Sponsored by
Is it written in the stars?
Now is the winter of our discontent – and our spring, summer and autumn too, at least according to the 2008 Old Moore's Almanac. Earthquakes, famines and floods are just a few of the delights we can look forward to over the next 12 months.
Watch out Gordon Brown – your Government will come close to collapse in a few weeks time. It must be true. it's written in the stars!
Even if you are not the Prime Minister, it doesn't mean you can be too complacent. Rises in tax, crime and inflation are on the cards, too.
Then, of course, there is the risk of military coups in Africa, a volcanic disaster in Mexico and an education crisis looming in Britain.
And, if you are lucky enough to make it to August, watch out for a new form of an old virus – especially as the NHS is set to be privatised.
All these rather gloomy astrological predictions, and many more besides, are contained in the 2008 edition of Old Moore's Almanac.
As the oldest annual publication listed in the Guinness Book of Records, it has been offering an "insight" into the future for 310 years.
With the predictions based on planet movements, publishers of the almanac claim many a success in its three centuries of existence.
Not only did it foretell the Second World War, but it also predicted that major problems would hit the Government this year.
"We had two important predictions that we really wanted to happen," said Barry Belasco, the current editor of the almanac.
"The first was that a financial scandal would hit the new PM, the second that a Government computer problem would create havoc. Oh joy, to have them both materialise for Christmas.
"But if Gordon Brown thinks that 2007 is a good year to put behind him, it's because he hasn't looked at 2008."
However, Canon Stephen Taylor, Rector of Sunderland Minister, is distinctly unimpressed by Old Moore's predictions for 2008.
"I think this sort of thing should be taken with a pinch of salt," he said. "I believe much of our destiny actually lies in our own hands.
"For example, by working collectively and individually, we can make Sunderland a better place, if we all pull in the right direction."
If the predictions are not to your taste either, then you can look to the stars for slightly cheerier events instead – like winning the lottery.
The almanac offers an eclectic list of horse racing tips, football pools forecasts and ideal days for planting, as well as Lotto number hints.
And there are even lucky days for going fishing in 2008, as well as good times to try your hand at bingo or at the dog track.
Whether or not you should blow your life-savings on the nine-year-old horse tipped to win the Grand National is, however, up to you.
One man who probably won't be making that bet is Graham Darke, chairman of the flourishing Sunderland Astronomical Society.
"At one time, astrology and astronomy were closely linked, although that was a very long time ago," he said. "The science of astronomy then went down a different path to the pseudo-science of astrology.
"The idea that our lives are somehow linked to the stars is scientifically not so daft. The atoms in our bodies were manufactured inside ancient stars that ended their lives eons ago.
"The idea, however, that the positions of the sun, moon and planets at the time of our birth somehow influences our character traits and fortunes is, at best, misleading!
"Astronomy has opened our minds to the sheer enormity of the universe we are a part of, but astrology has done nothing to further our
knowledge and, when critically examined, is fundamentally flawed."
Right on the mark
PREDICTIONS Old Moore got right ...
* War in Iraq in 2003 – it started on March 19.
* Major celebrity bust-up in February 2007 – Britney Spears fiasco.
* A US terror attack in 2001 – 9/11 happened.
* Mid-90s crisis for Royal Family predicted in 1985.
* The resignation of Anthony Eden in 1957.
* The disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1992.
* The Iranian Embassy siege of 1980.
* The resignation of Margaret Thatcher in 1990.
* World War Two – predicted to start in September 1939.
* Brighton Bomb attack in 1984.
* The 2007 resignation of Tony Blair predicted in 2005.
African coups, tax rises, prison riots, crises, scandals and epidemics –have a great 2008
January
The US will be in a war-like mood and willing to risk military escalation. The situation in Iran is critical. There are signs of instability in Mexico, with attacks on government members likely and a high chance of earthquake or volcano disasters.
February
Mozambique and Tanzania are at risk from military coups, while an earthquake and storm alert could be issued in North West America.
Political initiatives and businesses launched now will run into major obstacles, while democratic moves in Iraq will fail.
March
The British Government will come close to collapse, while there could be investigations into organised criminal wrongdoing in Washington.
But this will also be a month for technological breakthroughs, especially in the direct use of the human brain to control computers.
April
There is a maximum chance of a referendum campaign for Scottish independence, while Israel could see a change of government.
The international focus may be on South East Asia, where there is a high risk of natural disaster or terrorist attack.
May
Tax rises, higher inflation and further problems with pensions and investment failures are among the gloomy predictions for this month.
Secret crimes will also be exposed, while democracy is set to suffer and extremist groups may do well in British local elections.
June
The British economy will be extremely volatile, with revelations of fraud, money-laundering and crime at the highest levels.
There are also hopes of a final withdrawal of troops from Iraq, but mass protests in Zimbabwe will bring no change in government there.
July
The government may propose tax breaks for parents, but will cut benefits for single parents. Urban unrest and riots are predicted.
A shake-up in media businesses could be on the cards, while violence could spill over into Saudi Arabia from Iraq.
August
Sudden troubles are expected, such as prison riots or epidemics of new forms of virus. There will be violent outbursts linked to the Presidential campaign in America, while businesses which pursue big plans will fail.
September
There will be scandals concerning the detention of mentally ill people in prison, as well as of the failure to deal with violent crime.
International concern will focus on Egypt, which is at serious risk of revolution between now and the end of the year.
October
The British government will be hit with confusion, fraud, waste and corruption scandals. It will be weak and the opposition strong.
UK property prices will reach a plateau and there will be warnings of a crash. However, the rise in prices is likely to resume.
November
Economic optimism will begin to decline, share prices may fall and interest rates will rise - bad for borrowers, but good for savers.
Health reforms will be at the top of the political agenda, with major shifts towards a privatisation of the NHS.
December
The education system will be in crisis, with a likelihood of teachers striking or parents and students suing schools for bad service.
There are also likely to be underworld killings, arrests of prominent Mafia leaders and revelations of organised crime in the Government.
Centuries of peering into the future
The first printed almanacs appeared in the 15th century – just a few years after the invention of moveable type.
However, hand-written almanacs had been available long before this, with the earliest based on simple records of future astronomical events.
William Parron was probably the first to print one in Britain in 1490, followed by Wynkyn de Worde, an assistant to the printer Caxton.
Parron worked for Henry VII, but mysteriously vanished after the Queen died aged 37. He had predicted she would live into her 80s.
By the 17th century, almanacs had become hugely popular in Britain – although some very strange people managed to write them.
One author was the Reverend William Bredon, of Buckinghamshire, who used to cast horoscopes at the altar for his parishioners.
It was said he was so addicted to smoking that, when he ran out of tobacco, he would cut the bell ropes and smoke them instead.
Other almanacs, however, were written by very distinguished men, including the astronomers Tycho Brahe and Kepler.
Kepler was hugely successful and accurate. His predictions included a cold weather snap and a Turkish invasion – which both came true.
William Lilly's almanac, Merlinus Anglicus Junior, was also a great success. First published in 1644, it continued until his death in 1681.
Known as the English Merlin, he was so successful in predicting the Great Fire of London, he was even arrested on suspicion of starting it.
It was during this period that Old Moore's Almanac was first printed too, written by the self-taught physician and astrologer Francis Moore.
Moore had been born into poverty in Bridgnorth, but after teaching himself how to read, went on to serve in the court of King Charles II.
The first edition of the almanac was published in 1697 and contained weather forecasts. Astrological observations were included from 1700.
It became a bestseller throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, selling as many as 107,000 copies in 1768.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
