A shooting star candlestick is typically found at the peak of an uptrend or near resistance levels. Shooting star candlesticks consist of a smaller real body with a longer upper wick and no lower shadow. They are typically red or black on stock charts.

They are single day patterns. It opens higher then trades much higher but ends up closing near it’s open price. It is the bearish answer to the inverted hammer.

They have a small real body with little to now lower wick and a long upper wick. It should be at least two times the size of the real body.

Shooting star patterns indicate that price has reached its peak and a reversal is coming. This pattern is the most effective when it forms after a series of rising bullish candlesticks.

Each bullish candlestick should create a higher high. Their upper wick is formed as buyers drive price up at some point during the day. But selling pressure pushed price back down so that it closed near the opening.

As price is rising during those green day, buyers start getting impatient wanting a pullback so they can get in at a good price. Remember the stock is already in a bullish uptrend so price has been rising for awhile.

Buyers cause a buying frenzy causing the upper wick to form. This is the greed we’re talking about. Shorts see the and capitalize on said greed. Pushing price back down. 

Confirmation

Confirmation of shooting star patterns are very important. The candle that forms after the shooting star is what confirms the pattern. The next candle can’t make a higher high.

Otherwise the reversal is null and void. The close of the new candle must also close under this pattern. If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that the next candle did in fact close lower.

The second candle closing lower, tells you that the greedy buyers are now taking losses. They either have to hold and wait it out or cut their losses and move on.

Greed usually turns to fear though and the panic selling begins. You can also see that on the chart above as large bearish candlesticks formed; letting you know the bears are in control for now.

How to Trade Shooting Star Candlesticks

• Traders go short at the break of the low and use a close above high as a stop
• Some may take a long position when price breaks above the high of the candlestick
• Then use a candlestick close below the low as a stop level