PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY December 3 2007 to December 9 2007 Monday December 3 Admiring the Mayans Dear Jonathan, The ancient Mayans are supposed to have predicted the world would end in 2012. Apparently the I Ching also predicts this. But, remember when we celebrated the Millennium in 2000? Experts insisted it was a year too early because there was no Year Zero. Might the Mayan calendar be a year out, too? David Dear David, I have studied the I Ching carefully. It predicts no such thing. The Mayan long count calendar though, definitely does have a cycle ending in 2012. There is no dispute about its accuracy. The argument is over what this really means. Jonathan Tuesday December 4 Just a moment... Hi Jonathan, I may just be having a blonde moment but, if a person never reads their horoscope, does the forecast still apply to them? Chris Dear Chris, My immediate reaction was to say yes, but then I started thinking. I don't write them for people who aren't going to read them. Furthermore, when I predict how things will turn out, I mean, "This is how things will turn out if you act on my advice." So maybe they do only apply to people who read them. Or... maybe not. Oh no. Now I'm having a grey moment. Jonathan Wednesday December 5 The Elements According to tradition, each zodiac sign belongs to an 'element'. There are four of these (earth, fire air and water) each with three signs. Some people, though, are suspicious of this convenient symmetry. They suspect that once the balance was not so exact. We spoke, recently about whether Capricorn should be a water sign. And what about Aquarius, the water bearer? Why is that an AIR sign? The official explanation is that the water in the Aquarian's urn is drawn from the fountain of eternal wisdom. Knowledge, intellect, logical analysis and insight are all, ultimately, qualities symbolised by 'air'. Thursday December 6 The nature of cycles The world's financial markets follow patterns. So too do the planets. Specialist astrologers who crack the codes that connect these rhythmic routines, are in great demand. I am not such a specialist but even as a humble household stargazer, I can tell you that cycles, by their very nature, have high points and low points. Panic and pessimism make the natural dips more problematic than they ever need to be. The global economy is beginning to undergo a brief but frosty winter. By September 2008 (even earlier if we're lucky) we'll be looking at plenty of sunshine once more. Friday December 7 Rebirth Of Nature Dear Jonathan, I have just been reading a book called Rebirth Of Nature by Rupert Sheldrake. He explains how creatures pass on newly-learned habits. He says actions get easier to emulate the more times they're performed. It really made me think. Humans are creatures too. We have formed a habit of war, greed and confrontation. Now is when those who can see a different way MUST start living it! The kinder, more conscious and more respectful of the earth and of each other we are, the more we will truly make a difference. Denise Dear Denise, Isn't Rupert Sheldrake good! Jonathan Saturday December 8 Your Weekend We're in the 'Dark of the Moon' this weekend. Mystics insist that the best predictions are always made when no Moon can be seen in the sky. Astrologers certainly see the fainter stars and planets more clearly at such times. Ancient traditions tell us that the 'veil between the realms of this life and the next' grow flimsy at such times. And that the gap between the present and the future shrinks. So if you want to know the answer to a question, close your eyes and summon your psychic skill. It may be stronger than you think. Sunday December 9 Your Week Ahead We're in the 'Dark of the Moon' this weekend. Mystics insist that the best predictions are always made when no Moon can be seen in the sky. Astrologers certainly see the fainter stars and planets more clearly at such times. Ancient traditions tell us that the 'veil between the realms of this life and the next' grow flimsy at such times. And that the gap between the present and the future shrinks. So if you want to know the answer to a question, close your eyes and summon your psychic skill. It may be stronger than you think. NEXT THOUGHT OF THE DAY BACK TO INDEX   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts