PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY December 14 2009 to December 20 2009 Monday December 14 Cop 15 Cop Out? Dear Jonathan... Why do you disregard the opinions of scientists who utterly reject astrology yet fall hook line and sinker for their so-called 'expertise' when it comes to climate change? Martyn Hoax or not ... the Global Warming message is, surely, the only reason people are finally beginning to respect our planet and live cleaner, more sustainable lives. This can only be for the good. Kim I'm confused by your recent replies to letters from 'climate skeptics'. I thought you supported the Copenhagen summit but you seem to be striving to give non-confrontational responses. Brett Dear All, Years ago, when nobody else was talking about any of this, I felt a strong duty to help get the conversation started. I'm now starting to feel an even stronger professional duty to be objective. Today between 4.30 and 5pm UK time, I will be on a Radio 4 programme called "The Infinite Monkey Cage". It will be repeated at 9pm on Wednesday 16th. Tuesday December 15 Maya D-Day will not be Expiry Day Jonathan, I saw that someone asked about a rare alignment on December 21, 2012, and your response was, 'That's stretching a point and playing with language to sell books about the Mayan calendar!' Is there really not a rare galactic alignment taking place that day? Or is there indeed a rare galactic alignment that only takes place every 26,000 years, expected at that time? Thanks! Jennifer Dear Jennifer, There are, indeed, 26,000-year cycles. But over 26,000 years, years - even decades - don't count for much. There's nothing happening on that particular day that doesn't happen the year before... or the year after. Wednesday December 16 Computer Wiz We're in the Dark of The Moon. Not that too many of us will notice. Gone are the days when travellers timed their night-time journeys to co-incide with moonlight. Now, especially at this time of year, we can navigate by the light of a million blazing Christmas baubles. And as for the witches and wizards who once chose this time of the month to gather in secret, well, these days, I'm told, every self-respecting coven has a closed membership Facebook page. Happily, the heavenly bodies still influence us whether we look up at them or not. Thursday December 17 Deal Or No Deal 'Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen.' So goes the song. There can't, though, be many people there singing it this week. I recently predicted that the outcome of the climate conference would be a meaningful treaty. I concede that it's not looking very likely. But each day takes us closer to a conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune. That always accompanies 'positive events' in world history. So, unless the sceptics really are right, and there's no need for an agreement, and the very best thing for our planet would be not to have one... I reckon they'll manage a last-minute deal. Friday December 18 Global Warming Cuts No Ice with Rocket Scientist Dear Jonathan, I'm an American rocket scientist. Over the last 2,000 years there has been an increase in hot-house gases. But the ice core information for the last 200,000 years shows the Earth in an ice age, with warm periods lasting about 14,000 years. We appear to be reaching the end of one of these. Once the ice age kicks back in, you can burn all the fuels you want. It won't stop giant ice sheets from building up at the poles. Dan Dear Dan, I can't argue with a rocket scientist... but I bet some readers can! Saturday December 19 Your Week Ahead This week, the Sun comes up in precisely the same spot on the horizon for three days running. That only happens twice a year. The rest of the time, it creeps slowly North or South. These turning points coincide with the longest and shortest days. They have always been a time for feast and celebration. That's why the early church decided to link the birthday of Jesus to the December solstice. At least, though, experts agree on where, if not when, he was born. Doubt also shrouds the origin of St Nicholas (aka Father Christmas or Santa Claus). We all know, though, where he'll be on Thursday night! Jonathan takes part an interesting discussion of Science and Astrology on Radio 4. Sunday December 20 Your Week Ahead Part Two - Love Focus This week, the Sun comes up in precisely the same spot on the horizon for three days running. That only happens twice a year. The rest of the time, it creeps slowly North or South. These turning points coincide with the longest and shortest days. They have always been a time for feast and celebration. That's why the early church decided to link the birthday of Jesus to the December solstice. At least, though, experts agree on where, if not when, he was born. Doubt also shrouds the origin of St Nicholas (aka Father Christmas or Santa Claus). We all know, though, where he'll be on Thursday night! Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts