For
those of us with stars in our eyes, 2003 looks to be a year
of giddy highs and troubling lows. After all, Uranus enters
Pisces in March, and the last time that happened, the flappers
were running wild, prohibitionists had decried consumption of
alcohol, and organized crime was burgeoning. And in June, Saturn
enters Cancer—a transit not seen since Nixon resigned,
SNL was launched and a gasoline crisis threw our lives
into upheaval. How will these and other planetary influences
affect New York City this year? I asked four of my astrologer
colleagues to join me in charting a course for 2003. Here's
what we saw for the future:
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| Cary
Conover |
::
Shelley L. Ackerman ::
Columnist, lecturer, radio astrologer, creator of www.karmicrelief.com,
president of New York affiliate of the American Federation of
Astrologers, teacher at the New York Theosophical Society
The
economy: New York struggles as it did in the mid-'70s,
saddled with high unemployment and crime rates and meager
public services. Comedy clubs thrive, however, as do poetry
cafés, which grow in societal value. Website building
and maintenance remains a steady source of income. Popular
new careers: ethicists and interfaith ministers.
Real
estate: Rentals and co-op/condo prices slide in June,
creating a two- to three-month window to find a great deal
before interest rates climb. Downtown rebuilding features
many spas and oxygen bars. Hot new neighborhood: Manhattan's
St. Nicholas Terrace, above West 118th Street.
National
& world politics: Expect an accelerated game of musical
chairs: Trent Lott's predicament is just the beginning of
an unraveling; Alan Greenspan leaves his post. Public alliances
shift dramatically, and Dubya is weakened when Saturn places
him in a precarious position from September through November.
Local
politics: Labor and transportation problems are eclipsed
by an even more harrowing close call in the subway (e.g.,
a massive water-main explosion). Safety in the tubes becomes
priority number one, and the subway's fractured sound system
is finally repaired. We could see a local politician involved
in a drug or bribery scandal.
Arts
& entertainment: The number is Nine, and the
revival of that magnificent musical, starring heartthrob Antonio
Banderas and Chita Rivera, is the hot ticket. Comedy in
general makes a thrilling comeback, as do romantic music,
ballroom dancing, hoopskirts and balladeers.
Fashion
& trends: Ruby-red slippers reign for women and men,
as does a Cirque du Soleil look. Colors are gold and iridescent
blue-green. Hats with mini fishbowls and mermaid motifs make
a splash, but Jet Skis are out (Mars in Pisces makes the sea
too dangerous). Jupiter in Virgo highlights integrity, so
who's popular? Heroic whistleblowers.
Sports:
April marks the 80th anniversary of the first Yankees game
at Yankee Stadium, and this buoys the team into a fantastic
season. Steinbrenner may face tough times and retreat under
Saturn in late summer or early fall. Jason Giambi weathers
a personal crisis of faith, but, pro that he is, we'll never
know it. He triumphs in the latter part of the year.
Environment:
In May, untraceable airborne germs make headlines. Best to
boost immunity with supplements in April. "Oil and water don't
mix" is the mantra after one oil spill too many. Conservation
makes a comeback. Solar power is taken seriously and implemented.
A prominent oil executive shocks us with his defection.
Science/
Medical/ Technology: A lucky accident leads to a startling
discovery that may inexpensively cure cancer, or AIDS. In
December, the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first
flight is celebrated with exhilarating aviation news.
"It"
person: Neptune, King of the Sea. We'll be holding
him in our thoughts with nightly prayers to clean the oceans
and keep the peace down there. "Neptune mania" takes hold.
::
Stephanie Azaria ::
Program director of the NYC Chapter of the National Council
for Geocosmic Research (www.cosmicpath.com)
The
economy: The measures taken by Mayor Bloomberg to "fix"
the NYC economy generate municipal chaos and disgruntled unions.
And he's just getting started!
Real
estate: A very focused WTC rebuilding project includes
a tower—built very quickly—tall enough to reestablish
our country's power and strength.
National
& world politics: Since 1840, every U.S. president
elected in a year ending in zero (with the exception of Reagan
in 1980) has either died in office or for some other reason
not finished his term. So George W. Bush, elected in 2000,
must be very vigilant of his health and security.
Local
politics: Hillary Clinton starts out the year with
some very bold and controversial "power" moves that cause
everyone to either love or hate her (so what else is new?).
Arts
& entertainment: Hollywood stars further the trend
of using their celebrity to stir public political awareness.
Fashion
& trends: A major trend veers toward the boldly sexual;
expect to see Victoria's Secret items being worn on the streets.
Sports:
The Mets have an incredible comeback this summer, surprising
everyone after a very unimpressive start.
Environment:
Global catastrophes, beginning in March, affect our health,
forcing us to recognize the ecological damage we've done.
Science/
Medical/ Technology: Technological breakthroughs bring
us way beyond cell phones and IM's, and allow unprecedented
telepathic communication.
"It"
person: Pope John Paul II passes on, leaving the Roman
Catholic Church and its problems to a new leader who brings
unparalleled change to the religion—as well as a new
look to its religious garb.
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| Cary
Conover |
::
Susan Miller ::
Creator of Astrology Zone (www.astrologyzone.com),
author of The Year Ahead: 2003 (Barnes & Noble Books,
$9.95) and Planets and Possibilities (Warner Books, $15.95)
The
economy: Expect much belt-tightening in NYC, particularly
from June 2003 to July 2005, a time of realism and of sacrifice.
