the left. The rest of the numbers spiral around the center in a clockwise fashion to the
number 9, which completes the first cycle of numbers around the center. 10 through 25
completes the 2nd cycle, 26 through 49 completes the 3rd , etc… This particular
arrangement of numbers creates a very unique square root relationship with other
numbers on the chart. Michael S. Jenkins illustrates some interesting square root trading
techniques utilizing the Square of 9 in his Gann Course and his book Chart Reading for
Professional Traders. Basically, if you want to move around the coordinates on the Gann
Wheel you take the number you are interested in ( such as the all High or Low price)
take the square root of the number, then add or subtract 2 from the root and resquare the
result. Example: Lets say that we are interested in the price 664 (which is in the vertical
column straight up from the center). The square root is 25.768 + 2 = 27.768^2 = 771
which is the number directly above 664 or one full 360 degree cycle out from center. If
we subtracted 2 from the root and re-squared the number (25.768-2= 23.768^2 = 565 )
we would get 565 which is directly below 664 or one full 360 degree cycle in towards
center. Incorporating the Gann Emblem with this technique, allows us to calculate
coordinates that are conjunct (360 = +/- 2 from the root), opposition (180 = +/- 1 from
root #), trine (120= +/- .666) (240= +/- 1.333), square (90 = +/- .5) (270= +/- 1.5) and
sextile (60 = +/- .333) (300 = +/- 1.666).
This technique is extremely useful for finding coordinate squares on the Gann Wheel that
are making hard aspects to a previous position on the wheel. Also, Gann believed that the
numbers that connected the square base of the pyramid (the 4 corners of the square, i.e.
corner #'s.) to the “gravity center” and also the numbers that ran straight vertical and
horizon tal from the “gravity center” in the form of a cross (cardinal numbers) were very
important in balancing “Price & Time” on the wheel. He was basically looking for
astronomical longitudes to balance with price on these key angles. Pythagoras said “
Units in a circle or in a square are related to each other in terms of Price & Time at
specific points.” Gann often quoted the Bible, Emerson, Pythagoras and Faraday to name
a few. Basically, he was pointing the reader of his works to clues that would allow his
student to unlock the code of his writing style.
Time around the outer perimeter of the Square of 9 is a circle with months and days. The
circular calendar starts on the left-hand side of the wheel on the same horizontal line as
the center block. The date is March 21st and refers to the start of the “natural” year in the
season of Spring with the Sun in Aries ^. “Lamb of God you take away the sins of the
world” ( Spring takes away the sins of Winter). The dates move around the circle
clockwise completing the calendar. This relationship allows the user to quickly identify
dates that are Conjuct, Opposite, Square, Trine or sextile to a past calendar date relative
to the Sun / Earth relationship.
In Gann's Master Course for Stocks he said “ Within the circle forms the square, there is
an inner circle and an inner square, as well as an outer square and an outer circle which
prove the Fourth Dimension in working out price movements.” So far, we have covered
the inner circle ( The Earth's Orbit around the Sun) and the inner square ( Historic high &
low coordinates on the square itself). The outer circle includes all of the planets and is the
Zodiac starting at the left side of the square also on March 21st. Moving from this point
clockwise in 30 degree sections of the circle will place all 12 zodiac symbols around the
wheel (^_`abcdefghi). This completes the outer circle and allows the analyst to examine
planetary longitude relationships to price coordinates on the Square of 9, which is now an
outer square. In this way, we can convert planetary positions to prices relating to degrees
of a circle (Zodiac longitude) and also to coordinates on the Square of 9. We can also
examine hard aspects to both zodiac longitude and Square of 9 coordinates. Furthermore,
we can also use a first trade chart ( Natal Chart ), i.e. horoscope (another inner circle) to
locate sensitive longitude positions that are being aspected by planets from the outer
circle making them “Live Angles”! Is there any end to this multidimensional tool? Gann
hinted about this natal horoscope technique in his Master Course for Stocks by saying “
The dates when companies are incorporated and the dates when stocks are first traded in
on the New York Stock Exchange or the other exchanges causes them to make tops and
bottoms at slightly different dates then these dates for seasonal changes”. Gann also
illustrated this technique in his Soybean letter, which is well worth reading. I believe that
this is what Gann meant when he discussed “Natural Law”.
Gann said “ Through the law of vibration every stock and commodity in the market place
moves in its own distinctive sphere of activities,” (natal horoscope?) “ As to intensity,
volume and direction. All the essential qualities of its evolution are characterized in its
own rate of vibration. Stocks and commodities, like atoms, are really centers of energies,
therefore they are controlled mathematically. They create their own field of action and
power, power to attract and repel, which explains why certain stocks and commodities at
s lead the market and turn dead at other times. Thus, to speculate scientifically it is
absolutely necessary to follow Natural Law. Vibration is fundamental; nothing is exempt
from its law. It is universal, therefore applicable to every class of phenomena on the
globe. Thus, I affirm every class of phenomena, whether in nature or in the market, must
be subject to the universal laws of causation, harmony and vibration.”
Nobody knows for certain how Gann used this Master Calculator, but If you will study
this material and apply the techniques presented in this article, I think you will that
this is how Gann probably used this tool which proves the “4th dimension in working out
Time & Price movements”. |