Ideally, all New Yorkers should find two sources of income.
Real
estate: Housing becomes increasingly expensive in the
five boroughs. With Saturn soon in Cancer, some neighborhoods
show a gradual price decline, but housing availability remains
very tight.
National
& world politics: If a presidential election were
held today, George W. Bush would be a shoo-in; in late 2003,
however, his popularity declines, reaching an even lower ebb
in 2004. Getting elected for a second term becomes harder
than he ever expected.
Local
politics: Hillary "Scorpio" Clinton's power and status
receive a strong boost from planetary emphasis on compatible
Pisces. Watch, in late July, for surprisingly strong proof
that her star is again on the rise.
Arts
& entertainment: Certain areas of the arts—literature,
dance, architecture and music—flourish. This seven-year
period is similar to that of the Roaring Twenties, so expect
New Yorkers to plot fun, silly schemes (dance marathons?)
to offset the overall doom and gloom that's marked city life
since Sept 11, 2001. The upbeat trend takes us through most
of the decade.
Fashion
& trends: Expect a style that's enchantingly feminine
and elegant. Fabrics are soft and diaphanous, designs whimsical.
Uneven hemlines may become a surprisingly popular trend. Suddenly,
the small female waist becomes a focus: Watch for prints and
touches of lace, too.
Sports:
Remarkable WNBA star Teresa Weatherspoon is golden with extra
zing on or about January 9 and June 20. She's a Sagittarius
(thus, a natural athlete) with Jupiter opposite her sun, indicating
good luck with coaches. She soars when Saturn changes signs
in June, and for the next 29 years, she's untouchable on and
off the courts.
Environment:
There is wider investigation of the oceans: Expect experimentation
with food grown in underwater labs—as well as with new
forms of underwater housing—over the next seven
years. More attention is given to food production, specifically
the negative effects of chemicals and animal hormones in foods.
Science/
Medical/ Technology: Greater medical research is devoted
to combating eating disorders, which are on the rise due to
Saturn in Cancer and also as a result of America's increasing
problems with weight control.
"It"
person: Osama bin Laden is still the man of the hour.
Though there's controversy about his true birth date, he seems
like a Pisces. So with Uranus moving into his sign, he's likely
to become increasingly volatile and potentially to be whipped
into a deeper, even more misguided religious fervor. From
July through December, he'll become quite aggressive.
 |
| Cary
Conover |
::
Linda Joyce ::
Internationally renowned lecturer and author of The Day You
Were Born (Kensington, $14) and the upcoming The Star
Within (Random House)
The
economy: It's all about highs and lows for 2003, so if
you don't like roller-coasters, get out of the market. Records
are broken on both ends.
Real
estate: The Donald will wear a new hat (which is in, by
the way), as he's branching out beyond real estate. The project
takes New Yorkers by surprise.
National
& world politics: All eyes turn East when a seemingly
small event sparks internal conflict in China. Long
repressed rage rises and burns across that troubled country.
Local
politics: The city that doesn't sleep may be wide awake
in June for reasons other than pleasure, be it a headache
(caused by unions) or even an earthquake.
Arts
& entertainment: It's a year of obsession. Get ready
for a new group in music to take the international spotlight.
It won't just be popular; it'll be a phenomenon on the level
of Elvis or the Beatles!
Fashion
& trends: Hats and things for the head are back. So
what will it be—a Panama straw or the latest gas mask?
Sports:
New Mets pitcher Tom Glavine will not meet immediate
expectations. But don't give up on him, as the next few years
will make him a New York superstar.
Environment:
Death and tragedy from water—either too much of it (floods)
or not enough (drought)—causes an ongoing international
crisis.
Science/
Medical/ Technology: A new magic pill—like another
aspirin—hits the market, becoming a miracle cure for
a long list of ailments.
"It"
person: Colin Powell. The war against terrorism brings
Bush down, and the voice that rises above his is that of Powell.
 |
| Cary
Conover |
::
Liane Thomas Wade ::
Astrologer and executive director of the Antiquarian Booksellers'
Association of America
The
economy: NYC is in for a hard couple of years. Help comes
from either the state or the feds—but not until it seems
to be too late.
Real
estate: High-end NYC real estate spreads out over more
of the city's landmass. Meanwhile, Park and Fifth Avenues
lose some of their exclusivity.
National
& world politics: John Kerry has the "I must be President"
bug, but it's a rough ride, making it hard for him to keep
the fire in his belly fully stoked.
Local
politics: Rep. Charles Rangel recovers from the McCall
campaign, but Bloomberg seems only to blunder.
Arts
& entertainment: Adding to the current glut of books
on health is an explosion of literature on how to improve
your well-being by examining pollutants in the environment,
particularly in the water.
Fashion
& trends: Men wear cloaks and brooches, à la
Lord of the Rings. Good manners make a comeback,
just as Victorian style is in vogue, both on the silver screen
and on the streets.
Sports:
Pete Rose does not make it into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
And in an unrelated blow, the Belmont Park racetrack is flooded
this spring, causing irreparable damage.
Environment:
The fragility of New York's water-supply system is revealed.
And city services—from garbage pickups to education—are
at their worst.
Science/
Medical/ Technology: A leap forward in computerized artificial
intelligence astounds us but simultaneously demonstrates its
limits.
"It"
person: It's all about power couple Judith Nathan
and former mayor Rudy Giuliani.
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